₦airaland Forum

Sodiq Ojuroungbe

What supposed to be a project that would develop Sango, Ijoko, Agbado to Ojodu area in Ifo Local government area of Ogun state has turned out to be the source of agonies, sorrows and regrets for many residents living in the axis over the poor state of the road which has become an abandoned project.

About six years ago, precisely September 30, 2013, the immediate past governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun begin the demolition and expansion of the 32km Sango-Ijoko-Agbado-Ojodu.

The government had awarded the contract of the road to Messrs Prado E. Mercedos, a Brazilian firm.

When bulldozers and excavators roared in the neighbourhood to begin the dismantling of structures to make way for the expansion of the road, the people were seen rejoicing as they welcomed the development with joy.

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The people believed that the expansion is a massive project that is capable of not only opening up the area for commercial activities, but will engender rapid development of Ogun State.

However, a visit to the road six years after construction has begun; PLATFORM TIMES observed that the state of the road is now worse than the way it was before the governor started the expansion.

Our reporter who visited almost every part of the road which include: Sango-Ota, Ijoko, Lemode, Ogba-Ayo, Olambe, Akeredolu, Peters, Adiyan, Opeilu, Akute, Itoki, Giwa, Ajuwon, Gideon, Abule-Ekun, Ibaragun, Sabo, Alagbole, Idi-Orogbo, Fabolude, Matogun, Adiyan-Alausa, Otun, Oke-Aro, Egon, Arinfanla, Osere, Ojodu-Abiodun, Denro, Agbado, Gasline, Owo-Yele, Idi-Obi, Idi-Iroko, Jafa, Olaogun, Rafco, among others observed that many portions of the road have been taken over by stagnant water.

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It was also observed that the demolished shops, residential buildings, churches, mosques, filling stations and shanties in many of the road were still the way it was as nothing significant has been done on the road expansion.

Although, on several occasions, Amosun has insisted that he would complete the road which is the artery into the border communities and Berger on the Lagos/Ibadan expressway, but it came as a surprise that the former governor could not fulfill his promise for the people of the axis.

When PLATFORM TIMES visited the affected communities by the bad shape of the road, it was gathered that the road has turned to burden and agony for the people residing in the area.

It was further gathered that the over 20 border communities on the axis are currently reeling in pains as the road is no more motorable and has made residents who built houses in the affected areas to be reportedly going through daily agonies while paving the road.
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PLATFORM TIMES reporter who took a bike from Sango to Ojodu where the expansion was supposed to end observed that while some part were partially completed, some were totally abandoned.

It was also observed that the road which has eight bridges cannot boast of one bridge that has been completed as many of the bridges were abandoned half done.

PLATFORM TIMES further observed that there are many portions of the road that is not motorable at all which has led to abandon of the road totally between Ijoko and Agbado.

Residents and motorist who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES, claimed that the uncompleted road project had brought them untold hardships.

When asked if politicians always come to campaign in the area, the residents told our reporter that almost every political parties came to campaign in different part of the areas during the last election.

They added that both the immediate past governor and present governor came to solicit their support in winning the election.

When our reporter meet with some motorists that pave Ijoko to Agbado road, they claimed they are taking another route because there is no way vehicle or motorcycle can move in some areas that have been taking over by stagnant waters and erosion.
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A motorist identified as Micheal Akinwale said, “This road is worse than what it used to be then.

“We cannot even pass some areas between Ijoko and Agbado because the road is not motorable. Water has taken over those places and trailers are even avoiding those places.

“We want the federal government to come to our aide, this pain is becoming unbearable”.

A resident identified as Elizabeth Clement said the erosion that has take over an abandoned part has sent them out of their home.

Clement maintained that erosion has also take over their home which has made them homeless.

She said, “We regretted voting Amosun in this area. I have been living here since 1999 and we did not have any flood issue until Amosun came to demolish this place for expansion.

“We have not see any expansion in the last six years, the road has been abandoned and flood has taken over our home.

“We are now homeless, we cannot stay here again and we don’t have anywhere to go. If not for our friends that we always sleep at their homes.

“We are tired of life, federal government should take over their projects and construct this road, we cannot bear this pains again”.

Speaking with Elder Raphel Awe, the chairman of Orudu Community Development Council which comprises of 30 communities, said all efforts by the community to get the road completed prove abortive.

He added, “the road has become worse and unbearable. It is no longer motorable and we spent a lot everyday just to get transportation.

“When rain falls, it becomes difficult for us to pave the road, the community association has spent a lot to ensure we can still pave the road, but, it seems it is beyond what we can do.

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“Some of us that have car are left with the option of either leaving the car in the town or leaving it at home, because the money we spent on repairing our cars is becoming unbearable.

“We are calling on the government to come to our aid and assist us, they should first help in completing this Agbado-Ojodu road and after that they should look for a way they can make the other roads within the area motorable for users.”

No fewer than six churches in Osogbo, Osun State were recently invaded by armed robbers who carted away a multimillion Naira public address system.

The men of the underworld were said to have stole Mixers and Slave Engine Amplifiers at the affected churches which include Methodist Church, Isale-Aro; Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Bishop’s Court, Jaleyemi; Catholic Church, Popo; Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Isale-Aro; and Anglican Church, Balogun-Agoro.

A member of one of the affected churches who spoke under condition of anonymity, said it was unfortunate that the robbers chose to target the House of God to carry out their nefarious activities.

Narrating the development, the source said: “We woke up on the fateful day to discover that about six churches have been robbed by the criminal elements who invaded the said churches.

“At Methodist Church, Isale-Aro, the robbers broke three security doors to access the church building after which they carted away one big Mixer worth about N600,000 and three Slave Engine Amplifiers worth N80,000 each.

“The robbers also stole similar sets of public address equipment at Anglican Church, Balogun-Agoro; Catholic Church, Popo; Christ Apostolic Church, Isale-Aro; Anglican Church, Bishop’s Court and another Christ Apostolic Church around Old Secretariat axis.”

Another church member told our correspondent that the matter had already been reported at Police Station, Oja-Oba, while the police officers immediately swung into action.

“We have lost equipment worth millions of naira. After we reported the matter at Oja-Oba Police Station, police officers came to our church to make some findings. As a matter of fact, Anglican Church is the worst hit as the robbers stole several items there.

“The police officers came and asked some questions about who we suspected could be responsible, but added that for them to go further with investigation, especially to trace the fingerprint of where the robbers touched will cost the church money.

“So, the church had to abandon pressing ahead with the investigation since it will cost us money. We have resolved to leave the matter to God and pray that the robbers will have no peace in their lives until they return the stolen items.

“These are public address items that we use during our services and it is unfortunate that the robbers targeted worship centres and God’s sanctuary to perpetrate their evil trade,” he said.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer of Osun State Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola clarified that the money requested for fingerprint investigation was not an extortion, but that it has to be paid where the investigation would be carried out.

“It is not the investigating police team that is responsible for the fingerprint test. They will have to take it to the State CID (Criminal Investigation Department) and they don’t do it free there. It is not the police that will pay for what they will use for the fingerprint test and that was why they told them to fund the investigation.

“The investigating team can as well tell the victims to go and conduct the fingerprint test in Alagbon, Lagos, and so it is not as if they are being extorted,” she said.

The Ogun State House of Assembly has raised the alarm that it had discovered that N40 million was missing from the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation , under the former Governor , Ibikunle Amosun administration .

The Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and anti-corruption ,
Musefiu Lamidi disclosed this on Monday while questioning the former Managing Director of the State Property and Investments Corporation, Jide Odusolu .

Odusolu who served as a Special Adviser to Amosun was grilled by the Assembly in continuation of the consideration of the financial reports of the Corporation between 2015 and 2019.

The Assembly accused Odusolu of disposing -off a landed property which it purchased for over N515m at Isheri with N848m value at a giveaway price of N164m for half of its portion.

The Assembly added that the transaction was done barely ten days before the exipiration of the last administration in May, 2019.

The Chairman of the Committee, in company of other members of the committee questioned the former MD on why over N40m could not be accounted for in the construction expenses of the MITROS Residence, Ibara, which was carried out during the period under review.

The Committee decried the manner in which the former MD spent the total sum of N881m on the construction and procurement of equipment for the Mitro Residence at Ibara without the approval of the State House of Assembly.

The Committee also requested for clarifications on the role of the OPIC Board in the running of OPIC as well as the process of the project execution.

The Chairman of the committee , further querried the MD over the Corporation’s inability to keep fixed assets registers.

He also grilled him on the alleged non-availability of cash book and bank reconciliation statements on demand to external auditors.

The committee also said it noticed that from sample of daily cash schedule, cash received were not fully lodged.

The committee chairman said ” all the infractions are in contravention of the Appropriation Laws for the period, as well as in contrast to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the State Financial Regulations, which equally mandated the keeping of up-to-date fixed assets register by government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”

Consequently, the Committee directed Odusolu to re-appear on Wednesday, November 25, , 2020, following his plea for adjournment due his ill health to avail the Committee of more documents and clarifications on all records including projects and other transactions carried out under his watch.

The committee also requested land sales, properties, lease/rent amongst others with specifications of their respective location, sizes, type of building and cost facilities external to the building such as access roads and paving amongst others which were to be submitted on or before Wednesday, November 11, 2020.

Responding, Odusolu noted that though, he didn’t secure the approval of the State House of Assembly for the Mitro project, but had approval of the former Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the construction.

He noted that the N40m was part of funds spent in the course of the construction of the Mitro Residence.

He claimed that the housing projects at Isheri had been concluded under a shell in construction .

He also disclosed that the law setting up the Corporation allows the MD to report directly to the State Governor and not the Board.

Odusolu assured the lawmakers that all other documents requested would be provided at the next proceeding of the House Committee.

Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

Youths in Ogun state have been reported to have ‘broken’ the head of the Chief Press secretary to the Ogun state Governor, Kunle Somorin over a yet to be known reason.

The Governor’s media aide who is as at the time of filing this report was bedridden at an undisclosed hospital is said to have sustained a head injury.

The incident occurred at the maiden National Youths Day celebration held at Cultural Centre, Kuto, in Abeokuta,the state capital.

Although preliminary investigation by PLATFORM TIMES could not ascertain what the CPS did to provoke the youths but it was clear that the youths dealt with the CPS in anger.

The youths who were part of the participants of the event came hard on Somorin shortly after the Governor ,Dapo Abiodun departed the venue of the event .

It was gathered that Somorin who went to the event in his personal car, became the victim of the youths at a spot close to where his car was parked.

Calls put across to the victim were neither picked nor returned.

The United States Government working with the Nigerian government rescued an American citizen abducted last week in Niger but held hostage in Nigeria, according to multiple sources.

The daring high-risk US military raid took place early Saturday morning in Sokoto State in Nigeria, sources familiar with the operation revealed.

The mission was undertaken by elite commandos as part of a major effort to free the US citizen, Philip Walton, 27, before his abductors could get far after taking him captive in Niger on October 26.

Fox News reported that it was the US Navy SEAL team 6 that conducted the raid and no American soldier was injured in the exercise.

The CIA provided intelligence leading to Walton’s whereabouts and Marine Special Operations elements in Africa helped locate him, a former US official said.

Then the elite SEAL Team 6 carried out a “precision” hostage rescue mission and killed all but one of the seven captors, according to officials with direct knowledge about the operation.

“They were all dead before they knew what happened,” another counterterrorism source with knowledge told ABC News.

A tweet by the US Mission in Nigeria on Saturday stated, “We thank the Government of Nigeria for its partnership and support of this mission.”

“We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation,” was part of a statement issued by the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump, who tweeted the development as a show of support, called it “a big win for our very elite US Special Forces”.

Trump further announced in a tweet; “Last night our country’s brave warriors rescued an American hostage in Nigeria. Our nation salutes the courageous soldiers behind the daring nighttime rescue operation and celebrates the safe return of yet another American citizen.”

And Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: “Thanks to the extraordinary courage and capabilities of our military, the support of our intelligence professionals, and our diplomatic efforts, the hostage will be reunited with his family. We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”

White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, was quoted as saying the decision to pull the trigger on the operation was tough, “but ultimately the president prioritises the safety of American citizens”.

“They’re very tough ones to make, because you’re right, it has to be conducted just perfectly. But the President always puts the American interest first. It takes a lot of planning.

“A lot of keeping things quiet until that moment, when you get the go ahead and I was talking to some of our soldiers and they said to me, we pray to get the green light, “McEnany said.

Eric Oehlerich, an ABC News consultant and retired Navy SEAL, said Walton was “lucky” that such a mission was possible such as short time after he was abducted, when others have been held for years.

“Men in these top-tier special forces units train their entire adult lives to be ready when called upon, hostage rescue operations are inherently dangerous,” he said. “Those men put someone else’s life above their own, they do so selflessly….it’s an illustration of utter commitment.”

A former US counterterrorism official emphasized generally how long the odds are for rescue in the “highly dangerous” missions — less than 30%. But the official said that it’s crucial to act as quickly as possible so that hostages don’t wind up in the hands of al Qaeda or ISIS.

“The longer a hostage is held the harder it is to find an exact location to be able and conduct a rescue operation,” the official said.

US and Nigerien officials had said that Walton was kidnapped from his backyard last Monday after assailants asked him for money. But he only offered $40 and was then taken away by force, according to sources in Niger.

Walton lives with his wife and young daughter on a farm near Massalata, a small village close to the border with Nigeria.

Niger lies in the heart of the vast Sahel region, which is struggling with a jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Nigerien and American officials told ABC News that they believed the captors were from an armed group from Nigeria and that it was not considered terror-related. But hostages are often sold to terrorist groups.

Concern grew quickly after the kidnapping that an opportunity to rescue Walton could become much more dangerous if he was taken by or sold to a group of Islamist militants aligned with either al Qaeda or ISIS and American special operations commanders felt they needed to act swiftly before that could occur, said one counterterrorism official briefed on the hostage recovery operations.

Another American, Christian humanitarian aid worker Jeffery Rey Woodke, 60, has been held hostage for the past four years since being kidnapped in northern Niger by armed militants.

Rita Osakwe, Bayo Akinloye

LoladeOmolomo:
Currency, Economics, investment and Business Gurus pls Enlighten me. Is this Wise?
I priced it yesterday from the Abokis, they said 460/USD (and 450/$ if I want to sell to them). Hope I am not being cheated, cos Google says Naira is 383/Dollar.

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—THE National Association of Seadogs, NAS, has taken a swipe at the senate for not meting out the appropriate sanctions to Senator Elisha Abbo who represents Adamawa North Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for slapping a nursing mother last year.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja about two weeks ago fined Senator Abbo N50 million for assault.

NAS, also known as Pyrates Confraternity said that the senate is expected to be made up of senior citizens that have distinguished themselves in diverse fields and ought to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the quality of bills debated and passed into law, adding that Senator Elisha Abbo’s conduct was a blemish on the hallowed body.

The association in a statement signed by its two Presidents of Abuja branches, Anderson Oseh (Zuma Deck) and Victor Ofili (Sahara Deck), commended the judiciary for the judgment on Monday September 28 for awarding 50 million Naira damages against Senator Elisha Abbo.

According to the statement, “Back in July 2019, Nigerians were unwilling spectators to the macabre drama of a video that went viral wherein a Senator of the Federal Republic literarily descended heavily on a lady at a intimacy gadget shop where she worked as a sales assistant, landing several slaps on her.

“The lady, Osimibibra Warmate, turned out to be a nursing mother and her offence was that she ‘insulted’ the senator who was a customer at the shop. His Police Orderly and three others that were seen in the video, rather than restrain the senator, joined in harassing and haranguing the poor lady.

“Nigerians had risen in their numbers to express their outrage at the pugnacious and bellicose behavior of the Senator. Women groups took umbrage and threatened fire and brimstone.

That a law maker of the rank of a senator will be found breaking the law in such brazen manner is bad enough.

“The subsequent apology the senator issued, tepid and desultory as it was, is an afterthought; it dripped with insincerity. Had he not been caught in a video which then went viral, Senator Elisha Abbo would not have bothered to put up any pretended contrition.

“We of the National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity use this to lend our voice in support of the judgment which once again reassures us that all hope is not lost for our dear country.

“As an organization, we hold certain values very dear some of which includes speaking up for the voiceless in the society. Ms. Osimibibra Warmate, the victim of Senator Abbo’s unchivalrous behavior, represents not only women and mothers but also the weak, the voiceless and the defenseless in the society. We will stand up to defend anyone of these where their rights and privileges is in issue.

“We also use this to commend the lawyers that represented the woman for their tenacity in not losing faith when the magistrate court earlier upheld the nolle prosequi submission of the defense in the criminal case brought against the Senator, even with the video evidence in tow! Undeterred, the woman’s lawyers changed their course of action from a criminal lawsuit to a civil matter.

“We make bold to state further that our commendation of the judgment is not just because of the amount awarded against the senator but rather in what it symbolizes. The judgment reverberates round because the judiciary has taken up the gauntlet and summoned the moral authority to restitute the affronted rights of a citizen.”

Continuing, NAS said, “The conduct of the senator is the wont of ‘big men’ in Nigeria where the rights of the less privileged is trampled with impunity; and the institutions vested with the responsibility of safeguarding these rights – the police in this instance, have been appropriated as personal guards by the same ‘big men’ and thus complicit in the act itself.

“We also use this medium, to call out the National Assembly, being the primary constituency of Senator Abbo, to be more responsive to issues like this. They failed to live up to expectation. Beyond the half-hearted condemnation, there was no serious action from that body.

“Perhaps they need reminding that the legislature being the most direct representatives of the people is the cornerstone of democracy. The senate is supposedly a body of senior citizens that have distinguished themselves in diverse fields, and that ought to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the quality of bills debated and passed into law; addressing urgent national issues and nation building in general.

“Senator Elisha Abbo’s conduct is a blemish on that hallowed body. He was even touted as being the youngest senator, being just 41 years. This is one youth that has brought odium and dishonor to that demographics.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/sex-toy-shop-pyrates-berate-senate-for-not-sanctioning-senator-abbo/

virtuouswoman77:
Pls how do I handle this problem of hubby that does not have self control when it comes to alcohol?

He drinks too much and sometimes messes the bed up with urine.

I have talked to him still no change pls I need practice solutions that will make him stop because he is the type that doesn't take things serious unless it gets to him and this his behavior is making me regret my marriage to him.

Sodiq Ojuroungbe

The Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria has appealed to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi to immediately strip top rate Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde of Mayegun title for allegedly brutalising an Ogun State based broadcaster, Wole Sorunke.

The association described the Ace musician as unfit to be bestowed with the title.

Sorunke, otherwise known as M C Murphy , a popular radio presenter and event anchor, was allegedly beaten and brutalised by the fuji maestro and his boys on Thursday night at the 60th birthday party of the Olu of Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo.

Narrating his ordeal, Sorunke explained that he had taken his client to a stage where Ayinde was performing for the fuji maestro to eulogise him after he was attacked.

According to him, Wasiu Ayinde snubbed me alongside my client, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Olageospatial Global Investment Company (OGIC), Fasina Olajide.

Sorunke said the fuji star and some of his boys simply identified as KC and Gaji, came down from the stage and descended on him where he was sitting.

The broadcaster said it took intervention of some his supporters and other members of the gathering to rescue him from the angry fuji star and his boys.

Sorunke’s cheeks and lips were swollen as a result of the alleged pummelling by the fuji star.

The victim said he was perturbed by the development because he had been a long standing admirer, associate and promoter for Ayinde’s brand of music.

Sorunke, however, said Ayinde later regretted his action and apologised to him.

He said he decided to make the matter public and seek justice in order to serve as deterrent to the musician who according to him, has penchant for beating up people at slight provocation.

Addressing newsmen on Friday ,the FIBAN President, Desmond Nwachukwu described the incident as unbecoming of the fuji star and holder of Mayegun of Yorubaland title.

He told journalists that Ayinde, popular known as K1 De Ultimate, brutalised, harassed and humiliated the FIBAN over what he called a minor issue.

Nwachukwu said Ayinde’s conduct was a mockery of Yoruba race as well as the title bestowed on him by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

The FIBAN President appealed to the first monarch to immediately strip the Fuji star of the title, describing him as unfit.

Nwachukwu said the leadership of FIBAN had reported the matter to the security agencies and vowed to take legal means to ensure justice is done.

“We would like to tell his Majesty that, Yes, we are all humans and we can make mistakes. This is a grave mistake he has done because as far as we are concerned the holder title of Mayegun of Yorubaland must be a man that command respect and carry himself pretty well, understanding that the image of his Majesty and the entire Yoruba race is what he goes about with

“We like to tell his Majesty that it is not too late to strip him of that title. We have to understand that this is Yorubaland and this is where culture and tradition are held with a lot of candour.

“And I say without any reservation that the conduct of Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, at the 60th birthday of the Olu Itori, is the least expected. He does merit the title by that conduct.

“It is not just a slap on broadcasters in Nigeria and across the world, it is indeed a slap on the Yorubas…,” he said.

When contacted, Ayinde’s media manager, Kunle Rasheed denied involvement of his boss in the violence at the party.

Rasheed in his reply to a text message ,said “Nothing of such happened. Anything that happened to him has nothing to do with Alhaji (referring to Ayinde).”

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An area of eastern Ghana has declared itself a sovereign state. The region known as Western Togoland has had secessionist attempts in the past.

Armed men demanding the secession of Western Togoland from Ghana blockaded major entry points to the Volta region of Ghana on Friday morning.

Local sources say the group are holding three police officers hostage, including a District Commander, and attacked two police stations. Prior to the blockade, the group reportedly broke into an armory and stole weapons.

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"This is a very serious situation because just few weeks ago we saw [what happened] when they mounted signs along the major roads welcoming people into the Western Togoland State," a local resident told DW. "Blocking the roads with heaps of sand, burning tyres [and ] even holding security personnel hostage."

About 12 hours before Friday's dawn operation, the Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF) published photos of the graduation ceremony for around 500 personnel who underwent training for months in secret locations, raising questions over the effectiveness of security agencies in the region.


Seeking sovereignty

Ghana's Western Togoland region is predominately wedged between Lake Volta and the Ghana-Togo border. Currently, a number of splinter groups are demanding the area be recognized as a sovereign state.

In a press release, the chairman of the WTRF, Togbe Yesu Kwabla Edudzi I, declared that efforts for consolidating statehoood, which began on 1 September 2020, were being put into practice.

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The press release also claimed "roadblocks to assert its sovereignty are all over the Southern sector."

The movement says it wants to force the Ghanaian government to join United Nations (UN) facilitated negotiations aiming to declare Western Togoland an independent state.

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Ghanaian police have been ordered to "leave the region in 24 hours" and surrender weapons. Some radio stations appear to have been taken over by members of the WTRF. The group has demanded the release of prisoners currently being held in detention for secessionist activities.

Travelers urged to be cautious

Meanwhile, on Facebook, Ghanaian police have cautioned travellers to be aware of "security operations" in some communities in the Volta Region.

Local media have reported the minister of the affected Volta Region, Archibald Letsa, urged travelers to remain calm and allow security personnel to do their jobs.

A tumultuous past

The territory of Western Togoland was first colonized by Germany in 1884 and incorporated into the Togoland colony. After Germany's defeat during the First World War, the colony of Togoland was divided between France and Britain as protectorates. The western part of Togoland became part of Britain's Gold Coast colony, which became independent in 1957 to form modern-day Ghana. Togo gained independence from France in 1960.

Western Togoland is a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). Four million people live in the region. In terms of language and culture, Western Togoland, especially the Volta region, has more in common with Togo. Locals in the region say they feel underrepresented by Ghanaian authorities.

A previous unsuccessful attempt to declare Western Togoland independent from Ghana took place in 2017. In March 2020, around 80 members of the separatist group were detained for protesting the arrest of seven leaders of the Homeland Study Group Foundation. The charges were later dropped.

The immediate past Governor of Ogun State, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun has fired back Governor Dapo Abiodun over claims that he left behind a sum of N106.9 billion as unpaid workers gratuities, leave bonuses, contributory pension and promotion arrears, DAILY POST reports.

Amosun, in a statement signed by the former Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, on Friday, said, since he left office, “we have consciously refrained from joining issues with the successor regime.

This he said, is despite the “misstatements of facts in respect of programs and projects” of the previous administration.

However, Adeoluwa said, “our conscious decisions to stay in our lane were violated last week during the well-publicized Ogun State worker’s strike.”

According to him, the Abiodun administration had sponsored an advertorial in the newspaper on September 18, accusing the Amosun administration of owing workers up to N106.9 billion before leaving office.

Setting the record straight, the former SSG said: “the total outstanding Gratuity to the State workers stood at ₦7,635,425,007.44 at the end of our administration on 29 May 2019.”

For local government and SUBEB workers, it was stated that “A total sum of ₦22.9B was the outstanding Gratuity” as against the “₦32.5B published. Leaving an overstated amount of ₦9.6B.”

For leave bonus, Adeoluwa mentioned that the liability was overstated by ₦1.6B; saying N9.6b was claimed as “against the actual outstanding liability of ₦7.6B.”

“We noticed also that the amount of ₦46.5 Billion published as the outstanding Contributory Pension liabilities was overstated by ₦5.1 Billion. As the total liabilities stood at ₦41.4 Billion (State – ₦20.03B, LG & SUBEB – ₦21.37B). Respectfully, we cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the outstanding debts of ₦41.4B attributed to us,” he said.

Speaking further, the legal practitioner said, “We wish to place on record that we made full disclosure of our financial status and deliberately included that of SUBEB and LGAs.”

He said the Gbenga Daniel administration only declared liabilities of ₦49.23B, excluding outstanding amounts owed to the other tiers of government (the Local Government).

He noted that without attaining a financial break-even point in the state IGR, the State will continue to lag behind in development, stressing that the financial break-even point for the State will be, if and when the State attains the IGR figure of at least ₦12.5 Billion.

NEWS: Two men sentenced to 20 years imprisonment over $1million oil fraud in FCT [PHOTOS]
He recalled how the Amosun government increased the “IGR from a paltry ₦700 million monthly that we met upon assumption in May 2011, to about ₦7 billion” monthly in May 2019.

“Let it be noted that our Administration did not start from ‘Ground Zero’ in terms of outstanding liabilities related to Ogun State workers – Salary, Emoluments and Allowances. Rather, with the help of God and the support of the good people of Ogun State, as well as our Administration’s commitment and resolve to leave Ogun State better than we met it, we are proud to say that we have been able to put our dear State on auto-drive, particularly in the area of improved IGR. The Ogun State we left behind can be likened to an Economic Volcano that is already erupting.

“From the Financial Outlook of the State, as contained in the Ogun State Development Plan (2017-2030), we were confident to predict that by the year 2022, the State’s IGR will be between ₦12 Billion to ₦14 Billion monthly, while a further projected figure put it at ₦20 Billion per month by the year 2025. This is no rocket science, but an outcome of a coordinated approach and well-articulated plan laid out by our Administration.

“In light of this, it is expected that any succeeding administration after us will continue with the Ogun Standard way of thinking out of the box in order to take our dear State to the highest pedestal, whose foundation had already been laid by our Administration and the Contributions and Efforts of those GIANTS that came before us,” the statement read in part.

DAILY POST reports that Adeoluwa appreciated the workers for calling off the strike, urging them to always take cognisance of the fact that the people of Ogun State will ultimately be the victims of such disagreement between Government and Labour.

https://dailypost.ng/2020/09/25/amosun-fires-back-at-abiodun-over-ogun-workers-entitlements/

Fox12:
I accidentally eavesdropped on him on the phone(Having intimate conversation) with an anonymous girl.
Should I tell my sister about it?

Miliano00:
Have I seen Anybody more Senseless than You Today ?.....No......Bring Your Wife Make I lash......Mr Open Relationship