The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Group gets new exco

    Group gets new exco

    An eight-member executive committee has been inaugurated to steer the ship of a new branch of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN). The event was held at the college in Ijanikin, a Lagos suburb.

    NPMCN is a branch of the Senior Staff Association of University, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI).

    SSAUTHRIAI’s General Secretary, Mr. Moshood Akinade, urged the executive members to uphold its constitution. “Be good examples to your members and ensure that you carry out the decisions of the membership. The branch is out to cater for the welfare of NPMCN. Don’t just hold meetings with the management on matters relating to the workers welfare; where you cannot succeed, inform the SSAUTHRIAI so that we can come to your aid,” he said.

    The Acting President of SSAUTHRIAI, Dr Benjamin Akintola, noted that for long, there had been no branch at the college to organise workers and fight for their rights, adding that the branch must help the workers to have a voice in the management of the college and fight for their rights.

    “The inaugurated branch is for checks and balances. The running of the management like a one-man show where workers are not involved has to come to an end so that there would be better productivity and improved results,” he said.

    The branch’s chairman, Adewale Oriola, said the branch was borne out of the need for unity among workers of the NPMCN. “The branch will also enable members to articulate their needs under one umbrella and in a common front and collate their grievances and suffering and table it before the management,” he added.

    Secretary of the branch, Mr Emiloju Oluwadamilare, thanked members for their efforts, promising that the executive would be transparent in its activities.

  • What hope for this orphan?

    What hope for this orphan?

    •Poor guardian can’t fund his education

    Though his school, Rybeka Model School, Olodi/Apapa in Lagos, resumed penultimate Wednesday, Master Favour Njoku could only join his classmates last week.

    The paltry money left in the bank account opened for him by The Nation could only settle part of his tuition. Now, there is heightened fear that he may drop out of school unless kind-hearted Nigerians urgently rise to his rescue.

    Favour became The Nation’s kid, following a plea to Nigerians by his maternal uncle, Ambrose Njoku, to save the three-year-old orphan’s unsure future.

    The boy’s father disappeared two years ago at the height of a cancer-related ailment that held his mother bedridden for months, thus prompting Ambrose to move her to Lagos in search of financial assistance. The helpless woman eventually died, leaving Favour behind.

    Ambrose decided to cry out to Nigerians to help Favour.

    Favour’s ordeal was first published by The Nation in March, last year. His story provoked an outpour of emotions as Nigerians inundated this newspaper’s hotline with demands for how they could send him their widow’s mite.

    The Nation promptly opened ‘Master Favour Njoku Trust Fund’ account at Sterling Bank Plc, Matori, Lagos, with number 0019623543.

    Cash started trickling in and in no time, N240,000 was realised to kick-start a journey that would see the boy attain his educational dream. A kind-hearted commissioner in the state led the pack of the Good Samaritans.

    Against the tradition where The Nation usually pays Favour’s school fees for a whole session, the money left in Favour’s account could cater for his first and second terms only in this 2014/15 session.

    The boy was initially enrolled at Cedec International Schools, a high-flying private school at Olodi-Apapa, but owing to the N100,000 tuition (excluding other costs) charged by the school, Nigerians advised that Favour be moved to another school with a modest fee. The Nation heeded the call, thus facilitating his enrolment at Rybeka Model School, a modest nursery/primary school in the same vicinity.

    Favour’s account is low,  following the withdrawal was made last week to settle his first and second term’s tuition in the session.

    Now, his guardians are calling on public-spirited Nigerians and charity organisations not only to assist poor Favour, but also his jobless uncle, whose one-room apartment at 3, Braimoh Street, Olodi-Apapa where he accommodates his wife, three children including Favour, is dilapidated.

    Favour’s performance in the 2013/2014 session, as indicated in his result sheets, revealed a significant excellence. He scored 87 per cent in the first time; 89 per cent in the second and 95 per cent in the third term.

    “This boy (Favour) is too bright to be allowed to drop out of school for lack of parental care or funds. Sadly, I’m poor and helpless; this is why I have to cry out and see if God will continue to touch the hearts of the few Good Samaritans that have taken him this far,” said Ambrose.

     

  • ‘We’re banishing want in Alimosho’

    ‘We’re banishing want in Alimosho’

    The boys – and some women – were said to have stormed the neighbourhood in four buses, with posters bearing various inscriptions, urging their host, Olanrewaju Arestus Kuye, a businessman-turned politician, to aspire to represent their Alimosho Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    The scene was adjacent to the Ilupeju home of former Governor Lateef Jakande. With songs, the Alimosho residents extolled Kuye’s virtues to high heavens as a trusted leader, insisting that he must run in 2015 because “he has proven to us that he has the stomach for the feelings of the have-nots, even without occupying any public office.”

    “We have, at various levels of governance in the country, been unlucky to have unwilling candidates who later became rulers. Through his Larry Empowerment Forum, this man (Kuye) has where taught many of our people various vocational skills and has greatly supported market women. He gave loans to many people who wanted to start up small-scale businesses to earn a living.

    “Many of our children have benefitted from his sponsorship on the General Certificate of Education (GCE) and the University Matriculation Examination (UME). Many indigent students are in various institutions through his magnanimity and provided jobs for some graduates who had for 15 years after graduation, languished in hopelessness. He is the kind of person that we want in public offices,” Mrs Catherine Alabi told The Nation.

    But why would Kuye, 44, who has made fortunes for himself through Larry Homes, his business outfit that is doing well in the engineering and construction industries both in the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria plunge into the murky waters of politics?

    He explained his passion to this reporter: “Life has taught me to be my brother’s keeper. To me, life is like fighting for the have-nots because this life is ephemeral and the less-privileged are always in want. Right from my youth and later as student of The Poly­technic, Ibadan, where I studied Civ­il Engineering; Yaba College of Technol­ogy, where I obtained my Higher National Diploma in Civil/Structural Engineering and the University of East London, where I Civil Engi­neering, graduating with a First-Class (Honours) degree, I have remained addicted to being concerned with the welfare of the under-privileged.

    “Besides the inspiration I got from welfarist like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola, Baba Lateef Jakande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola among others, my mother has always been a politician. I want to emulate her and the disposition of my grandfather who was the Oba of Igbese in Ikorodu. I have been a politician since I was a student in the days of June 12.

    “I know things can be better in Ali­mosho than what is on ground now. With my knowledge and capability, I will improve their lot by the grace of God. I want my people to have three square meals everyday and the only way I can do that is for their voice to be heard in the House of Assembly. And it is going to be through me so that the govern­ment will know what is going on. With my experience of how governance is run abroad in people’s interest, I’m sure I’m here to bring novelty into legislature if elected.”

  • LASRRA rewards its workers for dedication

    LASRRA rewards its workers for dedication

    Lagos State  Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) has rewarded its workers in recognition of their dedication and quality service during registration of residents in the state.

    The agency’s General Manager, Ms Yinka Fashola, said it had so far verified about 2.124 million residents in the ongoing exercise.

    Saying that the event was a way of appreciating the workers’ hard work, she added: ‘’LASRRA is out to have information about our residents where they live and how many people living in a particular area. We will keep the information secret and the identity cards being issued can be use for financial transactions.

    “Some do give false information, but when you give us such about a street for instance, we might not say anything at the point of registration, but when we upload the information, we will discover that something is wrong in the address and we will investigate.’’

    She urged those who had not registered to do so because the permanent card would be soon be made available to people.

    Mr.Kazeem Idowu Surakat won merit award for registering 600,000 people; Mr Ayodele Abiodun Ayanleye, 700,000; Mr Lucky Emeka Oha, 800,000; Mr Micheal Ogbabor Agi, 900,000, and Mr Tunde Sunday Akano, who registered one million residents.

  • ‘I thought I would die’

    ‘I thought I would die’

    •Survivor of kidney ailment recounts ordeal

    With her Sunday best on, she had every reason to roll in the mud in appreciation of God’s rare kindness to her. And everyone around her was not surprised when she praised Him to high heavens for, against all odds, being lucky to be counted among the living.

    A year ago, 48-year-old Elizabeth Chima almost surrendered to death no thanks to a chronic kidney disease. Her health condition assumed an unbearable dimension and death seemed the only option.

    She developed the terrible ailment two years after the death of her husband. Today, the storm is over for Elizabeth, following a successfully kidney transplant in India, six months ago.

    She was all-smiles at the Saint Michael Church, Alapere-Ketu in Lagos when, joined by well wishers and other members of the sanctuary, she heartily said “thank you Lord” as a thanksgiving service.

    She openly appreciated God for giving her a second chance to live to nurture her six children. Her friends and neighbours from her Ketu residence were not left out. They all dined and wined with her.

    While her dark moment lasted, Elizabeth was always lying helpless in the hospital. Her only companions were some well-meaning Nigerians who empathised with her through the media, family members, friends and her children. She needed to raise the sum of N7 million to make her whole again. And luck eventually smiled on her.

    After the service, the woman spoke with this reporter at her residence. She gleefully affirmed that her health condition “is now perfect.”

    “I want to use this medium to thank Nigerians for coming to my rescue during those trying periods. And I pray that God shall reward everyone bountifully,” she said.

    She recalled: “I said I had got to the last bus stop when all hope seemed lost. Even in the eyes of the nurses and doctors, I could see doubts, but within me, my mind remained strong. The pain was too much to the extent that at a time, I didn’t think I would survive. At first, I asked: is this how my journey will end?

    “I knew there was no way I could raise the N7 million needed for the operation. I looked around; there was nowhere. So, I just said if I survived, I would be thankful to God and if otherwise, fine. But honestly, I never thought I could make it. That I am alive today is by the grace of God. On many occasions, I fainted at the hospital and they would use oxygen to revive me. So, I am very grateful to God and to everyone that made my journey through hell a success.”

    A major lesson the ailment taught her, according to her, “is that if you don’t have money, learn how to be graceful to God.”

    She had good words about the doctors who supported her fight for survival. She said: “Whenever I was rushed in, you would see doctors running to attend to me.”

    Though she has surmounted the challenge, it is too early for her to do strenuous works. But she hopes that by the end of next year, she will be able start up something for sustenance.

    “I am not a lazy woman. My children are the ones feeding me and buying my drugs among other needs now. I don’t have any money since I cannot run around now,” she said.

     

  • UNAD’s ex-official passes on

    UNAD’s ex-official passes on

    Preparations for the burial of Prince Bamidele Olusegun Aladelokun, a retired staff of University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), have begun.

    The late Aladelokun, who retired in 2007 as Chief Secretary to the Registrar of the institution, died on September 6 after a protracted illness. He was 72.

    A statement by one of his children, Pastor Olumide Aladelokun, the Shepherd in Charge of Chapel of Apostles, Ado-Ekiti, said a wake-keep will hold at his 206, Ikere-Ado Road, Kajola home on December 5.

    On December 6, according to the statement, a funeral service will hold at the African Church Cathedral, Kajola following which interment will take place at his residence.

    Guests will be entertained at the play-ground of the African Church Comprehensive High School (ACCHS), Kajola.

    He is survived by his wife and children among others, the statement added.

  • Chibok girls: Women doctors urge action

    Women doctors under the aegis of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) have urged the Federal Government to step up efforts towards securing the release of the 219 school girls languishing in insurgents’ custody.

    At a public lecture tagged: “Insecurity and the Nigerian Child, Implications, Now and the Future”, organised by the group in Lagos, its President, Dr. Iyabo Tijani said: “After a period of crisis in the health sector, there is need to get together once again and discuss topical issues. Among these is the abducted Chibok girls saga that has become an embarrassment to our country lately, hence, the theme of this lecture. Most importantly, there is need for government and security apparatuses to redouble their efforts to secure the release of the girls.”

    At the event, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, said: “It is true that in the past years, Nigeria has faced some security challenges. We all aware of the Boko Haram insurgency, prominent in the northern part of the country as well as cases of kidnapping, ritual killings, child trafficking and other abuses in many parts of the nation.

    “The most vulnerable in the face of any insecurity challenge remain children. They are harmless, innocent and still in the care of their parents, yet, they find themselves in difficult situations they cannot ordinarily protect or defend themselves. The case of the over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped on April 15, 2014, remains fresh. It is unfortunate they are still in captivity six months after their abduction.”

    Frontline rights activist and guest lecturer on the occasion, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, harped on the need to tackle insecurity in the country because of its toll on children.

    “According to Global Overview report on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), 470,500 persons were displaced in Nigeria in 2013 alone. About half of these are children displaced due to Boko Haram insurgency while 4.7 million primary school children are still not in school due to insecurity. In Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, more than 56.7 per cent have been denied access to education due to continuous attacks by Boko Haram. Government should acknowledge the failure of the security agencies; hence, there should be a complete overhaul of security system in the country to prevent security breaches. Government needs to act decisively and this can be achieved by implementing the anti-terrorism law and punish culprits of such heinous crimes capable of causing instability in the nation.”

    Odumakin later led the audience to make an open demand for the release of the girls, urging government and security forces to ensure their release and safety. “What we are asking for is the release of the girls, now and alive and we will not keep quiet until that is achieved,” she said.

  • Philanthropist seeks support for the needy

    Philanthropist seeks support for the needy

    The proprietor of Lotto Lottery, Chief Kessington Adebutu, has urged private and public organisations to invest in human capital for the growth of the country.

    At a conference held at his premier Lotto Office in Surulere, Lagos, to mark his 79th birthday, he said the Kessington Adebukun Adubutu Foundation (KAAF) was established to uplift human capacity in the country.

    He said: “The less-privileged in the society need education, good health and convenient environment devoid of disease to grow. It is when such conditions are available that they can add values to their own lives and the country in general. KAAF is poised to serve humanity with passion as an instrument of change for a better social order and elevation of human dignity.”

    He maintained that 80 per cent of the corporate responsibilities at KAAF are focused on enhancing the quality of life of the ordinary people.

  • FRSC enlightens motorists

    FRSC enlightens motorists

    The Special Marshals of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have intensified efforts to ensure stress-free traffic flow on the ever-busy Lagos/Ibadan Expressway through Mowe in Ogun State.

    They held an “operation national patrol and enforcement exercise” to focus public enlightenment, arrest and booking of offenders in line with the organisation’s efforts at bringing road crashes to zero level in the country.

    It was organised to reduce carnage on the roads, ensure lives and properties are saved from crashes, educate motorists on illicit acts that cause accidents, make the roads free from traffic gridlocks and arrest erring drivers driving contrary to traffic rules and regulations.

    It was led by the Coordinator, Lagos Sector Command (RS 2.1), Special Marshal and Partnership (SMP), Mr Benson George Babatunde.

    The outing was supervised by the Lagos Sector Command’s Head of SMP, ACC Victoria Babatunde.

  • How Ikenna Emedike was sacked from Gulder Ultimate Search

    How Ikenna Emedike was sacked from Gulder Ultimate Search

    Ikenna Emedike, the sixth contestant to be shown the door in the ongoing Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) reality show, had dreamt of his exit, two days earlier.

    The medical doctor and indigene of Anambra, host state of the show, lost out in the Octagon Chart task, and was given three seconds to exit the jungle, despite his plea for a second chance.

    In the Octagon Chart task, the GUS 11 contestants were to make three trips down a hill and retrieve three pieces of a hexagon; one piece at a time. Upon return to their work stations, they were to solve a puzzle, using parts of the hexagon to form the answer.

    The other contestants solved the puzzle in succession and left for another location, leaving Ikenna at the workstation. By the time he called to Chidi Mokeme to say he had solved the riddle, the anchor man told him he had been evicted from the show.

    A dejected Ikenna said he didn’t expect that the task will lead to eviction, given the reason he was not in haste to solve the puzzle. He however blamed his poor performance on hunger, which he said did not make him think straight.

    From all indications, Ikenna’s eviction from the jungle was different. Others evictees were asked to leave, either at the task ground or at the Place of The Talking Drum. They were also allowed to return to camp to pack their belongings. But in the case of the medical doctor, he was not evicted in the presence of the other contestants, who have been wondering about his whereabouts.

    After completing their tasks, his colleagues returned to camp to find a scroll which directed them to bring Ikenna’s bag and totem to The Place of the Talking Drum. They immediately knew he had been evicted.

    Ikenna, by his fate, joins Loretta Erijakpor, Sandra Nwagbagiro, Blessing Eriata, Joshua Nwagboso and Iwuoha Ikenna who were earlier evicted from the show.

    He revealed that he had dreamt about his eviction. “In the dream,” he said, “we as contestants were performing a particular task and all of a sudden, a number of us were evicted. It happened so fast that I felt it was odd. I wondered what was happening. The remaining people left were a male and a female contestant. In the dream, I asked Chidi Mokeme, the anchor man whether this was the way things were done on Gulder Ultimate Search.”

    He recalled telling some contestants about the dream, but they brushed it off. When asked if he nursed the fear that the dream might come to pass, Ikenna answered: “I was very worried. I prayed against it anyway. It got me worried to the point that I told myself, maybe it was destined to happen, whatever comes out of this competition, I will attribute it to the will of God.”

    with the exit of Ikenna, the race for the grand prize of N10 million and a brand new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) continues with Otto Canon, Addoh Evi, Iroh Noella, Samantha Appi, Emmanuel Afolabi, Sharon Robinson, Chinedu Ubachukwu and Cosy Joe.

    The show is broadcast everyday on AfricaMagic World (DSTV), Real -Stars (Star Times), Minaj TV Obosi, Ebony Life TV (DSTV), Galaxy TV (Lagos, Ibadan and Ondo), Hip TV (DSTV & GoTV), Nigezie (Star Times) and WapTV (Star Times) from 10pm to 11pm; and on AIT network from 10:30pm to 11:30pm.