The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

NGO makes case for the less-privileged

Wife of the former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Mrs. Olajumoke Opeifa has called on governments and philanthropic organisations to make life more meaningful for orphans, widows and aged members of the society.

Mrs. Opeifa, who is the Founder of Hydra Edge Foundation (HEF), gave the advice during presentation of food items to widows recently. At the event, put together by her organisation, about 1,400 bags of food items (made up of 700 bags of rice and gaari respectively), were presented to the widows and elderly, at Oyewole Junior Grammar School, Orile Agege.

She said these classes of people, who formed a sizeable proportion of the population, must be adequately taken care of to reduce the widening gap of poverty in the society.

While noting that nothing would make any meaning to a hungry person, Mrs. Opeifa said the major challenge to governance lay in reducing the poverty index. She said nothing gives her more joy than giving to the poor and making life more meaningful to the less-privileged members of the society.

According to her, the yearly presentation of food items, which is the eighth in the series, is her Foundation’s response to making life more bearable for the vulnerable groups of the society, who have no means of celebrating the festive period with members of their families.

She said the exercise, which began eight years ago, is in response to giving back to the society a little from what God had bestowed on her, adding that nothing is too much to give to humanity in appreciation of God’s mercy and goodness on her entire family.

She said: “Every year, since the past eight years, we have been giving the less-privileged, especially the widows and orphans food items, especially during Christmas. This year, we decided to expand the programme a little by adding the aged. This year, 700 people, made up of 500 widows and 200 aged would go home with one bag of rice and one bag of gaari, to enable them to celebrate the Yuletide and the New Year with members of their families.”

The Executive Secretary of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area, Mr Adeyinka Akeem described the gesture as one with a profound impact in the council.

He urged other well-meaning members of the society to emulate such humanitarian gesture by looking at the area of need in any given society and fill the vacuum, adding that it is only when philanthropists teamed up with the government that the task of improving the lot of the common man, especially the indigent can be achieved.

“This foundation is the biggest humanitarian group in this local government and I must say that every year, the indigent in this area look forward to this event, knowing that they would not only get foodstuffs, but also cash gifts to augment their incomes to make the Yuletide a memorable one for their families,” Akeem said.

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the LCDA, Prince Sunday Ajayi praised the HEF for the gesture. He said the crowd of beneficiaries had continued to grow every year, since the programme started eight years ago.

“This programme has continued to witness tremendous crowd since it started eight years ago. Last year the crowd was tremendous, and this year, it seems to have doubled. The foundation has continued to put smiles on the faces of the common people in this council area. We can only pray that God should continue to strengthen the group,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Anthonia Anoibo, a widow, said the gesture would forever be remembered in her life, even as she prayed for the organisation to continue to wax stronger in its stride to make life more abundant for the downtrodden.

Another widow, who had been a regular beneficiary since the programme began eight years ago said she is happy that HEF could remember the widows this year despite the harsh economic situation in the country. She said her prayer is for God to continue to uplift the promoters and those working for the organisation.

January 27, 2016
Free health care for residents

The lawmaker representing Apapa Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mojisola Lasbat Lawal, has organised a five-day free dental care for residents of her constituency.

The programme, which began at Oluwole Health Post, Apapa and ended at Ojora Palace, was organised in conjunction with MOCARE Initiatives. It was aimed at fulfilling the electoral promises made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain. The focus was on dental consultation, medication, screening and treatment.

Speaking at the event, Hon Lawal said the gesture was to enable residents enjoy dividends of democracy.

According to her, their primary assignment as members of the House of Assembly may be lawmaking, but that would not hinder her from fulfilling promises made to the people.

The lawmaker said dental care was chosen among other health challenges because only few people pay attention to the issue.

She, therefore, urged residents to ensure that all parts of the body are well taken care of, saying no one is expected to wait until he/she is affected with diseases on any part of the body before going for medical treatment.

Hon Lawal pledged to organise eye, hypertension and diabetics screening after the exercise.

The Head of the Dental Consultancy team, Dr Oladipo Bamgbose, thanked Hon Lawal for organising such an event, saying it would enable the people to know their dental status.

He said it was very sad as the government doesn’t pay much attention to dental or oral health.

He thanked the Lagos State Government for the awareness, even as he urged that more of such programmes be organised for the benefit of the people

Dr. Bamgbose urged the people to ensure that they visit a dentist at least twice a year for oral examination, saying mouth is the gate way to the body and whatever we take through the mouth goes down through the body and gives nutrient to other parts of the body.

According to Bamgbose, some of the drugs people take are placed under the tongue for effective use. So, for good health, oral health is very important.

Sharing his experience during the exercise, Bamgbose said: “I advise that we should brush our teeth twice daily, in the morning immediately we wake up and at night when we are about to go to bed. Secondly, we should endeavour to visit the doctor regularly for medical checkups.

January 27, 2016
Association celebrates diamond anniversary of alma mater

From Friday to Sunday, January 29 and 31, all roads will lead to the Methodist High School, Ilesa, in Osun State. There, friends, associates and well-wishers will join the old students, teachers, students and guests of the oldest secondary school in Osun State in the celebration of the institution’s diamond anniversary.

To make the event worthwhile, the Old Students’ Association, Methodist High School, Ilesa (OSAMETHSI) have already lined up series of activities to give the school which was founded in 1956 a befitting celebration. Their objective is to bring back the school’s glorious days by renovating some of the school’s buildings and provision of other necessary infrastructure that will enhance teaching and learning in the school.

When Southwest Report visited the school premises, work was in progress. Some of the projects carried out included renovation and refurbishment of six blocks consisting of 37 classrooms; replacement of dilapidated doors, windows, ceiling, floor tiling and repainting of classroom blocks.

The new school gate was a beauty to behold as it was designed with various colours and objects for aesthetics. The security personnel were excited that the students are better secured now and the management can have a better control of students’ movements in and out of the school.

On one of such visits, our correspondent had a chat with the President of the Old Students’ Association and Managing Director of Kresta Laurel, Mr Dideolu Falobi, who gave a summary of expenditure in the past six months. He pointed out that about N35million contributed by the old students has been expended on various projects in the school.

He also added that some other projects the association embarked on included the completion of the already existing school hall; painting of renovated school chapel; building an e-library/ITC centre and construction of a new school sports centre, among other projects.

”There is no doubt that Methodist High School Ilesa can be restored to its pride of place as first among equals in secondary school education in Nigeria. But we know this can never be achieved by the government alone, hence our decision to embark on this laudable projects so that our dream for our alma mater can be fulfilled,” he said.

Falobi gave a summary of daily activities already lined up for the 60th anniversary of the school. These include an inter-school debates and football match; inauguration of all upgraded buildings; a procession through Ilesa town and courtesy visit to the Oba of Ijesha land; award of Excellence for deserving old students, teachers, parents and students; a career talk; a lecture and luncheon and launch of N100 million development funds for the school. He said the anniversary will climax with a thanksgiving service at Methodist Church Otapete, Ilesa.

Expected to attend the event is the former Governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel who will deliver the anniversary lecture, while the former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Prof. Bamidele Omole will chair the occasion.

January 27, 2016
Lawmaker leads disabled on walk for life

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Desmond Elliot has led women, the physically-challenged and youths of his Surulere Constituency 1 on walk for life, good health and vitality.

He said the walk would keep the people fit to contribute their quota to the progress and development of the constituency in particular and state in general.

The almost two-hour walk began at 9:30 in the morning at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere passing through Ojulegba, Masha and finally ending at the stadium.

During the walk, paramedics and other health officials were on ground in case of any emergency, even though there was no incident suggestive of danger throughout the walk.

The trekkers gyrated and danced to the rhythm of music emanating from mobile speakers during the walk.

Elliot said: “A couple of months ago, I was very ill due to overweight. Adhering strictly to the doctor’s advice, I had to design a method to shed weight. This was one of the methods.”

The lawmaker explained that leading the people on the walk for life and vitality was in response to medical prescription.

“A lot of people get ill because they did not take their health seriously.’’

He said apart from the walk, the paramedics equally carried out various tests and prescribed drugs to the people.

“They do the heart test to know if their blood is circulating properly. They tests were to ensure they do not have hypertension, their sight is good, breathing and hearing are functioning well. This is basically to make sure that we have a healthy Surulere,” he said.

Elliot gave kudos to the women for coming out en masse to participate in the programme, noting that the inspiration to embrace the womenfolk for the exercise came from his wife.

“My wife is the main motivator of the programme and that is why it is good to marry someone who is good. When we do something, we should always seek the advice of the women because they are our mothers,” he said.

The lawmaker, who personally wheeled some of the physically-challenged persons during the walk, explained that he had set up skill acquisition and empowerment programme for them.

“Nigerians should try to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged. Nothing gives pleasure than making people happy through the provision of empowerment and other facilities,” he said.

One of the participants, Edo State-born physically-challenged Short-put Silver medal holder, Hanah Ogie said the lawmaker is a true friend of the disabled people.

“For me, the walk is lovely even though I am physically-challenged. We have to thank the Hon. who facilitated the walk. There are Nigerians who are well placed, but who refuse to make impact in the lives of the physically-challenged persons.

“He has organised empowerment programme to make life easy for us. He should equally fight for us through the enabling laws. For instance, when I was coming, I had to pay extra money for a taxi cab to bring me here.

“Nigerian commercial drivers most of the time don’t stop to take us to where we are going to. We will appreciate if a law could be passed to make life easy for us,’’ she said.

Another trekker, Mrs Jokotade Olayori said: “Elliot is doing a good work. I must say a big thank you to him and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

“The test and medication are useful. I was given a pair of eye glasses. I had tested for positive for diabetes, and my BP is high. So, they recommended medicine for me to reduce it.

“They made me to know that my cholesterol is high and advised me on what to eat. I say a big thank you to the lawmaker for the opportunity,” she said.

January 27, 2016
Council holds stakeholders’ meeting on budget

The Executive Secretary of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Prince Joseph Adeoluwayemi Agoro has reiterated the council’s commitment to engage the people in participatory government in which citizens will have their say and way.

He also said the administration would promote growth and development of the LCDA in accordance with the democratic principles of due consultation, full disclosure, transparency, inclusive participation, responsive leadership, rule of law and due process.

Prince Agoro spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting on the council’s 2016 Budget held at the council’s secretariat Kankon, Badagry.

“It is, therefore, in this light that this forum has been organised to demonstrate our commitment to fulfilling that pledge,” he said.

In the face of continuous dwindling of Federal allocation to the state and local government with attendant challenges to providing critical infrastructure, the need to look inwards has become imperative.

Stressing the need for the council to generate enough funds to carry out more development projects that will impact positively on the people’s lives, Prince Agoro added that it was as a result of that need that the LCDA had repositioned its revenue collectors to enable them to deliver on their assignment. He enjoined the residents to co-operate with the council’s revenue collectors by paying the necessary taxes and dues in order to help the council to embark on more people-oriented projects.

On achievements recorded by the council in the past one year, the council chief noted that “in spite of the challenges of dwindling allocation, we hit the ground running and have deployed our mandate in the last one year to accomplish several development projects in more communities in the council.

“The achievements wouldn’t have been possible to accomplish without the support and patience of the residents of the Badagry West LCDA. We appreciate and cherish the confidence you have continued to repose in us.

“Today, our collective vision for year 2016 Budget will be discussed so that all of you can make inputs into its transformation into a viable working document. We expect that your contributions will make viable impact in this year’s budget for our collective good. We don’t have monopoly of wisdom; hence our resolve to always bow to superior reasoning and ideas.

“As you are aware, government cannot provide all your needs because we need to work within our available resources to carry out more important projects which the communities have prioritised in their requests.

“I assure the people that our administration remains committed to the realisation of its promises. These are good governance, health, security and education.

Few days ago, Governor Ambode announced the inauguration of 114 roads to be constructed in the 57 LGAS/LCDAS in the state in which our Apa Palace Road and Kweme Road were included.

“The mission for the actualisation of the project started in October last year when Governor Ambode met and agreed with us on the need to massively embark on rehabilitation and construction of inner roads across the state. The road is going to be of good standard with walk ways, street lights and drainage.”

He advised the people not only to be security conscious but to be also keen observers of the environment, urging them to report any suspicious act to the appropriate authorities.

“Remember that the Lagos State Government has warned that any building without toilet facility would be sealed. Please, ensure that you have good toilet facility in your homes.

“As Lassa fever has broken out in the country recently which has claimed some lives, I advise the residents to always keep their surroundings clean and keep their homes rat-free to prevent any unforeseen situation,” he said.

January 27, 2016
Ambode’s ‘Lagos for all’ taking shape

For several hours penultimate Tuesday, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode stood before the residents of the state to give account of his administration’s stewardship in the past 90 days. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports

The ever-busy King’s Catholic Mission Street on the Lagos Island was beehive last Tuesday. The road literally became a terminus for all shades of vehicles that ferried people from various parts of Lagos to witness a historic moment taking place at the popular magnificent City Hall which is conspicuously located at the heart of the Island.

It was the second quarterly Town Hall Meeting of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during which the Lagos helmsman explained to the residents, activities of his government in the past three months.

By 10:00 a.m., all guests, including federal lawmakers in the state, led by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries, had been seated and waiting for the arrival of the governor. Some 35 minutes after, the governor’s motorcade arrived at the curvy foyer of the hall, signalling the official commencement of the event.

Ambode said his first quarter in office was deployed to building an institutional framework as foundation on which his agenda to build a safe and prosperous Lagos would be placed.

The governor hinted that his administration’s policy thrust rested on the tripod of security, infrastructural development and job creation.

‘Lagos crime rate reducing’

A thunderous applause greeted Ambode’s revelation that crime rate in Lagos had reduced by 65 per cent under his watch. This, the governor said, was the result of his government’s move to improve surveillance and invest in the security of the state. He said reduction in the crime rate followed provision of modern security gadgets to the police and other security agencies through the state’s Security Trust Funds.

A safer Lagos, Ambode said, will attract more local and foreign investments to the state, which will, in turn, create job opportunities for the residents and generate more tax for the government which will be used to improve on infrastructure.

The governor said crime thrives because criminals usually hide in dark spots to launch their heinous acts. In response to this challenge, Ambode said he initiated the Light-up Lagos Project to install streetlights on highways and major roads across the state. The project, he said, is being undertaken by the state Advisory Committee on Power chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, with the objective to fulfil the government’s promise to light up every nook and cranny of Lagos.

As the state is lit up, Ambode said he expected further reduction in crime rate, observing that the project would make it difficult for criminals to hide in the highway to carry out nefarious activities.

Creation of jobs

In fulfilment of his pledge to engage jobless youths in productive employment, Ambode, in the last quarter, signed the Employment Trust Fund Bill into law. The law seeks to help the government address unemployment and create jobs for the youth.

The law will also empower the government to engage willing youths in entrepreneurial development and wealth creation, with the aim to help them acquire skills that will make them self-reliant in the absence of paid employment. He said members of Board of Trustees have already been appointed by the government, awaiting the approval of the House of Assembly.

Ambode said: “We have already set aside N6.5 billion in the 2016 Budget to help the government achieve this goal. We have advertised positions in LASTMA and we intend to employ 1,300 individuals within this quarter.”

Improving condition of Lagos roads

The governor said his administration realised the importance of good roads in boosting commercial activities, which was why, he said, the government invested heavily on road rehabilitation and provision of new ones.

In the last quarter, Ambode said rehabilitation of major and strategic roads took a chunk of the state’s expenditure, adding that more isolated communities had benefitted from the government’s road project.

He said: “We have embarked on massive re-construction and rehabilitation of major roads and inner roads across the metropolis. I am delighted to inform you that over 300 major roads have been rehabilitated; 66 major roads are in various stages of completion, while 80 inner roads will soon be completed in all our local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs).”

He listed some of the roads to be rehabilitated to include Alfa Nla Road in Agege, CIPM Road in Alausa, Ijegun—Ikotun Road, First and Second Avenues in FESTAC Town, Thompson Road in Ikoyi and Oguntoye Road on Lagos Island, among others.

In addition, the governor said construction of two roads each in all LGAs was launched last week. He said 114 roads would be delivered in six months through the intervention at the cost of N17.5 billion.

Ambode added that work had already begun on the construction of flyovers in two of the state’s high-traffic zones – Ajah Roundabout in Lagos Central Senatorial Zone and Abule-Egba Junction in the West Senatorial Zone. On completion, he said rate of commuters’ accident would reduce sharply, while traffic would not be disrupted by pedestrians.

Transportation

The government’s supply of 434 vehicles to boost the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) operation in Ikorodu axis has drastically reduced rush for space and brought convenience to commuters.

The governor said his administration would make connectivity and mobility of Lagos residents comfortable.

By December, residents of Okokomaiko and Satellite Town will have cause to smile when the Blue Light Rail project that connects the area to Lagos Island is completed. The project was started by his predecessors, but Ambode promised that his administration would deliver it in the next 11 months, noting that construction work had already commenced on the project. On completion, the Light Rail project is expected to ease vehicular traffic in Mile 2, Alaba, Orile and other highly populated settlements in the axis.

Education for all

The governor did not mince words while explaining his administration’s effort to maintain quality education in the state. He said his government has taken drastic steps to improve the standards by embarking on rehabilitation of existing schools and construction of modern classrooms. The investment, Ambode said, is to the tune of N2.5 billion and it is being jointly funded with the Federal Government through Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) scheme.

The state-owned tertiary institutions are not left out in the government’s education programmes, Ambode said. He noted that the amended Lagos State University Bill, which he recently signed into law, would address issues that usually lead to crisis in the school.

Health care reforms

In the last quarter of last year, his government had put a stop to the controversial casualisation of doctors working in the state-owned hospitals and health centres.

Ambode promised to complete rehabilitation work in Ayinke House, the state maternity hospital, noting that it would be ready by the next quarter.

He added: “We have also extended the Accident Insurance Policy for the state’s entire workforce that will cover accidents recorded outside working hours. The rehabilitation and re-equipping of Ayinke House–our baby factory on the Mainland-will be completed in the next quarter.”

Residents’ comments

Some residents who attended the Town Hall Meeting had the opportunity to directly engage the governor and his team on pertinent issues in their communities. Ambode, who was clad in blue babanriga, sat on the podium, fielding questions from the participants.

Mr Charles Olaoni of Justice for All, a non-governmental organisation, asked how the governor would address the rising number of street urchins known as Area Boys and proliferation of shanties on Lagos Island.

Ambode said: “Beyond the fact that we need to clean up our streets, we also plan to engage the Area Boys in drainage cleaning and other vocations. With time, this problem will be a thing of the past.”

Mrs Victoria Eze of Igbo Coalition Group asked to know Ambode’s view on indigeneship.

Ambode said: “We have pledged that we will pursue all-inclusive governance and take every resident as partner. We are for inclusion, no matter what your gender or tribe is.”

A physically-challenged, who gave her names as Mrs Kudirat, asked the governor about his programmes for residents who are physically-challenged.

Ambode said: “Lagos is the first to create an office to address the needs of the physically-challenged people. Beyond this, we are scaling up our attention to their plight. We have already declared that all physically-challenged people will board the BRT buses free.”

Caleb Awolola, a resident of Apapa Iganmu LCDA, asked how the government would improve on public health and make potable water available in Ijora-Badia axis.

Responding on Ambode’s behalf, Dr Adebule said: “This administration knows the importance of water to the well-being of residents. Provision of potable water will reduce illness and improve the health of our people. We have noted the challenge people of Ijora Badia are facing to get water. We will extend water supply to the area and also provide health care centres in the neighbourhood.”

Jimoh Olawale, a Sari-Iganmu resident, urged the governor to build schools in Apapa Iganmu LCDA, noting that construction of roads had consumed two of the three secondary schools in the area.

Responding, the Deputy Governor said: “Sari Iganmu is one of the areas being considered for construction of modern schools, which the government will embark on this year. We understand that the road construction has left huge impact on the populace, but we assure that we will bring back schools to the area.”

Will Ambode carry Computer Village traders along in the move to relocate the market? Onuaha Okeze of Igbo Coalition Group asked.

Dr Adebule said: “Relocation of Computer Village is an ongoing project of the government. A site in Aboru area has been designated as Computer Village and we believe it is a place all the traders will like. We are not going to move the traders without consulting them. They will all be informed of the government’s move.”

Senator Tinubu drew the governor’s attention to the poor state of pedestrian bridges on the Mainland and asked how individuals could partner with the government on the Light-up Lagos project.

Responding, Ambode directed the Commissioner for Works to deploy the ministry staff to carry out assessment on the pedestrian bridges on the Mainland. The governor added that people willing to partner with the government on Light-up Lagos project should go the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources handling the project.

On the problem of gang wars raised by Alhaji Surajudeen Abeja from Eti-Osa Local Government, Ambode said his administration was taking measures to address the problem of street gangs and secret cultism ravaging some Lagos communities.

Mrs Hannah Adewole, a member of Farmers’ Forum, caused a stir when she informed the governor of cronyism in the process of distributing incentives reserved for low-income farmers in the state.

Ambode said his government would not condone unfair treatment of farmers, noting that improved agricultural production remained a priority of his government. The governor directed the Commissioner for Agriculture to directly deal with farmers who showed interest in getting the state’s incentives.

Minutes after the meeting, King’s Catholic Mission Street returned to its usual status, with the heavy presence of security agents thinning out. But in a long while, the area will remember that Ambode was here.

January 27, 2016
Osun’s strategy against unemployment
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that no fewer than 5.3 million youths are jobless, while 1.8 million graduates enter the labour market every year. This figure could be a conservative estimate of the actual number of unemployed youths in the country, going by previous statistics released by NBS, which put the number of jobless Nigerians at 20.3 million.

The above is a reflection of previous governments’ inability to design policies that will create more jobs, or provide enabling environment that could encourage both individuals and the private sector to expand employment opportunities without let or hindrance.

It is in line with the above that the Osun State Government established an office known as Osun Job Centre. This is in pursuance of a key component of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola-led administration’s Six Point Integral Action Plan which is banishment of unemployment from the state. The Job Centre is established as a State Government-funded one-stop employment agency with desk offices located at each of the 30 local government areas.

The Centre will act as a facilitator between job seekers and employers by providing employment information and services to a wide range of people, from the unemployed looking for employment, the underemployed looking for better jobs, to employers advertising job openings. It is aimed at eradicating barriers to employment by promoting education, training and business enterprise. It will contribute to the personal development of the labour force through the creation of opportunities for their productive engagement and utilisation.

The centre provides employment service tools such as an infrastructure for the business community to post its skills needs as well as in-house computers with free access to the internet.

To provide a venue where job seekers can meet and network with representatives of prospective employers from diverse sectors of the economic with the possibility of securing employment.

However, the private sector also has a role to play in creating employment, as experience has shown that government alone cannot provide all the needed jobs. Unemployed persons will also have to start working towards self-employment, through which they may even provide jobs for others.

Unemployment and poverty have become serious problems that all levels of government must tackle with sincerity of purpose to keep the nation’s youths productively engaged and out of avoidable trouble.

These efforts by Osun government are worthy of emulation by other states of the federation. Governor Aregbesola once declared that Osun, out of the 36 states, has the lowest rate of unemployed people, particularly among her teeming youths, due to the determination of his administration to banish poverty and unemployment among its people.

This new move at establishing a job centre is just one of them. These efforts were recently corroborated by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, when he declared that Osun is one of the states with lowest in poverty.

“The indication (in Osun) is that because there is a lot of investment on the people, poverty has been reduced and that is what we (the Federal Government) are trying to achieve in Nigeria,” Osinbajo said.

Aregbesola was quoted as saying: “The development of micro and small businesses forms a core component of our poverty alleviation and economic empowerment strategy.

“This is part of our six-point integral action plan that, among others, seeks to banish poverty, unemployment and hunger.

“We have designed programmes aimed at unlocking our people’s creativity and genuinely set them on the path of self-employment and self-reliance.

“I am certain that our people are hard-working and would at all time take pride in working to earn a decent living.

“With the numerous programmes we are implementing, we are on the road to change the fortune of our state and lives of our people for better.

“Many of these programmes, like OYES, O’REAP, O’YESTECH, O’MEALs, O’Schools, O’Beef and O’BOPS, among others, have offered many of our youths self-reliant job opportunities and I want to assure you all that we have only just begun. A lot more good things are still coming.”
- Ayo Akinola, arpa, is a publisher and media consultant based in Lagos and Bola Akande is a former commissioner for Human Resources and Capacity Building, Osun State
January 27, 2016
Celebrating Ogun State at 40
WHEN it was carved out of the old Western Region in 1976, there was no doubt as to how Ogun State will evolve.

From day one, Ogun indigenes decidedly took up the mantle and marched doggedly into progress and greatness.

Perhaps this determination lies in the fact that several of the nation’s founding fathers hailed from the state. In the fields of law, medicine and accountancy, the state had produced first class brains like Sir Adetokunbo Ademola,- the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria-, Dr Elizabeth Awoliyi- the first female doctor – and Mrs Toyin Olakunri, – the first female Chartered Accountant. As far as Nigeria’s political history is concerned, the state has also produced among other noble men, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, world class citizens, who became Military Head of State and a two–term civilian President.

The State has however come very far from the mid-1970s. It has been blessed with visionary leaders, men and women of valour, who have successfully put to good use, its rich supply of natural, agricultural and human resources. Ogun is also home to tourists ‘monuments such as Olumo Rock, Abeokuta and Bilikisu Sugbo Shrine, Oke-Eri; both steeped deep in rich cultural histories.

Leading the roll call of astute politicians and fore-sighted leaders, is of course the revered late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an indigene of Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government of the State, who as Premier of the Western Region, tapped into the rich potentials of Cocoa and laid the foundations for deep socio-economic changes.Awolowo remained a national icon and his legacy set the pace for the state’s resilience and creativity in good governance and development.

During the years of military administrations, Ogun State was to find its dynamism and passion for breaking new grounds. The sprawling Agbara Industrial and Residential Estates were established to take advantage of the state’s proximity to Lagos State. Today, the layout serves as a template for industry and housing sectors.

Fast forward to the 1979 elections in which the State’s first civilian governor, late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) came into office. Through Chief Onabanjo’s policies and programmes, he charted a way for the state. Thus, through carefully-designed socio-economic development agenda, he was able to move the state on the path of economic growth.

The Ogun State University, later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University, was founded in 1982; located in Ago-Iwoye as a model for the ‘Gown meets Town’ development became a template for developing local manpower for the emerging giant.

By the time the Military took power in 1983, the state, through Onabanjo’s efforts, had commenced broadcasting from its own television and radio stations. Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation as Onabanjo declared at the time was created: “to evolve a distinctive character of its own and come out with a choice of programmes appealing to different interests”. Tourism and the hospitality industry were also high on the administration’s agenda when he established the Gateway Hotels in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Sango Ota respectively.

Other flagship projects reaped over the past four decades across the sectors including health, education, social welfare and roads, became the norm, as Ogun continued to blossom.

The peace and stability the state has enjoyed is not without the input of its traditional rulers who without exception, have contributed immensely to the state’s rich trado-cultural harmony. The social cohesion enjoyed by the citizenry is evident throughout the state.

Mention must also be made of the civilian governors who worked assiduously from Oke-Mosan to maintain the pace and growth. Formers state governors, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, further took Ogun State to new heights during their tenures, creating an enabling environment and human capacity building.

Under their charge, the state grew in leaps and bounds. Its vast areas of land and welcoming nature of its citizens attracted numerous private sector investors including faith-based groups to build their businesses, industries and organisations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis.

Certainly over the years, Ogun State has become the investors’ destination of choice. This feat was not achieved overnight but through painstaking planning of its leaders and administrators, both military and civilian. Of course, the state’s dedicated and vibrant civil service still serves as the engine room of government’s policies and programmes.

Ogun State which comprises 20 Local Government Areas and 236 Wards is blessed with mineral and agricultural resources including Limestone, Phosphate, Cocoa, Kola nuts, Cotton, Timber scattered around the state. It has enormous potentials to become a hub for mining, or solid minerals production and agro-processing.

Perhaps in recognition of this the current administration under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun disclosed plans by his administration to produce a mineral data map to guide investors.

This laudable policy demonstrates the profound nature of the Governor’s socio-economic agenda for the state.

Governor Amosun has in recent years also altered the physical landscape of the state through his massive construction of roads and bridges as part of the drive to usher in new phases of development and investment. Indeed, the state’s first bridge constructed in Abeokuta.

The beauty of this policy is that the physical infrastructure is not limited to the state capital of Abeokuta.

Governor Amosun has through his broad-based socio-economic plan, ensured that the major towns of Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu, have also become beneficiaries of his administration’s re-building mission.

Expansive new housing estates and new model schools are some of the components of his first tenure. Indeed, the administration with its current crop of technocrats’ and politicians looks set to do even more.

As Ogun marks 40 years of existence, I salute the leaders, past and present, for their vision and the citizenry for their support and resilience.
- Odeneye represents Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives
January 27, 2016
Cleric adivses Fashola

Power, Works and Housing Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola has been urged to be wary of the people he engages in transactions in his bid to transform the country’s power situation.

The General Overseer of Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry, Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, said this was necessary to ensure that the hangers-on bidding to corner all transactions in the sector and consequently compound the power situation for their selfish gains were not allowed into the system again to dash the hopes of the citizens.

Kasali, who spoke at the grand finale of the 9th Annual Convention of the church, with the theme, “But the Fruit of the Spirit is…” at Ori Oke Alaseyori, Moniya Ibadan Oyo State, said: “Fashola should ask for the spirit of wisdom to be successful. With prayers, the vultures will have no place in the ministry again”.

The cleric said the minister needed prayers to be able to replicate the transformation that he brought about in Lagos State in the ministry so that he would continue to be in the good books of Nigerians.

Kasali, who said divine intervention was necessary to avert calamities, urged Nigerians to pray individually and collectively against partaking in the cries and pains, especially widespread inferno, which might occur in the year.

The cleric, who predicted that “there would be a lot of political storm this year”, also sought prayers to stave off the abduction of a prominent Nigerian leader and political office holder to prevent a situation which would shake the country and create a lot of tension.

Kasali, who advised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid moves capable of breaking the party into factions, sought prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari to be able to achieve his mission for the country.

“President Buhari has good plans for Nigeria. This is shown in his seven-point agenda. But he needs a lot of prayers to deliver. As things are, Nigerians should pray for the manifestation of God’s plan for the country,” he said.

Highpoint of the event was the investiture of the Kasali; Pastor Jacob Gbolawo Adekanye; six pastors; seven evangelists; six deacons; four deaconesses and 200 disciples.

The Provost of Trinity International Theological Seminary, Ado-Ekiti, Bishop Joseph Odu, who presided over the investiture, enjoined them to see it as yet another opportunity to step up in their service to God and humanity.

No fewer than 500 people with various ailments were treated while over 400 were tested and given eye-glasses under the free medical services at the convention clinic in addition to screenings for HIV/AIDS.

January 20, 2016
‘Supremacy battle’ over Ibadan chiefs

The face-off between Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 over the promotion of nine high chiefs caused a stir before it was resolved by the ancient town’s elders. BISI OLADELE writes on the debacle which many observers described as unexpected.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, will go down in history as a monarch whose tenure witnessed open confrontation with two sitting governors. First was in July, 2010 when the traditional ruler snubbed Alao-Akala, who was on a private visit to his Monatan, Ibadan Palace. Second was alleged promotion of nine high chiefs without approval of Governor Abiola Ajimobi on January 1, this year.

Akala had gone to the palace on a private visit while returning from a routine weekend stay in Ogbomoso, his birth place, on Sunday, July 7, 2010.

But the monarch refused to receive the governor as he claimed that Akala did not book an appointment for that visit.

The governor, who was accompanied on the visit by one of his top aides, was said to have left in anger after waiting for about 45 minutes in the palace.

This time, the traditional ruler is in the “fight” to uphold the promotion of nine high chiefs who were elevated on January 1, this year.

While the Oyo State Government insisted that the promotion and installation were in defiance to its earlier order to subject the chiefs to security and medical examinations as required by the Chieftaincy Laws of the state, the monarch insisted that he did not receive the letter conveying the order. Besides, he said promotion of chiefs does not require approval of the governor.

But the government handed down a 24-hour ultimatum on Monday, January 4 to the Olubadan to reverse the promotion or face sanctions. The development took the state by the storm, raising many questions.

Conversely, some also wondered why the Olubadan-In-Council ignored an order for the chiefs to observe the law in the promotion of the chiefs.

What the law says

Part 2, Sections 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 of the Chieftaincy Law, CAP 28, Laws of Oyo State, 2000 specify the procedure for appointing chiefs.

According to the law, the council (now Olubadan-In-Council) is empowered to notify the local government (Ibadan South East in this case) in writing on the vacancies that existed by reason of the deaths of chiefs Sulaiman Omiyale, the Balogun of Ibadan and Omowale Kuye, the Otun Olubadan, in November last year.

According to the law, the council is to seek the approval of the governor for the appointment of those to replace them and others to move up the chieftaincy ladder.

In the current debacle, the process was followed. But the governor wrote back, ordering the nine chiefs to obtain security and health clearance to ascertain their fitness for the new and higher titles in line with Section 14 (2) of the Law.

Crux of the matter

The Law states: “No person shall be qualified to be a candidate for a recognised chieftaincy who: (a) suffers from serious physical infirmity; or (b) has, under any law in force in Nigeria, been found or declared to be a lunatic or adjudged to be of unsound mind; or (c) has, in any part of the Commonwealth: (1) been sentenced to death or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years; or (ii) been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to imprisonment therefore, and has not been granted a free pardon.”

The security and health clearance requested was expected to serve the purpose of establishing that the chiefs were suitably qualified for the promotion as required by law.

While health clearance would ensure that they are mentally okay, the security clearance was to confirm that they have not been convicted or sentenced for a period longer than two years anywhere in the Commonwealth.

Section 19 of the Law also states: “As soon as practicable after the declaration of an appointment, the Secretary of the competent council shall inform the Governor thereof, if the consent of any person is required to the appointment, whether that consent has been granted or withheld.”

Section 20 (1) states: “Subject to the provisions of this section, the Governor may approve or set aside an appointment of a recognised chief. (2). The Governor shall not approve or set aside an appointment within the period of 21 days after notification in accordance with Section 19, and during that period: (a) an unsuccessful candidate; or (b) a ruling house in respect of the chieftaincy which alleges that the proper order of rotation has not been observed, may make representations to the governor in the manner prescribed that the appointment be set aside.

The sections as well as Section 21 also stipulate the steps to be followed in approving or setting aside an appointment.

Section 20 (3) states: “In determining whether to approve or set aside an appointment under this section, the Governor may have regard to:

(a) whether the provisions of section 15 or section 16 have been complied with;

(b) whether any candidate was qualified or disqualified in accordance with the provisions of section 14;

(c) whether the customary law relating to the appointment has been complied with;

(d) whether the kingmakers, in the case of a ruling house chieftaincy, had due regard to the ability, character or popular support of any candidate or (e) whether the appointment was obtained corruptly or by the undue influence of any person.”

Political interpretation

Observers within and outside the state largely believe that the issue was more political than traditional or procedural.

Analysts also pointed out that Governor Ajimobi was allegedly behind the move to enforce scrutiny because of inclusion of some members of the opposition in the group of nine chiefs. They are chiefs Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party, who has contested against Ajimobi twice and was defeated, and Chief Lekan Balogun, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ladoja is currently at the Supreme Court challenging Ajimobi’s victory in the April 11, 2015 governorship election.

Again, some observers wonder what damage Ladoja’s and Balogun’s promotion could do to Ajimobi after winning election twice.

But a source close to Ajimobi brushed aside the idea. The source insisted that the governor was only bringing orderliness to the system. “He only wanted due process to be followed,” the source said.

According to the source, the recent issue assumed political dimension only because of the politician involved.

According to him, when Ladoja was elevated along with others on August 23, 2013, Ajimobi did not raise any highbrow. He gladly approved it because there was no reason to fault the process. “So, that is to show you that the recent action of the governor was not in any way political,” the source said.

While addressing the state civil servants during the inter-faith thanksgiving service on Monday January 11, Ajimobi lampooned those accusing him of trying to stop Ladoja from moving up the ladder. He said having prevented him from becoming governor twice by defeating him at the polls, what on earth would make him deny Ladoja his rights to move closer to becoming Olubadan. After all, he stressed, he was not interested in becoming the Olubadan. He insisted that his administration had to take the step to inject sanity into the system.

The governor emphasised that the issue was purely procedural. He also expressed gratitude to Ibadan elders who waded into the crisis and resolved it amicably.

Intervention of Ibadan elders

Ibadan elders, under the auspices of the Ibadan Elders’ Council (IEC) waded into the debacle 24 hours after the governor’s ultimatum to save the situation. It called a meeting between the two parties at the home of Ambassador Lou Saanu.

After two rounds of meetings, the crisis was amicably resolved with Ajimobi granting provisional approval to the promotion pending the time the chiefs submit their security and health clearance.

A source close to the meeting confided in Southwest Report that it was tough for the elders to broker peace as Ajimobi insisted on not shifting grounds on the strength that the palace willfully ignored his office in the promotion exercise by going against his order for the chiefs to comply with the law.

Conversely, the chiefs were said to have argued that the law did not clearly stipulate that the monarch cannot promote after 21 days of writing to inform the governor on intention to promote.

But after much persuasion, it was learnt that the palace did not do it to spite him but that the two parties interpreted the law differently.

In the end, there was a mutual agreement to satisfy both parties with the provisional approval and the chiefs complying with the law.

January 20, 2016