Category: South West

The Oyo State government has said it is not responsible for non-completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as claimed by Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola (SAN).

The state’s Information, Culture and Tourism Commissioner Wasiu Olatubosun said this in a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.

Fashola had, last Thursday, said the expressway was having a delay because of the drainage channel the Oyo State government was building on its Ibadan axis.

The minister had spoken at the inaugural edition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration Scorecard 2015-2023 Series, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Fashola said the 127.6 kilometres expressway had recorded a lot of progress, urging motorists and commuters to endure the delays they were facing at the Ibadan and Lagos axis.

“The Oyo State government is building a drainage channel across the road; so, we are having difficulties because the contractor has slowed down and we have to slow down too.

“We do not want to finish the road and come back to destroy it for the drainage channel construction,” he said.

But reacting to the minister’s statement, Olatunbosun said: “First, we need to clarify that two major projects – the dualisation of the 8.2-kilometre Agodi Gate-Old Ife-Adegbayi Junction Road and a few projects under the World Bank-assisted Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP) interface with the 127.6-kilometre Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project at CH 115-117, CH 117 and CH 125.

“In real terms, this stretch is less than three kilometres.

“Secondly, we would have expected that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing would have reached out to us to find out how long we would need to complete the aforementioned projects, being that Oyo State has been in communication with the ministry.

“In fact, just about a year ago, we had requested permission from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (through the Director of Federal Highways) to dualise the underpass at CH 115-117.”

“We were advised to make sure that the diversion routes are completed before embarking on the diversion. We complied 100 per cent.

“Also, it is on record that the majority of the 22-kilometre stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway between the old Tollgate Ibadan-Ojoo is still in progress.

“Earthwork between Iwo Road Interchange and Ojoo has only just commenced, while work between the Old Ibadan Tollgate and Onipepeye is still in progress and characterised by road diversions.

“With all these works yet to be done, why is the Federal Minister blaming the Oyo State government for delaying the project?” Olatunbosun queried.

The commissioner said if the minister had reached out to the state government, he would have told him that though the contract for work on the dualisation of Agodi Gate-Old-Ife Road-Adegbayi Junction, including an underpass interface with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at Onipepeye, had to be terminated at 60 per cent in September.

According to him, this was due to slow pace of work by the contractor, whose job was awarded under the previous administration.

He said: “Oyo State Government is in the process of re-awarding the remaining 40 per cent with a February 2023 delivery date.

“We have also provided 500 metre diversions of the main expressway’s lanes from the impacted site to allow traffic flow on both sides.

“Similarly, the IUFMP projects also have four-month completion schedules.”

Osun State Government yesterday launched the 19th edition of its monthly Food Support Scheme by distributing food items to 570,000 beneficiaries.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola attributed the consistency and sustainability of the initiative, despite the attendant challenges, to the fulfilment of his covenant to God and the masses.

Speaking at the launch, Governor Oyetola said the scheme had come to stay in view of its acceptance by the citizens, to whom the scheme was targeted.

He expressed satisfaction about the impact of the scheme in the lives of the beneficiaries, reaffirming his commitment to continue the initiative. 

Oyetola, represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Festus Oyebade, thanked the people for their support and cooperation, which he said had culminated in the successes recorded by his administration.

The Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Olalekan Badmus, said the choice of rice for the 19th edition was informed by the need to balance and meet the needs of the beneficiaries.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State yesterday advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran (popularly called Jandor), to desist from heating up the polity.

He denied that APC members attacked the standard-bearer.

In a statement, Lagos State APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo said: “It is important to state that All Progressives Congress abhors thuggery and any other form of violence in the name of politics.

“However, we find it repulsive that Jandor could level such grievous allegations and conveniently forget to give the names of the suspects and the action taken by the battalion of security operatives who always outnumber his entourage.

“This is just another level in the propaganda machinery of the PDP candidate to curry public sympathy through blatant lies and unsubstantiated claims. 

“The opposition party before now had more credible and accomplished candidates, who flew their flags during elections and ran a good race. It is worthy of note that neither were they so desperate nor unnecessarily heat up the polity with needless lies.

One cannot but wonder what led to the descent to the lowest abyss.

Nigerians know too well that this is the season of endless comedy of the absurd coming from the stable of the professionals.

“They are advised to focus on issues based campaigns that will make life more meaningful for all Lagosians.

Perhaps he should spend more time to seek the support of the members of his party who have been largely indifferent to his campaign, rather than clutch to straws and cry wolves when there’s none.

“However, we understand that it can be overwhelming, frustrating and depressing to contest against a highly successful incumbent, who has become a yardstick to measure good governance.”

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has debunked speculations that he was under pressure from ex-governor Kayode Fayemi or his wife, Erelu Bisi, to appoint their men into his executive council (Exco).

He was responding to social media reports.

Oyebanji urged people to desist from speculative reporting.

He spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti at the inauguration of the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro and the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata (SAN).

The governor said Exco members would be appointed on merit, adding that he had promised the people that they (Exco members) would be the best set of individuals that would assist him in fulfilling his electoral promises to the people.

He said: “While I recognise the right of people to freedom of expression, I also have the right to respond to the fake news being circulated on social media. Having listened to the CVs of the two appointees, you will discover that they got this job on merit. My promise to Ekiti people is that I am going to look for the best anywhere to help me run Ekiti. This is what we are going to do.

“We are not going to be distracted as long as we are doing what is right in the interest of our people. But, I need to put it on record that neither the former governor nor his wife, nor the former deputy governor has put any pressure on me to appoint anybody. But if I have to go back to the former Exco and appoint relevant people that can assist me, I will go and pick them.”

Oyebanji, who said the newly- inaugurated appointees were appointed based on their rich credentials and vast experience, restated his promise to get competent Ekiti indigenes wherever they are to man strategic positions in his administration.

Expressing confidence in the competence of Adubiaro, the governor said her appointment was in consonance with his administration’s commitment to gender balance, affirmative action and equity.

He urged the duo to develop a robust policy engagement platform where policy stakeholders could learn, interact, engage, review and evaluate government plans and programmes from time to time to achieve the objectives of his administration.

Responding on behalf of the duo, Apata assured the governor that they would live a life of dedication, commitment, integrity and loyalty in discharging their responsibilities.

He thanked the governor for the appointment, saying they would key into the vision and mission of his administration and add value to the progress of the state.

Over 260 students from all the 17 secondary schools in Afijio state constituency, Oyo State have graduated from the second batch of a free John Maxwell Youth leadership programme.

The programme tagged “iLead” is one of the developmental agenda of the Seyi Adisa Development Initiative, SADI.

It was founded by the lawmaker representing Afijio state constituency in the Oyo State house of Assembly, Seyi Adisa.

The beneficiaries were tutored through 16 values of leadership in eight weeks intensive training period, anchored by certified John Maxwell’s leadership experts for 560 secondary school students in Afijio, Oyo town.

The convener, Seyi Adisa said the initiative was to build disciplined, value based and impactful young generation to become better leaders.

Adisa who said the initiative had been successfully tested in Mexico, Paraguay and other South American countries with similar social vices and challenges like Nigeria, noted that leadership must reflect good character and quality values.

“They’ve been able to identify that they are leaders and there are certain values they need to inculcate in their way of life, so that in the choices they make, taking up responsibilities, they would have positive attitudes, self discipline, self worth, forgiveness. These are all examples of values that are important to human life and these are all the values they’ve all gone through.

He urged the younger generation to be role models in their leadership style and show other people the proper way of leading.

The Lions Club has said it would deliver projects worth over N50m in line with its four pillars of humanitarian needs, disaster management, youth development and saving sight.

It said the projects were not to compete with the state government but to complement efforts of the incumbent administration.

Among the projects it said it would execute between 2022 and 2023 are upgrading and renovation of the State Children’s Home, supply of drugs to health centers for pregnant women, free medical screening, tree planting in designated places, feeding of the poor and vulnerable in the community, reading competition among public secondary school students among others.

President of the Akure Professionals Lions Club, Dr. Olubunmi Ademosu, who spoke shortly after she was inaugurated as new President of the club, said the projects were to provide succour for the needy.

Ademosu said all activities would impact lives of the poor and vulnerable children in the areas of literacy, hunger, and poverty.

According to her, “The ability of one to part with a little of his time and resources for the sake of the less privileged is central to being a Lion. The contents of this selfless resolve are amply demonstrated in time, talent and treasure, which we call the 3-T’s in the Lions Club.

“Effective management of the 3-T’s over the years has enabled us to provide succour in diverse ways to the needy in our community.”

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has competed 37 micro projects projects in education, water and sanitation as well as health sectors in various communities across the state.

18 of the micro projects were inaugurated by the Commissioner For Rural Development and Community Affairs, Prince Oladimeji Olanibi Samson and Special Adviser on Rural and Community Affairs to the Governor, Engineer Adekunle Mumini Raifu Olabamiji.

The projects were executed by Osun Community and Social Development Agency through the World Bank assisted Osun CARE programme which is part of initiatives to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the people of the state.

During the inauguration of a newly rehabilitated and fully equipped science laboratory at NUD Grammar School at Oke-Baale in Osogbo Olanibi said Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was committed to ensure quality education for students in public schools in the state and charged the students to use the laboratory judiciously.

One of the students, Lateefat Lawal said lack of science laboratory limited their knowledge of science courses in the past and expressed hope that they would be able to learn with the new laboratory.

A Community leader in Osogbo, Professor Yahaya Babatunde said the intervention will change the narrative going forward.

The General Manager of Osun Community and Social Development Agency Mrs Funmi Aderonke-Abokede said the agency yielded the demand of the community considering the importance of science courses in education.

Kwara State Police Commissioner Paul Odama has expressed optimism and confidence in Nigerian youths.

He added that infinitesimal number of youths is into vices, adding that there is hope for Nigeria.

Mr. Odama said this in Ilorin, the state capital at the inauguration of Entrepreneurs Network organised by Lahmad Concepts Ltd.

Said he: “When I entered here and looked at the hall, I know that Nigeria will go places.  We still have hope in Nigeria and our youths. I am happy to see so many youths coming in to see on how they will improve on their businesses. The picture out there is that youths are only into yahoo yahoo; they are into criminality and vices; they are into drugs, but seeing so many youths here, I am convinced that it is just an infinitesimal number of our youths that is into vices.

Speaking with reporters, Moderator of Entrepreneurs Network, Ahmad Lawal explained the mission of the network and opined that entrepreneurship is the way out of the current economic hardship in the country. Said he:

“We are giving out a grant of N10 million for ten people each.

Selection will be done today. Disbursement will be done almost immediately. Because it is a grant, we are not only going to give them money, we are going to give them constancy and business support. We are going to help the beneficiaries take their business to the next level. In the next five years, we expect the beneficiaries to be able to give five million to five individual businessmen or women to grow their business.”

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has assured the people of the State that the 2023 budget will give adequate consideration for their basic needs while targeting all round development of the state.

He also said that the recently launched 30 years development plan of the State would be his working document.

The Governor stated this on Friday during his citizens’ engagement meetings held in the three senatorial districts of the state as part of preparation for the 2023 budget. He added that the town hall meetings had become an “annual ritual” since the first administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, to ensure community participation in budget preparation.

The town hall meetings which took place in Ikole (North senatorial district), Ode (South senatorial District) and Ado-Ekiti (Central), had in attendance top government officials, State and National Assembly members, council chairmen,  traditional rulers, market women, artisans and other stakeholders. The meetings received suggestions and proposals from various communities on projects they want government to include in the 2023 budget.

Oyebanji at the meetings told the people that his administration was irrevocably committed to participatory and all-inclusive government and budgeting, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to interact with the representatives of various towns and communities to articulate their needs for inclusion in the 2023 budget.

The Governor, who noted that the requests of all the communities are similar, said his administration would address their concern about security. He also challenged them on the need to assist the security agencies in intelligence gathering by coming up with relevant information of suspicious movements or activities to enable them track down people with criminal tendencies.

“We should all be vigilant about what happens in our society. I agree we should step up our action on Amotekun and strengthen the security outfit, but Amotekun without intelligence is zero. He said.

Governor Oyebanji who noted that the various concerns of the people including electricity supply, potable water, rehabilitation of roads, renovation of schools building and others assured the people that the administration is already making efforts with relevant authorities to ensure that electricity supply is restored in some areas that have been without power supply for years.

On his effort to strengthen the feedback mechanism from the people, the Governor said his administration would establish an Ombudsman office where the people can supply government with useful information that would guide government in its decision-making process.

The Lagos Cocktail  is celebrating this year’s edition with a bang.  The 9-day event, which is taking place from October 14th to 22nd, 2022 has lined up  its traditional seminars, masterclasses, bar battles, an elite guest-speaker list, and some of the world’s most renowned drink brands.

At a briefing at the  Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos. LCW sponsors and stakeholders, were in attendance. According to the founder of Lagos Cocktail Week, Lara Rawa, the inspiration behind the theme is to celebrate the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, to deliver a great hospitality experience through their craft. These individuals include bartenders, mixologists, and brand managers at drinks companies.

Rawa informed that the participating bars in the Bar-Hop aspect of the event, which is sponsored by MasterCard, will serve attendees unique African-infused signature cocktail creations throughout the duration of the 9-day event.

In addition, the award winning Mixologist also highlighted another element which makes this year’s LCW unique: This year’s festival will feature more female bartenders than ever, and will focus on highlighting the work of women in the industry. “I believe that this is a step towards making the cocktail industry more inclusive and welcoming to all people,” she said.

As a means of supporting these female bartenders, Lagos Cocktail Week is partnering with Her Network, a global inspirational and lifestyle platform that equips women with resources they need to thrive in their respective endeavors. As part of the partnership, 4 female bartenders will compete in a “Mixher challenge,” in which they will be tasked with creating memorable cocktails based on women that inspire them. Judges will pick winners, who will win cash prizes to support their bartending career.