IS THE JUDGEMENT FAIR? MAN HANDED 45 YEARS PRISON TERM FOR STEALING GOVERNOR RAUF AREGBESOLA'S N50,000 SONY ERICSSON PHONE

31-year-old Kelvin Ighodalo was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment by an Osogbo High Court in Osun State for stealing a N50,000 Sony Ericsson phone, belonging to Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Ighodalo stole the phone from Aregbesola’s pocket on November 27, 2010, when the Governor was being inaugurated at Government Technical College, Osogbo.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Oyejide Falola, who presided over the case, found Ighodalo guilty on a six count charge, part of which include conspiracy, stealing and fraud.

He sentenced the accused to 10 years imprisonment for the first three counts and five years for each of the last three which include, impersonation, obtaining property by falsehood and collusion.
He however noted that the jail term, will run concurrently, meaning that Ighodalo will spend the next 10 years behind bars.

He said the convict deserve the jail term, emphasising that the convict used the phone to obtain N500, 000 from the Owa of Ilesa, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, and also obtained N200, 000 from Mr Shengen Rahman, an associate of the Governor.

But is the judgement and punishment metted out to him worth what he has done? We remember in this same country when an Honourable who is supposed to be a custodian of our hearts wishes went ahead to collect bribe to a tune of many thousands of dollrs, what was done to that effct?

Nigeria dem sabi give unreasonable punishment to crimes committed. He has stolen, all we clamour for is for him to be given the right punishment not an unimaginable and illogical form of punishment.

WHERE IS FEMI PEDRO, IS HE COMING TO TAKE OVER GOVERNMENT FROM BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA SAN WHEN HIS TENURE EXPIRES?

His story is just like a rising sun in the morning and going setting in the evening but is this true? Where exactly is Femi Pedro now? A man known for an eximinous contributor during his days in the public office and was just sidelined by the cammallocracy in the government of Lagos state chaired and run by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Who is Femi Pedro sef?

Olufemi Pedro (born 29 January 1955 in Lagos) was the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria from 2003 until 2007. Prior to his election alongside Bola Tinubu, he was a part-owner and the Chief Executive Officer of First Atlantic Bank, now FinBank.

A scion of the renowned Sanusi Adeyinka Pedro family of Bambose Street Lagos Island fame, Femi Pedro was born to late Pa Olajide Pedro- a retired officer of the defunct Western Nigeria Marketing Board, Ikeja- and late Mrs. Modupe Pedro (née Abayomi) on January 29, 1955. Pa Olajide Pedro was widely regarded as a disciplinarian who understood the importance of education, and made it a core value to ensure that attendance of school was a family policy. Consequently, Femi Pedro was enrolled at St. Stephen Primary School, Adeniji Adele in Lagos Island. This brought an end to Femi’s penchant for following Egungun and Igunnu Masquerades around the streets of Lagos with a major determination to graduate into an Eyo masquerade as he and his other childhood friends had the flair for participating in the famous Lagos heritage festival- an event which he loves to watch till this very day.

Educated at St.Stephens primary school, Adeniji Adele Road from 1960 to 1967 where he obtained the First School Leaving Certificate, Femi Pedro subsequently attended Ahmadiyya College (now Anwar-U1-Islam College), Agege between 1968 and 1974 where he earned the Higher School Certificate (HSC) after having successfully completed the West African School Certificate in 1972.

Pedro received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from University of Wisconsin–Superior (1976–1978) and a Master's degree in Economics from Wichita State University (1979–1981). He is married to Justice Jumoke Pedro, a High Court Judge in Lagos; they have 4 children.

In September 2006, Femi Pedro declared his intention to run for office as the Governor of Lagos State in 2007. Tinubu was initially in support of Pedro's candidacy, but allegedly began to gravitate towards Babatunde Raji Fashola as the campaign season drew closer.
On 13 December 2006, Pedro dumped the Action Congress to declare under the Labour Party. He became the first ever Nigerian to contest for a gubernatorial election under the Labour Party platform. On 30 January 2007, Femi Pedro named a University lecturer, Oluranti Adebule, as his running mate for the April 19 elections. Adebule, who teaches Islamic studies at the Lagos State University (LASU), is from the Badagry Division of the state. Solidarity and goodwill messages also poured in for Pedro from the various stakeholders in the party, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), teachers, pensioners, Hausa and Igbo communities, women's groups, students and youth bodies. He endeared himself to Lagosians with his comprehensive manifesto and various policies, many of which are currently being implemented by the sitting Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

In May 2007, Pedro resigned his position as Deputy Governor a few days after citing electoral malpractices in the Gubernatorial elections in which he participated and lost. Today, he continues to champion the fight against wasteful spending in Government, and has preached on the need for transparency and accountability by elected officials in Nigeria.

In September, 2010, whispers began spreading around Lagos State that Femi Pedro may contest the 2011 gubernatorial elections under the PDP platform. Scores of groups reportedly urged Pedro to declare, including prominent South West leaders and at least one sitting Governor from a prominent Yoruba state. He was rumored to have had widespread support and goodwill amongst the PDP hierarchy and party faithful in Abuja. Pedro remained silent about his ambitions, but sources close to his camp claimed that Femi Pedro was very reluctant to throw his hat in the race. He however committed to having an open, honest and transparent debate with stakeholders about "how to move the state forward in the coming years".

On September 24, 2010, Femi Pedro finally declared his intention to run for the 2011 governorship election in Lagos state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party.
He made his declaration at the PDP secretariat in Ikeja amidst fanfare and jubilation by his supporters and party members, explaining that his administration would be committed to improving the living conditions of at least 100 Lagosians a day.

Pedro, who hails from Epetedo, said he had been to every nook and cranny of the state and had since realised that “through clever and constant application of excellent propaganda our people have been made to see Lagos as paradise. Today, Lagos has become a tale of multiple stories. I see people driving on pothole-infested roads and sleeping in flooded homes. I see poorly paid teachers, doctors going on indefinite strike and market women forced to pay excessive stall rates.“

He urged the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led government to do more to reduce the suffering of the people and encouraged them to reduce the penchant to celebrate days in office when there continued to remain an uphill struggle towards attaining sustainable achievements. According to Pedro, "The Government, notwithstanding its many achievements, does a great-disservice if its primary focus is to give people a false sense of comfort - home and abroad - that Lagosians are living in utopian paradise when there is still a lot more work to be done.”
He continued: “I was part and parcel of the administration during the Bola Tinubu era and I know where some of the problems of the state lie. God-willing, If I am chosen to run in the 2011 polls, I would do everything within my power to help Lagosians right the wrongs."

“This government has performed excellently well, but there is room for vast improvement. We desperately need the government to sow the seeds that will grow successful and vibrant Lagosians by creating a better enabling environment for all Lagosians to realise their dreams,” he said.
To the surprise of pundits and political experts, Femi Pedro lost the PDP primaries to Ade Dosunmu. This was due in large part to the efforts of Dosunmu's political godfather: Chief Olabode George.
Today, Femi Pedro continues to remain a well-respected member of the Nigerian political hierarchy.

DAGRIN'S DEATH IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO OLAMIDE'S SUCCESS, DO YOU CONCUR?

Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, also known as Dagrin (21 October 1987 – 22 April 2010), was an award winning Nigerian rapper from Ogun, Nigeria. A film of his life entitled Ghetto Dreamz was released in April 2011Dagrin's home was in Meiran, Alagbado, Lagos. His style of rapping incorporated Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. In 2010 he was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards for Best Album (C.E.O.), Hottest Single "Kondo", Best Rap Act and Best Collaboration with vocals. His album C.E.O. (Chief executive Omota English: Chief Executive Gangster) won the Hip hop World Award 2010 for best rap album. From it came the singles "Pon Pon Pon", and "Kondo". Dagrin worked with other Nigerian artists such as Y.Q, 9ice, M.I, Iceberg Slim, Bigiano and Konga. He associated with music producers like Sossick, Dr Frabz, Sheyman, and Frenzy. He died at the age of 22 on 22 April 2010 after a vehicle accident in Lagos, Nigeria. Dagrin's single "Pon Pon Pon" has some cultural significance, it talks about the life style in Lagos, Agege,Ifewara Mushin, Ikeja, Surulere, Isale Eko, and many other parts of south western Nigeria where life in the slums mixes up with life in the affluent cities and parts of Lagos Nigeria. His songs touch upon ethnicity, pride, while surviving the streets of Lagos and a hint of criticism elderly people hurls against bad behaviour. The music video proudly displays young people in their twenties and early thirties proudly displaying their tribal marks in retrospect of the old Yoruba empire of Ile-Ife A simple young man who went about his daily activities peacefully and quietly had himself won into the hearts of many Nigerians. The CEO (Chief Executive Omoita) of Miossofunyin Entertainment sings all his songs in his mother tongue, Yoruba language, his songs are touching and meaningful as they portrays the real and typical Yoruba culture and tribe. His death came at a time when Young Nigerians and the old loved him dearly and he has been missed greatly. Shortly after his death arrives another rising and promising start in the music industry who also happens to sing the same genre of music as does Late Dagrin, his name- OLAMIDE. But the Question remains will Olamide rise to success be made known had it been Dagrin was still alive? Did olamide actually prayed for the death of dagrin? On the 15th of March 1989 a Star was born to the Adedeji family. He was named Olamide which literarily means “Wealth has come”. No doubt that name was given to the 22 year old more in hope than certainty, well ladies and gentlemen the prophecy has come to pass. A year and some into his professional music career, Olamide has become a house hold name and just in case you don’t know who he is I suggest you google ENI DURO. ENI DURO; the breakout single from his Debut Album has become an anthem for the streets, clubs, lecture halls and conference room. Armed with only his pen and paper, the 300 level mass communication part time student of Tai Solarin University has released what is without a doubt an outstanding debut album. Titled RapSoDi Olamide’s 1st offering is a 16 tracker. Sometime in 2000, Olamide decided he would like to pursue a career in music. When asked why music the Fast rising Rap Artiste says “I found out I was gifted in it so I had to explore it, it’s my life, my hustle, my world”. In 2010 fresh faced Olamide performed on arguably the biggest stage in the Nigerian Music scene; “The Hip Hop World Awards”. Olamide’s road to fame is one for the history books, this time one year ago he was a regular kid growing up in the Heart of Lagos Mainland; Bariga. Even though Olamide insists he is still that Bariga boy a lot has changed in his life. Today he is Olamide a Recording Artiste signed onto ID CABASA’s CODED TUNEZ Record label and managed by Industry heavy weight Toni Payne. Make no mistake his celebrity status was not handed to him on a silver platter, an immense amount of hard work and pure unbridled talent is responsible for the man we see today. The un-assuming Olamide has performed at almost every major event in Lagos this year and continues to headline shows left right and center. What is it about Olamide that has made him a fans’ favourite? Olamide raps in a unique blend of Yoruba and English with lyrics that will leave the listener both speechless and intrigued. Olamide’s dexterity is one of the many things that endear him to his fans. One minute he is delivering his rap in fluent English and the next he switches effortlessly into Yoruba. Ambitious Olamide will tell you he is still on his way there and if given a chance would fancy collaborations with International Superstars; Jay-Z, Ludacris, Drake, and Lil’ Wayne. Where Olamide is silent his songs speak for him, Eni Duro, Apa ti jabo and Omo toh shan (featuring Wizkid) are currently on heavy rotation in several Radio stations and Music TV channels within and outside Nigeria. His Debut Album sees a bevy of Nigerian hip hop artistes making guest appearances, some of which are; ID CABASA, LORD OF AJASA, 9ICE, REMINICE, WIZKID, TERRY THA RAPMAN and management mate ADOL. Focused entirely on his chosen career path when asked for his other interests asides music Olamide replied “Music is all I know and all I do”. Both are great musicians but i still stand on my statement that DAGRIN'S DEMISE IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO OLAMIDE'S SUCCESS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

NIGERIA, A COUNTRY WITH EDUCATIONAL EPILEPSY, QUAGMAYA, FANTASMAGORIE AND EDUCATIONAL STUPOR.

When i read on the pages of the newspaper i was taken by consternation, maniacally bewildered with what i saw. The Honorable minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai stated categorically that 520,000 of the 1,735,720 candidates who sat for the UTME on saturday are likely to gain admission into universities across the nation.

This is because the entire universities in the country can only accommodate 520,000, candidates, meaning that the remaining 1.2million candidates may have to shelve their desire for higher education till further notice.

“We have over 1.7million candidates that have registered to go into our tertiary institutions including our universities and the space that we have is barely 520,000 for federal, and state tertiary institutions including Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and private universities”, the minister said. Prof. Rufai made this disclosure while monitoring the examination in some centres in Abuja. She explained that about 700,000 candidates may not have any university to absorb them if at of the day one million candidates passed the matriculation examination since government could not create access without giving recourse to quality.

As logical as it seems, i am still overghasted and flabberwhelmed we shouldnt nurse the "MEISM" spirit. All the Federal Government are interested about is the gain they will get at the end of the shabby deal.

I believe the government have the statistics of thenumber of tertiary instituions they have and how much it can accommodate students, the question still remains 'What have they done about the epileptic situation carried by the educational sector?'

I am therefore challenging the government to reduce the rate at which they make nuisance of themselves, they should avoid regular big occassioning, big partying, unnecessary allocation of funds to some irresponsible and sector and not society and nation building. They must be prepared to immerse themselves in societal dialects.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said that the difference between me and my colleagues, was that when my other colleagues are cavorting in the dark alleys, i am in my library working myself to the 19 to the dozen.

It is expected of the Government to provide a conducive place where education can take place, sacrifices should be made by them that was the reason they were voted in power in the first place.

As it is now, 50% of the students that wrote the examination will be guaranteed admission provided they cross the 2nd bridge which is the PUTME.

I see all this as means of 'SIPHONING' money from these students and their parents which majority of them are the low income earners.

I call on Mr President to ascend the challenges of governance, and he cannot do that except he takes the driver's seat as the political emir of trans jordan, and the political major dobo, the buck....... He should look strictly at the educational sector and make it a living one.......

 

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