Category: South West

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said his administration has delivered accelerated development to the state in the last three and a half years.

He added that his performance justified his re-election bid.

The governor spoke at the weekend during a live interview session on Fresh FM 105.9’s flagship programme, ‘Political Circuit’.

He said with the achievements recorded by his administration across the four service point areas of education, security, health and economic expansion through agribusiness and infrastructure, he deserved to be re-elected by the people.

Makinde said if re-elected in 2023, he would deliver ‘Omituntun 2.0’, which he noted would centre on delivering sustainable development to the people.

He said: “When I was campaigning for election in 2018, I brought out a roadmap and promised the people that it was meant for accelerated development of Oyo State. Now, based on what we have experienced, we have brought another roadmap, but this time, it is for sustainable development 2023-2027.”

Speaking about how his administration had delivered infrastructure that targeted its economic expansion programme, the governor said his government’s idea of infrastructure development had seen over 500 kilometres of road either completed or being constructed.

He said in line with its determination to boost the economy, the government embarked on an effort to link the five zones of the state with quality road infrastructure.

He added: “These zones have their uniqueness and what they are bringing to the table for the development of the state.

“So far, we have succeeded in linking Ibadan to Iseyin. We are linking Ogbomoso to Iseyin and we are linking Oke-Ogun to Igbo-Ora to Eruwa. We are also linking Eruwa to Ibadan.”

Makinde said if his performance was placed side by side with the records of the previous administration, which he said only rehabilitated a few intra-city roads, his administration had performed well.

He listed his government’s infrastructural initiatives to include the 65-kilometres Moniya-Iseyin Road, saying work was ongoing on Ogbomoso-Iseyin, Oyo-Iseyin, Beere-Ona Ara and Ajia-Airport Road, Amuloko, Bembo-Apata roads and the dualisation of the Airport Road, among others.

In education, Makinde said his government was working on upgrading Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo to a degree-awarding institution and it had put together documentations, though it had been facing sabotage from some elements in the institution.

He said he would move street beggars to one of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.

Lagos State Government has reiterated its resolve to drive growth and development through economic diversification.

Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Commissioner Mrs. Lola Akande made this known at the weekend at a news conference to announce the maiden edition of the Lagos Island Business Fair 2022 (LIBIZFAIR).

She said LIBIZFAIR, with the theme: ‘Edu-Social for Entrepreneurs on Lagos Island & Lagos State towards Social Economic Empowerment’, formed part of the initiatives to overcome such economic challenges.

Akande said the initiative bore relevance to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of transforming and positioning the state to become a 21st century economy.

She added: “The fair is designed to encourage the promotion of business and social enterprise among entrepreneurs, particularly youths, create opportunities to identify comparative advantages on Lagos Island and strengthen bottom up growth for continuous business interaction and socio-economic security.

“It will also provide training opportunities for MSMEs in business education, networking and leadership qualities during masterclass sessions.

“The state is collaborating with the organisers because Biz Fair aligns with the Federal Government’s policy on diversification of the economy from oil to non-oil export. We also consider the fair important because while it focuses on MSMEs on Lagos Island in particular and Lagos State/Nigeria in general, it is giving special attention to youth entrepreneurs.

“Nigerian MSMEs, especially the youth, have been advised not to let lack of finance be an impediment to their ability to build successful businesses, create wealth and contribute their quota to the society. Even more important in the quest for self-realisation are such other factors as skills training, continuous learning, being aware of their surroundings and what obtains globally in the business world, among others.”

The fair will hold from November 24 to 27 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has said women would enjoy a better deal under his administration.

He said his administration would exceed the 35 per cent representation for women in political positions, in line with the operational equal opportunity policy of the government.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said the governor spoke during a working visit to the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, in Abuja at the weekend.

He said women had the capacity to succeed in any position of responsibility, adding that his administration would support them and tap their unique abilities.

The meeting was part of the governor’s visit to federal ministries, departments and agencies as well as development partners.

Oyebanji said gender balance and women related issues were part of his government’s working plans, adding that his administration had started well with the choice of a woman as the Deputy Governor and another as Secretary to the State Government.

He said women had the ability to see things far ahead and discern things much better than men.

Oyebanji hailed the achievements recorded in women development by former Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi, promising to build on the records, especially gender mainstreaming and affirmation.

Tallen lauded the state government’s contributions in women related issues, particularly its Gender Based Violence law, which she said had been effective in curbing domestic and sexual abuses.

She said about N3billion had been earmarked for women project, adding that the largesse would spread to all states.

The former Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Prof. Dapo Asaju, has stressed the need for voters not only to vote for the right candidate to lead the country, but also checkmate rigging in the coming elections.

The Professor of Theology was the guest lecturer at the Annual Bishop Kola Onaolapo Memorial Lecture Series held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“As we approach the 2023 general election, it is imperative that people come out to vote, do all within their power to check election rigging, vote for good candidates who have passion and know-how on how to run this country,” he said.

In his lecture titled: ‘Transforming the Nigerian politics: perspectives and insights’, Asaju gave recommendations on how to reposition the country.

He said it was imperative to reintroduce moral and ethical instruction that would build good leaders, who would fix the nation’s leadership problems.

He urged the government and communities to make efforts to check corruption.

Asaju called for a reduction in the cost of running the government, “to save the weak economy.”

Landlords affected by the proposed Red Line Railway project at Agbado and Opeilu, Ogun State communities, have appealed to the Lagos State Government to disregard reports of disquiet over the payment of compensations for the affected properties, published in some social media.

The people, who yesterday spoke through the two Baales of the affected communities, Chief Idowu Oyewole of Opeilu and Baale of Egan Agbado, Chief Sanya Oyewole, as well as the Iyalode of Opeilu, Chief Esther Adebimpe, said what the people wanted was for the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to pay them their compensation and allow them move on with their lives.

The Red Line railway, one of the two legacy projects of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration on Lagos Urban Rail Transport (LURT), is to run from Agbado to Oyingbo in the first phase.

The community leaders, who were besieged by the aggrieved land owners, appealed to the Lagos State Government to accede to the people’s demand for the payment of their compensation.

The community leaders, who spoke to The Nation, said although tenants in the community had been paid and had relocated, paying the land owners their compensation had met with brick wall, “despite that many have demolished their homes in anticipation of early settlement and now have nowhere to sleep.”

They said the compensations were being frustrated by a resident, who along with four others, were in court to frustrate the process.

The consultant in charge of the project, Babatunde Osho, admitted that some of the residents had approached LAMATA that they were not interested in approaching the court to settle their grievances.

He said: “About 150 of the 180 residents affected by the project have written a letter to LAMATA that they are not a party to any matter in court and are ready to collect their money. A copy of the letter is with LAMATA with over 150 people out of the 180 ready to collect their money.”

Osho said the affected people might have resorted to blackmail in the newspapers because of possible delay from court.

The consultant said the compensation money was available and the property owners called everyday that they wanted their money, “but the delay is from the Ogun State Government, who are yet to have their revocation letters ready for collection by the affected people.”

Osho said for those who felt that the compensation was not sufficient, they had the opportunity to appeal the entitlement in court.

Contacted, LAMATA External Relations Consultant Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi said the matter was before the management, adding that a decision would be taken on it.

Following the shooting of five protesters over the choice of Prince Yinusa Akadiri as the new monarch of Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State, the Akirun-In-Council has called for calm.

The Nation recalled that youths went on a rampage on Thursday after the announcement of Akadiri by the state government as five of them sustained bullet wounds.

The council also lauded Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, and his cabinet members for approving the appointment of Yunus Akadiri, as the new monarch of the town.

A statement signed by the council and made available to our correspondent on Friday read in part: “The race for the throne became fiercely competitive and was keenly contested among the eligible royal blood before the noble kingmakers, the only body of wise men who has the statutory roles in the selection process of new King divinely selected Oba Yunus Olamilekan Akadiri (Oyewole IV) as the next Akirun of Ikirun among over 22 princes who were jostling for the throne.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to all those people who are still nursing grievances over the long-time concluded selection process which was held on November 19, 2021, to give peace a chance in Ikirun and find the soft part in their hearts to join hand with the Palace in moving our great town, Ikirun Agunbe, forward.

Several support groups of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have insisted that they would work hard to ensure another northerner does not succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2023 presidential election.

The support groups are the Tinubu Independent Action Movement (TIAM) the Rontex for BAT and the Asiwaju  Progressives Diaspora (APG).

Chairman of TIAM and a former Minister of State for Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, who spoke in Akure at the inauguration of the group said the APC has a good product in the person of Senator Bola Tinubu.

 Senator Alasoadura said members of TIAM would work independently to contribute their quota to the mobilisation effort necessary to win Ondo State.

Alasoadura: “We have a very good product to market and very bad products to reject. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a winner any day and in his own right.

 ”The Jagaban is an achiever distinguished by solid and unequalled personal records as a governor and then as a national political leader. He needs no introduction to us. I have said that the other products contending with him are bad products.”

Ondo State Coordinator for Rontex for BAT, Mrs Saratu Funke Adelakun, said over 5000 women have been mobilised to take the message of power shift to the grassroots.

Adelakun who described 2023 as the year of power shift to the Southwest urged the Coordinators to ensure registered voters within their vicinity get their voter cards.

The Diaspora Coordinator of APG, Dr. Abiola Oshodi, said the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council in Canada was to ensure an overwhelming and landslide victory for Tinubu and Shettima presidential ticket through the support of Nigerians in the North American country.

Oshodi said the Canada campaign Council is headed by Barrister Jide Oladejo, adding that the inauguration of the campaign council was to ensure that a quantum of Nigerians in Canada was integrated into giving their support to the Tinubu/Shettima Presidency.

A group, Asiwaju Legacy Vanguard (ALV), in conjunction with  100% Focus Movement, has embarked market sensitization and enlightenment programme for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket at Ile Epo Market, Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area of Alimosho, Lagos.

In his keynote address, the National Coordinator, the 100% Focus Movement, Labib Abdullah Mahmood, said the movement started ten months ago.

He said: “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the person that Nigeria needs presently to bring the dividend of democracy to Nigerians,” the coordinator said.

 ”Today, we started the market sensitization campaign in support of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kazeem Shetima’s ambitions to become the president and vice president of Nigeria in 2023, this interaction will continue in all the 36 states of the federation because we need to let Nigerians know that Tinubu is the next president they need due to his experience and his achievement while he was governor of Lagos State.

In his remarks, the national chairman of 100% Focus Movement, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed charged the audience, especially the Yoruba people, to make sure that what happened to Awolowo and MKO Abiola does not repeat itself in 2023. According to him, “the only person that can make Nigeria one indivisible entity is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so we should come together as a nation to vote Tinubu the person whom the cap fits.”

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has said that it will provide no fewer than 250 housing units to displaced victims of the recent floods in parts of riverine areas of Kwara state.

The commission’s Managing Director, Abubakar Yelwa said this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital at the presentation of HYPPADEC’S medium-term strategic plan (HMTSP) 2022- 2027— Kwara.

Mallam Yelwa said that the commission had got approval from its governing board to that effect.

He however decried lack of compliance by generating companies in all the six HYPPADEC state in the payment of their dues to the commission .

He said: “If not for the grace and support of the governors of the six HYPPADEC states, HYPADEC  offices would  have closed by now because what is due to HYPADEC from generating companies had never been paid to HYPPADEC to date .

“In fact , some of them are even arguing and trying to see that there is no justification in paying what is due to be paid to support these communities. Some of them are arguing that they should be allowed to work it out on their own which should not be the case”, he lamented.

Presenting the plan at the meeting HYPPADEC ‘s consultant, Sam Juwl said that the commission plans to train 60,000 skilled and unskilled Kwara youths in the next five years.

He said that non-graduates would be trained in vocations such as tailoring, and paintings among others while graduates, on the other hand, would be trained in advanced skills like ICT, installation of closed circuit camera television (CCTV), device, and solar panels installations amongst others.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman  Governing Council of HYPPADEC, Barrister Joseph  Ityav said the essence of the meeting was to have stakeholders impute into the proposed plan with a view to ensuring that its implementation was carried out according to their communities’ needs assessments.

Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Secretary to the state government, Prof Mamman Jibril, called for the dredging of River Niger to put an end to the recurring flood wrecking havoc in riverine communities.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, his Ogun counterpart, Dapo Abiodun and the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo are expected to grace the 2022 annual conference of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria ( CICAN).

The conference scheduled for  November 3 in Lagos is themed: “Manufacturing: Despite FX and Energy crisis”.

A statement issued by the Chairman of the Association, Charles Okonji said the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Otunba Francis Meshioye and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adebayo will be the special guests of honour, while the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi – Kadir will give the keynote address.

The statement said: “We chose the theme knowing the plights of local manufacturers who now have to rely on the parallel market to source for FX at a high rate.

“ FX had been exchanging for between N500 to N740 to $1 since the beginning of this year, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is unable to meet demands at the official window.

“ The impact of the Russia and Ukraine war led to diesel being sold for as much as N700 to N900 a litre as against N200 to N300 it was before the outbreak of the conflict.’’