Personality in Focus
Owode-Onirin Market: Allegations Against Me False, Figment of Detractors Imagination – Agboyi-Ketu Chairman, Oshinowo
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The Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), one of the leading councils in Lagos State, in terms of veritable development, Mayor Dele Oshinowo, had denied allegations of involvement in attacks against certain law officers, in relation to the reported land dispute at Owode-Onirin Market in the council area, saying the allegations were unfounded, malicious, baseless and a figment of the imagination of detractors.
Mayor Oshinowo, who spoke exclusively with the leadership of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), said it’s unheard of that someone would just sit down and concoct lies just to mislead the unsuspecting public.
“The report is misleading and an attempt to misinform the public, tarnish the reputation of the council, and distort facts. The report circulating in the media deliberately twists the situation, portraying those who acted unlawfully as victims while attempting to discredit the Council’s lawful intervention,” he said.
Giving a detailed account of what transpired to the best of his knowledge as the chief law officer of the council, Oshinowo noted that the market in question, which is a recognized entity, belongs to the LCDA he presides over, stressing that at no time was the council informed of any legal issues connected to the property.
“The Owode-Onirin Market is a recognized local government market, and the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA holds official title documents to the land. As the duly elected Local Government Executive Chairman, it is the responsibility of the Chairman to oversee all markets within our jurisdiction, and Owode-Onirin is no exception,” he said.
He accused a certain notorious landgrabber, one Akeem Ariori, of being the brain behind the crisis that erupted, and among him and his team. He added that on the said, Ariori had invaded the market, displacing both legitimate sellers and buyers, in what almost resulted into a stampede.
“Contrary to the misleading claims, the Council was never informed of any court judgment regarding the land until the very day that unknown individuals acting on the orders of a land grabber, Akeem Ariori, stormed the market, forcefully displacing peaceful traders, harassing and arresting them, and demolishing their shops without prior notice, consultation, or due process,” he narrated.
The chairman informed that it was the traders, who were displaced that alerted council, when they called for help, necessitating a fact finding visit to the market as it is part of the LCDA.
“The traders, who had lawfully occupied the market for years, were left in distress and called on the local council for help. From our investigations, it was discovered that the said Akeem Ariori is a well-known land grabber, who is notorious for criminal land grabbing activities in Lagos State,” he added.
The noted that their visitation to the market was not well received by Ariori and his gang were ambushed and molested with injuries inflicted on some of the council officials leading to their hospitalization.
“Upon receiving the traders’ distress calls, I, along with key council officials, visited the site to assess the situation. However, upon arrival, we were ambushed, molested, and tear-gassed by these unidentified armed men, leading to the hospitalization of several council officials. An official report was immediately filed to the Lagos State Government, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, and the Attorney General, in line with due process,” he said.
He vehemently denied mobilizing thugs as the fake online reports making the rounds alleged, rather revealed that the Lagos State government, in their wisdom upon recognizing the threat, deployed members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to restore lawful order. He further said that while the officers were carrying their duties, they accosted some people, who claimed to be policemen, but could not identify themselves, because they were on unauthorised assignment.
“Contrary to the false report, no thugs were mobilized by the Council at any point. Instead, upon recognizing the unrest, the Lagos State Government deployed officers from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led by its Commander CSP Shola Jejeloye, to restore peace and ensure the protection of lives and property. It is worth noting that when Council officials arrived at the scene, six individuals claiming to be Mobile Police officers were present. When asked to identify themselves, they could not provide proper authorization for their presence. Four of them were subsequently arrested, while two fled the scene. The arrested individuals were taken to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where it was confirmed that they were not on an officially assigned duty.
“If they were truly acting lawfully, why did they flee? Why couldn’t they prove their legitimacy?” Oshinowo queried.
The Executive Chairman further cautioned members of the press (not NAOSNP) to desist from being used by people, who do not mean well for the society, to carry out their own selfish agenda, noting that the development is ‘deeply unfortunate’.
“It is deeply unfortunate that some individuals, driven by selfish interests, are using the Press to spread falsehoods and manipulate public perception,” he said.
While calling for calm across the council area, and establishing that the LCDA has the rightful documentation to the property, Oshinowo, wondered how the media attempted to portray those who acted unlawfully as victims while attempting to discredit the Council’s lawful intervention.
“Agboyi-Ketu LCDA has the rightful Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for this land, and no amount of propaganda can change that. The Council was never notified of any judgment, nor were we invited for any form of discussion before the market traders were forcefully displaced and their businesses destroyed.”
Oshinowo, who is reputed to have turned around the fortunes of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and promoted unity, security of lives and properties and peaceful co-existence since he took the reins of leadership, has won many awards and honours for his vision, leadership skills, security, youth empowerment and infrastructure development abilities.
“We remain committed to protecting the rights and interests of our people, ensuring that justice prevails, and upholding the rule of law at all times,” he concluded while urging the public to disregard the misleading reports from a section of not properly informed press.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has announced the passing of his immediate elder brother, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi.
The monarch made the announcement in a statement released on Sunday through the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal.
Describing the late prince as a respected businessman and compassionate leader, the Ooni said Prince Adetunji lived a life dedicated to service, humility and the wellbeing of others.
According to the statement, the death of Prince Adetunji has left a deep void in the Ogunwusi family, the Ojaja Royal Dynasty and the entire Ile-Ife Kingdom.
Prince Adetunji, who was born on December 8, 1967, was a member of the Ojaja lineage of the Giesi Ruling House in Ile-Ife. He was also the Group Chairman of Primewaterview Holdings, where he earned recognition for his contributions to business development and entrepreneurship.
The Ooni noted that his late brother built a reputation as an innovative entrepreneur and visionary leader. Through his business activities, he created opportunities for many people and contributed to economic growth in different sectors.
The monarch further stated that beyond his achievements in business, Prince Adetunji was known for his generosity, kindness and commitment to humanitarian causes. He was said to have quietly supported many individuals and families, offering assistance, guidance and encouragement whenever needed.
The statement added that Prince Adetunji’s influence extended beyond the corporate world, as he remained deeply connected to his roots and maintained a strong interest in the progress and development of Ile-Ife and its people.
The Ooni described his late brother as a dependable adviser, a loving family member and a man whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
Family members, friends, associates and well wishers have continued to pay tribute to the late prince, remembering him for his humility, wisdom and positive impact on society.
The palace said further details regarding funeral arrangements and other ceremonies would be announced by the family in due course.
Prince Adetunji’s death marks a significant loss to the royal family and the people of Ile-Ife, who will remember him for his service, leadership and dedication to humanity.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has elected Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as its next president after she polled the most votes when voting officially ended Sunday morning.
Mrs Badejo-Okusanya, the only female among the three presidential candidates, polled 12,317 votes to emerge the winner of the election, which was held through electronic voting for 24 hours. from 7:35 a.m. on Saturday to 7:34 a.m. on Sunday
She defeated her two challengers, polling 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 ballots cast in the presidential election, based on the final tally…
Nearly a month after Keir Starmer’s resignation, former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, one of the most popular politicians in Britain, will become the country’s seventh prime minister in 10 years.
The move was made possible after Burnham won a byelection in the Makerfield constituency by a wide margin. He was then appointed as the leader of the ruling Labour Party on Friday, confirming him as Starmer’s successor.
A long political career
“Everyone can feel the country isn’t where it should be,” 56-year-old Burnham said after his Makerfield election victory, in remarks that already sounded distinctly prime ministerial. “From here on I will give everything I have got to make it so. To ensure the name Makerfield is forever synonymous with bringing about the change this country needs, bringing back something we’ve lost ― hope ― hope for the future.”
Burnham is seen as a leading figure on Labour’s moderate-left wing and has decades of experience in both national and regional politics. He first entered Parliament in 2001. Under Prime Minister Tony Blair, he served as a junior minister at the Home Office before Blair’s successor, Gordon Brown, appointed him to roles at the Finance Ministry, the Department for Culture, and later as health secretary.
Burnham even ran for the Labour leadership twice, in 2010 and 2015. In 2017, he left Parliament to become mayor of Greater Manchester, a region of around 2.8 million people in northern England. He has since won reelection twice, most recently getting nearly two-thirds of the vote.
Among Burnham’s most notable achievements in Manchester is the expansion of affordable public transportation. Housing and health care have also been central priorities throughout his time as mayor. He is critical of Brexit, the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2020, and describes himself as an advocate of “pro-business socialism.”
During the COVID pandemic, Burnham locked horns with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, demanding greater financial support for businesses and workers affected by lockdown restrictions. The confrontation and his general success in Manchester earned him the nickname “King of the North.”
In the past few years, Burnham’s main criticism of his Labour Party colleague Keir Starmer has focused on the prime minister’s cuts to welfare spending. Which policies Burnham would pursue should he succeed as prime minister has so far largely remained undefined.
A working-class northerner
Burnham is deeply rooted in the former mining and industrial communities of northern England. Born in 1970 in Aintree, near Liverpool, he grew up in the village of Culcheth with his father working as a technician and his mother as a medical assistant.
While studying English at Cambridge University, Burnham later said he often felt like an outsider. Inspired by the miners’ strike of the mid-1980s, he joined the Labour Party at the age of 14.
He’s been a lifelong supporter of Everton Football Club. His wife is Dutch, and the couple has three children. Burnham also has a tattoo of the worker bee — a symbol of industry and solidarity — on his right upper arm.
Today, Burnham is among the most popular politicians in the United Kingdom, and many supporters see him as Labour’s best hope of countering the rise of the right-wing populist Reform UK party of Nigel Farage.
Yet since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the office of British prime minister has become somewhat precarious. Burnham would be the seventh person to hold the position since the referendum a decade ago. If he does succeed Starmer, he will inherit a country still grappling with deep political, economic, and social challenges.
This article was originally published in German on June 22 and updated on July 17 to reflect Andy Burnham being appointed Labour Party leader.
Culled from DW.com
