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OPINION: Baba Fasoranti At 99
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2 months agoon
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By Festus Adedayo
Today, icon of Akure Kingdom in Ondo State, foremost Yoruba leader and one of the major twines holding together the Yoruba nation, Baba Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, clocks 99 years on earth. Born on May 11, 1926, Fasoranti is also a noteworthy bridge linking the highly romanticized First Republic politics and governance to the current order of things. Fasoranti’s political trajectory and ideology are deeply rooted in progressivism and Yoruba ideals and principles. As a politician, he affiliated with and imbibed the political philosophy of Yoruba’s ancestor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Through the Action Group (AG) party and later the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Fasoranti served his political tutelage under leaders like Awo himself, Chief Michael Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya, rising to be the leader of Afenifere, Yoruba political cultural group. During the Second Republic, Fasoranti served as Commissioner of Finance in old Ondo State between 1979 and 1983. Legend has it that Fasoranti was Awolowo’s choice for governorship of old Ondo State but the content Fasoranti rejected it for personal reasons.
During the bloodthirsty military despotism of General Sani Abacha, Fasoranti was one of the NADECO leaders whom that regime attempted to assassinate. In 1996, a clear attempt was made on his life by regime goons. While the likes of Fasoranti are alive today by Providence, the Alfred Rewanes were not that lucky. He is held today as a symbol of the never-dying spirit of resistance against forces of tyranny and oppression. Fasoranti’s politics has never been about himself but the advancement of his people, a philosophy upheld by his resilience and fortitude in the face of visible danger and personal losses. When his daughter was killed by herders on the Akure-Ore road some years ago, Fasoranti, like the biblical Job, took Providence’s judgment with astonishing equanimity and stoicism. As leader of Afenifere, Baba Fasoranti has held the forte for Yoruba like his predecessors, canvassing and holding aloft solidarity to the unity of Yoruba people, supremacy of Yoruba ideals and the betterment of the lot of his people.
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Fasoranti’s trajectory as a teacher must have imbued in him the principles of integrity, leadership, service and a teachable spirit. As a young man, he meandered through a primary school in his Uso village, to Ondo Boys’ High School, Yaba Higher College in Lagos, and the University College, Ibadan, the latter being where he bagged a higher degree in English/Geography. Upon beginning his career trajectory, it was his Alma Mater, Ondo Boys’ High School, that Fasoranti pitched his tent. He later became Principal of Oyemekun Grammar School and Iju-Itaogbolu Grammar School. Fasoranti is today held by his people as a legend who dedicated his life to the advancement of education and the place of knowledge in the advancement of society. As an underscore of his obsessive love for education, Fasoranti established the Omolere Nursery and Primary School and Akure High School, which today are his huge and imperishable imprints on the rock of education.
Regardless of my views, I must confess that my people of Akure hold President Bola Tinubu, through Baba Fasoranti, in a very high esteem. A chemistry works between the duo that is difficult to decipher. Could it have been forged in the smithy and grits of the NADECO years? When Afenifere delegation visited Tinubu in Aso Rock in 2023, the president did the near-centenarian the rare honour of personally wheeling him about in his chair. Akure people also say that never in the history of federal governance in Nigeria have they witnessed the kind of gale of federal projects that are coming to them under this government. The hitherto impassable Akure-Ikere road which our son, Ademola Adegoroye, gave impressionable fillip to as an 11-month minister, has received huge financial backing from Tinubu. So also the dualization of the Akure-Ore road where Baba Fasoranti’s daughter was unfortunately killed. The dualization of Ilesha-Akure-Benin road, I am told, has also been awarded. In the same vein, the most massive project ever in the area, the Akure Teaching Hospital, is sprinting so well that I am told Tinubu wants Baba Fasoranti to see it fructify in his life time.
While praying to God to grant Baba Fasoranti centenary and post-centenary existence, in good health, I salute this great son of Akure Kingdom today on his 99th birth anniversary.
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Indecent Dressing Punishable Offence, Attracts N50,000 Fine In Delta — Police Warns
Published
2 hours agoon
June 29, 2025By
Editor
The Delta State Police Command has warned that indecent dressing in Delta is now a punishable offence under the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, attracting a fine of N50,000 or community service.
The warning on indecent dressing in Delta was issued in a post shared via the Command’s official X handle on Saturday.
The police noted that many residents may be unaware of certain state laws, adding that it would begin a weekly sensitisation campaign to educate the public.
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“There are some laws that you don’t know the state frowns against.
“So, every weekend, we will be dropping some of these laws so that you will be aware,” the post read.
Addressing indecent dressing in Delta specifically, the Command stated: “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, and you prefer dey waka go work, school, or anywhere with clothes wey dey show everywhere for your body, make you hear am – Delta state government nor dey smile for that kain dressing. VAAP law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well.”
Under Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law, anyone who intentionally exposes their private parts, wholly or partially, in public is guilty of indecent exposure.
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Upon conviction, offenders may be ordered to perform community service, pay a fine not exceeding N50,000, or both.
The law, originally passed at the federal level in 2015 and domesticated in Delta State in 2020, seeks to address all forms of violence against persons in both public and private life, and to protect vulnerable groups within the state.
It states: “(1) A person who intentionally exposes any of his or her private parts wholly or partly in public commits the offence of indecent exposure.
(2) “A person who commits the offence provided for in subsection (1) of this Section is liable on conviction to perform such community service as the court may order or to pay a fine not exceeding N50,000.00 or both.”
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Security Votes: SERAP Gives Governors Seven Days To Explain Spending
Published
3 hours agoon
June 29, 2025By
Editor
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors across Nigeria, demanding immediate disclosure of how security votes have been spent since May 29, 2023.
In letters dated June 28, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged state governors to not only make public the details of their security vote expenditures but also to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate and monitor the funds disbursed under this opaque category of spending.
“The escalating insecurity in several states is taking a devastating toll on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, driving up extreme poverty, intensifying hunger, and leading to other grave human rights violations,” SERAP stated.
The organisation referenced the recent massacre in Benue State and broader national insecurity as a compelling justification for their demand.
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According to SERAP, despite billions of naira being allocated annually for security votes, many governors are failing to uphold their constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of the people.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP emphasised that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” warning that the persistent secrecy surrounding these funds has enabled widespread misuse and undermined public trust.
“In 2021 alone, state governors and local government chairmen reportedly collected over N375 billion in security votes.
“Yet, insecurity continues to spiral out of control in many states, highlighting a dangerous disconnect between allocated resources and actual results.”
Security votes—typically large, discretionary funds allocated to state executives ostensibly for improving security—are widely criticised for their lack of transparency and accountability. While governments often cite national security as a reason for nondisclosure, SERAP argues there is no legal basis for hiding public spending under this guise.
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“While authorities may keep certain matters of operational secrecy from the public, there is no constitutional or legal justification for withholding basic information on how public funds are spent,” the letter read.
Referring to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, SERAP reminded governors that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government, including states.
“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend security votes,” the group added.
SERAP warned that failure to respond within seven days of the receipt or publication of the FoI request would prompt legal action to compel compliance.
“The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold it,” SERAP stated. “The people have a right to know how their money is being used, especially in matters as crucial as security.”
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The group further argued that the misuse and secrecy around security votes have hindered meaningful oversight and contributed to a culture of impunity, where governors view these funds as personal entitlements rather than tools to enhance public safety.
“Years of secrecy in the spending of security votes have limited the ability of Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable,” the statement continued.
“This is a grave violation of public trust and a breach of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and international obligations,” SERAP noted.
Quoting Section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP reminded governors that they are mandated to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.”
It added that proper use of security votes should be directed at improving the security situation or returned to the public treasury.
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SERAP’s position came as a result of the recent assessments from international organisations.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria has been listed among 39 countries classified as being in “fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS).”
“The World Bank noted that insecurity is contributing to extreme poverty in Nigeria.
“Millions are experiencing acute food insecurity, while severe gaps in education and healthcare undermine national development,” SERAP said.
The organisation concluded by urging governors to lead a transparent and honest national dialogue about the security crisis and the real impact of security vote expenditures.
“Disclosing these details will not only build public trust but also catalyse more effective, collective responses to the worsening security challenges across the country,” SERAP stated.
News
10 Things To Know About Late Kano-born Business Mogul, Aminu Dantata
Published
3 hours agoon
June 29, 2025By
Editor
Renowned Kano-born business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has passed on at the age of 94 after a prolonged illness associated with old age.
The news of billionaire businessman’s demise was disclosed via a social media post on Saturday by the Deputy National Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Uba Tanko Mijinyawa.
Here are 10 things to know about the late icon:
1.Alhaji Aminu Dantata was born on May 19, 1931, into the prominent Dantata family of Kano. He was the son of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s most successful merchants and a pioneer in long-distance trade and commerce in Nigeria.
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2.He began his business career as a produce buyer at Alhassan Dantata and Sons Limited. Over time, he built an empire with vast investments in finance, real estate, agriculture, construction, and the petroleum sector.
3.In 1962, Dantata became a member of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank and was later appointed as one of its directors, playing a key role in Nigeria’s early industrial development.
4.He was elected into the Northern House of Assembly in 1966. In 1967, he was appointed as a Commissioner in the Kano State Government, a position he held until 1973. He also contributed to Nigeria’s democratic evolution as a member of the 1979 Constitution Drafting Committee.
5.Dantata led several trade missions abroad, representing Nigeria’s private sector on the global stage. He was known for promoting international partnerships and strengthening commercial ties between Nigeria and other countries.
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6.He was honoured with several academic accolades, receiving honorary doctorate degrees from top Nigerian universities such as Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Abia State University, Imo State University, and Usman Danfodio University.
7.A recipient of two prestigious national honours — Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the National Republic of Niger (CONN) — Dantata was widely recognized for his contributions to national development.
8.He was deeply involved in philanthropy, investing heavily in education, youth empowerment, and skills acquisition. His efforts supported thousands of Nigerians in accessing better opportunities and improving their livelihoods.
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9.He was a patron and life member of various business and industry organizations, including the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Kano Chamber of Commerce, the National Council of Farmers, and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industries.
10.Alhaji Aminu Dantata married Hajiya Rabi Aminu Dantata, who conducted all his business dealings with women. He later married Maimuna, and between both wives, he had many children. He was also Chancellor of Al-Qalam University and served as a Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, continuing his legacy in both education and Islamic finance.
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