Refutations of the Ogun film by the CAN the Muslim community the CDC and other organizations

On Monday, stakeholders in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State denied reports that a 10 kilogram bag of rice was donated to the Sokeye Community to be shared as a palliative. The accusations were made in a video that went viral on the internet.

During a meeting that was convened by the leadership of the council to discuss how the palliatives that were designed to soothe the pains that were caused by the loss of the fuel subsidy were distributed, stakeholders stated that the formula that was used to share the bags of rice is the best that they have ever seen in the state.

During his speech at the ceremony, Bishop Ezekiel Olukunle, who represented CAN on the committee that shared and supervised the palliatives, referred to the film as a “hatchet job” and asked the general people to dismiss the information that it contained.

“CAN has been provided one thousand bags of rice to distribute to our members who are in difficult situations. We were very careful to distribute them, and Sokeye, along with the other communities, received their fair share. How is it therefore that he can declare there was only supposed to be one bag split among all of the households in the estate? “We strongly urge that you disregard what he has to say because he is definitely involved in some nefarious activity,” the person stated.

Dr. Saheed Adeleye, who represented the Muslim Community on the sharing committee, stated that the formula that was used to share the palliatives is the best one that he has seen in his over 40 years of living in the council area. This statement was made in support of the Bishop.

The community leader who said that the man who made the video resides in the same region as him described the man as a well-known member of the opposition.

“The statements that the individual is making are completely false. He is a tool in their hands. He is familiar to us. He has never made a contribution to the growth of our region, but he is highly skilled at working together with others to undermine the authority of various governments.

“I am able to tell you that we, as a Muslim community, received one thousand bags of rice, which we then distributed to the more vulnerable members of our community.” Since I make my home at Sokeye, I am able to affirm that not less than 165 sacks of rice were distributed to those in the neighborhood who were in need. The individual has been spreading false information about this community.

We are not the only ones who have rice to distribute amongst ourselves, either. Rice was distributed to residents of Sokeye by the CAN, as well as by youths, market women, traditionalists, Baales, the Obas, members of the Igbo, Igede, and Hausa communities, the Isese, and a large number of other stakeholders. “In the forty years that I have been there, we have never had it so good,” he confirmed. “We have never had it so good.”

According to Mr. Babalola Samuel Olakunle, who serves as the Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) that covers Sokeye Estate, not less than 2,000 bags of rice were donated to the CDC so that it can be distributed to those who are disadvantaged in the various areas. These bags of rice will be distributed to those in need.

When approached, the chairman of the CDA, who was featured in the video, declined to take part in the efforts to disseminate the material, according to what he said.

“The one bag of rice he displayed had been supplied to him expressly for the purpose of onward transfer to a designated vulnerable widow in his estate. It was not intended for the entire estate, and he was aware of this fact.

He is being utilized by politicians in the opposition in order to smear the current administration. We are very familiar with him, and we are able to provide you with information regarding his ancestry.

“In addition to the thousands of bags of rice that were distributed by the CDC and some of which were distributed to us in Sokeye and other communities, the Muslim community, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the market association, youth groups, and other organizations also collected bags of rice and distributed it to their less fortunate members in the estate and in other communities.

“Then how is he able to say that only one bag was handed to the entire estate? We feel his film to be posted online to be both embarrassing and mischievous. Because of this, we have come to vehemently refute the claim and extend our condolences to the authorities of the state.

Babalola continued, “We also think that he should be made to explain his actions so as to prevent other people with the same motive from going the same way,” as he stated that “we also think that he should be made to explain his actions.”

In addition, Chief Mrs. Kemi Ogunleye, who is also the Iyaloja of the LGA, detailed how 1,000 sacks of rice were distributed to market women as a kind of palliative care.

“We distributed it among our people, and we gave more than sixty bags to the women who work in the market in Sokeye, which is where that man lives.” Because the state government did not give him all of the rice to share like they always have in the past, he is now spreading untruth about it.

“He is irate because things can no longer go on as usual,” she stated. “business as usual”

Chief Kasumu Jamiu Sonola, who is also the Baale of Asese community and the Chairman of the Council of Baales in the local government, stated in his own evidence that he accepted delivery of one thousand bags of rice on behalf of the Council.

We didn’t hoard it all for ourselves, you know. We distributed it to those in need in the communities where we live. Every single one of the Baales amassed the funds and distributed them to the less fortunate residents of their territories.

“Sokeye received its allotment in full. Therefore, what the man is stating cannot be true. “I personally made sure that it was distributed to the people who were supposed to receive it,” he explained.

Speaking on the matter, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, the Olu of Obafe and Chairman of the Council of Obas in the LGA, praised Governor Dapo Abiodun for ensuring the careful distribution of the palliatives. Oba Taofeek Owolabi is also the Chairman of the Council of Obas in the LGA.

This time around, the distribution of the palliatives was carried out in such a way that ensured they reached the individuals who were intended to reap the benefits of them.

“I was taken aback when you told me about the video. It is regrettable that some individuals decided to ridicule a wonderful innovation. I am grateful to the governor and to everyone else who was involved since this is the most effective way to distribute the palliatives.

Even the Kabyesis received 500 bags of rice, which they then distributed to the rest of their people. Because of the manner the palliatives were distributed, it is inappropriate for any individual with good intentions to complain. He went on to add that Governor Abiodun’s style is the greatest that they have witnessed in Ogun State.

Hon. Lanre Ogunsola Adesina, Chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, stated that the committee that was put in place to supervise the distribution of palliatives performed a fine job, and he urged the general people to dismiss the contents of the video.

“We got this whole thing started by putting together a palliative distribution committee, and on September 26th, 2023, the committee was formally introduced at the local government headquarters.

“The members of the committee were drawn from the three zones that made up the council area, which were named Obafe, Owode, and Oba zones. There were Kabiyesis, Baales, religious associations, youths, women, market associations, Community Development Associations, people with disabilities, and other groups adequately represented on the committee.”

“It is now unpleasant to see a viral video being provided by the CDA chairman to the public that a bag of rice was meant for the entire home in his estate. This video was shown by the CDA chairman to the public. It is important to note that the bag of rice that was shown in the video that went viral was intended to be delivered to a member of the community who was less fortunate through the chairman of the CDA.

“Several other members of the CDA in the neighborhood have gained their own through Baales, market men and women, community development associations, christian association, Muslim association, youth council, individuals with disabilities, and security agencies.

“A viral video that was provided to the public earlier that was very similar to the one that was discredited by the CDA chairman, who published it after he sought additional clarity.

“Because of this, we had a very strong suspicion that the chairman of the Sokeye CDA may be planning to purposely work against the effort made by the state government to reach out to the vulnerable people who have been targeted.

“After paying close attention to the video, we would like to declare that the opposition is politically behind the action and comment made by the CDA chairman.

“We ask that you disregard the recent video that has gone viral because its purpose is to sully the reputation of the hardworking governor, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun (CON).”