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Diya: A devastating loss to us in Odogbolu LG, Nigeria-Ayoola

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Diya: A devastating loss to us in Odogbolu LG, Nigeria-Ayoola

Diya: A devastating loss to us in Odogbolu LG, Nigeria-Ayoola

…pays tributes to Late Gen Diya

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poland-based international trade expert, who is also from Odogbolu Local Government, Omooba Adekunle Adebayo Ayoola has joined Nigerians at home and abroad to mourn the exit of the former Vice President during the military era, Gen Oladipupo Diya (rtd.) who died early hours today at 79.

 

 

 

 

Diya: A devastating loss to us in Odogbolu LG, Nigeria-Ayoola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ayoola described the passage of the Odogbolu-born late military tactician as no doubt a quantum loss to Ogun State and Nigeria in general given his selflessness and contributions towards the development of the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APC National Chairman lauds Ayoola's contributions to party's presidential victory

 

 

 

The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress said that Diya who was the Military governor of Ogun State between February 1984 to August 1985 was another soldier-elder statesman who at different times was involved in peace keeping efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone and to a large extent helped in stabilizing peace in Africa continent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While mourning this late military boss, Ayoola said “General Diya was a distinguished military officer who served Nigeria with honour and distinction. His passage at a time we least expected is a great loss to us in Odogbolu, Nigeria, and the world at large.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“In this tribute, I will reflect on his life, his achievements, and his legacy.  General Diya was born on April 3, 1944, in Odogbolu, Ogun State, Nigeria. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1964 and rose through the ranks to become a Major General. He served in various capacities, including as the Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Chief of Staff, at Supreme Headquarters. He was the defacto Vice President to Late Gen Sanni Abacha until his lock up by Abacha for the trumped charges of the military coup of 1995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“General Diya was a courageous and dedicated soldier who fought for the unity and progress of Nigeria. He played a key role in the country’s peacekeeping efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where he helped to restore peace and stability to those countries. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“He was also instrumental in the successful transition from military to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999.  General Diya was a man of integrity and honour. He was known for his honesty, humility, and selflessness. He was in a class of his own. I hereby commiserate with the people of Odogbolu, most especially, Diya’s family as well as the entire Ogun State and Nigeria on the demise of this patriotic Nigerian. May God give us the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.

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NAPS REJECTS EXCESSIVE ATM TRANSACTION CHARGES – CBN MUST REVIEW THIS POLICY IMMEDIATELY

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NAPS REJECTS EXCESSIVE ATM TRANSACTION CHARGES – CBN MUST REVIEW THIS POLICY IMMEDIATELY

NAPS REJECTS EXCESSIVE ATM TRANSACTION CHARGES – CBN MUST REVIEW THIS POLICY IMMEDIATELY

 

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), representing over 2.5 million Nigerian Polytechnic students, strongly condemns the recent hike in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fees introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its circular dated February 10, 2025.

 

This policy, which enforces exorbitant withdrawal fees for “Not-On-Us” transactions, is exploitative and a direct attack on the financial stability of students and ordinary Nigerians. At a time when many citizens are grappling with economic hardship, it is unacceptable that the CBN is prioritizing revenue generation over the welfare of the people.

 

OUR POSITION ON THE NEW ATM CHARGES

1. Unfair and Exploitative Fees
The new directive imposes:

₦100 per ₦20,000 withdrawal at on-site ATMs.
Up to ₦500 per ₦20,000 withdrawal at off-site ATMs.
This means a student withdrawing ₦40,000 from an off-site ATM could lose up to ₦1,200 in fees—an outrageous sum for young Nigerians struggling to afford tuition, accommodation, and daily expenses.

2. A Direct Attack on Students & Low-Income Earners

Most polytechnic students lack access to their bank’s ATMs on campuses or in their localities, forcing them to rely on other banks’ ATMs. This policy unfairly punishes them for circumstances beyond their control.

Instead of supporting students and low-income earners, CBN is worsening financial inequality by making basic banking services more expensive for those who rely on cash transactions for their daily needs.

3. Anti-Financial Inclusion & Anti-Student Policy

In a country where digital banking remains unreliable, increasing ATM withdrawal costs discourages financial inclusion.

Additionally, students will be forced to divert funds meant for academic materials toward excessive bank charges. This is not only counterproductive but also a barrier to education and economic growth.

OUR DEMANDS TO CBN & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

As the unified voice of Nigerian Polytechnic students, NAPS demands an immediate reversal of these unjust charges.

We call on:

CBN to suspend and review this exploitative policy in the interest of students and the general public.
Banks to halt any planned implementation of these excessive charges.

The Federal Government to intervene before this policy further impoverishes Nigerians.

We urge all relevant stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue to ensure banking policies remain student-friendly, fair, and inclusive.

NAPS REJECTS EXCESSIVE ATM TRANSACTION CHARGES – CBN MUST REVIEW THIS POLICY IMMEDIATELY

Signed:
Comr. Oyewumi Joy Festus
National President, National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)

Comr. Jimoh Ibrahim
National PRO, National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)

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Senior Lagos Policeman Remanded for Allegedly Raping 17-Year-Old in Police Station

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Senior Lagos Policeman Remanded for Allegedly Raping 17-Year-Old in Police Station

Senior Lagos Policeman Remanded for Allegedly Raping 17-Year-Old in Police Station

 

An Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos State on Tuesday ordered the remand of 56-year-old Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Owolabi Akinlolu at the Maximum Correctional Centre, Kirikiri, for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in his office at Ogudu Police Station. 

 

The alleged assault took place on June 29, 2024, when Akinlolu reportedly summoned the teenager to his office, claiming they had apprehended a suspect who had stolen her phone two weeks earlier. The girl’s phone had been taken by one-chance robbers while she was traveling from Ikeja with her grandmother and siblings. 

 

According to reports, Akinlolu locked the office door and assaulted the teenager after luring her under the pretext of recovering her stolen property. In July 2024, the survivor’s mother, Mrs. Aramide Olupona, accused police officials of attempting to cover up the case. She disclosed that Akinlolu’s family and wife had pleaded with her to drop the charges, emphasizing that he was set to retire in December 2024. The prosecution counsel submitted a seven-paragraph affidavit requesting the remand of Akinlolu, arguing that the alleged crime violated Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. 

 

Presiding Magistrate O.O. Fagboun agreed with the prosecution’s submission and ordered Akinlolu’s detention at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to March 11, 2025, for trial. The case has drawn public outrage, with demands for transparency and justice amid growing concerns over abuses by law enforcement officers. Many advocacy groups have also called for stricter measures to address sexual violence within police institutions. 

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Senate Grills Police Chief Over 178,459 Missing Firearms, N1.1bn Contract Scandal

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Senate Grills Police Chief Over 178,459 Missing Firearms, N1.1bn Contract Scandal

Senate Grills Police Chief Over 178,459 Missing Firearms, N1.1bn Contract Scandal


The Senate Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday summoned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over alarming revelations from a 2019 Auditor General’s report highlighting 178,459 missing firearms, predominantly AK-47 rifles, and allegations of N1.1bn contract splitting within the Nigeria Police Force.

Egbetokun, who apologized for previous absences due to the demands of his office, introduced Assistant Inspector General of Police Abdul Sulaiman as his official committee liaison. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) accepted the apology but stressed the importance of accountability for all officials.

The audit report presented by Samuel Godwin on behalf of Shaakaa Chira painted a grim picture: 178,459 firearms were unaccounted for as of December 2018, with an additional 3,907 rifles and pistols missing by January 2020. The Senate raised concerns about these firearms potentially falling into criminal hands, heightening Nigeria’s security crisis.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) voiced fears that such a loss endangered both citizens and the police, insisting Nigerians deserved answers. In response, AIG Sulaiman explained that some weapons were lost to robberies or seized by criminals during attacks on officers. However, a committee review revealed only 15 cases of officers losing firearms due to injury or death.

AIG Sulaiman requested more time to provide a comprehensive report, but Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) demanded stronger action. “Officers responsible must be arrested and paraded—just as the police do to ordinary Nigerians. No double standards,” he asserted.

Further scrutiny was directed at eight audit queries, including a N1.1bn contract-splitting allegation, which violated the Public Procurement Act. The committee ordered the police to present detailed explanations of all flagged irregularities.

The IGP has been mandated to reappear on Monday, January 17, 2025, with a full report on the missing firearms and contract irregularities.

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