The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • Farmers seek govt’s support to boost agric

    Farmers seek govt’s support to boost agric

    A group, Bodija Progressive Farmers Cooperative Society of Nigeria (BPFC), at the weekend said the government should support farmers.

    It said agriculture should be prioritised, adding that the chance of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in becoming the next President, is very high.

    BPFC welcomed the former Lagos governor back to Nigeria after a successful surgery on his right knee and rigorous post-surgery physiotherapy in a London hospital.

    A statement by BPFC National President, Mr. Olusola Akinpelu, said the group had resolved to support Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition, describing him as the only rallying point Nigeria needs for unity.

    The body comprising over 40,000 members across the nation, urged Tinubu to prioritise agriculture, saying more investment in agriculture would eliminate food scarcity.

    The group lamented inadequate funding for farmers, adding that insecurity had also become a major challenge facing farmers across Nigeria. “Tinubu is the only one that can solve these problems.”

    They urged the APC national leader to support and empower them with items such as tractors, fertilisers and others, to cushion the effect of food scarcity “because there can’t be a nation without farmers.”

    BPFC reiterated the readiness of its executives to visit Lagos to felicitate and solidarise with Asiwaju Tinubu towards the actualisation of his 2023 presidential ambition..

     

  • Igboho: don’t collect money on my behalf for treatment

    Igboho: don’t collect money on my behalf for treatment

    Yoruba nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly called Sunday Igboho has said he did not ask anyone to raise funds for him from the public because of his ill-health.

    He was reacting to a report of his call soliciting funds through voluntary donations from the public to help him get medical attention.

    Igboho, who is being detained at a Beninoise prison, has been reported to have health challenges. He has been taken to hospital.

    In a statement through his spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, Igboho warned those behind the move to desist.

    He took the opportunity to appeal to the government of Benin Republic to allow him travel to Germany to seek proper medical attention.

    The statement titled: ‘Chief Sunday Adeyemo has not asked for money towards his medical treatment’, signed by Koiki, said: “I have just received a message from Chief Adeyemo’ lawyer that I should inform the public that he (Igboho) has not asked anyone to demand money towards his medical treatment in Benin Republic.

    “Information has it that some individuals have been collecting money for Igboho’s medical bill.

    “Yes, Adeyemo is not feeling well as we have reported. We are using this medium to ask the government of Benin to allow him travel for proper medical treatment.

    “We use this medium to tell those asking for payment for Adeyemo’s medical treatment to desist.”

     

  • Oyo, Ogun residents threaten to block Ibadan-Abeokuta expressway to halt loss of lives

    Oyo, Ogun residents threaten to block Ibadan-Abeokuta expressway to halt loss of lives

    Motorists plying the Ibadan-Abeokuta expressway have threatened to ensure that the road is blocked and rendered impassable until President Muhammadu Buhari makes fund available to complete the abandoned rehabilitation works on the road.

    The aggrieved road users were reacting to daily loss of lives , resulting from accidents due to deplorable condition of the road.Tension , however, heightened at the weekend when residents of Omi-Adio , Orile, and Kila in Ido Local Government and Odeda Local Governments areas of Oyo and Ogun states respectively vowed to stop vehicles from using the road if nothing is done by the federal government to address the bad condition of the road.

    The concerned residents in a letter signed by Pa Fasanmi Coker  protested the failure of the Federal Government to dualise the busy Ibadan- Abeokuta Expressway. They urged the government to begin the dualisation to check the high rate of accidents on the highway.

    Read Also: Osun monarch seeks Oyetola’s attention over ‘porous palace’

    The protesters said the Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway, being one of the oldest in the country, is overdue for dualisation.The controversial one-laned federal road was awarded in 2010 to an indigenous construction firm, KOPEK Construction Company, to repair the 78-kilometre road for about N4 billion.

    But , the aggrieved residents who expressed disappointment over government’s handling of the road said that government short-changed the public , adding  that what was on paper was dualisation and not rehabilitation.

    They also faulted the contractor for alleged shoddy job done on the road , stating that major portion of the road are already collapsing.When contacted , the Federal Controller of Works, Oyo, Engr. Kayode Ibrahim appealed to the public to bear with the government, while blaming the economy for the condition of the road.

  • Ondo schoolgirls begin training on coding skills

    Ondo schoolgirls begin training on coding skills

    A total of 100 girls drawn from different secondary schools in Ondo State have begun six weeks intensive training in Web Development as part of activities to mark the 2021 Africa Code Week.

    The training, being funded by UNESCO in partnership with Emerging Communities Africa (ECA), was facilitated by Zeitgeist Aesthetics.

    Speaking at the flag-of ceremony Tuesday in Akure, Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Innovation and Partnerships, Peace Odili, said the state government would partner relevant organizations for the adoption of coding into National Curricula in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5 and 17.

    Odili said the beneficiaries would be trained on Web Application Development, Web hosting and Portal design for a period of six weeks.

    She stated that some volunteers from the Sabi Programmers have pledged to assist train the young girls.

    Read Also: Young & Pure Club holds conference for school girls

    According to her, “We are appreciative of the support from the Ondo State Government, having joined on this digital journey and belief in the importance and relevance of 21st-century learning for the development of African excellence.

    Chairman Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Education Science and Technology, Toluwani Borokini urged the beneficiaries to make best use of the opportunity to become digital citizens and proffer solutions to societal problems.

    Hon Borokini said the Assembly would engage relevant stakeholders to see how coding could become an integral part of school curriculum in the state.

    Permanent Secretary, State Information Technology Agency, SITA, Mr Akinseloyin said the initiative is to ensure that students are introduced to practical skills of coding, and gain ICT skills for self-development and growth of the society at large.

    Manager of Akure Tech Hub, Benson Iji said Africa Code Week was created to offer free opportunities for young Africans to learn coding skills and for teachers to be trained on digital learning.

     

     

  • Ondo Reps by-election: PDP youths make case for ex-Commissioner Awude

    Ondo Reps by-election: PDP youths make case for ex-Commissioner Awude

    The youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State- Ondo PDP Youth Mobilisation Group, at the weekend made a case for the choice of a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the state, Hon. Dayo Awude.

    The group, in a statement in Akure stated that Awude is best suited to fly the party’s flag for the vacant position of House of Representatives member, representing Akure South/North federal constituency.

    The position became vacant following the death of its occupant, Hon. Adedayo Omolafe on August 16, this year.

    In the statement by its coordinator, Mr. Ademola Obadofin, and interim secretary, Miss Oyinlola Adeyemi, the group described Awude as a round peg in a round hole, considering his unwavering party loyalty, dedication and wealth of experience.

    Read Also: Edo: Anxiety over PDP’s unending crisis

    “Here is a man who has touched many lives in not only his constituency but in the entire Ondo State.

    “We recall that as Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the era of Governor Segun Mimiko, he raised so many disadvantaged youths by personally taking up their issues with concerned ministries, agencies or parastatals to either get them jobs, scholarships, bursary or loans to start off business.

    “Again, during his era, our darling Sunshine Football Club made steady progress and attained Olympian heights.”

    The group added that Awude has been a loyal party member as he has never crossed from the PDP to another party since he joined, and that during the 2020 governorship campaigns, he made his marks as Director of Youth Mobilisation.

     

  • Osun monarch seeks Oyetola’s attention over ‘porous palace’

    Osun monarch seeks Oyetola’s attention over ‘porous palace’

    The Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Moses Oyediran has begged Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State to provide uniformed security operatives within and around the palace lamenting that his abode is porous.

    Oba Oyediran speaking while he was receiving 60kva generating set and 5 sets of split air conditioning units donated to his palace by a philanthropist, Kayode Sowade noted that security around the palace should be well fortified.

    The Monarch who was represented by High Chief Moye of Modakeke, Adeniyi Adetunji said: “We are using this opportunity to demand from the Government to provide standby security to the palace. I want to confess to you that this palace is porous.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Gunshots as Aregbesola’s loyalists hold parallel Congress in Osun

    “Our people do not respect people in mufti which is challenging. We need a standing police officer working here 24/7 probably on a rotational basis. Though local hunters are helping us they need to go and fend for themselves. We need standing security.”

    The monarch reiterated that some of the major roads connecting the town to villages are not in good shape which needed Government urgent intervention for farmers to bring their farm produce to the market for sale.

    The donor, Engr Sowade reiterated his commitment to giving back to society, saying, “I felt the need to give back to my people. I was brought up in this town, this is my home. I believe we need to rebuild our palace because it is our heritage”.

     

  • Lagos trains stakeholders on business opportunities in solar technology

    Lagos trains stakeholders on business opportunities in solar technology

    Lagos State government has recently held a seminar on the business opportunities in the solar technology.

    The training, according to the state government, was to facilitate cooperation, advance knowledge and promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy

    Addressing participants during the seminar held in Ikeja , the General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board,   Mukhtaar  Tijani explained that the seminar was part of the strategy of government to scale up interest in renewable energy and support policies and investment in the sector.

    Tijani explained that the programme was geared toward providing in-depth knowledge on complex and competing agenda in solar business with a special focus on its constituents and variations across time scales.

    He said: ‘’The rapid rise of the solar industry in Lagos offers insights into the realities of state’s energy roadmap. In examining the role of government in supporting the solar market and how effective they can be in providing optimal solutions to climate change, the Agency is making strides to ensure the solar become a viable replacement for non-renewable energy sources.

     

  • Woman needs N1.3m for eye surgery

    Woman needs N1.3m for eye surgery

    A Lagos-based housewife, Baetrice Fadekemi Oguntan has cried out to the public for financial assistance to undergo a corrective eye surgery,

    According to her medical report issued by Ancilla Catholic Hospital, Agege, Lagos, Oguntan’s left eye has been worsened by cataract.

    The medical report dated September 30, 2021 read in part: ‘’Clinical evaluation showed  Bilateral cataracts worse in the left ye; feature of diabetes and retinopathy. She has been advised to do the following; left cataract surgery (N250,000), Optical coherence tomography(N35,000) and Intravitreal  anti VEGF injections in each eye(6 doses) –N960,000.’’

    Oguntan said she had spent her entire savings and even borrowed money for treatment in recent past, noting that’’ she is left without money to undergo the surgery while her condition is almost hopeless.’’

    She can be reached on her mobile phone number- 09031178775. Donation can be sent to her account number 3071332180, First Bank. Oguntan Beatrice Fadekemi

  • Abiru gives bursaries to 600 tertiary students

    Abiru gives bursaries to 600 tertiary students

    No fewer than 600 tertiary students from Lagos East District yesterday received bursaries from the Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Tokunbo Abiru.

    Unveiling the Bursary Scheme at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, the legislator yesterday it was in fulfilment of his social contract with his constituents.

    He said a major agenda on his social contract with Lagos East is youth development for global readiness.

    He promised to achieve the goal through multi-dimensional approaches, including collaborations; co-creations; funding; infrastructural interventions, anf capacity building.

    He said the objective of ’Senator Tokunbo Abiru Bursary Endowment Fund’’ to support star students who have financial challenges.

    Abiru added: “In this maiden edition, Six Hundred (600) eligible students across the 98 wards in the 16 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the Lagos East Senatorial District, were shortlisted and screened by the TACT Bursary Advisory Board which is an independent Committee.

    “The board is chaired by an erudite scholar, Dr. Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, a lecturer at the Lagos State University, LASU and comprises the following eminent scholars: Dr. Abiodun Okedeyi, Dr. Gabriel Benson, Mr. Peter Oluwo, Dr. Muritala Seriki, Lekan Biliaminu-Oba, Mr. Segun Anifowoshe and Dr. Saheed Ibikunle.”

    “This modest intervention is to reignite hope in those in despair. That is the paradigm we are pushing as a trustee of the peoples’ mandate.”

    The lawmaker said in fulfilment of his promise during the electioneering campaign to provide financial supports for widows, physically-challenged persons, unemployed youths and others who were mostly impacted by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, 2,500 people have been benefitting from the scheme.

    Abiru said: “The fully-equipped ultra-modern four-blocks of twenty-four classrooms and sixteen toilets we facilitated to Aga Primary School have been completed and our children are currently enjoying improved learning experience and outcomes.”

    ‘’We are also concerned about upskilling our youths to be relevant in the job and entrepreneurship spaces. In partnership with Co-Creation Hub, CcHub, Africa’s leading innovation hub space, we are setting a Community Innovation Centre in our district. This concept will leverage on social capital and technology in accelerating economic prosperity for our teeming youth population. It will be up and running in a few months from now.

    In the same manner, next month, between November 8 and 9th, we will in partnership with Fate Foundation, train one thousand Micro Small and Medium Business Owners across the entire district at a two-day MSME Clinic.’’

     

  • VC appointment: Seven professors join NMA against UNIOSUN as court assumes jurisdiction

    VC appointment: Seven professors join NMA against UNIOSUN as court assumes jurisdiction

    The Osun State High Court, Osogbo presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adepele Ojo on Friday gave a nod to seven professors to join a suit filed by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) against the Governing Council of Osun State University for excluding members from the Vice Chancellorship contest.

    This is just as the court assumed jurisdiction over the suit challenging the school for stipulating that anybody who wants to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the institution must possess a doctorate.

    The NMA and a professor at the College of Medicine of the institution, Olutayo Alebiosu had dragged the University before the court on August 28th 2021 to challenge the Governing Council over the advert placed on National Dailies.

    Speaking with newsmen after the sitting of the court on Friday, counsel to the plaintiff, Niyi Akinsola, explained that the advert excluded the medical lecturers who possess the post-graduate fellowship.

    He said: “The institution has violated the right of the professors and they have approached the court by instituting a suit against them joined by the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

    “The three defendants; the Institution Council, Vice-Chancellor and the Osun State Governor filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court on our matter which was argued last week Friday and the ruling was reserve till today.

    “The court declared today that it has jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit today. Seven professors want to join the suit we earlier filed and the court granted us our prayer to join the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Medical Association as co-plaintiff.

    Among those that joined as co-plaintiffs are; Professors Solomon Fadiora; Caroline Adeoti; Abayomi Folorunso, Siyan Oyeweso, Dayo Akintayo, among others.