Category: South West

An agro-allied company, the Johnvents Industries Nigeria Ltd, has said it has invested N3biillion to boost cocoa business in Ondo State and Nigeria.

It was gathered that the company took the acquisition of a cocoa factory in Nigeria from the previous occupier of the factory early this year.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. John Alamu, addressing reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on the development, said that the firm was in the cocoa industry to make a difference.

He said the company would be inaugurated by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu next week.

Read Also: Herders to Akeredolu: we will flush out criminal herdsmen

Alamu said: “We acquired the factory from Olam. Olam was the last tenant here and the factory belongs to Coop Cocoa. The nature of acquisition is this; the building belongs to Coop Cocoa, while we had 100 per cent acquisition of all the equipment of the factory.

“We came in, in April and since we came in, we have invested over N3billion in revamping the entire factory. This investment has been in the area of upgrade of some machinery, complete overhaul of some machinery. There has been a whole lot of development, this is not what this place used to be months ago. We have also invested a lot of money in procurement of cocoa beans.”

Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has directed anyone serving in his government, who will like to contest the governorship primaries, to tender his or her resignation latest by December 18.

The directive was contained in a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

The development, according to the statement, became imperative to ensure that cohesion and excellent service delivery- two major hallmarks of the administration- remain uncompromised.

In compliance with the directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has slated the primary election for next month, ahead of the June 2022 governorship election.

The Ikere Development Forum (IDF), the umbrella body for all Ikere sons and daughters worldwide, has urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to reverse the creation of a new autonomous community, Odo-Oja, in Ikere.

The Forum said the Odo-Oja section of Ikere is an integral part of the town without known boundaries.

In a statement by the National President Femi Ekundayo and National Secretary Pastor ’Tope Orulu following a general meeting, the IDF said Ikere town has been governed for centuries under the leadership of The Ogoga of Ikere, the paramount ruler and prescribed authority over all chieftains in Ikere Local Government.

It said various sections of Ikere have lived together in harmony, bound together by intimate cultural, socioeconomic, and political ties without any major rancour.

“Any attempt to carve out Odo-Oja from Ikere will lead to anarchy and perpetual acrimony amongst brothers and sisters.

Read Also: Ekiti 2022: Fayose counsels aspirants against campaign of calumny

“The idea of creating an ‘autonomous community’ within Ikere is a complete anathema to the people because it is strange and impracticable.

“We, therefore, urge the state government to rethink this action and reverse such without delay.”

The Forum noted that previous requests for an Oba of Odo-Oja community were rejected by several commissions of inquiry set up by previous governments of Ekiti and the old Ondo State.

IDF faulted the presentation of staff of office to a new oba of the new community, saying it “may lead to the disruption of the peace and progress of the town perpetually”.

It said there was no historical record, written or oral, that supports the supposed claim of the Olukere as an Oba.

“All the chiefs in Odo-Oja are lkere chiefs and they derive their authority from the Ogoga. A good number of these chiefs are long-standing kingmakers to the Ogoga Stool,” the statement added.

The ‘Budget of Consolidation’, as presented by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the 2022 fiscal year, yesterday scaled second reading in the House of Assembly.

Governor Sanwo-Olu on November 24 presented a budget size of N2.388 trillion to the House.

The lawmakers, while reading the bill for a second time, hailed the governor for allocating 59 per cent of the proposed budget to capital expenditure.

They noted that it would further bring the dividends of democracy to the residents.

Majority Leader Sanai Agunbiade said the allocation to capital expenditure proposes that more hands will be engaged within the year as the government develops more infrastructure.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa thereafter committed the budget estimates to a joint committee on Finance and Economic Planning and Budget.

Veteran journalist Mr. Bola Bolawole has been named as a recipient of the Obafemi Awolowo University’s (OAU’s) ‘Distinguished Great Ife Alumnus Award’.

A formal letter addressed to the recipient by the OAU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, said that the award was “part of the activities marking the 60th anniversary” of the institution.

Sixty alumni of the institution will be honoured at a ceremony taking place in Lagos on Saturday.

According to the vice chancellor, the “well-deserved Award of Excellence for 60 very passionate, supportive and dedicated Great Ife ambassadors, who have contributed over the past 60 years, is to further show the university management’s appreciation to the awardees.”

He said the award ceremony “also coincides with the formal launch of the Great Ife Advancement Foundation aimed at further garnering support for the overall development of the university.”

Bolawole started journalism at the defunct Daily Sketch in Ibadan in 1985 and was at various times Editor, Chairman of the Editorial Board and Deputy-Editor-in-Chief of The Punch.

He was also Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Westerner.

Bolawole writes the ‘On the Lord’s Day’ column in the Sunday Tribune and the ‘Treasures’ column on the back page of the New Telegraph on Wednesdays.

Ogun State Government has shut 12 public secondary schools, to avert cult-related violence, ahead of December 10 commencement of first term vacation.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this yesterday.

He said the measures became necessary to stem the tide of students’ clashes that had rocked public secondary schools.

The affected schools were asked to proceed on vacation on conclusion of their first term examination yesterday.

Arigbabu said the 12 schools are Egba High School, Asero; Asero High School; Itori Comprehensive High School, Itori; Ofada Community Comprehensive High School, Ofada; Lafenwa High School, Lafenwa, Abeokuta.

Others are Egba Owode Grammar School, Owode; Community Comprehensive High School, Ijoun; Unity High School, Kajola Iboro; Ado-odo Ota and Eyini Comprehensive High School, Iboro.

The rest are Government Science & Technical College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta; Lisabi Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta and Methodist High School, Arigbajo.

Sketchy details have emerged why the Ondo State House of Assembly suspended screening of commissioners- nominee billed to continue today.

It was gathered that the arraignment of Speaker Bamidele Oloyelegun by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was the reason for rescheduling the screening.

Nine of the nominees were screened on Monday, while five were to appear yesterday.

A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Youth and Sports Development, Akogun Olugbenga Omole, said the screening was suspended because the Chairman, House Committee on Selection, who is also the Speaker, Oleyelogun, was indisposed.

The statement, which said the House regretted the inconveniences caused by the suspension, urged the remaining commissioners- nominee to report promptly on the rescheduled date with necessary documents.

It said the exercise will continue today.

Oleyelogun is being arraigned for financial impropriety involving N2.4million.

He and other lawmakers were alleged to have collected and shared the money meant for a seminar in Lagos State, which they never attended.

This followed a petition by former Deputy Speaker Iroju Ogundeji, who urged the EFCC to investigate the fund.

Operatives of the Olokuta Correctional Centre prevented reporters from covering the court proceedings.

They claimed that there was an order from Abuja that all correctional centres should be on red alert to prevent jailbreak.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Tom Ikimi, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and other top dignitaries have lauded the Group Managing Director of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Chief Leemon Ikpea, for the company’s immense contributions to the entrenchment of local content act in the oil and gas sector in the past 30 years.

They spoke as the company gave some of its shareholding to some foundational members in appreciation of their commitment, diligence and hard work.

The commendation was part of the major highlights of the thanksgiving reception commemorating the company’s 30th anniversary in Warri, Delta State.

Buhari lauded the company for impacting the country’s local content policy as well as providing jobs for thousands over the past three decades.

Speaking through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President hailed Chief Ikpea for attaining such a milestone, praying God to continue to guide him to attain greater heights.

He said: “I salute the commitment and resourcefulness of the engineering group, which undertakes key projects in the oil and gas industry that used to be the exclusive preserve of multinational companies.”

President Buhari, while wishing the company greater successes ahead, urged the firm to ensure that local content remains a focal area, while providing jobs for more Nigerians.

Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, who was represented by three palace chiefs, said the company has fulfilled its course and maintained strong integrity.

The monarch said: “As a major employer of labour in our community, Lee Engineering is an example that all individuals should emulate to better our society.

“We continue to pray for more successes of your company that it grow from strength to strength.”

Ikpea, at the occasion, elevated five foundational members as shareholders.

They are Executive Director, Administration Dr. Joseph Ikpea; Executive Director, Operations and Projects Anthony Ikpea; Office and Clients Manager Mrs. Becky Elijah; General Manager, Business Development/ Relations Mr. Godwin Abhulimen, and Group Chief Financial Controller Mr. Benjamin Ebalukhota.

Abhulimen said that the company has just achieved a very major milestone.

He said: “I want to thank the chairman for his magnanimity, for seeing us worthy to be given such level of recognition. We pray God bless him and continue to open more doors for him and the company. The thanksgiving is a way of appreciating God for the feat achieved thus far.”

Ogun State former governor Ibikunle Amosun has said President Muhammadu Buhari has done more good for the country and will leave office as a hero.

Amosun, the senator representing Ogun Central, described leadership as the major problem confronting Nigeria.

He hailed President Buhari for being fair to Nigerians.

Amosun, while juxtaposing the six years administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the 16 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the 2021 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo Council Press Week in Ibadan, said the country has fared well under the leadership of President Buhari.

Amosun, represented by Taiwo Adeoluwa, a lawyer, was honoured with an award of excellence for his progressive ingenuity, friendly administrative policies and expanding cooperation among APC chieftains across the country, as the nation’s Bridge Builder and an Icon of Progressive Bloc by the NUJ.

The award was presented by Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, wife of former Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Members of the Sen. Amosun team, who attended the event, included Prof. Adeolu Akande, the chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission, who was also the chairman of the occasion, Alh. Bola Adeyemi, Chief Wole Elegbede,  Raheem Ajayi Baglo, Dr. Oye, among others.

The Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland in Ogun State, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has urged the government not to take the threat by bandits and terrorists to attack military formations in border communities in the Southwest with levity.

He advised Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states, which have border communities, to work together and share security information, to ward off the threat.

Oba Olugbenle said the Republic of Benin government should be brought in, adding that Nigeria and its neighbour should work together against terror.

He advised the governments of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos to strengthen their security outfits, particularly Amotekun and Neighbourhood Watch, to prevent invasion and other nefarious activities of bandits.

The monarch, who spoke on the phone, said security agencies in border communities should work with residents, who could furnish vital information about strangers in their midst.

He said intelligence gathering is critical to the success of anti-terror fight in border towns.

Oba Olugbenle said: “We all heard about the security alert. We have heard such issues in the past. Government should build up their security apparatus around this area.”

He hailed Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for setting up a security team comprising the Army, Police and DSS to tackle insecurity.

He urged the team to secure the area.

Oba Olugbenle said: “Security personnel at the border must come together and work with the communities; the farmers and other residents. They need to alert them and do intelligence gathering through them.”

“Immediately they see any strange movement, they should inform security agents. I think with that, we should be able to get over the problem.

“Government should not take the alert for granted. The three states with border communities, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos, should work together. They should make use of their security outfit, Amotekun.

“The states should work together and share security information.  The Republic of Benin must be brought in. Anything that affects Nigeria will affect the country. The two countries must work together. “