The funeral of Prince Adebiyi Karunwi begins with a wake tomorrow at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos by 4pm.
The lying-in-state for the late Karunwi, who died on October 4 at the age of 88, takes place on Thursday at the foyer, All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba at 8:30am, while funeral service holds at the church by 10am.
He is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.
THE funeral programme of the late Mrs. Victoria Amaka Amudoaghan, mother of Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, wife of the former governor of Oyo State, the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, has been scheduled for Friday.
She died on September 9.
A statement by the family said service of songs will hold on Thursday at Mama’s compound in Ndemili village, Delta State, at 5pm. Burial service holds the following day at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Ndemili, in Ndokwa West Local Government by 10am, while reception follows at Mama’s compound in Ndemili.
On Sunday, a thanksgiving service will hold at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos by 10am.
The deceased is survived by many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
THE National Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been urged to ensure that anti-democratic manipulations that can lead to impositions in the coming party congresses are guided against so that the body can bequeath a foolproof election, devoid of rancour
This advice was given by a former lawmaker, Oyetunde Ojo, in response to the undercurrent of some sharp practices ongoing in the Ekiti State chapter of the party, ahead of the congresses.
He said Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has begun the process of compiling names of his preferred officials from ward to the state levels in an attempt to impose and frustrate the congresses.
According to him, the state government has also directed that all ward meetings and such other party gatherings be stopped forthwith to block dissents from raising objections, so that he could coast home with the names of his loyalists for the congresses.
Ojo, the former House of Representatives member, viewed the governor’s action as undemocratic and a wrong step in the direction of what took the party into the deep ocean of litigations that later birthed the current caretaker regime in the APC.
He said: “We are aware that the Governor Fayemi-led administration has sent a directive to all wards to compile lists of party representatives from wards to local government level and these have been forwarded to him for imposition in the coming congresses. This is an aberration to the norms of all democratic practices, which we all fought at a time in our party, and which led to the dissolution of former party officials and the enthronement of the current caretaker committees, whose role is to correct the past anomalies and lend a potent tooth to the coming one through fair, equitable and participatory contests.
“The current development in Ekiti State where the governor is compiling lists of only the people he is disposed to and muzzling opposition by stopping all ward meetings and other such gathering, is simply dictatorial and will not be tolerated.
“We are calling on the National Caretaker Committee of our party, the leaders of the APC, to be alive to this subterranean move and act accordingly, as the people have resolved not to allow any such imposition in our party again.
“Never again shall we fold our arms and watch our rights being taken by fiat by a governor whose loyalty to the APC is in doubt. Never shall we allow a governor who once robbed us of our hard-earned victory in 2014, force us into another political Siberia.
“This is why a quick step is required to arrest the ongoing attempt to sweep the rights of the majority of our party members in Ekiti State under the carpet. We are sure the nocturnal action will eventually blow open and be curtailed, as the people will keep demanding for their rights to equity and fair play, until justice is entrenched through people’s-oriented leadership from our wards, up to the state level.”
Lagos State Government has said it will continue to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly players within the agribusiness space.
Agric Commissioner Ms. Abisola Olusanya gave the assurance in Lagos yesterday at the launch of the 4th edition of the Ministry of Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development Institute’s Training Programme.Olusanya, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Hakeem Adeniji, said the support was necessary because of the immense contributions of SMEs to the state’s GDP, as well as the need to see them create more values in the agriculture land space.
”I will like to assure you of the constant support of Mr. Governor to all SMEs in the state, particularly players within agribusiness space.
He is aware of your immense contribution to the state’s GDP and will like to see you create more value in agriculture.
”I want to congratulate you for having been selected for this training that will propel you towards your financial empowerment.”
Specifically, I urge all, particularly participants from the Lagos Agricprenuership Programme (LAP), to appreciate the resources Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is investing in you. There are so many out there craving the opportunities that have been bestowed on you on a platter of gold. Please, I will not want you to take all these for granted. Remember, to whom much is given, much is expected,” the commissioner said.
She said EDI is a window for pre-qualification of micro, small and medium enterprises towards access to funds dedicated by the Federal Government for small business growth.
According to her, one of such funds is the Agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), which is an initiative of the Bankers’ Committee being managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a bid to support and complement the Federal Government’s efforts at promoting small and medium agri-businesses as a vehicle for sustainable economic development and employment generation.
She said the Ministry of Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development Institute is, thus, one of the few accredited EDIs in Nigeria, adding that the institute’s curriculum has been designed to cut across functional business areas and agricultural value chains, with main focus on guiding participants to navigate through the AGSMEIS loan portal.
”Since inception, four cohorts have been trained, which translate to a total of 139 trained applicants: 61 independent applicants and 78 Lagos Agripreneurship Program (LAP)-sponsored applicants.
”As you may be aware, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) is a CBN-accredited centre for development of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial capabilities among Nigerians.
”The institute is expected to provide tools, techniques and framework for managing all functional areas of a business enterprise, including production, marketing, personnel and finance,” Olusanya said.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has denied insinuations that his administration is denying local governments funds to run their system.
He confirmed that the state was able to save money for the 33 councils, especially at the time they were run by the Head of Local Government Administrations (HLAs), the period between when he appointed caretaker chairmen to replace the sacked council bosses.
The governor, who spoke yesterday in Ibadan while giving a remark at the swearing-in of 10 additional commissioners to complete the state executive council, said although only a meagre amount was left monthly in the councils’ accounts after first line charges such as salaries for primary school teachers, local government workers and expenses for primary health care centres were drawn, the government would not allow the councils to share what had been saved.
He said the state government would not allow the local governments to share the saved money, but it would be utilised as stabilisation fund for them, adding that the state would not allow workers to be denied their salaries at the end of every month.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are: Mr. Seun Fakorede (Ministry of Youth and Sports), Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi (Ministry of Agriculture), Mr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye (Ministry of Trade, Investment and Commerce), Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun (Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism), Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulraheem (Ministry of Education, Science and Technology).
Others are: Mr. Abiodun Oni (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources), Prof. Misbau Babatunde (Ministry of Budget and Planning), Mr. Segun Olayiwola (Ministry of Lands and Housing), Dr. Bode Ladipo (Ministry of Health) and Mrs. Kafilat Olayiwola (Ministry of Women Affairs).
Makinde also swore in the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Moshood Abass.
The former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, said yesterday that he was in the governorship race to work with stakeholders and cater for the forgotten.
Oni, who spoke at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja during the submission of his nomination and expression of interest forms for the Ekiti State Governorship Election, scheduled for June 18, 2022, described the state governorship as a “known terrain” in which his former administration, removed by the court, made its mark and treated all and sundry with dignity, respect and honour.
He said: “We brought value to governance and honour to leadership.
“Notwithstanding the distractions and cogs mounted to halt the wheel of our journey at the time, we made outstanding gains.
“Under our watch, Ekiti was a cynosure of good governance and efficient government.”
Oni said his administration also worked very hard to propel Ekiti to live up to its motto as the fountain of knowledge in Nigeria.
“We brought our state to national reckoning. Unfortunately, this may not be the case today, to the civil servants, farmers, traders, women, youth and people living with disabilities.
“Our administration remains the best experience they have had in terms of a people-driven government, incorruptible leadership and open government. The good people of Ekiti State are still earnestly yearning for our return,” he said.
Oni assured the people of Ekiti State and PDP that he is in the race to bring “my promise” to Ekiti people to fruition.
He said: “The promise of a state where no one is left behind and in which we will seek the forgotten and cater to their needs is our covenant with the people.”
“Our mantra has been fellowship building among party members since we started this journey.
“We introduced the PDP Family Initiative to bring all sides together under one big and purposeful umbrella.
“We want to assure our party that we will always work with all stakeholders and members. We have done so before and we will do it again and even better. It is a testament of who we are.
“Today, we make bold to say that ‘we are back and even better!’ The people are with us, so we are on course and ready!”
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, youths have been charged to actively participate in governance and public service delivery.
A group, Connected Development (CODE), gave the charge at a public hearing in collaboration with Actionlead in Lagos on Monday.
The hearing with the theme” “Enhancing Youth Participation for Sustainable Development: Policy brief on strengthening youth focus on public service delivery partnership” sought solutions to issues affecting young people.
Speaking to The Nation after the event, CODE’s representative, Mukhtar Modibbo said the hearing was organised to aid communication between government and the youths.
“The discussion revolved around issues affecting the youths and how the government can intervene.
“The youths are clamouring for inclusion in governance. The government also, ought to be proactive with issues regarding youths. That’s basically what we have been advocating for.
“We have campaigned in different states, Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom. Our campaigns reached over 140,130 rural lives across six states. We realised that the youth have clearly lost hope in the future of governance,” said Modibbo.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday urged religious leaders to use their pulpits to spread the message of love, hope and unity.
He said if this is done, Nigeria will surmount its challenges.
Abiodun spoke at the consecration and enthronement of Rev. Tunde Akin-Akinsanya as the Presiding Bishop, Communion Faithful Assembly International, Abeokuta, held at the Christ Life Church, Garden of Victory, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.
He said Nigeria would be great again as all hands were on deck to salvage the situation.
“I hereby request all of you to use the pulpit to give hope to our people, even in this challenging time and preach national unity and cohesiveness above our challenges. No matter how daunting it is, we are not beyond God’s omnipotence to turn our despair to delight. Nigeria will be great again and it requires the support of us all,” the governor said.
He hoped that the new position would spur the bishop to provide the right leadership to the Christian faithful.
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said Bishop Akinsanya is a productive minister of the gospel, who will not disappoint.
The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, noted that the commitment and devotion of the new Bishop had paid off.
He prayed for God’s guidance as he takes over a higher responsibility.
In his sermon, the Prelate, Calvary Grace International College of Bishops, Bishop Francis Oke, advised the new Bishop to be prayerful and provide the right leadership as a shepherd of the flock.
As part of its efforts in complementing government’s initiative in providing healthy living and well-being, the Rotaract Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Nigeria, Lagos, in conjunction with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee and other stakeholders- Give Blood Give Life; Life Savers International; War Against Chronic Disease Initiatives and the White Cell Foundation, on yesterday organized a voluntary blood donation and free health medical checkup and counseling for residents of the Lagos community. Speaking during the programme at the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service Centre, Gbagada General Hospital, Gbagada, the President of Gbagada Rotaract Club, Olumide Benedict Omodehin, said the programme was part of the club’s area of focus which are – economic development, health and literacy.
The club on Friday organised a literacy programme for the people.”This month of October, we are doing economic development and community servicing, part of our community service is what we are having today, to donate blood and help solve the problems of people who are having health challenges, due to financial constraints.
The Rotaract President who has donated blood 33 times told The Nation that it is imperative to donate blood if not for anything but for mothers who could need the blood if there are complications during child delivery.”
We know what people go through in order to get blood when the need arises, and again many people have not keyed into donating blood voluntarily, we want to use this to create awareness why people should donate blood. It is beneficial to your health to donate blood.”
He urged Nigerians to save lives in their own little way.”It is good to donate blood. If every Nigerian youth keys into donating blood there will be no issue of scarcity of blood.”Seventy people were expected to donate for the programme, as at 12noon, more than 20 people had donated.Omodehin who disclosed that it was the first time the club would be having multiple partners and comprehensive health checkups and counseling.
The Osun State Government has disclosed its preparedness to rehabilitate 26 rural roads for boost of agricultural activities in the state.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan in a statement yesterday, said, the rehabilitation of the roads which will cut across the State, is already captured in the 2022 Budget proposal of the State, which was presented to the House of Assembly, by the Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, last Tuesday.
Omipidan noted that the diversification programme of the Oyetola-led administration through Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) , was on course.
He further said, in this year’s budget proposal presented to the House, the government intends to make our farmers have access to agriculture infrastructure.
“As Mr. Governor said while presenting the budget on Tuesday, when the 26 roads, which will cut across the State, are completely rehabilitated, it is estimated that more than 20, 000 farmers will benefit in terms of the ease of linking their harvests to markets through the well-rehabilitated and adequately networked rural roads.
“A major advantage of this, is the reduction in wastages of farm produce, which is formerly associated to bad rural roads. This will be done under the Osun CARES (COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus ) Programme for Results,” Omipidan added.