Ex-IAR&T Executive Director, 2 Others Bag 40 Years Imprisonment Over Diversion Of N177m.

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday sentenced a Professor of Plant Reading and former Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Professor Benjamin Ogunmodede to 40 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Also sentenced alongside Ogunmodede are Mr. Zaccheus Tejumola and Adenekan Clement. Mr. Tejumade and Adenekan were chief accountant and staff of the institution during Ogunmodede’s tenure as Executive Director.

IPOB: Group Cautions FG On Handling The Crisis.

A Pan Yoruba Socio-political Group, Atayese, has cautioned the Federal Government on the handling of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) crisis, urging that negotiation should be embraced in order avoid a chaotic situation in the eastern part of the country.

The organization which is committed to the attainment of a Yoruba regional autonomy where each region develops at its own pace advises that every effort should be made towards preventing any situation that can degenerate to  another civil war.

Atayese, in the statement by its National Chairman, Chief Tokunbo Ajasin said that the calls for restructuring are very crucial at this stage and is happy that the APC, the party in control of the federal government has already taken the right step by instituting a public hearing for presentation of memoranda to its committee on true federalism. He however warned that this matter should not be treated as a mere distraction, but a strong move towards the fulfillment of the party’s manifesto.

He equally advised members of the IPOB to follow constitutional means to achieve their goals, adding that the violent steps being used would make their agitations less effective because they would not only lose the sympathy of the people but they would play into the hands of government might, no matter the justness of  their cause.

Atayese stressed that every citizen has the right to peaceful coexistence in any part of the country, pledging that it will always preach peace and harmony to the general public.

The group disclosed that it has submitted a position on its stand on the restructuring of the country during the APC Zonal Public Sitting on True Federalism, adding that similar step will be taken whenever the federal government starts the process of restructuring.  

110 Golfers Converge In Ibadan For Mesiogo OPEN.

About 110, both local and international, Golfers are expected to participate in the maiden edition of Ibadan Mesiogo Open starting tomorrow, October 4, 2017.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Aboyomi Oke stated this on Tuesday in Ibadan, disclosing that the competition is being organized in conjunction with the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and 3e Actuaries.

Mr. Oke explained that 69 local golfers and 41 foreigners from 18 countries are being expected to be part of the competition that ends on Sunday, October 8, 2017.

The commissioner said that the competition will start with IMEGA Women Empowerment and Fund Ceremony tomorrow while the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi will tee off the golf Competition for professional golfers at Ibadan Golf Club on Thursday, October 5, 2017.

Oke added that IMEGA 2017 Awards Gala will hold on Saturday, October 7, 2017 and the IMEGA Amateur Open for Ameteur Golfer at the Ibadan Glof Club will hold on October 8, 2017. 

Oyo To Blacklist Contractors With Shoddy Jobs.

The Oyo State government has warned that it would blacklist any contractor that poorly executes its project emphasizing the need for quality and timely delivery.

The state commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Wasiu Dauda gave this warning over the weekend during the inspection of ongoing road projects within Ibadan metropolis.

Mr. Dauda, who was on an on-the-spot assessment with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Oyesola Oyedele, charged all contractors handling various projects in the state to ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated contract period and in line with the contract’s specification.

He noted that the government will not accept any contract that is below its quality specification, adding that all projects being executed are expected to meet the expectation of the people of Oyo State.

The Commissioner inspected Challenge-Efunsetan to Orita Challenge Phase II, Ibadan (Eleyele) Eruwa road, Idi -Ape Bashorun Odogbo Baracks, Oke-Adu- Agodi-Gate Iwo road interchange and Agodi- gate-old Ice road to Alakia Airport road and expressed satisfaction with the level of work done on the road projects so far.

He commended some of the contractors for complementing the efforts of the state government towards infrastructural development and consequently directed the contractor handling the Challenge- Efunsetan Phase II road to present his schedule of work done on the site before accessing more funds.

The Commissioner expressed displeasure with the pace of work done on site at Idi Ape - Bashorun road, charging the contractor to intensify efforts on the level of work and be committed to completing the project during the stipulated time.

Mr. Dauda reiterated that all the road projects embarked upon by Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration would not be affected by the present state of the economy, assuring that all projects would be completed.