The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Making life better for people

    For the army of the unemployed, the available white-collar jobs cannot go around. To bridge the gaps, some lawmakers have been empowering the jobless with working tools. BISI OLADELE reports that the lawmaker representing Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dapo Lam-Adesina, has provided empowerment facilities worth N30 million for members of his constituency.

    As the country tackles the menace of unemployment which resulted from lack of white-collar jobs, wealthy individuals and those in position of authority have been encouraging individuals, especially young school leavers, graduates and some others to redirect their attention from being job-seekers to job-creators and employers of labour.

    Lawmakers are not left out in the quest to empower members of their constituency through skill acquisition programmes and empowerment items.

    In the circumstances, the countrified town of Idi Ape sparkled as residents shirked all their commercial and other activities to converge on the Army Children’s School, Idi Ape, in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area.

    They gathered to join several distinguished guests who came from far and near to witness a unique moment when many members of the lawmaker’s constituency were empowered with various items to make them self-reliant and, possibly, employers of labour. For them, it was a rare opportunity to witness such an event.

    During the event, Dapo Lam-Adesina gave out empowerment items valued at N30 million to some of his constituents.

    Great crowd of members of his constituency witnessed the event which was described as unprecedented.

    Over 300 women, youths and unemployed graduates were empowered with start-up capital and tools by Hon. Lam-Adesina in Ibadan penultimate week.

    Lam-Adesina represents Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.

    Some of the items he presented to some of the constituents included sewing machines, tricycles, motorcycles, grinding machines and start-up cash.

    Most of the beneficiaries received the gifts after undergoing a two-month vocational training under the Omo Oloore Empowerment Scheme.

    In addition to start-up cash, 146 sewing machines, 110 grinding machines, 17 tricycles and 40 motorcycles were given out to the beneficiaries.

    The lawmaker, who said that beneficiaries who received sewing machines and grinding machines were graduates of a skill acquisition scheme he set up two months earlier, explained that the empowerment programme was his way of giving back to the people and fulfilling some of the promises he made to them during his electioneering campaigns.

    Addressing the beneficiaries and other well-wishers at the programme held at the Army Children’s School, Idi Ape, in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, the lawmaker revealed how the 256 beneficiaries had been trained by professionals from tailoring and pepper/cassava millers’ unions. He added that the trainers were also rewarded with cash gifts.

    He said: “We told them that we would be responsible and responsive representatives. Also because of the economic challenges facing our people lately, we believe that we in positions of authority should alleviate the sufferings of our people. It is part of our agenda to reach out to the grassroots, because it is not all of us that can occupy political offices and it is not all of us that will get white-collar jobs. We are trying to make people return to the good old days where people used their hands to make money.

    “We did a lot of training and it was time-intensive and we have put the trainees under registered associations.”

    The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Lam-Adesina for the gesture.

    Describing him as a responsible and reliable politician, a beneficiary, Olutade Adigun, said the lawmaker has consistently remained a shining example to other youths in the country, adding that his integrity makes him dependable and reliable.

    “Hon. Lam-Adesina is very close to the voters. He bonds with the people. He does not just sit in Abuja and comes back only during elections. That is why you can see this crowd of supporters attending this empowerment programme. It is not all about giving money but about being a friend of his constituents,” he said.

    Aside the beneficiaries and well-wishers, the empowerment programme was attended by several leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the two local government areas as well as some members of the State Executive of the party.

    They included the Chairman of the party in Oyo South Senatorial District, Prince Adefisoye Adekanye; the Caretaker Chairman, Ibadan North East Local Government Area, Mr Lekan Afuye;  Chief Ayo Eniade; Alhaji Mufutau Adisa and Chief Bolade Akinyemi among others.

    Adekanye commended Lam-Adesina for the empowerment initiative.

    Akinyemi also praised him, saying the APC was poised to improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

  • Roads construction excites residents

    Roads construction excites residents

    The construction of 114 rural roads in the 57  local councils of Lagos State  initiated by Governor Akinw-unmi Ambode in January is eliciting excitement among residents. Residents of Obele Oniwala community in Surulere are happy with the work going on, on  Durojaiye Street.

    The Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Streets are among the two roads selected for reconstruction by the Surulere Local Government Area last December.  The other is Aralile Road. They are part of the 114 inner roads to be constructed in all local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs), with two roads per council which was inaugurated in January.

    The Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road is very strategic because it connects directly to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, without having to go through Itire. The length of the road is 600 metres and was awarded to Olag Nigeria Limited with specifications which included covered drains, walkway and street light.

    Governor Ambode had, during his electioneering campaigns, promised that, in the first year of his administration,  inner roads would be constructed in all the 20 councils and 37 local council development areas, The unique thing about this was that the LGAs and LCDAs were to be in charge of  the construction of two roads each in their domains. The Lagos State Government is just to monitor the road construction and also to ensure that the roads meet international standard, while the councils will provide the funds for the construction.

    The roads were first constructed by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration in the 80s, but the residents had built several illegal structures on drainage alignment and setbacks.  Some residents even relocated their soak away pit from the back of their houses right onto the drainage while others constructed shops and other structures on the alignment which posed initial problem when the contractor; Olag Nigeria Limited, moved to site.

    For the contractor to take possession of the road and begin work, the setback and drainage alignment had to be reclaimed as well as relocation of electric cables of the Eko Discos to pave way for the construction.

    According to the Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government Area, Mrs. Bamidele Hussain, a stakeholder’s meeting was held with residents and their community development association (CDA) on the need to reconstruct the road and reclaim the setback and alignment. The stakeholders agreed that the road should be reconstructed and illegal structures on the right of way removed. With this problem taken care of, the contractor commenced work on the road.

    According to 64-year-old Mrs. Christiana Emela, the street which has been in a very bad state for over a decade is receiving attention from the council.

    She said: “We are happy for the road construction because for long, we have been inhaling dust. We are hopeful that when the road is completed, our plight will be over. We thank the Surulere Local Government for this project.”

    However the Site Engineer Olag Nigeria Limited, Samuel Tomori said the project was delayed because it took about 10 weeks to get the Eko Disco to give the permission for the relocation of the electric poles for the project to commence.

    “Some members of the community accused us of planning to relocate the poles over their roofs. This is untrue. Another challenge we had was that there were illegal structures built on the road setback. The people living in the quarters encroached on the setback. Some of them even relocated their soak away from the back of their houses unto the setback and they don’t want us to remove the illegal structures from the setback at all.

    “But the work is progressing fast as we are about completing the drainage. The relocation of the electric poles is about to start and before middle of May, we may complete the project,” he said.

    Former Chairman, Obele Oniwala CDA and resident on Durojaiye Street, Mr.. Folahan Onikori said it was improper for people to erect illegal structures on drainage alignment and road setback, saying that something had to give way for development to come to a particular area. He commended the Surulere Local Government for the ongoing road project and urged the council to expedite action on its completion.

    Chairman, Surulere Local Government, Hussain said it was the CDA members who chose that the Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road should be constructed due to its economic and social importance to the area. “We had delay with the approval to relocate the electric poles by the Eko Disco. To work on the drainage, we had to break some walls erected on the road setback,” she said.

    Hussain explained that before works began on the Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road, the area was a slum with deep potholes littering the road.

    “This road was like a slum with deep potholes. We decided to do this road because it is a link road to LUTH instead of using the Itire Road. The road has lots of economic importance as well as social value,” she said.

     

     

     

  • Group offers scholarship to indigent students

    The Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC) in the coastal area of Ondo State has given scholarship to more than 400 indigent students in secondary and tertiary schools. The gesture was aimed at providing quality education for its people within the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the oil-producing area.

    At Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area venue of the event, cheques were given to the indigent students of the mandate area of the RDC.

    Over 400 students in the secondary and higher institutions benefited from the gesture. While those in the higher institutions received N50, 000 each, secondary school students received N20, 000.

    Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of RDC, Prince Henry Ehinmola said the council initiated the scheme as an annual event different from that of the NNPC/CHEVRONN which scope of beneficiaries extended beyond the RDC mandate area.

    He said the scholarship scheme was strategically put in place to complement the efforts of the state government in order to improve the quality of education of the students in the oil-producing area.

    This is to also assist parents in educating their children.

    The chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, who was represented by one of his supervisors, Jossy

    Ehimore said the programme was a laudable one as “every programme on education is a programme to improve the well-being of humanity”.

    He appreciated the management of RDC for the initiative and implored the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the gesture.

    All present at the ceremony praised the generosity of the RDC.

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was represented at the occasion by officials of the Ministry of Niger Delta, the Ugbo Traditional Council of Chiefs.

    Besides, all community heads and representatives of the GMoU areas were also in attendance.

    One of the beneficiaries, Emmanuel Omogbemi expressed his happiness and promised to utilise the money given to him sensibly.

    Omogbemi said after his education, he will definitely come back home to join in the development of the oil-rich Ilaje land.

  • The making of livestock farmers

    The making of livestock farmers

    Keying into Federal Government’s plan to make agriculture major revenue earner in a diversified economy, the lawmaker representing Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, Kolawole Babatunde, has partnered with the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to train some of his constituents on livestock production. LEKE AKEREDOLU reports

    As a result of declining oil prices at the international market, the Federal Government is considering the non-oil sector, such as, agriculture as key to make the economy be on the upbeat again.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration is committed to ensuring that agriculture and other sectors such mining and manufacturing play critical roles in making Nigeria’s economy non-oil based.

    According to the President, the diversification of the economy will be avenue for job creation for millions of unemployed youths.

    Keying into the Federal Government’s resolve to diversify the economy and make agriculture major player in the nation’s economic recovery, over 40 youths from Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency of Ondo State have been encouraged to go into livestock production. This was the gesture by the lawmaker representing them at the House of Representatives, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde. The beneficiaries have been trained on how to nurse chickens such as broilers and layers.

    They were also given financial support and necessary materials that would enable them to go into full-scale livestock production.

    At the three days training, held penultimate weekend at Oka-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area, participants were given funds, chicken feeds, vaccines, stoves, automated cages and chickens (both broilers and cockerels) as incentives for their businesses.

    To ensure proper monitoring and success of the training exercise, the lawmaker had to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

    The Coordinator of the programme, Prince Timothy Korede said the lawmaker had introduced the project, which he said was the second phase, to complement government’s effort to tackle youth unemployment as well as engage the youth positively, thereby preventing them from engaging in any form of restiveness in the constituency.

    The lawmaker said he had taken steps to ensure that his constituents, especially the youth, are imbued with skills as a way of enhancing their educational development.

    He noted that he decided to train them on livestock production in his second phase project because he knew how lucrative the business is.

    Babatunde added that he was not just training them alone but he had also empowered them with enough capital to start the business.

    He said: “We promised members of our constituency that we will not just be in Abuja to enjoy alone but also will always return home to give back whatever we are receive for the development of our people’s living standard.

    “The government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by President Buhari has taken agriculture as one of the cardinal development plans of his administration and he is already doing everything possible to achieve that.

    “We lawmakers will not fold our arms and watch. We have to complement efforts of the President in his bid to turn the economy of the country around. The President means well for the nation. He wants to diversify the economy and our youths must be encouraged and empowered to embrace agriculture as a way forward.

    “I have selected over 40 people from my constituency for this project in the second phase and we are plan to encourage more.

    “We are 360 members in the House of Representatives. Assuming each of us encourages 100 people on agriculture in our different constituencies, do you know the number of our people that will be employed through this and do you know the effects this will have on our economy?

    “If some governors are not doing well in agriculture, we lawmakers should ensure that we assist our people.

    “We are not focusing on the unemployed youths alone; we are also assisting our students in various institutions in the country.”.

    The APC chieftain assured his constituents that he would always engender ideas that would add values to their living standard.

    One of the beneficiaries, 32-year-old Abosede Daramola, commended the lawmaker for the gesture, saying he was laying legacies that would forever be in the memories of the people he represents.

    She said: “As a graduate, I have once applied for a loan from the government to start this business but I am yet to see any green light that such demand will be granted.

    “Hon. Kolawole has empowered us and we have also been trained on this business. With this, I believe we are now fully prepared to start the business. We will also train other members of our constituency who have interest in the business.”

    Another beneficiary, Makinwa Ogunlade described Kolawole as a man with brilliant ideas and who also had vision to reduce poverty among his people.

    Ogunlade said: “I am also moved with the way the participants were selected. He has been fair to all parties unlike some lawmakers who will only empower members of their political parties.”

     

  • Community gets modern events centre

    Community gets modern events centre

    Ipaja, a Lagos suburb in Alimosho Local Government Area is wearing a new look. Corporate and leisure offices are springing up very fast.

    In the light of this, Raybam was inaugurated last weekend to the delight of residents of Peace Estate, Ajasa. Some stakeholders described it as a one stop events centre.

    There was extreme celebration in the community as residents expressed their happiness that they will no longer have to go into town to have classy venues for their events or go far off to banks in search of automated teller machines (ATM) to withdraw money for their personal needs.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Raybam, Otunba Bamidele Ologun initiated the construction of the events centre. The real estate developer said he was motivated to provide convenience for people in the society by providing them modern and standard facilities.

    Not only is there a hall, there are lodging rooms therein.

    The arena can conveniently contain 1, 300 people. The banquet hall accommodates over 600 people and the gallery over 700 guests. With a fountain in front and ample parking space, locales couldn’t have wished for anything better.

    Manager of the centre, Adeyemi Akinsowon said they not only have state-of-the-art multimedia gadgets and sound systems with lightenings, there is also audio-visual communication system and close circuit television (CCTV) cameras for maximum security.

    The Baale of Aiyetobi, Habib Lawal described the edifice as one of the best qualities that can be found in Alimosho Local Government Area and a relief that they don’t have to go far to access their money.

    To encourage up-and-coming artistes in Ipaja, management will stage a performance next month for the people in the neighbourhood.

  • How to save education, by council chief

    How to save education, by council chief

    The Executive Secretary of Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Bola Badmus-Olujobi has said education’s dwindling fortunes can be salvaged through the revival of reading culture in our schools.

    She spoke during this year’s Spelling Bee competition held at the council’s secretariat.

    The council chief noted that education is the bedrock of any emerging society, saying “the event was aimed at encouraging our young ones to strive towards excellence and hard work as means of achieving greatness.

    She said the competition was all about learning and improving one’s knowledge through spelling words that may prove taxing. She praised the efforts of Lagos State Government in improving the standard of education, saying that the competition serves as a continuous assessment for schools.

    Eighteen primary schools and 10 secondary schools from the council area participated in the competition.

    Hon. Badmus-Olujobi encouraged the participants to do their best. She urged them to work hard so as to win the competition at the state level to enable one of them to emerge as “One-day Governor of Lagos State”.

    On how to improve the waning standard of education, Hon. Badmus-Olujobi said: “If all stakeholders show more commitment to the education of children, they (children) will become better citizens in future.

    “We concede that parents are engaged in economic activities in order to take care of their children. Children should be part of parents’ programmes of the day.”

    Describing reading as a skill that enhances our capacity to increase our wealth of knowledge, she lamented the alarming prevalence of poor reading culture and the attendant poor education standard among all segments of Nigerian society.

    “The problem is that our pupils have never been efficiently and effectively taught to read.

    “What a reader needs most is how to decode and comprehend a word. Every primary school teacher in Nigeria knows that the greatest problem of children with reading disability is decoding,” she said.

    Hon. Badmus-Olujobi emphasised that children should be given the necessary encouragement to regard reading as a habit.

    “Spelling is a fundamental step in education and it should be taken seriously. It forms part of the fundamentals of reading.”

    She called for a revisit to the system of junior students using the same books that their seniors had used while in the upper classes.

    “The books used by the students in senior classes could be passed on to those coming behind them. Why can’t a student use the same books that his or her elder ones had used in school? By so doing, the burden would be less on parents,” she said.

    In the primary school level, Master Daniel Imoh of Satellite Nursery/Primary School 11 came first; Master Ifeanyi Chima of Kuje/Amuwo Nursery/Primary School came second while Master Emmanuel Ezeigbo of Satellite Nursery/Primary School 1 took the third position.

    In the secondary school level, Master Odedairo Olayinka of Agboju Senior Secondary School took the first position; Miss Theresa Oyinloye of Satellite Senior Secondary School came second and Master Shedrach Owusu of Agboju Senior Secondary School took the third position.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, Master Olayinka expressed his happiness for winning the competition in the secondary cadre. He praised the LCDA for organising the competition. He also praised the Executive Secretary of the council and prayed God should protect them.

    He said he had to work hard in order to be able to spell words that are more taxing, saying he expected to win the competition.

    Though Master Olayinka would want to be a footballer, he said he would study Banking before his football career.

    Some of the dignitaries that attended the event were Hon. Badmus-Olujobi; Deputy Executive Secretary of the council, Hon. Aregbe Babatunde Saliu; Supervisor for Chieftaincy and Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf; Acting Head of Administration, Mrs. Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka; SLG/Supervisor for Education, Hon. Mohammed Ajakaiye; School Support Local Government Education Authority, Mrs. Oduwole; Head of Department Education, Mr. Tunde Lateef Sansa; Mrs. Essien and Mrs.Adewale-Bello Folashade Olashile, among others.

  • Ex-lawmaker supports the poor with N22m

    A philanthropist and former member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Princess Omowunmi Olatunji has provided succour to the needy with an empowerment items worth over N22m.

    Princess Olatunji, an indigene of Akure, commemorates her late mother, Princess Monisola Adeniyan Olatunji Eddo every year by empowering the downtrodden with items that impact directly on their lives.

    The relief materials presented to the people are estimated at over N22 million. The gesture was meant to enhance the living conditions of beneficiaries from all the 18 local government areas of the state.

    Speaking at the 12th edition of the memorial programme held at BTO hall, Akure, the Ondo State capital, Princess Olatunji said her love for the people and provide succour to those in need to enable them to enjoy quality life.

    Princess Olatunji said: “It is an annual event and this is the 12th edition of it. It is a way of showing kindness to helpless people in the society.”

    “I began the NGO since 1999 and I have always been taking care of widows, orphans and also empower youths positively so that they can be self-reliant economically and be useful to themselves and the society.”

    She maintained that growth; development and prosperity could never thrive under the strains and jangling cords of political intolerance, violence and weird disposition. She urged the people to shun all forms of political violence as the governorship election is approaching.

    Olatunji, however, said Ondo State was one of the very few states in Nigeria that was blessed and greatly endowed with natural resources, stressing that it requires a leader that can drive the economy, manage the resources, reduce the state’s debt profile, revive all ailing industries and make Ondo State the centre of attraction.

    Also speaking at the event, the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isaac Kekemeke appreciated the donor for her kindness, praying that God would continue to lift her NGO.

    One of the beneficiaries, Adeola Akinkugbe praised Princess Olatunji for the gesture, promising that the items would be used judiciously.

    Among materials distributed at the empowerment programme were 200 Eleganza coolers,10 popcorn machine, 52 sewing machines, tin tomatoes, bags of rice, several grinding machines, industrial standing fans, UV sterilisers, clippers, equator dryers, single door refrigerators, water dispensers, power generating sets and a cash of N250,000 to widows and elderly people.

  • USAID, NGO tackle gender-based violence

    The United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) has partnered with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) to develop a new strategy to tackle gender-based domestic violence in Southwest states in Nigeria.

    The strategy is a communication technology-based platform that offers victims of domestic violence fast channel to report and access help when in need. The platform also uses communication technology to create linkages to support, provide legal representation and create awareness about domestic violence in the geo-political zone.

    The DFID Acting South West Regional Coordinator, Mr Margaret Fagboyo and the NISD Executive Director, Mr Biodun Oyeleye, disclosed this at a workshop on generating innovative solutions to gender-based domestic violence in the zone which was held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Fagboyo said the increasing cases of gender-based domestic violence in Southwest and the culture of silence among victims, particularly women, necessitated the development of the platform as a comprehensive response to the menace in the society.

    “This intervention will bridge the gap between the citizens and all relevant institutions on gender-based domestic violence so as to enable prevention and real time response to domestic violence,” she said.

    Highlighting the benefits of the platform, Fagbooyo said: “It will institutionalise in states in the Southwest political Zone, an e-based interactive platform for sharing data on gender-based domestic violence between citizens and government and Non-governmental organisations working on preventing domestic violence in order to elicit a real-time response framework.

    “It will help compress available relevant data on gender-based domestic violence into easily distributable applications for mobile telephones and web distribution as well as amplify citizens’ concerns in a sustained manner for policy makers, budget holders and duty bearers by project end.

    “It will also help generate evidence on prevalence of domestic violence for use by policy makers and duty bearers.”

    Corroborating the DFID chief, Oyeleye said lack of proper investigation of domestic violence, weak legal sanctions and enforcement as well as failure of victims to report acts of violence against them made the development of the platform pertinent.

    At the workshop were representatives of the Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant government agencies from the six states in Southwest.

    Others included lawyers, activists, students and security agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Stakeholders commended the NISD for the workshop and its unrelenting efforts to end gender-based domestic violence in the region.

  • Aregbesola, farmers discuss future of agric

    Aregbesola, farmers discuss future of agric

    Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, last week, introduced another dimension in the handling of the affairs of the state. Instead of sitting in his cosy office and receive feedbacks from his aides on some of the challenges farmers experience, he decided to go to the farms to get first-hand information. SOJI ADENIYI reports. 

    Now, let’s go to the farms!” That was how Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola mobilised his aides as he breezed out of his residence on Wednesday last week. It was not time for any flowing white agbada. Aregbesola wore a grey traditional Yoruba top–dansiki. Before his aides could say “jack”, he had hopped into the waiting caravan bus which he used during his campaigns for the 2014 governorship election.

    Thirty minutes of journey from Osogbo, the state capital, the convoy had arrived at Oke Osin in Atakumosa West Local Government Area. The convoy meandered through many other farm settlements, just as many farmers ran out of their houses to catch a glimpse of the governor and his entourage.

    Of course, words had gone round that Aregbesola would visit them in their farmsteads to listen to their stories. But not many were convinced that this would, indeed, happen.

    The best they had had over the decades was for few representatives of the farmers to be asked to meet officials of the Ministry of Agriculture to lodge their complaints. They hardly got feedbacks, let alone solutions to their problems.

    So, incredulity gave way to anxiety. Anxiety gave way to relief when eventually the convoy of the governor rode into the farm settlements; making straight for the farmstead which had been prepared to receive him and his entourage.

    No red carpets! There were only plastic chairs and wooden benches arranged under the canopy of dancing cocoa leaves. The bare ground had been covered by a rustling collection of drying cocoa leaves which combined to form beautiful scenery to receive the visitors. Those who could not find chairs sat on cocoa tree trunks.

    Accompanied by the Secretary to the  State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Wale Adedoyin and a few other aides, Aregbesola cut the picture of the man who had come to listen to all shades of opinions, no matter how unsavoury, if only that would help him get the true picture of the state of his government’s investment in agriculture.

    Though, Chairman, Farmers’ Field School, Mr. Timothy Akingbade, had many words of commendations for the governor and his team, he nevertheless, was categorical on areas which require urgent interventions in order to ensure that government’s investment in the sector is better appreciated.

    Akingbade said: “It is only an ingrate that would close his eyes to the ongoing transformation in agriculture sector in this state since the inception of the current administration.

    “And, going by the drastic efforts and commitment of this administration at revamping the decadence in agriculture, we can boldly say that the current government has so far attained the feat.

    “The only thing to complement the government’s efforts is for us to show more interest in agriculture so as to help government in fulfilling its goal of turning the state to an agricultural hub.”

    Akingbade noted areas such as proliferation of fake agro-chemicals, lack of clean water and lack of GSM and internet connections that would require government’s interventions.

    Fake agro-chemicals, Akingbade said, remains a major headache as the applications of these ruin farmers’ investments; making many of them become bankrupt.

    He suggested that the government should directly be involved in the procurement of the chemicals through partnership with certified manufacturers with the conviction that this would eliminate activities of fake producers.

    While acknowledging provision of light through the state’s rural electrification project, Akingbade said the Rural Accessibility Programme (RAMP) has not succeeded in making all the roads motorable, especially for transportation of farm produce from the rural areas to the cities.

    Many of the farmers informed  the governor that they are  educated and that facilities such as internet and GSM services should not elude them.

    Akingbade said information technology is so crucial to them at this stage because of the latest information on farming which could be of immense help to boosting their farm investments.

    The session provided the opportunity for the governor and the farmers to know the true state of the loans provided by the government to farmers.

    While the governor was able to discover that some of the real farmers have been unable to access the loans, some of the farmers were informed  about the activities of some of their colleagues who obtained loans but failed to pay back, a situation that has hindered others from accessing the loan facility.

    Representative of the Quick Impact Intervention Programme for Farmers, Mr. Eluyemi Arowolo, said the sum of N851, 669, 532.53 had been given out as loans to farmers under the QUIIP 1 and 2 schemes.

    Out of this, only N236, 759,413.63 has been recovered.

    Arowolo said: “The purpose of this report is to make public the financial commitment of this administration in reviving the glory of the agricultural sector.

    “The current government had facilitated credit facilities through the Bank of Agriculture which our farmers had benefited from. The gesture was aimed at enhancing the production capacity of all farmers across the state.

    “With this initiative, we have recorded great improvement just as we are hopeful for more benefits.

    “Though we are experiencing some challenges in recovering loans given to some of our farmers, we won’t relent in ensuring success in this regard.”

    The traditional ruler of the town, the Olosin of Osin, Chief Lawrence Apata said: “Apparently, the disposition of the government is to turn around the state by empowering farmers for greater productivity as well as improve the general well-being of the people.

    “The visit of our governor to hold this crucial meeting with farmers in this rural area signifies utmost love, passion and greater sense of commitment to develop the state; most importantly in the area of agriculture.

    “We are excited because the visit was the first of its kind in the history of our community.”

    Having listened to the farmers, the Governor, who had made notes as the speakers made their points, said his visit had nothing to do with politics or show-off.

    “We have come to have first-hand information on how farming activities are going on in the state and to show that government is not just paying lip-service to its commitment to the development of agriculture,” he said.

    Within the last three months, Aregbesola had had engagements with farmers, farm produce merchants, relevant officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. All indicate that the focus of his administration is agri-business.

    Earlier this year, the government announced that it has taken census of at least 60 million cocoa trees, in an exercise to ascertain the potential of the state in agriculture. That gives the government a rough estimate of revenue that can be generated from this source alone with the right regulations and incentives.

    Just last week, the Governor paid a visit to the resuscitated Cocoa Production Company in Ede, which had become dilapidated since 2001.

    For months now, Aregbesola’s emphasis has been on agriculture and how it can be turned to goldmine.

    He told the farmers: “When there was free money coming from oil, no government considered how agriculture could contribute immensely to the economy. We are back to the days where agriculture will be the main stay of our economy in Osun State. As soon as we have a cabinet, most of our meetings will be held on farmlands.

    “In our commitment to support subsistence and commercial farmers, we have so far granted loan of about N1 billion to them and also disbursed the needed facilities and chemicals for the development of their activities.

    “To this end, we are resolved to facilitate more benefits and support, to facilitate more participation in farming.”

    L’abe Cocoa, (under the canopy of cocoa trees), Aregbesola might just have been, in rare metaphorical language, been seeking for cover from the worsening revenue crisis in Nigeria and the world as well.

  • Rotary distributes bags, de-worms pupils

    The Rotary Club of Omole-Golden under District 9110, Nigeria, on Wednesday last week, distributed school bags to about 200 pupils of Iju Station Primary School 2.

    The initiative, according to the President of the Club, Mr. Idowu Adelogun, is a continuation of the Club’s investment on eradication of illiteracy and support of public school pupils in their quest for quality education.

    He informed the guests at the event that the club also handed over a block of classrooms rehabilitated through contributions by members of the club to Ajuwon High School on Friday, April 8, 2016.

    The club also carried out de-worming of over 400 pupils of Iju Primary School 1 and 2, as part of the interventions to ensure good health and well-being of the pupils.

    The President also mentioned other interventions carried out by the club within the community to include provision of micro-credit facilities for 20 entrepreneurs and support for Polio eradication.

    Members of the club also educated the pupils on the negative effect of sexual and drug abuses. The pupils were counselled on the need to report any cases of abuse and stay away from drugs.

    The Headmistress of the School, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olabunmi Odedeyi expressed delight over the club’s gesture for the pupils of the school.

    She stated that the pupils were also happy for receiving school bags which most of them lack.

    The event was attended by members of the club, social mobilisation officials; the zone’s education officers from Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area, teachers and community leaders.