All Posts in "Day: December 24, 2021"

Christmas:Are Onakakanfo Advocates Religious Tolerance

Spread joy, religious tolerance, prosperity, Gani Adams charges Christians
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams,has reiterated the need for religious tolerance as a panacea for peace and national progress, stressing that Nigeria has lost alot to religious bigotry and fanatism.
Iba Adams made this charge  during the 2021 edition of the  Christmas Carol, organized by the office of the Aareonakakanfo, in Lagos.
He said:”We need to be tolarant in all aspects of our lives. Religious intolerance and fanatism are at the root of the various killings we witness daily in this country.People must be free to practise whatever belief they subscribe to without fair or favour.
“It is in this that we can be able to appreciate God and also explore the benefits of our population, tribes and the beauty of our race as a people.
“We cannot continue to live in sins and ask the grace of God to abound. We need to show love  to others.We need to use the season of celebration to show compassion to others.We need to give to the needy. We need to make others happy. That is the reason for this festive season, as well as the celebration of both the Christmas and the new year”.
He also  implored Christians in the country to spread joy and embrace religious tolerance.
In their sermons,the clerics urged Christians to learn from the deeds of Jesus Christ who remains the model for Christianity all over the world.
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in News 0
 INEC Elevates 1,985 Staff

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has promoted 1,985 members of its staff, nationwide.
A breakdown of the figure indicates that 12 (twelve) Deputy Directors on Grade Level(GL) 16 were promoted to the post of Directors on Grade Level 17, while 78 Assistant Directors on GL15 were elevated to the position of Deputy Directors on GL 16.
Also promoted to the Assistant Director cadre were 92 officers who were elevated from GL14 to GL15, and 971 other Senior staff  were promoted to Grade Levels  between 07-14.
It further promoted 753, Junior cadre staff between GL 03-06, nationwide.
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in News 0
FG Destroys 1m Doses Of Expired COVID-19 Vaccines

FG destroys over 1m doses of expired Astrazeneca vaccines
The Federal Government has destroyed over a million doses of expired COVID-19 Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines.
The expiration was linked to delays in the shipment of vaccine doses, particularly the AstraZeneca vaccine, which prevented governments from rolling out the vaccine before it expired.
Nigeria joined other African countries in destroying its expired COVID-19 vaccines, including Malawi, South Sudan, Liberia, Mauritania, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Comoros, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speaking in Abuja,Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said that Nigeria had successfully withdrawn about 1,066,214 doses of expired Astra Zeneca vaccines from across the country while speaking at Gosa Dumpsite in Abuja.
He said: “As you can see these vaccines have now been deposited by the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency. We have come through in our promise to all Nigerians to be transparent in our delivery of vaccines. These vaccines did not expire before we took the decision to withdraw them today is an opportunity for Nigerians to have further faith in our vaccination program. Because we have lived up to the expectation of all Nigerians. We had the option if we were to take the advice of some experts to try and use these vaccines even beyond the label expiry date, but working together with our sister agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who took that decision to destroy these vaccines at the point that they got expired.
” The destruction was to further demonstrate the high standards that the agency operate within Nigeria.
“The work that we do is the work that requires trust. It is a sacred trust that has been bestowed on us by the generalizing generality of Nigerians and hold that trust to be true. And we pride that trust very jealously. This is why today, we are destroying these vaccines that have expired
“A few months ago, when these vaccines were offered to us, we knew that they had a short shelf life. But we were living in an environment where the supply of COVID-19 vaccines were very scarce. They were not available due to vaccine nationalism. We had developed countries that procured these vaccines and hoarded them in their stores. At the point that they were about to expire. We were offered for donation. Well, we appreciate the donation from these countries”, he explained.
NPHCDA boss also acknowledge the fact that the vaccines were almost expired but, because the government wanted to satisfy and protect Nigerians the donations were accepted.
“We offer to accept these vaccines worked collaboratively with NPHCDA to ensure that none of vaccines were bad, they were also tested and ensure that the vaccines were in good condition. We rolled out under very difficult circumstances. We actually got our frontline health workers, working night and day. Staff of the NPHCDA did not know Saturdays or Sundays. We were working around the clock on very extreme situations just to make sure that Nigerians have access to vaccines, even when these vaccines were not widely available. We’re able to vaccinate over 10 million Nigerians with these short shelf life vaccines.”
He continued, “if the country had waited till when vaccines would be widely available, maybe it would not have gotten any Nigerian vaccinated by now.
“So my heart and my pride goes out to those frontline health workers that continue to work around the clock.
“We still have short shelf life vaccines in the country. They are still potent. They have not reached the end of use dates and the health workers are still going around every community and settlement to ensure Nigerians are vaccinated,“ he explained.
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in News 0
NNPC Earns N2.5trn  From Petroleum Products Sale in One Year

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it earned  over N2.563 trillion from the sales of white products  between July 2020 to July 2021.
It said  Premium Motors Spirit  contributed about 99.67% of the total sales.
This was contained in the July 2021 figures of the NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), the 72nd edition of the Report.
The report said a total of 1.544billion litres of petroleum products were sold and distributed by the PPMC, in the month of July 2021 with PMS accounting for 99% of total volume.
Total sale of petroleum products for the period July 2020 to July 2021 stood at 19.535billion litres and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) accounted for 99.73% of total volume, the report stated.
The report also indicated a 5.23 percentage increase in the average daily gas supply to power plants in the month of July 2021 which stood at 759million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD), equivalent to power generation of 3,250MW against the June 2021 figure of 721mmscfd to generate 3,181MW.
According to the report, national gas production in July 2021 increased by 3.99% at 232.69Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) compared to output in the previous month, translating to an average daily production of 7,502.28mmscfd.
For the period July 2020 to July 2021, a total of 2,891.53BCF of gas was produced representing an average daily production of 7,305.43mmscfd.
Period-to-date production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and NPDC contributed about 58.67%, 20.45% and 20.89% respectively to the total national gas production.
In the downstream sector, to ensure sustained increase and effective distribution of petroleum products, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), across the country, the NNPC has continued to diligently monitor the daily stock of petrol to achieve success in this regard.
In July 2021, the report noted that 42 pipeline points were vandalized representing 10.64% decrease from the 47 points recorded in June 2021.
This month, Port Harcourt area accounted for 40% and Mosimi Area accounted for 60% of the vandalized points.
In the Upstream, NNPC recorded total export receipt of $191.26million in July 2021 as against $188.00million in June 2021.
Receipts from crude oil amounted to $12.95million while gas and miscellaneous receipts stood at $78.69million and $99.61million respectively.
Total crude oil and gas export receipt for the period July 2020 to July 2021 stood at $1.73billion.
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
Delta Confirms  395 Cases of Omicron

Delta State Government has revealed that a total of 395 cases of Omicron variant has been confirmed across the state.
Commissioner for  Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, said that a total of 3, 290 tests for Omicron variant have been conducted since the spike of the virus.m
He disclosed that 395 persons tested positive to the new variant.
The commissioner, who noted that the state like other parts of the world is still learning about the Omicron variant, he declared that the mode of transmission of the variant is similar to Coronavirus.
Mordi urged residents in the state to comply with Covid-19 precautionary rules during the yuletide, saying that single dose of vaccination cannot confer immunity on any individual.
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in News 0
Titan Trust Bank Takes Over Union Bank

Titan Trust Bank Limited (TTB), has acquired Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.
The development was sequel  an agreement by Union Global Partners Limited, Atlas Mara Limited and other majority shareholders to divest 88.39 per cent shareholding in Union Bank to Titan Trust Bank.
The board of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc in a notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the Securities Exchange Commission on Thursday, explained that the agreement, which is  subject to regulatory approvals and other financial conditions, would upon completion transfer 89.39 percent of Union Bank’s issued share capital to Titan Trust Bank.
Speaking  on the transaction, the Chairman, Union Bank, Mrs. Beatrice Hamza Bassey said: “On behalf of the Board, we congratulate all the parties involved in reaching this phase of the transaction and the Board looks forward to supporting the next steps to ensure a seamless completion of the process following regulatory approvals.
“We  are  grateful  to  our  current  investors  whose  significant  and  consequential investments over the past nine years facilitated the transformation of Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s oldest and storied institutions. Today, the bank is well-positioned with an innovative product offering, a growing customer base of over six million and consistent  year on year profitability.
“This is a solid foundation for our incoming investors to build on as we move into a new era for the bank.”
The chairman, Titan Trust Bank, Mr. Tunde Lemo, said:“The Board of Titan Trust Bank and our key stakeholders are delighted as this transaction marks a key step for Titan Trust in its strategic growth journey and propels the institution to the next level in the Nigerian banking sector.
“The deal represents a unique opportunity to combine Union Bank’s longstanding and leading banking franchise with TTB’s innovation-led model which promises to enhance the product and service offering for our combined valued customers.” He said.
Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo noted that the  transaction marks a significant milestone in the journey of our 104-year old Bank.
He added:”Whilst thanking our current investors for their unwavering commitment to the Bank over the years, we welcome our new core investor, TTB. We recognize the strategic fit between the two institutions and expect that this deal will deliver the best outcome for our employees, customers and stakeholders. We look forward to collectively writing the next exciting chapter for Union Bank”.
 Chief Executive Officer, Titan Trust Bank, Mr. Mudassir Amray said: “After completing over two years of operations with aggressive organic growth, we are excited to have an opportunity for a significant leap forward in market share. UBN’s widespread presence, state of the art technology platform, quality staff and strong brand loyalty fits well with our synchronized modular strategy. We look forward to delivering superior results for the benefit of our staff, customers, shareholders, and stakeholders.”
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
FG To Execute 16 Power Projects With N65.39bn

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved N65.39 billionn in foreign and local denominations to execute power projects in the country.
The Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, who disclosed this to  journalists  at the end of the virtual extraordinary FEC meeting,explained that the extraordinary session was to ensure that the country begins 2022 on a clean slate in the area of electricity supply.
He stated that he presented 16 memoranda which were all approved by the council, adding that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has done more than its predecessors to ensure that Nigerians experience improved electric power supply.
He added: “FEC approved $65,606,420, €15,152,651 and N31,360,272,397 respectively for the award of contract for the construction of a 2X60MVA 132/33 KVA substation at Ikare-Akoko and 2×132 KV Lines Bay Extension at Oke-Agbe, Ondo State at the cost of $9,9928,912.80 and N2,037,076,700.00.
“Supply of 65 Hilux vehicles and 20 SUVs nationwide at the cost of N2,741,787,500.00. Procurement of 1,500 drums of transformer oil nationwide at N322,500,000.00. Supply of 19 Sergi transformer explosion and fire protection devices nationwide at €5,326,663,70 and N347,629,092.57.
“Construction of 142KV double circuit line in Ikere-Ijesa-Isu-Ilupeju towns, Ado-Ekiti State, $30,880,393.82 and N8,344,898,490.86. Construction of New National Control Center at Osogbo, Osun State at N1,168,318,638.68.
“Construction of New National Control Center at Gwagwalada, FCT at N1,161,915,489.76. Supply of 180 of Grounding Equipment nationwide at €686,043.50 and N41,378,244.25. Additional work on 330KV double line to Mando substation in Kaduna at N893,011,356.42.
“Construction of 2X60MVA, 132/33KV substation at Ogbomosho and 2X 132KVLine Bags Extension at Ganmo substation at Ilorin at €5,274,245.00 and N457,708,341.02.”
According to him, the council also approved contracts for design, manufacture, supply at N4,325,652,643.50. Installation and commissioning of transmission lines of 330/132/33KV Lekki, Lagos. LOT 1 and LOT 2 at N2,812,767,499.00.
The Council also approved the “Augmentation for the construction of 2X60MVA 132/33 KVA substation at Malumfashi and 4X132KV Line Bats at Kankara at Katsina at N176,517,897.88.
“Supply and delivery of 40 each of primary and secondary injection test sets nationwide at €3,865,700.00 and N212,386,640.00”
While noting that the federal government has ordered new power equipment, the minister assured Nigerians that they will soon see the outcome of the ongoing investments.
Aliyu who lamented that the current power generation is about 5,000mw also decried what he termed “the weak transmission grid”.
Speaking about the memos, he said, “Today, I presented to council 16 memos, which I seek for council’s approval and the council graciously approved all of them. At this point, let me say what these approvals will do to the nation’s electricity supply.
“As we’re all aware, the major problem we’re having in the Electricity Supply Industry is to be able to evacuate sufficient electricity and distribute it. That is to say, we have a very weak transmission grid and distribution segment of the value chain.
“We may not be having many problems with generation. So, unless we’re able to strengthen the electricity grid, which is nationwide, and to expand, and to be able to evacuate what the grid can take to consumers, we will have a lot of problems ahead of us.
“So, what we’re doing currently through various and several interventions is to be able to repair the grid by constructing new transmission lines, bringing in new equipment to replace the old ones at our substations. So, that will release more capacity to the distribution and leading to the customers.
“So, the operational capacity, as you all know now is hovering around 5,000 megawatts and the transmission and distribution.
“So, these projects that we brought to council today and got approvals are all geared towards strengthening the willing capacity of the transmission and towards distribution, even though as you all know, the distribution segment of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry is been privatised, but we cannot fold our arms and allow them to continue not to do much to evacuate what the transmission can bring.
“But as it is now, even the transmission is not that strong. So, we need to put more investment into the transmission so that we can improve the capacity of the TCN to be able to take up enough electricity from the generation.
“So, these memos, although 16 of them, they’re all geared towards achieving what I’ve just explained.”
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in Power 0
Police Arrest Cleric With Fresh Human Head In Ondo

Police arrests cleric with human head in Ondo - Ripples Nigeria
A 55-year-old man, Alfa Tunde Olayiwola, was on Thursday arrested with a fresh human head in Oka-Akoko, Ondo State.
He  paid N60,000 to someone he claimed at a social function to get him the head.
He  told the police  he wanted to use it for money ritual, saying he had been in money ritual for a long time.
The new state Police Commissioner, Oyeyemi Oyediran,disclosed that  the suspect was arrested following a tip-off.
Besides, a suspected kidnapper, who the alleged mastermind of the kidnap of a Deeper Life Ministry pastor on Irese Road area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, was also arrested and paraded.
Oyediran said: “Based  on the viral video of one suspected kidnapper Ayobola Samuel, arrested in Ekiti State, on the 9th of November 2021, the suspect mentioned one Dayo Titus a.k.a ‘Dayo Igwe’ as the master mind of the kidnap of Deeper Life Pastor in Akure.  The Police started trailing the said ‘Dayo’, and this paid off as the suspect was arrested in Ondo town on the 2nd of December, 2021.”
Also,a  hunter, Ismaila Ojo, who shot a man on Monday was also paraded.
He said he went for binding around 9:30 pm and saw a moving substance which he mistook for a fox and shot it.
He said when he been to checked the game, he discovered it was an old man who was resident in the same village with him.
He explained that he carried him to the village and subsequently to a hospital for treatment.
Two suspected cultists were also arrested.
The commissioner said: “Based on the recent cult activities and supremacy battle between rival cult groups in Okitipupa, the Anti-cultism section took the battle to the area and this led to the arrest of two suspects namely: Mathew Thankgod(18) Olabokunde  Micheal (20)in their hide out.
“They led the police to one Olayeye Segun (25) who is a blacksmith who produced and supplies them with ams with which they operate.
A cut to size single made English barrel was recovered from the suspects.”
The commissioner, who assumed duty on Monday, therefore, assured the people of the state that the formation would make the state uncomfortable for criminals.
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
 1,081 Terrorists, Families Surrender-Army

1,081 Terrorists, Families Surrender In Two Weeks – Brig. Gen. Onyeuko – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko
The Nigerian Army says 1,081 terrorists comprising their families have surrendered to troops due to  overwhelming kinetic and non-kinetic activities in two weeks.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko,disclosed this  at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja .
He said several other criminal elements, including high profile ones were either killed in action or arrested while many kidnapped civilians were rescued.
Gen. Onyeuko who gave the breakdown of the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria between 9th and 23rd December 2021 revealed that, some of their troops paid the “supreme prize in the course of the operations.”
He said, “Besides, there are records of large numbers of terrorists surrendering due to troops’ overwhelming kinetic and non-kinetic activities, while several kidnapped civilians were rescued.
“Troops also repelled and forestalled armed criminal elements’ attacks on civilians and troops, recovered caches of arms, ammunition, equipment, vehicles and oodles of livestock within the year.
“You may as well recall that, in the maritime environment, troops in major and subsidiary operations were able to disrupt smuggling activities, immobilize illegal refining sites, arrest as well as neutralized perpetrators and criminal elements and recovered tons of petroleum products.
“Although some of our troops paid the supreme prize in the course of the operations, our dogged troops consistently exhibited gallantry and resilience in the various operations within the year.
“Additionally, troops’ kinetic and non-kinetic operations have continued to drive the terrorists out of their camps into surrendering. Within this period in focus, a total of 1,081 terrorists and their families comprising 187 adult males, 326 adult females and 568 children surrounded to own troops at different locations of the theatre. The surrendered terrorists were properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions.”
In Operation HADIN KAI, Gen. Onyeuko said that, troops carried out several land and air operations that recorded significant results at different locations across the theatre within the period of two weeks.
He said some of these locations, are towns, villages and roads in; Bama, Mafa, Pulka, Konduga, Gwoza, Mobbar and Dikwa LGAs of Borno State as well as Madagali LGA of Adamawa State.
“Troops operational efforts in the locations in the last two weeks, cumulatively resulted in the neutralization of a total 51 and arrest of 19 terrorists. Also, a total of 122 assorted arms and 1,499 rounds of different calibres of ammunitions were recovered, while a total of 8 gun trucks of the terrorists were destroyed.”
The Director also explained that in the last two weeks, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI sustained offensive operations against armed bandits and other criminal elements at different locations across the theatre.
With the support of the Air Component, he stated that troops launched deliberate attacks on identified bandits’ hideouts; successfully repelled armed bandits and robbers’ attacks on civilians in different villages; rescued victims and recovered assorted arms, ammunitions and other items at different locations.
“The locations in which troops’ operational efforts yielded significant results include; Kaikazaka village in Sokoto State as well as Garbadu town and Saturi, Katanga, Badarawa and Tunga Na Yarchiga villages in Zamfara State; Cumulatively, a total of 33 armed bandits were neutralized, while 19 of them and their collaborators as well as armed herdsman were arrested.
“Also, 37 assorted arms, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns and GPMGs as well as 698 rounds of different calibres of ammunitions, 22 motorcycles and 899 rustled livestock among other items and vehicles were recovered; while 28 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.
“Additionally, 59 extra magazines of assorted arms and 21 motorcycles were recovered from bandits.”
He disclosed that  between 9th and 23rd December 2021, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted various operations at different locations across the country where troops successfully repelled armed bandits’ attacks and arrested child traffickers, cattle rustlers, kidnappers as well as armed bandits and robbers.
Troops were also said to have recovered several arms, ammunition and livestock during raid operations on criminal elements’ hideouts as well as repelled kidnappers and gunmen attacks at different locations across the theatre within the period.
“Cumulatively, a total of 15 criminal elements were arrested, 12 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while 118 livestock, 18 assorted arms and 112 different calibers of ammunition among other items were recovered in the course of the operations. Some of the operations were executed at; Maraban Foron village in Barkin Ladi LGA; Ganawuri and Chiri Danto villages in Riyom LGA as well as Utan village in Jos North LGA, all in Plateau State.
“Other locations were; Boto area in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State; Gidan.”
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in News 0
Sacked Chairmen Fault Makinde Over Payment Of  Accumulated Salaries

Sacked Oyo Chairmen Disagree With Makinde, Say Accumulated Salaries N7bn Not N4.8bn – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
…As Oyo Evacuates 112 Beggars
Former chairmen  of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Oyo State sacked by Governor Seyi Makinde, have  disagreed with him over payment of their accumulated salaries.
They said that the governor only paid N1 billion  of N7.056 billion due  to them.
The governor had said  only the 33 chairmen recognised by the law will be paid, while the sacked chairmen argued that the 68 of them went to court and the Supreme Court did not exclude any one of them from payment.
The state government said the sum accrued to the chairmen is N4,874,889,425.60 and recently authorised the payment of N1 billion to them.
But the sacked council chairmen, in a statement by the immediate past ALGON Chairman in the state and Chairman, Forum 68, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, expressed  surprise that  the state government’s claim that the money accrued to them is N4,874,889,425.60after its (state government’s) representatives agreed with their lawyer that the total judgement payment is N7.056 billion.
They said:“We, the former democratically elected Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, wish to acknowledge the payment of One Billion Naira (N1 bn) by Oyo State Government, the Judgement Debtors in Suit No. SC/CV/556/ 2020.
“The part payment of One billion Naira by Gov. Seyi Makinde led Oyo State Government, is sequel to the Supreme Court Judgment delivered on 7th May,2021, which inter alia, ordered that Gov. Makinde should pay all salaries and allowances of all the elected Chairmen and Councilors of the 33 Local Government Councils and 35 Local Government Development Areas, who were parties/appellants to the suit.
“After series of rigmarole, deliberate delay of payment by Oyo State Government, the representatives of elected Chairmen and Councilors under the auspices of ALGON and our brilliant and resilient lawyers, eventually met with the representatives of Oyo State Government. At the end, it was unanimously agreed after careful calculations that the total judgment payment is N7.056 billion after deductions of PAYE.
“So, we are surprised that in the public statement issued by Oyo State Government, the general public was misinformed that it had paid One Billion Naira out of a total sum of Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy Four Million, Eight Hundred and Eight Nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Five Naira, Sixty Kobo (N4,874,889,465.6).
“As usual, the Government lied again with the statement and figures quoted as the total judgment sum due to us.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate that the total judgment payment as jointly calculated and agreed with the state government is Seven Billion, Fifty Six Million Naira Only (N7. 056 billion).
“Our team of lawyers are already taking appropriate steps to call the attention of the Oyo State Government to the “error” which we considered as a deliberate ploy to mislead the good people of Oyo State.
“We also reiterate that the One Billion Naira paid by the Oyo State Government is just about 14% of the amount Supreme Court directed the Oyo State Government to pay us and we consider this to be a flagrant disobedience of the order of the Supreme Court as the court did not at anytime order that the judgment sum be paid in installments.
“A meeting of all structures of the former ALGON will be called very soon to discuss and review next steps.
“We would pursue the struggle to its final logical conclusion until the total implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.”
Meanwhile,Oyo state government,  has again evacuated 95 beggars,17 mentally ill persons within Ibadan metropolis.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola stated this while leading the state raiding team on evacuation of beggars and destitutes from Mokola roundabout, Jemibewon road, Sango, Ojoo roundabout, Eleyele, Challenge, and Dugbe.
Other areas as captured in the exercise are; the popular Iwo road roundabout, Gbagi and Academy – Monatan road.
Speaking with the newsmen shortly after the exercise at the Akinyele Resettlement center, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Olayiwola said, “When I assumed office about two months ago, I visited this place as a matter of duty to see the facilities on ground, welfarism of the people and how we can improve more on what I met on ground.
“I held meetings with the stakeholders, especially the leaders of the Hausa Arewa communitiesand they all commended the laudable efforts of the state government ably led by Governor Seyi Makinde for the initiative on this matter.
“Infact most of their leaders frowned at the non compliance of their people that had returned to the streets to continue their begging business and we assured them that we would recaptured them in no time of which we have started massively today again.
“We always received calls on the high increase of these beggars as they occupied all our major roads which is always an eye sore and we have strategized and renewed our plans to bring the mendicants who have left the provided Resettlement center back to the facility provided with adequate amenities which including free feeding in the morning, afternoon and night.
While expressing her displeasure over the attack of the state government raiding team by the beggars at the popular ‘Bola’ located at Jemibewon road, Alhaja Olayiwola said, government would not condone any act that would jeopardize the peace of the people of Oyo state
“Our team was seriously attacked with stones, sharp objects and sporadic gun shots by the beggars who ran to their  undergrounds exchanging with our security men. Do we call those ones too beggars or hoodlums? Perpetrators of evil acts are fully among them though some may be innocent but we don’t trust anyone of them based on what we experienced today, but thank God for the security agents, they were able to overpowered them and we captured most of them back.”
Online Editor by — December 24, 2021 in News 0