Folarin Kehinde

The commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called okada, in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Thursday embarked on a strike over the alleged theft of a passenger’s manhood.

The state Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, Mallam Umar Muhammed, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen, said they have decided to embark on the strike due to the allegations.

According to him, many members have been attacked innocently by passengers unable to pay fares only to turn around and accuse them of stealing manhoods.

He said that passengers picked by their riders raised the alarm of missing manhoods when they got to their destination, leading to the beating of okada riders.

Some of the passengers when they don’t have money to pay, they raise alarm that their manhood is missing so that they will not pay. Instead of them to take the issue to the police, they will take laws into there hands and beat up the commercial rider. Later, the people say that there manhood has returned back to his body,” he said.

He, therefore, called on security agencies and the state government to look into the issue to avoid any problem that could lead to civil unrest in the state.

LEADING REPORTERS had reported that in the last week in Kogi State, some suspected ritualists were arrested, especially within Lokoja for allegedly stealing male organs from their victims.

To calm the tense situation, the Kogi State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, issued a statement on Wednesday night appealing to the general public to remain calm, adding that anyone caught disturbing the public peace will be prosecuted.

The Ogun State Government plans to set up a special court for cult-related cases.

The state also plans to set up a Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force comprising all major security outfits, with the mandate to rid the state of the menace of cultism.

The state is also proposing an amnesty programme for would-be cultists who may wish to surrender their weapons.

These decisions were arrived at after a joint security meeting, held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Wednesday.

It would be recalled that Governor Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday hinted that his administration would enact a law that would pronounce the death penalty on anyone caught engaging in cult activities in the state.

The governor spoke during a visit to the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, following days of cult-related clashes in Sagamu, which left many dead and others injured.

The meeting, according to Governor Abiodun, focused on providing adequate measures to eradicate cultism in the State.

“During the Joint Security meeting that took place today (Wednesday), we engaged in fruitful discussions regarding the implementation of measures aimed at combating cultism in Ogun State,” the governor said.

“Our primary focus was on establishing a special court, forming a joint operational force comprising various security agencies, and implementing a death penalty for cultism offences.

“In addition to these measures, we also deliberated on the possibility of introducing a period of amnesty. This would allow individuals who wish to surrender their weapons and renounce their affiliation with any cult-related groups and activities the opportunity to do so without fear of prosecution.

“As an administration deeply committed to fostering a peaceful and violence-free society, we are dedicated to providing the Special Court and Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force with the necessary logistics and tools to support their operations effectively.

“The overall objective of our conversation is to address the issue of cultism through a multifaceted approach. This will include legal and enforcement measures, rehabilitation efforts, and community engagement through our respected traditional leaders.

“In conclusion, we are determined to tackle the menace of cultism in our state head-on. By employing a combination of legal frameworks, law enforcement strategies, rehabilitation initiatives, and community involvement, we believe we can bring about lasting change.”

President Bola Tinubu has described his wife, First Lady Oluremi, as a strong pillar in his journey to success.

In a personal message, the president said he had enjoyed the delight of family, political and business life with the First Lady.

“My trusted partner in every venture, and the one special person who has consistently filled my days with joy and laughter over 36 amazing years.

”Today is not only a day to mark another year of your purposeful life but a beautiful reminder of the journey we have embarked upon together.

“Through all these years, we have shared in the uncertainty of dangerous, but principled stands against tyranny. Many can not fully appreciate the sacrifices you made for us during that harrowing, dark era, but I do and always will.

“We have experienced adventure, love, and laughter. We have celebrated victories, and we have wrestled down the monster of defeat, and we have done all in an inextricable bond,” he said.

Tinubu said their bond grew stronger through thick and thin, adding that their love and commitment to each other had only deepened with time.

“Thank you for being the ever-present sunshine that brightens my darkest hours.

“Your kindness, your wisdom, and your inner and outer beauty continue to amaze me more each and every day.

“As we celebrate your birthday, I want you to know how profoundly grateful I am for your serene presence in my life.

“I look forward to many more years filled with even greater laughter and love as we continue on this path together, which God Almighty had predestined for us,” he said.

He prayed that the Lord would continue to guide and guard the First Lady and bless her with good health and longevity.

Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has allocated the office of his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, in Government House, Benin to Alaghodaro as secretariat.
This is contrary to Obaseki’s claim of renovating the one-storey building.

Alaghodaro, a Benin catch phrase meaning progress or moving forward, is an annual investment drive by Edo State Government, which is Obaseki’s initiative.

In a leaked memo on Thursday dated September 18, 2023, Edo Governor asked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, to “immediately” allocate the deputy governor’s office building to the trustees of Alaghodaro summit as their Secretariat.

The chairman of Alaghodaro, through its secretary, had written to Obaseki for a permanent secretariat building to aid planning and logistics for the 2023 summit holding in the second week of November.

According to Edo Governor ‘s leaked memo, the office space closest to the venue of the summit, the New Festival Hall of Government House, which until few days ago, was occupied by Shaibu, should be allocated to the board of trustees of the Alaghodaro summit, expected to attract potential investors from different parts of Nigeria.

Shaibu was pushed out of Government House, and allocated new office at No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin with a bold inscription “Office of the Deputy Governor, No. 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City,” at a location not far from the Government House.

Conspicuously at the entrance of the one-storey building is an unveiled inauguration plaque,with this inscription: “Edo State Public Procurement Agency – This building was commissioned by His Excellency, The Comrade Governor, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, MNI, OON, Edo State Governor, on Tuesday, 16th December, 2014.”

Shaibu’s aides and civil servants attached to his office moved two weeks ago in line with the directive of Edo Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa.

A woman, Zuwaira Yusuf, has been released from the Hong Correctional Centre in Hong LGA of Adamawa State after serving eight months for stealing a shirt and a cooler.

She was sentenced to two years for the crime and had been incarcerated since her conviction by the magistrates’ court in Gombi LGA.

Zuwaira was freed when the Adamawa State Jail Delivery Committee (JDC) headed by the Chief Judge, Hon Justice Hafsat Abdulrahaman, visited the correctional centre.

President Bola Tinubu is set to unveil wage awards next week to cushion the effects of the removal of the petrol subsidy on workers.

The labour movement, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), had been advocating for wage awards to alleviate the impact of the subsidy removal on workers before negotiating a new minimum wage next year.

Comrade Festus Osifo, the President of TUC, revealed this during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” programme.

The TUC had given the federal government a two-week ultimatum to address its demands or face industrial action from workers across the country.

Osifo mentioned that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, had informed TUC that he had met with President Tinubu and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, regarding the matter.

Lalong stated that the issue of wages had been reviewed, and President Tinubu would speak on the matter in the coming days.

Osifo emphasised that the union had engaged the federal government on the palliatives released to states and would monitor the distribution to ensure appropriate implementation.

He also highlighted discussions around taxation and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Addressing the recent disagreement regarding a two-week warning strike, Osifo clarified that the TUC did not back out of it as they did not agree to participate in the first place.

He explained that there was a proper procedure and strategy involved in planning a strike, and the TUC had not initiated or called for a strike.