₦airaland Forum

yanabasee:
I don't have any RIP to waste......He had just one chance to council the president and tell him how Nigerians are suffering....But they kept quiet.....

Dr. Olapade Agoro was born on October 9, 1943 at Ajibabi village of Ibadan to Royal Prince of Atapami Dynasty of Itapa Ijesha, Late Omo-Oba Owa ‘Tapa Joshua Alaba Agoro and his wife Late Mother in Israel Dorcas Oyejola Asabi Agoro.

He was educated severally through Primary School, Secondary School, Enfield Training Centre, Colleges of Technology at Willesden London NW10 and Gateshead Co. Durham, California Western University, University of Ibadan and later California Coast University (CCU) ending up with a Doctorate Degree in Interdisciplinary Engineering.
In 1982, he was installed the Owa ‘Tapa of Itapa-Ijesha, an Obaship Traditional title.

He has appeared in so many interviews in print and electronic media worldwide and is currently one of the most read opinion readers in Nigeria.

He has creditably and successfully appeared in so many testy case trials as Litigant In Person in the UK, USA, and Nigeria courts ranging from Customary Court, Magistrate Court, High court of Justice, Court of appeal, Supreme Court, Crown court, House of Lords et al.

After having succeeded in promoting education management and at Nursery/Primary, Secondary and Business Schools, he is currently promoting Proposed Olapade Agoro Business University (OABU), first of its kind in Black Africa.

Olapade Agoro we are calling you but you're not answering again.
Ha! We said we loved you but you refused to listen.
You have left us like that.
It's not okay o. It's just not okay.
But as you have gone to be with your mother Dorcas Oyejola Asabi, I won't talk yet.
But this is not fair on me.
Baba Deola, you should have looked back a little now....
Ha death you're wicked!

The 35-year-old has missed Juve's past four matches, including a midweek Champions League clash with Barcelona

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has been cleared to return to the team after testing negative for Covid-19.

The Serie A side confirmed the news on Friday in a statement on their official website.

"Cristiano Ronaldo carried out a check with a diagnostic test (swab) for Covid-19," the statement read.

"The exam provided a negative result. The player has, therefore, recovered after 19 days and is no longer subjected to home isolation."

Ronaldo will now be eligible to return for Juve's Serie A clash against Spezia on Sunday after he missed out on the club's previous four matches.

The 35-year-old originally tested positive for coronavirus on October 13 while on international duty with Portugal, forcing him to miss his country's 3-0 win over Sweden the following day.

Upon his return to Juventus, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was forced to miss four consecutive games as he failed to produce a negative test.

Ronaldo was unable to participate as Juve drew Crotone and Verona in Serie A play, while he also missed out on a Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev and a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona earlier this week.

Missing out on the chance to face his long-time rival Lionel Messi and Barca was especially tough to swallow for Ronaldo, who posted and then deleted a comment on Instagram questioning the accuracy of the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

"PCR IS BULLSH*T", he wrote, before eventually deleting the comment.

Ronaldo has made just two appearances for Juventus this season, having last played in the 2-2 draw against Roma at the end of September.

The 35-year-old has still managed to score three goals and add one assist in those two matches.

Ronaldo has also found himself under investigation for a possible breaching of protocol after he flew back to Italy following his positive test result.

Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora has claimed that Ronaldo was not able to enter the country without the proper authorisation from Italian health officials.

Spadafora told Rai Tre: "Cristiano did not respect the protocol. There is an investigation by the Federal Prosecutor's Office to prove it.

"The virus has taught us that no one is exempt, obviously they are all people who have tried to respect the protocols as much as possible, but the only solution, in the end, is to stay at home."

RONALDO RECOVERS FROM COVID-19
Cristiano Ronaldo carried out a check with a diagnostic test (swab) for Covid 19.

The exam provided a negative result. The player has, therefore, recovered after 19 days and is no longer subjected to home isolation.

FLASH: The Lagos State Government has announced a further relaxation of the curfew imposed after the breakdown of law and order, following the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests. The curfew will now be from 10pm till 6am (meaning you can move till 10pm)

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praises Lagosians for observing the curfew, which is expected to restore normalcy in our communities. He urges all Lagosians to go about their businesses in peace, even as they shun ‘actions that can threaten our unity’.

The Governor advises purveyors of fake news to stop causing disaffection among Lagosians, who are well known for being peace-loving and friendly.

Gbenga Omotoso
HC, Information & Strategy

Abia State Government has said the 2020/2021 Academic Session will officially begin on Monday November 2, 2020 for all Public and Private, Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in the State.

This is according to a release signed by the Commissioner for Education Dr KCK Nwangwa.

He said, all School Heads and Proprietors are urged to ensure that all COVID 19 safety protocols must be strictly adhered to.

Nwangwa maintained that, the process of admission of all new Students must comply with the guidelines earlier announced.

FLASH: The Lagos State Government has approved the re-opening of schools for all classes in public and private schools across the State beginning from Monday, 2nd of November, 2020 while boarders in public schools are to resume on Sunday, 1st of the same month.

Disclosing this today, Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo said that this has been an unprecedented year with the recent happenings that have regrettably led to frequent closure of schools with attendant learning disruptions faced by all children.

“We pray and hope that there will be no more disruptions in the academic calendar. However, the State Government will always regard the safety of pupils/students, parents and all staff as a matter of priority.” She stressed.

“We recommend that when schools resume on Monday, teaching and learning should continue unhindered till the end of the term.” She added.

The Commissioner therefore advised pupils/students to take their studies more seriously in a bid to recover the lost period and thereby excel.

The United States of America might not be endorsing Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy to lead the World Trade Organisation, SaharaReporters has gathered.

This comes as a setback for Okonjo-Iweala despite obtaining American citizenship in 2019, thereby becoming a dual citizen of Nigeria and the US.

Meanwhile, the European Union has maintained its support for Okonjo-Iweala to become the Director-General of the WTO.

Experts now believe that the EU and US, who have historically agreed on decisions like these, may clash.

A top official privy to the candidacies race informed SaharaReporters that Okonjo-Iweala’s opponent, Yoo Myung-Hee of South Korea, has the upper hand to receive the backing of the United States.

While the backing is yet to be made official, the source affirmed that President of the US, Donald Trump, has said he will be backing a known person whom he has worked with.

The United States’ trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, has worked with Myung-Hee and is believed to prefer her candidature.

Okonjo-Iweala is likely to also receive the endorsement of China, Brazil and Japan even though that is yet to happen.

The officials stated that the US would be officially announcing its preferred candidate on November 7, 2020.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is yet to be announced winner of WTO, contrary to reports in the social media, is promoting the multilateral trading system, which the WTO has always leaned on, while the Trump administration has favoured bilateral trades.

She also wants to see increased access to drugs and vaccines in developing countries.

In addition to promising to return global trade to its multilateral legacy, Myung-Hee is proposing to use her 30-year experience in trade and diplomacy to smoothen US-China relations.

There are 164-member countries in the WTO and a consensus candidate has to be chosen before an announcement can be made.

Founded in 1995 to replace the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the WTO is the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade among nations.

Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

The European Union (EU) has said it is backing Nigeria’s candidate and the country’s former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to head the World Trade Organisation (WTO), sending a signal of trust in Africa.

An EU official disclosed this to Reuters yesterday.

Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee, are vying to be the first female leader in the WTO’s 25-year history, replacing Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, who quit a year earlier than expected at the end of August.

The EU governments had before the final stage of the race for the WTO leadership race expressed support for Okonjo-Iweala and the South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee.

Indeed, the latest EU’s support for Okonjo-Iweala is considered a strong signal to reinforce the multilateral order and a sign of mutual trust between the bloc and Africa, the official said.

The WTO faces dual challenges: criticism from US President Donald Trump’s administration which froze its appeals body by blocking its appointment of judges, and worsening US-China trade relations.

Okonjo-Iweala, 66, an economist and development specialist, had urged the WTO to help poorer countries access COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

According to analysts, Okonjo-Iweala’s high professional/personal qualities, international contacts and impeccable records as Nigeria’s former Finance minister/Foreign Affairs minister and as former managing director of the World Bank, stand her high above the other contestant.

She is a renowned global finance expert, an economist and international development professional with over 30 years of experience, having worked in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

She is presently the Chair of the Board of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

Since its creation in 2000, GAVI has immunised over 760 million children across the globe. She also sits on the boards of Standard Chartered Plc and Twitter Inc.

She was recently appointed African Union Special Envoy to mobilise international financial support in the

fight against COVID-19, as well as Envoy for the World Health Organisation’s access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, a few months ago appointed Okonjo-Iweala to serve as a member of her newly-established External Advisory Group.

In addition, Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s Finance minister, from 2003-2006 and 2011-2015 and briefly as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.

As Finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala steered Nigeria through the varying degree of reforms, particularly on macroeconomic, trade, financial and real sector issues.

As Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank, her several portfolios included oversight responsibility for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.

Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded several World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries during the 2008-2009 food crises and later in the trying period of the global financial crisis.

On the other hand, Yoo is South Korea’s trade minister. During her 25-year career in government, she helped expand her country’s trade network through bilateral accords with the US, China and the UK.

Kwara Gov announces N500m support for looted businesses

·Insists nothing justifies mindless stealing  
·Visits affected malls, commends security agencies

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has again condemned “the mindless looting” of people’s businesses in the state capital on Friday, insisting there can be no justification for such criminal behaviour.

He commiserated with owners of all the businesses affected and announced a N500m fund to assist them as part of the administration’s efforts to bring them back on their feet following the incident.

In a visit to the Kwara Mall and Agro Mall on Saturday evening, the Governor said the incident may bring businesses to their knees, and cause massive loss of jobs and a surge in poverty rate — implications he said were clearly lost on the “hoodlums”.

“We are therefore not going to leave the business owners like that. We are setting up a N500m fund for those that were affected to access. The application form is live and active on the State Government's website and can now be filled by interested parties.

We are going to get them back as soon as possible,” he said.

Claims that government was hoarding palliatives were false as it was not the owner of those materials, AbdulRazaq added, explaining that the food stuffs stolen at the Cargo Terminal were donated to specific vulnerable households and were being distributed across the state for the private sector-led CACOVID Foundation.

He added that the ones carted away from Agro-Mall were relief materials donated to specific victims of the recent rainstorms and floods in eight local government areas of the state by the Federal Government.

He said the NEMA had already distributed the materials to at least four local governments while consignments for the remaining council areas were due for dispatch when the hoodlums struck. 
 
“What happened was bareface stealing and some people are playing politics with it.

This is not the time to play politics. It is a time for all hands to be on deck. It is not just Kwara they wanted to burn down. They wanted to burn the whole country down. I urge all of us to stand up and resist that,” he said.

“We engaged the #EndSARS youth in Kwara and it worked out for us. They were not violent. They had a five-point agenda which the federal government has agreed to and has started implementing.

In Kwara State, we have also set up a judicial panel of inquiry to look into the allegation of Police abuse. I also visited Police barracks to see how we can improve the welfare of the Police in the state.

“While the hoodlums were looting (on Friday), I was holding a meeting with executives and members of the National Association of Kwara State Students and National Association of Nigeria Students, Kwara axis. It shows students and youths were not part of the looting.

Those involved were just hoodlums and thieves.”
 
Commending them for their professionalism, the Governor said the administration is working with security agencies to maintain public order and safety in the state.

Rafiu Ajakaye
CPS to the Governor 
25th October, 2020

#EndSARS: Ondo Lifts Curfew

The Ondo State Government wishes to announce the lifting of the 24 hour curfew earlier imposed in the wake of the #EndSARS protests. This is with effect from Saturday, October 24, 2020.

The relative peace in the capital, is very encouraging just as the people's resolve, especially the youths, not to allow brigandage under any guise is equally palpable. It is, therefore, only normal that law abiding residents are allowed to go about their legitimate businesses.

The atmosphere around the city was tense and uncertain. The night before had been characterised by the cries of innocent peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll plaza, who were faced by the bullets of trigger-happy soldiers.

Tuesday’s brutal attack by these soldiers who were drafted to maintain peace and order following the curfew earlier imposed by the state’s governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been condemned by many.

So on Wednesday morning, Mark Odigie, an information technologist, could not permit his wife, Tope Mark Odigie, to drive alone to nearby Ketu-Ikosi Road, headquarters of Television Continental (TVC), where she works as a co-host of the station’s popular breakfast talk show- Your View.

“So I decided to drive her to the office, leaving our two nine-year-old kids at home,” he said.

Mr Odigie said he stayed at the carpark inside his Mazda CX-9 SUV waiting to take his wife back home since the programme was billed to end by 11 a.m. But that was not to be.

Apart from watching his car burn to ashes, Mr Odigie could only be reunited with his wife after hours of emotional and physical torture. He said those who razed the station to the ground were too “sophisticated attackers to be called miscreants.”

He told this newspaper his confusion about the whole scenario, saying; “I couldn’t call these guys (the arsonists) miscreants. They were pretty much educated, and spoke good English. They were very organised, and chanted; “No killing,” “No killing;” “Just destroy,” “Just destroy;” “We have our targets.”

“It was at that point that I began to wonder what was really going on. They were very clear about what they came for.”

Narrating how it all started, Mr Odigie said midway into “Your View,” a multitude of young men armed with dangerous weapons such as machetes, axes, knifes, sticks and petrol bombs, invaded the compound through its gate that leads to Aladelola Street in Ketu.

“Before the attack, there were about four RRS (Rapid Response Squad) vans and close to 20 police officers within the compound. But the moment these boys came in, the officers simply took to their heels and disappeared through the gate that leads to the CMD road,” he explained.

He said other workers, who escaped the attack, also scampered for safety but still hung around because “no one was sure of where to go.”

But for his wife and her colleague, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, and a few other technical officers including cameramen, the soundproofing in the studio prevented them from sniffing danger hovering around them.

So as the fire raged, and with his car burning at the carpark, Mr. Odigie said what preoccupied his mind was his wife’s whereabouts, and how to rescue her from the inferno.

Police refused appeal for rescue
After waiting without any hope of his wife escaping the violence, Mr Odigie approached the police officers who he said were gathered on the CMD road watching the smoke billowing from the burning building, and sought their help to rescue his wife. But his plea fell on deaf ears.

He said; “Suddenly, I developed a heart of stone and decided to go in because I wanted to rescue my wife. I felt whatever that would happen should happen. So I begged a few TVC workers who were also standing at the CMD gate, to join me. About five of them summoned courage and agreed to go in with me. Some ladies kept shouting and were crying as if we were going to die.

“So we went in, and saw hundreds of the attackers. They shouted at us asking us who we were. We raised our hands and simply replied; “We are with you.” We told them our colleagues were still in there. And surprisingly, they listened to us. They told us they already rescued everybody. They said they were not interested in killing anyone.”

Mr. Odigie said when he insisted that his wife was still trapped in the building, they then volunteered to take them out of the compound to see those they had rescued.

“So they took us to the back where we met another crowd who were throwing petrol bombs and chanting “no killing, no killing.” As soon as we were brought before them the crowd charged at us, but one of them that led us there quickly took charge and explained what happened,” he narrated.

He said immediately after the explanation, one of them described Mrs Mark-Odigie’s appearance to the husband and mentioned Morayo as the second lady they just rescued. Then they decided to take them to Oshonaike community, near the station, where both his wife and her colleague were kept.

At the Oshonaike community, the residents took custody of them for the next five hours “until they said the coast was clear for us to move, and we were led out of the community to a path leading to Magodo.”

Amidst trepidation, they trekked home to the waiting arms of their children.

But while narrating their experience to their custodians at the Oshonaike community, Mrs Afolabi-Brown spoke about her seized phone.

“Suddenly some of the guys listening to the narration said they would talk to them to return it. Lo and behold, before we left the community later in the day, the phone was brought to Morayo,” he explained.

The development further heightened Mr. Odigie’s confusion, saying he was left further bewildered.

Your View back on air
But in spite of the trauma of Wednesday and like soldiers at the warfront, both Mrs Mark Odigie and her colleague- Afolabi Brown, said no retreat, no surrender. On Thursday morning they were back on set to present their favourite programme. Though there was no longer a studio to use, they deployed social media to the rescue.

While narrating their ordeal on the programme, the journalists said the experience was a mixed grill. Though they said the attackers were very lenient on them, they threw a few punches on Mrs Afolabi Brown’s heads.

“One of them initially rummaged my handbag but others quickly intervened and reiterated that the mission was neither to kill nor steal,” Mrs Mark Odigie said.

They have since returned to their social media handles, thanking Nigerians for their prayers and best wishes, and singing praises to God.

Station counts cost
Meanwhile, the management of both the television and the radio stations have since taken stock of the damage, with a total of 44 vehicles burnt, four outside broadcasting (OB) vans, three production control rooms, Two Master Control Room (MCR) studio playout machines, completely burnt.

There is yet no official statement on the next line of action but soldiers have taken over the security of the facility, and cordoned off the place.

The United States strongly condemns incidents of military forces firing on unarmed protestors in Lagos. Those involved should be held to account under the law. We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence and their families. #EndSARS

All Lagos State activities have been suspended for the next three days.

This announcement has just been made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a special broadcast on the #ENDSARS protest that has turned bloody with lives already lost in Lagos.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola imposes 24-hour curfew on Osun

1. The Government of the State of Osun note with a high sense of responsibility the unfortunate dangerous dimension the #EndSARS protests have assumed across the country, particularly in the South West States.

2. In our dear State, but for providence, the Governor would not have been alive to preside over today’s security meeting following the attempt on his life last Saturday.

3. In spite of the Saturday incident, we have allowed the protest to continue in the hope that the real protesters would take charge of the protest.

4. Events of the last 48 hours have however shown clearly that the protests have been hijacked by criminals and hoodlums.

5. As a responsible and responsive government that took the sacred oath to protect the lives and property of our citizens, we will not sit and watch criminals unleash terror on our State.

6. Consequently, the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew  on all parts of the State, effective from 11.59 pm today, Tuesday, October 20, until further notice.

7. By implication, there shall be no movement except those on essential duties who will be permitted to move around. These set of persons must have valid identifications to move around during the period of the curfew.

8. All citizens and residents are enjoined to comply with this directive as any person found contravening this order shall be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

9. I enjoin all our citizens to be peaceful and to be law abiding as all efforts shall be made to protect them and their property.

10. May God continue to bless and keep the State of Osun.
Thank you and God bless.
Signed: Prince Wole Oyebamiji
SSG, State of Osun.
October 20, 2020

Hoodlums numbering over 1000 took over the the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State robbing and burning houses.

Among the places burnt were the Ajegunle Police Station, liani and Amukoko Divisions. Also set ablaze is the Headquarters of Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA. Over ten vehicles including a fuel tanker were razed at the LGA premises.
A witness, Gab Osisisioma , said the tanker was about discharging fuel but the Protesters prevented it.
Osisisioma said the angry youths set fire on the tanker which spilled over to other vehicles parked in the premises. As at press time, the fire was still raging as there was no access for fire service to come to the scene.

Hundreds of tensed looking protesters at about 12:35 pm, on Tuesday, took over the main entrance of National Assembly complex in support of SWAT.

The protesters who embarked on a procession from the Unity Fountain beside Transcorp Hilton Hotel were armed with clubs, iron and other harmful gadgets.

Few minutes after arriving at the National Assembly complex, they blocked major roads leading thereby preventing the free flow of vehicles.

In the bid to avoid break down of law and order around the National Assembly, the security operatives shut down the National Assembly main gate as staff and other visitors diverted to the SGF gate.

Meanwhile, report from Dutse area of Bwari Area Council, indicated that no fewer than three youths died during the clash between the #EndSARS protesters and Pro-SWAT group.

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said he is ready to forgive the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), if he tenders an apology.

Ortom stated this on Wednesday, while speaking to newsmen during the distribution of 46 vehicles to 23 local government chairmen and leaders of the State House of Assembly in Makurdi.

Earlier this week, Oshiomhole sought an out-of-court settlement, at the further hearing of a N10billion libel suit Ortom instituted against him.

Ortom had slammed the suit on Oshiomhole, after he claimed the Governor had a hand in the death of two Catholic priests and parishioners at Mbalom community, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

The presiding judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman, adjourned the case until October 29, 2020 for the report of settlement.

Ortom has made it clear he will forgive Oshiomhole if he goes back to the news medium he used to vilify him and have the apology published and also meet conditions set by his (Ortom) lawyers.

“I am a Christian. The Bible says forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

“If he comes back now to tender an apology and also go back to the same news medium he used to scandalise and vilify me to have the apology published and also meet the condition set by my lawyers, I will certainly forgive him,” Ortom said.