Human rights activist, Comdare Amitolu Shitu marks birthday with beggars

A renowned human right activist, Comdare Amitolu Shitu dazzled the beggars in Osogbo, capital of Osun State when he invited them to his house to celebrate his 52^nd birthday with him on Wednesday.

Comdare Amitolu Shitu with the beggars

Friends and associates as well as relatives of the celebrant who had expected a flamboyant birthday party were surprised to meet the beggars who are northerners at the Asubiaro residence of the activist. 

The male and female beggars numbering about 250 sat patiently and offered special prayers for the activist and they also commended him for rescuing them when they were chased away from the popular Ayetoro junction where they converge daily to seek alms. 

Aregbesola pardons 4 prisoners on death row to mark New Year

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has granted state pardon to 4 inmates of federal prisons in Ilesha, Osun State, Ibara in Abeokuta, Ogun State and the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos who were sentenced to death by court.   

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions in Osun who is also the Secretary to the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Mr Adedapo Adeniji and made available to journalists by the Information officer in the Osun State Ministry of Justice, Mr Opeyemi Bello.

35-year-old barber commits suicide in Osun

There was confusion at Oke-itase Area in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Tuesday as lifeless body of a 35-year-old man, Sunday Onifade who resided in the area was found hanging and dandling on the iron rod of the ceiling fan in his living room.

Osun CP, Adeoye

 The deceased who was a barber was believed to have committed suicide by hanging himself but the reason for his decision could not be ascertained at the time of filing these reports as relatives refused to speak on the incident.

The younger brother of the deceased, Omotayo Onifade proceeded to the ‘A’ Division Police Headquarters in Ife to report the death of his elder brother. He explained that family members were shocked when they saw Sunday where he hung himself.    

Another UniOsun missing student found dead

A 400 Level student of Osun State University, (UNIOSUN) Osogbo, Adebisi Rofiat Damilola who has been missing in the last couple of days has been found dead and police detectives are making frantic efforts to unravel circumstances surrounding her death.

late Rofiat 

It was learnt that Rofiat who was studying Science Education at the Ipetu-Ijesa campus of UNIOSUN left Ipetu on Thursday to attend a programme of NASFAT society at Ikoyi near Ikire and that her whereabouts was unknown since then.  

A source who spoke with our correspondent on a condition of anonymity said “Rofiat left Ipetu-Ijesha on Thursday. She was supposed to be in a NASFAT programme at Ikoyi, not far from Ikire. We have been looking for her since Thursday. We just received a phone call that Rofiat’s body was found somewhere around Iragbiji”.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fimihan Adeoye confirmed the incident and assured that the perpetrators would be apprehended and brought to book. He said the remains of the deceased student have been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy and that her family has been notified. 

Osogbo residents panic over notification letter by armed robbers

There was palpable fear at Kelebe Community in Osogbo, capital of Osun State over a letter that was circulated in the area, by unknown people, notifying the residents of the community about a proposed visit by the armed robbers.

 The letter which was written in Yoruba language has circulated widely in the community and some of the residents were apprehensive about the scheduled armed robbery attack.

Daily Trust correspondent got a copy of the letter from one of the landlords in the community. A landlord hinted that some people have started relocating from the community because of the impending robbery attack.   

The spokesperson of Kelebe Landlords Association, Mr Hakeem Bolarinwa told journalists that the warning was real and called on police and other security agencies in the state to be proactive by setting up necessary security measures that would ensure the safety of residents of the area.    

 Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Fimihan Adeoye assured that policemen would be deployed to the area. He advised the residents of Kelebe and the entire people of Osun State not to panic over the purported letter.

The CP who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Folasade Odoro said police detective would investigate the supposedly armed robbers’ notification letter. 

UNIOSUN new VC okays sack of randy lecturer, Ojoniyi over illicit sex with student

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, Professor Labode Popoola has okayed the dismissal of a lecturer at the Department of Languages and Linguistics, Dr. Olabode Wale Ojoniyi for engaging in illicit sex with a student of the institution, Miss Mercy Ikwue.

Ojoniyi

It was learnt that the embattled lecturer has written a letter to the management of the university to protest his dismissal and demanded that he must be reinstated. 

In his letter of appeal, according to a source, Ojoniyi claimed that he was set up and that he was not ready to leave the university.

But, in his maiden press briefing at the main campus of the university in Osogbo, on Tuesday, the new VC who assumed duty this week said the dismissal of Ojoniyi followed due process and that the decision to disengage him was in order.

Professor Popoola expressed disappointment that a lecturer who was supposed to be a father and mentor to his students could engage in such 'immoral' act that brought his name to disrepute. 

Famous writers compete for ‘tiny story’ on injustice against poor children

No fewer than 200 prominent world writers including novelists, playwrights and poet have joined a competition to craft ‘tiny stories’ of 7 lines to depict the injustice that most disadvantaged children face.

 The Communication Officer for the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) Blessing Ejiofor in a press statement said the short story was a global literary campaign designed to mark Universal Children’s Day.

According to the statement, the short story series kicks off UNICEF’s commemoration of its 70th year work to bring help and hope to every child. The writer would share the short stories with their readers.

Ejiofor said the First Lady of Finland, Jenni Haukio introduced the concept which gained global momentum with writers joining from Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

UNIOSUN: Why we sack lecturer caught in sexual affair with student

The management of Osun State University, Osogbo has said that a lecturer at the Department of Languages and Linguistics, Dr. Olabode Wale Ojoniyi who engaged in illicit sex with a female student, Miss Mercy Ikwue has been sacked because of his immoral act that embarrassed the university.  

OJONIYI

A member of the Governing Council of the university who preferred anonymity said the appointment of Ojoniyi with UNIOSUN was terminated after the conclusion of the investigation on the sex tape that captured the lecturer’s illicit sexual affair with Mercy. The randy lecturer appeared nude in the video, caressing the student. 

According to the video, Ojoniyi was seen struggling to have sex with Mercy unknowing to him that the student was recording his actions. Students of UNIOSUN who spoke with our correspondent said Ojoniyi was a dubious lecturer and they celebrated his dismissal.

Exploring the AENON Suites, Osogbo

Osogbo “Oroki-Asala”, the capital of Osun State remains a safe haven where you can enjoy the good side of life without tension. One beautiful place of interest in Osogbo to relish is AENON Suites located at Femi Adefila Crescent in the GRA. 

AENON Suites, Osogbo

The hotel which is rated as the best in town at the moment is known for its unique and beautiful environment. It has over 40 rooms and a delightful restaurant serving African and continental dishes. The ambience of the hotel is breath-taking with facilities such as swimming pool, sauna, tennis courts, children’s playing ground, bar, gym, events and business centres as well free internet facility. 

AENON Suites stands out at the GRA with its lovely and admirable landscape. I spent only one night at AENON Suit Osogbo and i feel like going there again to spend at least one more night.

Video of flooded Osogbo community recently

Video of flooded Osogbo community recently. by Hameed Oyegbade

FG to raise level of private sector investment to combat recession

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the current recession requires “out-of-the-box” thinking to deploy strategies that involve engaging meaningfully with the private sector to raise the level of private sector investment in the economy.

President Buhari

The president spoke at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday at the ministerial retreat on the economy and the budget with the theme; “Building Inter-ministerial Synergy for Effective Planning and Budgeting in Nigeria”.

He expressed confidence that the level of private investment would increase as his administration was determined to make it easier to do business in Nigeria by the reforms being introduced under the auspices of the Presidential Committee on Ease of Doing Business.

Flood: Aregbesola warns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

*Blame Aregbesola for the flood- PDP

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has described the flood that wreaked havoc in Osogbo, the state capital after the Eid-El-Kabir Sallah as devastating and advised people of the state to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the water ways.   

Gov Aregbesola at Rasco area during the tour of flooded areas   

Speaking during his visit to affected areas including Oke-Onitea, Rasco, Fiwasaye and Gbomi, the governor commiserated with the relatives of the person who loss his life in the flood and also sympathised with those who lost properties.

The Governor said the flood occurrence took the state by surprise given the heavy investments of his administration on flood prevention since 2011.

Aregbesola sympathises with victims of flood

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has sympathized with residents of Osogbo, capital of Osun State over the flood disaster that wreaked havoc in the ancient city after the Eid-Kabir Sallah.

Gov Aregbesola inspecting the flooded areas in Osogbo

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, after the tour of the affected areas including Okeonitea, Rasco, Fiwasaye and Gbomi, the Governor said the flood occurrence took the state by surprise judging by the heavy investments of Aregbesola’s administration on flood prevention since 2011.

According to him, "considering our efforts in the past at ensuring cleared waterways, we never expected this; our government deeply regret the flooding that has affected our people". 

Sallah: Buhari restates vow to revive economy

The need for patience and hope in face of the current economic hardship was the dominant theme in the goodwill messages sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians as Muslims mark the Eid el- Kabir celebration.

PMB

He called on Muslims to demonstrate the spirit of peace, tolerance, unity and forgiveness in their day to day activities and extend the virtues to the larger society for the betterment of the country. He also urged them to eschew bitterness and hate on the basis of faith. 

Buhari celebrates Eid-el-Kabir in Daura

President Buhari with Emir of Daura Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar and Magajin Gari of Daura Alhaji Musa Umar during Eid Kabir Prayer in in his hometown of Daura in Katsina state

Eid-El-Kabir Photos: Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful in Osogbo

Photos: Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Osogbo Central prayer ground, Oke-Baale, Osogbo for Eid-El-Kabir prayers today, 12-09-2016.

Photos by Sikiru Adeoye

PHOTOS: Ooni of Ife observes Eid-el-Kabir prayers

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi today observed the two Rakat Eid-el-Kabir prayers along with Muslim faithful at the Ilode prayer ground in Ile-Ife, Osun State.  Photos by Olatunji Michael

For the Records . Lecture organised by ACJ, OAU chapter, delivered by HAMEED Oyegbade

Hameed Oyegbade with some of the OAU's ACJ members in Ife on Saturday 

A lecture delivered by Hameed Oyegbade, Correspondent of Daily Trust newspapers in Osun State and Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osun State, during a lecture organised by the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ), Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife chapter, today, 10th of September, 2016 as part of induction of new entrants into the OAU’s ACJ. 

Salah: Aregbesola preaches selflessness in service

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has enjoined Nigerians to imbibe selflessness in the discharge of their duties as he urged Muslims to use the occasion of the Eid-il-Kabir festival to pray for the peace and stability in the country

Gov Aregbesola

Aregbesola said selflessness helps build a nation, adding that when the welfare of the people is most paramount, it leads to the emergence of a society with peace, equality and growth.

In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said commitment, perseverance and prayer are the key ingredients needed as the country passes through its worst trial moments.

Malnutrition: UNICEF tasks Osun on early child care

A nutritionist with United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mrs. Ada Ezeogu has charged Osun State Government to include early child care in its school feeding programe to address the problem of malnutrition among children in the state.

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbessola

Ezeogu who disclosed that 195,245 children below 5 years are stunted in the state as a result of malnutrition, charged the state government to pay attention to early child care that would cover children below 3 years in addition to its school feeding programme in the state.

Fielding questions from newsmen during a media dialogue held in Osogbo with the theme: “Good Nutrition, Invest More”, said 21.8 per-cent of children in Osun are stunted and that the situation could improve if the early child care is included in the school feeding programe. Ezeogu explained that the figure stated was generated from National Nutrition and Health Survey 2015.