An Australian-based Nigerian engineer, Olaoluwa Dawodu, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a bold and necessary overhaul of the nation’s security leadership.

Dawodu, a Chartered Engineer from Isan-Ekiti who specialises in Mechanical Design, Maintenance, Reliability, and Projects, said the President’s decision to reshuffle the top hierarchy of the Armed Forces was “a step in the right direction towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.”

In a statement reacting to the development, Dawodu commended Tinubu for what he called “the much-needed changes,” urging the President to set measurable performance targets and timelines for the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

He also advised the President to relieve any officer who fails to meet the set benchmarks, adding that accountability and results should be the guiding principles of the administration’s security policy.

While congratulating the new Service Chiefs, the engineer charged them to “justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing professionalism, vigilance, unity, and comradeship within the Armed Forces as they serve the nation with honour.”

Dawodu, who is widely known for his philanthropic contributions, said Nigerians expect tangible results in the fight against insecurity, noting that the reforms would only make an impact if they translate to improved safety across the country.

President Tinubu recently approved major changes in the security sector, sacking General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and replacing him with Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the immediate past Chief of Army Staff.

Also affected in the shake-up were the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force. General Waidi Shaibu was appointed Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas became Chief of Naval Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke replaced Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.

The President, however, retained Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The appointments, announced in a statement by presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare, came weeks after the reported arrest of 16 senior soldiers over an alleged coup plot, although the Presidency did not link the changes to the incident.

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As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Farotimi to refrain from granting media interviews and to submit his international passport to the authorities. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.

Farotimi, who had been remanded at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises on Friday at approximately 9:45 a.m. He was conveyed in a prison van accompanied by a police escort. Upon arrival, the embattled lawyer raised his hands in appreciation of a cheering crowd that had gathered outside the court to show their solidarity.

The human rights advocate is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His arrest has ignited widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians and civil society groups condemning the action and demanding his immediate release.

Farotimi’s detention and subsequent arraignment have fueled debates about the boundaries of free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria, with critics arguing that the case may stifle dissenting voices in the country.

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President Bola Tinubu has named Senator Adedayo Adeyeye as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The announcement, made through his Media Adviser Ajuri Ngelale on Friday, emphasises the President’s expectation for enhanced efficiency and excellence in port services under the new leadership.

Senator Adeyeye brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served as Minister of State for Works and represented Ekiti South Senatorial District. He is noted for his background in law, journalism, and politics.

In a separate development, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has been appointed as the Managing Director of NPA. Dr. Dantsoho holds a Doctorate degree in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University and a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University, UK. His career within NPA spans various pivotal roles, including Assistant General Manager and Port Manager at Onne Port.

These appointments mark a strategic move by President Tinubu to bolster operational efficiency and drive enhanced outcomes within Nigeria’s crucial maritime sector.

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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, reiterated his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, affirming his intention to spearhead campaigns across the 16 local government areas of the state in preparation for the forthcoming congresses.

Addressing a gathering of PDP stakeholders in Ado Ekiti at the NTS Events Centre, Fayose debunked speculations suggesting he had defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He firmly stated his continued loyalty to the PDP and urged party members to desist from spreading unfounded rumors.

“I would never join APC,” Fayose emphasised, urging PDP members to refrain from tarnishing his reputation and to prioritise unity within the party.

He expressed appreciation for Governor Oyebanji’s efforts in the state, acknowledging the governor’s initiatives irrespective of political affiliations.

Reflecting on his past support for Asiwaju Tinubu in the presidential election, Fayose highlighted the importance of Yoruba unity while reaffirming his commitment to contesting against Governor Oyebanji in future elections.

Calling for unity among PDP members in Ekiti State, Fayose stressed the need to prevent factionalism within the party. He urged party members to work towards peace and cohesion to secure electoral victories.

“I have come to tell you that the PDP must not die in Ekiti State,” Fayose declared, pledging to commence campaigns in two local government areas and provide logistical support for the party’s election activities across all areas.

“I am not looking for opposition,” he asserted, warning skeptics that his influence would be evident during elections.

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The counsels to the petitioner, also alleged that the Yobe State Governor and former National Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni and Oyebanji’s deputy, Monisade Afuye, had been difficult to serve on account of lack of fixed addresses.

Alleging that such antic was geared towards stalling the petition, Oni’s counsels averred that they had on July 20, 2022, at the Election Petition Tribunal filed an application for substituted service for speedy service and prompt trial of the case.

Oni had on July 7, 2022 filed his petition before the Tribunal in Ado Ekiti, calling for the reversal of the declaration of Oyebanji as the winner of the election.

Oni also urged the court to declare him the winner of the poll, claiming that he scored the highest number of lawful votes in the poll.

The petitioner urged the Tribunal to in the alternative nullify the election and order a rerun in view of alleged widespread manipulations that characterised the poll.

The former Secretary to the State Government and the candidate of the APC, Biodun Oyebanji garnered a total of 187,045 votes to defeat Oni, who polled 82,122 votes in the election.

Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Oni’s legal team, led by Obafemi Adewale (SAN), was upbeat that Oni will be declared winner of the poll at the Tribunal in view of the avalanche of evidence to be presented to substantiate their claim of widespread rigging in the poll.

Adewale, who spoke through a former Attorney General and Justice Commissioner in Ekiti, Owoseeni Ajayi, said: “Fact speaks for itself. Segun Oni ought to have been declared winner because he scored the highest number of valid votes, but this couldn’t happen because the election was characterised by widespread irregularities.

“We filed our petition on July 7 within the time stipulated for us in the Electoral Act. Since that time, we have been having issues of service.

“INEC had been served without restriction. The APC had also been served in Abuja without restriction. But we have problem serving the governor-elect, Biodun Oyebanji, his deputy, Monisade Afuye and the caretaker chairman of the party when the candidate was elected at the primary, Governor Mai Mala Buni.

“There had been deliberate avoidance of service by these respondents. In any election petition, time is of essence because we have to conclude the petition within 181 days.

“In the election petition trial, the days started counting the very day we filed our petition and it also includes their 21 days to which they must respond to our petition.

“To make things difficult, the governor-elect and his deputy have no addresses and the only place to serve them is the party secretariat in Ado Ekiti that is now locked up, we can’t reach them.

“The Bailiff of the tribunal went to Abuja’s liaison office of Yobe State Governor, their officials resisted being served. They said they can’t collect the letters on his behalf.

“Service is of essence in any case and they have to be served personally, except we are given this option of substituted service.

“We are not resting and we are desirous of going with the litigation until Oni, who won the majority of the lawful votes is declared the winner”, Obafemi stated.

Obafemi posited further that the petitioner has credible evidence to present that would influence the Panelists to give favourable judgement to Oni and SDP.

“We have proof of widespread malpractices and manipulations that really offended the Electoral Act in the election.

“We are confident that there won’t be any reason to order a fresh election. By the time we will finish our case, there will be declaration of the petitioner as the validly elected candidate”, Obafemi boasted.

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Contained in a statement issued by the tournament coordinator, Kehinde Adeyemi, the new grassroots soccer tourney from the stable of YSFON was designed to scout talents from under-17 boys and under-18 girls categories as the playoff will commence on 29 March to 12 April in the Southwest states  comprising of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos and Ekiti.

Adeyemi, also urged the officials and coaches of the grassroots teams to adhere strictly to the stipulated age categories as YSFON will not compromise non compliance to the laid down guide lines for the tournament so as to realize the aims and objectives of the tourney.

The Vice President, South/West of YSFON, Rafiu Abayomi Alabi who is the head of local organizing committee (LOC) for the tourney has announced the donation of match-balls and bibs to all states that will be participating in the competition as a way to ease some of the logistical needs for the playoff.

The YSFON chieftain that is popularly known as Oluaye has however thanked the monarch for his huge support and love for football while pledging the cooperation of the national executive of YSFON led by its President, Dr. Nasir Gawuna and the national secretary, Patrick Okpavueme to the sustainability and continual organization of the Oodua Unity Cup.

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DAWN Commission, through its Director General, Mr Seye Oyeleye suggested that governments at all levels  should make urgent arrangements to stop open grazing adding that in the 21st century, nobody should be engaging in this practice.

He advised the government and stakeholders to embrace modern methods of cattle ranching.

According to him, “governments at all levels and the stakeholders in the agricultural sector should accept and embrace modern methods of cattle ranching to solve the recurrent problem of collision between farmers and herders”.

Speaking on the agenda that brought Lagos state into the fold of O’dua Investment Company after it was initially excluded by past western states’ leaders, the DG said the coming on board of the former capital of Nigeria  is already adding more economic benefits to O’dua, DAWN commission and to the sister states including Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.

He said, “Lagos State has the fourth biggest economy in Africa. It is only logical that the governors decided that Lagos should be brought on board at O’dua and DAWN Commission did a lot of work in the background because Lagos State is an integral part of Yorubaland. It is a logical thing for the five states to collaborate and work with Lagos”.

DAWN Commission boss made all these known on Monday evening while featuring on Parrot Xtra Hour on Radio in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Continuing, Oyeleye also informed that the commission was established to promote and engender cooperation and faster development among the six states in the western part of Nigeria, since they have the same economy, culture, challenges and speak the same language.

He equally avowed that the six states have been speaking with one voice in several areas in relation to the recent developments that was experienced by the collaborating states which led to the ban placed on all forms of open grazing in all parts of the South-West as adopted by all stakeholders during the recently held governors’ meeting in Akure, Ondo State.

He said, “prior to the coming of DAWN, the six states did not have any formal avenue to meet. The coming of the commission created an official platform for the states to come together on a regular basis to work towards economic development”.

On the issue of restructuring of the country being clamored for by the people of the western states, the DAWN Commission Boss stated that Nigeria is not a truly federal state. He noted that the powers given to the federal government by the constitution made it too powerful and this has not helped the states, adding that his commission is working on advocacy to ensure that the yearnings of the people of the region are respected.

He condemned the 1955 Railways Act that gave only the Federal Government the exclusive rights to the building of railways.

While addressing the issue of the South West Security Network codenamed Amotekun, he stated that the governors must be given kudos for implementing the idea while praising them for their determination to see to the success of the project despite the teething problems encountered at the initial stage.

Oyeleye, however, disclosed that the commission is open to receiving support from well-meaning Nigerians and private sectors in terms of technical and financial help while admonishing that the governors should do more to ensure that the commission is well funded.

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A pan-Yoruba group, the Majeobaje Movement, leveled the allegation in a ‘save our souls’ letter to the Chairman of the South-West Governor’s Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, which was copied to the five other governors.

In the letter leaked to the press, the Movement described itself an alliance of professionals, entrepreneurs, policy specialists and academics concerned about and working for improved governance in Nigeria.

The group decried the spate of killings, kidnappings, rape and sundry criminal activities ravaging the region under the governors’ watch, with the attendant loss of lives of many illustrious citizens and the destruction of their livelihoods.

Majeobaje wondered why the much trumpeted South West Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, is yet to be effectively pressed into the service of protecting the lives and property of the citizens of the region, against the high expectations of the citizens.

It highlighted several unresolved security breaches in the region especially in different parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Ogun states, which had caused anguish to many families.

The group said it is worrying that little or nothing had been done by the government of these states to mitigate the sufferings of residents in the hands of violent herdsmen, kidnappers, rapists and armed robbers or to bring the band of criminals to justice.

The group further stated, “Insecurity in the SW has now reached a crisis point, partly because the Federal Government refuses to act decisively, and also because our SW governors are failing to use Amotekun effectively.

“Because banditry has overwhelmed the Northwest, Fulani herdsmen are fleeing desertification, victims of Boko Haram in the Northeast are seeking refuge, and the unemployed from all parts of Nigeria are looking for work, these people are now streaming mostly into our SW states.

“They often do so with a high level of aggression including bearing of AK47 rifles with which our people are being raped and killed with scant regard to the sanctity of life, our culture or the rule of law.”

In a five-point recommendation, Majeobaje wants the governors to act decisively in stamping out criminal activities within the region and ensure that citizens sleep with both eyes closed, especially now that the end-of-the-year festivities have peaked.

The recommendations:
1) That the six governors should urgently allocate more funds to Amotekun so the outfit can be fully equipped and recruit more personnel to improve its operations, especially by the deployment of Surveillance Drones and Forest Rangers. The ongoing assistance to conventional security agencies should be enhanced and sustained.

2) Use new and existing laws to revamp Neighborhood Associations and to strengthen LGA Security Committees to include Traditional Rulers, Amotekun/Police and Vigilantes. These two units will help document residents, deter criminals, and collate data to monitor the activities and welfare of itinerant workers such as Okada riders, farm workers, herders and others.

3) Encourage the setting up of private security companies that will specialize in intelligence gathering services as well as the imperative use of drones for aerial surveillance and the investigation of kidnappings.

4) Set up or reboot a Security Trust Fund in each state in such a way that will encourage and compel the private sector to support with funding and management of these security initiatives.

5) Demonstrate leadership by physically leading the charge to secure your states, by mobilizing resources at the front lines, and by rekindling the hopes of our farmers, their families and other residents to demonstrate that their governors have not abandoned them to the impunities of marauding forces.

The Majeobaje Movement cautioned that ‘before Apocalypse arrives,’ Governor Akeredolu and his brother governors must urgently act so that the long suffering people of the six states are not left with no option than resort to self-help, the consequences of which can only be imagined for both leaders and the led.

The group said, “We, therefore, call on you and your colleagues to rise up today, take leadership and fulfill your primary purpose of protecting and defending the lives and properties of your people!

“If you fail to urgently do the needful by pushing back the marauders, we are concerned that our anxious people may regain their composure and be left with no other option than to defend themselves,” the group stated firmly.

Assuring the governors of their highest regard always, the letter dated 12th December, 2020 was signed on behalf of its general membership by its steering committee members including Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko, Sir Gbenga Adebusuyi, Revd. Muyiwa Bamgbose and Mr Ibukun Fakeye.

Other signatories included Dr Dolapo Sikuade, Mr Deola Kumapayi, Mr Yomi Layinka and Mr Ayo Oyerinde.

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The commendation was contained in a statement by a socio-cultural group, Oyo Progressive Front (OPF) on the heels of the disbursement of N43 billion to Oyo and 23 other states in the country.

According to the state coordinator of OPF, Tunde Oladeji, the disbursement was due to benefits that accrued to Oyo state from the Federal government performance-based grants from the World Bank due to the Ajimobi-led administration’s input in 2018.

“The grant has again confirmed to the people of Oyo state and the country that Senator Ajimobi led a focused and transparent administration during his eight year-tenure in Oyo state. Months after his tenure, the State is still reaping the benefits of his stewardship,’’ Oladeji said.

He explained further that  the Federal government disbursed N43,416,000,000 (USD120.6 million) as performance based grants to 24 States on the basis of results achieved in 2018 under the performance-based grant component of the World Bank-Assisted States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme-for- results.

Apart from Oyo state, other beneficiary states are Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe states.

The programme is wholly financed with a 750 USDmillion loan from the International Development Association (IDA) , a member of the World Bank Group.

Kaduna state achieved the highest number of result and got the highest share of N3.9billion while Katsina and Benue got the lowest amount of N540million each.

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