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Chieftaincy: Osun govt to set up tripartite committee to review State Chiefs Law

..We’re resolute to strengthen our traditional institution — Gov Oyetola
The Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Sunday expressed his Administration’s readiness to set up a tripartite Committee that would review the existing Chiefs Law of the State.
The Committee, according to the Governor, would involve a representative each from the members of the State Executive Council, Legislature and Traditional Council, with a mandate to painstakingly review, analyse critically and meticulously, the palpable grey areas in the said Law.
This is even as the Governor reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to further strengthening the traditional institution to enhance its capacity for effective and efficient service delivery to the people of the State.
Receiving the proposed letter written by members of the State Traditional Council of Obas, aimed at effecting the review of the State Chiefs Law, at Government House, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola expressed delight at the move made by the monarchs to review the Chiefs Law, saying the initiative would go a long way to permanently find a possible and lasting solution to some of the challenges attributed to kingship and chieftaincy in the State.
Governor Oyetola, who described the gesture as a welcome development, assured that the tripartite Committee would be constituted in the next few days to swing into action.
He said the Committee when constituted would come up with suggestions and proffer workable solutions to some of the identified challenges in the existing Law, thus helping to ensure possible amendments that would suit the collective interest of the people of the State.
“I commend our traditional rulers on this visit. I thank you for your unflinching support, most importantly your continued show of love before, during and after the last primary election of our party. Your prayers when we visited you at your various palaces before the primary can never be forgotten as this manifested in the success we recorded at the party’s primary election.
“As to the Chiefs Law of our dear State, we will be very happy if that is reviewed. I am very happy that you are looking into it already. This is a welcome development.
“We know most of these laws are obsolete and we welcome the idea of the tripartite Committee that you have come up with. It is our hope that this would further strengthen the traditional institution which has been our vision as a government.
“There is no doubt in the fact that the existing Law has its own challenges and this has been causing a lot of crisis as to enthronement of monarchs among other chieftaincy-related matters.
“So, to further demonstrate our commitment to ensuring a vibrant and viable traditional institution, we will set up the committee to look into it. I commend you for your efforts at keeping your domains safe.
“We understand the little crisis in some towns, but we hope with this move and with the support from Federal Government, it will be a thing of the past. We appreciate your continued support to ensure security and adequate protection of lives and property of your subjects in your respective domains”, Oyetola added.
Presesenting the letter on behalf of the Chairman of Osun Council of Obas, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, said the call to review the State Chiefs Law was arrived at having painstakingly assessed and evaluated the grey areas of the existing Law.
Oba Olabomi who is the leader of the Committee on State Chiefs Law set up by the members of the Traditional Council of Obas, said the review of the Law would help to innovatively reposition the traditional institution in the State.
The Aragbiji of Iragbiji said the Chairman of the Council and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was pleased with the decision of the Committee to get the Law reviewed.
He commended the Governor for according due respect to traditional rulers in the State, noting that his good gesture and kind-heartedness had endeared him more to the people of the State in general and traditional rulers in particular.
“Sequel to the decision reached at the State Council of Obas meeting that the Chiefs Law of the State should be reviewed and necessary amendments made, the Committee set up by the Council recommended as follows:
“That the review of the Law cannot be done in isolation; that the Council would need the collaboiration of both the Executive and Legislative arms of Government.
“Consequently, the Council decided to seek Your Excellency’s approval for the setting up of a Tripartite Committee that would comprise the following representatives: Executive arm of Government; State House of Assembly and Council of Obas’ Committee on the Review of the Chiefs Law.
“It is pertinent to commend and appreciate Your Excellency for the respect and honour with which Your Excellency has been handling the Traditional Institution in the State. God Almighty shall continue to guide you right in all your endeavors.
“It is the belief of the Council members that Your Excellency would also see reason for the review of the Chiefs Law which is to make the institution more dignifying”, the letter reads in parts.
Some of the traditional rulers in attendance are Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Oba Hakeem Ogungbangbe; Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarinwa; Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi; Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Kehinde Oladepo; and Olusongbe of Songbe, Oba Kamil Ajadi.
Others in attendance are the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi; the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode; Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Rasak Adeosun; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matter, Mrs. Abiodun Ige.
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Bauchi Blasphemy: We ‘ll not accept this brutal way of murder – CAN

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) in Kaduna State, Rev.Joseph John Hayab has raised concern over the allegation of blasphemy in Bauchi, saying the challenge now is for Government authorities and security agencies to act fast to address abuse of the constitution before it leads to a more serious conflict that can not be handled.
He said in a statement on Saturday, that allegations of blasphemy have now become the new excuse by fundamentalists in Northern Nigeria to kill the remnant that bandits and terrorists have not yet killed.
“How can you justify the period of what happened in Sokoto, the allegation in Borno, the fake allegation on Babachir Lawal by one northern actor who we have on record how he made blasphemous remarks about
Jesus Christ but quickly went and brought it down on the internet to cover himself before coming out to falsely accused Babachir Lawal the former SGF and today we are seeing another carnage in Bauchi under the excuse of blasphemy, “He said.
“We know and have evidence of how some of these allegations of blasphemy are false and just for blackmail or settling scores with perceived enemies or well-mannered young girls who have refused sexual advances by the opposite sex from another religion.”
“We are also aware of how fanatics have in the past raised lies in the name of blasphemy.”
“CAN wonder if the recent sermons we are getting from some Islamic clerics on what the Holy Quran says about what should be done if anyone is accused of blasphemy is unpopular amongst followers?”
“The challenge now is for Government authorities and security agencies to act fast to address this abuse of our constitution before it leads to a more serious conflict that can not be handled.”
“Nigeria Christians most especially those of Northern extraction have for ages exhibited tolerance despite many provocations and lack of reciprocation of our love and friendship but these new tactics for killing our people from any and every accusation of blasphemy are unacceptable to CAN and all Christian faithful.
We will not accept this brutal way of murder and inhuman treatment of our followers to continue.”
“Government and security agencies should come out to enforce the law on every murderer hiding under religion.
We will also wish to appeal to Christian leaders and parents to guide their children to resist any ungodly provocation that will make them says things that blood-thisty fundamentalist can easily use to kill them.”
“CAN is appealing to religious leaders from both religious divides to intensify teachings about the evil of taking the laws into one hand and killing another person for whatever reason.
Allege offenders should be reported to security agencies or taken to any competent court of law for judiciary pronouncement.
Nigeria is not a banana republic but a nation we believe should be governed by the rule of law,” he said.
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Oyetola bags Vanguard 2021 ‘Governor of The Year Award’ for Good Governance
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LAGOS EXPLAINS OKADA CLAMPDOWN

Lagos State Government has described the ongoing enforcement of restrictions on the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly called okada, in certain parts of the State as a necessary step to curb their indiscipline, save lives and improve security.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, spoke on Channels TV Sunrise Daily about the new enforcement order given by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the backlash recorded in a part of the State.
According to Omotoso, the resurgence of Okada operations and acts of indiscipline being exhibited by riders have become a serious source of concern as many people have lost their limbs and lives through Okada accidents.
His words: “Our doctors are complaining that more and more people are coming with Okada-related emergency. About 1,712 accidents have been recorded in Lagos in the first quarter of this year. Out of this figure, about 45 percent; to be precise, 767 of the accidents were caused by Okada. And it is shocking to know that about 54 percent of the victims are between the ages of 30 and 39. These are our able-bodied young people who are getting cut down like that all because they mounted okada.”
Attributing the high fatality rate of riders and passengers to plying about 500 highways, major roads and bridges, which the Road Traffic Law prohibited, Omotoso affirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s order was to reinforce the law and give the riders an opportunity to move out and find some other things to do.
He said: “There is a Law that lists all the routes commercial motorcycles are restricted from plying. The Law is still there; it has not been repealed. So, the enforcement is not new and it is going to continue as the June 1st deadline stands.”
Describing as unfortunate the insecurity in some parts of the country that has forced many people to migrate to Lagos to make ends meet by riding Okada, the Commissioner explained that the development led to complaints from residents who have expressed their rejection of okada.
“Lagosians are worried about the mystery of Okada; they don’t know where they come from; the riders are unknown; they don’t even have number plates. They don’t come for LASRRA registration, so we can’t account for them,” he said.
Speaking further, the Commissioner described the approach to the renewed enforcement as well planned and strategic because the State expected the kind of backlash the exercise has generated, but assured all that it was an experience the law enforcement agents were used to.
On possible increase in crime rate, following the enforcement, Omotoso said “everything the law enforcement agencies need in terms of equipment, welfare and encouragement would be provided for them to step up enforcement and security of lives and property.”
The Commissioner expressed the determination of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure full enforcement and allayed fears that the government would want to go back because of politics.
He said: “Mr. Governor is a man of integrity; he is a man of his words. He is going to ensure that whatever it takes to enforce the law will be done. We have been encouraged by Lagosians who have seen the danger and who feel that moving with Okada from one place to another because it is very fast cannot be compared to the security threat they pose. The goal is to have a Lagos without motorcycles because there is no megacity in the world that you go to and find this kind of mode of transportation.
“It is also preposterous for anybody to say for our votes come and mess up Lagos. No, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor, is not going to do that. This is the last time we are going to have this as the bikes are being crushed to show people that we are very serious, and communicate to those bringing them in, that enough is enough.”
Omotoso advised okada riders to look for something else to do as there are so many opportunities in Lagos for anyone who wants to stay in Lagos and wants to be law-abiding.
“You should go and collect your LASRRA card and be an official resident of Lagos and find something to do. Artisans who left their jobs to ride Okada should find a reason now to go back to their jobs,” he said.