Category: South West

Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Timothy Owoeye has petitioned Police Commissioner Olawale Olokode over viral audio recording by a policeman disparaging him for alleged involvement in covering up of cult activities in Ilesha.

A copy of the petition obtained by The Nation was dated 24 March 2022 and addressed to Olokode.

It said: “I write to bring to your attention a certain audio recording permeating the social media space regarding my alleged involvement in the cover-up of cultism related activities. In the audio, an unknown man, suspected to be a police officer, defamed my good name by alleging that I reached out to one DPO and your humble self, the CP, that a certain cult criminal be free or let loose.

“The audio (made available to you vin https://drive.google.com/file/d/151x5X10 ASkn9i3mwewTeqNS_OR77YW/view?usp=drivesdk) has become a source of concern for my family, loved ones and political associates. I have worked and lived in Ilesa all my life, contributing my quota to a town which has given so much to me. I am a proud Ijesha man who loves my community and its inhabitants so dearly. I have made efforts since the cult clashes began to make sure Ilesha is a peaceful abode for all and sundry.

“Noteworthy is my commitment and support to the Nigeria Police Committee on Cultism (POCACOV) during their outreaches to ijesaland.

“May I at this point urge you to investigate the audio, which is capable of lowering people’s confidence in me. It is also important considering that your name was mentioned and that of our revered monarch.

“The said officer in the audio where he also disparaged Owa Obokun and the stool of his forebears, alluded to being part of a recent security meeting and as well confirmed that he is a security official.”

The factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Prince Dotun Babayemi, at the weekend reacted to the governorship candidate list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which carried the name of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the candidate of the party.

Babayemi, in a statement urged his supporters not to be afraid because some of the names on the list were provisional, as substitution and replacement would still be made in some of them as appropriate.

He said: “In the case of our party, the PDP, this is what will eventually happen, as the matter is sub judice at present. The judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man, will settle the issue about the party’s governorship candidate and I am confident that I will be victorious at the end of the day.

“INEC is a law-abiding agency of the government that respects the rule of law. As such, it will obey valid court decisions. It is not new for INEC to release names and later substitute the same for legal reasons. Most of the names on that list are temporary, including that of PDP.”

Babayemi appealed to the people of the state and in particular, members of PDP across the state, to remain calm, saying he would not only contest on the platform of the party, but would also win the July 16 governorship election to usher in the envisioned new dawn for the people.

Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), a Nigerian exploration and gold mining company has charged Nigerian girls to take up the challenge of pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The advice was given at a career-talk event organised for secondary school girls in all the three host communities of the Segilola Gold Project to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD).

As the world moves to break biases and stereotypes against women and the girl-child, speakers at the event were firm in their submissions that, with determination and the right motivation, more Nigerian girls will be set to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects and courses.

The speakers spoke about the gender gap in STEM fields in the country and encouraged secondary school girls to consider STEM fields as a viable option when making their academic and career decisions.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Atakumosa East Local Government Area, Osun State, Princess Folusho Adekoya, while speaking to over 250 young girls and guests gathered at the Iperindo Townhall, Atakumosa East Local Government Area, Osun State, encouraged the girls to “break the bias and walk in the footsteps of Nigerian women who have distinguished themselves in their fields, broken biases, endured and surmounted several challenges to pave the way for the younger generations.”

A lawmaker representing Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency at Osun State House of Assembly, Femi Popoola has empowered over 800 constituents with grinding machines.

Popoola who is the deputy speaker disclosed that hairdryers, sewing machines, generating sets and gas cylinders are given to beneficiaries who are artisans and farmers.

He said beneficiaries who were carefully selected in Boripe and Boluwaduro went home with Hairdryers, chest freezers, grinding and sewing machines, generating sets, sprayers gas cylinders among others.

“I have contributed to my people in Education, social intervention, health delivery, employment, grant for petty traders and a routine package programme towards supporting market women and vulnerable in Boripe/ Boluwaduro State Constituency.”

The Wife of Osun State Governor, Kafayat Oyetola and speaker of Osun State House of Assembly applauded Popoola for the empowerment stressing that it will go a long way to improve the economy of the state.

The constitutional amendment on indegeneship now before the National Assembly should not be used to re-introduce RUGA because Nigerians have rejected, the programme ab initio, a renowned socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri has advised.

In a press statement in Lagos, Onitiri lampooned those behind the constitutional amendments, alleging that they have a hidden agenda to re-introduce RUGA.

He pointed out that if the amendment sailed through, the state governors who were the custodians of land under the Land Use Act, would be powerless.

“All the forests and Forests Resources under the control of the state governments would easily be taken over by armed herdsmen, Boko Haram, and bandits who are already dislodging the indigenes from their ancestral lands.

“I think what the National Assembly should concern itself with, is to make laws that would unite the people, particularly fiscal federalism based on composite nationalities within the federation,” Onitiri advised.

He said it was an abuse of legislative power by the legislators to attempt to impose such constitutional illegality on the people who elected them to be their voice in the hallowed chambers.

Onitiri recalled that the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila announced on March 8, 2022, that the National Assembly would reconsider at least three proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution that had been rejected by the House earlier on.

Onitiri noted that: “It is already in the constitution that every citizen has a right to live in any part of the country. But that right should not be abused to cause problems amongst the people, l mean between the settlers and the Indigenes.”

He advised the legislators to allow the sleeping dogs to lie, for peace and progress to manifest in the country. They should not be used as agents of destabilization.

The Managing Director/CEO of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, has again stressed the need for waste sorting for residents, hinting that come April, residents who comply would get reduction in waste bills and increase for those who don’t.

He said this while interacting with journalists in his office at Ijora-Olopa, Lagos, adding that LAWMA was engaging recycling as a veritable tool, to tackle the challenge of plastic pollution, as the state generated about 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with plastic materials constituting seventeen percent.

According to him, “From April, you will get reduction in your waste bill if you sort your waste at source and vice versa if you don’t. I am appealing to estates, companies and all residents to comply. What we face in Lagos is challenging. In fact, Lagos is 5th largest economy in Africa; and population wise, we have over 25 million people living in the city. Scientifically, we have estimated that each individual generates about 0.69 kg daily. That’s what we are dealing with – over 13,000 metric tonnes of wastes daily, seventeen percent of those are plastic related wastes.

Odumboni stated further that recycling initiative for waste management had gained traction, since the inception of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, with the number of recycling companies operating in the state growing from only three to 78.

He observed, Since the launch of the recycling initiative by Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we have grown from three recycling companies to 78 recycling companies and still counting. We currently have more than 600 aggregators, and over 6000 jobs created in the sector so far. So you can see that we’ve started a movement and a growth. It’s over two years now and the progress that is being made is enormous.

The LAWMA boss reiterated the massive impact of recycling on the lives of many citizens, with the creation of jobs to alleviate unemployment challenges, and the positive impact on environmental sustainability, adding that more opportunities would still be created.

He further announced that the agency, as part of efforts to expand the recycling initiative, would partner with the BASF Group, on a project to convert waste to chemical, aimed at reducing the environmental impact caused by plastic waste in the state.

He called on corporate organisations, to join forces with the Authority, to create awareness among residents on the need to be actively involved in recycling, with attendant benefits for the people and the environment.

Ondo renown philantrophist, Tola Awosika and a grandson of Nigeria First Finance Minister, Festus Okotie-Eboh, has declared his intention to run for the Senate to represent Ondo Central Senatorial district.

Awosika who hails from Ondo kingdom said he joined politics to make a difference and focused on reorientation of youths.

Speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Awosika challenged the electorate and members of the All Progressives Congress to research about him and other aspirants for them to have an insight into the candidate they are electing to fly the party’s ticket.

Awosika stated that his 15 experience as a private investor with interest in pharmaceuticals, security, manufacturing and hospitality set him ahead of other aspirants.

According to him, “I believe in the unity of the APC and very optimistic that I will win the party’s ticket and the general election.

“I want to use my energy, creativity and wide connection to redirect the energy of young people from distractive and destructive social vices like fraud (Yahoo Yahoo stuff) that is dominant in our society today.”

A chieftain of the APC, Adesanmi Oluwadare, described Awosika as a young entrepreneur who is an Economist, a Political Scientist by training and a doctorate degree holder in Hospitality.

Oluwadare said Awosika was mentored by elders who fought for democracy in the country.He stated that Awosika philanthropic activities through the Tola Awosika Foundation has done empowerment for young people, traders and artisans.

“To his credit, he has donated transformers, boreholes, awarded scholarship, sponsored football competitions and music concert in Ondo and Akure.

According to him, “He believes in mentorship, and modelling of young Nigerians. He grew his business by watching and studying his business mentors.

Wife of Kwara State governor Olufolake Abdulrazaq has described the increasing neglect of adolescent girls in the country as troubling.

She therefore called on parents and guardians in the country to invest in their adolescent girls.

Mrs. Olufolake said that such initiative will engender a more equitable and prosperous future, capable of solving the problems of the world.

The governor’s wife said this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital at a book reading and discussion programme for secondary school students

The programme was sponsored by her pet project, the Ajike Support Centre, in partnership with RED Africa Consulting.

She said that empowered adolescent girls have potential to change the world.The First lady said that more than 75 per cent of the 13.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria are girls, hinting that an investment in realizing the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future.

Said the career diplomat: “In this regard I call on all critical stakeholders to let us do everything we can to listen to girls and empower them with the individual abilities, social support and the resources they need to survive, thrive and transform their communities. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, let us know that “their voices promote an equal future for us all.

“When effectively supported during the adolescent years, you will agree with me that girls have the potential to change the world, both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads as well as political leaders”.

She added that it is the right of every girl and indeed every child to have access to quality and affordable education as well as healthcare and other basic necessities for a good life in a peaceful and secure environment.

Mrs. Abdulrazaq hailed the state government for making the development of the girl child and indeed every child the core concern of his administration through the enactment of laws that protects and affords them the enablement required to actualize their dreams.

The wife of the governor said that the programme is aimed at enlightening young girls in the state with knowledge and inspire them to be their very best, adding that, “we will not relent in this drive, we will continue to support initiatives such as this as a catalyst to ensuring that the girl child stands an equal and fair competitive chance at excelling in life.

Amuwo Odofin Local Government at the weekend sensitised stakeholders on a two days capacity building programme on tree planting and the effects of climate change with representatives from the Federal government, Lagos State government and Local government.

Environmental Manager, Ministry of the Environment, Lagos State, Michael Bankole commended the efforts of all the people that came together to make sure that the programme was a success while emphasizing the importance of monitoring the trees that have been planted.

He explained that planting the trees is the easiest part of the job but monitoring the trees and making sure that it grows to their full potential is the main reason for planting the tree. She also added that nurturing a tree is not one man’s responsibility but rather a collective work of everybody in the society.

One of the organisers of the workshop, Ambassador Freeman Elohor, explained what climate change is, and its effects.Freeman, therefore, urged the people to engage in tree planting, saying: “these are the types of activities that can be done to combat this problem.

The Founder/Convener of Inspiring Change Initiative, Sunmbo Adeoye has called for the amendment of the constitution in a way that will give more opportunities for women to take the front role in government.

Adeoye said this recently at the 9th edition of Inspiring Change Conference held between March 8 and 12 with the theme “Run Forward” at Wisdom Arena, Agege, Lagos.

She said that women constitute over 48% of the population, yet we beg for seats. We are not just saying give us seats for the sake of having seats. We ask for seats that we qualify for and are competent on. When they do this, then this country will be on its way out of the penury they have plunged it into.

She said that men are not ready to allow women take the front seats in the running of the country. When they are, the “biased Constitution” will be amended, women will take front row and Nigeria will leave penury behind.

Asked the place of the Nigerian woman in leadership, whether elective or appointive, she said: “The men are not ready.  When they are ready, we will actually start talking and the talking will start with amending the Constitution because the Constitution itself is biased.

She said the conference, rated among the most inspiring conference, seeks to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve the lives and situations of SMEs and celebrate outstanding achievements of women trailblazers.