Category: South West

Activities to mark the 2021 Cocoa Festival will commence tomorrow at the birthplace of Cocoa in South West of Nigeria, Eti-Oni, Atakumosa East Local Government, Osun State.

According to the organisers, the  8th edition of the festival is important because it  marks 125 years of continued production of cocoa in Eti-Oni.

The 2021 Cocoa Festival is themed: ‘The Royal Origin and Traditions of Cocoa– Redefining Africa’s Cocoa Industry will begin on Sunday 21st November 2021 with the Cocoa harvest service at All Saints Anglican Church, Eti-Oni followed by the Cocoa Pod Breaking ceremony to declare the festival open .

In a virtual meeting held with journalists and other stakeholders all over the world, HRM Queen Angelique-Monet Gureje-Thompson, Yeyeluwa Olori of Eti-Oni, President of the Group while addressing newsmen said the Cocoa Festival is an initiative of the Eti-Oni Development Group in its efforts in the promotion of the revitalization of the cocoa industry.

The organisers disclosed that on Monday November 22nd and 23rd, there will be training for farmers through the Farmers Business School and the Farmers Field School. The business school is for the farmers to begin to see themselves as entrepreneurs and understand the basics of owning and managing a business profitably while the field school is to help them improve on their traditional farming practices to have better quality and increased production output.

A Health Campaign for education on simple issues that are often overlooked but can easily become major health challenges with basic health checks for the farmers and families will be carried out on Wednesday 24th November 2021.

The Grand Finale will be held on Saturday 27th November 2021. The celebration starts with installation of chiefs at the palace to deserving and selfless individuals who have over the years contributed to the growth and development of Eti-Oni and have lifetime commitment to actualization of the overall vision of Eti-Oni Development Group.

The organisers said the week’s celebration is packed with carefully well thought out events and activities to capture the full essence and to achieve the primary goals and objectives of the organizers offering opportunities in developing the tertiary sector of the agricultural business particularly the tourism aspect as a by-product and value add which is key to the nation’s need for diversification of her economy.

Last year, due to Covid, the 2020 edition was partially celebrated in a unique style. The Festival Conference themed: Transforming the Cocoa Industry for Impact with Focus on African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA was held as a Virtual Event.

The physical side of the 7th edition was for 1 day and held as an empowerment program sponsored by Ajike People Support Center founded by Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State who holds the honorary chieftaincy title of Labinjo of Eti-Oni and is a Global Ambassador of the International Cocoa Diplomacy, UK. Some of the cocoa farmers were granted a number of equipment and tools to help diversify and boost earning capacity with other income streams.

As part of efforts to address the plight of workers and pensioners in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun on Friday released a sum of 2 billion Naira for four months to offset part of Global Cooperative deductions, a debt profile inherited from the past administration.

Abiodun also promised to settle the rest of the deductions by releasing one billion naira quarterly until all the deductions made are defrayed.

The governor has also released another sum of one billion Naira to state and local government for payment of pensioners’ gratuities.

The new gratuities are a 100 percent increment from the earlier quarterly payment of N500m he had earlier commenced last year.

Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Ogun State branch, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, disclosed these at a press conference after a meeting between the leaders of Labour and Pensioners’ Unions and Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to the TUC Chairman, “we had a fruitful meeting with the governor today. This is a follow-up to other meetings we had before. At the meeting, we told the governor that workers are tensed up and restless due to non- payment of their deductions and the Governor agreed to do something about it.

“I am glad to inform you that he has directed the immediate release of N1bn for the payment of gratuities and that N1bn will be released on quarterly basis for the Pensioners. As at today, four months of global deductions has been paid and the governor also promised to do this on quarterly basis” he said.

Lasisi also said the governor has promised that promotion letters for 2O18 will be fully implemented by the new year while promotion entitlement for 2019 would commence by March next year.

Abiodun also assured workers to expect to enjoy their promotion entitlements for 2020 between May or June next year.

Also speaking, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Chief Waidi Oloyede, appreciated the state government for the gesture and lauded the Governor for accepting to look into the monthly increment, saying that some of pensioners collect as low as N5,000, as monthly pension.

Secretary of the pension union, Dr. Bola Lawal in his contribution, said, as a responsible union, its members would not embark on any form of protest without informing the government, noting that the last protest was done by an Association and not his union as ,”there is a difference between an association and a union”.

State Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSON) and Chairman Joint Negotiations Committee, Comrade Isa Olude, called for commitment on the part of the parties involved to build trust and avoid misunderstanding.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile, reiterated government’s commitment to the welfare of workers who are serving and Pensioners who had served the State meritoriously.

The Lagos State Government has announced a traffic diversion on the Stadium Flyover Bridge to enable replacement of the expansion joints.

The diversion which began midnight of Friday would elapse on Wednesday, 22nd December, 2021.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, the repair schedule will be in phases. The diversion points for the Phase One according to him will take place from Alaka to the Stadium Service Lane inbound Barracks in Surulere axis.

To manage traffic during the rehabilitation works, Oladeinde stated that motorists inbound Jibowu from Alaka will be diverted to the Service Lane to access their destinations, adding that traffic guides will be mounted along the affected route to help motorists navigate the axis during the rehabilitation,

While affirming that the State Traffic Management Authority will be on ground to coordinate movement, the Commissioner appealed to the citizenry for their uncompromised understanding and patience amidst various ongoing road projects within the State, assuring that the end result will be beneficial to the people and the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde, on Friday, visited the Agodi axis of Ibadan, where a petrol-laden tanker exploded late on Thursday.

Governor Makinde, who inspected the scene early on Friday, told security agents to restore normalcy to the area within 24 hours.

The incident had led the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) to issue a traffic advisory to motorists plying the axis.

Governor Makinde expressed shock and sadness over the incident.

While assessing the extent of damage done by the fire incident, the governor described it as an unfortunate occurrence, adding that the agency in charge of traffic control in the state should immediately restore normalcy and ensure free vehicular movement.

He said: “This is actually unfortunate and something has to be done quickly. And we need to have the cooperation of both the drivers and owners of such vehicles because we cannot keep having this kind of damage in our state.”

The Commissioner for Energy, Seun Ashamu, in his brief remarks, stated that his ministry would ensure speedy repairs of the damaged electric poles.

“As my colleagues have said, we thank God that we were able to contain an isolated incident yesterday. The power situation has been isolated.

“So, I can assure you that we will work assiduously to ensure that the cables are back and the poles are properly erected so that by the time the road is open, our light-up project would not be affected.

“Normalcy should return within the next 24 hours,” Ashamu concluded.

In their separate remarks, Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Prof. Dahud Sangodoyin, stated that the governor has directed his ministry to clear the part where the incident occurred and make it passable for vehicles, while the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Abiodun Oni, noted that his ministry will work on the pollution and remedy the situation in the affected area.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, represented by the General Manager of the Agency, Mr. Adeoye Ayoade, stated that officers of the agency have been deployed to facilitate the free flow of traffic.

He said: “The incident happened on Thursday night around 8 pm. We were informed and immediately deployed our officers to the scene. Our action was to ensure that road users are not trapped in the aftermath of what happened.

“We had to barricade the road leading to Total Garden to ensure that road users ply other roads. In view of this incident, the Executive Chairman of the Agency, Dr. Fagbemi, issued a traffic advisory this morning to inform members of the public so that this place will be free and the Agency involved will be able to carry out its assignment. We will evacuate the burnt vehicles and empty the remaining content from the tank.

“If you go to other major junctions now, our officers are there controlling the traffic. This issue happened suddenly and we need to make emergency deployment as well to ensure members of the public are not left on their own.

“I want to urge members of the public to also exercise patience with us. They don’t need to be in haste, so they should listen to our traffic officers on our rules.”

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday barred Ekocorp PLC and Goff Ohen Limited from holding any board meeting either by themselves agent or their agents pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed by Dr. Sunday Folorunsho Kuku.

Dr. Kuku is the sole surviving founding member and a director of Ekocorp which owns the popular Eko Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the order of restraint sequel to an interlocutory injunction filed and argued by Kuku’s counsel, Mr. Tobe Nnamani.

The first to eighth defendants in the suit are Ekocorp PLC, Goff Ohen Limited; Dr. Goff Ohen; Prof Joseph. Irukwu, SAN; Pastor Olurotimi Nathaniel; Mr Olusegun Olusanya; Dr. George Okpagu and Mrs Joyce Modilim.

The judge, in granting the order, said he was not unmindful the running of the hospital’s affairs adding that the management is to do that during the pendency of this suit.

Justice Lifu held: “I have perused the application for interlocutory injunction filed by the plaintiff in this case and the submissions of counsel to the applicant.

“In my humble view, the issue here is basically to preserve the res from being disipated so that the decision in this case will meet the purpose.

“Consequently this application is hereby granted as prayed against the first and second defendants.

“I can observe that only the first and second defendants were duly served. Activities of the board are hereby suspended during the pendency of this case.

“The literal interpretation is that no meeting, no notice and gathering of board members in whatsoever capacity untill this case is determined one way or the order.”

The judge further held that for the balance of convenience, Dr Kuku is to give an undertaking as to damages in court “should it turn out that this order ought not to have been made.”

He ordered that the case would be given an accelerated hearing and adjourned till December 6, 2021 for hearing.

Earlier counsel to 2nd and 3rd Defendants Mr Andrew Igboekwe SAN informed the court of a motion challenging the court from entertaining the suit on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.

But Justice Lifu described the motion as an attempt to arrest the ruling, having been filed after the case had been adjourned for ruling.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has nominated Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Announcing the nomination in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin, said Ogungbade, 48, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)-designate, hails from Abeokuta North Local Government, and studied Law at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000.

He is currently a deputy managing partner at Afe Babalola and Co and comes with vast litigation, advocacy and commercial law experience garnered over two decades with leading law firms such as GOK Ajayi & Co and Ebun Adegboruwa & Co, among others. Ogungbade has appeared as lead counsel in over 50 appeals decided at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was a counsel for Nigeria at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID).

The commissioner-designate will soon appear at the House of Assembly for the statutory screening and confirmation, the statement concluded.

Ogun State House of Assembly has called on security agencies to arrest Mr. Goriola Hassan for unlawfully parading himself as the king-elect of Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government.

The lawmakers said he should present himself to the Assembly within 14 days of the passage of its resolution.

The Assembly’s request followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs by its Chairman, Bolanle Ajayi, who later moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Ganiyu Oyedeji and supported by the lawmakers through a voice vote at a plenary presided over by Speaker Olakunle Oluomo.

According to the committee’s observations, Goriola had converted a government building to private use; disobeyed the orders of constituted authority to stop parading himself as the Olu of Imobi, and that his activities had caused tension that could lead to crisis among Imobi indigenes if not checked.

The committee affirmed that the Onitasin of Itasin remained the only king and prescribed authority in Imobi land and had not granted such consent to Goriola.

The committee in its recommendations directed that the government building, which was the Government’s Community Dispensary House at Fotedo, Imobi earlier converted to private use by Goriola be taken over by the community and he should be declared wanted and handed over to the security agencies for presentation before the Assembly accordingly.

The resolution enjoined the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to take steps to ensure that Goriola stops parading himself as a monarch.

The Assembly had extended three invitations to Goriola on August 10, 17 and September 2, but he failed to appear to respond to the allegations levelled against him by the members of Imobi Descendants’ Union, Imobi Ijebu Development Association and the Baales of the 36 villages in Imobi at the instance of the lawmakers.

The Assembly has recommended that the state Bureau of Lands and Survey should proceed to register the deed of assignment on the parcel of land covered by Certificate of Occupancy 026061 dated 14/07/2007 and registered as 69/69/664, as the court did not inscribe the registration particulars of the Certificate of Occupancy in the court judgment.

The recommendation followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Lands and Housing by its Chairman, Damilola Soneye, who later moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Kemi Oduwole and supported by the lawmakers through a voice vote.

Consequently, the majority leader moved the motion for adoption of the report, seconded by Solomon Osho, with the concurrence of other lawmakers through a voice vote.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has said Babajide Akeredolu’s appointment as the Director-General of the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit, by his father, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was by merit.

Babajide Akeredolu’s appointment was announced on Wednesday.

Mr Steve Otaloro, APC’s Director of Media and Publicity in Ondo State, said in a statement in Akure yesterday that Akeredolu’s appointment was based on his positive contributions to the party.

He added that the appointment was not because he is the son of Governor Akeredolu.

The Iyaloja-General (Market Leader) of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, said yesterday that the popular Oyingbo Market in Lagos was shut down due to its deplorable state.

She gave the explanation at a media briefing where she made clarifications on the reasons behind the closure of the market.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the busy market was shut down on November 12, leading to protests by some of the traders.

Tinubu-Ojo said that contrary to insinuation that she sought for payment of N5million over the issue,  the market was shut down because of its environmental situation.

“The Mainland Local Government Chairman, Omolola Essien, had earlier called me to close down Oyingbo market because it was extremely dirty.

“Also, the Ministry of Environment had initially done so much earlier in the year for same reason before it was reopened.

“The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had also visited the market and thereafter, sent a letter to that effect.

“The traders were then given time to do the needful,” she explained.

The Iyaloja regretted that the market, which was constructed less than 10 years ago, “is now in a bad shape.”

Ekiti State Commissioner for Utilities Bamidele Faparusi has advised Governor Kayode Fayemi against picking the party’s candidate for the June 18, 2022 governorship election outside Ekiti South Senatorial District.

He said it would be tantamount to monumental error and disrespect to the sensibilities of the people of Ekiti South for the governor to abandon zoning being agitated by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

He advised Fayemi and the leadership of the party to avoid what he called illegal manoeuvres in picking APC standard-bearer for the election, saying only a southern candidate can secure landslide victory for the party.

Faparusi said politicians from the zone would resist attempt by anyone to subjugate the voices  of Ekiti South citizens  and render them irrelevant and inconsequential in the state’s political equation.

The former federal lawmaker said: “Two senatorial zones have been exchanging the batons of leadership since 1999. This to us in Ekiti South is unjust, unfair and sinful.

“My thought is not different from what Ekiti people are saying on the streets that there is power imbalance in our state. The Central had served for 11 years, while the North had served for 11 years, leaving the South in the lurch.

“This issue is a matter of equity, fairness and justice. The political parties must ensure that they embrace zoning. The average voters on the streets said they prefer a candidate from the South in 2022; the noise was becoming deafening for those who care to listen.

“It is going to be in the best interest that the candidates from parties are picked from that zone. It will be a costly mistake if my party, the APC, should do otherwise. I am still very confident that the stakeholders will look towards the South and get a viable candidate from that zone that can deliver for our party.”

Debunking the rumour that someone had been endorsed, Faparusi said: “Governor Fayemi has not endorsed anyone. They want to curry the governor’s favour and mislead our leaders, party that they have the support of the governor.

“I am an insider in this government and one of the critical stakeholders. There was nowhere where it was discussed that a person should be endorsed and if the governor would do that, such person must be from the South.”

Faparusi, who described himself as a pro-Ekiti proponent, who is incurably averse to sectionalism, said his main and principal agenda is that every section of the state must have a sense of belonging in Ekiti governance.

“My agenda is that of Ekiti people. Another agenda is that the APC must win the coming election. We don’t want to pick our candidate by error; we can’t afford to lose because Governor Fayemi has done a lot of work in the last three years to put Ekiti back on track.

“The best thing for APC is to align with the public opinion, so that we won’t be swimming against the tide. Ekiti APC is one, though you may have groups and interests and there are mechanisms the party can use to handle such,” he added.