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JUST IN: Oyebanji congratulates Aiyedatiwa on Election as Ondo Governor

….Describes APC victory as confidence vote in Tinubu’s leadership
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on his victory at the Saturday’s governorship election.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who was the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16, 2024 election, was declared winner by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) shortly after the conclusion of collation of results on Sunday.
Governor Oyebanji in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the electoral triumph of Governor Aiyedatiwa as an endorsement of good governance under the APC administration in Ondo State as well as a vote of confidence in the leadership of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Ekiti Governor expressed gratitude to the electorate in Ondo State for keeping their trust in the ruling party, the APC, based on verifiable indices of good governance since the party came to power in the neighbouring state in 2016.
Governor Oyebanji pointed out that the victory recorded by Governor Aiyedatiwa and the APC has put a fresh challenge on the Ondo Governor to do more for the people of the state who defied the odds to give him a fresh mandate.
Similarly, he said the electoral victory shows that Nigerians appreciate the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and have unwavering confidence that the current socioeconomic policies and programs of the government would yield the desired results, leading to irreversible progress, development and economic prosperity for all.
He commended the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the party’s National Campaign Council, National Assembly members, elected and appointed political office holders and the entire party faithful for their hard work which contributed to the electoral success.
Governor Oyebanji hailed the people of Ondo State for conducting themselves in peaceful and orderly manner which resulted in the overall success of the governorship poll across the length and breadth of the state.
Governor Oyebanji specifically commended indigenes of Ekiti State resident in Ondo State for heeding his clarion to use their votes to retain Governor Aiyedatiwa in office expressing optimism that they would reap the bountiful harvest of good governance from the new administration.
The Governor also praised the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the improvements recorded in the Ondo poll especially in prompt release of result from the polling units and the collation exercise.
Governor Oyebanji further commended the security agencies for their professionalism, which according to him, contributed largely to the peaceful conduct of the election from the commencement of voting exercise till the official declaration of results.
He urged the newly elected Governor to remain magnanimous in victory and reach out to his opponents in the election with a view to working with them to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I congratulate my dear brother, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa on this well deserved victory.
While wishing him a successful tenure, we look forward to a more strategic partnership with his administration for the benefit of the citizens of the two sister states.
“Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his exemplary leadership and for sanitizing the electoral process.
Big congratulations to our party, the APC and a big congratulations to the good people of Ondo State who have voted for continuity of good governance under APC”, the statement added.
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Killings: Shettima visits Plateau today, Danjuma calls for self-defence

Amid renewed violence in Plateau and Benue states that has claimed over 100 lives in recent weeks, Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to visit Plateau State today (Monday) as part of federal efforts to stem the tide of attacks and foster lasting peace.
The visit comes days after gunmen launched deadly attacks on Bokkos and Bassa communities in Plateau, attracting public outrage and deepening calls for urgent government intervention.
Confirming the Vice President’s visit, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed during a tour of affected communities in Bassa on Saturday that Shettima’s visit was directed by President Bola Tinubu himself.
“Mr. President is deeply concerned about these killings. That is why the National Security Adviser was here last week, and now the Vice President is coming to engage stakeholders directly,” Yilwatda stated.
During his visit, Shettima is expected to convene a high-level stakeholders’ meeting aimed at enhancing security coordination and strengthening local peace initiatives.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who also visited the communities with top military commanders, including Maj. Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, assured residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and security.
“We are investigating seriously. We are on the trail of the perpetrators and, by God’s grace, they will be brought to justice,” Badaru said.
“Support programmes for victims, especially widows, have also been launched, and more help will come to ease their pain,” he added.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), has once again called on Nigerians to rise and defend themselves.
Speaking at a public function in his hometown, Takum, Taraba State, Danjuma reiterated a warning he gave five years ago, arguing that relying solely on government security forces is no longer realistic.
“The warning I gave years ago remains valid. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves before these bandits overrun the entire country,” he said.
Danjuma expressed sorrow over the ongoing killings in Benue and Plateau states, describing them as evidence of the government’s failure to secure the lives and property of its citizens.
“We must be proactive. We cannot continue to watch helplessly while our people are massacred. Enough is enough,” he stressed.
Also, the Plateau Youth Council, Northern Zone, condemned the attacks as deliberate and genocidal, rather than communal clashes as claimed by federal officials.
Addressing journalists in Jos, PYC Northern Coordinator, Samson Chiroma, said, “These are not random clashes. These are systematic attempts to displace our people, coinciding with the beginning of the wet farming season.
This is genocide, plain and simple.”Chiroma accused Fulani militias of carrying out the attacks and faulted the Federal Government’s response as inadequate and detached from reality.
“If the authorities are serious about stopping these killings, they must start by arresting those making inciting statements. Otherwise, it will appear that some people are above the law,” he said.
He called for urgent reinforcement of Operation Rainbow, the state’s local security outfit, through recruitment and retooling to better protect vulnerable communities.
News
Girl, 14, killed by lion in Kenya
The alarm was raised by another teenager and KWS rangers followed tracks to the nearby Mbagathi River, where they found the primary school girl’s remains.

- Lion/ Getty Images
A 14-year-old girl has been killed by a lion on the outskirts of Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said.
The child was snatched from a residential compound on a ranch next to Nairobi National Park, according to the conservation agency.
The alarm was raised by another teenager and KWS rangers followed tracks to the nearby Mbagathi River, where they found the primary school girl’s remains.
The lion has not been found but KWS said it had set a trap and deployed search teams to look for the animal.
(BBC)
News
UPDATE: Four-storey building collapses in Lagos (Photos)

A four-storey building has collapsed in Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, with occupants trapped, and some feared dead.
Panic gripped residents when the uncompleted building suddenly collapsed on Saturday.
The building houses the popular Equal Right Restaurant.
The incident happened at about 11a.m., today.
As of press time, men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, who had been contacted have arrived at the scene.
See photos below:




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