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Gov. Seyi Makinde Bows To Pressure, removes name from rebuilt central mosque after criticisms…

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2 weeks ago

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The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has ordered the reversal of the renaming of Adogba Central Mosque in Iwo Road, Ibadan after him.

The reversal is coming barely 24 hours after an Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), criticised the renaming of the newly reconstructed central mosque after Mr Makinde.

The state government demolished the mosque in 2020 to allow the construction of a bus terminal on the location.

After the mosque was rebuilt in a new location, it was renamed after Governor Makinde.

However, some Islamic organisations, including MURIC, kicked against the new name, threatening to campaign against the reelection of the governor if his name was not dropped from the mosque before Saturday’s governorship and state house of assembly elections.

In response to the threats, the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, on Sunday reportedly led a government delegate to the central mosque to erase the governor’s name from the mosque’s signboard.

The Executive Director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, in a statement on Monday, lauded the governor for bowing to criticisms on the issue.

“Reports reaching MURIC’s Lagos headquarters say Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has removed his name from the signboard of Adogba Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan. The governor gave orders for the removal yesterday, Sunday 12th March 2023 after MURIC criticized the governor for inscribing his name on the rebuilt mosque,” he said.

“It will be recalled that Adogba Central Mosque was demolished by the Makinde administration in 2020 despite our protestations. The governor promised to rebuild it and it was recently rebuilt. But the governor renamed the mosque after himself and MURIC asked him to remove his name,” he added.

“We advised him to delete his name and leave the mosque’s original name there before the fast-approaching gubernatorial election of Saturday, 18th March 2023 to avoid protest vote from Muslims in the state. The state branch of MURIC has confirmed that the governor’s name has been removed from the inscription on the mosque which now reads ‘Adogba Central Mosque’. This was done yesterday, Sunday, 11th March 2023,” Mr Akintola confirmed.

“According to a newspaper report, the removal of the name was carried out by some workers led by the governor’s media aide, Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM,” he said.

“We appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde for complying with MURIC’s advice. MURIC may be radical but it is rational. We affirm that we are not confrontational or militant. Neither are we unnecessarily difficult to relate with once the relationship is based on mutual respect and once no attempt is made to trample on the Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims. We believe that the adherents of different religions can peacefully coexist in this country and work together towards making Nigeria great.

“May Allah continue to protect and bless Governor Seyi Makinde. We are satisfied with the removal of his name from the mosque. No more bitter feelings, no more distrust. MURIC will continue to pursue cordial relations with both government and private institutions in Nigeria as long as they continue to give Muslims their rights and dues and as long as they allow their actions to be guided by the principles of equity, fairness and justice,” Mr Akintola said.

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Ex-Skye Bank chairman Tunde Ayeni speaks on paternity scandal with former lover, Adaobi Alagwu.

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3 days ago

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March 24, 2023

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Former chairman of the board of directors of the defunct Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank) Tunde Ayeni has debunked a report that he reunited with his ex-lover Adaobi Alagwu.

Ms Alagwu, 30, a female lawyer based in Abuja, was said to be Ayeni’s daughter’s classmate when their relationship began.

The lawyer, it was gathered, wants him to admit he is the father of the baby girl she has and take responsibility for her.

Ayeni, however, admitted in a statement released by his media office that his affair with Alagwu set his family backwards and that he would not like to revisit his romance with her.

He said, “Ordinarily, the recent series of media reports linking my name with a lady, Adaobi Alagwu, should not deserve a response from me since the section of the media that is feasting on the issue seems to be uninterested in fact-finding, but mere sensationalism.

“But, given the possibility of even some discerning readers placing some value on the story, this short clarification and disclaimer become necessary.

“I wish to state that, indeed, Ms. Adaobi Alagwu and I had a relationship, which has since ended and, as well-meaning Nigerians can imagine, it was a mistake that has caused my family much pain which I regret and do not wish to continue reliving as a section of the media continues to make me do.”

On the paternity of Alagwu’s child, the businessman explained that the issue “is being resolved and will be resolved in due course but whichever way it is resolved, will never mean a rekindling of the ended relationship between myself and Ms. Alagwu.”

Last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pulled back the N25.4 billion fraud case it filed against Ayeni and Skye Bank’s former managing director, Timothy Oguntayo.

The commission’s move followed an out-of-court settlement which the duo struck with the agency involving the forfeiture of about N15 billion in cash and assets.

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Tony ELUMELU Celebrates 60th Birthday with Symposium

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3 days ago

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March 23, 2023

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The Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Onyemachi Elumelu, CFR, clocked 60 years on Wednesday March 23, 2023 and in commemoration of this event, a symposium was held in his honour at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre in UBA House.

The symposium tagged ’60 for 60’ was attended by 60 young beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, friends and colleagues.

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Seplat Sues Retired Founder Orjiako For Fraudulent Use Of Company’s Letterhead

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3 days ago

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March 23, 2023

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Seplat Energy Plc has cut ties with founder, A.B.C. Orjiako and Amaze Limited for transacting on behalf of the company without the approval of the board after retirement.

The energy company said it has also commenced legal action against its retired founder and Amaze Ltd.

The company made the disclosure in a filing seen by THE WHISTLER on Thursday and signed by Mr. Basil Omiyi, Independent Chairman, on behalf of the entire Board of Seplat Energy PLC.

The company said, “Seplat Energy Plc (Seplat Energy or the Company) announces the termination with immediate effect of the Consultancy Agreement between the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary and its co-founder, Dr. A.B.C Orjiako, acting through Amaze Limited.

“Under the Consultancy Agreement, Dr. Orjiako was obliged to provide defined assistance with certain external stakeholder engagements following his retirement from the Board after the 2022 Annual General Meeting in May 2022.”

Orjiako first resgined in November 2021, eight days after Zenith Bank Plc received an order from a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos blocking Seplat from transacting with its embattled founder, Orjiako.

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