Tmcnews: August 2022

The Obaleo of Erinmope Ekiti, in Moba Local Government Area of the state, Oba Sunday Aniyi, has advocated a review of chieftaincy law and a declaration to end incessant litigations after the selection and appointment of traditional rulers in the state.

The monarch, who described Ekiti as most rancorous in Obaship selection tussle in the South-West, hence the need for action, also called for urgent reformation of the local government system to enable traditional rulers to play more active roles in the administration of the council areas.

Oba Aniyi, who was pronounced traditional ruler on August 2021, spoke on Saturday during his coronation ceremony which featured the launch of N400 million fund for the establishment of the Amoyinmade Centre for Women and Youth Development and conferment of honourary chieftaincy title of Yeye Oba of Erinmope Ekiti on the state governor’s wife, Bisi Fayemi.

He said, “There is hardly any Oba that doesn’t get challenged in court, no matter how transparent the selection process might be. A law needs to be promulgated in Ekiti State that will put an end to the act of obtaining frivolous restraining injunction meant to stampede the selection process or coronation ceremony.

“Just as nobody can stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from conducting an election or the swearing in of a governor or President, nobody should be able to stop the coronation ceremony of an Oba after being validly appointed by the state government,” he said.

Oba Aniyi also charged the state government to come to his community’s aid through reigniting development programmes like roads, water facilities and schools that would propel business activities as witnessed over two decades ago in the town.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who congratulated the traditional ruler for ascending the throne of his forefathers, urged him to galvanise the support of the people towards the community’s socio-economic development.

Ogunwusi also called on well-meaning citizens to help their communities to drive development and desist from leaving everything to the government, adding, “You must contribute to charity so that the poor people around you can feel your impact.”

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; the state governor-elect, Biodun Oyebanji; and the wife of the Osun State Governor, Kafayat Oyetola.

Monarch seeks chieftaincy law review in Ekiti.

By Journalist Tosin Sunday, August 28, 2022

Sex-for-marks: TASUED suspends lecturer declared wanted by ICPC

The Management of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has suspended a lecturer, Dr. Olaniran Balogun, who was declared wanted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.

The ICPC had, a few days ago, declared Balogun, who was the Head of the Department of Religious Studies at TASUED, wanted for allegedly abusing his office and demanding gratification.

TASUED Management said it had relieved Balogun of his position and had placed him on interdiction until he cleared himself of all allegations of misdemeanors brought against him by the federal anti-graft agency.

The Deputy Registrar, Media and Corporate Relations, Gbenga Omilola, disclosed this on Sunday.

Omilola said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, has approved the appointment of Dr Kayode Olusanya, as the new Head, Department of Religious Studies, to replace Balogun.

The statement read, “Dr Balogun is currently under investigation for the alleged misdemeanor and has since been relieved of his position as the Head of Department, Religious Studies.

“He has also been placed on interdiction until he clears himself of the various allegations levelled against him by the ICPC.

“The university management would continue to do all within its powers to protect the good name and image the university has built for itself over the years.

“The university would therefore not condone any act of indiscipline and corrupt practice by any of its staff member. Dr Balogun is further advised to immediately honour the invitation of the ICPC to clear himself of the allegations against him.

Earlier, the ICPC had issued a warrant of arrest on the wanted lecturer.

According to a statement posted on its portal, the ICPC said Balogun has been declared wanted in connection with a suspected case of demand for gratification and abuse of office.

The statement read partly, “He has refused to honour several invitations extended to him through the authorities of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

“Accordingly, a warrant of arrest has been issued for his immediate arrest. He is advised to report himself to any of the ICPC state offices in either Lagos, Ibadan or the nearest police station.”

Sex-for-marks: TASUED suspends lecturer declared wanted by ICPC

By Journalist Tosin Sunday, August 28, 2022

MAPOLY murdered queen’s corpse found on her birthday – Friend

Adeola Priscilla, 19, was a friend to the former queen of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, Happiness Odeh, who was reportedly kidnapped, raped and killed. Both were National Diploma students of Mass Communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. She speaks with TMC NEWS about her late friend

How did the two of you meet?

We met in school. She was my classmate and we became friends. We had spent our nights together for several months. I live in Oluwo, Kolobo in Abeokuta. She lived with her parents in Sokori. But she had passed her nights with me several times.

Earlier this year, we went to Ayeni Street in Adigbe for our SIWES together. We came back together. We ate together. We washed our clothes together. We played together. We danced together. I discussed things about my family with her. We came together and prayed. We prayed together as sisters in faith.

What was your experience with Happiness Odeh before her death?

Happiness was a good friend of mine. I found a sister in her and her death is a painful loss to me because I have not been able to get myself together ever since she died. She called me Layo.

How old are you and your friend?

I am 19 years old. She was to be 22 on August 11. That was when her body was found.

When did you last see her?

The last day I saw her was on Monday-a day before she left. She told me she was going to Saapade in Iperu Remo. I chatted with her before she left Abeokuta on that fateful day.

We chatted around 7pm that Tuesday. I thought she had got to the destination. She said she had yet to go. When I asked her when she would be going, she said she was on her way. I expressed fear and told her that it was already late. I advised her to halt the trip and go the next day.

Did she agree with you?

She said that since God was involved, nothing bad was going to happen to her. Then, I wished her a safe journey and told her that whenever she got there, she should call me or text me. Then I slept.

The following morning, I woke up and I was expecting her message or her call, but I didn’t get any. I tried calling her, but her phone was off.

She was a caterer. She told me that she only needed some amount of money to get established. She is a woman of great dreams, and I love her for that. I love her personality.

I just saw it (the competition) on somebody’s status that there will be slots for Miss MAPOLY. Then, she told me that she was part of the competition. I could not discourage her since she has passed several stages. It was just the grand finale, so I could not discourage her.

I was very happy when she won the Miss MAPOLY contest. I was happy because some organisations were involved, and I knew she would sign a contract with them and probably get some amount of money. I was happy she would be able to establish herself. It would be the door to her dreams. But as it is, we will just accept our fate.

I was at her mother’s place when I heard about her death. At first, when they told me she was dead, I never believed it. People were asking me if it was true or not. I was telling them that my friend was not dead, she was only missing. She was missing and we would see her very soon. That was what I thought. People were saying she was dead, and they posted it in our school loop. They kept asking me, and I told them I was not sure that she was only missing, we would see her soon. I went to her mother’s place. Her aunt said that she had heard that Happiness was dead, but she didn’t believe it either. I had returned home when I called her brother, and he confirmed that she was dead. Her brother tried to give me some pieces of advice. He told me that I shouldn’t cry, that I should put myself together.

When her dad went to confirm the death, he found that it was Happiness’s body. I just had to accept fate. I was sitting on the verandah crying and my landlady was there. She was the one consoling me over my friend’s death. She advised me and prayed for me.

According to what I heard from the people in her house, they said her boyfriend was the one that ought to take her there, but, since it was late on Tuesday, he could not take her there because he was considering the time he would get back to Abeokuta. He told her he would take her by himself the following day.

I don’t know why she chose to go despite the time. She was still in Abeokuta at 7pm and was going to Saapade in Iperu-Remo. She left around 7pm and I told her it was very late to leave, but she said since God was involved, nothing would happen to her.

It was very painful. At first, it was all a dream. I could not believe it because I had already taken her as my own sister. Sometimes, after I receive the news, when I close my eyes, I will feel like I am seeing her. It is very painful. I don’t even know what to say or what to do. Even when people give me advice, I just look at them like a dummy. Since the thing happened, I have not been myself many times. People only see my physical structure, but the real me has travelled. I always get lost in thought while thinking about her.

With the help of my aunt and the students around me, I’ve been doing well. Although I had a sleepless night, I couldn’t eat. They helped me and gave me advice too.

I have some of her pictures on my phone. She was a good friend. I will remember her for her company, her advice, and the fact that we prayed together as one.

We had plans. We are in our final year as ND holders and our exam is just a few weeks away. We had planned on how we were going to do our sign out, our valedictory party, the kind of clothing we were going to wear, and many other things. We planned on getting the same outfit. She promised she was going to celebrate her victory in the beauty pageant for me after our sign out. I saw her on Monday, August 8, and that was the last time I saw her.

When I heard that she was raped before she was killed, I was shocked. I was shocked because I thought she was abducted and then killed. When I learnt she was abducted, raped and killed, I started crying again. I couldn’t imagine it. People started consoling me and telling me to put myself together; that I should accept my fate.

She’s just about to start her acting career. This was actually her first time participating in a movie shoot.

She had not planned on where to have her internship. She had not discussed it with me.

Her decision to study mass communication is not because of circumstance. She loved the course. She was my confidant.

MAPOLY murdered queen’s corpse found on her birthday – Friend

By Journalist Tosin Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Three persons have died and 13 others injured on Sunday evening when a Mazda conveying them careened to a side of the road after it somersaulted following a burst tyre while on motion.

The bus marked APP 297 YC was conveying participants at the just-concluded 70th convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) when the accident occurred at Day Waterman College stretch of Abeokuta – Kobape – Siun road.

The spokesperson of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Endorsement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the crasb, said it occurred around 5:22pm.

Akinbiyi said the remains of the dead were evacuated to the morgue of State Hospital Ijaiye, Abeokuta while the injured were taken to the same hospital for treatment.

He said: “A survivor said the driver of the bus was on high speed and was cautioned by some of the passengers before one of the rear tyres burst and the bus somersaulted, falling on its side.

“Investigation confirmed that the bus was coming from Redeemed Camp and passengers were among the congregants who partook of the just concluded 70th Convention tagged Perfect Jubilee.

“Three (3) passengers, made up of two males and a female died in the unfortunate crash while 13 others made up of five male adults and 10 female adults were injured including the driver.”

He commiserated with the families of the deceased and admonished drivers to eschew speeding, used tyres and ensure their vehicles were properly maintained before embarking on any journey.