Fagboyinbo Fass Wins Owa of Igbajo Coronation's Kitty

Fagboyinbo Fass

A member of Ekiti Golf Club, Fagboyinbo Fass, emerged as the as the winner of the recently held golf kitty held at MicCom Golf Ada in Osun State as part of activities celebrating the coronation of Owa of Igbajo, Oba ASK Makinde, after finishing with a remarkable 67 net.

His outstanding performance earned him the top prize at the tournament, marking a significant achievement in his golfing career. The crowd erupted in applause as Mr. Fass was declared the winner of the Owa of Igbajo, Oba ASK Makinde Coronation's kitty.

During the prize presentations, Fass expressed his gratitude to the organizers and his fellow golfers for the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious tournament while thanking his caddie and golf coach for their tremendous support and guidance, which had helped him achieve this remarkable feat.

The victory at the tournament was a testament to Mr. Fass's hard work and dedication to his craft. saying, "It was a fitting reward for my commitment to the sport, as I used to spend countless hours on the golf course honing my skills and perfecting my game."

As he celebrated his win with family and friends, Fass looked forward to the future with renewed optimism and a stronger determination to continue improving his game. The Owa of Igbajo, Oba ASK Makinde Coronation's kitty, had been a significant milestone in his golfing journey, and he was excited to see what the future holds.

Oyo NLC Demands Total Reversal Of Tariff Hike, Pickets NERC, IBEDC Offices Ibadan

Oyo NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins
dressing members during the picketing

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Oyo State chapter, have picketed the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over hikes in electricity tariffs in the country.

Some of the offices picketed by the organized labour are NERC office at Iyaganku, IBEDC Headquarters at Ring Road, its regional headquarters at Oluyole, the IBEDC Staff Development Centre at Iyaganku, and the IBEDC Business Units at Dugbe Apata.

Also picketed by the Union was the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at Jericho in Ibadan.

The unions demanded a total reversal of the tariff by the federal government, or else the offices will be shut down until it's request is granted.

The picketing action was monitored by men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), who had followed them since 7:50 a.m. when they started.

Officers, staff, and consumers were seen chasing out of the buildings in line with the directive of the national secretariat of the unions, who carried different placards with various inscriptions.

Addressing the journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins, disclosed that Nigerians cannot continue to live in suffering, saying that they are tired of the inhuman policies of the federal government.

The NLC Chairman said that the picketing is just to pass a message to the IBEDC and NERC as regards the hike in the tariff of electricity, noting that Nigerians are already facing epileptic power supply and paying for what they are not enjoying.

"We are here today because we are fed up with the inhuman policies being rolled out by our leaders. As of today, living in Nigeria has become a crime. We find it difficult to relate to other countries. Now we are locked in, enslaved inside our own father's land. Sometimes ago, the federal government removed subsidies on everything, making life unbearable for Nigerian citizens.

"We are here to pass a message to the IBEDC and NERC concerning the hike in the price of electricity supply. Already, we are enjoying the epileptic supply of electricity, but now they are saying we still have to pay more for what we are enjoying. 

"We are here today to say enough is enough; they should please let the poor breadth in this country. We are begging, we are wailing, and we are crying to them to let the poor breadth; that is the only thing we are agitating for.

Also in her address, Comrade Ranti Oluwemimo, who is the Vice Chairman of TUC in Oyo State, said that many people, particularly the youth, are willing to leave the country because the leaders have made it inhabitable for them.

He queried President Bola Tinubu for not putting necessary measures in place before removing the subsidy, saying that all the Union wants is the total reversal of the price of electricity.

"When they wanted to contest, they promised us a good life; they promised us a better life; they said there would be a change; we voted them in, and they are making life difficult for us. Enough of this. Things must come back to normal."

Comrade Abiodun Bamgboye, who spoke on behalf of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers' Rights (CDWR), advised the federal government to reverse the current hike in the price of electricity.

He disclosed that there is no justification for the hike in the electricity tariff because there is nothing that has shown that the federal government is subsidizing the electricity.

"We did not see any justification for this hike in the price of electricity, because to us, there is nothing that has shown that there have been subsidies. Electricity has not been available to Nigerians, so where does the subsidy come from or who are the people who have been receiving or benefiting from it? I think the argument around subsidy is just a plot to compound the economic hardship that the Nigerian people are going through at this material point in time. 

"We feel that that is uncalled for, and that's why we are calling on the federal government to reverse the current hike in the price of electricity."

Sports Minister Rallies Support For New Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has rallied the support of critical stakeholders and Nigerians for Finidi George, the newly appointed coach of the senior national football team, the Super Eagles. 

Speaking at the unveiling of the new head coach of the Super Eagles on Monday inside the media center of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Senator Enoh, who observed that the appointment of Finidi George as the national team coach was well received by Nigerians, expressed his confidence in his ability to take the Super Eagles to a new height. 

For this to happen, he stated that the new coach requires the support of all Nigerians for him to succeed. According to the minister, with his appointment, Finidi George has the responsibility to bring back the liveliness and excitement of Nigerian football. 

The Minister stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's started with so much support for Nigerian football, adding that we can't afford to let him down. 

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Ibrahim Muza Gusau, stated that the appointment of Finidi George signaled a new dawn in the history of Nigerian football because his appointment was in line with the clamor of Nigerians for the appointment of an indigenous coach to handle the Super Eagles. 

He explained that it was in deference to this yearning that the federation directed the technical team saddled with the responsibility of picking the coach to look inward and choose an indigenous coach for the national team. Now that the choice of the coach has been made, he has called on all Nigerians to support him in his new role, especially with the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers in sight.

He assured that, as a policy, the NFF gave Finidi George the free hand to choose his technical staff, stressing that the assistants will be paid on a game-by-game basis to avoid crises in the payment of their allowances that had bedeviled the process in the past. He also assured them that they would be entitled to bonuses and entitlements enjoyed by players and coaches. 

In his response, Finidi George thanked NFF and Nigerians for his appointment, and he promised to put in his best effort to lift Nigerian football to the next level. 

Former Nigerian internationals Daniel Amokachi (assistant coach), Olatunji Baruwa (goalkeeper trainer), Chima Onyeka (fitness trainer), and Benjamin James were also unveiled as members of the technical team.

Oyo Netball Boss, Kayrom Lee, Urges Members To Work Together For Association Glory

Ambassador Romoke Ayinde with the members of Oyo State Netball Association at the event

The chairman of the Oyo State Netball Association, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde, has revealed that there is no going back on the revival of the game of netball in the state, stressing that in order to succeed, hard work and dedication are required from everyone.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the association held at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium in Ibadan on May 10, Amb Ayinde, the Chief Executive Officer of Kayrom Lee Group of Companies, urged all members to work together so as to achieve the set goals and ambitions the association was created for.

"As we embark on this journey together, let us first reflect on the journey so far and appreciate the role all of us have played to achieve our little wins so far, but what is even more important is understanding what each and every one of us has to do to achieve our set goals and ambitions ahead," she said.

Speaking further, Amb. Ayinde explained some vital ways and pivotal roles each member has to play to bring the game of netball back to reckoning among the youth, especially girls in society.

"One of our primary focuses will be on enhancing our facilities and acquiring necessary equipment. From goal posts to jerseys, bibs, balls, nets, and beyond, we must ensure that our players have access to top-notch resources to thrive in the sport.

Furthermore, securing sponsorships will be paramount to fueling our initiatives and sustaining our operations. By forging partnerships with like-minded organizations, we can amplify our impact and reach greater heights.

Organizing competitions among selected secondary schools within Ibadan will not only foster a spirit of healthy competition but also unearth and nurture raw talent within our communities," Amb Ayinde added.

Amb. Ayinde, however, urged the Oyo state government to come to the aid of the association by providing the much-needed funds and equipment so that the athletes will be able to win laurels for the state in the upcoming National Youth Games and National Sports Festival later this year.

Family Plans Grand Ceremony To Celebrate Passage Of Matriarch, Mama Julianah Ogunbena

Late Mother Celestial Julianah Ogunbena

The Ogunbena family of Ijebu Isonyin has rolled out the burial program to celebrate the passage of their matriarch Mother Celestial, Julianah Olufunmilola Ayinke Ogunbena popularly called Mama Halleluyah when alive.

Madam Ogunbena died on March 3rd, 2024 at the ripe age of 84 years.

On Wednesday, 8th of May, a service of song will be held at 12, Sobande Street, Adalemo Estate, Sango Ota, Ogun state by 4pm, while a Christian wake, according to the burial programmes rolled out by the family, will be held on Friday 10th of May at 29, Olorunsogo Street, Isonyin Ijebu, Ogun State at 5pm.

Funeral service will take place on the 11th of May at 29. Olorunsogo Street, Isonyin Ijebu, Ogun State by 10am while interment will follow immediately and guests and well-wishers will be entertained at the same venue.

She is survived by children, grandchildren, the Ogunbenas' and Senjirins' family.

Kayrom Lee Bags RATTAWU's Excellence Recognition Award

The Chief Executive Officer of Kayrom Lee Group of Companies, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde, has added another feather to her cap as she bagged the Excellence Recognition Award in recognition of her immense contributions to humanity from the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers' Union of Nigeria, (RATTAWU) NTA Ibadan chapter, in conjunction with Lord’s Wisdom Network and Entertainment.

The colorful event, tagged Worker's Day Excellence Recognition Award 2024, was held at the BCOS NUJ hall on May 1st in collaboration with the annual worker's day celebration.

According to the organiser, the choice of Amb Ayinde for the award was done through a survey and appraisal of her philanthropic activities, which led to the upliftment of humanity.

Amb Ayinde, who is also the Iyalaje Adini of Oyo State, thanked the organiser for deeming her fit for the award and promised to do more for the betterment of people in society.

"The award is a great honour to me because I don't know that some people are watching my activities for the people. I believe that sharing the less privilege is what God wants us as human beings to do, and by doing this, it will lessen the suffering of others.

"I thank the organiser and I promised that I would not relent in doing more for society," Amb Ayinde, who is renowned for philanthropy, which has earned her widespread admiration and respect, said.

The highlight of the event was the lecture delivered by Dr. Victor Taiwo, president of the first Yoruba emancipation organisation in Nigeria, Apapo Egbe Alaabo Ile Oodua where the erudite scholar spoke on economic hardship, security challenges, unemployment, and the renewed call for restructuring.

Also speaking at the event, the former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, who is also the father of the day, advised the president of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on what he can give to the people that will make life in the country more meaningful.

"What President Bola Tinubu can give the people of this country in this present condition of hardship is not low fuel prices, increases in minimum wages, or other inducements, but a presidential order for a new constitution that will bring the country back to true federalism," he said.

To make the day more colourful, the students of Ogbere Community Grammar school was on hand and their traditional performance and dancing lighten up the event.