Category: South West

Olowu of Kuta, Osun State, Oba Adekunle Makama, Tegbosun III, has urged the Federal Government to stop Nigerian youths from joining Ukrainian army volunteers, adding that it will be counterproductive.

In a statement, Oba Makama urged young persons who are patriotic to join the Nigerian Army to confront Boko Haram and other security issues bedeviling our dear country.

The monarch hinted that if this initiative is allowed by the federal government, the end result will not be palatable.

Oba Makama explained that other countries are reviewing the situation with a view to finding a lasting solution. “Allowing our youths to join the Ukrainian Volunteer Army will amount to Nigeria taking sides and contributing troops and can result in a diplomatic row because of our citizens residing in both Russia and Ukraine.

“Our youths willing to fight for Ukraine are not displaying patriotism because we have our citizens in both countries.’’

“Secondly, if they want to show their patriotism, they should join the Nigerian Army to confront the security issues bedeviling the country. And thirdly, we don’t want a situation where these young people will go to a foreign land and be indoctrinated and become terrorists in the future. The young people are the future of this country, we should not allow them to be a canon folder in a needless war and thus becoming diplomatic issues,” the monarch added.

Ondo state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will be honoured as ‘’2021 Governor of the Year’’ on Thursday, 17th March 2022 by popular indigenous language newspaper,  Yoruba Tooto.

The event will be held at the main auditorium of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos State.

A statement by the organisers disclosed that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be the host, while the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be the special guest of honour.

The statement read in part: ‘’Former Ogun state governors, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel are the special guest of honour; founder of Love Of Christ Generation Church (Cherubim & Seraphim) Rev Mother Esther Ajayi as a special guest; speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa as a special guest, former NUPENG president, Alhaji Najeem Korodo as a special guest, and others.

‘’Also expected at the glamorous event are first class monarchs, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo Aremu; Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo; Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Aare Gani Adams while the Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye would be the chief host.’’

At the event, a historical book, YORUBA NI TOOTO 2″ detailing the histories of Abeokuta, Ondo, Akure, and Ijebu-Jesha would be presented to the public while presidential spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina would review the book.

The statement further explained that the Publisher and  Editor-in-Chief of YORUBA TOOTO newspaper, Mr. Kunle Babarinde said the event would be the first time that a Governor would be honoured in the Yoruba language genre of the Nigeria newspaper industry.

‘’ Gov. Akeredolu has done extremely well for the Yoruba race in the past few years. The impact of Gov Akeredolu in the formation of the South West Security Network known as Amotekun blew our minds and that of many Yorubas. Also, as the chairman of southwest Governor’s forum, Gov Akeredolu has provided impressive leadership without taking political affiliations into consideration,’’ the statement added.

The Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversion on the Murtala Muhammed Way/Yaba axis, in continuation of the ongoing construction work on the first phase of the Lagos Red Line Mass Transit Train project.

The first phase, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said would take off by the fourth quarter this year, will move from Agbado to Oyingbo, in the heart of the city.

The diversion which would subsist for six weeks is expected to begin on Monday, March 7, and end on April 15, 2022.

The Commissioner for Transportation Dr. Frederic Oladeinde explained in a statement yesterday that a lane will be barred from vehicular movement to expand the capacity of Murtala Mohammed Way from one lane to two.

He also announced that the Ojuelegba/Tejuosho slip road would be closed to traffic for six months from Monday, March 7, 2022, to September 2022 for an expansion of the road into a double lane.

According to the Commissioner for Transportation, the diversion plan earmarked for the construction period, showed that traffic circulating Western Avenue, inbound Yaba will be diverted to Empire road, to access Murtala Muhammed Way, while traffic circulating Murtala Muhammed Way inbound Yaba, will be diverted to Empire road to connect Western Avenue for onward movement to their desired destinations.

Motorists on Herbert Macaulay inbound Yaba will also utilise Empire road to connect Western Avenue.

The Commissioner assured that the site of the construction will be cordoned off for the safety of the citizens, adding that emergency vehicles will be on the ground to tow faulty vehicles along the axis.

He also stated that signage will be placed on the access roads with the State’s Traffic Management Authority to manage traffic flow and minimize inconveniences.

While commending motorists for their patience and cooperation, the State Government reiterated its continuous commitment towards the development of transport infrastructure within the metropolis.

Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has been granted the right to host the 31st International Inter-Tertiary Multi-disciplinary Conference on Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Management, and the Social Science (iSTEAM), slated for April 11-13 2022.

A statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations of LASUSTECH, Mr.  Lanre Kuye, said the right to host the conference was announced following a visit by Professor Olumide Longe, a Professor at the Academic City University College, Accra, Ghana to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of LASUSTECH, Dr. Oluremi Nurudeen Olaleye on February 16, 2022.

The statement noted that the iSTEAM conference, which bothers on Science, Technology, Education, Art, Management and Social Sciences (STEAM), is a collaborative effort of LASUSTECH and the Advanced Research Techniques, (SMART) Africa.

The statement read in part: ‘’Professor Longe who observed that the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has the most convenient learning environment befitting for the meeting of academics to ruminate and discuss over advancement issues, has been considered to host the 2022 international conference billed for April 11 to 13, 2022.

“The serenity of LASUSTECH campus is best for academic activities, making it the most suitable for the proposed April iSTEAM conference.”

‘’The distinguished Professor of the Academic City University College, Accra, Ghana who led the delegation to LASUSTECH stated that the collaboration with LASUSTECH is perfect and timely.

‘’Dr. Olaleye appreciated the iSTEAM committee for choosing his institution for hosting such an important conference and promised to give full support to this development.’’

The statement added: ‘’Principal officers of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, (LASUSTECH) who were present at the meeting were the Dean of School of Management and Business Studies, Mr. Dare Fasheiku; the Director of Human Capacity and Development, Dr. Ibraheem Akosile; Dr. Abiola Lawal of Banking and Finance Department; Mrs. Akinkugbe of the General Studies Department and Mrs. Damisola Adewunmi of the Office Technology and Management Department.

The Brazilian Embassy in Lagos has declared intention to partner the Lagos State Government for the 2022 Easter Musical and Drama Concert.

It will be organised by the Brazilian Descendants Arts and Culture Association (BDACA).

The Consulate-General of Brazil in Lagos, Amb. Francisco Soares Luz, made this known in Lagos at a news briefing and launch of the 2022 Easter Musical and Drama Concert, held at the Brazilian Embassy in Lagos.

He said the embassy would be involved in the concert from the beginning to the end, adding that it believed in arts and drama as tools for building robust and lasting relationship among people.

The Asiwaju Popo Aguda Community, Chief Bolaji Mendes, said: “This year’s Popo Aguda Easter Musical Concert tagged: ‘Going back to our roots’, will take place on April 17 (Easter Sunday), at the Campos Mini Stadium, Popo Aguda (Brazilian Quarters), Lagos Island.

He said the event would feature a Brazilian band, ‘Aleluia Mateus’, courtesy of the Brazilian Consulate- General, Lagos, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Alakija, Prime Quest and a host of others.

THE  Chairman, Governing Council, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Reuben Iye, has said Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq has cleared the seven months’ salaries of the workers owed by the previous administration.

Lagos State Command has asked owners of five abandoned vehicles at Ejigbo and Ojo police divisions to remove them within 21 days or risk losing them through public auction.

It said they would be allowed to take the vehicles upon producing proof of ownership.

The vehicles at Ejigbo are T4 bus with registration number GGE 754 XZ and Mercedes Benz FKJ 426 CW. Those at Ojo are a white bus marked KRD 539 BR, a Fiat white bus marked APP 33 XS and a Volkswagen Golf marked LSD 286 BM.

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday raised the alarm over what he described as the incessant dumping of fake drugs in the market.

He said: “This poses a great danger to the health of innocent people.”

The monarch decried the attitude of those who cared less about the danger such practices posed to the health of the majority.

He spoke when the management and board members of OGC Foods and Beverages, makers of Lasena Water, visited him in his palace at Isale Eko.

Akiolu urged the leadership of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to curb the distribution and consumption of fake drugs.

He said he fell in love with Lasena Water the first time he drank it, adding that since then, he found it good.

He advised the management of Lasena not to look only at making profit, but should consider people’s interest.

The Managing Director, Yusuf Elakama, said they visited the traditional ruler to thank him for his love for Lasena Water.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said the agro cargo airport being built by his administration will be ready in November.

He said it would provide 25,000 jobs.

Prince Abiodun, who made the disclosure during the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial meeting for Ogun East Senatorial District, held in Ijebu-Ode yesterday, noted that the building of the airport began this month and would probably be the fastest constructed airport on the continent.