The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • Cleric to politicians: rule well

    Cleric to politicians: rule well

    Statesmen, politicians, top government officials and representatives of monarchs bade a frontline politician, the late Chief Babatope Folayan, farewell at the weekend.

    At the funeral service held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idagba, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State, the Vicar, Ven. I. O. Olagunju, urged those in government to work for the welfare of the masses.

    The deceased, a renowned educationist, was the chairman of Ekiti West Council and pioneer chairman of Efon Local Government.

    Eminent politicians, including Ekiti State Chief of Staff Biodun Omoleye, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Biodun Oyebanji, former chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chief Jide Awe, ex-Efon Council chairmen Ade Agbaje and Chief Joel Omoniyi, Aare Kunle Olajide, Chief Joseph Alake, Ajiroba Patrick Ojo, Chief Bode Olayinka, Mr. Ojo Ogundele, a lawyer; Mr. Ibukun Falayi, a chartered accountant; Gbenga Olowokere, Bode Fagbenro and Mr. Sunday Ojo, a geologist; were at the service.

    The paramount ruler, Alaaye of Efon, Oba Adesanya Aladejare, Agunsoye 11, was represented by chiefs.

    The dignitaries were hosted by the deceased’s younger brother, Prof. Adio Folayan, Ekiti State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and his daughter, Dr. Temidayo Afolabi-Ige, a counselling psychologist.

    The indigenes paid tributes to Folayan, who was the Saba-Obalu and Otunba Agunsoye of Efon Kingdom; and Amuwagun of Erinjiyan Ekiti, saying he was brave, bold, fearless, versatile, principled, intelligent and patriotic.

    Ven. Olagunju reminded the congregation, particularly the political class, that God would inquire from them how they used their intellect, power and resources for the development and advancement of the society.

    He advised them to extend a duty of care to their neighbours and shun materialism, selfishness and aloofness to public welfare.

    The cleric said: “You politicians in power, what have you done for your people, your community, your town? You are not there because of yourselves. How many people have you helped?”

    He enjoined the children, relations and Efon leading lights to emulate Folayan’s patriotism and passion for community development.

  • Why governors are not Chief Security Officers, by lawyer

    Why governors are not Chief Security Officers, by lawyer

    A lawyer and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Blessing Agbomhere, has said that it was mischievous for Nigeria Governors to continue to parade themselves as chief security officers of their respective states.

    Chief Agbomhere noted that the Governors’ continuous parade as chief security officers of the states was to justify allocation of unaccounted billions of naira as security votes into their purses.

    Agbomhere who spoke in a statement issued in Akure said the Nigeria Constitution did not mention or made reference to the governor as the chief security of the state.

    He explained that Section 176(2) of the Constitution mandated governor to be the chief executive officer of that state, and not chief security officer, permitting him to carry out his duties in accordance with the constitution and Oath of Office of the governor of the state.

    Agbomhere stated that the constitutional roles and functions of the governor of a state are limited to being a chief servant, a chief messenger of the state, a chief errand boy or logistic officer, a chief supervisor and a spokesman for the state at the National Executive Council.

    According to him, “It amounts to mischief, gross misconduct, impersonation, disrespect to, and violation of, the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, abuse of oath of office of the governor, disregard to the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and treasonable felony for any governor to allow himself to be addressed as chief security officer, or for any governor to arrogate the position to himself.

    “Can a servant or an agent act beyond and outside the scope of authority of the principal. The governor of a state can give lawful directives and orders to an extent in matters where the State House of Assembly can make law, and by that law give him the authority to so act; and in enforcement of such laws, he would require the support of the chief security officer of the state, or of the Federation.

  • NGO offers free sanitary pads for girls

    NGO offers free sanitary pads for girls

    Over 20,000 sanitary pads have been distributed to secondary school girls by a non-governmental organisation,  ’Give A Girl Child A Pad’.

    The NGO has distributed pads for the girl-child in different states in Nigeria including Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Ibadan.According to the organisers, the train will move to the other South Western States in the country in the coming weeks.

    Speaking on the pet project, the founder of the NGO, Pamilerin Adegoke said having lived with three female sisters inspired him to kick off his pet project.He said, “Having lived with three female sisters and saw the way they take his money to buy sanitary pads inspired him to kick off his pet project tagged ‘Give A Girl Child A Pad’.”

    “The economic situation in Nigeria is already bad enough and it is sad to realize that a lot of women and young girls can’t even afford something as basic as a pad. So my team and I came up with the idea to do the best we can to ensure as many girls as possible get access to sanitary pads.

    “Some of them can’t even afford three square meals and at the moment, the sanitary pad is expensive; hence why I decided to embark on this project.”

    Pamilerin who is a social media strategist promised to continue lending support for the girl-child.”We’ll continue to do the best we can to help the girl child and let them know that they are not alone. In the coming weeks, the train will move to the other South Western States in the country.”

    He, however, called on both the private and public sector for support.The first edition of the pet project took place in Alapere Senior High School, Ketu where 1300 sanitary pads were distributed to secondary school girls and at the moment,  the ‘Give A Girl Child A Pad’ have shared 1500 pads in Ibadan, 12,000 pads in Ogun state, 10,000 pads in Osun state, 8,000 pads in Abuja and a total of 15,000 pads in Lagos.

  • Let’s build on Alao-Akala’s legacy, Kola Daisi charges Oyo APC loyalists

    Let’s build on Alao-Akala’s legacy, Kola Daisi charges Oyo APC loyalists

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalists in Oyo State have been charged to see the death of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as another opportunity to build on his efforts to foster unity in the party whilst they mourn the painful exit of the iconic elder statesman.

    The advice was given by Kolapo Kola Daisi, an Oyo South Senatorial aspirant in the 2023 elections while speaking at the weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    According to Kola Daisi, the late former Governor stood for peace as one of his ardent desires was to ensure that peace returned to the party in the state.

    “As the Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council and the State Reconciliation Committee, he put in a lot of efforts to ensure that those who left the party prior to the 2019 elections were brought back into the fold. We should therefore not allow the lingering crisis in the party to continue. This is the best legacy to preserve his memory and show that his peace and reconciliation efforts were not in vain”.

    The Senatorial hopeful also enjoined party faithful to ensure that the efforts put in by the late former governor to ensure the success of the party in 2023 was not wasted.

    “We should work assiduously to ensure that all our candidates in the coming elections win”

    “People have said the crisis in the party would escalate further with the death of His Excellency, Otunba Alao-Akala, we should put such people to shame by building on his legacy to pursue peace in order to ensure victory, thereby making him proud”.

    Kola-Daisi then advised that a timely solution should be found to the ongoing issues with the state congress in order not to jeopardize the party’s chances in the coming election.

  • Tofowomo distributes motorcycles to 200 farmers

    Tofowomo distributes motorcycles to 200 farmers

    The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial district, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, has distributed 200 motorcycles to farmers to boost agricultural activities.

    Senator Tofowomo said his gesture was to encourage his constituents return to agriculture by having the ease of transportation in rural communities of Ondo South.

    Tofowomo who spoke at Ile-Oluji while addressing the farmers urged them to support the Peoples Democratic Party rout the All Progressives Congress out of power in the country.

    He said his campaign tours across Ondo South made him realise that agriculture remained the key occupation of the people.

    He said, “I believe I can add value to agriculture encourage them to go back to farm and have a mobility.

    “I have built about six schools, erected solar lights in all the six local government areas, trained women and youths on skill acquisition including ICT development. More than 300 youths have benefitted from the  ICT programme.

    “We have given money to farmers to support them get labour. We gave seedlings for farmers.

  • Play according to rules during Ekiti, Osun polls—Anglican Bishop

    Play according to rules during Ekiti, Osun polls—Anglican Bishop

    As the Ekiti and Osun States governorship election are gaining momentum an Anglican Bishop, Dr Isaac Oluyamo, has urged politicians to play according to dictates of the rules guiding elections in Nigeria.

    Dr Oluyamo who is the Bishop of Ijesa North Anglican Diocese, Osun State in his message after 4 days prayer and fasting programme for states and Nigeria, prayed against evil prophesies on the country in 2022.

    He warned politicians in Ekiti and Osun States to play according to rules to avoid bloodshed during and after the 2022 governorship election.

    The cleric also admonished citizens to get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to vote for the candidate of their choice during the poll.

    His words: “We need to pray for Osun State, we need to ask God for peace to reign during 2022 election in Osun and also Ekiti State for God to keep our souls from blood-drinkers in the States during and after the elections.

    “Nobody deserves to be killed, our politicians, both the leaders and followers should play the game according to the rules of God during and after the election periods. Fighting, killing and destruction should not be part of our elections in Osun and Ekiti States.”

    Dr Oluyamo urged religious leaders to declare prayer and fasting for the elections in Osun and Ekiti States to avert any chaos or bloodletting.

  • Abdulrazaq swears-in five new commissioners

    Abdulrazaq swears-in five new commissioners

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has sworn-in five new commissioners.

    He charged the new cabinet members to key into the rebuilding efforts of the administration.

    The newly inaugurated cabinet members are: Abdulmaliq Bashir Mopelola Risikatullah (Women Affairs); George Olabode Towoju (Communications); Ibrahim Akaje (Housing and Urban Development); and Adamu Jamila Bake (Youth).

    Barrister Sambo Murtala, recently announced as the Special Adviser on Legal Matters, was also sworn in.

    The Governor also moved three existing cabinet members to other Ministries — a step he said is meant to improve service delivery to the people of the state.

    The rejig saw Olaitan Abosede Buraimoh moving from Communications to Environment, while Remilekun Banigbe now heads the newly created Budget and Planning.

    Formerly of Youth Development, Adenike Harriet Oshatimehin goes to the newly created Solid Minerals which evolved from the defunct bulky Ministry of Enterprise. Deborah Aremu stays in the now standalone Ministry of Social Development.

    The development means the state now has 20 ministries, with the old Ministry of Finance and Planning evolving into Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Budget and Planning respectively. The old Works has now been divided into Ministry of Work and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development respectively.

    Enterprise is now Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology and Ministry of Solid Minerals apiece.

    The old Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is now Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Social Development respectively.

    “I congratulate you on your joining the Kwara State Executive Council. It is an opportunity for you to contribute your quota to the development of our state,” the Governor said at the brief event.

    He informed that: “While four new commissioners and a special adviser are coming on board today, we are at the same time moving some existing cabinet members to new areas. This is all tailored towards improved service delivery to the people of Kwara State”.

  • Oduduwa varsity denies complicity in student’s death

    Oduduwa varsity denies complicity in student’s death

    Authorities of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu (OUI), Osun State have denied complicity in the death of a former student of the school, Omogbolahan Ayeni.

    OUI had claimed in a statement that in a Youtube video programme, anchored by an Ibadan based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, a lady who claimed to be the aunt of Ayeni, was interviewed.

    In the said interview, there was an attempt to link the death of Omogbolahan with that of Timothy Adegoke who died last year at the Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    Contrary to the claim that the institution was complicit in Omogbolahan’s death, the school confirmed that Omogbolahan Ayeni a 22-year-old boy, from Lagos State, with Matric No. U/17/CS/0320, Department of Computer Science was a student of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu having been admitted during the 2017/2018 session.

    According to the statement, “on 18th October 2018, a report was made at the institution’s security post that a student was attacked about 500meters outside the university gate at night. The Chief Security Officer of the university investigated the incident immediately. It was reported that he was macheted by cultists.

    The Chief Security Officer (CSO) made a report of the incident at Ipetumodu police station and his corpse was deposited at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Mortuary, where an autopsy was conducted.

    “Arrests were made and neighbours who were interviewed confirmed the earlier suspicious activities of the deceased before the ugly incident.”

    The institution in a letter dated 18th October, 2018 and signed by the Registrar, the school management informed and commiserated with Omogbolahan’s parents over the unfortunate demise of their son.

    Contrary to what was being alleged, the institution said at no time did the school management ever deny the studentship of the late Ayeni though the incident took place outside the school premises.

    The statement added that the matter was handled by the Ipetumodu Police Division and later transferred to the state CID, Osogbo, Osun State.

  • Amotekun nabs 200 cows in Ondo

    Amotekun nabs 200 cows in Ondo

    Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps have arrested 200 cows for ravaging farmlands and flouting the anti-open Grazing Law of the state

    The herders reportedly fled leaving some children behind with the cows at Owena dam in Ifedore Local Government Area.

    It was gathered that the cows were nabbed between 10pm and 12 midnight after Amotekun received distress calls from farmers in the area.

    Commander of Ondo Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said he got a distress call from farmers that over 500 cows had ravaged their farms in Owena, a border town.

    “Our men went(there) at about 10 pm and actually arrested 200 back to the Command at about 12 midnight.

    ”We observed that two underages were found with the cows as all the herdsmen had run away.

    ”We waited till yesterday morning until the farmers union around the area came. Since we couldn’t find the herders, we came with the cows to the office.

    ” We are sure that they will come over soonest because the anti-open grazing law is still on the ground and has been enforced. It is forbidden for the cows to graze at night and for the underage to control.

    “These are all the provisions that are on the ground and of course, the law will take its course. In the last three months, we have been on public enlightenment for the herders and farmers.

    ”So, once the farmers and herders understand the limitation of each other, there’ll be no problem. There will always be rainy and dry seasons. We are reverting back to the days that farmers can confidently go to their farms to take crops and nothing will happen to them.”

  • Apapa customs rakes in N870bn revenue

    Apapa customs rakes in N870bn revenue

    The Apapa Area Customs Command has said that it generated over N870 billion in revenue in 2021.

    The Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim, disclosed this on Thursday at a maiden press briefing for 2022.

    He said: “In spite of the enormous challenges faced in the trade supply chain; occasioned by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the high cost of freight, incessant traffic gridlock, rail construction through the port, as well as ensuring an increase in compliance level from stakeholders, the Command the month of January to December 2021, was able to collect of over N870.3 billion and remitted to the federation and non-federation accounts of the Federal Government, respectively.

    The controller explained that the anti-smuggling operations have been strengthened with credible intelligence in partnership with other relevant agencies to contain economic saboteurs. in line with the provision of extant circulars; trade guidelines and enforcement of government fiscal policy measures.

    He added: “Accordingly, the command made a total of 103 seizures with Duty Paid Value of N31.227 billion. Worthy of mention here is the seizure of 46.55 kg of cocaine concealed on vessels Mv Karteria and MV Chayanee Naree laden with raw sugar.’’