Labour Party Declares Support For Seyi Makinde

Ahead of the March 11 governorship and the house of assembly elections in Oyo State, the Labour Party, LP in the state has endorsed the re-election bid of Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The development came hours after some support groups of Bola Tinubu, the president-elect of the All Progressives Congress APC, threw their weight behind the re-election of Makinde.

LP at a press conference held at its state headquarters in Ibadan on Sunday announced that the party adopted the governor, based on the same ideology the governor shared with the party.

Speaking at the event, the party's chairman in the state, Atayase Sadiq, noted that the decision was made following extensive consultation with members of the party across the state's 33 local government areas.

He said: "The last Presidential election was keenly contested by the three major parties in the country and the result of the election as announced by INEC shows that Labour Party is a force to reckon with."

"The result of the Presidential election in Oyo State is similar to that. While the result of the election in its entirety is still a subject of contention, the takehome of the election is that a third force party that emerged barely a year ago has grown to become a strong force because of the quality of its candidate."

"Having considered this, in the upcoming election in our dear state, we have decided to support a candidate with the character, competence, and capacity to lead and who is also concerned about the wellbeing of the citizens as it is obvious that no party can win the gubernatorial election alone.

"He therefore enjoined all citizens of of Oyo to vote for makinde's re-election.

He added that the party structure in the state remains intact as its house of assembly candidates across the state are still in the race.

JUST IN : Robbers Attack Commercial Bank In Ondo, Kill Journalist, Policeman, One Other

Bank staff and customers who came for transactions at the bank scampered for safety.

Three persons have been confirmed dead and many persons wounded in a bank robbery in Ilara- Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Our correspondent gathered that one of the victims was a popular Ondo-based journalist and the spokesperson of  Elizade University, Olubunmi Afuye.

The robbers also killed a policeman and a motorcyclist.

A resident of the town told our correspondent that the robbers came to the bank around 3 pm and shot into the air to scare those within the vicinity of the bank.

Bank staff and customers who came for transactions at the bank scampered for safety.

The resident said the robbers used dynamite to blow open the entrance and carted away an unspecified amount of money.

“Bank staff and customers who were around for one thing or the other scampered to safety. There was confusion everywhere,” the resident said.

“A journalist, policeman, and motorcyclist were killed by the gunmen.”

BREAKING: Nigerian Singer, Sound Sultan Is Dead

Our correspondent reported that Sound Sultan was battling with throat cancer in the United States of America in May 2021.

Nigerian singer, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan is dead.

Our correspondent  gathered that the artist had commenced chemotherapy in one of the hospitals in the country.

Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of chemical drug therapy meant to destroy rapidly growing cells in the body. It’s usually used to treat cancer, as cancer cells grow and divide faster than other cells.

Sound Sultan's career in show business started in the 1990s, when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions.

By 1999, he had won numerous local talent-hunt shows. He released his first single "Jagbajantis" in 2000, which was a hit in Nigeria

After independently releasing other singles and featuring in hit songs of other artists, he was signed by Kennis Music.

Sound Sultan began a working relationship with Wyclef Jean when featured alongside 2face Idibia and Faze on "Proud to be African" from Wyclef's Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 album.

In 2012, it was announced that Sound Sultan was made a UN Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career.

In 2015, Sound Sultan released the rap single "Remember" after a long absence from the music scene.

After the fallout of the African Basketball League, he joined forces with the organisers of the Continental Basketball League to become a team owner of Lagos City Stars (the 2017 champions) and a facilitator of the league entertainment.

He was 44 years old.

How TB Joshua Saved Local Governments From Darkness, Governor Akeredolu Narrates As Late Cleric Is Buried

The governor said: “When the Northern senatorial district of our state was in darkness, he came to our aide."

The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Friday extolled late Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua also known as TB Joshua listing some of the projects the cleric executed in the state.

He recounted how the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nation, paid electricity bills and bought transformers for four local governments in the state, Daily Post reports.

The governor said: “When the Northern senatorial district of our state was in darkness, he came to our aide.

“He paid the electricity bills of four local governments and bought transformers for them because the government could not afford it.”

TB Joshua died a few weeks ago after he conducted a church service.

Despite the controversies trailing his death as regards the source of his power, many have admired the philanthropic abilities of the cleric.

South Africa's Zuma Hands Himself Over To Police To Begin 15-month Sentence

In a historic ruling, the Constitutional Court last week handed Zuma a 15-month term for snubbing anti-graft investigators.

South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma turned himself in to prison late Wednesday to begin serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court, his foundation said.

In a historic ruling, the Constitutional Court last week handed Zuma a 15-month term for snubbing anti-graft investigators.

Police had earlier on Wednesday warned they were prepared to arrest the former president by a midnight deadline to enforce the ruling, unless the top court instructed otherwise, AFP reports.

But Zuma decided to make his way to an unnamed prison in his home province of Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN).

“Please be advised that (ex) President Zuma has decided to comply with the incarceration order,” the foundation tweeted.

“He is on his way to hand himself into a Correctional Services Facility in KZN,” it said, just minutes before the deadline expired.

A convoy of cars believed to be carrying Zuma drove out of his homestead at high speed about 40 minutes before the cut-off time for him to give himself up.

Zuma had mounted a last-ditch legal defence and refused to turn himself in by Sunday night as the court ordered. Under the ruling, police were given three days to arrest him if he failed to surrender.

He had pleaded with the court for an 11th-hour reprieve.

In an urgent request to the Constitutional Court late Wednesday, Zuma’s lawyers asked it to “direct the suspension of its orders… to prevent our client from being arrested prior to all legal processes being finalised”.

Zuma’s first application to halt his arrest was heard on Tuesday but the judgement was reserved until Friday.

Separately, he has pleaded with the Constitutional Court to reconsider and rescind its jail order. That challenge will be heard next Monday.

Zuma, 79, was forced out of office in 2018 and replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa after a nine-year tenure stained by corruption scandals and the taint of cronyism.

Critics nicknamed him the “Teflon president” for his perceived ability to sidestep justice.

But his fortunes changed on June 29 when the court issued its damning judgement against him for contempt.

Zuma had refused to obey a court order to appear before a commission probing the siphoning off of state assets under his presidency.

BREAKING: Haiti President Jovenel Moise assassinated

Haiti President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his home early Wednesday morning by a group of armed individuals, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph announced.


Joseph said he was now in charge of the country.

Moise’s injured wife was in the hospital, according to Joseph, who urged the public to remain calm, and insisted the police and army would ensure the population’s safety.

“The president was assassinated at his home by foreigners who spoke English and Spanish,” Joseph said.

Moise had been ruling Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, by decree, after legislative elections due in 2018 were delayed in the wake of disputes, including on when his own term ends.

In addition to the political crisis, kidnappings for ransom have surged in recent months, further reflecting the growing influence of armed gangs in the Caribbean nation.

Haiti also faces chronic poverty and recurrent natural disasters.

The president faced steep opposition from swathes of the population that deemed his mandate illegitimate, and he churned through a series of seven prime ministers in four year. Most recently, Joseph was supposed to be replaced this week after only three months in the post.

In addition to presidential, legislative and local elections, Haiti was due to have a constitutional referendum in September after it was twice postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Supported by Moise, the text of the constitutional reform, aimed at strengthening the executive branch, has been overwhelmingly rejected by the opposition and many civil society organizations.

The constitution currently in force was written in 1987 after the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship and declares that “any popular consultation aimed at modifying the Constitution by referendum is formally prohibited.”

Critics had also claimed it was impossible to organizing a poll, given the general insecurity in the country.

Igboho's Aide, Koiki Ignores His Principal's Position, Insists Lagos Rally Will Hold As Planned

He urged Yoruba people to partake in the rally and support the agitation for self-determination.

Olayomi Koiki, media aide to Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo,, aka Sunday Igboho has insisted that the Lagos Mega rally slated for Saturday will hold as planned.

This is despite the cancellation of the same rally by Sunday Igboho after the attack on his house by men of the Department of State Services.


On Friday, barely a day after the attack on Igboho's house which resulted in the death of two people, Koiki posted an update stating that the rally would go ahead as planned.

He urged Yoruba people to partake in the rally and support the agitation for self-determination.

He wrote on Facebook, “Count Down tomorrow Rally goes ahead as planned. 3rd July 2021. Venue: Ojota. Time: 7 am. Come out in numbers to support the freedom of Yoruba Self Determination.

”1999 constitution is a fraud. 1914 Amalgamation has expired. ENDNIGERIA Now

Yoruba Nation No going back.

“Let’s save our future generations from Nigeria."

Yoruba Nation agitators had planned a mega rally in Lagos state being the only South-West state yet to witness such.

Despite warnings, security threats and advice against the rally, Igboho had insisted the rally would hold and had called on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu to mobilise officers for the event and ensure the protection of the agitators.

However, following the attack on his house in Ibadan, Igboho, who spoke to BBC News Pidgin, on Thursday stated that the rally in Lagos has been suspended.

Igboho noted that the attackers were unknown men in military uniform who came into his house at Soka area in the wee hours of Thursday.

He said, "I was at home and around 1:30 am, I heard gunshots in front of my house and they said they are from the DSS (Department of State Services) and that they are soldiers. Sunday Igboho, come out!

“I peeped through my window, I saw them and truly they were dressed in DSS and Nigerian army uniform. I was surprised and wondered what the problem was because I haven't killed anybody.”

Igboho added that the attack came as a surprise to him because his activism is for the safety of his people and has not been violent.

"What I am simply doing is to fight for my people, my rallies have always been peaceful, I am fighting for my family because Fulani bandits killed my family, raped them and government refused to do the right thing for my family, that is why I have come out to fight for them so I am surprised.

"They killed two people during the shooting, destroyed my property, my vehicles," he said.

DSS later confirmed on Thursday that it was responsible for invading Igboho's house and killing two people there. 

Ondo University Gives Students One Week To Register Or Forfeit School Session

There is tension at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, after a circular was released asking all students to register in one week or forfeit their education for the session.

Our correspondent obtained the circular, dated June 29, directing the students to register for the 2019/2020 Academic Session before July 4 or lose their studentship – a directive which students described as draconian as their interests were not considered.

Our correspondent learnt that the directive was signed by the registrar, Gbenga Arajulu, on behalf of the acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige.

It reads, “All students are therefore expected to complete their registration for the session before the commencement of examination, as the portal will be closed for registration for the 2019/2020 academic session on 11th July, 2021.

"Any student who fails to complete his/her registration before the end of 2019/2020 academic session should consider himself/herself as having forfeited his/her studentship for the session.

“The purpose of this circular is to bring the above to the attention of all students so as to be properly guided. Wishing you all the best.”

Students have been reacting to the one-week circular, while querying the management where they or their parents would suddenly get the school fees within the one-week deadline to pay up before the examination.

“Another protest is loading. The school authorities never get tired of causing troubles for us. Why would they say that any student who fails to pay up his or her tuition fee before the end of the session will forfeit that session and no more back registration? Are we getting money from trees? Was it not in their time that school's fees were astronomically increased? This shall not be accepted,” a member of the Students' Union Government told SaharaReporters.

Our correspondent learnt that other student groups were preparing for protest if the school authorities decide to close the portal by July 4 and bar students who had not paid their fees from continuing the session.

Heavy Gunshots As Soldiers Allegedly Attack Igboho's House, Kill Two Persons In Ibadan.

Operatives of the Nigerian military have allegedly attacked the residence of Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, in the early hours of Thursday.

Our correspondent gathered that the soldiers unleashed mayhem on the activist’s house in the Soka area of the city as early as 1 am.

At least 10 vehicles belonging to Igboho, including his G-wagon, Prado SUVs, and valuable properties, furniture, and windows were destroyed.

Bullet holes were also found on the buildings in the compound while bloodstains were seen on the premises by our correspondent.

Speaking to our correspondent, an eyewitness said, “They were all soldiers, military men. They came in vans and Hummer buses. They abducted his wife and others. They killed two people.”

Ighoho’s spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, also confirmed the incident in a Facebook Live.

He said, “The situation now is very bad. Two Yoruba sons have been killed in the house of Chief Sunday Igboho. The two dead bodies have been taken away by the military. We do not know of the location where they were taken to.

“I can confirm that those who came are definitely Nigerian soldiers. There are more than 100 soldiers that came.”

The incident happened 72 hours to the Yoruba Nation rally slated for Saturday in Lagos.

JUST IN: Ilaka, 17 Commissioners Affected As Makinde Dissolves Cabinet

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Tuesday, announced the dissolution of the state’s Executive Council.

Those affected include Chief Bisi Ilaka, the Chief of Staff (CoS) and 17 Commissioners.

The Cabinet was constituted on August 14, 2019, following Makinde’s historic victory in the March 9, 2019, election.

The remaining Council members who were not affected include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service (HOS) and the Director General of Due Process office.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Makinde announced the dissolution of the Executive Council after a meeting of the body on Tuesday, which lasted about five hours.

Governor Makinde, according to the statement, expressed the gratitude of the government and the people of Oyo State to the Council members, and wished them well in their future endeavours.

The governor equally praised the dedication to duty and the commitment of the council members to the cause of taking Oyo State from Poverty to Prosperity.
The statement said: “His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, announced the dissolution of the State Executive Council, with effect from Tuesday June 29, 2021.

“Governor Makinde, after a prolonged meeting of the Council, told members it was time to retool after two years.

“He therefore wished the ex-Commissioners the best in their future endeavours.”

Just In: FG arrests IPOB leader, Kanu. Brought back to Nigeria to face trial

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been arrested and extradited to Nigeria to face trial.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami(SAN), announced this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, June 29.

He revealed that Kanu was arrested and brought back to Nigeria on Sunday, June 27. He said the arrest followed a collaborative effort between security agencies in Nigeria and the Interpol.

Malami further disclosed that Kanu would be taken before the Federal High Court in Abuja for continuation of his trial on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society. 

The IPOB leader had fled the country after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in 2017.

Niger Delta Commission Abandons Ondo Varsity Hostel Project, Exposes Students To Attacks

SaharaReporters learnt that the NDDC project is now overgrown with weeds, and the walls are dilapidated going by years of neglect of the structure.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has abandoned its students’ hostels project at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, forcing the students to stay off the campus, where they are being attacked by criminals.

SaharaReporters learnt that the NDDC project is now overgrown with weeds, and the walls are dilapidated going by years of neglect of the structure.

SaharaReporters was told that the OAUSTECH hostel project was started in conjunction with the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), which has also failed to monitor the completion of the hostels’ contract.

In a letter to the NDDC and OSOPADEC, the Students’ Union President, Okunomo Damilola, said the students called on the authorities to ensure “the completion of the school hostel,” adding that the students staying off the campus pay through their nose to secure accommodation and are also susceptible to attacks.

The letter obtained by SaharaReporters is titled, “Open Letter to the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission as regards uncompleted hostels in OAUSTECH.”

It reads, “Amid the recent development around the Ayeka-Igodan Okitipupa axis, in which cases of theft, rape, intimidation are reportedly increasing around the named community, students of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa have repeatedly become the victims of these hostile and inimical happenings since the majority of the students live off-campus because the school is deprived of a housing system.

“Over the years, the NDDC and OSOPADEC started a project work on campus which was to erect an architectural structure for the students which will serve as a housing system, but the project was abandoned by the organisations involved.

“The SUG of OAUSTECH has come to realise that to put a stop to the intimidation of students off-campus, there is a need for a proper housing system on campus. Oppression from indigenes can only occur outside the horizons of the school jurisdiction, the safety of any student can be assured as he or she is within the arm of the school walls.

“The Students' Union Government hereby calls on the authorities in charge to take action, as we seek a positive response by having them embark on the completion of the school hostel.

“We call on able Individuals of the society, corporate bodies, public sectors, private parastatal and governmental bodies and the Federal Government to intervene and help in building the school housing facilities on campus.”

JUST IN: Nollywood Actor, Baba Ijesha Granted N2million Bail In Sexual Assault Case

Baba Ijesha, who has been in custody for alleged sexual molestation, since his arrest on April 22, was finally released on bail on Thursday.

Popular Yoruba actor, James Olanrewaju (also known as Baba Ijesha) has been released on bail by a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo granted Baba Ijesha bail in the sum of N2 million and two sureties: a lawyer and a family relation.

The judge ordered that the bail conditions must be granted within seven days while declaring that the next sittings will be on July 26, 27 and 28.

He was initially granted bail on May 17 following an intervention by the Lagos State Judiciary members in collaboration with the State's Ministry of Justice to decongest police stations in the state.

He was, however, unable to meet the bail conditions and remained in custody.

On June 16, Baba Ijesha was arraigned by the police on five counts at a Chief Magistrate Court in Yaba. He pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, Kayode Olabiran, made a fresh bail application.

He said, "Mr. Olanrewaju has remained in police custody because one of the bail conditions is yet to be met".

"On May 17, the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the N.B.A. and the police took an initiative to decongest jam-packed cells across the state. My client was one of the beneficiaries, and the conditions are two sureties. One must be a blood relation and another surety not less than Level 16 in the Lagos state government civil service.

"The elder brother to the defendant has appeared as a surety. We have paid the N500,000 bail bond to the account of the Lagos state government but we have not been able to get a level 16 officer to stand as surety," Olabiran said.

Explaining further, the lawyer said they got three different level 16 officers but one turned them down and two others declined upon hearing that they need to get a clearance letter from the head of the service.

"The Level 16 officers are afraid of being issued a query.

"We are applying for bail on compassionate grounds and in the interest of justice," Mr Olabiran said, urging the magistrate to consider the visibly ill health of his client.

A lawyer from the office of the D.P.P., Mobolaji Owoebute-Okedeji, opposed the bail application.

After considering all the submissions, Magistrate Peter Nwaka declined to grant the defendant bail because he no longer had jurisdiction over the matter.

Popular online news platform, Ibadan Media Collaborates Oyo NUJ To Organize 2nd Journalists' Hangout In Ibadan

“The security challenges in the country are a big concern to everybody, this is the reason why our theme for the hang out will focus on ‘Tackling Security Challenges in Nigeria, Ola noted.

This was revealed in a press statement released by the publisher of the organisation, Ola, O. Olanrewaju in Ibadan, that all is set to host this year’s edition in partnership with Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Oyo State chapter, tagged: Security Colloquium, with the theme: Tackling Security Challenges in Nigeria: The role of Media - Oyo State in focus.

The event will be coming up on Thursday, 29th of July, 2021 at Dapo Aderogba Hall, NUJ Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

According to Olanrewaju, since the event is for the Journalists’ in the State, we have decided to partner with the Journalists’ body in Oyo State, led by the very active and articulate Chairman of the Union, Com. Demola Babalola.

“We had a successful maiden edition in the year 2019, where we treated; Online Journalism: Professionals’ Concern For Ethical Standard, with a large turnout attendance, Covid-19 hindered us to gather for another edition in the year 2020, but this year by God’s power, we are in partnership with Oyo NUJ to stage this year’s edition of Journalists’ hang out, for us to have a productive hangout,” Ola noted.

“The security challenges in the country are a big concern to everybody, this is the reason why our theme for the hang out will focus on ‘Tackling Security Challenges in Nigeria: The role of Media - Oyo State in focus,’ he concluded.

There are great speakers and contributors across all the channels in line for the program, who will be making remarkable contributions on how insecurity can be curtailed, and their recommendations will be forwarded to the necessary authority for required actions.

Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Igboho Reveals Time, Venue For Mega Oduduwa Republic Rally In Lagos

Some of the states in the region that have witnessed the rally include Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo States.

Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has said nothing will stop Oduduwa Republic agitators from storming Lagos on July 3 for a mega rally.

Igboho, who has been spearheading the rallies to mobilise more support for the agitation for a sovereign Yoruba nation, to be called Oduduwa Republic stated that Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria is the next venue for the rally.

Some of the states in the region that have witnessed the rally include Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo States.

The spokesman to the activist, Olayomi Koiki, who spoke in a live video, said the rally is scheduled to take off from Ojota Park, Lagos on Friday, Daily Post reports.

He said, “We are sending a peaceful message to Governor Sanwo-Olu. We do not mind any other person who is saying we should not come to Lagos.

“Sanwo-Olu is the chief security officer of the land and we are coming to Lagos.

“July 3rd is the most important date; nobody can say we should not come to Lagos. It is a peaceful rally.

“We have gone to Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and we had peaceful rallies, so nobody can stop us from not coming to Lagos.”

Gunmen kill popular OAP, Titus Badejo 'Eja Nla' in Ibadan - Police Confirm

Badejo, popularly called Ejanla was reportedly shot dead around 9 pm on Saturday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Oyo state command, Adewale Osifeso on Sunday confirmed the killing of an on-air personality, Titus Badejo by unknown gunmen at a popular nightclub in the Oluyole area of Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

Confirming the incident to reporters in Ibadan on Sunday, the police spokesman said, "At about 0730hrs, Sunday 20th June 2021, One Damilola Afolabi 'm', Manager at Club 407, Oluyole Ibadan reported at Oluyole Divisional Police Headquarters that on Saturday 19th June 2021 one Titus Badejo, journalist and Freelance Disc Jockey with the club was shot outside the club premises by unknown assailants.

"However, comprehensive investigations are in top gear to unravel circumstances surrounding the incident and to apprehend the assailants. Verifiable updates would be provided soonest, please."

Why We Didn’t Distribute Relief Materials Meant For Colleagues Affected By Fire Outbreak After Four Months—Ondo Varsity Students' President

The Students’ Union of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko has explained why the union has not distributed relief materials meant for students of the school affected by fire outbreak.

Blinkzupdate had reported how the union President, Oluwasegun Obagunwa (SUPREME) and Senate President, Abiola Amodu (EJA NLA) were accused of diverting the items worth millions of naira.

The Nigerian government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had in January 2021 approved the distribution of relief materials to persons affected by fire outbreak in Iwaro Oka and Akungba Akoko, both in the Akoko South West Local Government Area.

Blinkzupdate  gathered that 50 bags of 12.5kg rice, 50 bags of 12.5kg garri, 50 mattresses, 50 blankets and 300 yards of Ankara textile were handed over to Obagunwa and Amodu on February 11 for distribution to affected students.

But four months after, it was learnt the students’ leaders refused to share the items.

Speaking to Blinkzupdate, Obagunwa said the reason for not sharing the items was because the affected students had yet to resume.

He said, “The reason why the palliatives have not been shared is that the union want the affected students to resume fully. Currently, only one of them is around while others are still recuperating at home. Which means many of those students affected by the fire incident have yet to resume.”

How Ondo State-owned University Students' Leaders Diverted Relief Materials Meant For Colleagues Affected By Fire Outbreak.

Some of items kept in the institution’s Works Department had been secretly taken away by Obagunwa and Amodu.

The Students’ Union President of Adekunle Ajasin University, Oluwasegun Obagunwa (SUPREME) and his Senate President, Abiola Amodu (EJA NLA) have been accused of diverting relief materials worth millions of naira meant for students of the institution affected by fire outbreak.

The Nigerian government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had in January 2021 approved the distribution of relief materials to persons affected by fire outbreak in Iwaro Oka and Akungba Akoko, both in the Akoko South West Local Government Area.

 Blinkzupdate gathered that 50 bags of 12.5kg rice, 50 bags of 12.5kg garri, 50 mattresses, 50 blankets and 300 yards of Ankara textile were handed over to Obagunwa and Amodu on February 11 for distribution to affected students.

But four months after, it was learnt the students’ leaders have yet to share the items.

A source told blinkzupdate that some of items kept in the institution’s Works Department had been secretly taken away by Obagunwa and Amodu.

The source asked the AAUA management to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the allegation as it is considered to be a crime against humanity.

He described the act as satanic, wicked and height of corruption perpetrated by students’ leaders that were supposed to defend their colleagues.

“Hon. Ade Adeogun facilitated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to distribute relief materials to students and people who have suffered from disasters in one way or the other. But our President and Senate President have refused to share these items to student since February 11.

“They’ve taken some away and planning to take the rest. It was initially kept in Works Department but we don’t know its whereabouts anymore. We heard the Dean, Student Affairs is involved but don’t know how true it is,” the source told blinkzupdate.

Court Stops Ondo Governor, Akeredolu From Probing Chief Judge

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, barred the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu from investigating the Chief Judge of the state.

The chief judge of the state, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu had filed a suit to stop the state government from investigating her over a viral video made by a citizen of the state, Olupelumi Fagboyegun.

Akeredolu had sued the Governor, the Attorney General of the state, and the House of Assembly, asking the court to stop them from probing her.

She also asked the court to stop the AGF, NJC and the IGP from acting on any report submitted to them by the Ondo State government pending the determination of the main suit.

Justice Ekwo had, on February 25, 2021, restrained the governor and all the defendants from taking any further steps about the alleged probe of the state chief judge over the viral video.

The judge gave the order in a ruling on an ex parte application filed by Justice Akeredolu.

Ondo Varsity Lecturers Sell Students Expensive Handouts For Marks To Survive Nonpayment Of Salaries

It has been six months since the AAUA lecturers were paid by the Ondo State Government.

Some students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, have cried out over the unending expensive handouts they are forced to buy from lecturers every semester.

SaharaReporters learnt that buying of handouts attracts good marks in some of the courses so students, therefore, pay through their nose to obtain them.

SaharaReporters gathered that it has been six months since the AAUA lecturers were paid by the Ondo State Government – a situation which has forced many of them to turn students into cash cows and impose irrelevant handouts on them.

Some of the students who spoke with SaharaReporters on Tuesday confirmed that some of the lecturers sell handouts to them, and ask them to read, adding that that was the end of the course for the semester.

Other students pointed out that the university authorities had deliberately refused to wade in because the lecturers also complained that they have to find a means of survival.

SaharaReporters obtained the voice note of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences (FSS) course representative asking students to buy the handout for N1, 500 and get 15 marks as promised by the lecturer.

He did not mention the name of the lecturer.

“Hello, so please concerning the FSS textbook; so far, it is 50 copies they gave our department and so far, 35 people have booked their own and got their own copies. So it remains 15 copies with me, if you still have interest in it, message me. Once you get one, the man promised to give you 15 marks,” the course representative told the students.

“We were to write (sic) the PSB 418 test. But the department does not have papers to print the test sheets. So, we were asked to contribute N20 each to enable the department to buy a pack of paper which costs N2,500,” another student shared.

“I bought two handouts this semester. I have three more to buy. The lecturers even made it compulsory. Two handouts I bought this semester; one of the lecturers said we should go and read till we meet during our examination. He did not teach us anything. The same was for the other handout. We only did presentations,” a 300 level Linguistics student told SaharaReporters.

“It was not like this in the past. Between 2015 and 2019, the sale of handouts and textbooks was not allowed. But things have gone upside down in Ondo State; workers are owed salaries, pensions are not forthcoming.

University workers have also not been paid in the last six months. The students have to bear the brunt. The university is handicapped; it is when salaries are regular that you can maintain standards and give rules to your lecturers. We don’t have a governor, unfortunately,” a university worker said.

SaharaReporters learnt that the university is nearing the second-semester examination and more lecturers are churning out textbooks and handouts to rake in money from many of the struggling students.