Category: South West

Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in collaboration with a group known as Partnership for Advancing Women Economic Development (PAWED) has trained no fewer than 30 women in cooperative societies on women economic empowerment in Kwara state.

They urged the state government to make adequate provisions for women development in the proposed 2022 budget Research officer, PAWED Yusuf Fatai told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital on the sidelines of a visit to three ministries in the state.

The ministries visited by the group along with MINILS staff include Enterprise, Finance and Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mr. Fatai said the training programme is being implemented by Development Research and Project Centre.

Said he: “We are in the state to build the capacity of women empowerment cooperatives for them to carry out advocacy and communication to relevant stakeholders. We are building their capacity on how to carry out advocacy, increase funding for women empowerment in the state.

“Currently we are training no fewer than 30 persons (we call them works).This programme is not only happening in Kwara state, it is happening in about five states of the federation.

“We realise that women make up over 70 percent of the informal sector and research has shown that the funding for women empowerment is very

important. A lot of benefits are derivable from increased funding for women empowerment.

MINILS Director General Issa Aremu, represented by Chief Training and Development Officer of the institute Blikis Alaya hinted that “this is the first time the programme is happening in Kwara state. We are

training the beneficiaries on how to go about getting more empowerment for women and on how to be the voice of all the voiceless women in the state.

“We are trying to build their confidence whereby they will be able to communicate their messages to the various stakeholders that can bring about change and positive result to Kwara.”

Responding on behalf of the state Finance Commissioner Florence O.Oyeyemi, Accountant General of the state Abdulganiyu Sani said that

“the inclusion of women empowerment in our budget planning has been our practice in the state. We are doing well and we shall continue to do better.”

Mrs. Oyeyemi added that “you have come for advocacy and sensitization on the need to improve on women empowerment in the state. Anything

that has to do with labour and women empowerment is very dear to our state.”

Minority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rasheed Elegbeleye, said that he has opened talks with the Bank of Industry with a view to securing low credit facilities for youths trained in various skills in his constituency.

Elegbeleye spoke at the end of a one month training programme he organised to empower 50 youths in Ikare Akoko, Akoko Northeast local government.

Elegbeleye stated that training and empowerment of youths was the only solution to stop rising crime waves across the country.

He said lawmakers could help solve unemployment if properly empowered to provide the necessary training.

According to the lawmaker, “It is not enough for me to only call on governments at all levels to urgently do something to salvage the fast declining fortunes of youths in the country, as someone in government, I must follow my call with example.

“ If every lawmakers especially at the states and National Assembly could honestly and sincerely embark on activities like this and genuinely do the necessary follow up in terms of finance and monitoring, the grave danger youth unemployment poses would be significantly reduced. I therefore call on my colleagues at both the states and national level to search our conscience on what we do with constituency projects in particular”.

The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has called for partnership in providing excellent and functional education for youths within the state.

Oyetola made the plea after commissioning projects worth N200 million donated by the ex-students of Methodist High School, Ilesha Osun State yesterday to commemorate the 65th-anniversary ceremony.

Oyetola represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji noted that the gesture by the old students of the school will enable them to build a competitive school in a state in search of talents to achieve its vision in  a knowledge and technology-driven world.

He said projects like basketball, volleyball, multipurpose hall and Astronomical Observatory Centre named after Dr Peter Ojo will dovetail into a feasible development plan for the overall development and progress of the school

In the address by the President of the ex-students, Engr. Dideolu Falobi said, “the projects we have executed in the school is more than N200 million, noting that, “we have refurbished 49 classrooms, furnishing Physics, Chemistry, Biology laboratories and many other projects including the one governor Oyetola has commissioned.”

The Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander, Olusegun Ogungbemide has warned drivers against night traveling as its poses serious danger to motorists and their passengers.

Ogungbemide said this at the 2021 Ember Months Campaign Flag off Ceremony of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lekki Unit Command yesterday at the Interstate Motor Park, Ajah.

According to him, we have noticed that major crashes occur at night, that is why we are pleading with drivers to shun night driving as much as possible.

Ogungbemide, was represented by the Assistant Corps Commandant, Ayodeji Oseni said “night driving is dangerous in view of insecurity; rescue efforts are also difficult in the night.

“So, if you love yourself, try and avoid night driving because there is no assurance of good visibility while driving at night,” Ogungbemide said.

He posited that drivers should guide against violating the stated infractions and other anti-safety vices.

He noted that the corps would be on the look out to enforce strict compliance to safety laws and orders on the highways.

The Deputy Sector Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ajah, Eriafa Omoregie said that drivers should dissuade themselves from drug abuse as many drivers have died untimely due to drug abuse.

The Unit Commander of RS2.19, Lekki Unit Command, Assistant Corps Commander, Sani Abdullahi said that the responsibility of preventing rod crashes is the collective resolve to say no to them by adhering strictly to traffic rules and regulations.

He stressed that this event of annual flag off of ember months campaign, therefore presents another opportunity for all of us to join hands to stop that menace that continues to bring grief, economic loses, poverty and underdevelopment to our people and our nation.

“To this end, the policy of the corps to rise up to the occasion by demystifying the myths that characterize the ember months as an evil period is one that’s ryincremental and deserves to enjoy the collective support of all people of goodwill”, he said.

He posited that to us at the Lekki Command of the FRSC, we affirm that we would continue to engage robustly with our stakeholders through aggressive collaboration for all to see issues of road as shared responsibility.

“We therefore, ready to carry the banner of constructive engagement and ensure that all gaps that could create opportunity for road traffic crashes to overwhelm us are closed and remain closed against the desire for safer road environment”, he said.

The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has said that the Senator representing Lagos West in the National Assembly, Olamilekan Adeola, is a true and bona-fide son of Yewaland, declaring that no amount of false narratives could undo the truth.

Oba Olugbenle also said Adeola, deserved the title of Aremo of Yewaland, conferred on him for his contribution to the development of Yewaland.

The monarch made this known in his palace, Ilaro, on Wednesday when he received kinsmen of the Senator from Pahayi in Ilaro and Ishaga Orile who paid him and the Yewa Traditional Council a thank – you – visit through the Paramount Ruler for the Aremo  of Yewaland title given to their son.

He noted that Adeola who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, should have been honoured with the title  years ago by the Council, but had to be differed until now because the prevailing political climate at the time – apparently referring to the immediate past administration, was not favourable.

Oba Olugbenle maintained that there is no controversy regarding the ancestry  of the lawmaker, urging those opposing the decision of all traditional rulers in  Yewaland in respect of Aremo title for Adeola to re-examine their position.

The monarch clarified that the right to install chiefs rest with traditional rulers, advised that nobody should politicise the title, stressing that writing petitions or spewing false narratives would not reverse the decision.

He called on politicians fanning ember of discord among sons and daughters of Yewaland to desist from it and stop spreading false narratives about the lawmaker.

The Olori Ebi Onibata Family , Chief Micheal Ogundimu, said they were at the Palace to appreciate Olu and other traditional rulers for the honour bestowed on their kinsman

The Lagos State Government through the Office of Public Private Partnerships in conjunction with Messrs. Mainland Freight Agency Ltd has concluded plans to develop a Commercial storage facility at mile 2, Amuwo Odofin area of the State.

In a statement issued by the Office of Public Private Partnership, the Director General, Mr. Ope George stated that the commercial cargo operation facility at the Mile 2 jetty will occupy the State’s land measuring 6,400 square meters for a period of 10 years on a build, operate and transfer basis.

Mr. George stated that the facility which will be solely financed by Messrs. Mainland Freight Ltd would have the capacity to accommodate a minimum of 200 containers at any given time.

According to the Director-General, the project will help to decongest traffic on Lagos roads due to container carrying trucks that ply the roads frequently and also help reduce the dangerous gasses emanating from the trucks.

The Director General further described the proposed project as a catalyst that would stimulate the economy of the State and create many direct and indirect employment opportunities and also enable the diversion of up to 24,000 units of containers from road transportation to the sea through batch services.

Mr. George, in the Statement, restated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to the provision of public infrastructure using the public private partnership model.

Recall that in time past, the State Government had put in place several projects to assist the Waterways transportation system since the inauguration of LASWA Act in 2008. Amongst the developmental projects is the Ijegun-Egba Jetty, Ebute-Ojo ferry terminal, Badore Ferry Jetty to mention a few.

Respite is on the way for the residents of Ijoko, Alagbole and Akute communities as Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, declared his administration’s readiness to complete the road that passes through the three communities.

Abiodun, who expressed serious  concern over the deplorable condition of the Ijoko-Alagbole-Akute Road in Ifo Local Government Area, said his government would complete the road started but abandoned by the immediate past administration in the state.

He, however, said that the 32km road will be tolled after its completion.

The Governor stated this at a virtual Town hall meeting on the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and 2022 Budget for Ogun Central Senatorial District, held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to Abiodun, the road is crucial to the socio-economic well-being of people in the axis, declaring that a sinking fund is needed for its upkeep.

“We will reconstruct the road and put a toll gate. We have to have a kind of sinking fund for the upkeep and maintenance. We will invest in the construction that is meaningful.

“That particular road is a very long – about 32 kilometers. And the road is close to highly built-up areas with so many exits”, he said.

He maintained that the Future City Project spearheaded by the United Kingdom Foreign Office was still on course and would help in turning Abeokuta to a befitting state capital.

Abiodun hinted that the project would be extended to Mowe and Ibafo axis as a result of uncoordinated development taking place in the areas.

On the current situation at the Hillcrest Estate, the governor said a Five-Sar hotel, to be built by a renowned commercial financial institution is slated for the estate, while judiciary quarters would also berth in the estate.

Abiodun who spoke on the need to complete and put to use the uncompleted 250-bed hospital situated at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said world class equipment had been supplied, adding a private investor had indicated interest in the hospital.

On the ongoing reconstruction of Lafenwa road, the governor explained it needed to be redesigned as there were issues on soil texture around the Lafenwa end as well as the rail tracks.

In his contribution, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, lauded the state government for rehabilitating the Iberekodo Water Scheme as well as promoting the Adire fabrics, requesting that something should be done about the Chinese Adire currently flooding the local market.

Speaker of the House of Assembly,  Olakunle Oluomo, in his remarks, called for the reconstruction of Ijoko-Alagbole-Akute road, assuring that accelerated action would be given to the budget when it is presented to the House.

The All Progressives Congress Appeal Committee set up to look into complaints arising from the state congress in Ondo State has said that it did not receive any petition.

Engr. Ade Adetimehin was returned as Chairman of the party in the Ondo APC Congress which was conducted through the consensus method.

The Ondo Appeal Committee led by Mrs. Yetunde Adeniyi said it spent three days after meeting with all APC stakeholders in the state but no member of the party forwarded any petition.

Adeniji who declared that the Ondo APC congress was rancour-free said it was a template for other states to follow in the conduct of party congresses.

She stated that the Appeal Committee met with leadership of the party and some critical stakeholders in the party cutting across the 18 local government areas of the state.

According to her, “We(appeal committee) arrived in the state and we met with the leadership in the state and critical stakeholders from all 18 local government areas of the state.

“ We waited for any member who was aggrieved in respect of the state congress of our party, but no one showed up with any petition all through our stay.

“From our observation, we realised there was a strong synergy between the state government and the party which made the party had a peaceful congress.

“ We commend Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for the existing unity among members of the party in the state. We are impressed by what we have seen. No parallel Congress. Ondo has been able to come together and sygernise themselves. We also commend Akeredolu for setting a pace for other leaders to follow.

“All members familiar with the process must know that there will be an appeal committee. It is the internal mechanism of resolving conflicts and issues. All party members are aware of the guidelines.

“The 18 local government stakeholders were involved. What has happened in Ondo is exemplary. It is what other states should adopt.”

Other members of the Appeal Committee present are Hon. Olusegun, Adamu Dauda, Cletus Obun and Victor Karounwi.

The dead body of a customs officer who was allegedly abducted on Tuesday by suspected smugglers in Ogun State has been found. This bring to two officers killed in an ambush.

Suspected smugglers, on Tuesday ambushed a Customs patrol team at Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun, and abducted two customs officers in the process.

The body of one of the officer was found in a river near Fagbohun village. After hours of search his rifle was later found few metres away from the river where the body was dumped.

The officers attached to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, comprising Lagos and Ogun State were on patrol of the area on Tuesday afternoon when they were ambushed.

Addressing news men on the latest attack, the Customs Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, said on October 16, 2021, at Shagamu Interchange, suspected smugglers carried out unprovoked attacked on some customs officers attached to a patrol team in the area.

The controller said the officers accosted about 24 vehicles carrying suspected smuggled rice and that 12 of the vehicles were being evacuated to FOU Headquarters in Lagos when the smugglers attacked the officers.

“Two officers sustained matchet wounds and luckily enough, they were treated and responded to treatment. As if that was not enough on Tuesday, October 26, in the same Ogun State suspected smugglers ambushed another patrol team in Yewa South Local government area of Ogun State and abducted two officers.

“Two of the officers were declared missing as at Tuesday. Search for them continued till Wednesday morning when the body of one.of the officers was found in a river near Ajegun-Iyaloosa village on Wednesday. His rifle was also found near the river.

“The search for the second missing officer continued till yesterday, Friday, when the dead body of the second abducted officer was found. The strap of his rifle was still hanging on him as at the time his body was found but his rifle was missing.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi on Friday reversed the plan to install the founder of Jama’at Taawunil Muslimeen, Daood Molaasan as the Grand Mufti of Yoruba land following the order of Osun State High Court.

The Nation reports that the League of Imams and Alfas Southwest, Edo and Delta met the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to report Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi for meddling with the affairs of Muslims noting that it may cause chaos and religious crisis in Yoruba land.

Justice Sikiru Oke of Osun State High Court granted the prayer filed by the lawyer of the League of Imams and Alfas Southwest, Edo and Delta, Barr Kazeem Odedeji to stop Oluwo from installing Grand Mufti of Yoruba Land.

The Motion ex-parte numbered HOS/98/2021 dated 26th October 2021 restrained Oba Akanbi and one other from installing Grand Mufti of Yoruba land pending the hearing and determination of the Motion.

A statement by Sheik  Jamiu Kewulere stated that Oluwo lacks the power to install anyone as an Islamic titleholder be it Otun Ajanasi,Ajansi or Mufti of Iwoland.

Meanwhile, a release by the media aide of Oluwo, Alli Ibraheem on Friday dared the court injunction by announcing that Oba Akanbi will on Saturday turban the founder of Jama’atu Ta’awun Muslimeen, Sheik Daood Imran Molaasan as the Grand Mufti of Iwoland.

He said, “The well-deserved merit is scheduled to hold at the Oluwo palace premises by 10 am. The appointment of Sheik Daood Imran as Grand Mufti of Iwoland was unanimously agreed after due consultation with stakeholders.”