The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • ‘Osun, Oyo govts to deliver Osogbo/Iwo/Ibadan roads in 2024’

    ‘Osun, Oyo govts to deliver Osogbo/Iwo/Ibadan roads in 2024’

    The governments of Osun and Oyo will deliver the 91km Osogbo/Iwo/Ibadan roads awarded last month in April 2024.

    The two neighbouring states agreed to reconstruct 35.6 kilometres from Oyo State end and 55.4 kilometres in Osun State to promote inter-trade relationship.

    Osun State Government awarded the 55.4km Osogbo (Dele Yes Sir Roundabout) – Iwo – Papa Village (Osun/Oyo Boundary) with dualisation of 2.8km Dele Yes Sir Roundabout to Sawmill, Osogbo, at a contract sum of N11.3billion, while Oyo State Government awarded the 35.6km Iwo Road Interchange (Ibadan) – Olodo Bridge – Lalupon – Papa Village (Oyo/Osun Boundary) at a contract sum of N12.5billion.

    Read Also; Ogun 2023: Rumpus in APC as Amosun moves against Abiodun’s reelection

    Speaking with reporters at the boundary of Oyo and Osun, the Managing Director, Peculiar Consult and Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, Lanre Adeleke, said they had been mobilised to the road.

    He said: “This 91km road is being funded by Oyo and Osun governments under a collaborative effort called ‘Alternative Funding Approach.’ We will involve in palliative measures to ease vehicular movement along this road.

    “The two states have shown commitment, the contract has been awarded to our organisation, so we are ready to go. We are going to deliver the road in 18 months, which is the duration of the contract.”

    Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, who led 15 monarchs in his district to inspect the alternative route before visiting Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, said: “Reconstruction of the road will remove our communities from isolation that it has been in since the road became bad.”

  • Folarin hails Olubadan at 80

    Folarin hails Olubadan at 80

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State Sen. Teslim Folarin has congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr.) Mohood Olalekan Balogun on his 80th birthday.

    Folarin, in a statement he personally signed in Ibadan described the octagenarian monarch as an embodiment of royalty, objectivity and astuteness, one full of wisdom, and a custodian of the very rich Ibadan traditional heritage.

    The Oyo Central Senator said: “On behalf of my family and the good people of Oyo Central Senatorial District, I felicitate Your Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Mohood Olalekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland on the occasion of your glorious 80th birthday.

    “Attaining the age of 80, is not an easy feat especially in this clime where life expectancy is something to worry about, but God in His infinite mercies has kept you to this day”.

    “Your reign as our King has been peaceful and prosperous for both indigenes and non-indigenes alike”

    “As you celebrate, I am very sure your heart is filled with joy for what God has helped you achieve in the last eight decades and looking forward, I pray that all your dreams and wishes for Ibadanland and our people come true”

    “Long may you live in peace and good health, Kabiyesi”

    “Aku Odun, Aku Iyedun. K’Ade Pe Lori, Ki Bata Pe L’ese, Ki Irukere Di Okini”

  • LSEB holds strategic retreat on sustainable energy

    LSEB holds strategic retreat on sustainable energy

    The Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) has held a 2-day strategic retreat for members of its staff.

    The retreat was In line with the desire of the State Government to ensure effective coordination of energy resources that will keep Lagos economy on the path of growth.

    Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Olalere Odusote informed that the retreat was required to position the state towards attracting private sector collaboration and investment in the energy sector.

    “The Lagos State Electricity Policy which is designed to provide a cleaner, reliable, affordable and uninterrupted power supply to residents requires proper coordination for its implementation,” Odusote said.

    According to him, the framework articulated constitutional, legal, engineering, and commercial foundations for creating a viable sub-national electricity system that would cater for energy needs of the state.

    He said the new approach to energy security that the state government is facilitating identifies with the global response of ensuring that all human beings, including future generations are entitled to benefit from modern energy services and at the same time be protected from their negative side effects.

    Read Also; NEITI cautions Nigeria against hasty energy transition

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ms. Shola Shasore, acknowledged the relevance of building the competence of workforce for effective service delivery.

    She stated that the attainment of the government’s vision on energy generation and distribution is hinged on building competence in the workforce to drive the implementation with proper monitoring and evaluation.

    The General Manager, LSEB Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani said the gathering was aimed at fashioning a new paradigm of delivering efficient energy services to the teeming public and exploring opportunities for future gains.

    He said the theme of the retreat, “Guaranteeing Security of Lagos through Sustainable Energy whilst Managing Talents in Disruptive Times and Leveraging Corporate Transformation” captured major targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    While acknowledging that the economy of Lagos as commercial hub of Nigeria makes it pertinent to restructure the traditional energy security calculus, Tijani affirmed that implementing the comprehensive energy blueprint will support the state’s quest towards becoming a 21st Century Economy.

    “With the emerging global era of disruption characterized by artificial intelligence, robotic and automation every government is forced with multiple challenges, restructuring and exercising strategic talent management, he said.

    Tijani pointed out that the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda which is the premise of delivering equitable socio-economic dividends across the state requires the formulation and implementation of policies and actions on energy to support changes in technology and social demands.

    Discussions at the retreat were focused on The Lagos Energy Policy; The Lagos Resilience Strategy; Building Highly Motivated and Performance Driven Team; Entrenching Public Service Rules in Parastatals, and Enhancing Social Dialogue to ensure Sustainable Culture for Safety and Health in Workplace.

  • Ex-students donate to alma mater

    Ex-students donate to alma mater

    Former students (1982 set) of Queen School, Ibadan have donated chairs, table and internet facilities to their alma mater to mark the 40th anniversary of the set.

    They said their donation was one of the ways to support the school to maintain its standard.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Speaker donates N4m to flood victims

    Speaking during the anniversary held on the premises of the school in Apata, Ibadan, one of the planning committee members, Mrs. Tolu Fanimokun, said the motive behind their donation was to impact on the pupils.

    The Head Teacher, Mrs. S. A. Alamu, praised the old girls for their gesture, saying the donation would positively affect academic performance of the pupils.

  • Why PDP candidate will fail, by Lagos APC

    Why PDP candidate will fail, by Lagos APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State yesterday slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jide Adediran (aka Jandor), for spreading falsehood about the Babajide Sanwo-Olu government.

    The party said the standard-bearer had been displaying characteristic and nauseating ignorance in his assessment of the current government in Lagos State.

    Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo said in a statement that while Adediran and his co-travellers might not acknowledge the well-known benevolence of Governor Sanwo-Olu, their recent cocktail of lies in the name of desperation to procure public office had amounted to bare-faced shamelessness.

    He said the monumental performance of the Sanwo-Olu administration was acknowledged far and wide.

    Read Also; BOS’ Lagos or Jandor’s jungle?

    Oladejo said the social contract with the people had not only been fulfilled, but it also surpassed the expectations of discerning and unbiased observers.

    He said: “The THEMES mantra has been a masterstroke that has enabled the government to touch every sector in the state.

    “The all-inclusive nature of the administration has elicited great confidence across board.

    The governor’s managerial acumen and selfless personality have not only made Lagos State stand out within and beyond our nation, but have also upheld the lofty legacies of his illustrious predecessors.

    “If the opposition, due to its warped mindset, cannot see newly constructed roads, hospitals, schools, rail projects , investments in agriculture, security, tourism, etc, the situation certainly calls for urgent medical attention.

    “The incessant lies of Jandor more often than not have exposed him to public ridicule and disdain. The latest of this was the claim that he picked the mortuary bill for the late fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, when the state government actually paid for it.”

  • APC clears Osun council poll

    APC clears Osun council poll

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State won the 462 seats across 30 local governments, 32 local council development areas and seven area councils during last Saturday’s local government election.

    The poll, conducted by Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), which was opposed in court by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), witnessed low turnout.  Governor Adegboyega Oyetola hailed the process.

    OSIEC Chairman Segun Oladitan, speaking at the commission’s office in Osogbo yesterday, said at the close of deadline given for withdrawal of candidates, only one party, APC, obtained and submitted nomination forms for screening on behalf of its candidates in the local governments, local council development areas and area councils.

    Read Also; APC sure of overwhelming victory in 2023 – Kyari

    He said some people held divergent views about the ballot paper of the election carrying only ‘Yes or No’ on it, explaining that “the Electoral Act 2022 Section 106(1) A & B states that a candidate for an election to the office of the chairman shall be deemed to have been duly elected to the office where being the only candidate nominated for the election, he or she has majority of YES votes over NO votes cast at the election and not less than one-third of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of

    all the wards in the Area Council”.

    Oladitan presented certificates of return to the 69 chairmen and 393 councillors after declaring them winners of the election.

    PDP, through its Chairman, Adekunle Akindele, has said “impeachment threat on Osun governor-elect Ademola Adeleke can’t stop legal disbandment of the local government executives.”

    He said: “The councils will be legally disbanded as soon as the new administration takes over the state.”

  • Lagos leads others with N753b IGR collection last year

    Lagos leads others with N753b IGR collection last year

    Lagos State collected the highest Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) of N753.46 billion in 2021, followed by the FCT, which collected N131.92 billion.

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday in Abuja that in 2020, Lagos State also led other states in IGR collection when it got N660 billion, followed by Rivers at N117.19 billion.

    In 2019, Lagos State also took the lead when it collected N646.61 billion, followed by Rivers that collected N169.6 billion.

    Read Also; Sanwo-Olu unveils Lagos State Wealth Fund

    The NBS said in its Internally Generated Revenue at States Level (2019 – 2021) report that the 36 states of the federation combined collected N1.64 trillion as IGR in 2019.

    It said 64.65 per cent of the revenue collected by the states was from taxes.

    The NBS added that the N1.64 trillion collected in 2019 declined by 4.65 per cent in 2020 when the states collected N1.56 trillion internally.

    “The proportion of tax revenue in 2020 rose to 66.16 per cent, however,” it stated.

    The NBS said in 2021, the 36 states collected N1.9 trillion internally, representing a growth rate of 21.54 per cent over the 2020 revenue collections.

  • ‘Alaafin’s last wish was to see Tinubu elected as president’

    ‘Alaafin’s last wish was to see Tinubu elected as president’

    The lawmaker representing Afijio/Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West Federal Constituency, Akeem Adeyemi, has disclosed that the last wish of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should become the president.

    He spoke at the weekend in Oyo at the 84th posthumous birthday of the monarch.

    It was held at the new mini stadium in Ode Aremo, Oyo, near Alaafin’s palace.

    Read Also; My plans for Nigeria, by Tinubu

    The lawmaker urged youths to support Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in next year’s election.

    He said Asiwaju Tinubu had contributed immensely to the development of the country, calling on youths to be focused and cast their votes for the man, who had their interest at heart.

    Adeyemi empowered 1,500 people with cash, inaugurated an ICT centre, a block of three classrooms, motorised borehole, transformers and also offered free medical services to thousands of his constituents to mark the posthumous birthday.

    The Mogaji of Adeyemi, Alhaji Hasan Oranlola Adeyemi, and Oyo traditional council (Oyomesi), represented by the Samu, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale, hailed the legislator  for having the love of Oyo and its people at heart.

  • Rotary sensitises traders on disaster reduction

    Rotary sensitises traders on disaster reduction

    Rotary District 9110 (Lagos and Ogun States) has celebrated the 2022 International Day for Disaster Reduction with a sensitisation of traders in Holloway Market, Oke-Arin, Lagos Island.

    Representative of the Lagos Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Toyin Oguntola, who spoke on the ‘causes and preventive measures of flooding’, identified environmental infractions, water pollution, waste in drainage channels and fire outbreak, as some causes of flooding.

    She, however, urged the people to adhere to preventive measures, such as, proper waste disposal, reduction in water pollution and a change in social and behavioral mindset, so a cleaner Lagos devoid of flooding and other environmental disasters can be achieved.

    Rotary District Governor Omotunde Lawson noted that the event formed part of the club’s focal points in the area of environmental sustainability.

    She said: “Rotary Club is all about service to humanity. We take up projects like building schools, roads, providing social amenities like clean water, and even teach businessmen and women how to be better at their jobs.

    “So we are here because we care about the wellbeing of traders, and so we decided to initiate this campaign. It should be worthy of note that the International Day for Disaster Reduction is a globally-celebrated event and not peculiar to just us here in Nigeria. So it will be good that we all adhere to the preventive measures that were discussed in the lecture.

    “The environment is ours to care for so we can enjoy it, and it is even said that prevention is better than cure.”

    The Iyaloja of Holloway Market, Rotn Abosede Ogundele, said the sensitisation was to orientate the traders about preventive measures to take against natural and human disasters. “Seeing that Lagos is surrounded by water, it is therefore necessary to prevent flooding in order to avoid bad news heard from other parts of the country. Most of you heard the about the flooding in Anambra, Kogi, Plateau, Adamawa states and others. But we do not want such occurrences here in Lagos and so we have brought this programme to educate ourselves.

    “Lagos is surrounded by water and we do not want in our shops to cause mayhem to our properties; that is the reason for this campaign. May tragedy never befall our people.”

  • Expert laments declining standard of education

    Expert laments declining standard of education

    The Chief Executive Officer, of Ecobank Pan African Centre, Dele Alabi, has lamented over the rate at which people are moving to private universities saying that the standard of education has fallen in public universities.

    Alabi who is the chairman of the 16th Award & Recognition of the Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, advised the government at all levels to lift the standard of education back to its usual position.

    Read Also: Presidential candidates urged to sign off on education reform manifestos

    He noted that students usually agitate to go to public universities in the 70s to 80s when “attending a public university in Nigeria was a great thing to do.”

    He said, “but now, the standard has fallen significantly. A lot of people have had to move away from public universities to private universities. It should not be like that, it ought not to be like that.

    He maintained that education is not cheap, saying “there has to be some cost to education and all the relevant stakeholders must come together to lift our education higher.”

    The vice chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Prof Anthony Akinlo, explained that the award and recognition day is an avenue to recognize and appreciate members of staff and those considered to have distinctly performed their responsibilities.