The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Free medical checks for Lagos community

    Free medical checks for Lagos community

    It was an exercise the people of Ketu and areas around it would it holds every day. The opportunity to know their health status was presented to them courtesy of the Nigerian Legion, Corps of Commissionaires, Ketu Division, as part of its community health outreach programmes.

    The free health service, according to the corps, was aimed at strengthening their relationship with the community in which they operate. And expectedly, the people trooped out in droves to benefit from the exercise.

    The programme, which had representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as part of the medical resource personnel, had more than 100 beneficiaries who waited patiently as the medical personnel checked them one after the other.

    Welcoming the beneficiaries, the Commander of the division, Major Babalola Fanipe, said the programme was organised in order to provide basic health check services to members as part of the corps’ contributions to the well-being of its community.

    “We intend to contribute towards sensitising the community to the importance of health checks and taking issues around our health and well-being seriously.

    “The exercise is part of our pro-active and concrete steps to promote and foster the health of members, their families as well as members of the community,” he said.

    Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke with Southwest Report, expressed happiness with the exercise. Mrs. Sherifat Murtala thanked the Legion for coming up with the programme, which she said would avail many indigent people of the opportunity to know their health status.

    “It was my husband who came home to tell me about the exercise. We both decided to come and benefit from it. And I want to say a big thank you to the organisers,” she said.

    Mrs. Folake Ogunleye also commended the organisers, who according to her have provided a platform for people who are ignorant of the need to check their health status.

    “I think this is a very good gesture from these people. You know that most people are ignorant of the need to check their health status, and many simply die as a result of illnesses that are not supposed to lead to death. But with this development, many of us would go home happy that we know a little about our health status,” she said.

    Fifty-Eight-year-old Matthew Bashorun was initially scared to present himself for the HIV and AIDS check. But after he tested negative after the test, he smiled and said: “Today is one of the happiest days of my life. I was scared at first, but I just summoned courage and did the test. Now that I have my result, I am very free from any fear.”

    Speaking on the importance of the exercise, Mrs. Diana Udoh, representative of the Lagos State Action Committee on AIDS, said it was necessary that everyone knows about his HIV and AIDS status.

    While commending the Legion for organising the exercise, Udoh urged other notable Nigerians to emulate the corps in the task of providing health facilities for the people, saying it is a tough job for the government to do alone.

    The residents were offered free health checks on HIV and AIDS, diabetes, genotype and malaria, among other health issues.

  • Olori Agba, Ooni’s grandma, goes home

    Olori Agba, Ooni’s grandma, goes home

    On Saturday, the remains of Olori Agba Marian Ogunwusi, mother of Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, will be interred in the ancient town. YINKA OLABISI pays her a tribute

    The funeral rites for Olori Agba Marian Ayeyemi Ododa Anipele Ogunwusi, grandmother of the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, begin in the ancient city on Friday, with a service of songs at Oduduwa College. The service will start at 4:30pm with renowned clergymen, officiating.

    Since she died on February 8, the family has been planning a befitting funeral for her. The funeral service will hold on Saturday, at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Aiyegbaju, Ile-Ife, at 11a.m. Her remains will be interred at the church cemetery. Reception follows at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ground, Phase 2, Gate, Ile-Ife. Queen Ayo Balogun will be on the band stand. Guests are expected from Abuja, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano and other major cities.

    The late matriarch of the Ogunwusi Royal family was dear to many. Her children, grand children and great grand children have not stopped mourning since she died. Mama was not a run-of-the-mill mother. She was an epitome of motherhood. She was their friend, confidante, adviser and role model.

    Since mama lost her husband, Prince Joseph Adefisibe Olaobaju Ogunwusi about 18 years ago, she had been the family’s rallying point. Though frail because of age, she remained firm and decisive till death. The children know that they have lost the only person they could turn to in adversity or when they need guidance. They are, however, consoled that she lived a good life, affected lives and loved God.

    Across Ile-Ife, Iya Alaso as she was popularly known, was a devout Christian who committed her time and resources to the service of God. While alive, she never missed daily morning prayer pronounced by her peers as ‘Piria’, a dialectal distortion of the English word ‘prayer’ at St Paul’s Anglican Church, until age set in. She was an active member of the ‘Egbe Cornelius, Obinrin Moore’ and the Egbe Ajumo Gbadura of her church.

    A reputable community leader, mama was accommodating and generous. Nothing was too big for her to give out. Thus, till her death, her house was always a beehive as people trooped in. Everybody was her child. She never discriminated.

    In their grief, the Ogunwusis are yet grateful. Mama lived a fulfilled life. Apart from making peace with her Creator, she lived long to see her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her offspring prospered and multiplied before her eyes. The culmination of her glorious life was the crowning of her grandson, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as the Ooni of Ife last December 6.

    Towards giving her a befitting burial, the Ogunwusis, particularly Prince Adetunji Adeyemi Ogunwusi, chairman of Primewaterview Holdings in Lagos, are leaving no stone unturned.

    Born about 104 years ago into the family of the late Pa Prince Joshua Omibeku Ishadipe, a prince of the lineage of Ogboru Ruling House, Alaka Compound in Ilode quarters of Ile-Ife, mama’s mother, the late Madam Tinuomi, who hailed from Awiwa Compound, Ikogun, Ile-Ife, died when she was an infant. Her father ensured that the vacuum created by her mother’s death was filled.

    Her father saw her through her childhood. When she came of age, her father committed her to the care of an aunt, the late Màmá Sàágín, a renowned textiles dealer in Ile-Ife in the early 20th century. Under her, mama was trained in the business of wholesale and retail of textiles materials. Her enterprising skills were honed under another aunt, the late Mama Nírúnolá. Not long after, she became independent and her drive and entrepreneurial spirit combined to ensure that she soon cut wide swaths in the textile business and she became known as Iya Alaso.

    As the years rolled by, her business and fame grew and she was soon attracting the finest and most successful young men around. Princes fell over themselves to woo her. So did young, urban professionals. But it was the late Prince Joseph Ògúnwùsì, a successful produce buyer, transporter and farmer from the Giesi Ruling House, and grandson of Oòni Òjájá the first, that won her heart.

    They were soon married and the couple, understandably, looked forward to having a family. That was delayed as Mama waited on the Lord for 10 years. Expectedly, her in-laws showed concern, but her husband stood by her.

    Recalling that period of her life, mama said she threatened to stop holding a yearly feast in remembrance of her mother, if her misery continued. Meaning: “If I will not have a child to celebrate my memory, why should I continue to celebrate yours too?” God eventually answered her as she had kids in quick succession including a set of twins, that didn’t however make it out of infancy.

    She gave birth to her first child under the midwifery of a Cherubim and Seraphim Prophet Oretu, at the prophet’s popular worship centre known as ‘Ilé Àdúrà Bàbá Ládi”, in Wanikin compound, Ile-Ife. Mama had two sons who made it to adulthood: John Oluropo, father of the present Ooni, and Isaac Oluwafemi. Prince Oluwafemi died in 1995, and he is survived by five children.

    Mama had a chequered motherhood. She was a lover of children and she took others’ children as hers. She enjoyed the support and confidence of all, including her customers and neighbours, because of her exceptional attributes.

    If the Ogunwusi children had a million roses and were to give one to someone who did something for them, they would give all to Mama because she was a rare gem. But they are consoled that she is in a place where she would get more beautiful roses for her earthly sojourn than they could ever give. Adieu Olori Agba. This is a long night that will never find a day!

  • Honour for industrialist

    Honour for industrialist

    Penultimate weekend, people from all walks of life gathered at Apapa, Lagos State to honour a man they considered a blessing to humanity.  It was not only a moment to be part of the coronation ceremony in honour of Chief Gabby Emeka Dimude, it was also a big occasion when many people across climes and cultures converged on the expansive compound of Dimude to celebrate a man who has deployed his resources for the benefit of humankind; especially the downtrodden and other less-privileged people in the society.

    This informed the diverse cultural displays in Apapa that day, making the area become what some described as cultural splendour.  The Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Philippines communities were present en masse to celebrate with the man of honour.

    Dimude was conferred the exalted title of Eze Ndigbo of Apapa.  Before the event, the Igbo community in Apapa and other residents of the area had decided that the cap befits Dimude.  However, the representative of the Arewa community in Apapa, Alhaji Ahmed Barma who came with a retinue of his chiefs, described the occasion as one of the examples people from across tribes and cultures should be involved in to discourage tribalism and sectionalism.

    The event began early in the morning in Dimude’s residence when highly revered traditional leaders from Hausa, Yoruba and other communities joined their Igbo counterparts to witness the coronation ceremony.  The Oba of Ijora, Abdul-Fatai Olayinka Aromire, as the traditional ruler of the host community, sent one of his high chiefs to pay obeisance to Dimude.  It was a moment of joy when people from different cultural backgrounds forgot their differences and ate from the same plate.  The presence of the Ojora went further to prove that the title of Eze Ndigbo of Apapa was duly recognised by those who had the authority to do so.

    The Ojora made it clear that the presence of the Igbo in Apapa has been a blessing to the area over the years.  “The Igbo have helped in the total development and industrialisation of the town.  Today, most important establishments in that part of Lagos were as a result of the efforts of the Igbo.  Therefore, the coronation of Dimude is to further help in the infrastructural development and expansion of Apapa as the commercial hub of the nation,” he said.

    In this regard, Barma said: “We are here today to represent the chairman of the Arewa Council, Alhaji Dogara Yaro.  We represent the Hausa community in order to show that together we can move this nation forward.  This is not the issue of where you come from or which ethnic group you represent.  It is to show that at our level, we can forge unity; true unity for the good of everyone.  This coronation of Chief Dimude as the Eze Ndigbo of Apapa is not strange.  We have Seriki Hausa anywhere we go and where we have our people.  It makes for unity, it helps to cement love and usher in development in the host community.”

    Continuing, Barma said: “I think the primary reason we are here today is to encourage the co-existence of all Nigerians.  Today, we shouldn’t be thinking or behaving as Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo but as Nigerians. So, we have come here to celebrate with the Igbo and with Dimude as worthy brothers and sisters. It is for us to continue to cement the existing bond and love between the Igbo and Hausa not only in Apapa but also in Lagos as a whole.

    “Of course, this shows that when Hausa man sees an Igbo man or vice versa, they should relate as brothers.  You can see how people mingle here today.  We are saying that this should extend to all the states of the federation in order to establish peace and harmony.”

    Almost every guest who spoke poured encomiums on Dimude for his resilience and determination to ensure a successful coronation ceremony.  Chief Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu reminded guests of the importance of Apapa to the nation.

    “My grandfather was instrumental to the opening of this wharf.  He did so because he saw the need then to do so.  Today, all of us are beneficiaries of his foresight and wisdom.  Therefore, we have no choice but to continue to ensure that Apapa does not lose its glory,” Debe, a lawyer and a scion of the Ojukwu dynasty, said.

    Responding, Dimude, an engineer and the owner of Kabayan Shipping Group, described the Eze Ndigbo title as an avenue to bring the people together for further developmental strides.  “It is time to do more for the people under a united front.  Leadership is about giving vision to the people.  Even here now, all the different communities in Lagos and beyond are fully represented.  What we are doing is for the good of Apapa and if most of us can give back to the communities in which we live, then there will be room for expansion, industrialisation and mutual interaction. This will, indeed, help to make Nigeria a better place for all.”

    Dimude was born in 1960 and had his tertiary education in the Philippines where he took a degree in Engineering.  In 1994, he formed the Kabayan Shipping Group with branches in Port Harcourt, Cotonou, Warri-Onne, Okirika and Calabar.

    To date, his scholarship scheme has empowered over 50 students. It was as a result of his numerous philanthropic gestures that the Ojora of Ijora land once conferred on him with the title of Kabayan 1 of Apapa Kingdom.

    The occasion attracted masquerades and cultural dancers from far and near.  The Ijele masquerade, highly revered in Igbo tradition and only seen in public when the highest Igbo celebration is on, came all the way from Achina, Anambra State; home town of the celebrator. Indeed the presence of the Ijele excited most people who had never witnessed such a colourful masquerade before.

    As it moved into the arena majestically in its multi-coloured paraphernalia, the drums beat, the instruments sounded to a madly frenzy to herald its arrival. It was indeed time to see Ijele as it really is–the king of all masquerades.

  • Group makes case for migration reporting

    The Network of Migration Research in Africa (NOMRA) has unveiled plans to establish the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) for migration reporting.

    At a workshop for media professionals on migration reportage at the Domus Fidei, Ikeja, Lagos, NOMRA coordinator, Prof. Aderanti Adepoju said the group was in deliberations with the iInternational Organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the award.

    Speaking during the workshop, Prof. Adepoju said: “We have deliberations with IOM to establish an award in journalism for migration reporting. Not many people can be experts in migration reporting but there are many areas that can be linked to migration reporting. The media shape publication and it is a huge responsibility. We should go one more stage in accurate reporting.”

    Also speaking, representative of the IOM, Mr. Sunday Omoyeni said the aim of the programme was to help government to manage migration, project achievements and maximise the development potential.

    He noted that the workshop began in May last year, in collaboration with the National Commission for Migrants and Refugees to push for the implementation of the National Migration Policy, which was adopted by the Federal Executive Council in October, 2014.

    A ShowBiz reporter from Daily Independent, Mr. Tosin Clegg engaged other participants on the diversity of migration reporting in various aspects of the Nigerian society.

    He said: “When I came to the workshop in UNILAG last year, initially I didn’t see anything I could do for ShowBiz relating to migration. But after two months, I noticed a lot of things have to do with migration. Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos seems to be where ShowBiz is formed and bubbles up. To an extent, a lot of people from the 36 states come to Lagos so that they can sell their music.

    “In Rivers or Kaduna states, they complain that nobody comes to listen to their music, but once you come to Lagos, they say people are willing to listen to their music. A lot of non-Nigerians from Angola, Tanzania and South Africa, all come to Nigeria to set up their music. So many issues relate to migration.”

    An education correspondent at The Nation, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie noted that education was a contributing factor to migration in the country, as many find succour in getting their certificates outside the border.

    Decrying this act, she said education outside Nigeria is not only costly but also bad for Nigerians, as it enhances flow of resources outside the country.

    “Resources needed in the country are taken outside the shores of the country by youths who relish education. Money meant to be spent in Nigeria is taken to other countries. This brings down the value system of schools in Nigeria,” Belo-Osagie said.

    Also speaking, representative of National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally-Displaced Persons (NCFMI), Aisa Mohammed, urged reporters to research and write on children education in IDP camps and create awareness for youths in comparing Nigerian education with those of schools abroad.

    “This will help youths in their choice of schools and make them believe in their country. I encourage that you should write more on education on IDP camps and write articles for youths comparing Nigerian schools with those outside the country,” Mohammed said.

    Meanwhile, some reporters lamented reporters’ poor standard of living and access to funds, which hinder them from doing in-depth research.

  • Women urged to live their dreams

    The Chairman First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika has urged women to strike a balance between their homes and workplace with Godly wisdom.

    Awosika gave the advice at this year’s Inspiring Change Conference organised by Esobs Heroes in commemoration of the World Mothers’ Day held at the Wisdom Arena, Agege Lagos.

    The event was celebrated simultaneously in Nigeria and across the world. The day presented an opportunity for people to pay tribute to their mothers and mother figures, thanking them for all their love and support.

    The programme tagged “Yes I Can”, brought together Christian faithful from across the country and featured prayers, lectures and distribution of free sewing machines, deep freezers, scale and cash donations to indigent entrepreneurs.

    She said women should know their roles as mothers in the home but should also understand that by operating within the order of the home as instructed by God there will be happiness in the home.

    “No matter what you think I am, in my house, my husband, in spite of my achievements, is the head of the home. Whatever I am today, I can kneel down before my husband in front of 10 million people and it would mean nothing to me because he is my husband,” she said.

    She advised mothers to hold their homes in very high esteem, even as she said they should not jeopardise their homes in the course of serving God.

    She also advised mothers to do what they are passionate about, adding that if Mrs. Awosika could be a successful mother, wife and entrepreneur, every woman too could.

    In her words, the convener of the programme, Mrs. Adesumbo Adeoye said the programme was aimed at encouraging and re-awakening the spirit of motherhood with a view to surmounting challenges of parenthood through entrepreneurship and capacity building.

    Adeoye advised women, in their capacity as mothers, not to bottle their dreams.

  • Osun: New vista for rural development

    Osun: New vista for rural development

    If the concept of Master Plan of Action (MAP) for local government areas in Osun State becomes a reality, it  may be the tonic needed to turn the state around in terms of rural development and  social integration, reports SINA FADARE

    There is no part of the country with all the basic features of a model community. What is referred to as development is a far cry from the much-needed sustainable human development, which, in itself, is the ultimate objective of growth.

    In the past have been paying lip service to this all-important need. None could step up action that will ensure real and sustainable community development.

    Attempts at rural development in the past have been “top-bottom”, with no consideration for the participation of the beneficiaries of such interventions in the development process. The result is the abandonment of such development projects and a colossal waste of public funds.

    A fresh global awareness on the importance of the “bottom-up” approach to development is buttressed by the fact that man, the direct beneficiary of every development intervention, should be recognised as an indispensable agent of sustainable development if efforts injected into the process will not be futile.

    This claim is also supported by the fact that the real wealth of a nation is its people, making it imperative to ensure their participation in the process to give them a sense of ownership, belonging and sustainability.

    At present, Osun State, under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has become the leading light in the “bottom-up” approach to development. The governor is indubitably committed to ensuring the development of all communities in the state. He is exemplifying how to turn around communities with active participation of the people towards fast-tracking sustainable development improved standard of living and subsequently halt rural-urban drift.

    Buoyed by his desire to improve the lot of the people and despite the precarious financial situation of the state, the governor has come up with a master plan of action for the development of all communities in the 30 local government areas. He not only committed funds to this exercise, but also directed the Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs not to leave out any community in the development gale blowing through the state.

    Consequently, the ministry commenced a workshop on Packaging of Master Plan of Action (MPA) for the 30 local governments and the Area office in December last year. The workshop was aimed at engendering community-driven document that will fast-track holistic development of the state, while the objectives are to improve the understanding of the participants on the concept of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Community Plan of Action (CPA) in order to equip participants with the relevant skills to conduct PRA and CPA and to enable them to appreciate the need for the MPA as development strategy for the state.

    At the end of the workshop, not less than 2,288 participants; made up of officials from the line ministries, local governments and OYES Cadets drawn from the three senatorial districts in the state, would have been trained in the conduct of PRA and CPA; the two major processes that will birth the Master Plan of Action for development in the state.

    Participants from Osun East, Osun West and Osun Central Senatorial Districts have been trained and are already in their assigned communities for the conduct of the PRA and CPA. They have been sent out to all communities to interact with the people and find out their challenges and potential.

    The information gathered will form the nucleus of the MPA which will, in turn, make government interventions in such communities easier and better appreciated. With the MPA, any local government chairman who assumes office will have a working document which contains the needs of all communities in his council as agreed by the people of the communities.

    All the council chief needs to do is to pick the felt needs one by one and provide them for the communities as demanded.

    Another beauty of the MPA is that it will form the basis for assessing the performance of the council chairmen during their tenures, while it will also make budget preparation easier for the councils. Apart from these, the document will also provide opportunity for communities to access development partners’ assistance.

     

  • Tension in community over land

    Tension in community over land

    THERE’s tension in the sleepy Okolomi community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State. The traditional ruler and members of the community are quarrelling over the sale of land.

    The dispute has been festering for eight years. It all started in 2007 when some politicians and Oba Tajudeen Elemoro were said to have teamed up to acquire on the land.

    The plots are Okolomi Olomi land owned by Okunelekun of Olomiland, Imolete land owned by Idogo family, Otunla community land owned by Otunla family, Adeba family land at Onikola, Lakuwe community land owned by Ojonu family and Itapapa community land owned by Anifowose family.

    A property consultant and the Chairman/CEO of Otofem Property Limited, Prince Femi Bakare, claimed that the crisis started when a former Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Lands and some politicians showed interest in the land. They were said to have approached the owner-families, requesting them to present parameters surface documents for the gazetting of the land.

    The community, Bakare said, thought the government officials meant well but when they returned weeks later, it was found that the documents they brought for signing had slashed 80 per cent of the land, leaving the owners with 20 per cent. The officials claimed that the government had acquired the 80 per cent.

    The families refused to sign the documents, stressing that it is strange that the government did not talk with them before reaching such a decision. But undeterred, the former permanent secretary and his agents allegedly got some customary tenants to sign the documents to legitimise the acquisition of the land.

    Worried by the turn of events, the community stormed the Alausa, Ikeja office of the Ministry of Lands where the government said it has not acquired the land.

    At a meeting, former Governor Babatunde Fashola reportedly said there was no plan by the government to take over the land. He advised them to demand from those making such claims, memorandum of understanding, letter of acquisition and compensation.

    Following this development, the monarch was said to have lodged a report at the Elemoro Police Station, alleging threat to his life and those he sold land to. Bakare was arrested over the matter and asked to sign an undertaking that he would not interfere in the land matter again, but he refused.

    This led to his detention at Elemoro Police Station. He was released at the instance of a senior police officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    Bakare was rearrested following a petition to Zone 2 Command at Onikan, Lagos, alleging that he is an armed robber. He was detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, for days. He was released after the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP’s) advice that it was a civil case that should be handled by the court.

    The thugs were said to have been consequently unleashed on the community. The thugs shot Rasheed Adeniyi.

    The thugs were said to have attacked members of the community in the presence of the police. The community is calling on the local, state and Federal Government.

    “I am now being haunted for not selling my conscience. They even tell me that I am the stumbling block to the bid to deprive the rightful owners of their land, Bakare said.

    Oba Elemoro said on Monday that “land grabbers” are threatening him and members of the community, including those who bought land from him. He did not speak on demolition of a N200 million edifice under construction in the area.

     

  • Ex-Army officer empowers women with N3.2m

    A retired Colonel in the Nigerian Army, Sunday Akinola has disbursed over N3.2 million to 67 women drawn from various quarters of his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti under a programme tagged “Women Poverty Alleviation Initiative.”

    Speaking at the inauguration of the scheme, Akinola, who explained that the gesture might continue throughout his lifetime, said the beneficiaries were not to pay back the sum of N50, 000

    disbursed to each of them.

    He encouraged them to make judicious use of the fund as it would boost his morale in expanding the programme this year.

    Akinola, who said the beneficiaries were expected to form a co-operative society through which they could build strong capital base for possible expansion of their businesses, noted that the scheme, which he said was in honour of his late father, Chief Akinola Oisa, would go a long way in turning around the economies of the womenfolk in the community.

    “This is the first phase of the programme; we hope to establish a co-operative society in memory of the late High Chief Akinola Oisa where a high percentage of Ikere women could draw from a trust fund from Wema Bank as loans to do their businesses,” he said.

    Delivering a keynote address at the event, the Ogoga of lkere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado thanked the donor for the gesture, noting that he was impressed by the swell of positive developments being championed by prominent indigenes of the community since his ascendancy to the throne.

    He praised Akinola for keeping the fame of his late father who he noted died several years ago in the memories of the people of the community.

  • Tricyclists unite in Ogun

    To streamline their operations, commercial tricyclists popularly known as Keke Marwa, have come under one roof in Ogun State

    The Chief Samuel Idowu-led Tricycle Association of Nigeria (TORA), United Three Wheeler Riders Association of Nigeria (UNITRAN) and Tricycle Transport Association of Nigeria (TITAN) merged to become Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN)

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has registered TOAN as its affiliate. TOAN elders forum and the state executive will be inaugurated today at TUC office in Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

    The state executive comprises Abdul Rasheed Awesu, chairman and Wasiu Akinola, secretary, among others.

    Receiving TOAN’s certificate of registration from the Registrar of Trade at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja, its national president, Conrade Augustine Apeh, promised that the group would promote peace between its members and the public.

    At the association’s inaugural national meeting, TUC President Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, advised members to ensure high standard of performance.

    Kaigama said: “Our members have respect for the law of this country; we ensure that our members operate within the ambit of the law and encourage absolute respect for rules and regulations.”

    Urging the association to embrace dialogue in promoting the welfare of its members, the TUC president said: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria which you are affiliated to is a very responsible and respected association; we are respected because we know that the era of table banging is over. “You now have to use your brain to marshal your points and sell the idea of the protection of your workers. My little interaction with your president and other executive has proven to me that we are not wrong to accept you into our fold.”

  • Firm revamps Oyo community’s cassava processing cottage

    In continuation of its policy of investing in communities to positively impact the lives of smallholder farmers across Nigeria, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has rehabilitated the Cassava Processing Cottage at Ago-Are, in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. The facility was originally inaugurated and handed over to the community in December 2004.

    According to the Executive Director, BATNF, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ashade, the rehabilitation became necessary due to expansion of agricultural activities, especially the cassava value-chain enterprise. Besides, the Ago-Are agrarian community, last year, had requested of the foundation a facility expansion to increase cassava processing into various derivatives.

    She revealed that the rehabilitation of Ago-Are Cassava Processing Cottage signposts the foundation’s commitment to supporting efforts targeted at alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers.

    “Our work in supporting smallholder farmers in rural communities in Nigeria is our answer to the challenge of poverty and our approach to transforming the society to self-sufficient people who can feed themselves, earn an income from their farms through processing and feed the larger population.

    “So far, the foundation has established community development projects in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, some of which have resulted in wealth creation and food security,” Ashade said.

    While urging the smallholder farmers to take advantage of the initiative to enhance their livelihood, Ashade expressed optimism that with the handing over of the facilities, the foundation believes that the beneficiaries and the community at large, will put the equipment into proper use in order to increase their productivity and income, thereby making life more meaningful for the beneficiaries, their households and the socio-economic life of the community.

    Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented at the event by the Director of Rural Community Development in Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Pastor Yode Ayanlowo, said BATNF’s impressive agricultural interventions and development agenda have given indigenes of the state a renewed sense of hope. He reiterated government’s willingness to continue to partner with the foundation in its transformation drive by engendering an enabling environment.

    “Cassava plays a remarkable role in the agricultural development of Nigeria, especially in Oyo State, as it has transformed from a minor crop to a major crop. Importantly, Nigeria is believed to be the highest producer of cassava in the world, and by extension the highest consumer, leaving nearly nothing for export. This, however, requires a concerted effort to increase production of the commodity. We hereby assure BATNF of our continuous support and co-operation,” Ajimobi said.

    While inaugurating the Cassava Processing Cottage, the Aare of Ago-Are, His Royal Highness, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla II, commended the exemplary role of BATNF in alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers. He added that the foundation is reputed for its wealth creation agenda among smallholder farmers.

    “For the reason that agriculture is key to food security, it therefore becomes necessary to support and encourage smallholder farmers through periodic incentives that would enable them to earn a better living,” the monarch said, even as he acknowledged the BATNF’s giant strides in agricultural development in his community.

    He urged the organisation to also extend its interventionist schemes to the area of provision of potable water so as to enhance the livelihood of members of the community.