A top Nollywood star and former Special Assistant to the immediate past Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture and Tourism, Femi Adebayo, has disclosed the rationale behind him shunning legal practice.
Popularly called ‘Jelili Oniso’, the Ilorin-born actor who spoke in Ilorin noted that he decided to opt out of legal practice after two years on the bar because of the fear of God in him.
According to him, “There are certain things in the law profession that I can’t do because of the fear of God in me. I only practiced Law for two years. Because I can’t lie.
“At the moment, I’m undergoing my PhD in Law and despite that, I can’t go back to practice the profession. He came found comfort and joy in my chosen career.”
ROYAL NEWS reports that when asked whether Lawyers tell lies, ” Femi Adebayo responded that ” No Lawyers don’t tell lies, they only say things the ways they see them.”
He however confirmed that politics is not a profession, rather, it should be call to service which must be on part time basis.”
The Kwara State Muslim Stakeholders’ Forum, on Wednesday appealed to the the state government to enforce religious freedom of all students in all schools in the state, irrespective of original ownership of the schools.
Chairman of the group, Mallam Is-haq Abdulkarim, appealed to peace loving Christians in the state to advise their brethren to allow peace to reign, not only in schools, but throughout the state.
At a press conference held in Ilorin, the group spoke on the background of a recent judgement of a court of appeal won by the state government against some owners of faith based schools in the state, ROYAL NEWS reports.
According to him, “You will recall that recently, there was about to be a religious crisis in the Ilorin metropolis as a result of actions pointing to a claim that being proprietors of faith based schools already taken over by government they still have full ownership.
“This made them (Christian Association of Nigeria CAN) to take state government to court; from high court to appeal court from where they lost.
“With this judgement of the court of appeal which affirmed the earlier one delivered in 2016 by the Ilorin High court, we hereby call on the Kwara state government through the ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to enforce the religious freedom of all students in all schools in the state, irrespective of the so-called original proprietors.
“We seize this opportunity to appeal to peace loving Christians in the state to advise their brethren to allow peace to reign not only in our schools but throughout the state.
“We are concerned by this matter because our children in some Christian secondary schools originally owned by the Christian missions have been facing intimidation, harassment and denial on the basis of their faith- Islam. This is worrisome in a state with over 80 per cent Muslim population of which 14 out of its 16 local governments have overwhelming Muslim majority”, he said.
Mallam Abdulkarim also said that the judgement of Appeal Court on the matter implied that management and control of all grant-aided schools belonged to the Kwara state government and under the control of the state governor.
He also said that wearconstitution. in all schools in Kwara state “is the fundamental right of all female Muslim students which cannot be restricted by any regulation or law whatsoever; that right having been donated by the constitution.
“All government policies like changing of class rooms to mosque, building of mosque in schools and all enhancement towards propagation of Islam to students in schools are allowed and must not be stopped.
“To insist that Muslims in all grant-aided schools must dress, pray and sing in Christian ways amount to discrimination of their rights and such must not be allowed”.
Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Kwara, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, has reacted to the fraud uncovered in the agency’s cooperative society.
It would recalled that ROYAL NEWS in a publication uncovered multimillion naira embezzlement uncovered in the Kwara INEC Cooperative Society, a report which indicted the immediate past Executive council members .
A statement issued on Thursday by the Spokesperson of Kwara INEC, Barrister Jacob Ayanda, noted that Attahiru Madami never compromised on the issue of fraud.
According to him, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Kwara State has been drawn to a one sided story from Royal Times on a purported looming EFCC investigation in INEC cooperative society.
Facts are sacrosanct any day.
“Upon assumption of duties of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mal. Garuba Attahiru-Madami, a man of honour, integrity and openness,
he decided to examine the records of the cooperative society by setting up a committee headed by an experienced cooperative official.
“The committee did uncover a lot of fraud and he immediately dissolved the society’s executives,” Ayanda added.
He added that the REC put in place a caretaker committee and then directed the invitation of the state Ministry of Cooperatives’ officials to do a thorough investigation along with the new caretaker committee.
“The two committees’ work took quite a while because of the period the investigation covered.
“Eventually, amount embezzled by individual members of the executive were ascertained and given a time frame of ending of January 2019 to
pay up by the Management before other steps would be taken,” he said.
According to Ayanda, “administrative and disciplinary steps were laid down in the Commission’s Staff Condition of Service that covered such issue, adding that those involved started paying back immediately they
were told.
“By May 2019, the extent of refunds was looked at by the Management and another deadline of September 2019 ending was given after which
further necessary action will be taken.
“For avoidance of doubt, Mal. Garba who hated indiscipline to a fault couldn’t have covered the fraud he detected by the machinery he put in
place as claimed by the publication, but taking his time to ensure justice for all,” Ayanda added.
Ayanda however said that Royal Times reporter did not contact either the REC or himself to get the side of the Commission before publishing
their story.
“Before making spurious allegation and going to press, the said Royal Times who published the news should have gone through established
communication channels to ensure balance news.
“Neither the Commissioner nor the HOD in charge of publicity was contacted before publishing,” Ayanda added.
The Kwara state goverment on Thursday described the news circulating on social media indicating its readiness to implement the new minimum wage in October as falsehood, ROYAL NEWS reports
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s Spokesman, Abdulrafiu Ajakaye, in a statement said: “The attention of the Office of the Chief Press Secretary has been drawn to a fake news circulating on the social media to the effect that the Kwara State Government will begin the implementation of the new Minimum Wage in October.
“The entire story is fake and should be disregarded. Our previous statements have made clear the position of the government on the minimum wage.”
Ajakaye further stressed that, “Those behind the latest statement, which they signed with the name of the CPS, are dangerous purveyors of fake news who would be dealt with once identified.
“This development, the second in about three weeks, is the height of recklessness and we are again calling on the security agencies to get to the roots of this evil of fake news.”
A veteran journalist and one time Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Muhammed Shaaba Lafiagi, Chief Kola Olota, is dead.
He was also a one time General Manager of The Herald Newspapers.
The late prolific writer, broadcaster and community leader died at the age of 72.
ROYAL NEWS reports that late Olota had earlier worked with Radio Nigeria, Kaduna before he moved to Radio Kwara.
A graduate of University of Ghana, Legon, the late journalist proved himself to be a versatile journalist. He was one sought after by many media houses.
At Radio Kwara, he rose to the rank of Deputy General manager. At that level he was still active in the studio casting news. He later served as the General Manager of Herald newspapers. Apart from these late Chief Olota served as the press secretary to the former governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Shaba Lafiaagi.
He was also the Press secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi. As a grassroots man, late Chief Olota served his community meritoriosly.
He later joined the Africa Independent Television (AIT) News department. He was the Public Relations Officer of Oro Community for several years Kakaki Gomina as was fondly called is survived by brothers, sister, children and grandchildren.
Investigations have emerged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) may soon extend its operation to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in Kwara State over alleged financial misappropriation and embezzlement to the tune of over N 60 million.
Findings by ROYAL NEWS revealed that the INEC KWARA Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society under the leadership of Mr. Gambo Suleiman Abubakar, was caught in a massive financial discrepancies, fraud and misuse of members fund unduly.
Other members of the immediate past executive council of the union are; Mr. Umar Sufian (Secretary) and Issa Dauda (Treasurer) among others.
According to sources, “As the signatory to the society’s account, the three officers sideline other members of the executive and committees by investing society’s money in business without due process, purchase of highly overpriced property at Malete without due process and direct transfer of society’s money to their personal accounts.
“As at the time of their suspension, about 10 months ago, Mr. Sufian has moved over N35m to his account, about N 10 million passed through Issa Dauda’s account. This really making life miserable and difficult for members who have the life-savings with the union while others are looking up to the money to cater for life after service (retirement period).
The source further said that, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC KWARA, Malam Garba Attahiru Madami, actually set up two committees late last year, first committee is to probe and uncover the affairs of the past executive and the second committee is to stabilize the society.
“The REC promised to address the cooperators and assured them that he would assist them recover their money from the management team. But it’s almost a year now and nothing tangible is going on. READ ALSO:SAD…. Another traditional ruler killed by gunmen
“Some staff are of the opinion that the REC and the management staff of INEC KWARA are compromised already.”
All efforts made to get the reaction of the former President of the Union, Mr. Gambo as at the time of filing this report proved abortive as several calls put across to his telephone number 08036093130 did not go through.
Our attention has been drawn to the alleged distribution of some instructional materials to public schools in Kwara State from the Mandate Office of former Senate President Bukola Saraki. These instructional materials have his pictures or some sort of personal identities emblazoned on them and were sent straight to the schools across the state.
Information on social media said those materials were rejected at the schools and there have been calls on the government to speak on the development. We therefore wish to state the following:
• The State Government wasn’t aware of the distribution of these instructional materials in the first instance.
• The appropriate thing to do is to send those materials to the Ministry of Education which has a statutory duty of vetting learning materials for quality control and then approve such for distribution. Not doing so was a violation of a basic rule which is key to strengthening our institutions and keeping standards.
• Besides, it is wrong for anyone to emblazon their images or personal logos on instructional materials made with public resources for distribution in public schools. The said materials were some sort of Constituency Projects which have been approved and funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
• It is instructive to note that the Kwara State Ministry of Education recently approached Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to mass-produce instructional materials with his picture emblazoned on them ahead of school resumption and the Governor rejected the proposal on the ground that there should be no personalisation of projects executed with public funds.
• Flowing from the above, the authorities at the schools were right to have rejected those materials because the Ministry of Education was not aware of such and also because there should be no politicisation of education, whether directly or indirectly, especially at the basic level where the children are very impressionable.
• Since the materials had been produced with government funds, we urge the Mandate Office of Senator Bukola Saraki to return them to the Ministry of Education after having replaced the covers emblazoned with personal photographs or political identities.
Signed:
Yakub K. Aliagan
Press Secretary,
Kwara Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.
Ohan bridge linking Ilorin and Mandalla village a suburb of Ilorin metropolis needs urgent attention, ROYAL NEWS has gathered.
The bridge also serve as the major route linking the Kwara state capital with some other local governments such as Baruten and Kaiama as well as some parts of Oyo state.
As at the time of filing this report on Monday, the situation on the colonial bridge is so worrisome.
There was pandemonium at the early hours of Tuesday when residence and motorists driving along Umaru Audi road (Tanke Junction area), GRA Ilorin were threw into confusion over alleged robbery of a commercial bank (name withheld) in the area.
As rumour get thickened, there was diversion of route by motorcyclists, motorists and well as passersby while many shop owners hurriedly locked up in order to avoid being attacked.
However, the Kwara State Police Command in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Dsp Okasanmi Ajayi, noted that, “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of the unfounded news going round that armed robbers invaded a bank in Tanke area of Ilorin this morning, this has brought about some level of panic and agitation in the people.
According tom him, “The Command wishes to state that, what actually transpired was that, a man strayed into the said Bank, and started packing monies on the bank Counter which eventually led to commotion in the banking hall. Police men came in and arrested the suspect who was promptly taken away, preliminary investigation however revealed that the suspect is of unsound mind.
“Meanwhile peace has been restored and aggressive patrols of Ilorin has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Ag. Cp Kayode Egbetokun, to further instill confidence on members of the public and especially Banks in the State. Finally, members of the public are advised to be conscious of happening around them and report any suspicions movement to the Police.”
The Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Kwara state, Hon. Bashiru Bolarinwa , has been advised to resign his appointment with immediate effect over alleged abuse of office and arrogance.
This followed a ‘Vote of No Confidence’ passed on him by the leadership of Orisun Igbomina, a Social Political group promoting the unity and progress of Igbomina people of the state shortly after an emergency meeting held at the weekend.
The President-General of the group, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, inna statement made available to journalists disclosed that, “In the interest of equity, fairness and progress of, Hon. Bashiru Bolarinwa should immediately resign from office.”
He noted that, “This becomes pertinent because he was never elected in line with constitution of the party which has further strengthened him to be running the party like a personal business empire. In addition, the party chairman is arrogant and lack the capacity to run the parry democratically.
“Build up to the last general elections, Hon. Bolarinwa directed all his executives members to boycott the governorship campaign and refused to move along with the gubernatorial candidate as the case was then. His non-challant attitude and arrogance would have earned the party failure during the 2019 polls.”
Chief Awoyale added that, “We condemn in strong terms, the unruly outburst of the Chairman at a meeting between the party’s executives and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq last week Monday. Similarly, at a reception held in honour of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was recently reappointed as the minister of Information and Culture, the Chairman deliberately failed to recognize the Governor who was also seated at the event.
“To worsen the matter, Hon. Borinwa, during his remarks referred to the minister as the leader of the party in the state, being the height of insubordination which is highly condemnable and unwarranted. The outbursts and antagonistic disposition of the Chairman arose from the refusal of the Governor to grant his N10 million request for a one day event in Abuja.
“This display of arrogance was largely due to the fact that he was not elected but was rather imposed. Since there is democratically elected administration in place and the Deputy Governor comes from the same local government with the Chairman it is politically expedient for the party chairmanship position to shift to another local government in Kwara South.”
Stressing further, Chief Awoyale declared total support and loyalty of the Orisun Igbomina Organisation to the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and commended him for taking bold steps towards delivering the state from wilderness of poverty, ill-infrastructural development, corruption and joblessness among others as orchestrated by the last Administration.
He added that the governor has demonstrated high leadership qualities and high sense of commitment to the growth, development and prosperity to the State of Harmony within the shortest time.
Awoyale however praised him for his maturity and patience over the display of arrogance by the APC chairman in the state, who is not known in Kwara but Lagos and playing the scripts of some Abuja-based politicians with no impact at home.
The Orisun Igbomina boss therefore advised the Governor not to be distracted by those who are not happy with his achievements even as he appealed to him Governor to extend his road rehabilitation projects to Oro-Esie-Arandun communities and other bad roads in Kwara South, stressing that past administrations have failed to redeem their campaign promises on the dilapidated road networks.
