NAIJA TODAY NEWS ..... Relaying the latest

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Friday, approved a minor cabinet reshuffle, which affected two Ministries. The Governor, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, confirmed the swapping of the portfolios of Commissioners for Education and Establishments. The statement confirmed that the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Daud Kehinde Sangodoyin has been moved from the Ministry to that of Establishment and Training, while his counterpart in the Ministry of Establishment and Training, Barr. Olasunkanmi Aremu Olaleye, will replace Sangodoyin at the Ministry of Education. The statement also indicated that the change takes immediate effect. According to the statement, a letter dated 31 January, 2020, which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, communicated the decision of Governor Makinde to effect the minor cabinet reshuffle. ...

PHOTO: Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Barr. Abiodun Abdul-Raheem (middle), Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, TPL. Ademola Ajibola and other government functionaries at the Peridot Parklands, Topo, Badagry, Lagos during the tour of the Echostone Housing scheme Oyo State government has disclose its readiness to partner a firm towards delivering low cost housing scheme that would cater for the housing needs of workers and ordinary people of the State. This was said by the State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Barr. Abiodun Abdul-Raheem when he visited Lagos State on a facility tour to Peridot Parkland Housing Estate, constructed by Echostone Development Nig. Limited at Topo, in Badagry on Thursday. The 252 units’ estate at Topo has two bedroom each, with water, electricity,  paved roads and other modern infrastructures at affordable cost. Abiodun went on the tour with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of ...

Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as tactless and disrespectful the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) attacks on the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere for intervening on the needless crisis being caused by the APC over local government management in the State. The PDP, in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, told the APC its attack on Afenifere as well as its aimless plot to derail Governor Seyi Makinde’s government were ill-winds that will eventually consume the opponents of the administration in Oyo state. The PDP noted that the intervention of the pan-Yoruba body, which warned the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police not to cause crisis in Oyo State by taking actions that are not backed by law, was not out of order. It added that the pan-Yoruba body had, by that intervention, indeed, played its fatherly role, calling on Afenifere leaders to ignore the hogwas...

The Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, this Thursday, Inaugurated the  state Steering Committee For Oyo State World Bank Supported Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Program (NEWMAP), chair by the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon Kehinde Ayoola. The Inauguration ceremony held at the executive chamber of the governor's office, Agodi, Secretariat Ibadan, had in attendance the deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan; Secretary to the state government, Mrs Olubanwo Adeosun; Chief of staff, Bisi Ilaka; honorable Commissioners, amongst other political appointees. In his speech, governor Makinde said #500million has been approved by the state government to support the program while the Federal Government will also release $5million as counterpart fund. The governor who noted that the project will last for 18months, charged the committee to judiciously utilise the time frame and put a stop to Flooding, Erosion and other natural disasters i...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday afternoon, January 30, met with former President Goodluck Jonathan. Report says that former President Jonathan entered President Buhari’s office at about 1.45 pm. This online news medium understands that the reason for the meeting which was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital is still unknown. The former President came shortly after a meeting of the National Security Council presided over by Buhari ended. Meanwhile, those in attendance include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Minister of Defense Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Mahashi (Rtd.); Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd.). Service chiefs in attendance include the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas;...

It has been learnt that the inspector general has redeployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of zone 11, Adeleye Oyebade. Oyebade, who was in charge of Oyo, Osun and Ondo states, was transferred to the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State. He was replaced with AIG Bashir Makama, who it was gathered, had resumed in Osogbo. Sources told ThePUNCH that Oyebade was removed for failing to stop the protests in support of Operation Amotekun which held in some South-West states last Tuesday. The rally, which was called by a group, the World Yoruba Congress, was foiled in Lagos by scores of policemen who barricaded the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, venue of the protest, preventing protesters from converging on the ground. The protests, however, held in other South-West States as they recorded a huge turn-out in Ibadan, Osogbo, Akure and Ado Ekiti. A source who spoke to ThePUNCH in confidence said, “AIG Oyebade has...

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate Minority Leader, has called on President Buhari to resign immediately following the rising insecurity in the country. Abaribe who is of the PDP, made the call when the Senate discussed a motion on national security challenges and the need to restructure Nigeria’s security system during plenary today Wednesday January 29th. While making his contribution to the motion, Senator Abaribe, who was the first to contribute to the motion, faulted the president for failing to tackle the security challenges in the country. ''If you want to treat an issue, you go to the head. We did not appoint the IG or the security chiefs. We will go to the president and ask him to resign.  Nigerians voted APC because they promised to tackle insecurity but they have failed” Senator Abaribe said even as the Senate President Ahmed Lawan tried to stop him from speaking His call for the resignation of Mr President comes barely 24 hours afte...

Indication has emerged that the Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde may eventually settle for Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan as the new chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state. Sources who confided in Opera News also hinted that barring any last-minute changes, Alhaji Olopoeyan stands a good chance of leading the union among other contenders.  They added that apart from been a dicey game, the prospect of winning the game by other competitors seem iffy due to the level of interest that is involved as Olopoeyan surreptitiously expressed his interest; even before the Union was proscribed by Governor Makinde. The strategic introduction of Olopoeyan, who is a close associate of Governor Seyi Makinde and a revered PDP leader has changed the calculation and permutation of other candidates eyeing the NURTW chairmanship seat in the state; one of the sources added. No doubt, his loyalty and philanthropic gesture seems to be opening doors...

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, declared that his administration would ensure that the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is able to offset its recurrent expenditure before the end of his current tenure. Governor Makinde, who made the declaration while giving a keynote address at the one-day Tax Stakeholders ‘Poverty to Prosperity’ Summit held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital, Ibadan, stated that his commitment to take the State from poverty to prosperity remained on course. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, equally quoted the Governor as telling the dignitaries at the event that the sacked local government chairmen who have been struggling to return to the councils were targeting the funds of the councils. Makinde urged the people of the state to think of new and innovative ideas to expand the State’s IGR. According to him, the desperation by the sacked 68 Local G...

Engr Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, has declared that the local government chairmen who were sacked last year, are after the money of the local government areas in the state Makinde made this declaration while speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of traditional council building, “Mini Mapo” in Ibadan South West Local Government and initiated by the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja. At the event were the Osi Olubadan Of Ibadanland Sen Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso. It was gathered that Makinde had last year dissolved the council bosses who were elected at an election conducted in May 12th 2018 local government elections during the tenure of Mr. Abiola Ajimobi as Governor. The sacked LG bosses, who had been waiting at home after almost 8 months of legal battle, resumed their various offices yesterday. But, Makinde while reacting, insisted that the...

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, the State capital, on Tuesday restrained the 68 sacked council chairmen and chairmen of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) from the forceful and illegal takeover of the council offices across the state. The Court, presided over by Honourable Justice Moshud A.A. Abass, granted the four reliefs sought by the lead counsel to the Oyo State Government, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN, including an order of interim injunction restraining the sacked chairmen from forcefully taking over the Local Government Councils or taking steps capable of causing breach of peace in the State. The orders of interim injunction, which were granted by the Oyo State High Court followed an ex-parte motion filed by the State Government in Suit No: I/78/2020. Also restrained were the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr. Sh...

The immediate past deputy president of the Senate , Ike Ekweremadu, will soon reintroduce a bill for the creation of state police. The Media Adviser to the Senator, Mr . Uche Anichukwu , stated this on Political Platform , a Raypower Radio programme , monitored in Abuja , Tuesday morning. Anichukwu said although the Bill, which Ekweremadu sponsored along with about 74 other members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in the 8 th National Assembly could not progress beyond the First reading, there have been calls for the Bill to be reintroduced in the 9 th Assembly. Anichukwu said , “The Senator has been receiving calls from across the country on the need to reintroduce the State Police Bill. "I think the security realities in the country now are very clear and even among his colleagues , the popular opinion is that the Bill should be reintroduced immediately. “As a matter of fact , I just spoke with the Distinguished Senator this morning and he said plans...

Following the Local Government crisis that erupted in Oyo state on Monday and grounded activities in the 33 local government of the state with some of the government Properties vandalized, the Oyo state house of assembly has called for an emergency meeting. The Assembly committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy matters would be meeting immediately after today's plenary and critically look into the matter. The Speaker, Oyo state house of assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, announced the emergency meeting of the House 7-man committee on LG matters. Other Issues discussed on the floor of the house Include Third reading, Oyo state Agribusiness Development Program bill, 2020; Rehabilitation of Out-of-school children, amongst others.

The state Government of osun has confirmed two cases of Lassa fever in the state. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu made the confirmation on Monday at a press conference, held at the Ministry of Health . Dr Isamotu said two patients have been affected by the deadly disease but everything is under control. Those affected  are being treated at the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Ile-Ife, Usamotu said. He said the issue is being addressed by government officials.

The deputy governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, has charged journalists to continue to defend the masses. He said this during the New Year party/inauguration of the newly-elected executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Council held on Sunday at Jogor Center Ibadan. Engineer Olaniyan urged the journalists to continue being the defender of the masses and a promoter of democracy. Olaniyan also reiterated Governor Seyi Makinde government’s resolve to ensure a friendly relationship with the press. He also declared the support of the government to journalists in the state. “We are press-friendly, we believe in democracy. We believe in friendship and intimacy with the press and we are ready to support the press,” he said... The chairman of the council, Mr Ademola Babalola, in his remarks explained that the democratic process of the union enables the leaders of the union to identify tasks and challenges ahead of them. “The democr...

Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to proceed with recruitment of special constables. In a letter issued and signed by 'Nigpolice DRP Abuja' to all States' Commissioners of Police directed them to proceed with recruitment of special constables as a step forward to enhancing community policing policy nation wide. According to the letter," Nigerian Police directs that you be informed that federal government has given approval for recruitment of special constables as a step forward to enhancing community policing policy nation wide". "Stressing that Nigerian Police further directs all Commands, Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in your respective commands to liase with Traditional Rulers, and community leaders in your respective areas to form screening committees that will screen volunteers". Nigpolice DRP Abuja added, "volunteers who must ...

The source stated Leah, who declined to renounce her Christian faith, was required to accept Islam prior to being wed to a leading commander of the horror group. Leah Sheribu, a Christian woman abducted and kept in Boko Haram captivity for over one year, has actually brought to life a baby boy. Leah was provided of the baby a couple of weeks back following her strong marital relationship to a top Boko Haram commander, according to a reputable source near the horror group. The source stated Leah, who declined to renounce her Christian faith, was required to accept Islam prior to being wed to a leading commander of the horror group. Leah was amongst lots of women took from a school in Adamawa State by Boko Haram fighters 2 years back.

In their concerted efforts and struggles to take the youths off the streets and engage them with reasonable and legitimate means of survival, Oyo State Government has sought for the collaboration with Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy. The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan while visiting the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Dr.Alli Issa Pantami in his office in Abuja on Friday, January 24th sought for the collaboration of the ministry on how the youths' engagement in Digital Economy would take them off the streets. While speaking on reason that facilitated the visit, Olaniyan said that the reason that facilitated his visit to the minister's office was premised on felicitation with him as the current holder of the ministry and as well to seek for his and ministry's collaboration on how the new digital economy would fruitfully take the youths off the streets. Olaniyan added that there was no gainsaying in the fact tha...

Over 100 women from the Atiba State Constituency, Oyo state were on Thursday presented cash assistance to boost their small-scale businesses. The event, had in attendance, party leaders, party executives, faithfuls and constituents. Speaking at the 'Business Women Empowerment Programme', which was held at Equilibrium Resorts, Ojongbodu in Oyo town, the former speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly and minority leader of 9th assembly, Rt Hon. Asimiyu Alarape said the gesture was in fulfillment of his personal commitment to give back to society and the fulfilment of his campaign promises to affect the lives of the women in the constituency positively. He added that the donation was part of his programmes aimed at empowering and improving the socio-economic development of his  people. "I always want to give back to people. During my campaigns, l promised to carry women along. If  you empower women, you have empowered households, because in  traditional Y...

The Caretaker Chairman of Iseyin South Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Iseyin Area of Oyo State, Hon. Raheem Ajibola has expressed rude sock over the gruesome murder of the giant Trado-Medical Practitioner, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf popularly known as "Oko-Oloyun" by unknown gunmen, urging the Law Enforcement Agencies(LEAs) to brace up the security across the state and fish out the perpetrators that carried out the dastardly act. Ajibola in a condolence message that was personally issued, signed and made available to Naija Today News on Friday, January 24th, lamented that the horrific death of the Trado-medical Practitioner occurred to him as a rude shock, urging all LEAs to brace up the security and fish out the alleged murderers that perpetrated the evil act. In his description, Ajibola described the Late Business Mogul as a calm, cool-headed person and philanthropist whose gesture had no doubt touched the lives of the less privileged and downtrodden in all Ise...

Mrs Ronke Fajemirokun, a broadcaster with Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo state BCOS Mrs. Ronke Fajemirokun died this morning (Friday) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan during a brief illness. Oyo state chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalist NUJ has announces her passage With heavy heart, we announce the death of a seasoned broadcaster and eminent Yoruba newscaster on Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) channels, Mrs. Ronke Fajemirokun. Mrs. Ronke Fajemirokun died this morning (Friday) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan during a brief illness. A statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrades Ademola Babalola and Sola Oladapo respectively, said the late journalist would be sorely missed for her contributions to the development of Oyo State. The late Fajemirokun, was a Yoruba News caster and great journalist, until the 2019 redeployment exercise of the Oyo...

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, was represented by his deputy, Aderemi Olaniyan when the Federal Government and South-West governors met and agreed that Operation Amotekun should be structured to align with the community policing strategy of the FG. Gov Makinde had travelled to Turkey to inspect the model of fire-fighting trucks to be bought by the state government. At the meeting, it was also agreed the South-West states should give legal backing to the initiative, and address all issues concerning the regulation of the security structure. The media aide to the Vice-President, Laolu Akande, made this known via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday. Giving an update on the outcome of the meeting, Akande retweeted, “The meeting was at the instance of the Governors who had asked to see President Muhammadu Buhari over the controversy surrounding the Amotekun Initiative. However, due to the President’s foreign engagement, he asked the Vice President to host the meeting. ...

Foremost socio-cultural Association in Ibadanland, the Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU) has commended the courage of the six governors of the South-West states and their determination to secure Yorubaland through a collaborative initiative. The IPU, according to a statement signed by its president and secretary, Engr. Olayinka Alli and Dr. M.B. Olatunji, respectively, declared its support for the recently launched Western Nigerian Security Network codenamed Amotekun. This was just as the IPU promised the unflinching support of Ibadan sons and daughters to the success of the initiative, noting that it was strongly convinced that the regional outfit will be well-guided to prevent abuse and be focused on addressing the objectives for which it was set up. Noting that the Nigerian Constitution made security of lives and properties of every Nigerian a fundamental and inalienable right, the IPU said: “It is an open secret that our country has been faced with serious security ...

          Prof Oyelowo Oyewo AG Oyo State The Government of Oyo State has rejected the purported intervention of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) & Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) in the raging controversy over local government dissolution in the state. The Attorney-General of Oyo State, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, in a four-page response to a letter by the AGF, said that though the AGF did not submit the said letter to his office, he had to source the same from the social media in view of the weighty nature of the issues. According to Prof. Oyewo, the AGF has no business dabbling into the matter of local government dissolution in Oyo State which is pending before the Court of Appeal. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa indicated on Thursday, that the statement credited to Malami was uncalled for, misguided and lacking in merit, as far as the constitution of Nigeria is co...

The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Oyo State has exonerated itself against the allegation of assassination of the All Progressive Congress'(APC)'s Chieftain, Alh. Oreitan Babatunde and simultaneously drew people's attention to the libelious publications being sponsored by the opposition party. In a release issued and signed by the Publicity Secretary of Oyo PDP, Engr Akeem Olatunji exonerated the party of the dastardly act and simultaneously drew people's attention to the libelious publications being  orchestrated by APC and which he said capable of denting the party's image. In his words, Olatunji said, "the attention of the Oyo State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a libellous publication by the Oyo State APC in which they accused PDP of being behind the assassination of one of their Leaders". "From the recent happenings within Oyo State All Progressive Congress (APC), it is an undisputable fact that the ...

The Oyo state government in pursuant of its Agricultural revolution agenda has activated a training program through the federal government supported Rural Finance Institution-Building (RUFIN) Program in Oyo state by flagging off agribusiness training in Akinyele Local government in Ibadan on Wednesday. In a statement released by the ministry Media Officer, Olufunmilayo Adekunle stated that "Oyo State Government through Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development expressed delight as a counterpart of the training program which is sponsored by the State government, and added that it was the prospect of the training  program like this that prompted swift payment of Oyo state counterpart fund to the program. The Honorable commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Ojemuyiwa Jacob Ojekunle who was represented by the Coordinating Director, Dr Peter Adegunwa while delivering his speech at the flag off stated that the program would no...