Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Kayode Sikiru Adetona, Chief host; Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya, Royal Father of the day; wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; CEO of Sifax Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Fola Shonubi; CMD of Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Prof. Musa-Olomu, as well as Chairman of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King are among the dignitaries expected at the forthcoming coming youth empowerment and award programme of Ijebu Youth Association (IYA)
The programme which is slated for Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at the ultramodern hall of the Cathedral Church, Italowajoda, Ijebu Ode is expected to be attended by over 2000 youths
The National President of the group, Comrade Okikiola Fayomi, in a statement made available to journalists at Abeokuta, the state capital said that at least, two hundred youths have been penciled down to benefit from the various empowerment tools such as sewing machine, hair dryers, make up kits, barbers’ kits among others would be distributed on that day.
Okikiola said that the provision of the empowerment tools which were sourced from some public spirited Nigerians was an initiative devised to help fight joblessness among the youths.
He said the youth group has also spotted some deserving Nigerians to be honoured on that day for their invaluable contributions towards advancing youth development and empowerment in the country.
Other eminent Nigerians expected at the occasion are Rt. Revd. Dr. Rotimi Oludipe, the Diocesan Bishop, Ijebu Anglican Diocese as the Spiritual Father of the day; Mr. Ojetola Razaq, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Ogun State; Dr. Halimat T. Adesanya, Founder of Zaam Foundation and Dr. Olufemi Tajudeen Sanni, Founder/ CEO Steno memorial Foundation.
Prince Dapo Abiodun receiving a letter from the President of UBEN, Ogun Chapter, Mr. Romain Kakpo
By Olamide Yinusa
Beninese resident in Nigeria, Ogun State are set to honour the Governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun with PÈRE PEUCOMMUN (Father Uncommon), the highest award that could be bestowed on anyone with a significant contribution to the group.
This hint was contained in a Press release which emanated from their secretariat located at Ikereku area of Abeokuta, Ogun State signed by the President of the group, Mr. Romain Kakpo and made available to the Press on Sunday, May 16, 2022.
He said the group decided to confer the honour on the Governor as a result of his administration’s immeasurable and significant contributions to the wellbeing, security and support of sorts to their people in the state.
“Our decision to honour His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State as PÈRE PEUCOMMUN (Father Uncommon), the highest award that can be conferred on anyone by our union in Ogun State is a result of the fatherly roles he has been playing to we, Beninese resident in the state.
“We know Nigerians and Beninese (Egun) have fraternal and cultural relationship, we are not strangers in Nigeria because we are connected by blood, even though we are now geographically interspersed, all the same, we enormously appreciate the laudable efforts of his administration in making our stay in the state quite comfortable, in terms of security, provision farmland for our farming activities and allied support.
The release reads, ” We are conferring the award on His Excellency for the reasons, which include among others: his warm and fatherly disposition to we, Beninese resident in the state; support to our farming project; immeasurable benefits we derive from his security architecture as we go about our responsibilities without any fear of molestation, abuse or maltreatment and his people-oriented style of governance which stands the state out as a model for many other states in the country.
According to the President, Kakpo, the award’s presentation ceremony is planned to hold on May 20, 2022, adding that they would like to present it to the Governor with pomp and pageantry that would enable them exhibit their rich cultural heritage.
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT) have recorded massive successes against agents and collaborators of violent crimes in the country with the arrest of 23 suspects of violent crimes such as culpable homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, arms trafficking, possession of prohibited firearms, rape, amongst others, including the killers of ex-Zamfara State gubernatorial aspirant and owner of Famak British Schools, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu, at Rijana.
The FIB-IRT also recovered a total of 52 firearms including 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Launcher, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 36 AK47 Rifles, 2 English shotguns, 5 locally-made shotguns, 5 locally-made automatic pistols, 4 pump action shotguns, two thousand and forty-five (2,045) rounds of live ammunition of different calibres, one DAF Truck loaded with 45,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 2 Motor Vehicles, 3 Mobile Phones, Two machetes, and five tear gas cannisters from the suspects during follow-up investigations.
In one of the cases, the duo of Sani Usman aged 22 years, and Mohammed Tijjani aged 23 years, both from Pai Konkore, Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended in connection with a case of kidnapping and armed robbery along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of the bandit syndicate which carried out the attack on travellers at Rijana, along the Kaduna – Abuja expressway on Sunday, November 21, 2021 in which they gruesomely murdered an ex-Zamfara State gubernatorial aspirant and owner of Famak British Schools, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu, and kidnapped a nursing mother leaving her baby behind in a nearby bush.
Similarly, two suspects, one Badong Audu aged 48 years old of Namu Village in Plateau State, and one Chimezie Okolie aged 44 years old, of Ekwusigo in Anambra State, both males, were arrested following credible intelligence of an impending arms movement from Jos, through Nasarawa state, to the Eastern part of the country. The FIB-IRT Operatives swung into action and apprehended Badong Audu on 26th April, 2022 at Namu Village with 2 AK47 Rifles and 51 rounds of live ammunition concealed in a bag of beans. Investigations led to the arrest of the receiver, Chimezie Okolie, at Nasarawa State, where he was waiting to take delivery of the arms and ammunition.
The gallant operatives of the FIB-IRT, acting on a tip off that a DAF Truck carrying 45,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), had been hijacked at Saminaka Village, Niger State at gun point and the occupants abducted, mobilized and intercepted the hoodlums at Lambata Area of Niger State, where the truck was recovered and four suspects were arrested. The operatives, with the aid of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ Association Suleja Depot, were able to recover the PMS which had been discharged by the suspects.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, while commending the FIB-IRT operatives for the successes recorded, assured of the Force’s commitment to dutifully following up on established cases, conclusively investigating such with a bid to bring all persons found wanting to justice, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigations.
President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed plans to fill vacant ministerial positions in the Federal Executive Council soon.
The decision follows the resignation of at least 10 cabinet ministers who relinquished their appointments to pursue their political ambitions for the 2023 general elections.
Buhari also performed a valedictory session for the former ministers at the Council Chambers, State House, on Friday, where he thanked them for their contributions to the administration and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who briefed State House Correspondents of the latest development, said nine of the ministers were physically present and one absent.
Among the ministers present at the valedictory session included, Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, Labour and Employment, Science and Technology, Women Affairs, Minister of State Mines and Steel Development, Niger Delta Affairs, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on the youths and the people of the state not to see the reopening of the nation’s borders as an avenue to engage in illicit activities capable of damaging the economy of the country.
Abiodun gave this charge in his address at the 10th year coronation anniversary of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, on Saturday.
According to the governor, people should only see the reopening of the borders as a mark of the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the country.
“We are very happy that the Federal Government has reopened some land borders, among these borders are the Idi-Iroko borders, here in Ogun. I enjoin us all to please cooperate with law enforcement agencies, we should not engage in illicit activities, such illegal activities do a lot of damage to our economy,” he noted.
While appealing to security agencies to ensure that they continue to see the people as partners in progress and ensure that they avoid the loss of lives and property that usually come with clashes between security agencies and the people.
Abiodun, who also charged the people of the state and the country as a whole to understand that they have great responsibility as a people to the overall development of the nation, urged eligible voters to get their Permanent Voter’s Card as well as participate fully in the forth coming elections.
“We are gradually getting into the next season of political activities, as we prepare for the 2023 general elections, all eligible voters should get their permanent voter’s cards as voting during elections is our civic duty. It is the least you can do, people get the government they say that they deserve, if you do not vote, it means you do not have a say in those that govern you and more importantly those that represent you”, he added.
He further urged the people to use their power rightly by voting in credible leaders, saying voters shouldn’t allow themselves to be deceived or used by unscrupulous politicians.
Abiodun acknowledged the calmness, disposition and sincerity of the Olu of Ilaro and said that the monarch is a true representation of royalty that has continued to contribute towards the success of his administration.
He, however, congratulated the sons and daughters of the town who were conferred with different chieftaincy titles by the monarch, charged them to continue to support the development of Yewaland and the state as a whole.
Prince Dapo Abiodun holding hands with Senator Lekan MustaphaSen. Mustapha making a speech at the event
By Olufemilade Oyinade
The senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the Senate, Lekan Mustapha and hundreds of his supporters have joined the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Senator Mustapha and his supporters have been allies of the immediate past governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who is leading the faction of the party in the state.
Receiving the senator and his teeming supporters at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun commended them for retracing their steps and reuniting with the mainstream, saying their return would strengthen the party to face the challenges ahead.
“I am very happy that this is coming from my home base. If I did not have the trust of my people, then I would not have that of other senatorial districts. It is heart-warming that today we are reconciling with my people. We all have opportunity to examine this administration and I am happy you have decided to have a rethink and come for reconciliation.
“Sometimes things happen between siblings that cannot be explained. During the 2019 election, each group campaigned for the same objective and I am happy God gave us the victory. Now, all that are in the past, and it is time for us to put what happened in the past behind us and move forward.
“The important question to ask ourselves is what are we fighting for? What are we quarrelling about? I am happy you have decided to have a rethink and come for reconciliation. You are all welcome home. As a father of the party in the state, when any of us strays away and decides to come back, I have no option but to receive you because it makes me a happy person.
“I welcome you back. Let me assure you and your team that your being welcomed back with open hands. We run an open door government. You will not be discriminated upon, I call on our leaders, chairmen at the ward and local government levels to accord you the same privileges like others, you should be treated equally”, Abiodun stated.
The governor described Senator Mustapha as a principled individual with impeccable character and integrity who demonstrated uncommon courage when his integrity was tested.
He added that his decision to align with the mainstream of the party pointed to the fact that he is a man who fights for what he believes in and makes peace when necessary.
While assuring the returnees that his administration would continue to be fair, inclusive, accountable, equitable and just, Abiodun urged them to register as party members and be responsible by attending ward and council meetings, especially now that political activities are gathering momentum.
He, however, warned against any form of division in the party, noting everyone is a member of the family.
“Please join hands with us as a big family as we continue to build the future of this great state together”, the governor submitted.
Earlier, the state chairman of the party, Yemi Sanusi, recalled the circumstance that led to the break away which he said was not pleasant to many, describing the return of party members as a joyous occasion.
“I am welcoming you back into our midst. Since you have decided to come back home, the war is over. We shall all celebrate at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium come May 29, 2023”, Sanusi stated.
In his remarks, Senator Mustapha commended the governor for spreading projects to all sections of the state, declaring that his senatorial district has benefited from various road projects of the present administration more than previous ones in the last 16 years.
“Governor Abiodun has done very well particularly in Ogun East Senatorial District that I represent. I am convinced that more good things will happen to us if we take the last three years as a yardstick. I, on my part, have facilitated and complemented what you are doing in the area of schools and road construction in the senatorial district.
“I believe that every democratically elected governor since the creation of this state served two terms. I am in total support of governor Abiodun’s second term bid. We are here for work, for the progress of the party, but we must work in unity. There are many things to showcase when the campaign starts. I can assure that we will work hard for the party to win”, Mustapha said.
A former Commissioner for Health, and chieftain of the party in Ijebu- North Local Government Area, Dr. Babatunde nde Ipaye, said the group decided to take the initiative after waiting in vain for their leaders to make the move, adding that they were not forced or intimidated in anyway to arrive at their decision.
“We waited for our leaders to take us back to the mainstream. When they did not do the needful, we decided to take this step. There is time for everything, A time for war and a time for peace, the war is over and we are glad to reunite with our brothers and sisters.
“Campaign will provide an opportunity to make analysis and comparison. We know that there is no perfect system anywhere, but we can make comparisons between yesterday and today”, Ipaye submitted.
Remo Growth and Development Foundation (RemoGDF) has announced the appointment of Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko as Head of Media and Publicity, and Comrade Gbenga Odumosu as the the new Head of Youth and Sports Directorate.
The appointment of the two executive members of RemoGDF was disclosed to our Correspondent who monitored the online meeting by the newly appointed Head of Media and Publicity, RemoGDF, Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko on Thursday, 12th May, 2022 after the online meeting of the RemoGDF management team under the leadership of Otunba Tunji Lawal-Solarin, Chairman, RemoGDF and Aare (Dr.) Kolawole Oyefeso, Co-Chairman, RemoGDF.
The Chairman, RemoGDF, Otunba Tunji Lawal-Solarin and Co-Chairman, RemoGDF, Aare (Dr.) Kola Oyefeso confirmed that the two appointments were based purely on merits, proven track records and the contributions the two appointees have made towards socio-economic development of Remoland over the years.
Remo Growth and Development Foundation, (RemoGDF) was inaugurated by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adewale Babatunde Ajayi, B.L, LL.M, FCA, FBR, Torungbuwa II, Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland on 1st May, 2018.
RESUME OF THE APPOINTEES
Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko is the founding member of Africa Industrialization Group Inc. and until now, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Voyage Afrique Cruise and Tours Limited, a tourism and travel company incorporated in Nigeria, Africa, Europe and America. Abiola Ogundeko holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (UNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria.
He has over two decades of experience across key corporate functions in technology, education and training sectors. He is a Certified Cyber Security and Computer Forensics Expert with professional qualifications in Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle DBA, Web Programming, Project Management Professional, Quality Management, and Computer Forensics.
He has also served as Special Ambassador for a number of national developmental projects, appointed as member of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA) Trade Hub Committee, Telecoms Trade Group, Sub-Committee on technology, Pioneer National Coordinator of NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs in (2017-2019) and 1st Vice President, Remo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (RECCIMA), Ogun State.
Abiola Ogundeko was the immediate past Head of Youth and Sports Development Directorate, Remo Growth and Development Foundation, (RemoGDF), Executive Director, Remo Sports Development Council, Former Spokesperson, Remo Development Association, Abuja, (2017-2019). He was a two-term National Secretary of University of Agriculture Abeokuta, (UNAAB) Alumni Association.
Comrade Gbenga Adeboye Odumosu hails from Ikenne Remo, Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State.
He graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State where he studied Medical Rehabilitation. He also has Diploma Certificate in Event planning and Management from Ikeja Chamber of Commerce.
Comrade Gbenga Odumosu was a former Chairman, Remo Youth Association, Former President, Ikenne Youth Association and Cordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State.
A Member State Council Ogun State of VUYO (The umbrella body of all Voluntary Organisations), Member, Christ Ambassador’s Methodist Church Nigeria.
RemoGDF is committed to the full integration of Remo Indigenes home and abroad to the developmental processes, enhancement of capacities and for improved economic growth of Remoland.
The RemoGDF’s Objectives are :
To ensure development towards the economic empowerment of and for Remo people, communities, local government areas and Ogun State at large.
To articulate the main stream communities perspectives in policies and programs based on systematic analysis. This will be at communities, local government areas and Ogun State.
To reinforce private and public partnerships towards achieving our community-based vision.
The Foundation’s Royal Mandate:
A. To develop a socio-economic master plan for the transformation and development of Remoland.
B. To develop a Remo brand with its own unique identity and image with a view to presenting Remoland as the:
I. Gateway to Ogun State and pre-eminent investment location of choice.
South-South leaders have tipped the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio as the likely president of the country come 2023.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, they said there was no doubts as to whether Akpabio would occupy the presidential seat in 2023.
‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio appears the only presidential aspirant whose national interest, integrity and reputation tower far above all other contestants’’
They also described Akpabio’s presidential declaration as a good omen for Nigeria’s democracy.
The leaders in a statement in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, applauded Akpabio for articulating issues affecting the South-South geo-political zone and righting historical wrongs in the Niger Delta.
They said Akpabio would address security challenges, make life abundant for Nigerians, provide employment for the youths and succor to women.
’Senator Godswill Akpabio could comfortably lead Nigeria to the Promised Land. He will run an economy driven by the private sector, improve the business environment, empower the people and ensure good governance and unity in Nigeria’’
‘’There are several reasons why Akpabio should be the country’s next president. The Minister of Niger Delta is known to possess an uncanny organizational ability and an awesome political structure. Practically, all over the region, his development thrust is there for all to see. All the aspirants put together cannot beat Akpabio’’
The statement underscored Akpabio’s enviable performance, hard work, ability, competence and perseverance.
‘’Northerners are looking up to Akpabio. The South-West hope is in Akpabio. The South-East people want Akpabio to be APC presidential flag-bearer. He has enough credentials to emerge president in 2023’’
The leaders demanded that the South-South geo-political zone should produce the next president of Nigeria in 2023
They said Akpabio has the record to govern Nigeria and that the people of the South-South, South-East and South-West were ready to take their destiny in their hands through Akpabio in the 2023 polls.
‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio has ideas and understands the current challenges. He is capable of devoting himself to the people of Nigeria’’
The leaders also reeled out support programmes and plans for Akpabio’s presidential election bid.
They listed a two week-long rally tagged Akpabio’s Weeks of Excellence to be held in the six geo-political zones, distribution of branded T-shirts and Face Caps and exclusive dinner with APC delegates in Abuja.
The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, after submitting his nomination form at the headquarters of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja vowed to continue the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
The Governor who was elated by the huge number of people comprising party leaders who joined and party loyalists who turned out to receive, said with the support from the masses, he was confident of victory during the March 11, 2023, governorship elections.
He added that his administration was committed to the delivery of real dividends of democracy in all aspects of life to all citizens of the Gateway State
The Governor, on Wednesday, submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for his re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to the party leadership in Abuja.
Abiodun arrived at the venue around 3: 15p.m amid pomp and pageantry, waving flags and with party loyalists singing songs in his praise is seeking a second term in office.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, the governor, who submitted the forms to party officials at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, was accompanied by a large crowd, which included party stalwarts, elder statesmen and women, national assembly members, cabinet members, political associates, and supporters, among others.
Somorin quoted Abiodun as saying that he was committed to providing qualitative governance to all residents of Ogun state.
According to the statement, the governor said: “Today, I formally submitted my nomination and expression of interest forms to our party leadership.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am running for a second term in office, and I have announced that I will be running with my deputy, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako Oyedele.
“We are running on the records of our achievements in the last three years. We have been open, transparent, inclusive, accountable and brought dividends of democracy to every nook and cranny of Ogun State.
“We have put in place, a robust economic agenda, that is encapsulated in our ISEYA (Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Welfare and Wellbeing; Education, Youth Empowerment and Agriculture) developmental agenda and it has propelled all the various interventions that we’ve had in Ogun State.
“Despite COVID-19 and its constraints, we achieved landmark achievements across all sections for which we have received recognition globally. It gave us the opportunity to redouble our efforts and ensure that people can feel us meaningfully in all areas. We shall not rest on our oars. The future of the next generation is the foundation we are laying. All good hands must be on deck”.
The governor appreciated the people for their understanding and loyalty, declaring “We will not take your support for granted. The next level is to consolidate on the gains so far made on infrastructural development, digital economy, on good roads, affordable housing, health care delivery, free, functional education, welfare services, employment and agriculture.
“We will not develop one section of Ogun State at the expense of another. We will raise the bar of good governance, economic renaissance and individual prosperity of our people. So shall it, going forward”.
The team later paid a courtesy call on the members of the National Working Committee, comprising of the Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Abubakar Kyari, his South counterpart, Chief Emma Eneukwu, Vice chairman, (South West), Isaac Kekemike and the National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
The Governor congratulated members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and informed them he had added value to governance and making the state “perhaps the safest in the country”.
“We are an incubation centre for high level labour in the country and we are growing that as the education capital of the country. We remain the investment capital of Nigeria. We are building the first truly agro-cargo airport at Ilishan…Indeed what we are building is an Aerotropolis.”
Speaking on behalf of the NWC National Secretary, Sen. Omisore applauded the good work of the governor and assured the team of a level-playing ground, the statement concluded
IGP presenting a cheque at the launch of the Police Insurance policy scheme
Flags Off 3-Day Workshop for NPF Insurance Desk Officers
By Bisade Ojoye
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+),NPM, fdc, has restated the commitment of the Force to enhanced welfare for Police Officers through robust insurance policies geared towards efficiency, dedication, and improved conditions of service.
He stated this while flagging off a 3-day workshop for Police Insurance Desk Officers organized to develop the capacity of dedicated officers drawn from the 36 State Commands, the Federal Capital Territory, and other Police Formations across the country.
The Nigeria Police Force Insurance Unit, which was established in May 1992, is a scheme set up to cater for the welfare of police personnel who are either retired or have sustained injuries in the line of duty, and relatives of deceased police personnel. The IGP recently approved the establishment and incorporation of the Nigeria Police Insurance Company (NPIC) to effectively manage the Police insurance policies, and maximise the welfare interests of police personnel constantly being exposed to occupational hazards. The workshop is one of the major steps towards repositioning the Unit for the attainment of its welfare mandate.
The IGP, while declaring the workshop open, commended the Force Insurance Officer, ACP Uzairu Abdullahi, for his knowledge and professional foresight which has been instrumental in the repositioning of the Unit.
He equally presented cheques to families of 40 deceased police officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty, amounting to One Hundred and Eighty-Three Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira, Thirty Two Kobo (N183,295,327.32).
The Inspector-General of Police however assured all members of the Force that with current efforts being emplaced to reposition the Force Insurance Section, better days are ahead in relation to the timely resolution of claims and benefits accruing the next of kin of injured or deceased police officers as well as other welfare schemes to serving members of the force.
A political support group, Dapo Abiodun Continuity Agenda (DACA) rallying support for the second term bid of Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that no amount of unwarranted attack and sponsored smear campaign could deter the people of the state from voting in Gov Dapo Abiodun for another four years term in 2023.
DACA in a statement signed by its convener, Mr. Armstrong ‘Tope Akintunde and made available to journalists at Abeokuta, the state capital by the group Media Consultant, Oluwaseun Joshua, stated that those engaging in the condemnable acts were no other than those desperate politicians the people of the state had once rejected at the poll but are hell-bent on finding relevance at all cost.
The group explained that the growing attacks against the governor of the state in recent times were nothing but the ranting of an ant and sheer product of “politics of bitterness and pull him down”.
DACA said, “the people of the state were however very wise and quite discerning and as a result could read in-between the lines and found out that jealousy and politics of bitterness are the major driving forces”.
The group said “it is quite unfortunate that some spent forces and enemies of meaningful governance and exciting development that we have been witnessing in the state in the last three years under Gov Dapo Abiodun will keep on spewing out falsehood and all manners of gibberish just because against their expectations, the governor has continued to record ground breaking achievements in all the critical sectors
“We are also aware that the entrance of Sen Adeola Olamilekan Solomon popularly called Yayi into Ogun State politics and the warm embrace the highly enterprising and selfless politician had received from the peace loving members of Ogun APC, unlike how someone in the past had threatened to bring down the whole world crashing on him is also said to be at the heart of these anti-democratic elements”
It stated further that “we are not surprised that these frivolous petitions and all sorts of unfounded stories are flying around now because they know that the second term of Gov Abiodun is already a mission accomplished. This is what the governor had achieved with his scintillating performance in the last three years.
“It is obvious that the governor has put his whole soul in the business of raising the bar of qualitative governance in the state. The governor has invested in infrastructural development; the road construction are spread across the state, critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, housing, employment and empowerment for the youth and women have not been allowed to suffer.
“The dream of a Cargo and passenger airport at Ilisan Remo are becoming reality by December. Rather than all this distraction, I think what is needed now is to further support and cooperate with the governor so that he could be encouraged to do more for the people.
“We are also of the strong opinion that either those desperate politicians like it or not, God is involved, the people of the state also want it, so the second term ambition of our hardworking governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun is already a mission accomplished”.
Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation (DACA) said it has uncovered “a fraudulent plot” to malign the reputation of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun through sponsored advertorials in newspapers and on social media which are planned to be released anytime from now.
The plot, the organization said, has been traced to a cell of smear campaigners being sponsored by the immediate past governor of the State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Recently, Amosun’s loyalists have been coming up with malicious, unfounded and totally false allegations to incriminate the governor and present him as one who is ineligible to contest the high office he’s occupying,” it said.
“It has been observed that the cell which also masterminded the exit of a former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has been activated to conjure and spread damaging and wicked rumours to sully the sterling qualities of Governor Dapo Abiodun because of his re-election aspiration.
“The plan is to use fake advertorials in as many media as possible, both mainstream and social, of faceless individuals with fictitious names to cast aspersions on the Governor.
The smear campaign also targets the use of fake news, propaganda, and malicious narratives through spon¬sored articles, and other tools to undermine Prince Dapo Abiodun’s achievements as Governor of the Gateway State.
The All Progressives Congress spokesman in Ogun State, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, had earlier warned of the evil plan saying, “the party has steadily monitored these shameful activities, their perpetrators and therefore wished to inform the public to disregard the emerging trends and patterns by these frustrated elements who are embittered because of their inability to control the structure of the party.”
The spokesperson said the same set of people were behind the subterfuge that saw the former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, out of office.”
“We are committed to providing a level-playing ground for all aspirants who must also shun campaigns of calumny against one another”, he said.
“Those engaged in the deliberate efforts to run it down the governor are on their own. We will support issue-based campaigns and any attempt to resort to character assassination and publication of scandalous and libelous information, will be subjected to party internal disciplinary measures “
The party spokesman praised reputable media organisations that have adroitly stood by the noble tenets of journalism practice.“
No matter the temptation, some media houses are focused, professional and would not compromise the ethics of journalism. We salute them and recommend others,” Oladunjoye concluded.
DAILY DIGEST 