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Workers of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDA) in Oyo State have abandoned the detained national coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum(FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze, as he continues to languish in detention.

The workers, who openly exhibit nonchalance and indifference towards the plight of the detained activist, have overtime benefited from Comrade Emelieze's struggles and activism for better working conditions for workers.

In his remarks, the state coordinator of the FWF, Comrade Victor Osungboun, called for the unconditional release of Comrade Emeleize by the secret police.

''The reason for his detention revolves around the protests we staged on 5th May 2025 for the payment of all the outstanding arrears of federal workers. 

This is in addition to the protests against hunger and poverty that have become the way of life of workers in the country, Comrade Osungboun lamented.

Comrade Emelieze has been detained incommunicado for several days in the detention facility of the secret police.

THE DETENTION OF COMRADE ANDREW EMELIEZE BY YUSUF AKINOLA

My client, Comrade Andrew Emelieze who has been championing the struggle for the welfare of workers employed by the Federal Government has been detained again today 3/7/25 by the State Security Service (SSS) in Ibadan.

It should be recalled that the Comrade was detained on 30/6/25 and released the following day on 1/7/25.

Today, he was invited by the same DSS and detained for no stated reason.

According to the report of Mr. Yusuff Akinola, the lawyer from Abope Chambers who went to secure his bail on 1/7/25 and who also accompanied him today to the SSS office, no specific allegation of any offence was made against Comrade Andrew Emelieze. Indeed, according to Andrew Emelieze, his interrogation on 30/6/25 through 1/7/25 revolved round only facts relating to the formation of the Federal Workers Forum.

Today, 3/7/25, after he honoured the invitation of the SSS, he was asked to wait for a Senior Officer who never showed up to interrogate him.

I call on the SSS to release my client, Comrade Andrew Emelieze. If he has committed any offence known to law, he should be charged to court. 

Below are the verbatim reports of Yusuff Akinola Esq on 1/7/25 and 3/7/25, which show nothing but sheer harassment of a law-abiding citizen in person of Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

*REPORT OF VISIT TO THE OFFICE OF THE STATE SECURITY SERVICE (SSS)OYO STATE COMMAND,ON THE ARREST, DETENTION AND RELEASE ON BAIL OF COMRADE ANDREW EMELIEZE FROM 30TH June through 1ST JULY 2025*.

Around 11 a.m of 1/7/2021, I got to the premises of the Oyo State Command of the SSS located at Aleshinloye, Ibadan, Oyo State. I was initially prevented from entering the premises by the officers at the entrance gate on the ground that no lawyer can see anyone in their custody until the Investigation Officer has directly and formally invited the counsel. Later, when I stated we might make a public statement that our client had been denied access to a lawyer of his choice, I was eventually allowed to enter their main building at about 11:15 a.m. 

The officers at the counter directed me to wait at the visitors' room on the ground floor, that the Investigation Officer would come out to invite me to the Interrogation Room. After 40 minutes, the same officer informed me that they were attending to Comrade Andrew Emelieze and that I would be allowed to see him at a later time. Around 2 p.m, an officer who they all addressed as 'DLS' invited me to his OFFICE where I identified him to be their lawyer. The SSS lawyer ordered the Investigation Officer to bring Comrade Andrew to his office.

Upon the production of Comrade Andrew in their lawyer's office, I asked for the reason for his arrest and detention. Neither the lawyer nor the Investigation Officer could state the particular reason for the arrest and detention. Rather, the lawyer showed me the statement written by Comrade Andrew and he asked Comrade Andrew if he was tortured and whether the statement was made voluntarily. Comrade Andrew responded that he was never tortured and his statement was made voluntarily.

Comrade Andrew Emelieze's statement was his responses to the questions put to him about the historical facts on the formation of the Federal Workers Forum led by the Comrade which had planned a protest in Abuja for 1/7/25.

Thereafter, we were led to the 'ADS' office where I orally applied for Comrade Andrew's bail. I was informed that it was not their practice to take oral application for bail. They requested that the bail should be applied with our office letterhead within 1 hour because their officers were preparing to head out of their premises.

By 2:56 pm, I submitted, at the counter, the handwritten application for bail with Abope Chambers' letterhead. We were given a bail bond to fill around 3 pm but we had to wait till 6pm before Comrade Andrew could be released, because none of the officers present could tell us the offence Comrade Andrew had allegedly committed. Meanwhile, we needed to state the alleged offence on the bail bond. 

Around 6 p.m., the Investigation Officer came back and informed us that the alleged offences were *'Incitement and Public Disturbance'* .

Comrade Andrew was finally released around 6 p. m. and we left their premises by 6:15 p.m.

Yusuff Akinola, Esq.

*REPORT OF VISIT TO THE SSS OFFICE TODAY 3/7/25 AND DETENTION OF COMRADE ANDREW EMELIEZE*

Sequel to the invitation of Comrade Andrew Emelieze by the SSS, on the ground that there was a document we were yet to sign to perfect his earlier bail granted on 1/7/2025, Comrade Andrew and I went to the SSS Command this evening and entered their premises around 5:17 p.m.

Upon entering their main building, we were informed by one of the officers that an unidentified senior officer wanted to ask him a few questions. Hence, Comrade Andrew was directed to wait at the Waiting Room. The officer then advised that I could leave so that they wouldn't waste my time. I informed him that we were invited only to come and "perfect the bail" earlier granted and I informed him that I wouldn't leave my client behind . He therefore stated that I could stay with Comrade Andrew at the Waiting Room till the time the said senior officer would return back to office.

After 40 minutes, I informed the officer at the counter that we would like to leave as it and come back tomorrow since Comrade Andrew was already on bail and he needed to take his medication. The officer said I might leave but Comrade Andrew had to wait for the senior officer who was not available. I reminded the officer again that Comrade Andrew was on bail and there was no reason to detain him again since he had not jumped bail and I further asked if he had been detained again. The officer didn't respond to my question.

After 2 hours of waiting, around the 7:18 p.m., I had to leave the SSS Command when it became obvious that their intention was to keep Comrade Andrew in their custody. 

Upon reaching home around 9 p.m. because of the heavy rain fall and traffic , I saw two missed calls on my phone from the officer that invited us. I called him back and he informed me that the senior officer had returned but they found out I had left. I asked if they had released Comrade Andrew, he said I should come back to their office this night for the release of Comrade Andrew. I asked if he meant I had to apply for his bail again and the officer said yes. I informed him I would return to their office tomorrow, 4/7/25.

Yusuff Akinola, Esq.

As parents and guardians continue to worry over the disturbing performance of their children and wards in both public and private primary and secondary schools in Oyo state,  in addition to the increasing cases of deviant behavior and illicit drug use, the chairman of the Oyo state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji opines that the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has provided a conducive environment for teachers to thrive in the state. Excerpts:

How would you assess the outgoing 2024/2025 academic session in public and private primary and secondary schools in Oyo state?

First and foremost, we want to appreciate God for the gift of life. We also want to appreciate  our amiable Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde for providing an enabling environment for all stakeholders to function.

I appreciate our teachers also, for their dedication to duty.

We started the academic session on a good note, and it is so far so good.

The results of the first and second terms were very encouraging. We are in the third term. This is the term for promotion and graduation. Since the teachers have taught the pupils and students satisfactorily, we hope for the best.

What are your expectations for the 2025/2026 academic session?

We expect commitment, loyalty and dedication from our teachers, who are hardworking. It will be a continuation of our good work. We assure our parents and guardians that the results of their children and wards will be fruitful.

A former Governor of Oyo state and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland,  Oba Rashidi Ladoja has warned that cross carpeting from one political party to another was not a shield against corruption allegations.

Oba Ladoja gave this warning on Friday in an interaction with journalists in his Old Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria residence.

A New Beginning Starts from here

''Moving from one political party to another is not new. Some people are doing this to protect themselves against the EFCC. However, moving  from one party to another should not be perceived as amnesty for wrong doing.'' he stated.

The former governor called on Nigerians to pray for the emergence of a government that would take care of the people, adding 2027 is still far way. Bola Tinubu has done well. Two years is still far, it just like we are playing football.''

Oba Ladoja wondered what had become of the labor movement in the country saying, '' I listened to the NLC president, Ajaero, I felt for him. He is leading a team that is neither here nor there.''

The poor performance of the government at all levels in Nigeria has reduced millions of Nigerians to beggars.

This assertion was made by a former speaker of the legislative assembly of the Ibadan South East Local Government Council, Hon. Tunde Yusuf.

''Visit the communities; people are suffering. People are begging to eat.

The government's poor performance has turned Nigerians into beggars.

Here in Oyo State, the local government does not exist.

Elected officeholders are nowhere to be found.

Hunger is the major discussion at the grass roots, where the illicit drug trade is booming.

At the bus stops everywhere, pick-pocketing is now the trend.'' Hon. Yusuf stated.

The ceaseless external borrowing by the Federal Government is a preplanned plot to defraud Nigeria.

This assertion was made by government workers, who are members of the Federal Workers Forum(FWF), through their National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''The endless borrowing of the Federal Government from foreign financial institutions is obviously a pre-planned agenda to defraud the country, for personal gains,with the active connivance of the Legislature. This is a bad omen for Democracy. How can the legislature be a rubber stamp? This is regrettable.

In a similar development, the General Secretary of the United Action for Democracy, Comrade Kunle ''wiseman'' Ajayi,  has opined that the present state of things in Nigeria is disturbing, saying, ''we are in a war situation. And as it is there is an urgent need for Nigerians to heighten their expression of discontent over the deteriorating state of the economy, hunger, poverty and violent crimes.

Comrade Ajayi noted that the undisclosed purpose for borrowing by the government is to undermine the economic well-being of millions of Nigerians.''

''Their plan is to perpetually keep the country indebted to the foreign financial institutions. Nigeria has no justification to be poor because the country is naturally endowed and blessed.'' Comrade Ajayi stated.

Walking in humility with the Lord is uplifting  and glorifying in the midst of mortals.

Let us pray for our decision makers in every society, that the Lord will make them to become selfless, generous, fair and transparent for posterity's sake.

Read Acts 15:12-21

The Local Scene

It is very surprising that up till this moment, the potentials in the agricultural sector are yet to be fully developed or realized.

The pivotal role of this sector is to provide sufficient food for the impoverished population, full employment for the millions of unemployed, and a source of supply of raw materials toy, eradicate poverty, and facilitate the diversification of the economy.

But very unfortunately, the result sheet of the sector is everywhere for discerning minds to reach reasonable conclusions.

Indeed, violent crimes coupled with outdated equipment and poor processing and storage facilities, among others, are obviously not incentives to develop agriculture.

The obsessive interest by officials of the government at all levels in the real estate sector has to a great extent contributed to the pitiable state of agriculture in Nigeria.

Sadly, land suitable for arable farming has now been replaced by residential estates, exclusively for the moneybags. Perhaps.

Let us pray for minorities who are vulnerable in a hostile environment—that they will know the ultimate security of faith.

Read Acts 14:21-28.

The Local Scene

It is very sad and disturbing to note that up to this moment, there is yet to be a convincing improvement in the well-being of millions of Nigerians.

The economic policy thrust of the present administration deliberately prevents citizens from accessing the basic necessities of life without hindrance.

Indeed, Nigerians are yet to be empowered to be more economically productive, while their quality of life has rapidly deteriorated.

Sadly, the measures taken by those in charge to reduce the incidence of poverty, for now, are of no significant impact on the lives of the downtrodden people.

However, the increase in domestic and foreign debts are setbacks that have negatively affected the country's economy.

Of worry is the absence of prudence, transparency, and accountability in the government's expenditure at all levels.

The tax system-a source of sleepless nights for millions of impoverished Nigerians-is anything but efficient, even though the multiplicity of taxes is the trend at all levels of government.