The lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Shina Abiola Peller, has expressed concern over the insecurity in the country.  He said the situation called for concern by all Nigerians.

The legislator said everybody should be concerned about security of lives and property.

Speaking at the presentation of ambulances and medical equipment to health centres and free eye tests for his constituents, Peller, who expressed sadness over the loss of lives and property, said security is everybody’s business.

The event, which attracted thousands of people from Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa local governments of Oyo State, was held at the Technical College, Iseyin.

In attendance were top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional leaders led by the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu  Adekunle Salau, the Olokaka of Okaka, Oba Abdulazeez Olatunji Ayoola Ogelende and other personalities.

By Oyebola Owolabi

Lagos State made N128million, representing 127 per cent growth, in agricultural investments in the first quarter of 2021, Agricultural Commissioner Ms Busola Olusanya has said.

She said the state has spent N20billion of the N25billion budgeted for the construction of the 32 metric tonnes per hour Imota Rice Mill in Epe.

Olusanya addressed reporters as part of activities to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office.

The rice mill, billed for opening before the end of the year, is expected to be the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.

To ensure its success, the government has trained and empowered 800 rice farmers with preferred high yielding farrow 44 seeds, new high quality knapsack sprayers, rain boots and farm coats as a strategic intervention.

“The mill will help to strengthen the economic rigour of the country and enhance economic resilience because the facility will create 250,000 jobs across the value chain in Lagos and across Nigeria,” Olusanya said.

She said the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states over the production of LAKE Rice was still intact, adding that shipment of paddy from Kebbi to Lagos for processing was ongoing.

The commissioner attributed the scarcity of LAKE Rice to the COVID-19 pandemic and heavy flood last year, which affected farm produce in Kebbi State.

She added: “We want to deliver a value chain with the best processing facility. Since work began on the Imota Rice Mill, N20billion of the initial N25billion earmarked for its construction has been spent. However, the exchange rate may force an upward review of the cost. The mill will be a world-class facility and is expected to start before the end of this year.

“The LAKE Rice partnership has shifted from processing of rice to shipment of paddy so that we can beat down prices. Partnership between states should not be tenured, but enduring.

“The idea is to bring rice at a subsidised price. We have to balance it so that the private sector can flourish. It is a function of how much paddy we are taking to Lagos.”

By Emmanuel Oladesu 

The traditional ruler and the people of Etegbin, in Oto Awori Local Council Development Area of Lagos State yesterday called on the state government and the Commissioner of Police to save them from the activities of land speculators in the area.

They alleged that the land grabbers were working for Alh Muraina Azeez, adding that they had caused the community sleepless nights.

Alhaji Azeez, however, denied the allegations

In their petition to the police, the people complained about the destruction of properties, physically assault on land and property owners at Etegbin and its environs.

The complaint started on April 4 when one Chief Kaka (now known as Moruf Owonla) approached the Baale of Etegbin in Ojo Local Government of Lagos State on the grounds that he has been engaged by Alhaji M. A. O. Azeez to execute judgments of ID/2390/94 & BD/6M/2009 and also claimed to be land grabbers.

The Baale of Etegbin explained to him  (Kaka) that the judgments are not against the entire community and the judgments are against his brothers just three of his brothers and there are different land owning families at Etegbin even though Etegbin belongs to the Onigbanko of Igbanko.

The Baale, Chief Haruna Amida, said when Azeez came to the community, marking all houses in 2013, he was challenged that his purported judgment was not on the entire land of Etegbin, but against his family.

He recalled the community challenged the validity of the judgment in court, and the appeal is still pending.

The Baale said: “Looking at the threat of the land grabbers to invade the community with mobile police and hoodlums, we reported to the appropriate authority by a petition dated 6th April, 2021 to the Area commander, Area ‘K’ Police Command, Morogbo, Badagry, Lagos State through our lawyer, urging the authority to use their office and investigate the threat and call the grabbers to order and await the final determination of the appeal pending before the Appeal Court.

“Surprisingly, the land grabbers took advantage of the JUSUN strike and invaded the community with multitude of miscreants and thugs with ammunition, guns and cutlasses, destroying properties, marking houses claiming to be executing their judgments.”

By Robert Egbe

Kwara State Government yesterday rolled out plans to support young entrepreneurs in the state with interests-free loans up to N3million each.

The scheme, called Kwapreneur, is part of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s ambitious plan to invest in and raise a new generation of successful young men and women.

Kwapreneur is open to Kwarans not more than 35 years old with viable and scalable business ideas.

It is being coordinated by the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) Office, according to a statement by the KWASSIP Acting General Manager, Mohammed Brimah.

Registration is open through http://www.Kwapreneurs.com and the application runs from May 10 to 18.

The first phase of the programme targets at least 300 youngsters with viable business proposals, the statement said, adding that at least 1,200 young people will benefit from the initiative over the next four years.

Successful applicants will be trained and supported with interests-free loans ranging from N350,000 to N3million each, depending on the scale of their proposed businesses.

Brimah explained that Kwapreneur has been designed to harness the potential of enterprising youths and raise a new generation of leaders through sustainable empowerment, thereby spurring socio-economic growth and job creation in the state.

“Young people are to the nation what the heart is to the body. They drive and make it beat. Kwara under this administration believes in the talent and industry of her youths. To hasten economic development, we need them to become employers of labour. This is why we are to support young people with visionary ideas with interest- free loans for their businesses,” he said.

The application process will be in stages, including idea pitching and presentations, and training on business development before receiving funds.

Brimah added: “The youths-oriented programmes under KWASSIP are numerous. We have previously organised training for about 15,000 youths in basic digital skills, while we are looking to hit the 30,000 mark in the next two years. Kwapreneur is also a sub-programme under K-power — a component for youths engagement and development.

“The programme will give successful applicants between N350,000 – N3,000,000 interests-free while looking to equip them with skills, knowledge, and opportunities to become sustainably empowered in the society. This is Governor AbdulRazaq’s definition of empowerment.”

He urged young people involved in high-potential business areas such as agro-processing, logistics, transportation, among others, to apply.

The acting General Manager added: “No Kwaran covered in this age bracket is excluded. All entries will be judged by experts and professionals on their economic value. The most viable ideas will find their way through. We have put in place a free, fair and credible process to make it work. It is a non-interest loan. The icing on the cake is that beneficiaries have three months moratorium on the loans before they start refunding in tranche.

“Kwapreneur is a good opportunity to move from unengaged to an employer of labour and we trust that the youth will make the best of it.”

By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo 

The non-indigenous communities in Osun State have restated their commitment to engendering the pace of security and peace in the state.

This is as they also eulogised Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for his inclusive governance, which has accorded them much premium and active participation in the state’s governance.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said during a meeting with the non-indigenous communities, including the Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, Igede, Ebira, Tiv and Igala, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, High Chief John Nkemka said Osun was one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria where all and sundry live in harmony devoid of tension and apprehension.

“The administration of Oyetola deserves a kudos for his preventive measures with which he is sustaining the state peaceful coexistence through constant engagements with all the social strata without any form of prejudicial treatment.

“While the government is making frantic efforts in ensuring a tranquil atmosphere in the state, we must all see the function of maintaining peace and orderliness as a collective responsibility”, he added.

The Chairman, Council of Arewa, Alh. Lawal Gomina, appreciated Oyetola for the manner and approach with which he embraced all the non-indigenes in the state, saying the governor is a detribalised leader who eschews all forms of ethnic chauvinism.

The special adviser appreciated the supportive gesture of all the non-indigenous communities which has been one of the reasons why Osun is among the most people-friendly states in the federation.

Oyintiloye noted that the constant engagement with the non-indigenes as a resolve of Governor Oyetola is not only a way of making them critical stakeholders in the state government, but also a means to sustain peaceful coexistence.

He, however, advised them to synergise with other residents in the state with a view to nipping issues of security at the bud, saying the state would not tolerate any dastardly act which could tamper with its peace on the part of anyone irrespective of tribe, religion or any other social status.

By Adebisi Onanuga

There is anxiety in the Ogun State transportation sector following an alleged plan by the government to take over parks and garages from the unions.

Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, during an interview on a radio programme on Rock City 101.9 FM last week, said the government would soon appoint park operators to manage the garages.

Transport unions fear they may lose their income should the government implement the plan.

A member of one of the unions, Taofik Bashiru, said the news created anxiety among members.

“This may lead to a crisis in the transportation sector. They can’t just throw us out of the sector,” he said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state Publicity Secretary, Mr Oyejide Sunkanmi, advised Governor Dapo Abiodun to carry the union leaders and other stakeholders along to avert a possible crisis.