Category: South West

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released timetable for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

According to the party’s official notice signed by the National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John Akpanudodehe, the sale of nomination forms will begin on November16th (Ekiti) and November 18th (Osun).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 18, 2022 for the Ekiti governorship election and July 16, 2022, for the same exercise in Osun State.

Former minority leader Senator Biodun Olujimi and eight other women aspirants have indicated interest to contest the Ekiti State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Others include Mrs. Olumide Ojo Olukemi Olubunmi from Ido /Osi Local Government, Mrs. Arogundade Olutoyin from Ekiti East Local Government and Princess Adekemi Adewunmi from Efon Local Government.

Others are Mrs. Cecillia Ebiesuwa (Emure Council), Mrs. Adewumi Adesoye (Ado), Mrs. Titilayo Owolabi Akerele ( Ikole), Mrs. Modupe Asaolu (Ekiti Southwest) and Mrs. Deborah Alo (Ido/Osi).

The nine female aspirants were among other 17 people that have obtained nomination forms and have been screened by PDP at the national secretariat.

Olujimi said her decision to join the race was borne out of the desire to salvage the state from the woods through selfless service to the people, irrespective of their social status.

She spoke on the phone with reporters from Ado-Ekiti yesterday, ending speculation about her governorship ambition.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial Districts said she decided to throw the hat into the ring following calls from the downtrodden, traditional rulers and eminent sons and daughters of the state.

Olujimi said she possessed the quality and experience required to harness the vast state’s resources for productive and developmental purposes, adding that her political and public sector experience had prepared her for the plum position.

She said she is in the governorship race to turn around the fortunes of the state by revolutionising all sectors of governance with focus on the masses.

Olujimi said that if given the ticket of her party and elected as governor, she would reposition Ekiti for economic prosperity by creating an enabling environment for industry to thrive with a better approach to taxation that would reduce dependence on federation allocations.

She promised that her administration would restructure the health sector in a way that quality health care service delivery would be decentralised with a view to reaching the urban and rural dwellers.

Olujimi said that education was one of the major objectives of her aspiration, noting that the sector would be reformed to include not only building of schools, but also the provision of incentives for teachers.

The regent of Osi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government of Ekiti State, Aderonke Agunbiade-Akin, has urged Nigerians to live in peace with one another, for the nation’s growth and development.

She gave the advice at the yearly Osi-Ekiti Day celebration held at the Basic Health Care Centre premises, on the Osi/Iropora Road, Osi-Ekiti.

“There can be no meaningful development in any society without peace, as it is priceless; hence, the need for people to embrace peace at all time,” the regent said.

Agunbiade-Akin hailed the indigenes for living in peace, enjoining them to sustain it and enhance the tempo of unity and development, irrespective of their interest.

She urged Nigerians to be law-abiding and respect constituted authorities in the interest of peace and national development.

The regent restated her commitment to initiate peace building and other programmes that would have bearing on the lives of the indigenes.

The President of Osi-Ekiti Progressive Union (OPU), retired ACM Oludare Fadogba, expressed delight that the community was fast growing.

Fadogba said the lingering crisis that bedevilled the community in the past was fast eroding, adding that sons and daughters of Osi-Ekiti were willing to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the town.

The OPU president, who expressed dissatisfaction that Osi-Ekiti had experienced neglect in some areas, called the attention of the state government to some roads linking the town to other towns, which had been abandoned.

Fadogba appealed to the state government to look into those projects, to add value to the town.

The event was attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; the Chairman, Ekiti Council of Obas and Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon; his Ogun State counterpart, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, among others.

Moyosore Ogunlewe, Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Thursday, marked his 100days in office with fanfare.

The youthful chairman also seized the very colourful event held at the council head-office in Ogudu, Lagos, to appreciate party members and supporters and announce some of his project accomplishments in the last three months.

Tagged ‘100 Days Stewardship: Our Scorecard’, Barrister Ogunlewe said the day “marked a watershed in the annals of the local government.”

He listed some of his administration’s achievements to include purchase of four revenue buses for the area offices, to drive its revenue generation; purchase of ‘Aluta Jet’ bus for NULGE (Kosofe); one ambulance, with a pledge of an additional one; purchase of a new Legislators’ Bus and a despatch bike.

He also announced the ongoing construction of 10 roads and drainages on Abioye Street, Mende (completed), Awanatu Street (Oworo), Araromi (Ogudu), Adebayo Mokuolu (Anthony), Odubela (Ojota), Ogundairo (Oworo), Ajoke (Ogudu), Idowu Dada (Ogudu), Julius Kadiri (Ifako) and Ara-Orin (Ifako).

Additionally, he announced ongoing construction of a customary court and administrative office, construction of a Health Centre in Oworo, renovation of the executive chairman’s office and distribution of 150 GCE forms to indigent students.

The All Progressives Congress Kosofe chairman, Alhaji Kehinde Bello, commended Ogunlewe for starting very well and implored all party members to support him all the way.

Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Yetunde Arobieke described the chairman as “a round peg in a round hole’ while the member representing Kosofe Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Ganiu Okanlawon, said he is “performing legendarily and phenomenally.”

A political group in Ekiti State saddled with the responsibility of claiming the political leadership of the state, Ekiti Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Progressives, has inaugurated its coordinators for the state.

According to a statement, these coordinators are to act as campaign managers ‘foot soldiers’ and community relations officers.

The Patron and Chairman of the PDP Progressives Campaign Council, Dr.  Ife Arowosoge, said the lost glory of the party could only be reclaimed if Asiwaju Segun Oni, a former governor and a gubernatorial aspirant of the PDP is elected  the next governor of Ekiti State.

In his address, the DG Campaign Council of the group implored the coordinators and the delegates to be honest and at their best to make Asiwaju Segun Oni the next governor of the state.

In his remark, Director, Mobilization Campaign Council and State Coordinator of the PDP Progressives, Hon Wale Ayeni said the state needs good governance. “Democracy is known to be the government of the people by the people and for the people and not the government of the people by a dictator who has mismanaged the state treasury. Ex- governor  Segun Oni’s experience is needed to move the state forward.

The event which took place at Ifaki, the Ekiti home of Oni, witnessed a great turnout of political dignitaries from the three senatorial districts in the state. Former commissioners and board members were also present.

In addition, Local Government chairmen, secretaries, women leaders, youth leaders, local government executives and delegates were all accredited and inaugurated at the event.

Deji Odutola, former chairman of Ido Osi Local Government and Hon Ganiyu  Bello, both leaders of E4 Group of PDP  Progressives led their members to the grand event.

The presence of a popular founding father of PDP Ekiti State, Chief Sanya Okebiorun, popularly known as ‘Gbosa’ from Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government appreciated for the total support from his local government.

At the peak of the occasion, an NGO for the needy, The Dominion, donated the sum of 5million naira for the campaign.

The Executive Chairman of Ijede Council Development Area,  Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba  rendered account of stewardship in commemoration of her first 100 days in office during the week.

Addressing a motley crowd comprising mostly party faithful, community leaders, traditional rules and resident at the council secretariat, the council boss recalled that arising from her mission and vision for the LCDA she hit the ground running from the onset and was thankful today of some of the modest successes she has achieved thus far.

According to her, “As a people-oriented administration, we hold a firm resolve to impact the lives of residents, both young and old.

Admittedly, we have a number of challenges particularly in the areas of revenue base. However, we have been able to deliver on some of our promises.”

Specifically, she said, “In the area of education, we distributed educational materials to indigent pupils in primary and secondary schools. We hosted the preliminaries of the annual Spelling Bee Competition for secondary and primary schools as well as the Independence Day Children’s funfare to commemorate Nigeria at 61.

We also facilitated the construction of additional classrooms at the vocational centre situated at Igbe-Ogunro through our representative in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson.

“Also, we actively participated in all state-initiated programmes like the LASEMA Public Awareness Day, World Food Day, among others.”

Besides, she recalled the council facilitated the ongoing installation of streetlights on Adetona Bello Street, Area ‘N’ Police station in

conjunction with Hon. Babajii Benson, among others.The highpoint of the occasion was the distribution of food palliatives to over 600 households.

The Oyo State Environmental Tribunal court, today, fined not less than 60 persons for flouting the state’s Environmental sanitation laws during the week exercise along Bodija, Iwo-road, Beere, Sapati, Elewi-Odo, Ojoo, Gate, Oke-bola, and few other areas in Ibadan.

While giving his verdict, the Magistrate, Mr. Raheem Wasiu stated that in as much as the offenders were caught dumping refuse in unauthorized areas, hence found guilty for violating the environmental sanitation and waste management laws, therefore they were charged for a fine between ¦ 5000 and ¦ 25,000 ranging from the degree of offences while 3 other persons opted for community services.

In his reaction to the judgement, the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Abiodun Oni, commended the Magistrate for his professionalism while also adding that this administration will not leave any stone unturned towards regaining the environmental sanity in the state.

Similarly, the Chairman, Environmental Task Force, ACP Francis Ojomo emphasized that the task force was working on the basis of existing laws on environment in Oyo State and anyone who contravene the laws would be apprehended and brought before the court, while also stressing that as responsible citizens, we are supposed to be above the laws in the State and the Country at large, and whoever that does not obey the laws bears its consequences.

In another development, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Rahman Abiodun Abdu—Raheem and his counterpart from Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Omolabake Olayiwola, have visited the Primary, Secondary and Vocational section of the Oyo State Special Basic School , Ogbomoso to ascertain the standard of living and needs of the special students.

The visitation is in response to a viral protest video by some of the students who lamented on poor feeding, diversion of food items by the management of the school.

Barrister Abdu-Raheem, after a series of findings disclosed that the claim by the students on poor feeding could not be substantiated.

First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, has called for collective efforts to achieve drugs – free society, lamenting that many of the nation’s youths are into illicit use of drugs.

Mrs. Abiodun  made the call at a Town Hall Meeting organised by her office, Ajose Foundation and Ogun State Drug Control Committee, Ministry of Health (OSDCC) to  commemorate this year’s United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Speaking on the commemoration with the theme “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives” at the Oba’s Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta at the weekend,  she harped on the need to focus on information and communication, given the power of the social media in shaping the minds of young people.

She noted that the social media mirror the actions of their peers online and model their lives after celebrities that they see in music videos and movies.

“Many of these platforms are full of depictions of drug use which is linked to riches and a fashionable lifestyle. The duty of policy makers is to use these platforms to creatively communicate facts about drugs and the danger it poses to the lives of those who engage in their use. We need to leverage the power of the media to communicate a powerful message on the illicit drugs.

“One of the aims of this year’s theme of sharing facts is also to combat misinformation about drug use. There are many who think that certain drugs give them boldness and a false sense of confidence. The effect of this is that many of our youths, some as young as 13 to 15 years of age, buy into these lies and start taking drugs early and they become drug addicts even before age 20. Now is the time to focus on more efficient means of reaching our people where they are and in the language they understand,” she said.

The First Lady revealed that one of the focus areas of her pet project, Ajose Foundation, centred on children and youths at risk, who she said,  deal with common problems associated with growing up.

In her address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said some 35 million people were estimated to suffer from drug use disorders according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey 2018 noting that youths are the most vulnerable.

The Lagos State Government yesterday announced its resolve to permanently address the challenge of perennial flooding on Oba Ogunnusi Road, opposite Mobil, Ikeja with the  commencement of contract work on a parallel drain on Acme Road, ikeja.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, he said the contract work will start in the first week of December after the cessation of the rains.

Bello explained that the new contract is for the construction of a parallel drain along Acme Road, also in Ikeja that would take away flood from Oba Ogunnusi.

According to Bello, the parallel drain along Acme Road will cut across Metal Box Road and share the flow at the point to rapidly remove the flood water and discharge into System1 (Odo IyaAlaro) Vori Close.

He added that the contractor handling the Acme Road parallel  drainage project had just concluded the preliminary work prior to his mobilisation to site for work commencement  by the first week of December.

He recalled that the flooding of Oba Ogunnusi Road in front of Mobil petrol station has been a recurring problem within Ikeja local Govt area of the state for quite a while.

“The State Government had also  constructed several drainages within the area such as the conduct drainage along Wemco road that discharges into Agidingbi gorge and drainage along Metal Box/Acme Road that discharges into Awolowo way gorge”, Bello stated.

He reiterated that the need to finally address the flooding challenge at Oba Ogunnusi Road and its effect on residents and motorists after several palliative measures led to the award of the new contract for the construction of a parallel channel along Acme Road to take off excess water from Oba Ogunnusi Road.

The Commissioner maintained that it would be a matter of time before permanent relief comes to residents and motorists who wade through flood on Oba Ogunnusi Road whenever it rains.

An Ibadan based  Non Governmental Organization,( NGO), Family Resources and Women Empowerment, in its determination to alleviate poverty and  add value to the lives of the poor,  donated  items worth millions of Naira to the less privileged  in the society.

Beneficiaries of the economic empowerment programme tagged “ Seed of Hope”  included widows, people living with disabilities,  young job seekers and aged people.

Items distributed at the 2nd edition of the  event held at Radio Nigeria Amuludun FM, Moniya , Ibadan premises include; 13 grinding machines, 10 wheel chairs, sewing machines, bags of rice and other  stuffs as well as financial aides  to some people.

Speaking with journalists, the CEO  of the NGO, Queen Abosede Ayoka, aka (Tessy Show), a United States based broadcaster and founder of ABINIBI FM in Atlanta Georgia said the essence  of the programme is to give succour to the needy and assist people so that they can be self sustaining, earn a living and help others.

According to her,”Government alone cannot solve the burden of unemployment and cater for the less privileged and we are worried about the fact that a lot of people are hungry, jobless but the only thing they need is a kind of engagement that can offer them three square meal. So, out of the little I and some of my friends and fans were able to pull together, we decided to acquire all those things we gave out today”.

She added that, “If you look at the increasing rate of crimes today, you will realize that the youths involved are either hungry or jobless. So, if this empowerment scheme can go round, there would be reduction in crime rate and we will have a safer and better society”.

Speaking on the mode of selection of the beneficiaries, Queen Abosede Tessy Show explained that she didn’t know any of them.

While seeking for more support, she appreciated those who contributed to the success of the programme and canvassed for more support to increase the number of beneficiaries.

Earlier in a welcome address, General Manager, Radio Nigeria Amuludun FM, Rev. Niyi Dahunsi commended the NGO for empowering the people and called on philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.

Other speakers included the father of the day, a petroleum dealer, Alhaji Wasiu Isola Ojelade aka Gbaa loore Olorun, mother of the day, Alhaja Toyin Ola Jamiu, a renowned radio presenter, Alhaji Ismail Olaniyan popularly called Dokita Bayonle, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Olajide, Alhaji Adekola Balogun, Kola Oil and others in their remarks urged the beneficiaries to make judicious  use of the items and pray for more success for the organizations  and people that donated the fund.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State on yesterday lauded former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Oluseyi Petinrin for contributing to the development of the state.

Oyetola noted Petinrin played a major role in influencing infrastructure development in the state which I may not mention now.

The governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Siji Olamiju during the annual Ipetu Ijesa day celebration, said, “elite in this community have been good ambassadors, especially Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (retd) and others, who have been playing a big role to ensure development.

“We sincerely appreciate your support in all spheres and we also thank you, Kabiesi for the support for this government. You have been consistently pushing for the development of this community.”

Speaking earlier, the Ajalaye of Ipetu Ijesa, Oba Adeleke Agunbiade Oke, appealed to the governor to repair roads that were in deplorable condition in the area.