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February 24, 2025 IFMNEWS

Aiyedatiwa Sworn In As Ondo State Governor

Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been sworn in as the Governor of Ondo State, marking the beginning of his first full four-year term following the passing of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in December 2023.

The inauguration ceremony was held on Monday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state capital, two months after Aiyedatiwa secured victory in the governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Born on January 12, 1965, in Obe-Nla, an oil-producing community in Ilaje Local Government Area, Aiyedatiwa began his education at Saint Peter’s Primary School in Obe-Nla before completing his secondary schooling at Ikosi High School, Ketu, Lagos, in 1982. He obtained a Nigeria Certificate in Education in Economics and Government from Lagos State College of Education (now Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education) in 1986.

His academic journey continued with an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001, a Postgraduate Certificate in Chief Executive Education from Lagos Business School in 2009, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool in 2013.

Before venturing into politics, Aiyedatiwa built a career across various sectors, including education, pharmaceuticals, finance, and general trade. In 1996, he established the Blue Wall Group of Companies, which was involved in trading, foreign exchange, and travel logistics.

His political journey began in 2011 with the Action Congress of Nigeria, which later merged into the APC. He served as a Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission from 2018 to 2019. In 2020, he was elected as Deputy Governor alongside Governor Akeredolu and later assumed office as governor following Akeredolu’s passing.

Akeredolu passed away on December 27, 2023, at the age of 67, after battling prostate cancer. His death paved the way for Aiyedatiwa’s transition to the governorship, and now, with his inauguration, he officially begins his tenure as the leader of Ondo State.

February 24, 2025February 24, 2025 IFMNEWS

‘Do I Look Like Yahaya Bello?’ – Sowore Confronts Security Agents in Court

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, confronted officials of the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after they attempted to prevent him from entering the premises of the Federal High Court.

Sowore challenged the officers, stating that he was not former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, who is currently facing charges of financial misappropriation. He resisted every attempt to obstruct him and insisted on his right to access the court.

In a video posted on his X handle, Sowore accused security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and civil defense, of hijacking the justice system. He alleged that they had unlawfully taken over the court premises due to Yahaya Bello’s appearance in court.

He further criticized the authorities for failing to arrest Bello when he was declared wanted, only managing to detain him after he voluntarily reported himself to the EFCC office in Abuja.

Addressing the security officers in the video, Sowore said, “Why are you shouting at me? Do I look like Yahaya Bello? I have business in court. I don’t need to be cleared by either the police or EFCC because none of you is an officer of the court. This is a Federal High Court; bring a court official, and I will talk to them. EFCC brought me to court, and they are still harassing us. You have no right to stand in front of the high court. You are not my lawyer and have no right to know my case.”

This is not the first time Sowore has clashed with security personnel. Recently, he alleged that the Nigeria Police Force planned to detain him over his criticism of the extension of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure.

Sowore had arrived at the Force Intelligence Headquarters following a police invitation after he uploaded a viral video exposing alleged extortion by officers at a checkpoint in Lagos. He was summoned to respond to allegations, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and allegedly attempting to prevent arrests.

In a Facebook post, Sowore claimed that the police relied on “rehashed information” primarily sourced from the internet to interrogate him.

The justice system in Nigeria has been hijacked by uniformed, uncouth security agents ranging from @OfficialDSSNG, @PoliceNG, and @CivilDefenceNGR. Today, they mounted illegally in front of the court, harassing everybody because of a thief, Yahaya Bello @officialgybkogi. The same… pic.twitter.com/7FmJ8lYXOa
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) February 24, 2025

February 24, 2025February 24, 2025 IFMNEWS

Bello Turji’s Days Are Numbered – Military

The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to tracking and eliminating notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji. The Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday. He stated that the military is aware of Turji’s current location but declined to provide further details.

Major General Onumajuru emphasized that there is no negotiation between the military and Turji, who is currently in hiding. He assured that the Armed Forces are actively tracking him and that his elimination is imminent. He urged Nigerians to remain patient, noting that dismantling a bandit leadership can take time, but assured that it won’t be long before Turji is brought down and his operations in the Northwest are halted.

A Sokoto State lawmaker, Honourable Aminu Almustapha Boza, recently confirmed that Turji is hiding in a forest in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State and has been extorting residents. Boza, who represents Sabon Birni Local Government Area in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, revealed that Turji has been collecting illegal levies from locals.

In response, Major General Onumajuru urged residents to resist these demands and assured them of military protection. He reiterated that the Armed Forces are committed to safeguarding vulnerable communities and encouraged people to reject any request for protection levies or ransom payments, as troops are actively working to secure farmlands and open spaces for normal activities.

This is not the first time the military has vowed to capture Turji, who has terrorized the North-West region for years. During Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review program on December 31, 2024, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, reaffirmed that security forces are closing in on the notorious bandit leader.

General Musa explained that the military has intensified efforts to weaken Turji’s network by arresting or eliminating his close associates. He stated that Turji has been operating underground due to increased military pressure, but assured that his capture is only a matter of time. The Defence Chief further revealed that many of Turji’s key supporters have been apprehended or neutralized, leaving him increasingly isolated.

With the military’s renewed efforts, Nigerians remain hopeful that Turji’s criminal activities in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi will soon come to an end.

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Author: IFMNEWS

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