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OPC honours dead heroes, gives out cash to widows, children

Published

6 months ago

November 9, 2023

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“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.”

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, is definitely a firm believer in this timeless quote.

This, Iba demonstrated on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, when the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), led by Iba Adams, honoured the souls of the dead members of the group at a beautiful ceremony, held at the Oodua House in Ikeja, Lagos.

Iba Gani Ige Adams addressing the widows

At the event tagged OPC’s Heroes Day, widows and children of the group’s fallen heroes were feted to sumptuous meals and drinks, with cash gifts given to 133 members.

The day would live for long in the memories of the beneficiaries and guests who one after the other showered praises on the Aareonakakanfo and the leadership of the OPC for keeping alive the memories of the dead members.

Addressing the widows, Iba Adams promised to ensure that the contributions of the fallen heroes were not in vain, saying the organization will continue to honour their memories in death.

READ Unity is key to development, progress of Yoruba race - Gani Adams

Iba Gani Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of OPC said the annual event was the 17th edition, adding that little donation given to the widows that were selected from OPC’s chapters from across Nigeria, was the group’s contributions to the welfare of the widows and the children left behind by the dead members of the OPC.

“We are offering these little donations to cater to the needs of the wives of our fallen heroesm” Iba Adams said.

Speaking further, while encouraging the beneficiaries to uphold the legacies left behind by their dead spouses, said: “We don’t refer to them as widows because their breadwinners and husbands were once our members and they deserved the best even in death.

“In Europe and Asia, there are days that are specially designated for the fallen heroes.Every November 1st is the day for the celebration of their heroes in all the 28 countries in Europe as a continents.

READ God will not forgive Buhari if Nigeria go to war - Gani Adams

“The most important thing is to honour those that died and paid the supreme price in the course of the struggle.

“The women you see here today came from Lagos,Oyo, Ogun, Osun and other states. The token we have gathered from the leadership without any assistance from anybody or group would be shared among them as our widows’ mite because it is more spiritual than physical.”

He charged the windows to trust in God, and train their children in the best way possible in order to make them responsible citizens that will contribute to the development of the country.

The Yoruba generallissimo restated the need to appreciate Yoruba culture and tradition, saying OPC has remained the only organization in Nigeria that has continued to celebrate its heroes.

Also speaking, the Parakoyi Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Prof Kolawole Raheem, said what the OPC is doing with heroes day is a significant way of touching the lives of the widows.

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“For OPC to have dedicated a day for the remembrance of the fallen heroes is the best thing that could happen to an organization in the world.I appreciate the gesture and I know it will go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of the widows”.

Guests at the event include the Aareonakakanfo Chiefs- in-Council, including Atoloye Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land,
Babajide Tanimowo; Asoju Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Yinka Oguntimehin; Barejiro Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland,Dauda Asikolaye; High Chief Segun Ajiboye, former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Princess Ajike Less Privileged Foundation, Queen Ajike; Prophet Ololade David, Sheikh Abdul Mumeen Saliu; Barrister Ahmed Dada Abbass; Cordinator, OPU Egypt, Comrade Saheed Adewole and members of the National Executive Council and National Coordinating Council among others.

Related Topics:Gani Adams HEROES DAY OPC

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Court grants EFCC order to freeze 1,146 accounts over ‘unauthorised foreign exchange’ transactions

Published

49 mins ago

April 29, 2024

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A federal high court in Abuja has granted an interim order to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze at least 1,146 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies over “unauthorised foreign exchange” transactions.

The commission is also investigating the individuals for “money laundering and terrorism financing”.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, granted the order while ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to the EFCC.

The court also ordered the commission to conclude the investigation within 90 days.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule below which accounts are owned by various individuals who are currently being investigated in a case involving the offences of unauthorised dealing in foreign exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing to the extent that the investigation will be for a period of 90 (Ninety) days,” the judge ruled.

READ Yoruba Nation: OPC not involved in Ojota fracas - Gani Adams

NAN reports that though the ruling was delivered on April 24, the certified true copy was seen on Monday.

The motion by the anti-graft agency was brought under section 44 (2) and (K) of the 1999 Constitution; section 34 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004; section 7(8) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The commission said, “the bank accounts in respect of which the reliefs are sought are subject matters of investigation by the EFCC in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing”.

“That preliminary investigation conducted thus far reveals that the bank accounts are linked to persons who take advantage of the virtual cryptocurrency exchange platforms to illegally manipulate the value of Naira and launder proceeds of unlawful activities,” the agency added in the motion filed before the court.

“That there is a need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution.”

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Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until July 23 for mention.

Some of the account names mentioned in the attached schedule are Akitoye Adeyemi Ayomide with GTBank account number: 0165110025; Clyp Trading Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000331101; Clyp Consulting Ltd, Providous account number: 9401374554; and Toyetech Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000134962.

Others are Winx International Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000135055; Shutterscore Trading Platforms Ltd, Access Bank account number: 1532363954; Tradecillion Trading Ltd, Stanbic IBTC account number: 0045672922; and Nsofor Nmamdi, GTBank account number: 0449088666

Kora Payments Network Ltd-Operations, UBA account number: 1022242089; Renderstack Technologies Ltd, Zenith Bank account number: 1210355120; Korex Payments Ltd, Globus account number: 5000007837; and Awe Microfinance Bank Ltd, Providous account number: 5400760781; and Victor Asuquo, Opay Digital Services Ltd account number: 9020132068.

Others are Akingbade Sabit Juwon, ECONANK account number: 3442053006; Nsofor Nnamdi, Union Bank account number: 0140460572; Asuquo Samuel, First Bank account number: 3153199542; Oty Ugochukwu Stanley, FCMB account number: 4039304011; Oty & Sons Global Concepts, Fidelity Bank account number: 6060410145; and Pelumi Ayandoye, Wema Bank account number: 0234852277; and David Ajala, Fidelity Bank account number: 5090680780, among others.

READ Olokinni's death a huge loss to Yorubaland - Gani Adams

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Published

57 mins ago

April 29, 2024

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The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says it does not have access to petroleum products.

Queues resurfaced in fuel stations amid petrol scarcity, which led to an increase in transport costs.

On April 25, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited attributed the situation to logistics issues, assuring Nigerians that “they have been resolved”.

Speaking on Monday during Channels TV’s the Morning Brief breakfast programme, Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN president, said there is still a delay in supply to retail outlets.

“Well, from my perspective as a retail outlet owner and representing all the retail outlet owners who are members of PETROAN, I can tell you that our challenge is that we do not have access to the product,” he said.

“So, once the product is available in all the depots, and we are being issued our products, we will certainly complement NNPC’s efforts to make sure that all the stations are wet and we are doing that consistently.

READ Unity is key to development, progress of Yoruba race - Gani Adams

“Even in this season, at this time, NNPC in the last few weeks have squeezed in loading barges to encourage everyone including the NNPC stations and Petroan members and even IPMAN members and we are taking products bit by bit to our various stations.”

He said NNPC is making frantic efforts to solve supply issues, adding that the association is also mounting pressure on the system to ensure that there are petroleum products.

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Court knocks FG for lack of diligent prosecution in Tukur Mamu’s terrorism financing case

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2024

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A federal high court in Abuja has reprimanded the federal government for lack of diligent prosecution in the charge filed against Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald newspaper.

At the court session on Monday, David Kaswe, prosecution counsel, was not in court despite having entered his name on the cause list, indicating his presence.

Abdul Mohammed, Mamu’s counsel, urged the court to stand down the matter to await Kaswe’s return.

However, the prosecution lawyer was still not in court when the case was called again after the judge had delivered a judgment.

Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, expressed surprise over “the miraculous disappearance” of the federal government’s lawyer in court.

“I am also aware that the prosecution was in court this morning, but as to the miracle of the disappearance of the prosecution as at the time this matter comes up for hearing is beyond my understanding,” Ekwo said.

“This antic of the prosecution is only being tolerated in today’s proceeding.

“If the prosecution demonstrates that they are not ready to prosecute this matter either diligently or expeditiously, the court will make the right decision at that point.”

READ God will not forgive Buhari if Nigeria go to war - Gani Adams

MAMU ASKS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO KUJE PRISON

Mamu’s lawyer moved an application to transfer his client to the Kuje correctional facility.

He said the prosecution had already responded to the motion.

In the application, the defence counsel said the Department of State Services (DSS) has refused to obey a previous court order which directed that Mamu should be allowed access to his doctors.

He said Mamu would get proper medical attention in Kuje prison.

“This application is brought so that we will take the defendant to the prisons because they always obey court orders there so that if we go there, he will have access to his medical officer,” he said.

“It is completely within the discretion of the court and we do not want to bring an application for contempt as that will take time.

“Therefore, we want the court to vary the order and the defendant will stay in the Kuja correctional facility. That is what we are asking for.”

READ 2023: OPC not among groups seeking support for Tinubu, others – Spokesperson

The judge adjourned the matter until May 20 for ruling on Mamu’s application.

BACKGROUND

Mamu is standing trial for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

After his arrest in 2022, the federal government said $300,000 was found in his possession.

He was arraigned in March 2023 by the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism.

However, in March, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts and denied having allegiance to the terrorists.

Mamu is alleged to have received $120,000 as ransom payments on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The monies were said to have been received from families of hostages kidnapped during the train attack.

He was also accused of exchanging voice note communications relating to the hostages with one Baba Adamu, a Boko Haram spokesperson.

The federal government also tagged the $300,000 found in Mamu’s possession after his arrest, as terrorist funds.

READ Abomination: 52-year old father defiles 10-year-old daughter in Ogun

Mamu, an aide to Ahmad Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric, was involved in negotiations for the release of the passengers abducted during the attack on a Kaduna-bound train.