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OPINION: The Three Wrongs Of Owo Park’s Demolition

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By Festus Adedayo

The furore over the recently pulled down Owo Memorial Park in Ondo State is said to have thawed, which is gladsome. There is, however, the need to further examine the subsisting issues in the drama. The park, constructed by the late governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, in honour of victims of a terrorist attack that occurred on June 5, 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, with casualties of over 40 people, was dismantled by the current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. At the hub of the crisis was the Park’s location opposite the Olowo of Owo’s palace. Ever since its dismantling, it has generated such hoopla at the center of which was wife of the late governor, Betty the Ondo State government and the Owo palace. While Mrs. Akeredolu believes the pulling down of the Park was a continuation of perceived acrimony of Aiyedatiwa against her husband, government maintained that it merely hearkened to the call of the Owo palace to respect tradition and pull down the “offending” Park.

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Rather than a clash of culture and religion that many see in the tiff, I tend to see arrogance of position on the sides of the three parties. Whipping up sentiments and emotions in a video she posted on her X page, Betty wrote, “Darling, I’ve always known you to love your people. See what they’ve done to you. They didn’t blink an eye in rubbishing your memory and legacy. Spearheaded by the Olowo of Owo, whom you single-handedly installed, and ‘Lucky’, the enabler, ordered the demolition of a monument built to remember those massacred. Nobody was buried there — it was symbolic. They travel abroad and see how memorials are treated with respect. Why do we do things differently? To score political points? The Oba that doesn’t want the so-called cemetery — but it’s not a cemetery — sleeps with the dead. All the Olowos were buried where he lived. Look at the hypocrisy! So long as I live, they will not succeed. They will not rubbish you. Aketi lives on.”

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: Herdsmen And Crabs Swimming In Benue’s River Of Blood

You may not be able to stand the face of Betty, especially her constant veers into ethnic slants, but that post is replete with hardcore facts. Promptly, the Olowo-in-Council issued a statement which stated that the palace was taking responsibility for the demolition as it personally urged government to demolish the Park due to its affront against Owo long-held culture. To underscore its enjoyment of an Owo-wide acceptance, a group of protesters recently openly affirmed that the decision was done in the interest of Owo culture. The palace statement said, “It must be made clear that the decision to site the structure in that particular location was resisted by the Olowo-in-Council and frowned upon by the people of the community when it was being conceived by the government of the late Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.” The palace then thanked the “listening” Governor Aiyedatiwa for acceding to its request.

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The tripodal blame on all parties goes thus: One, the question to be posed to the palace is, if the “unlistening” Governor Akeredolu hadn’t passed on, what would have happened to the Park? If nothing happened to Owo for almost three years of the construction of the Park, why is the palace mythifying culture by claiming that erection of memorial parks is a palace taboo? Again, which parks had been constructed close to the palace before now, so that we can know its negative effects? If none, how come the palace still holds on to it as a taboo? How many taboos of ancient past have been moderated in the face of modernity or does the palace observe all of them till today, hook, line and sinker?

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu And The Fish God

Lastly, the other question to ask is, is culture made for man or man was made for culture? No one needs to tell anyone that Owo needs to memorialize that gory event of June 2022 when some misbegotten blood-seeking vampires killed worshipers in one fell swoop. Akeredolu did well by constructing the park so that the memories of the dead would be kept alive and Owo itself would be reminded to be on its guard against repeat occurrence. More importantly, why didn’t the palace ask government to demolish all the infrastructure that Akeredolu constructed in Owo since it is so rankled by the late governor’s footprints? These questions needed to be answered and sincerely too so that some people seeking to even scores won’t hide under a nebulous culture they created.

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For Mrs. Akeredolu, having lived for decades in Yorubaland, she should have realized that Yoruba revere their culture. They won’t even stand an outsider making mockery of it. Using foul words on the monarchy of Owo, especially when her children, bona-fide children of Owo, would forever need the ancient town for, especially, validation all the days of their lives, is akin to destroying their future.

While the Ondo State governor must be commended for promptly acceding to the request of the palace, Ondo people would be more excited if that government deploys same alacrity it took it to dismantle the Akeredolu-built Park into finishing the many projects the governor’s late boss began but which death prevented him from concluding. Hiding under the banner of “palace request” to execute a governmental philosophy is mean.

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Indecent Dressing Punishable Offence, Attracts N50,000 Fine In Delta — Police Warns

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Operatives Storm Kidnappers’ Hideout In Delta, Kill Five

There are some laws that you don’t know the state frowns against.

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“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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READ ALSO:Police Arrest Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Recover N4m Ransom In Delta

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:SERAP Kicks As Bill To Jail Nigerians Who Don’t Vote Is Proposed

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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.

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“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.

READ ALSO:SERAP Drags Tinubu To Court Over Fubara, Deputy, Lawmakers’ Suspension

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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.

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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.”

READ ALSO:‘It’s Patently Unlawful,’ SERAP Sues Akpabio Over Natasha’s Suspension

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:SERAP To Court: Stop CBN From ‘Implementing ‘Unlawful, Unjust ATM Fee Hike’

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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.

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“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.

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10 Things To Know About Late Kano-born Business Mogul, Aminu Dantata

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air MD In N1.3bn Fraud Case

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Dana Air Staff Protest Mass Sacking, Non-payment Of Salaries

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.

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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.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Renowned Businessman, Aminu Dantata, Is Dead

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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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