Category: South West

A Yoruba Diaspora-based socio-cultural organisation, the Yoruba Global Council (YGC), has urged presidential aspirants from the Southwest, especially those in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to unite as the country prepares for the primaries and 2023 general election.

It pleaded with Southwest presidential aspirants, particularly those in the APC like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice- President Yemi Osibanjo and Dr. Kayode Fayemi to resist the game plan of the fifth columnists and foes of the Yoruba nation bent on taking the presidency away from the zone in 2023.

The council, in a statement by spokesman Prof. Lere Amusan and General Secretary Prince Segun Akanni said: “YGC believes that 2023 presents another golden opportunity for the Yoruba to produce the next President for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Divisive politicking or politics of ego and self-centredness among those jostling for the number one seat must not be allowed to jeopardise such prospect.”

Stressing that history was replete with the circumstances in which the Yoruba lost their coveted territory, Ilorin, the council noted: “Another trait of disunity played out during the June 12 struggle in which prominent Yoruba sons and leaders left Chief MKO Abiola in the lurch, thereby making the race lose the most exalted seat in the land.

“Must the Yoruba presidential aspirants and committed stakeholders to the Yoruba cause and interest allow history to repeat itself by allowing charlatans and political contractors infiltrate their camps and lead them to perdition?

“YGC says categorical NO to the ploy and Machiavellian scheme of the adversaries of the Yoruba nation this time!”

The group enjoined the presidential aspirants, especially the APC heavyweights, to sheathe their swords, come together, play ball and find a common ground through which a credible, reliable, responsible and capable Yoruba son will be fielded to represent the nation’s collective interest and aspirations.

The statement said: “YGC is not in any way averse to the idea of one federated Nigeria, but on the proviso that such a federation is built on egalitarianism, justice, equity, inclusiveness and sense of belonging for all and sundry.

“Besides, it has been, over the years, observed that every election cycle poses potent threat to the sustainability of our nascent democracy and the democratisation process. Since 1999, developments leading to each election year had been and have continued to be characterised by political assassination, brigandage, hate speech, gruesome abduction, grandstanding, implosion occasioned by lack of internal democracy (especially after party primaries) and anti-party activities, among other encumbrances.

“All of these unnecessarily heat up the polity and create palpable fear in the minds of the electorate – a development that compels them (voters) to abdicate their franchise on Election Day.

“YGC unequivocally decries these dangerous preludes to our elections and canvases a quick change of the obnoxious narratives.”

It added: “Based on the foregoing and in line with our mandate and unassailable commitment to advancing the collective interest of the Yoruba race both at home and in the diaspora and in fostering peaceful co-existence, we reiterate our warning by calling on all illustrious sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation – seeking the presidency, to embrace unity and a sense of political camaraderie by according Yoruba interest premium priority ahead of personal ambition.

“YGC also uses this medium to appeal to political aspirants, party leaders and critical stakeholders to play prominent role in the advocacy for peaceful, free and fair elections at both primary and general levels ahead of the 2023 general election.

“Democracy can only thrive when all stakeholders eschew all forms of electoral violence, but seek to embrace peace in all its ramifications before, during and after the 2023 general election.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Asiwaju Khamis Badmus, a farmer, businessman and philanthropist, on his 76th birthday, which holds today.

He joins family, friends and associates to celebrate with the renowned agriculturalist.

The President felicitated the management and workers of TUNS Group, particularly TUNS Farms Nigeria Ltd, as they celebrated with the visionary leader, whose resourcefulness had continued to inspire people.

He noted the diligence, foresight and patriotism of Asiwaju Badmus over the years

Buhari said: “As the former president of Poultry Association of Nigeria, I commend the dedication and courage of Asiwaju Badmus in turning the fortunes of poultry farmers around, and making poultry attractive to youths.”

He prayed for more strength and good health for the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yoruba land.

Warring factions in oil rich Ugboland in Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State have embraced peace after a four-year talk.

The peace deal was sealed with the inauguration of a 56-member Ugbo Development Congress (UDC), headed by Mr. Benson Obayelu and the Ugboland Council of Obas, as well as Council of Chiefs.

Leaders of Ugboland, who spoke at the inauguration, agreed that their age-long fracas hindered development in the community despite possessing huge oil and gas deposits.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said at the event that no meaningful development could take place where there was disunity.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Lucky Aiyetadiwa, said affliction would not arise in Ugboland again, as warring factions had agreed to work together.

He, however, identified Ugboland as one of the hotbeds for cultism, saying their activities portended danger to development.

Akeredolu said: “Ugboland is richly blessed. The people cannot afford not to come together to achieve development.

“The bringing of traditional rulers together in Ugboland will contribute to ease of administration. We will continue to support you where necessary to ensure the noble move is sustained and improved on.”

The traditional ruler of Ugboland, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, said the fracas in Ugboland was deeply rooted, adding that the kings were not seeing eyeball to eyeball.

He said he never believed peace could return to Ugboland during his reign, even when the peace moves began four years ago.

“I can sleep well this night. I never expected to see some people here. I never knew they could settle this dispute.”

The Chairman of the UDC Inauguration Committee, Chief Olusola Oke, said peace had returned to Ugboland.

He said the UDC would serve as a voice for Ugboland and ensure all things due to it were delivered.

 

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has enjoined Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to exercise their franchise in the coming general election.

The governor, who spoke at the weekend at a thanksgiving service for the third session of the Fourth Synod and Investiture of Diocesan Distinguished Fellows and Royal Fellows, held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Okun-Owa Ijebu, in Odogbolu Local Government, noted that it had become imperative for eligible voters to get their PVCs so as not to be disenfranchised.

He said: “The Holy Bible says when the righteous rule, the people rejoice. Let us get our voter cards so that we can exercise our civic rights and vote credible people into the government. Let us stop complaining about the situation of things in the country. The people get the government they desire.”

Abiodun, who noted the challenges facing the nation, decried the vices in the country, lamenting “a situation where children in primary schools are now involved in cultism.”

“Nigeria, no doubt, is facing a lot of challenges. Cultism has become the order of the day. Kidnapping has become the fastest way of making money. Our youths no longer want to work, but I believe that with faith and hope in Christ, we will overcome our challenges,” he said.

The governor urged parents to pay attention to their children’s welfare and well-being, saying: “As parents, we need to do our beats by guiding them in the right way. Let us ask questions when necessary and ensure that our children, who are our future, are led rightly”.

Calling on the people to support the government in building the nation, Abiodun advised the people to have hope and faith in God, “as these challenges are not insurmountable.”

Speaking about the theme of the synod titled: ‘Lift up your Eyes’, the Bishop of Irele/Ese-Odo Diocese, Ondo State, Rt. Rev. Joshua Oyinlola, enjoined Nigerians not to sell their votes, but vote according to their conscience.

He said selling their votes amounted to mortgaging their children’s future.

The clergyman said it was time for the leaders to pay attention to the hardship being experienced by the citizens, urging Christians not to be blindfolded by the country’s challenges and lose sight of God’s glory.

The Diocesan Bishop, Ijebu Southwest, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Ogunbanwo, hailed the state government for empowering the youth, noting: “We do not need youths who are thugs, but useful youths who will be useful to themselves and the society.”

 

 

Lagos State Government said at the weekend that a permanent solution to flooding at Idumagbo, Oroyinyin, Ojo Giwa and their environs on Lagos Island would be put in place before the end of the year.

It added that what obtained at the Ilubirin end was a temporary measure.

Addressing stakeholders who included the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni, at a meeting at the Lagos Island Local Government, on the issue of continuous flood experienced in the area, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tunji Bello said the government would provide a massive pumping station equipped with high capacity tanks.

He said when fully functional, the station would be fitted with three bigger pumps of 3000m cube per minute M3 capacity each with a 400KVA generator to power it, which had the capacity of pumping the water that might have accumulated within an hour.

Bello told the residents that what has been provided at the Ilubirin end for now is a temporary measure, which takes a minimum of two days to pump water after every heavy rainfall.

He said a basin of about six metres depth was part of the features of the new pump station coming on stream.

The commissioner told the audience that included leaders of Community Development Committees (CDCs), Community Development Associations (CDAS), market men and women that the major problem responsible for flooding was the depressed nature of the area, which had made it difficult for water to naturally drain into the canals.

He said the natural embankment built at Ilubirin should not be seen as the cause of flooding, but an engineering solution that had prevented the lagoon from flowing back into the communities.

Bello stressed that what was being experienced at Idumagbo and its environs was the effect of climate change, as Lagos was one of the cities projected as one of the sinking cities in the world.

He advised Lagos Island residents to desist from dumping refuse into drains and canals, urging them to take ownership of the environment by moving against property developers, who littered drains with building materials, preventing flowing drains.

Speaking about the complaints of unavailability of pipe borne water on Lagos Island, the commissioner said the problem was receiving attention through a complete overhaul of the pipe network and machinery of the Adiyan and Iju water works project.

He said the necessary approvals had been given by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the projects, which also included the Onikan water scheme that would restore water supply to the Island and Mainland when completed.

Bello added that the pipe networks supplying the residents, which were already rusted and dilapidated, would also be replaced to allow pipe borne water reach all homes soon.

He directed the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to collaborate with Lagos Island Local Government on the possibility of allowing the PSP operators to discharge refuse generated by tenements at the TLS, located at Ebute Elefun, before being trans-loaded to the Ojota dumpsite.

Sanni, who represents Lagos Island 1, appealed to residents to cooperate with the government to proffer solution to flooding.

The Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Government, Muibi Alabi Folawiyo, said Lagos Island needed serious regeneration and building of drainages, to curb the menace of flooding.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Olalekan Shodeinde, represented by the Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Mahmood Adegbite, advised the residents to form a committee of residents and groups to liaise and meet with the officials of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources once a month and feed the community back.

The Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, said the agency was ready to provide a dumping site for PSP operators from the Island to deliver only wastes generated by residents and not commercial entities at the Transfer Loading Station at Ebute Elefun before being trans-loaded to Ojota Dumpsite.

 

 

Lagos State Government yesterday said it would activate the relevant Section of the State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 as amended to effect the seizure of the site of the recent building collapse at 24, Ibadan Street, Ebute-Metta.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, made this known during a meeting with the ministry’s enforcement team in Alausa.

He commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and others that sustained injuries.

Salako said the government was investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse and would not hesitate to activate the forfeiture clause, should the property owner be found culpable.

Before the four-storey building collapsed on May 1, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had served statutory notices relevant to a distressed building in occupation, which culminated in the seal-off of the building.

But the tenants refused to move out, claiming they had issues to sort out with the landlord, while the agency, upon noticing the break of seal, further served demolition notice in preparation for the demolition of the building.

The government said at the weekend that it had demolished a partially collapsed three-storey building on Chris Ngadi Avenue, Ago Palace Way, Okota.

A statement yesterday by Mr. Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman for the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) carried out the demolition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LASBCA is one of the agencies being supervised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

According to Sanusi, the Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Salako, said “detailed investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the collapse has been ordered.”

Salako said preliminary report of the collapse suggested that a section of the building disintegrated due to excess weight.

The commissioner said no lives were lost despite that the building was in use, adding that the site had been cordoned off to guarantee safety.

Salako said to avert danger, another building under construction at the same street “was completely pulled down by LASBCA for poor construction and use of inferior materials.”

He said all hands must be on deck to tackle the menace of building collapse, as the recurring events, especially during the rainy season, were worrisome and required holistic measures.

He said the government was adopting measures, including technology, to reform the regulatory environment.

The commissioner said the measures included application of stage-detection technology, automation of the activities of the parent ministry and its agencies and the creation of additional district offices.

He noted that additional district offices would ensure more presence of regulatory officials in remote parts of the states to be able to detect illegal and distressed buildings.