Effective communication is two-way traffic. Those who govern need to communicate their activities and the reasons for them to the people they bear rule over. Those being ruled also need to let rulers know how effective or otherwise their actions and policies have been and what it is that the people actually need.

Feedback mechanism is a barometer that measures the impulse of the people, allowing a caring government to know how well it has fared and where and what it needs to tinker with. Even the most well-meaning leaders step into leadership positions with ideas of what they think the problems are – and the solutions to them. Sometimes, these are miles apart from reality; the needs of the people are seldom what their leaders address themselves to.

Once leaders are cut off from reality, the best of intentions can only breed frustration, anger, and disenchantment. Little wonder it is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions!

It is necessary, therefore, to regularly bring public opinion to the attention of the Government; especially on matters of public interest. Columnists as opinion moulders often act as a meeting point – and melting pot – between leaders and the led, but it is also imperative that, once in a while, we let the people speak for themselves, so we may hear from the horse’s mouth, as it were.

Sometimes when those at the receiving end complain about the acidity of what columnists publish, I tell them they need to see firsthand the venom that the people themselves spew! As it is said – and this is no exaggeration – if journalists publish everything they receive as they were received or allow everything they know to get into print, the country could very soon go up in flames! That is why we are gate-keepers; releasing just enough while keeping all else under lock and key!

Today, we open the gate a little on two issues, one national and the other local, as it were. Some of the fresh ideas they propound may interest you!

Nos 1: The carelessness of the South-west…

“Why are we so careless with our own lives in South-west Nigeria? Did we imagine that some magical solution will arrive from Abuja to protect us from the terrorists attacking our communities? Did we believe that the bandits who recently ravaged villages have simply disappeared? Did we think they would suddenly repent, grow tired of violence or become so wealthy from ransom payments that they would retire peacefully? Experience from other parts of Nigeria suggests otherwise!

“Once armed groups discover that communities are vulnerable and that ransom payments are possible, they often become more emboldened. Their attacks grow more frequent and more aggressive, forcing residents to flee, leaving entire communities exposed. What, then, is our plan?

“Did we assume that the danger will somehow vanish if we pray harder, fast longer or lament more loudly? Prayer has its place, but prayer without preparation is not a security strategy. The first reality we must confront is this: We cannot depend entirely on government protection; not because the government does not care but because the scale of the challenge has stretched existing security resources beyond limits.

“The second reality is equally as important: If those who attack us can organize, plan, gather intelligence, and coordinate their operations, then, our communities must become equally organized in defending themselves.

“We already provide many services for ourselves. We drill boreholes because public water has failed. We buy generators and solar systems because public electricity is unreliable. Why, then, should community security be any different? Our towns and villages need locally-organized, professionally-managed security systems supported by traditional rulers, community leaders, businesses, and residents.

“We just witnessed the annual Ojude-oba festival in Ijebu-Ode. We watched the Olojo festival in Ile Ife. Ha, how lovely, the Eyo parades in Lagos!  We spend months planning festivals, ceremonies, and celebrations. We mobilize resources, raise funds, and coordinate thousands of participants.

“It isn’t that we are incapable of organizing. The problem is that we only plan parties with utmost seriousness and celebrate with lavish commitment! Surely, the protection of our communities deserves the same seriousness.

“We must plan as if expecting imminent attack. If the bandits knew we were ready for them, waiting—even praying for them to come so we could teach them a lesson! – do you think they would stray into our territories? But if they know we are cowards ready to flee when we see them approaching, they will swell in number, and they will attack us even more vehemently.

“The message must be clear: We are not helpless, we are not unprepared, and we are not waiting passively for rescue. Stop asking for your governor and what he did with your security allocations – it’s a waste of your time. Communities that prepare, organize, and remain vigilant are far more difficult targets than those that assume someone else will solve their problems.

“The time for complacency has passed. The time for preparation is now!” – Moyo Okediji.

Can you beat that? Have we not really been careless and carefree in the South-west? Heaven, they say, helps those who help themselves! If we are not helping ourselves, how can we expect prayer, fasting, and vigil to help us? Why are Christians neglecting the examples of Nehemiah and Ezra in the Bible? And if, in the absence of government, we have taken it upon ourselves to provide essential services, taking on the additional duty of organizing and securing ourselves should not be too difficult a task to accomplish. Let’s ku-ku admit that we don’t have a Government! Cést fini!

The second intervention, also on the insecurity ravaging the entire country in general but the South-west in particular, goes thus:

South-west: Beyond personal ambition and partisan interests…

‘No serious society survives when communities live in fear while leaders focus mainly on political calculations, succession battles, and power negotiations. Security cannot remain only the responsibility of Abuja while states collect security votes without building stronger intelligence systems, local surveillance infrastructure, emergency response coordination and regional economic resilience’

“Beyond satire, humour and political blame games, Nigeria must now confront the painful reality that insecurity has grown beyond ordinary banditry into a deeper structural and geopolitical challenge affecting governance, economy, and national stability. Many Nigerians observed that when stronger international intelligence cooperation intensified against terror networks, kidnappers and bandits appeared pressured and scattered. But now insecurity seems to be mutating again, reminding us that Nigeria has become part of a larger global chessboard where ordinary citizens are paying the price.

“The South-West must stop treating insecurity as a temporary political issue or election strategy. What is happening affects farmers, traders, students, traditional rulers, investors and the future of the Yoruba nation itself. No serious society survives when communities live in fear while leaders focus mainly on political calculations, succession battles, and power negotiations. Security cannot remain only the responsibility of Abuja while states collect security votes without building stronger intelligence systems, local surveillance infrastructure, emergency response coordination and regional economic resilience.

“We must also ask difficult questions about preparedness in the South-west. Where are the regional drone systems, forest monitoring infrastructure, technology-driven intelligence gathering and coordinated security architecture among South-west states? Modern insecurity is no longer fought only with guns; it is fought with data, technology, coordination, economic inclusion and strategic leadership. If criminal networks are evolving, governance and regional security systems must evolve faster.

“Citizens themselves must become more united, vigilant and economically productive. A hungry and divided society becomes vulnerable to manipulation and violence. We must invest in youth development, entrepreneurship, agriculture, digital skills and infrastructure so (that the) young people (can) become builders of society rather than instruments in the hands of destabilizing forces.

“The South-west still has the intellectual and economic strength to lead Nigeria toward stability again, but leaders and citizens must rise above personal ambition and partisan interests. Nigeria still has options if seriousness returns to governance. We can strengthen regional cooperation, modernize security systems, empower communities responsibly, improve intelligence sharing and rebuild trust between Government and the people.

“This is no longer the time for sleeping, snoring or endless rhetoric while innocent people suffer daily. The survival of communities and the dignity of governance depend on what we choose to do now.” — Abraham Shehu-Yayungo, Alpheric Framework for Peace, Security & Human Development.

That, too, hit the nail right on the head! Selfish interests, personal ambitions and political considerations cannot be divorced from the state of helplessness already enveloping the South-west.

The third intervention pertains to my own local government. As they say, all politics is local and charity must begin from home!

Owo LG’s failure to publish its 2026 budget…

‘Of the 18 Local Governments in Ondo State, Owo is the only one yet to make its budget publicly available… Citizens have a right to know how much has been allocated to critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, education, youth development, security, and social services…The refusal to publish the budget also undermines public confidence in local governance at a time when local governments are receiving unprecedented levels of revenue from the Federation Account’

“The continued refusal of Owo Local Government to make its 2026 budget public is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance.

“The 2026 budget was presented to the Legislative House in January, (was) subsequently passed by the Council and (was) signed into law. Several months later, residents of Owo Local Government are still unable to access the document that determines how over ₦5.6 billion of public funds will be spent.

“This situation is particularly troubling because Owo Local Government now stands alone. Of the 18 Local Governments in Ondo State, Owo is the only one yet to make its budget publicly available. The question, therefore, is simple: What is preventing the release of a budget that has already been finalized?

“Citizens have a right to know how much has been allocated to critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, education, youth development, security, and social services. They have a right to know which projects have been prioritized, where those projects will be located, and how public resources will be distributed across communities.

“Without access to the budget, citizens cannot effectively monitor implementation, evaluate performance, or hold public officials accountable for results.

“The refusal to publish the budget also undermines public confidence in local governance at a time when local governments are receiving unprecedented levels of revenue from the Federation Account.

“Transparency should not require repeated requests. It should be standard practice.

“We therefore call on the chairman of Owo Local Government to immediately release the full 2026 budget to the public and ensure that it is readily accessible to all residents. This is not a political demand. It is democratic.

“The people of Owo are not asking for confidential information. They are asking to see the budget of their local government. A government that seeks the trust of its people must be willing to share with them how their resources are allocated and spent.

“The time for excuses has passed. The time for transparency is now.” – Henry Fadeyi, Civic Analyst/Fellow, BudgIT, Ondo State Lead.

Well said! Budgets are public documents, aren’t they?

But will deaf ears, blind eyes, hardened hearts, deadened souls, and seared conscience let our rulers harken, not to talk of acting, on what the people say?

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

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Judge Emeka Nwite, in a judgment, held that the Department of State Services, DSS, the prosecution in the trial, had been able to prove the charge against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The defendants were convicted on a nine-count charge preferred against them by the DSS.

The four convicts are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26 and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25.

Justice Nwite, who held that evidence presented had proven that the four men perpetrated the act, however acquitted the 5th defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, of the charge.

No fewer than 41 worshippers were killed and over 100 others injured during the terror attack that occurred on June 5, 2022 Sunday mass.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Nwite reviewed the evidence presented by the DSS and defence.

“The prosecution has successfully established the nine-count charge against the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants beyond reasonable doubt,” he ruled.

The judge, therefore, convicted Omeiza, Idris, Abdulmalik and Idris, and discharged and acquitted Abubakar, the oldest among them, of all nine counts.

On count one, which accused the defendants of belonging to a proscribed terrorist group known as Al-Shabaab, the judge reviewed the evidence presented by one of the DSS investigators identified as SSI.

He held the witness testified that the four defendants belonged to an extremist group operating in parts of Kogi and Ondo State under the coordination of one “Adoba.”

The judge said the evidence of the prosecution witness was not shaken, while the confessional statements of the convicts corroborated the prosecution’s case.

“From the foregoing, it is clear as day that the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants belong to a proscribed terrorist group, Al-Shabaab,” he ruled.

On count two, which accused the defendants of attending meetings where the Owo church attack was allegedly planned, the judge said the prosecution alleged that meetings were held on “30th May, 1st June, and 4th June, 2022 at Government Secondary School, Ogaminana, Kogi, and at a local mosque where the 2nd defendant’s father served as chief imam.”

He observed that the prosecution alleged that the meetings were organised to plan the attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.

“The evidence by the prosecution witness was neither shaken nor discredited under cross examination,” the judge said.

He added that it was corroborated “by the confessional statements of Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris.”

While Abubakar denied attending any meeting connected to the attack, the judge held that the prosecution failed to link Abubakar to the meetings.

On count three, which bordered on conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, the judge reviewed the law and judicial authorities.

He held: “Court can infer conspiracy from the acts of the defendants towards the commission of the offence.”

The court also relied on forensic evidence tendered by the prosecution.

Justice Nwite said the evidence showed direct communication among the defendants within months leading to the attack.

“The inference to be drawn from the evidence before the court is that the 1st to 4th defendant conspired with Adoba and others,” he said.

He held that the prosecution evidence remained unshaken during cross examination.

He, however, said Abubakar was not linked to the conspiracy.

On counts four and five, which bordered on hostage taking, kidnapping, hijacking, and possession of dangerous weapons, the judge juxtaposed the act with law.

He reviewed provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act relating to seizure of facilities, threats to life and hostage taking resulting in death.

He said evidence before the court showed that worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church were attacked during service, leading to the death of more than 41 persons and injuries to over 100 others.

The judge relied on testimonies of victims and other prosecution witnesses and noted that “The evidence by the prosecution witnesses was neither shaken nor discredited.”

He said this was contrary to the case of Abubakar who was not linked to the actual attack on the church.

On count six, which bordered on terrorism financing and possession and use of dangerous weapons, the judge reviewed evidence against Abubakar separately from the others.

The prosecution had alleged that Abubakar acted as a financial channel for the group and distributed funds before the attack through his point of sale terminals.

Justice Nwite noted that a DSS witness identified as SSI, told the court that about N800,000 moved through accounts linked to Abubakar weeks before the incident.

The prosecution also alleged that Abubakar maintained communication with members of the group during the period.

However, Abubakar denied the allegations.

But the judge held that the prosecution failed to establish the terrorism financing allegation against Abubakar beyond reasonable doubt.

He, therefore, discharged and acquitted him on count six.

The judge, however, held that the prosecution proved the count six case against the four convicts.

The judge, thereafter, considered counts seven to nine together, describing them as similar in nature.

Nwite, who said the counts bordered on the use and detonation of explosives at a public place resulting in death, grievous bodily harm and destruction, said the DSS was able to prove that the explosions caused deaths, injuries and destruction within the church premises.

He held that the confessional statements tendered by the prosecution were valid and voluntarily made.

He rejected claims that they were written and forced on the defendants by the DSS operatives.

He noted that the statements were signed, thumb-printed and not challenged in court.

He described the forensic digital evidence and call records showing repeated communication between key defendants before and after the attack as strong circumstantial evidence forming a chain of guilt.

The judge held that eyewitnesses and investigators gave consistent evidence that remained unshaken under cross examination.

Having found the four men guilty of the nine counts, the judge imposed life imprisonment on count one.

On count two and three, he imposed a 20-year imprisonment without option of fine.

The judge also imposed death sentences on counts four, five, six, seven, eight and nine and ordered that the convicts be “hanged by the neck until death.”

“May the Lord have mercy on your souls,” Justice Nwite said.

Source: NAN

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The post Owo church attack: Court sentences four convicts to death appeared first on Frontpageng.

It still looks like yesterday when, in 1971, the outgoing military governor of the then Western State, Brigadier Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, performed the foundation laying ceremony of the Owo General Hospital which, today, has grown into what is now known and called the Federal Medical Centre, Owo. Adebayo, who ruled over the Western state between August 1966 and April 1971, had been deployed to another duty post and was on a “farewell tour” of the state. With farewell also came “parting gifts” everywhere Adebayo went. His farewell gift to Owo was the General Hospital, located across the road and directly opposite my alma mater, Owo High School, Owo.

When I was researching this piece, I asked Google questions. Google’s response was that “According to the available search results, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo did not lay the foundation stone of the General Hospital, Owo during his tenure (1966 – 1971).” Google is wrong! Adebayo indeed laid the foundation stone of the General Hospital, Owo on his way out of office in April 1971. I was in Form 2 at Owo High School when the epochal event took place. All the students lined up from morning till late in the afternoon waiting for Adebayo’s arrival. He came very late because he was visiting many other locations bidding them farewell and handing them their own Greek gift!

Oba Adekola Ogunoye II, the Olowo of Owo (installed on 6 February, 1968), was there live and direct to receive the outgoing governor. After a laconic welcome by the Olowo, Kabiyesi’s official welcome address on the occasion was delivered by the Asolo of Owo. Yes, Adebayo did no more than laying the foundation stone, and it stands to reason that nothing significant was done by his immediate successors (Brigadier Christopher Oluwole Rotimi: April 1971 – July 1975; Akintunde Aduwo, 30 July, 1975 – 30 August, 1975; and Brigadier David Jemibewon, August 1975 – March 1976). Till I passed out of Owo High School in June 1974, the large expanse of land donated to the General Hospital remained a forest. St. Louis Hospital, located in the Oke-ogun area of the town (or Fada, as it was more famously called by the locals), was the only notable hospital in the town.

When my school principal (and founder) of Owo High School, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, was elected the civilian governor of the old Ondo state in 1979, the expectation was that he would make the Owo General Hospital his administration’s priority, being the political leader of the town. Some said his principled stand of not according preferential treatment even to his hometown did not let him. Others said he bid his time to first secure a second term of office, which he did after a bloody challenge from his erstwhile deputy, Chief Akin Omoboriowo, but the military coup of December 1983 ensured that his second term was short-lived.

Ondo state was created out of the then Western state on 3 February, 1976. Appointed by the then “reluctant!” military Head of State, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (after the assassination of Gen. Murtala Muhammed on 13 February, 1976), Group Captain Ita David Ikpeme was the state’s first military governor (March 1976 – July 1978). The other governors after him were:  Brigadier Sunday Tuoyo (24 July, 1978 – 1 October, 1979); civilian Gov. Michael Adekunle Ajasin (1 October, 1979 – 31 December, 1983); Commodore Bamidele Otiko (2 January, 1984 –  2 September, 1985); Navy Captain Mike Okhai Akhigbe (2 September, 1985 – 26 August, 1986); Col. Ekundayo Opaleye (26 August, 1986 – 17 December, 1987); Commodore Olabode George aka “Lagos Boy” (17 December 1987 – 3 September, 1990); and Navy Captain Sunday Abiodun Olukoya (3 September, 1990 – 3 January, 1992).

Here, again, Google and Wikipedia committed an error as both of them listed Brigadier-General Raji Alagbe Rasaki aka “Who build this gada?” as a former governor of Ondo state; he was not. Rasaki was former Governor of Ogun and Lagos states in that order.

The military government’s unending return-to-civil-rule rigmarole gave birth to civilian Gov. Bamidele Olumilua (3 January, 1992 – 17 November, 1993) before the military again unleashed another torrent of military rulers on Ondo state, beginning with Col. Mike Torrey (9 December 1993 – September 1994); Col. Ahmed Usman (September 1994 – 22 August, 1996); Navy Captain Anthony Onyearugbulem (the unruly military governor who dared to assault ex-governor and NADECO leader, Chief Ajasin, right in his bedroom; 22 August, 1996 – 7 August, 1998); and, finally, Col. Moses Fasanya (7 August, 1998 – 29 May, 1999).

Witness the short span enjoyed by virtually all the military governors! Some were in office for a mere number of days! How can any meaningful development be achieved under such rapid turn-over of leadership? Since the return to democracy in 1999 in what is now known as the Fourth Republic, some stability has returned to the state’s leadership structure. Chief Adebayo Adefarati (29 May, 1999 – 29 May, 2003; 4 years); Olusegun Agagu (29 May, 2003 – 23 February, 2009; 5 years+); Olusegun Mimiko (24 February, 2009 – 24 February, 2017; 8 years); Rotimi Akeredolu, 24 February, 2017 – 27 December, 2023, 6 years +); and the incumbent, Lucky Aiyedatiwa (27 December, 2023 till date).

Available records state that the General Hospital, Owo “was originally built by the Ondo State Government but was taken over by the Federal Government in 1989 and in line with the Federal Government policy establishing a Federal Medical Centre in states without a Federal Teaching Hospital, the hospital was made a Federal Medical Centre with the pioneer Board and Medical Director appointed in June 1993.” Thanks to Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, the then Minister of Health, who reportedly resisted clandestine pressure to have the FMC Owo located elsewhere! I could not pin-point the exact year the Ondo State Government started building the General Hospital, Owo.

But to what extent has Olikoye’s laudable vision been realised at the FMC Owo? The hospital has hugged the limelight for the wrong reasons for quite some time now. And concerned citizens of Owo have not felt unconcerned about this unsavoury turn of events. Elite groups of Owo concerned professionals home and abroad have now decided to say, “Enough is now enough!” (apologies, Gen. Sani Abacha!). Advocacies and interventions required to salvage the hospital and extricate it from the cesspit into which it has sunk are, therefore, upswing. The recent avoidable death, at the hospital, of a 58-year-old woman, Mrs. Jegede Christianah, from Imoru in the adjourning Ose local government area, due to what family and multiple sources described as official negligence, unprofessional conduct, and general and pervasive decadence has acted to heighten concern about the state of affairs within the hospital.

This tallies with complaints already making the rounds of infrastructural decay, mind-boggling corruption, conflict of interest, stripping of assets, and incidents of ghost workers which sources say have hobbled the hospital. It is no longer possible to close one’s eyes to such damning disclosures from inside and outside sources.

The online publication, Sunshinetruthng.com, which brought Mrs. Jedede Christianah’s case to public attention must be commended for doing so. The media have a duty to beam their searchlight on public institutions, the FMC Owo inclusive, as part of their corporate social responsibility and in the performance of their sacred watchdog obligations.

Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) specifically mandates the media to hold the government (its agencies, institutions, departments, and parastatals) accountable to the people. To strengthen the media’s hand in this regard, the Nigerian Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), passed by the National Assembly on May 24, 2011, was signed into law on May 28, 2011 by the then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

This law established the legal right of not just the media but of every Nigerian citizen to access public records from government agencies as well as private organizations providing public services. FMC Owo falls within this category. The agencies, parastatals and Ministries supervising it at the Federal level also fall within this category. Same with all vested interests associated with the hospital or providing public service within the locality.

We have it on good authority that a new management may soon take over from the present administration whose stewardship, critics say, was a great disservice to the hospital. But the new management must be one that acts like a new broom that will sweep FMC Owo clean. The hospital’s Augean stable must not be left intact, least of all be allowed to fester. It cannot be business as usual.

Sources familiar with the matter have expressed pessimism that anything good can come out of the ongoing recruitment exercise – but I beg to differ! The critics, based on experience, wonder if the current recruitment drive for a new Chief Medical Director will be allowed by vested interests at the local and federal level to yield a competent and honest candidate for the job. They also point at the shenanigans of religious and ethnic bigots; the internal politics of the hospital arrayed against honest and dedicated staff, those who ran the hospital aground running helter-skelter to cover their tracks, and the general malaise of corruption which has not spared the hospital.

What, then, is to be done? I sampled opinions. Someone knowledgeable about the matter said: “Maybe they should try a female CMD for a change. Maybe that will reduce impunity and corruption.” Another volunteered: “Until Owo people begin to see the FMC as their own NNPC and guard it jealously and nurture it, nothing will change for good.”

I suspect he means that the FMC Owo is a very important “Federal presence” that Owo must guard jealously. But the pun on NNPC – even though that might not have been his idea – cannot be lost on a writer like me! Nigerians ran down and ate up the NNPC – is the FMC Owo not going the same route when those whose primary interest ought to be the growth and well-being of the hospital are the same people who connive with predators to run it down and eat it up?

The same way Nigerians today suffer for the destruction of NNPC is also how Owo and the FMC’s catchment area may suffer – in fact, are already suffering – for its alleged cannibalisation and maladministration!

“FMC Owo is not alone in the miasma of corruption and mismanagement that you are talking about”, said an informed source. “From personal experience as an insider, I can tell you that the same situation you are complaining about, perhaps even worse, obtains in similar hospitals everywhere. Corruption is pervasive and until you tackle that, nothing much can be achieved.”

Says the 18th-Century Anglo-Irish writer, Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” In other words, apathy enables evil. Keeping quiet and accepting defeat before giving a good cause a push should never be an option. The refrain on the set of a television station where I feature regularly is: “When you see something, say something, and do something!”

I heard some things about the FMC, Owo and, therefore, decided to say something! Reversing the decade-old ugly trends at the hospital may not come easy – but there is no harm in trying. Don’t you think?

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

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The post FMC Owo: Hope fulfilled or hope betrayed? appeared first on Frontpageng.

The priest, identified as “SSA” for security reasons, spoke while giving his evidence as 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The terror attacks happened on June 5, 2022, at the church in Ondo State.

The Department of State Services, DSS, in a nine-count amended charge, is currently prosecuting five of the suspected terrorists before Justice Nwite.

The defendants include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Al Qasim Idris (20 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years).

The witness, while being led in evidence by DSS counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, told the court that the attack took place towards the end of the First Pentecost Sunday celebration service which was attended by many worshippers.

The priest, who said he presided over the service, said as the service was coming to a close, they suddenly heard a loud noise, followed by sporadic shootings, which created commotion and chaos among worshippers.

The PW-1 described June 5, 2022 as a memorable day of his life.

“This is so because it was the day when the violent attack was launched on us – myself and all the worshiping community of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo Ondo State.

“It was an incident which led to the death of over 40 persons among us, while some of us became maimed; some of us, till this point, have permanent physical injuries.

“I recall that the attack was towards the end of the worship that day.

“I was the priest assigned to lead the community in worship, which is known as the holy mass.

“Towards the end of the mass, I was performing the last rites and the people of God had started singing the recessional hymn, the closing hymn.

“Suddenly, I heard a loud sound. I looked into the congregation, facing them.

“There was already a commotion, which for me, I thought somebody had fallen.

“But, I sighted two men from our congregation, these men were members of our community.

“They quickly locked the main entrance door and another elder in the church came to me in the sanctuary and said to me, ‘Father, we are under attack.’

“From this point, I heard the sporadic shooting of guns.

“This was still outside the church. This elder told me, ‘Father you have to leave.’

“At first, I was reluctant to leave the sanctuary.

“If not for anything, but at least, because of those children, who call me Father.

“So, taking my leave from the sanctuary, I and some adults moved some of these children into a safe place; this is an attachment to the church.

“When I was in this place (the safe place), I continued to hear the continuous shooting of guns and the use of about three explosives.

“The third explosive landed very close to the safe place, where I was with the children, with the effect which looked like the opening of the ground.

“The effect was like the ground opening to swallow us immediately.

“So, the attack continued. After a while, some of our church members came into this place (safe place) and notified us that those, who came to attack us have left.

“Moving out with the children, I saw my choir master shot at the chest.

“He called me to pray for him. I did, but I told him I have to move him to the hospital.

“When I got out, I saw some already dead on the floor.

“So, I shouted that if there is any of us, who could still drive, let us begin to move our brothers and sisters to the hospital,” the PW-1 said.

When asked if he counted the number of the dead, the witness said it was impossible for him to ascertain the number of those killed under the commotion that the attackers created in the church environment on that day.

“It was with that violent attack that I understood that proverb that says, ‘the one struck or hit by a vehicle does not wait to take note of the vehicle’s number plate.’

“So, I could not immediately count the number of those dead.

“Personally, I went two times to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo to take the casualties to the hospital.

“By the time I came the second time, there were already ambulances, both from FMC Owo and St. Louis Catholic Hospital, Owo, also moving the casualties to these two hospitals.

“The second time I got to FMC, the emergency ward was filled up with these casualties.

“The casualties were those that were killed and injured.

“With the wailing, weeping and crying from people, I couldn’t even drive again.

“The care and healing of those injured continued,” the witness said.

The priest said he was later invited to the DSS office in Akure, Ondo State, where he made a statement.

When he was being cross examined by the defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad, the witness said he could not ascertain the number of those who carried out the attack.

“With the commotion in the church, and my desire to rescue, especially the children quickly as possible, I could not and I did not identify or recognise those who carried out the attack.

“Therefore, I don’t know their number,” he said.

On how it was possible for him to rescue the children, the witness said the children were at the foot of the sanctuary, where he was standing when the attack started.

“As I said with some adults, I moved with the children to a safe place.

“This safe place is the restroom, attached as a building to the sanctuary.

“From that building that is attached, you can move into the sanctuary and out of it,” he said.

Earlier at the commencement of proceedings, Adedipe informed the court that the charge had been amended to correct some minor errors.

He applied that the amended charge should be ready to the defendants, which was done and the defendants all pleaded not guilty.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until January 13 and January 14, 2026 at 12noon each day for the continuation of hearing.

Source: NAN

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The post How terrorists bombed Owo church in 2022, Priest tells court appeared first on Frontpageng.

Akinsero was kidnapped by armed men at his residence in Owo local government area of the state.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, made the rescue known in a statement on Saturday in Akure.

Ayanlade said the rescue was achieved following the directive given by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Adebowale Lawal, after receiving the report of the incident.

“Upon receiving the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Adebowale Lawal, immediately gave a clear directive that the victim must be rescued at all cost.

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“Acting on this directive, the Area Command in Owo, working in synergy with the divisional Police, operatives of the command, and the Upeme Vigilante Group, launched a coordinated operation.

“The joint team, working tirelessly and in close collaboration, deployed credible intelligence and embarked on aggressive bush combing operations throughout Thursday and into Friday night.

“Their sustained efforts paid off when the kidnappers, confronted in a gun duel, were forced to flee, abandoning the victim.

“He was rescued unhurt without any ransom being paid, and immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for medical attention. He has, since, been joyfully reunited with his family,” he said.

The spokesperson, therefore, said that the command commended the gallantry and resilience of the police operatives and the Upeme Vigilante Group, whose collaboration and sacrifices were instrumental to the rescue.

According to him, the invaluable role of members of the public, who provided timely and actionable information, is also greatly acknowledged.

Source: NAN

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My phone rang on Thursday, 26 June, 2025 and a long-standing friend was on the line. “I know you are from Owo”, he began. “And I know you will want to comment on the ongoing controversy over Akeredolu’s Memorial cenotaph; except I don’t know you! But, be careful! What is involved is deeper than a cenotaph.” I thanked him and took a deep breath! Actually, my piece on the matter had been ready many days earlier!

I immediately opened my laptop and began to scrutinise it again; this time line by line and word after word. As I did, I remembered the warning of Okonkwo’s friend to Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”: “That child calls you father, bear no hand in his death” My friend is known to be as cerebral and meticulous as they come. Finally, satisfied that I have done the needful, I put the article to bed late on Friday evening – in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

In this profession, retreat or surrender is not an option; especially if you want to make a mark and leave indelible footprints in the sands of time. If I hadn’t walked literally into the lions’ den, as it were, when hordes of security men invaded and shut down the PUNCH newspapers when I was the editor, I would most likely not have made the history that I made in that newspaper house and beyond. So, the hand that writes must write – unfettered, without fear or favour, regardless whose ox is gored – and leave the rest to posterity!

But two days later (on Saturday, 28th June), my friend called again and asked: “Have you heard the news?” I said what news? He then forwarded two videos to me. The first was that of late Gov. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu’s wife, Betty, purportedly invoking her husband’s spirit at his graveside while the second was that of some Ogho (Owo) traditionalists also purportedly invoking the gods against the woman. “Please, don’t let anyone curse you! Avoid being caught in this crossfire”, my friend again pleaded.

By this time my piece had already been put to bed! I did the best I could to objectively present only the facts. I made a sign of the Cross as Catholics do, even though I am a pentecostal! If my best proves good enough; fine; if otherwise, like Quincy Jones crooned, God help me!

So you can imagine my befuddlement when I started the next day, a Sunday morning, with a startling rebuke on the same piece but from unexpected quarters! My wife and I were getting ready to leave the house for church when my phone rang and the caller started with torrents of tirades! He wouldn’t calm down! Exasperated, I suggested he trigger his right to reply and send in a rejoinder. My wife stood rooted to one spot. Precious time wasted, we eventually hurried to church. We got half-way before my wife asked if I turned off the burner in the kitchen! Who remembered the burner in that situation! We made a U-turn and raced back home. Mercifully, the house was not on fire when we got there!

Today, I bring you Banji Alabi’s rejoinder to “Revisiting Akeredolu’s cenotaph of controversy” published in this column two Sunday’s ago. A sprawling 1764 words, I can only bring the areas relevant to his complaints. Here we go!

“I am writing to respond to your recent article, which insinuates corruption during my tenure as Chairman of the Governing Council of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic. I want to emphasize that these allegations are entirely unfounded and baseless. In fact, corruption was totally impossible during our time, given the financial constraints and transparent processes that characterized our administration.

“When I took over as Chairman, the school was facing significant challenges, including owing about nine months’ salaries to staff… In many instances, I personally funded the school’s activities from my own resources… On numerous occasions, I found myself in a position where my personal financial resources exceeded those of the school… I recall instances where the Rector would reach out to me, requesting financial assistance to entertain important visitors, as the school lacked the necessary funds. I would then generously support the school from my own pocket…

“The school’s funding sources are limited to government subvention and school fees. Unfortunately, the government often falls short of paying up to 40% of the subvention due to the school… During Aketi’s time, the… transparent process (of collecting subventions from the government) left no room for impropriety, as every transaction was accounted for and overseen by multiple parties. Where’s the opportunity for stealing in this transparent system?”

“The role of the Chairman of the Council is part-time… I did not participate in the day-to-day running of the school, which is the responsibility of the Rector. I did not sign any checks or operate the school’s accounts, further eliminating any possibility of financial impropriety. The Council’s role was limited to formulating policies and guidance for the school’s smooth operation….

“Regarding the visitation panel, I chose not to attend due to personal reasons. As a lawyer, I was aware of the legal implications and the fact that the panel was not properly constituted. The late Aketi accused me of insubordination for not attending the panel, but I told him point-blank why I won’t attend. I reminded him of our training as lawyers not to entertain injustices. Notably, Aketi never accused me of financial impropriety, as there was no basis for such allegations….

“It’s worth noting that I left the school about three years ago, and the problem of non-payment of salaries persists. This underscores the fact that the challenges we faced were systemic and not a result of corruption or mismanagement during my tenure.

“Furthermore, I find it curious that you claimed to have spoken with me for over three years after the issue of my father’s house was resolved. I have not seen or spoken with you, Sir. I must correct you, Sir; I have not spoken with you, and I’m not aware of any conversation that would have taken place.

“Concerning Late Governor Akeredolu, I want to categorically state that he was not vindictive; he didn’t mark my father’s house for demolition because of our disagreement, this is a misconception. The truth is that the former Mimiko administration of Ondo State had already acquired the property before Akeredolu’s administration took office. My disagreement with the governor did not influence his decision-making regarding the property, and I challenge you to provide evidence to the contrary…”

Let me now reprint what I published that he was complaining about: “…Banji (Alabi) was a friend of Akeredolu; and they were so close that the governor made him the chairman of the governing council of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (formerly Owo Polytechnic) located in the town. But sources said their relationship soured over time” Did their relationship not sour, from Banji Alabi’s own testimony here?

In this profession, retreat or surrender is not an option; especially if you want to make a mark and leave indelible

“I could not have Akeredolu’s own side of the story right from the horse’s mouth, as we say, but those who claimed to be familiar with the story said he felt let down by the way his friend piloted the affairs of the polytechnic, especially with loads of unpaid salary arrears. Being that the said school situates in his home town, Akeredolu was said to have been subjected to a lot of embarrassment over the matter, especially when he reportedly claimed that he gave the polytechnic more subvention than even the state university – Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba.” Did Banji Alabi not admit right here that there were unpaid salaries before, during and after his tenure?

“I spoke directly with Banji who said he dealt transparently and efficiently with the resources committed into his hands, but that the problem was the age of the polytechnic as opposed to a younger AAU, which meant that the bag and baggage carried by the polytechnic surpassed those of the university” Did I not speak with Banji Alabi while I conducted my investigations before writing the story advising Gov. Akeredolu not to demolish his father’s house?  Did I not give him the opportunity to state his own side of the story about unpaid salaries? Did he not do so? And did I not reflect his own defence? Where did I accuse him of corruption, stealing or embezzling money?

“Anyway, the relationship between Akeredolu and Banji Alabi was irreparably damaged, such that many thought that the governor extended the demolition to Alabi’s ancestral home to punish his estranged friend.” That was the opinion of those that I spoke with on the matter and I shared the names of some of them with Yanju Alabi, Banji Alabi’s elder brother, who brought me into the Alabi family house saga in the first place. I still have the records!

“The Alabi family wrote letters. They contracted lawyers. They appealed. Nothing worked. The only grace Banji got from his friend (Gov. Akeredolu) was a few days’ grace to move his parents’ bones from the building before it was reduced to Ground Zero. It was at that point that Yanju (Alabi) contacted me.”

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Are these not the facts? Where, in all of these, did I accuse Banji Alabi of stealing, embezzling, misappropriating or misapplying public funds? Of course, there were allegations against him, which I bounced off Yanju Alabi, who, in turn, bounced it off him. I completely left the allegations out of my write-up because they were not relevant to the demolition issue, which was my focus!  I have the Alabis’ explanations on record!

I have records of the Whatsapp messages between Yanju Alabi and I on the one hand, and between Banji Alabi and I on the other! Here, I will dwell largely on those with Banji Alabi, who said he never spoke with me!  His first Whatsapp message to me was on 21 March, 2023, titled “My SMS to Aketi”, in which he complained, pleaded, and eulogised Akeredolu in one and same breath (21.53 hours); followed by Akeredoulu’s response: “Ok. Will inform the Commissioner forthwith” (21.55 hours); which was Akeredolu’s response to Banji’s request to be allowed two weeks’ of grace to move his parents’ bones from the beleaguered building.

He followed with two materials titled: RUGIPO Council Chairman, Banji Alabi…” (21.59 hours) and 11th RUGIPO GOVERNING COUNCIL- 3-compressed.pdf” (22.02 hours); followed by: “Achievements of our 11th Council. I will be grateful to sponsor your trip to Owo poly to see things for yourself (22.04 hours). He also sent an online publication of The Guardian newspaper titled “Alabi reappointed RUGIPO’s governing council chairman (22.08 hours). On the same day he sent me a seven-page letter he addressed to “The Chairman, Ondo State Visitation Panel to Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo” stating why he would not honour the panel’s invitation! (22.08 hours).

On 22 March, 2023, he responded thus after my piece on his father’s house was published: “Awwwww this is excellent: Beautiful write-up. God bless u immensely. I am grateful. U are the best. Thanks & good morning”. (07.36 hours). “Will share it far and wise (sic). (07.37 hours). Same day I sent him a screenshot of the article as published on the back page of the New Telegraph newspaper. His response: “Awesome: God bless you immensely & in your own time God will raise kind people for u”. (09.15 hours). “We are grateful – Thank u” (09.15 hours). He also sent me a picture of a beautiful lady bearing a bouquet of flowers! (09.43 hours). When I sent him the suggestion by some Owo indigenes that the Alabi family should explore legal options, he responded: “Good – we will explore d opportunities. Thanks sir” (16.28 hours).

At 18.04 on the same day, he sent me this: “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen: Fellow Nigerians I just received a USD 9999 billion dollars phone call from the foremost, erudite, listening governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN who announced to me that my father’s house will now become a monument to be preserved for its historical heritage. May the Lord bless and honour our governor for ever” On 28 March, 2023, he sent me this message: “God bless you always for your kindness. Sir u promised to write to thank the governor. Any update sir?” (20.46 hours). What I promised was different; but how did I even promise when we were not talking? The Alabis were the ones to write; I was to help them edit!

On 3 April, 2023, Yanju Alabi sent me a photograph of the demolition exercise, which had started at Igboro-Nla, and the picture of their family house with this caption: “Situation along Igboroko Street on Monday (today). We thank God almighty our house is still standing” (21.44 hours). My response on 4 April, 2023: “To God be the glory! Write the history of the house and the photographs of your parents and make it into a plaque and present it to the governor when you are paying him a “Thank you” visit, because I think you should. Something like the plaque should be pinned to the house after its renovation. So that the history is not lost but is preserved for posterity” (11.28 hours). Yanju’s response: “Noted and accepted” (15.57 hours.)

On 6 April, 2023 (16.23 hours), Yanju forwarded the draft of their letter to Gov. Akeredolu to me, which was written and signed by his brother, Banji Alabi Esq., with this note: “Please help me to check if this draft is alright for onward transmission to the governor. Thanks. (16.26 hours). I edited the letter and sent it back on 7 April, 2023 (15.48 hours). Yanju Alabi’s response: “Thank you and God bless” (16.04 hours).

Phone calls apart, how can Banji Alabi Esq. say he never spoke with me with the evidence of Whatsapp talks presented here?

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

The post Akeredolu’s cenotaph of controversy: A rejoinder appeared first on Frontpageng.

I was not surprised when I learnt of the pulling down of the Memorial Park or cenotaph erected at the ancient town of Ogho (Owo) by the late governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu: The cenotaph was erected in honour of the victims of the terrorist attack which took place at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Ogwaluwa (Owaluwa), Owo (Ogho) on 5 June, 2022. Apart from being a journalist who followed events before, during and after the terrorist attack, I am also from Ogho; so, I am familiar with my people’s history, culture, traditions and politics.

In Yoruba land generally, obas do not behold corpses. Thus, it is a taboo to carry corpses – or even coffins – into the palace or anywhere close to it where an oba could behold it. From 2016 to 2018 I walked closely with Ayodele Fayose during his second stint as the governor of Ekiti state; we visited many times the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti and other palaces where I learnt that it is even a taboo for anyone to wear an all-black dress to the palace for Kabiyesi to behold. So, it is inappropriate to site a cemetery or anything resembling it in the vicinity of the palace where the oba would be condemned to beholding it.

I may not know the reason behind this but that is our Yoruba culture and Ogho, being Yoruba, subscribes to it. To kick against it is to commit sacrilege. It is no small thing in Yoruba land for anyone, no matter how highly placed, to step on the eyes of the earth, as they say. No one pokes his fingers in the face of the ancestors, custom and traditions and gets away with it. Any true-blooded Yoruba person knows that such a misdeamenour is a weighty offence.

But when I saw the photographs on a social media platform of caterpillars and bulldozers taking position to pull down the structure, which stood elegant and resplendent, my heart sank! And I posted this dirge: “A waste when it was built. A waste when it is being demolished. Double loss! Can’t it be remodelled and converted to something else; something more useful? ” But I addressed no one in particular! As the bulldozers tore into the structure, I noticed that no effort was being made to retrieve or salvage anything from the sprawling structure! I again posted this on another platform: “I saw that no efforts were made to salvage anything from the structure: windows, roofs, roofings, doors, etc. Maybe I am wrong! Instead of demolishing the place, it should have been dismantled, so we can make some savings…” Someone responded: “Remember, we have enough resources to waste in this part of the world!”

The Memorial Park, which itself has now become a memory, was a cenotaph of controversy as I described it right from its conception. It was a good idea but its location, as we have explained above, was mired in controversy. Why did the government insist on the chosen location and nowhere else? Why not on the grounds of the terrorist attack? I first heard of the government’s decision from a friend, Yanju Alabi, who intimated to me that his father’s house was one of the buildings earmarked for demolition, to give way for the cenotaph.

The suspicion was that Akeredolu needlessly wanted to extend the demolition that far to settle scores with the Alabis and every appeal made to him to reconsider reportedly fell on deaf ears. I found this curious for many reasons. For one, the pedigree of the Alabi’s building alone (as we shall soon see) should have been enough for any right-thinking person to spare the building the bulldozer’s treatment. For another, Yanju’s younger brother, Banji, was a friend of Akeredolu; and they were so close that the governor made him chairman of the governing council of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (formerly Owo Polytechnic) located in the town. But sources said their relationship soured over time.

I could not have Akeredolu’s own side of the story right from the horse’s mouth, as we say in this profession, but those who claimed to be familiar with the story said he felt let down by the way his friend piloted the affairs of the polytechnic, especially with loads of unpaid salary arrears. Being that the said school situates in his home town, Akeredolu was said to have been subjected to a lot of embarrassment over the matter, especially when he reportedly claimed that he gave the polytechnic more subvention than even the state university – Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba.

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I spoke directly with Banji who said he dealt transparently and efficiently with the resources committed into his hands, but that the problem was the age of the polytechnic as opposed to a younger AAU, which meant that the bag and baggage carried by the polytechnic surpassed those of the university.

Anyway, the relationship between Akeredolu and Banji Alabi was irreparably damaged, such that many thought that the governor extended the demolition to Alabi’s ancestral home to punish his estranged friend. The Alabi family wrote letters. They contracted lawyers. They appealed. Nothing worked. The only grace Banji got from his friend was a few days’ grace to move his parents’ bones from the building before it was reduced to Ground Zero.  It was at that point that Yanju contacted me.

Yanju and I had been friends since our university days beginning in the late 70s. He is the current Chancellor (President) of our social club (Owo Krown Klub). For whatever it is worth, I decided to draw public attention to what was about to happen. The very moment Akeredolu won his election on his second attempt, a group of journalists at a function at Ado-Ekiti had said Ondo State was in for a rough ride. They said Akeredolu was arrogant and self-conceited – and that his wife was worse!

I wrote this in one of my columns just to warn the in-coming governor and First Lady that they were now golden fishes who would have nowhere to hide. Many Owo sons and daughters took umbrage and called me names. Undeterred, I followed up with another testimony by another acquaintance of the Akeredolus who also had unsavoury things to say about the couple’s public relations. My motive was pure, but some close friends even threatened to report me to the palace for being anti-Ogho, in their own myopic opinion! Eventually, however, as the Akeredolus showed their true colour, I was vindicated!

So, how do I write to appeal to such a fellow not to take a predetermined course of action? Would I not be pouring petrol in a raging fire? I decided to write all the same! Afterall, the Alabis’ case was a bad one already and he that is down, as they say, need fear no fall. So I wrote what you are about to read, titled “Gov. Akeredolu’s memorial park of controversy.”

It goes thus: “Remember the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in which 42 or more souls were brutally and dastardly terminated by terrorists? Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo  Akeredolu, is said to be putting finishing touches to plans to build a cenotaph at Owo to the memory of the victims. Great, not so, except that only Akeredolu appears to be excited about this project!

“One reason being that a cenotaph is not necessarily the people’s priority! There are still salary arrears to be paid in some sectors and workers are dying. Workers at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (transforming into a university!) in the town are owed 10 months or more in salary arrears. In this modern day, it is a shame that Owo has no pipe-borne water supply; people rely on streams, wells and boreholes.

“Moreover, one of the houses reported to have been pencilled down for demolition has historical, political and cultural values as it is the very first two-storey building built with concrete blocks in the entire Owo division (which in those days included the entirety of Akoko). It was also in that house with its unique Brazilian architecture that the Action Group titans like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief SLA Akintola, Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin and other top-notch AG leaders were hosted when the AG was publicly inaugurated in Owo town on 28th April, 1951.

“History alone should save that building, just as the first story-building in Nigeria, located in Badagry, Lagos state, is preserved to this day as a historical monument. Save the historic building at Igboroko-Owo! Move the Memorial Park elsewhere!”

It was published in my TREASURES column on the back page of the New Telegraph newspaper on Wednesday, 22 March, 2023. Surprisingly, it worked a miracle! Hours after it was published, an ecstatic Banji Alabi sent out this message: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen: Fellow Nigerians, I just received a USD 9999 billion dollars phone call from the foremost, erudite, listening governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who announced to me that my father’s house will now become a monument to be preserved for its historical heritage…” But Akeredolu would not move the cenotaph elsewhere! Had he, everyone would have been spared the present controversy.

Now that the cenotaph has been demolished, what of those whose property was demolished for it? What of those who had to move their parents’ bones elsewhere? Why all the trouble – only for it to amount to nothing in the end? There are many more questions begging for answers! We may have attempted what went wrong between Akeredolu and Banji Alabi but the story of what went wrong between the Olowo and the late governor is yet to be told!

Akeredolu reportedly jeered at the plea of Kabiyesi and his chiefs to take the cenotaph elsewhere. As the sitting governor when Kabiyesi ascended the throne, there was no way that could have happened without Akeredolu’s active support. So, what went wrong? Putting together the stories in the public domain, to say that Kabiyesi and Owo chiefs agreed to the controversial location of the cenotaph amounts to cheap blackmail. If the press statement purportedly issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Akeredolu is to be believed, Kabiyesi was given the option of having the cenotaph relocated to Ijebu-Owo! Why Ijebu-Owo, which is a distance from the scene of the terrorist attack? Did the terrorist attack take place there? Why not the nearby Ogwaluwa, venue of the attack?

You only need to know that the relationship between the traditional rulers of Owo and Ijebu-Owo was frosty at that point in time to understand that such a suggestion, if at all it was made, was not just cheap blackmail but divide-and-rule politics! What reportedly soured Olowo’s once boisterous relationship with Akeredolu? Like the Jamaican reggae superstar, Bob Marley, crooned, half the story has never been told! Pray, who will tell it?

To conclude: Gov. Akeredolu’s idea of erecting a cenotaph in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack was laudable, but the site of the project left much to be desired. The insistence by Owo chiefs that the cenotaph be relocated was equally proper. The decision of Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to accede to the request was sensibly made. But it appeared to me that gaps crept into its implementation. St. Francis Catholic Church, which reportedly complained that they were not consulted, should have been carried along. The Akeredolu family, as a matter of courtesy, should also have been notified. A new location for the cenotaph should have been identified and work ought to have commenced there before undertaking the demolition. And like I said earlier, the edifice should have been carefully dismantled, not demolished.

But now that the deed has been done, measures should quickly be taken by everyone concerned to allow the souls of the departed – the victims of the terrorists’ attack as well as Akeredolu’s – to continue to rest in peace! I come in peace!

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

The post Revisiting Akeredolu’s cenotaph of controversy appeared first on Frontpageng.

The announcement is contained in statement on Monday in Akure and made available to newsmen by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

According to him, the ongoing violent cult clashes and security disturbances in Owo has led to loss of lives.

“The governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has ordered a dawn-to-dusk curfew in the town till further notice.

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“All residents are required to remain indoors during the curfew. Only essential services, such as hospitals, emergency services, and law enforcement will be exempted from the curfew.

“The governor has tasked security agencies in the state to enforce the curfew, ensure safety of lives and properties, arrest the perpetrators of violence and restore peace to the community,” Adeniyan said.

Source: NAN

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SP Funmilayo Odunlami, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, made the confirmation on Monday while speaking with newsmen in Akure.

Odunlami said the killing occurred during a violent clash among some suspected cult members in the town.

The police spokesperson, however, said that she could not ascertain if a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was among those killed.

“We can’t confirm if an APC chieftain was affected, but four people have been confirmed dead.

“Normalcy has returned through the intervention of the Police; efforts are on to arrest perpetrators of the act,” the PPRO said.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness told newsmen that an APC chieftain, Mr Fisayo Oladipo, was among persons killed during the clash.

The eyewitness said that five persons including the APC chieftain were killed at 2:00 a.m. on Monday during the violent clash.

Their corpses have been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

Source: NAN

The post Police confirm killing of four in Ondo cult clash appeared first on Frontpageng.

The spokesperson for the Police in the state, SP Fumilayo Odunlami-Omisanyan, said the command was yet to ascertain the exact number of passengers in the attacked vehicle.

She added that policemen had been deployed, combing the area to ensure that the kidnapped victims were rescued.

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A man, who did not want his name mentioned in the community, said that the vehicle was coming from the South-Eastern part of the country with the passengers heading to Owo axis on Friday night when the incident happened.

He said that driver of the attacked commercial vehicle and a female passenger were shot dead at the scene of the incident, while some passengers were whisked away.

It was learnt that some passengers of the vehicle escaped with various degrees of injuries.

Source: NAN

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