Ibadan Massive Explosion: Our Hearts are with Ibadan Residents, Omoluabi Group Console Victims.

Ibadan Massive Explosion: Our Hearts are with Ibadan Residents, Omoluabi Group Console Victims.

We received with rude shock the massive explosion reportedly said to be caused by dynamite explosives which was probably mishandled at a mining site somewhere in Ibadan. This is seriously a challenging moment for the government and people of Oyo State and the entire southwest for witnessing this predicament at a moment like this when the new year has just begun.

Omoluabi Group by this press statement console and identify with the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde during this difficult moment with the state plunged into unsolicited disaster We however appeal to the people of Oyo state to remain calm while the source of this unfortunate accident is been investigated by government. We demand that the perpetrators are brought to book and made to pay heavily for their carelessness.

Our hearts indeed with you at this trying moments.

E- Signed:

Alex Akinfolarin

National Secretary

Comr Olamide Akinwumi J 

Media and Publicity 

For The National Convener 

Jayeola AO.

17/1/2024

Kidnapping: FG vows to make Abuja ‘hot’ for bandits.

Kidnapping: FG vows to make Abuja ‘hot’ for bandits.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the Federal Government would not condone any form of bandit attack in Abuja.

Wike spoke on Wednesday, at a town hall meeting he had with residents of the Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

He convened the meeting following increasing reports of kidnapping for ransom and killing in the FCT.

Earlier on Tuesday, Wike met with heads of security agencies in the FCT, top officials of the FCT Administration, and Chairmen of the six area councils, where he stated that the administration was aware of the security situation in the territory.

Speaking at the town hall meeting on Wednesday, the minister said that President Bola Tinubu had instructed him to provide all that the security agencies would need, adding that it would no longer be business as usual.

Recall that gunmen abducted and killed some residents, including a 13-year-old teenager, Folashade Ariyo, who was kidnapped alongside 10 residents of the Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse-Alhaji Area of Abuja, and Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who was kidnapped alongside 22 other in Bwari.

Speaking on Wednesday, Wike said, “Security is one of the key priorities of Mr. President’s administration. Yesterday, Mr President summoned a high-level security meeting, which includes all the Service Chiefs, the Minister of Defence, and my humble self, because of recent attacks, particularly in Bwari. And so, currently, it is one of the key priorities, that Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda will want to face squarely.

“It is no longer going to be business as usual. Everything has to be done to protect lives and property. Without protection of lives and property, then we have no business in government. My coming here today is to assure you that we are very serious. All those criminals, bandits, enough is enough. We will do everything in our power to make sure that we will not allow this to happen again. That is why just this morning, Mr. President has given me approval, to provide everything required to the security agencies. And just like what Etsu-Bwari and Sarkin-Bwari said, it is not by merely talking, we are serious.

Security agencies will not have any reason to say that they are not equipped; we will provide everything required. I know how big Bwari is, I know that you have boundaries with three states: Niger State, Kaduna State and Nasarawa State. I know because these bandits were chased away from the Northeast, so they are making their way here, we will make it hot for them,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, disclosed that the Council comprised 16 districts, and over 90 villages and hamlets, adding that the size and difficult terrain of the Council made the security challenges more difficult.

He therefore requested the provision of needed logistics to security agencies in the area, adding that they would require at least a vehicle and 7 motorcycles in each district for effective patrol and surveillance, while also appealing for training and retraining of hunters and villagers, engaged by the Council for their security.

5,686 illegal refineries uncovered in three years, says Kyari.

5,686 illegal refineries uncovered in three years, says Kyari.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, said over 5,686 illegal oil refining sites were discovered between 2021 and January 2024.

Kyari disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking as a guest lecturer during the 2024 Faculty Lecture titled, ‘Energy Security, Sustainability and Profitability in Nigeria: Advances, Challenges and Opportunities’, organised by the Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The NNPCL boss said the challenges posed by pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft have impacted the corporation’s operations, stressing that the establishment of a command-and-control centre has aided the detection and destruction of illegal refinery sites.

A statement by the NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, quoted Kyari as saying, “The centre provides live streaming of surveillance data to security forces, contributing to the detection and destruction of over 5,686 Illegal Refinery (IR) sites and the removal of 4,480 Illegal Connections (ICs) from 2021 to the present.”

While acknowledging the severity of vandalism and oil theft, Kyari had hinted at a strategic shift, focusing on increased product trucking and storage in underground tankages at NNPC filling stations nationwide.

Speaking further, he called for collaboration between the academic and the oil and gas industry towards addressing the challenges of energy sufficiency and sustainability.

In his lecture, Kyari highlighted the important role played by the academic communities in safeguarding national energy security through research and collaboration with the industry.

While pointing out the challenges hindering energy security in Nigeria to include rapid population growth, pipeline vandalism, and crude oil theft, he identified “energy conservation, diversification, and efficiency measures as major avenues for enhancing energy security.”

Kyari said the removal of fuel subsidies has allowed the NNPCL to play a more active commercial role, ensuring profitability and delivering greater value to Nigeria’s growing population.

The Federal Government, in November 2023, revealed that more than N4.3 trillion worth of crude oil was stolen in 7,143 pipeline vandalism cases within five years.

Reps reiterate commitment to passing bill on state police.

Reps reiterate commitment to passing bill on state police.

The House of Representatives has again pledged its commitment to the passage of bills on state policing in a bid to address insecurity across the country.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Technology, Stanley Olajide, gave the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja while commiserating with the Oyo State Government and families of victims of the Tuesday explosion in Ibadan, the state capital.

Reports have it that two people died and several others were injured when an explosion occurred at the Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

Addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex, Olajide, a member representing the Ibadan North West/South West constituency of Oyo State said communal policing remains a good way of safeguarding the people.

He said, “Community policing is actually one of the very smartest ways to police your people. Somebody sees something, and knows something; they need to speak at the right time.

“Failure to do so will cause situations like this. So, we are going to reopen that because remember, we have also been talking about state police, we will be talking about community police.

“I think you know a situation like this would actually present an urgency to the matter, so that this way, we can get the right support that we need to pass whatever legislation that we need to pass for this.

“Definitely, we’re going to pick this up and it’s going to be on the front burner of the activities of the House as soon as we reconvene as a House.”

Commending the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s prompt response to the tragedy, the lawmaker said the state government acted swiftly to get the situation in check.

“We woke up to a very horrific situation in Ibadan which happened around 8 pm last night (Tuesday) from information gathered so far coming from the office of the Governor of Oyo State, who I must also commend immensely for his rapid response to the situation.

“I do not want to speculate on the numbers of lives yet, because I don’t have those numbers yet. But we do know that there are casualties.

“From the Office of the Governor, we also understand that a lot of people are in the hospitals receiving treatment. The Governor has actually made commitments to make sure that everybody is taken care of to get the first class medical treatment that they deserve and they are going to get,” he added.

He also commended security agencies and the National Emergency Management Agency for their quick response minutes after the explosion occurred.

“I want to commend the NEMA, the police, the Department of State Services and all the emergency responders that have responded to this urgent call.

“At this point, that area remains a crime scene, which means we have to work with law enforcement to preserve the integrity of that area. I was going to go there this morning, but I was advised against it because going there will also be part of the problem. We don’t want to play politics with the lives of our people,” he further said.

Having briefed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen on the incident, the lawmaker said he has been mandated to go on a fact-finding mission on behalf of the Green Chamber.

“When this is done, we can figure out the kind of materials needed for our people. This will enable us to come up with some kind of relief materials for our people,” he said, adding that the information before him was that the explosion was connected with the activities of illegal miners.

“It’s unfortunate, but the information that we got is that one of these illegal miners was in possession of explosives in a residential area, which eventually caused this disaster. But we will find out more information.”

In the bid to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the ugly incident, Olajide called on the Director-General of the Department of State Security to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

“So, I’ve sent a message to the DG of DSS as well because I also want them to make sure that they do a thorough investigation because it’s one too many. When you have a situation like this, you don’t want to ever have it repeat itself again,” he stated.

Also speaking, a lawmaker from Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye, condoled with the Government and people of Oyo State over the incident.

He said, “I just want to join my colleagues to commiserate with the people who have lost a lot in this act of criminality by illegal miners. And I particularly have to come because Ibadan is like my second home. I studied in Ibadan when I was in Oyo State.

“I just want to further reiterate the position of my colleague, that there is a need for fiscal federalism and that can lead us quickly to having a state police. I believe that the President campaigned based on these promises and I know that he’s going to work with the National Assembly to ensure that we have state police very soon

Ibadan blast: FG sets up committee to review laws on explosives.

Ibadan blast: FG sets up committee to review laws on explosives.

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday said it has set up a committee to review the laws guiding the control of explosives in the country.

This is coming after the devastating explosion that rocked the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Tuesday night,

The committee would determine whether these were violated by the illegal miners identified in the preliminary investigations by security agencies, the Minister of Defense, Mohammed Abubakar, told State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

The council, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, expressed worries about the incident, noting the need to avert future occurrences.

At least two persons were confirmed dead and over 80 were injured in the explosion also which destroyed several buildings, vehicles, and other properties.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who visited the scene of the explosion, confirmed the casualties, adding that the explosion occurred at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija.

However, settlers say the blast was heard and felt kilometres away in many parts of the city.

Makinde said preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that the blast was triggered by illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija.

Abubakar said despite preliminary investigations linking the incident to explosives stored by illegal miners; the authorities are not ruling out gas as a possible cause.

However, federal agents are on the ground to ascertain the proximate and remote causes of the incident.

Fielding questions on the issue, he said, “The first question has to do with the Ibadan explosion where the governor said that preliminary investigation suggested that there are some explosives around the area where it happened that are owned by some illegal miners.

“Well, we have seen that report. There is another report suggesting that it was a gas explosion. So, our team is there trying to find out the cause.

“But for the council to be proactive, it has already set up the committee that I told you to look into how the control of explosives law was broken if, indeed, there are explosives around the area where this incident happened.”

The Minister said the committee was set up to review the laws guiding the control of explosives “to see where the chain is broken and see how it can be fixed and gather more information if this is happening rampantly around the country.”

“You all know that there are strict rules in the storage, movement and ownership of these explosives and the rules are being monitored. If there is any case of breakdown, we will find out and deal with it,” he added.

Earlier, Tinubu called on the relevant government agencies to “fish out” and “punish” those responsible for what he called “reckless behaviour” that triggered the blast.

He expressed sadness over the incident, which he described as “worrisome.”

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said, “It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners.

“Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished.”

Matter Christi Girls High School Pays Courtesy Call to Igede LG Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Oluwatuyi, Celebrating Academic Excellence.

Matter Christi Girls High School Pays Courtesy Call to Igede LG Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Oluwatuyi, Celebrating Academic Excellence.

In the early hours of Tuesday, 16th January, 2023, the management and students' representatives of the Matter Christi Girls High School, aka School of Princesses, Igede-Ekiti, led by Reverend Sister Victor Ndukwu, paid a courtesy call on the Executive Chairman, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government, Hon Gbenga Oluwatuyi. 

The visit, according to Reverend Sister Ndukwu, was to congratulate the LG boss on his victory at the polls and consequent inauguration as the chairman of the local government. While presenting the school, the team described Matter Christi Girls High School as holder of a 3-time unbeaten academic record as the best private school in Ekiti state. The School of Princesses, as a result of her outstanding and sterling academic performance, represented Ekiti State Government in a national academic competition. Expectedly, the school emerged as the first runner-up through out the federation.

In his response, the Executive Chairman, Mr Gbenga Oluwatuyi, expressed his happiness and satisfaction with the academic records of the school. "I am not unaware of the excellent performance of Matter Christi Girls High School, Igede-Ekiti. Apart from the fact that the school continues to make us proud as the host community, I am more delighted by the way the school management maintains the academic standard through instilling discipline and fear of God". Oluwatuyi retorted.

The chairman promised to support and partner with the school where and when necessary to ensure robust and unfettered relationship for the prosperity of both the school community and the local government.

It is worthy of note that Matter Christi also owns a College of Health, Sciences and Technology  in Igede-Ekiti. The college has a standard health facility that provides medical services to the host community at affordable costs.

Governor Oyebanji Inaugurates Olowe of Ise Art Foundation's Board of Trustees, Paving the Way for a World-Class Museum.

Governor Oyebanji Inaugurates Olowe of Ise Art Foundation's Board of Trustees, Paving the Way for a World-Class Museum.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a significant step towards the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, Governor Biodun Oyebanji inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation on Wednesday, January 17th, at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti. The foundation, dedicated to celebrating the works of the late world-renowned Carver Olowe, aims to amplify the artistic legacy on a global scale.

During the inauguration ceremony, Governor Oyebanji expressed his dedication to the cultural development of Ekiti State and the nation at large. The establishment of the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation is seen as a pivotal move towards not only preserving the rich cultural heritage but also positioning Ekiti as a hub for the arts.

The late Carver Olowe, renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship, has left an indelible mark on the global art scene. The foundation's mission goes beyond celebrating his artistic prowess; it also aspires to realize a world-class museum in Ise Ekiti, further solidifying the region's place on the international cultural map.

The Board of Trustees, consisting of prominent figures in the realms of arts, culture, and the creative economy, gathered to commend Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to championing this cultural initiative. The foundation's primary objectives include promoting the artworks of Carver Olowe, whose creations are displayed in major museums across America and Europe.

Members of the Board of Trustees, all distinguished figures in their respective fields, praised Governor Oyebanji for spearheading this visionary project. They underscored the positive impact it will have on tourism and the state's economy, emphasizing the potential for cultural endeavors to contribute significantly to overall development.

As Ekiti looks towards a future where its cultural treasures are not only preserved but also shared with the world, the inauguration of the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation's Board of Trustees marks a historic moment in the state's cultural evolution. The foundation is poised to become a beacon of cultural pride and a testament to the state's commitment to fostering creativity, heritage, and artistic expression.