The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • My Aremo title not politically motivated, says Adeola

    My Aremo title not politically motivated, says Adeola

    Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) has said the Aremo and Yeye Aremo chieftaincy titles bestowed on him and his wife are not politically-motivated.

    Adeola was conferred with the title of Aremo of Yewaland by the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

    The lawmaker, after his conferment on Saturday, said the title was given him in appreciation of his good works and services over the years. He, however, dismissed insinuations that the title was a ploy to boost his 2023 Senatorial ambition.

    He said: “I believe that this chieftaincy title was not politically-motivated. I just believe it is in appreciation and the belief in me by my people, that I can do everything that is humanly possible to contribute my quota to the development of the land. So, when it comes to politics, I believe it is a different ball game and different terrain.

    “The direct implication is that we should continue with what we have been doing for the people of Yewaland, and do more. I believe the title, Aremo of Yewaland, which simply means the first born of the Kabiyesi of Yewaland, is a very big title. I will do everything to meet the expectations.

    “It was least expected, because my initial approach to come back home was faced with challenges from my people. Now if my people turn around and appreciate me, to even buying my nomination form, I believe it’s a big deal.

    “My legislative experience and exposure is not in doubt, it will be a work in progress. I will start from where I stopped. I can assure you, I know where the shoe pinches and I know the needs of my people, and I know how to address it accordingly through the legislative means. I’ll continue to work hard through every legislation that can bring about development to the entire Yewaland and Awori as a whole if eventually I get their nod to represent them.”

    Dignitaries at the event were Governor Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Akarigbo of Remoland Michael Adewale Ajayi; Agura of Gbagura Sabure Bakare, among others.

  • Lagos moves to improve water supply, sanitation

    Lagos moves to improve water supply, sanitation

    Lagos State has trained Field Officers on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to help collect data on the status of its water facilities across the state.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tunji Bello said the move was part of efforts to ensure the people have access to quality water.

    According to him, government needs adequate data to support policy formation on water resources. ‘It is certain that water supply is inadequate, and it is only through baseline studies and data gathering that effective policies can be made,’ he said.

    Bello, represented by the Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Mahmood Adegbite, said 100 enumerators will be trained to cover the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the state. He appealed to the people to support and accept the enumerators as the survey aims to ensure that safe and clean water is accessible to all eventually.

    He added: “It’s a 10-day baseline survey of water supply and sanitation facilities in private and public institutions, which will cover hotels, schools, tertiary institutions, farm settlements, hospitals, gardens and more, except private houses.

    “The survey is to determine the status of water and sanitation facilities in all these institutions, which will eventually form the cornerstone that will inform investment in the sector.

    “This meeting is to train the enumerators on the baseline studies of water resources. We want to have adequate data that will support policy formulation for water resources in the state…”

    The Director of Water Resources in the ministry, Mrs. Omolanke Taiwo, emphasised that water is life and should be available and accessible to every resident.

    She recalled that the Federal Government has launched a campaign to end open defecation by 2025, and so, a baseline survey would give the proper status and functionality of the water scheme, and the report would give an edge to government to plan.

  • ‘My running mate’s defection inconsequential’

    ‘My running mate’s defection inconsequential’

    Governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the June 18 Ekiti State election, Kemi Elebute-Halle, has described the defection of his running mate, Idowu Afuye, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as inconsequential.

    Elebute-Halle said Afuye’s defection poses no threat to ADP’s bright chances to form the next government, stressing that the party has become a household name and the first choice for Ekiti people.

    Afuye last week dumped the ADP for the APC, citing lack of clear-cut vision and display of undemocratic tendencies by the party’s governorship candidate.

    But Elebute-Halle, while addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Afuye’s reasons for jumping ship, saying he left the party in exchange for ‘political tokenism’ offered him by the APC.

    She described Afuye’s exit from the party as a ‘blessing with no negative electoral implication on her governorship ambition because her estranged running mate has been a clog in the wheel of her quest to rescue Ekiti from the shackles of poverty, insecurity and underdevelopment’.

    The politician narrated how Afuye had plotted to undermine the ADP, even in his council area, saying the party leadership had kept him incommunicado before he finally announced his exit from the party.

    According to her, the kind of attention and reception accorded Afuye, ‘a paper weight, by the APC, clearly showed that the ruling party was a desperate and sinking party struggling to stay afloat’.

    She added: “I have invested so much time and resources into the race such that there is no place for being a sell out. I will never betray the confidence my supporters repose in me, even if I would be the only one to vote for myself on election day.

    “Up till now, Afuye’s defection is still a speculation. My deputy governorship candidate is yet to formally leave the party. He only quit the party, not resign. We are yet to be informed about this. Whatever he has done, it is deemed to be done under duress and for political reasons. Those who pushed him into it failed to recognise that the moment one is enlisted in the INEC published list, there is no going back…”

  • Oyetola: campaign of calumny can’t stop my re-election

    Oyetola: campaign of calumny can’t stop my re-election

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has said false and defamatory statements about him cannot stop his re-election in the July 16 election.

    Oyetola spoke yesterday during the N30 million fund raising organised for him by the Ebira Community in Osogbo. He was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.

    The governor assured the electorate that he would not betray their trust when re-elected, and urged them not to allow ‘those who lacked basic knowledge of governance deceive them’.

    According to Oyetola, his love for the masses, passion for their welfare and the development of the state, were some of the reasons people wanted his re-election. He added that his decision to re-election was due to the confidence reposed in his administration by the electorate, who appreciated his meaningful contributions in the last three and half years.

    The governor urged the Ebira community to continue to live in peace with their hosts, adding that peaceful coexistence would bring stability, national economic growth and development.

    President of the Ebira community Shaibu Abere hailed the governor for loving non-indigenes, ‘which had made the state peaceful’.

    Abere said their businesses had been thriving due to the prompt payment of workers’ salaries as civil servants formed bulk of their customers. He also assured the governor of their support for his re-election.

    Factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wale Ojo, is set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), it has been learnt.

    Ojo, who was the Osun East Senatorial chairman, became state chairman in 2021 but was rejected by the Senator Ademola Adeleke-led faction because of his alleged relationship with the PDP Vice Chairman (Southwest), Soji Adagunodo.

    The Nation gathered that the leadership have met with Ojo to perfect his defection plans.

    A source said Ojo is also joining the APC because of the newly-elected National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    He said: “A member of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s executive council gave us the hint through a photograph sent our whatsapp group. Ojo and other APC chieftains took the photo after their discussion. I believe Omisore influenced his move to APC because they are from the same place.”

    When contacted about the defection rumour, Ojo said through a text message ‘the process is ongoing’.

  • Buhari deserves commendation from Ndigbo

    Buhari deserves commendation from Ndigbo

    A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State, Chief Livinus Okwara, has commended President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration for completing the second Niger Bridge which the previous administration could not complete.

    In an interview Chief Okwara, who was recently conferred a title as First Father of Ohanaeze Lagos State by High Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, President Ohanaeze Lagos, maintained that the completion of the bridge will add value to the people of the Southeast and increase the economy.

    “The completion of the second Niger bridge would ease traffic in the southeast and facilitate business transactions for the teaming Igbo business men and women,” he said.

    Chief Okwara cautioned those fanning the embers of division and war to desist from such ventures, insisting that in the event of another war, Ndigbo would again lose like they did during the Nigeria-Biafran civil war.

    In his words, “Let’s flash back on civil war. The Igbos lost so many things because of the civil war, Igbo never expected it, suddenly, it came, by the time people wanted to stop it, it had gone far. So we have found ourselves in position where we are no longer the bride, my advice is that we should be conscious of what happened during the civil war and learn.

    “Igbo man must not fight war the second time, because if we do try that, it will take over 50 years to recover back, Igbo are everywhere in Nigeria, everywhere in the world, Igbos are progressive people anywhere they find themselves.”

  • Why Osun wants me reelected, by Oyetola

    Why Osun wants me reelected, by Oyetola

    Osun Governror Gboyega Oyetola has said that his love for the masses, passion for their welfare and the development of the State are some of the reasons people want him to be re-elected.

    Oyetola said this during N30 million fund raising ceremony organised by the Ebira Community in Osogbo, Osun state on Sunday.

    The Governor said his decision to seek for re-election was due to the confidence reposed in his administration by the electorate, who appreciated his meaningful contributions in the last three and half years.

    The Governor was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.

    Oyetola said campaign of calumny by the opposition parties would not stop his re-election.

    The Governor said that since the inception of his administration, he had embarked on series of developmental projects as well as prompt payment of salaries and pensions.

    Oyetola also said that his administration was aware of the importance of security and social stability as the fundamental purpose for which the government was instituted and has lived up to that responsibility since becoming governor.

    He said: “Since the inception of our administration, concerted efforts have been centred on fortifying the state security architecture through the establishment of security Joint Taskforce to complement the mainstream security agencies in preventing crimes in the state.

    “To further exhibit our administration’s commitment to security of lives and property, 360 persons were recruited into the state Amotekun with the procurement of 20 security vehicles and several communication gadgets to support them in the discharge of their responsibility.

    “More than 750 vigilantes groups were also recuited in all the local government areas of the state to solidify the state security network.”

    Oyetola said that the electorate, who massively elected him 2018, could attest to his resounding achievements in the area of infrastructure, education, health care delivery, empowerment, social intervention and other critical areas of development.

    Oyetola, who assured that he would not betray the trust of the people,when re-elected, urged the electorate not to allow those who lack basic of knowledge of governance to deceive them.

    The Governor also urged members of the Ebira community to continue to live in peace with their host communities.

    Oyetola said peaceful coexistence would bring stability and enhance national economic growth and development.

    The governor further said that an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between the government and the governed was needed for growth and development.

    READ ALSO: Police brutality: Oyetola pays N53m compensation to victims

    The governor, however, appealed to registered electorate, who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards to do so and support him during the July 16 poll.

    The governor also appealed to the Ebira Community to support his re-election in the forthcoming governorship election, so as to enable him consolidate on the achievements of the past years.

    However, in recognition of his good leadership style, an award of excellence was presented to Oyintiloye by the Ebira community at the event.

    President of the group, Shaibu Abere, commended the Governor for his love for the non-indigene, which had made Osun a peaceful state without intertribal conflicts.

    Abere stated that their businesses had been thriving well due to prompt payment of workers’ salaries, as civil servants formed bulk of their patrons.

    He also commended the Governor for various devopmental projects across the state, adding that the group would continue to live peacefully with other tribes and also support the governor for for his re-election.

  • Opolo Global Innovation set to commercialize university research efforts

    Opolo Global Innovation set to commercialize university research efforts

    Opolo Global Innovation Ltd at the weekend held its 2022 strategy retreat agenda with several speakers deliberating on the Nigerian economy and the way forward.

    The innovation advisory platform said it would continue to maintain its leadership position in building  partnerships to improve the product development process and commercialise innovation and problem-solving research in Nigeria’s tertiary educational institutions.

    It said this would be realized through partnership arrangements between Opolo Global Innovations Limited and The University of Edinburgh.

    “There are ongoing discussions with Oxford University, University of Toronto, Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Tshimologong – the Incubation of the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa.” The organization disclosed this during a two-day strategy retreat held at Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The retreat closely followed  Opolo Global‘s establishment of incubation hubs at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and Osun State University.

    The organisation also revealed that plans were afoot to create additional innovation hubs at the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), and Bayero University Kano,(BUK).

    At the two-day event, Dr. Biodun Adedipe spoke about the global/ Nigeria economy plus the operating and competitive environment.

    Also, Dr. Ayo Popoola gave an insight into the commercialization of university-based research.

    Nosa Omusa spoke on the funding and investment opportunities in the country.

    Several other speakers also spoke about different topics including ‘Developing a digital skilling and capacity building programme’ which was handled by Lola Ekugo. The ‘22nd-centurynd century innovation hubs- Global best practice, dos, and don’ts was handled by Andrew Davies.

    The Chairman of ÌpÍlÍ Global Innovation Ltd, Dr. Segun Aina, declared the retreat closed after giving his closing remarks.

     

     

  • Jars Group embarks on street walk against trauma

    Jars Group embarks on street walk against trauma

    Jars Group has organised the 2022 Lagos Street-walk Health Awareness Campaign  to mark the Mental health awareness month. The walk created the desired impact as the participants were seen singing, dancing and cheering themselves as they marched all the way to Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The walk had public health workers and stakeholders in the sector participating in the sensitization exercise which started from Allen Avenue Roundabout in Ikeja down to the Lagos State House of Assembly and ending at the JJT Park, Alausa. Other features are dancing competition, talks on trauma and building resilience among other things.

    The campaign being the first in the series is in commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Month 2022 drawn by Jars Group, with theme: “Trauma Care is Community Care.” It attracted the much needed attention as people stopped by, asked questions and got information about what and how trauma can be mitigated including measures to refrain from domestic related crises.

    The group marched with a displayed banner and placards bearing various signs such as “Stop Child Negligence”, “Hurting People Hurt Other People”, “Domestic Abuse is A Human Rights Violation”, “Don’t Hide Trauma”, End Domestic Violence”, End Childhood Trauma”, Say No To Domestic Abuse” among others.

    On her part, the convener of the programme, Prof Akindotun Merino informed thatthis is just the beginning of so many things to come from the organisation. “We are here today to educate and sensitise Nigerians about the dangers of keeping quiet over trauma related issues and domestic abuse. Abusing a child in a way that is not acceptable to the society is a type of domestic violence including emotional abuse. We are highlighting all these today so that people should know that they are public health issues. We must draw awareness to it. That is why we are here today. We are moving straight to the Governor’s office at Alausa to draw more attention from the legislative point of view,” Merino said.

    Speaking further, she noted that the awareness drive is the first-ever Community Trauma Care Campaign in Nigeria, adding that it is indeed a clarion call to action.

    Prof Merino noted that there is a need for government to support the campaigners through funding, for them to carry on the good work and also implement some policies that would enhance the awareness drive about knowing ones health status. She said that collaboration can also go a long way to help the NGOs and relevant bodies that are championing the health awareness drive.

  • Stop monarch from causing crisis in communities, council boss tells governor

    Stop monarch from causing crisis in communities, council boss tells governor

    Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Mr. Bankole Ogbesetore, has asked Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to caution Akure monarch, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi Ogunlade, not to plunge communities in his locality into crisis through forceful installation of Olus and Baales.

    Ogbesetore said Oba Ogunlade recently installed what he termed illegal Olus in communities with no vacant stools.

    He called on the state government to stop and avert imminent crisis in those communities.

    In a petition addressed to the office of the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Council Chairman said the Deji of Akure installed one Alaba Owoyemi as Olu of Kajola at Ehin Ala to cause a crisis by going beyond his jurisdiction.

    He said Olus were also installed at Odudu and Odegede which, according to him, caused a serious crisis that led to the destruction of lives and properties.

    The Akure North Chairman said, “The recent and imminent crisis calls for your urgent and prompt intervention. Akure North Local Government was informed through the letter of Emmanuel Emodamori Esq of Femi Emmanuel Emodomon & Co, lawyer to the Chieftaincy Committee of Akure North Local Government, about the continuous and unabated attempt of the Deji of Akure to install another rival OIu of Ilado-lgbatoro.

    “It may surprise you to note that the stool of Olu Ilado Igbatoro is not vacant as there is an Installed Olu over 34 years ago, many years before the installation of the present Deji of Akure.”

    He said the present action or anticipated action of the Deji of Akure would cause another crisis in Akure North Local Government and its environs. “I am sincerely pleading with your good office to treat the above prayers with utmost attention so that the people of Akure North Local Government can experience peace again without any anxiety, infiltration, or oppression from any quarters.”

    Media aide to the Akure monarch, Michael Adeyeye, was yet to respond as of press time.

  • I will defeat Alasoadura, others, says senatorial aspirant

    I will defeat Alasoadura, others, says senatorial aspirant

    Youngest senatorial aspirant in the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Dr. Tola Awosika, has said he would defeat Senator Tayo Alasoadura and others at the party primary to emerge candidate of the party for Ondo Central senatorial district.

    Dr. Awosika, aged 36, who urged the party’s leadership to provide a level playing field said he has the capacity to improving the welfare of the people if elected.

    Speaking at a media parley in Akure, Dr. Awosika said he joined politics to impact positively and empower people in a different way.

    Asked if he would dump the APC for another party, Dr. Awosika said defection was not an option for him as he was sure he would defeat old politicians in the race against him.

    Awosika promised to work with others to harness untapped sectors in the state for economic prosperity of the people.

    “For me, that is the driving force for getting involved in mainstream politics. I believe the indigenes of Ondo State will be willing to accept their sons and daughters in the interest of a better society.