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Pictures -Oyo Govt Seals Industrial Facility, Lounge In Ibadan…Declares State of Emergency In Markets, Public Places

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Pictures -Oyo Govt Seals Industrial Facility, Lounge In Ibadan…Declares State of Emergency In Markets, Public Places

  The Oyo State Government has sealed an industrial facility over its incessant violation and noncompliance to Environmental regulations. The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Architect Abdulmojeed Olawale Mogbojubola, gave the directive for the sealing of the facility, on the heels of several complaints and petitions received on the health Hazzard incured by the residents around the facility. Reports revealed that the unhealthy fumes, emitted from Fountain Manufacturing Company Ltd, located in Oluyole, Ibadan, has caused great uproar in the area. The Ministry had for years wadded into the matter, for amicable mediation among residents, but the facility owner had invariably failed to either respond or comply with government directives on the matter and obeying the State environmental laws. Likewise, the Ministry sealed a popular lounge along Akala Express, Casta De Lounge, for dumping its waste on the highway median. The Ministry also revealed that after necessary investigations, the lounge refused to patronize the government assigned waste collectors and is culpable of several environmental offences. Oyo Govt Declares State of Emmergency on Waste Disposal in Markets, Public Places. Meanwhile, the Oyo State government has declared a state of emergency on inappropriate waste disposal, in all markets and public places. The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Architect Abdulmojeed Olawale Mogbojubola, made this known, during a scheduled meeting with heads of markets across the State in the Ministry’s Conference room. The Honourable Commissioner stated that the government had commenced the distribution of skip bins, to major markets in the State, affirming that the waste disposal containers would put an end to the era of indiscriminate refuse dump on road medians and unauthorized places. He assured that the skip bins would be evenly distributed across all markets and public places. Mogbonjubola however charged the market executives, the “Baba and Iya Lojas” to ensure proactiveness and cleanliness in the markets, to avoid preventable cases of market closure. While narrating the efforts of the Ministry at promptly evacuating wastes, which he personally supervised, Mogbonjubola reiterated the commitment of government to end indiscriminate refuse dumps in all markets and public places.

Thank You For Restoring My Rank, Honour, Gowon Tells IBB

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  Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has expressed gratitude to the ex-military president, Ibrahim Babangida, for restoring his rank and honour. Speaking at a book presentation by the former military president on Thursday in Abuja, Gowon acknowledged that Babangida saved him from treason charges. The elder statesman also appreciated Babangida for their long-standing friendship and his contributions to Nigeria’s development. Gowon said, “I had a very rough time in government; I was even charged with treason. Later, President Shagari rescinded that order, and you (IBB) eventually restored my rank and honour. You did quite a lot for the country.” Also speaking at the event, former President Goodluck Jonathan praised Babangida for documenting his experiences in a book, saying the project would enrich Nigeria’s historical records. “If you contribute to documenting history, it strengthens and makes it more relevant. So today, you are helping us,” Jonathan said. Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, also paid tribute to Babangida, describing him as a friend and brother. “My relationship with Ibrahim has lasted over 80 years. Ibrahim, I want to thank you again for your friendship and brotherhood. We often reminisce about our past adventures, which always bring smiles to our faces. May these smiles continue in our twilight years,” he said. Dignitaries at the event included President Bola Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among others. Punch

(ICYMI): House Of Assembly Invasion: DSS Demands Apology, Retraction Of Publications•••Gives 7 Days To AIT, Channels Or Face Legal Action

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  ABUJA – The Department of State Services (DSS) has demanded an apology and retraction of publications over invasion of Lagos State House of Assembly. The DSS gave Da’ar Communications Plc (AIT), Channels Television, and other media platforms seven (7) days to run apologies in their respective news channels five times a day for three days running, or face legal action. The Legal Counsel to DSS, who issued the notice to the stations, demanded an apology and retraction of reports by them purporting that their operatives invaded the Lagos Assembly on Monday. In a letter dated February 17, 2025, entitled “False, Defamatory and Malicious Publication Concerning the State Security Service (aka DSS) Regarding Their Presence at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday February 17, 2025,” the Service through its legal team, Adedipe and Adedipe demanded a retraction of the story and apology. According to the Counsel, “even when it was clear that, following fears that hoodlums could attack the lawmakers, it was the Clerk of the Assembly who invited DSS and police personnel to help secure the Assembly, the media houses nonetheless ran reports that their operatives invaded the Assembly Gestapo style.” The Service gave the media organizations seven (7) days to run apologies in their respective news channels five times a day for three days running, or face legal action. Recall that these media outfits alleged that the Secret Service stormed Lagos State House of Assembly to disrupt the business of the House, contrary to facts that the DSS was invited to carry out its statutory duties.

Man Cries Out To Kemi Badenoch Over N50m Lost Transactions With UK-Based Nigerian

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  IBADAN – One Mr Tommy Afolabi, Popularly known as Mr B, a resident of United States has appealed to Kemi Badenoch a member of parliament of the United Kingdom over a failed Fifty million naira(N50M) transaction involving one Mr Olugbenga Adejuwon, a UK-based Nigerian. While appealing to Nigerians both in the diaspora and at home, Mr Tommy Afolabi alleged Olugbenga Adejuwon of defrauding him N50M forwarded into his account on December 10, 2024 meant for down payment of house in America for one Mrs Otsabomhe. In his narration about the deal, Mr Tommy said, “there is a particular family in Nigeria that I’d always helped in buying things from here in America, and they told me they wanted to buy a house here in America. “They told me they have the sum of N50M which is equivalent to the sum of $30,000 at the current rate then, that I should link them up with anyone that has interest in selling house over here in America, so I can help them secure the property. “I contacted a friend who is a family friend to me and I briefed him about the development, he was the one who introduced one Mr Olugbenga Adejuwon a resident of United Kingdom to me, who told me he has up to $30,000 in his US account, that I should forward the sum of the N50m into his Nigeria bank account, as he promised to pay in dollars from his chase bank account in America. So that the money can meet up with the deadline of the down payment of the house. “Mr Gbenga Adejuwon gave us his bank account details in Nigeria which is Providus Bank and we made a payment into it, OMDG Limited is the name of the business account he sent to us, and I instructed Mrs Otsabomhe to pay the sum of N50M into that business account that Gbenga Adejuwon gave us, that was on December 10, the transactions was divided into four and when they sent him the transaction slips, he acknowledged receiving the payment, and to our amazement immediately the money hitted his account, he quickly moved the N50M the same day to his personal account and then transferred the money in two accounts of the GTB Bank. “Mr Gbenga Adejuwon upon receiving the sum of N50M into his Nigerian business account, quickly moved the 50million the same day into his personal account and then transferred N20million through GTB Bank to a supposedly person, one Mr Samuel Adesanyi and sent another N30million to GTB account of one Nigeria based shipping company in Lagos state. “While waiting for him to send me the $30,000, I called him, that was on December 12th and he claimed to have sent the $30,000 to my account that, the client he worked for has transferred the money to my account and he has the transfer slip already. He said he’s driving a d that he’d forward it to me which i didn’t receive. To my shocking surprise, the bank did not authorized the transfer because it is a fraudulent transaction. That would put me in jail. Up till today, no dollars received and he refused to return the N50M. “The name on the transfer slip is the woman’s name, Mrs Otsabomhe. Gbenga Adejuwon didn’t refund any money to me, nor to Mrs Otsabomhe up till now. The sum of $30,000 has not been paid neitheris is he ready to refund the N50M he kept giving us excuses. “I’ve ended up losing the house that I wanted to buy for Mrs Otsabomhe family and they’ve been on my neck saying I’m the one that introduced Mr Gbenga to them. I didn’t know that Mr Gbenga staged all these to defraud and rob us. It’s very clear to us now that he doesn’t have any dollars in any bank account, he refused to return the N50M. “To my surprise, while we keep digging into the matter, we kept calling his phone, but he doesn’t answer his calls and kept making excuses. “He kept saying he’s expecting some money from cryptocurrency so he can refund the N50 million. I’ve lost sleep because the family who owns the money has been on my neck, and my family has been put in jeopardy. “I didn’t realized that he was a fraudster., Now I confirmed that he do make use of his account he has with Providus Bank in Nigeria to defraud people and then quickly move the money out from his business account. “I’m calling on Nigerians to advise me on how to go about this, I want Mr Gbenga Adejuwon to refund the N50M sent into his account. His wife’s name is Remmy Adejuwon. “And he’s using the fact that he resides in the UK and that nobody can harass him to his advantage over this issue,he has destroyed the relationship, business, and trust that I had with Otsabomhe’s family. Mrs Tinuola Agbabiaka of RCCG Christ Church Gbagada Lagos state married to one pastor Agbabiaka is Mr Gbenga Adejuwon’s sister, she has also pleaded to his brother to refund the money, but he’s been blocking and dropping everyone’s call. I’m begging Nigerians both home and abroad to please come to my rescue as Mr Gbenga Adejuwon is leveraging on the fact that he’s in the UK and nothing can be done to him. “I’m also using this medium to appeal to the member of the parliament of the United Kingdom to help me on this matter as Mr Gbenga Adejuwon is a UK resident and he’s not ready to refund the N50million sent to his account since last year.”

Shun Exploitation, Minister Tells Traders To Reflect Food Price Reductions

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  The Federal Government has urged retailers to reflect the reduction in food prices and shun exploiting consumers. The Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Abubakar Kyari, stated this on Tuesday during the 2025 Wheat Farmers Green Field Day, at Dabi village in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa. He decried the nonchalant attitude of retailers to reflect the reduction in their sales despite a drop in prices, describing it as unpatriotic and unacceptable. “The federal government is aware of the significant drop in the prices of food items across major markets, particularly for essential commodities such as flour, sugar, rice, and pasta. “However, it is deeply concerning that many retailers, bakers, and shop owners have refused to reflect this reduction in their selling prices, thereby denying Nigerians the relief they deserve. “In previous months, stakeholders in the retail value chain raised concerns about the rising cost of food items. Now that the prices have dropped, such as flour, which fell from N81,000 per bag to below N60,000, Spaghetti has fallen from N20,000 to N15,000. “It is only fair and just to let consumers benefit from food price reduction,” Kyari said. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure food availability and engage with relevant stakeholders to reflect the current market realities. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event was organised in collaboration between the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria and, the federal and Jigawa state governments. (NAN)

Osun Electoral Commission Denies Military Siege, Confirms Saturday LG Poll

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  The management of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission has dismissed insinuations that its premises had been sealed by military personnel. This was contained in a statement by the commission’s Information Officer, Sadiat Isiaka, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, in reaction to the information circulating on the social media that OSSIEC office in Osogbo had been taken over by soldiers. The commission also assured all that the local government election slated for Saturday would hold as scheduled, noting that, wrong information should not to be allowed to inhibit people from participating in the election. It enjoined members of the public to disregard the unsubstantiated report, noting that the premises of the Commission was well secured and safe as evident in the heavy presence of inter-agency security personnel. “OSSIEC wishes to alert members of the public to the fake news in circulation that the premises of the commission have been sealed off by the Nigerian Army. “The general public especially the electorate are hereby enjoined to disregard the fake news as the premises of the cpmmission is well secure and safe as evident in the heavy presence of inter-agency security personnel comprising the combined team of the police, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, Amotekun Corps, the Vigilante etc. “Our commendations to the security agencies for providing adequate security for the staff, facilities and election materials at OSSIEC. We wish to add that the fake news was a propaganda concocted by some miscreants to mis-inform and create panic among the electorate, therefore should not be taken serious. “We hereby assure the good people of Osun State that the election will hold as scheduled, as such, no pseudo information should inhibit the people from participating in the democratic process,” the statement read in parts. Punch

Oyo Govt To Connect UCH To State Power Grid Amid Energy Crisis

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  IBADAN – The Oyo State Government has announced plans to connect the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, to its Independent Power Plant (IPP) to mitigate ongoing power supply challenges at the federal health facility. In a statement posted on its official social media handle, the state government acknowledged the hospital’s electricity woes and emphasised that, despite UCH being a federal institution, it intends to offer a medium-term solution through integration with the state’s power infrastructure. UCH, one of Nigeria’s foremost medical institutions, has struggled with erratic power supply in recent months, leading to disruptions in critical healthcare services. Reports from patients and hospital staff indicate that frequent blackouts have affected medical procedures, laboratory operations, and patient care The Oyo State Government’s intervention, though temporary, is expected to provide some relief to the hospital’s management and patients. The Independent Power Plant (IPP), which currently supplies energy to key state facilities, will be extended to UCH as part of the medium-term solution. However, officials have not disclosed a timeline for the implementation. While the federal government remains responsible for the hospital’s overall management and infrastructure, this move signals a growing trend of state governments stepping in to address local energy deficiencies affecting federal institutions. Patients and residents have welcomed the announcement, with many urging swift implementation to prevent further disruptions to medical services.

Tariff Hike: Airtel Raises Data, Call rates

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  Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecom operator, has revised its data pricing structure, implementing a tariff adjustment of up to 50 per cent, according to details published on its website on Monday. The price revision, which affects various data bundles, aligns with ongoing industry concerns over escalating operational costs. While the company has yet to issue an official statement, the move underscores the broader push among telecom operators for a tariff review to cushion the impact of inflation and forex volatility. Beyond data adjustments, the operator with over 56 million subscribers had also increased voice call tariffs over the weekend. A senior Airtel official, speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, confirmed the development, emphasising that the adjustments were necessitated by rising costs. “Yes, we have updated data prices today, and they are available on our website. However, the increase is not up to 50 percent,” the official clarified. In its revised price list, Airtel assured customers of continued affordability, stating, “Whatever your data needs are, we have a plan for you. Our fast, affordable, and reliable internet experience will keep you connected anytime, anywhere. To get started, Dial *312#.” The revised daily and weekly data plans include N50 for 40MB valid for 1 day, N100 for 100MB valid for 1 day, N200 for 200MB valid for 3 days, N350 for 1GB valid for 1 day, N350 for 350MB valid for 7 days, N500 for 750MB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 200MB YouTube Music/Spotify valid for 7 days, N500 for 1GB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 50MB Socials valid for 7 days, N500 for 2GB valid for 2 days, and N1500 for 5GB valid for 7 days. Similarly, MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, has also adjusted its data and call tariffs in line with the NCC’s approval. The revised pricing, implemented over the past week, has seen customers paying more for calls, SMS, and internet usage. The latest increases come as telecom operators grapple with inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and the rising cost of network expansion. While the adjustments aim to support long-term service improvements, subscribers may face increased financial pressure as communication costs rise.

I Still Face Four Lawsuits From Afe Babalola’s Firm – Farotimi

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  Activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, on Sunday, disclosed that he was still faced with four separate suits in different states filed by members of the Aare Afe Babalola law office. Farotimi disclosed this while speaking during the Toyin Falola Interviews on Sunday. Farotimi’s disclosure comes after the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), on January 27, agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against Farotimi. Following Afe Babalola’s petition to the police commissioner in Ekiti State that Farotimi defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,’ the police arrested the activist lawyer and arraigned him before two courts in Ekiti. Consequently, Farotimi stood trial for alleged criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District and as well for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court. Babalola had announced his withdrawal of the case against Farotimi citing the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers. But featuring on Sunday’s conversation, with the theme: “Politics, Law and Society,” Farotimi disclosed that while the police had withdrawn criminal charges against him following Babalola’s petition withdrawal, he still faced four civil suits across different states, all filed by members of Babalola’s law office. “My inability to speak to certain aspects of this issue is borne out of the fact that, despite the discontinuation of the criminal proceeding, I still have four suits that I am aware of, in four different states of the federation, filed by members of the same law office, against my person,” he revealed. Farotimi emphasised that his book was not written in a moment of idle talk or baseless accusations but rather a well-researched work documenting his experiences and observations about the Nigerian judicial system. “I did not sit down in a beer parlour; I was not at an officers’ mess; I was not gossiping. It was not idle, cheap talk. I wrote a book,” he declared. “Let us deal with veracity. Anybody can go and read and then come back and challenge me with the lie that I have told.” Dismissing claims that the controversy surrounding his book is a personal battle, Farotimi insisted that what is on trial is not his reputation, but the Nigerian legal system itself. “This is not a trial of Dele Farotimi. Let nobody make that error. It is a trial of the legal system that we have built as a collective,” he asserted. He reaffirmed that his controversial book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, is not an attack on individuals, particularly legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola, but rather a critique of systemic corruption within the judiciary. He stressed that his work was written in pursuit of justice, not personal vendettas. “Chief Afe Babalola is more than old enough to be my father,” Farotimi said. “I did not set out to destroy the man or to tarnish his image. Nothing personal. I was writing about the institution of the judiciary.” Speaking, Farotimi maintained that his critique aimed at institutional failings rather than individuals. “Multiple names were mentioned in the book, and offices were mentioned. I did not set out to libel anybody,” he explained. “I simply told the truth of what I saw. All I did was write a book. Maybe we have become too accustomed to lies and allergic to truth, to the point where telling the truth has become a sin.” According to him, Nigerians must engage with uncomfortable truths if the country is to experience meaningful reform. “We have built a system that rewards deception and punishes truth. I am being sued not because I have lied, but because I have dared to speak the truth.” Farotimi also criticized those who dismissed his book without reading it, labelling their actions as intellectually lazy. “Ninety per cent of the persons criticizing me for whatever they believe my tactics to have been in writing the book have not read the book,” he argued. “If Nigerians would stop being so philistinic and illiterate, if they would dare to read, there would be no arguments as to the proof of what I have written.” Punch

Telecoms Tariff Hike: FG Deploys Security Agents As NLC Insists On Protest

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  The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Sunday warned the Nigeria Labour Congress against its planned March 1 shutdown of telecommunication services in response to the recent 50 per cent tariff hike. The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria similarly pushed back against the NLC’s planned boycott of telecom services and shutdown of telecom infrastructure, arguing that such actions are misguided and could harm the industry. The spokesman for the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, in a chat with The PUNCH on Sunday, said the agency had deployed operatives to the base stations to prevent any illegal action by the protesters. The NSCDC, tasked with protecting critical national infrastructure, including telecommunications, expressed concerns over the potential risks the NLC action could pose to national security and public safety. The NLC announced its intention to shut down the operations of telecommunications companies across the country if the tariff hike announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission was not reversed by the end of February. The union directed Nigerians to boycott the services of major telecom providers, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, daily between 11am and 2pm starting February 13 and continuing through the month. The NLC in a communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, accused the telecom operators of breaching public trust by implementing the tariff hike before the conclusion of a 10-man review panel’s deliberations. The union also faulted the government for failing to protect citizens from corporate exploitation. The NLC argued that the tariff increase represented a betrayal of public trust, given the earlier agreement to establish a committee to review the proposed hike. However, the NSCDC urged the NLC to reconsider its planned protest, warning that any disruption to telecom services could expose the country to criminal activities and compromise national security. Afolabi made it clear that the agency will not allow any action that could jeopardise the security of the nation. He revealed that state commandants had been directed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance at telecom facilities, with a nationwide deployment of officers, including undercover operatives, to ensure the protection of these assets. Citing the importance of telecommunications to national security, the corps warned that any disruption could result in vandalism and other criminal activities. He added, “Already, the NSCDC commandant-general has directed state commandants to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in and around all the telecom masts in their locations. “Also, there is going to be nationwide massive deployment of the officers and men of the corps, including undercover and intelligence operatives, to maintain peace and ensure that all the government and corporate organisations’ critical national assets and infrastructure are protected from the miscreants who might likely use the opportunity of the planned protest to carry out their criminal activities.’’ “Available credible intelligence already established the fact that the planned protest will be hijacked by hoodlums and that is why the NSCDC is on top of the situation,” he further stated. The NSCDC called for dialogue to resolve the dispute and hoped that the NLC would reconsider its stance. Afolabi stated, “The NSCDC, under the leadership of Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, is appealing to the organized labour under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve their planned protest of March 01, 2025 and the move to shut down telecommunication facilities nationwide. “Although peaceful protests are allowed under the law, experience and fallouts of similar threats in the past necessitate the need to appeal to the NLC not to embark on any action that will further affect the security of the country. “NSCDC will not fold its arms and allow any action that will expose the nation’s security and eventual compromised economic stability and public safety, under the guise of protesting the increase in telecom services tariffs. “The scars of similar protests that turned violent in the past are still there as reference points and the NSCDC and other security agencies in the country will not allow the miscreants, hoodlums and other non-state actors to hide under the guise of NLC protest to loot and vandalise government and corporate organisations assets and infrastructure.” The NSCDC stressed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure and stated that it is prepared to take decisive legal action against those who attempt to undermine the security of the country. “The NSCDC is committed to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and property of the government and corporate organizations we are ready to take decisive actions against any individual or group that embarks on any action that can jeopardise the security architecture of the country,” he added. The corps said it has placed its personnel on high alert and warned that anyone found engaging in illegal activities during the protest will be dealt with according to the law. “We still believe that dialogue remains the best solution and we hope that organised labour will listen to the voice of reason and jaw-jaw with the government. We advise organised labour leaders to stay away from base stations and telecom mast locations as NSCDC personnel have been placed on red alert. “Anybody found wanting will be dealt with according to the stipulated law of the country,” the spokesperson cautioned. The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria criticised the NLC over its planned protest. The Secretary-General of PTECSSAN, Abdullahi Okonu, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the union had already made its position clear, arguing that the increase is necessary to prevent a collapse of the industry. In a letter addressed to the NLC, PTECSSAN said the labour congress had acted “in error” by taking decisions without consulting the union, which represents workers in the telecom sector. “It is our firm belief that the Congress Leadership has acted in error in taking these decisions without prior consultation with our union that operates in the sector,” the letter read. “Perhaps, getting in touch with us to provide you with information on the happenings in the sector would … Read more

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