Satisfied with the contributions towards the growth and development of the Tiger Golf Club (TGC) and Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) by the immediate past patron, Gen. Sanusi Nasiru Muazu and his successor, Gen. Lazarus Chima Ilo, the clubs have organised a farewell and welcome golf tournament in their honour.
Gen. Muazu was the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army, and Gen. Lazarus Chima Ilo is the current patron of the club and General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army.
In his address at the closing ceremony, the Captain, Tiger Golf Club, Chief Olatunji Aderoju said the club has been lucky over the years to have GOCs that have significant love for it.
“Bringing their wealth of experience to bear, every patron has impacted positively on the club in many ways,” he said.
Chief Aderoju praised Gen. Muazu for his numerous development programmes which he said have taken the club to an appreciable height. These, he said, include construction of new block of chalets which comprised 18 self-contained rooms; construction of new golf holes; building of new practising green and invitations to his friends to donate for the different projects executed.
He said: “Major-Gen. S.N. Muazu spent approximately seven months here and by the time he left; many members were wondering if it was possible for anyone to have done so much for the club within such a short time. Before he was called up to a higher service, he initiated new and profound ideas that took the club to an enviable height. The club will not forget easily this person who influenced the present numerical growth of the club through his aggressive membership drive.”
Praising the incoming patron of the clubs, Aderoju said the clubs were privileged to have him, expressing confidence that he would take the club to even greater heights.
Already, he has been credited with providing security to the club whenever the need arises.
Also speaking, the chairman, organising committee, Mr. Alfred Amubioya stated that the event was a unique one, in the sense that it was the first time Tiger and Ibadan Golf Clubs jointly coordinated a golf event to honour patrons of both clubs. He said he was optimistic that captains of both clubs will continue to build on this new found co-operation.
Responding, Gen Ilo said golf is a very important game in the Armed Forces, saying it was the only game he had seen senior generals participate in several years after retirement.
He added that the Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen. Yusuf Buraitai places priority on sports as part of measures to reposition the Nigerian Army and make it more responsive to its statutory roles.
Gen. Ilo promised to do his utmost to ensure that he and his officers developed greater interest in golf as well as uplift the clubs.
“The two clubs have prospered and have done very well under the previous patrons. They will not witness a decline in fortune during my period. I will do what is essential for him to surpass whatever had been achieved in the past. I consider it a great and special privilege and also a challenge,” he said.
He urged captains of both clubs to meet with him to discuss areas where most profound impact can be made, even as he promised to continue the chalet project begun by his predecessor.
“We will not abandon the accommodation project Gen. Muazu had begun before he left as patron. I see it as a revenue project deserving extreme attention and I think all hands being on deck, we will accomplish it,” he said.
However, Ilo sought help to repair the access road leading to the clubs.
“The presentation of our special guest of honour poses a greater challenge. The bad state of the road is somewhat a problem. The army cannot do it alone. I believe that with the support of all the great men here, we will be able to do something about the road in the shortest possible time,” he said.
He commended the chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Akin Oke, for finding time to attend the ceremony, adding that his presence would make things happen with regard to fixing the road.
The Federal Government has been urged to show more commitment in empowering women and youths.
The National President, Nigerian Association of Hairdressers, Cosmetologists and Barbers (NASHCOB), Dr Betty Ishoka, gave the advice at the second anniversary of the Ogun State chapter of the association held at AUD School III play ground, Sango. She also expressed the need for government to give priority attention to women and youths since they constitute a large chunk of the country’s population that will help his administration to achieve his avowed dream of taking the country to the Promised Land.
She said any society that neglects its women and youths would be unable to progress socially, politically and economically.
According to Ishoka, empowering women can either be by appointments, mobilisation or alleviation. But compulsorily, women must be well equipped and made to realise their full potential. They are great mobilisers at the grassroots and have the capability to help any government in power to achieve its goal.
Dr. Ishoka said hairdressing and cosmetology are some of the professional or vocational skills which women need government’s attention in terms empowerment.
She described NASHCOB as one of the micro, small and medium-scale enterprises which the country needs in reducing unemployment and poverty level among women and youths.
She appealed to the Federal Government to support the NASHCOB at all levels to enable it contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
“The Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, assist the association in tackling the faking of cosmetic products. It should also ensure quality of the products by manufacturers to avoid skin and body harms from fake and adulterated products,” she said.
According to her, even though the association has been doing its best to ensure that such products do not exist in the market, it still needs full support of the government.
She also appealed to government to establish a financial bank that will be granting soft loans to small-scale entrepreneurs, including members of the association. This, she said, would enable them to establish and expand their businesses.
She said the association is committed to the development of its members, women and youth through skills acquisition programmes, enhancement of members’ capacity building through training and re-training to enable them to be relevant and compete with other countries in the beauty industry.
She also urged parents to allow their children/wards to acquire a skill from the secondary school level, saying it will be an added advantage for them after graduating from higher institutions, even as she appealed to youths to be patient and serious while undergoing any vocational training.
She said lack of focus is one of the problems hindering youths’ in the course of learning a trade.
She said the association has concluded plans to open a website which will contain names of professional members. This, she said, will assist them to engage in successful, profitable and sustainable businesses and enable the association to bring salon owners together to network and share ideas as well as organise competitions as a showcase of their talents.
The NASHCOB founder/pioneer president, Dr (Mrs) Elizabeth Adebisi Osinsanya (OON), expressed her happiness over the progress the association which was founded over four decades ago has recorded.
•Gbadewolu 1, Ijoko Lemode, HRM Solomon Adewale Adisa Shokunbi (centre), Dr (Mrs) Osinsanya (second right), Dr (Mrs) Ishoka (second left), NASHCOB National Coordinator, Chief (Mrs) Akanle Angela (left) and State President, Alhaja Ganiyat Adeyemi at the event.
Dr Osinsanya, who is also the founder of Elegant Twins School of Cosmetology and Clinic, said NASHCOB was set up for the progress of the beauty industry. “This is not just a look-good affair, but as a source of livelihood. The beauty industry has grown and become a major player in the financial sector of the country’s economy,” she said.
She also said Elegant Twins School of Cosmetology was set up as a vocational school, which today, operates as a tertiary institution which awards not only diplomas and certificates to students, but has also given fellowship status and honorary degrees to many worthy Nigerians. Noting that she has gone into partnerships with notable manufacturers of beauty products in other parts of the world to produce for the local market. Dr Osinsanya urged Nigerian leaders to evolve policies and programmes that would benefit the people. This, she added, would go a long way in improving standard of living of Nigerians as well eradicating poverty among them.
She also urged youths to be much serious while studying or undergoing a vocational training.
Dr. Osinsanya advised members of the union to support government programmes and embrace love and unity among themselves.
The General Manager, Soulmate Industry Limited, Mr Justin Akalezi also enjoined them to preach love and unity among themselves.
He appealed to members of NASHCOB to support their leaders at all levels, especially by reporting who or where fake or adulterated cosmetic products are being produced, sold or used.
The celebration featured workshops, hairstyles fashion parade, cultural dance, display of beauty products, soaps and other products as part of activities to mark the anniversary.
The need for enhanced maritime security across Africa was the thrust of the second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Conference held in Lagos.
With about 20 countries and a total of 247 ýparticipants, including naval personnel, the two-day event highlighted the need for co-operation and teamwork among the sister navies.
Organised by the Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), delegates reviewed the security challenges bedevilling African maritime environment with a view to proffering long-lasting solutions.
Top among the challenges was lack of right platforms such as OPVs, to fight the activities of pirates, oil thieves, illegal bunkerers, illegal fishers and sea robbers, thereby boosting economic activities on the African Continent.
With the theme “Facilitating Co-operation Across Africa and Focusing on Naval System and Coastal Surveillance to Enhance Maritime Security”, the conference also provided opportunity for associate sponsors to exhibit their security and defence equipment designed for the protection of oil and gas assets.
Admiral Cunha
In attendance were the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice-Admiral Ibo-Ete Ibas, Commander, Angolan Navy Admiral Augusto Da Silva Cunha; Commander of Ghanaian Navy, Vice Admiral Biekro; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Aliyu Ismaila and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Security and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Haruna Jauro.
Others included Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade; Rear Admiral Goddy Ayankpele, Flag Officers Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) and Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admirals Jonathan Ango, Edmund Egbedina and Henry Babalola respectively, and chairman, conference planning committee, Rear Admiral Begroy Ibe-Enwo.
Delegates highlighted the need for information sharing among neighbouring countries to effectively combat maritime crimes, just as they deliberated on enhancing regional policing with combined forces.
The participants acknowledged the importance of collaborative partnership among the various stakeholders for integrated approach in tackling the challenge of maritime security in Africa, even as they noted the need for progressive change at all levels in maritime security issues since
•From left: Vice Admiral Ette-Ibas, Ismaila, Dr. Adebule and Director Navy, Defence Ministry, Alkani Abduraman
present methods were deemed to be unsatisfactory and ineffective.
Maritime nations were advised to develop and optimise bilateral and multi-lateral agreements to mitigate maritime threats as well as establish Maritime Security Zones which should be implemented with commitment.
In his opening and closing remarks, Ibas reminded participants of the strategic nature of African maritime domain with enormous potential that have been persistently challenged by a myriad of threats.
The CNS noted that the threats constitute serious challenges with adverse consequences on collective maritime governance and economic well-being of member nations, even as he pointed out the need for the enthronement of constructive, proactive, sustainable and holistic maritime security architecture.
“Regrettably, these threats constitute serious challenges with adverse consequences on collective maritime governance and economic well-being of nation states, particularly in Africa. “As discomforting as these threats would appear, they are not insurmountable. Accordingly, Africa needs to be committed in embracing core attributes such as the elimination of sea blindness.
“Deriving from this sub-regional agenda, Nigeria, acting through her Navy, has remained committed to the activation of the zone’s activities in terms of staff, equipment and operational assets.
“In addition, the Nigerian Navy, along with its Zone E counterparts, has successfully obtained the permission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to host regular meetings of Heads of Navies of Zone E states.
In his remark, the special guest of honour, Ismaila noted the necessity to step up surveillance activities along the Gulf of Guinea to allow safe movement of goods, services and passengers in the entire region.
He noted the general lack of enthusiasm to the development and facilitation of information sharing through naval systems and surveillance infrastructure.
Ismaila said the second conference in Africa was significant as it symbolises a strategic collaborative initiative between the Nigerian Navy and other international maritime stakeholders.
“It also presents a potent strategy required to mitigate the increasing vulnerabilities in African waters, especially the Gulf of Guinea.
“The economic opportunities that abound in these waters have witnessed increasing interests across a broad spectrum of profitable commercial activities.
“With such prospects amid immense resources, many observers believe that it presents incredible and exciting market potential for international businesses.
“These economic prospects are, however, threatened by the common challenge of rising insecurity in our collective maritime domain. It, therefore, makes sense to posit that any initiative by the Nigerian Navy to build credible capacity that will guarantee our collective maritime defence and security must be encouraged and pursued with vigour.
“This understanding is critical to maritime security. Regrettably, there is still a general lack of enthusiasm to the development and facilitation of information sharing through naval systems and surveillance infrastructure.
“In my view, this lack of interest in maritime domain surveillance capitalisation has limited the capacity for collaboration and information sharing among maritime stakeholders in Africa.
“This is more so as maritime criminals are highly mobile, thus making the crime itself very fluid and non-territorial; hence the need for co-operation among nation states.
“Intelligence sharing within the maritime security community would guarantee meaningful and responsive objectives as a requirement for Maritime Domain Control (MDC). Therefore, putting in place a co-operation mechanism for maritime security stakeholders is a long way to go.
“Let me also add that the collaborative initiative of the NN and IQPC is laudable and must be given the necessary support. We at the Ministry of Defence with the support of your government are doing what is necessary to enhance the asset capitalisation of the NN in order to improve its operational efficiency,” he said. For Jauro, such conferences were a necessity if the war against maritime criminals must be won.
He reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to the safetyý and security of merchant shipping.
Jauro said: “In NIMASA, our commitment to safety and security of merchant shipping is unwavering. This is why we have remained committed to the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Nigerian Navy which established the Maritime Guard Command (MGC) based in our head office with a navy captain as commander.
“Indeed, we cannot claim any measure of success if it was not for the full backing of the Navy. Considering that we are not permitted to bear arms in enforcing our mandate, we have continued to strengthen our partnership with the navy towards eradicating these criminals which results are already positive.
“The MGC has been able to arrest several vessels and persons engaged in one form of illegality or the other in our maritime environment.
“These evils do not only negatively impact on the economies of littoral states but also hinder effective harnessing of the potential of the maritime sector while causing grave reputational damage to the sub-region. This trend must be reversed to ensure our collective prosperity.”
While reiterating the importance of the West African sub-region to global economy, Babalola in his presentation stated that it is a pivotal international shipping route connecting the Far East to countries in the North and South of the Atlantic.
He said: “It has also become a veritable sea route for international trade and commerce, especially now that the Arab Gulf passage is more costly and risky, due to conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. Additionally, the sub-region is endowed with abundant deposit of hydrocarbon as well as home to a substantial bio-diversity of marine resources. In fact, four per cent of global oil extraction comes from this region.
To the Director, Ocean Explorers, Lieutenant Festus Erubore (rtd) said his knowledge has been broadened on the specific equipment needed by African navies in tackling peculiar maritime challenges.
”As a company that provides unique opportunities in maritime security surveillance; pipeline surveillance protection and interdiction; port facility security; port and vessel hardening; safeguarding hazardous material in a maritime environment; early detection technology; diving and salvage operation as well as high sea communication device, we are grateful to the navy for its ingenuity in organising this year’s OPV Africa conference” he said.
Irked by the deplorable state of the public health centre at Ibafon community in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ogun State, two groups, Sahara Group and Ovoteri Limited have carried out reconstruction work on the health centre.
Before the renovation exercise, the building showed signs of dilapidation, so much so that the walls looked dirty, dirty; malodorous and boasts obsolete equipment, with minimal manpower. But after the renovation, the once putrid structure radiates beauty, modern equipment, borehole, power generating set and car park, among other modern facilities. The gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities to the community and its residents.
The project was in two phases. The first phase comprised structural renovation which entailed removal of the worn out tiles, painting, replacement of the ceiling sheets, sinking of borehole, fixing of toilet seats, doors and door handles, while the second phase consists of supplies of the needed equipment in the health centre.
Hitherto, the health centre which has only six bed spaces opens during the week days and closes at the weekend due to various factors such as unavailability of water, lack of electricity supply and lack of a power generating set. Currently, the health centre has been well equipped both in terms of facilities and personnel. Both members of staff and the resident doctors are eager to provide 24-hour services for the patients.
One of the resident doctors, Mrs Islamiyya Baruwa, a Corps member said she is willing to stay back after her service year to work at the health centre because a lot of things have changed positively since the renovation was carried out.
“Initially, I had no desk to work on. Also the instruments were outdated. For example, there is an instrument for measuring heart rate, pulses and some other things but the one I saw when I came could not take the readings together. It will take them separately which wastes time. But now, reverse is the case because I can check more people in less time than before,” Baruwa said.
Representative of Sahara Group, Mr Tomiwa Adesida and the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility said the company is very grateful to the community for allowing them to operate without any hostility.
He said the gesture was their own way of appreciating and giving back to the community, aside from employing the locals to work in their oil farm.
“We are very grateful to this community for accepting us in their midst for so many years. It is a great honour to be in your midst because residents of Ibafon community are very friendly and co-operative; which is why we are inaugurating this project,” he said.
The Corporate Business Manager, Ovoteri Limited Mr Charles Zuokemefa said the company intends to identify some of the needs of the community and partner with companies that will help to satisfy the needs. He said the government cannot provide the needs of the community, hence interventions such as these are necessary, adding that: “Sahara Group has collaborated with us to satisfy some of the needs of the community.”
Continuing, Zuokemefa said: “It is very challenging for the government to build, run and maintain these facilities, which is why interventions by corporate bodies such as Sahara and Ovoteri go a long way in keeping these facilities operational and functional.”
Executive Secretary, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Tajudeen Ijora thanked the companies for their gesture, even as he urged other organisations to come to their aid. He implored inhabitants to utilise the services provided in the centre and asked them to see it as their property.
In a chat with Southwest Report, the Chief Nursing Officer of the clinic, Mrs Celia Oluborode said: “Before it was renovated, we used to have little or no patients but now we have more people coming for treatments and antenatal clinics. We are happy about this and we are also planning to provide 24-hour service.”
A resident of the area, Mr Musiliu Bala said: “I was delivered of my two children in this health centre when it was still in a shambles but now I am glad that it has been given a beautiful facelift.”
Another resident, Mrs Chioma Eze said: “Though am still in my second trimester, I cannot wait to use this facility when I am due to give birth because I have seen new equipment which has imbued the confidence in me and the of safety of my baby.”
Dignitaries who attended the event included the Medical Officer of the local government, Dr Disu Oyewoga, Balogun of Ibafon land who represented the Baale, Chief Hassan Kayode, the Otunba of Ibafon land, Chief Femi Oropo, the Iyaoloja of Ibafon land, Alhaja Bilikis Adeola and some representatives of the Ibafon Community Development Association, among others.
The Executive Secretary of Iba Local Council Development Area, Hon. Isiaka Yaya has reiterated the council’s commitment to the well-being of the residents, even as he said the business of government is to cater for the people to ensure that they are happy. He said one of the ways residents would live happy life is through ensuring clean and healthy environment.
Hon. Yaya spoke at Alaba Rago Market where he monitored the monthly sanitation exercise penultimate week.
While urging the residents and traders to maintain clean environment which will guarantee healthy living, he frowned at the rate at which illegal structures sprang up in the market despite that they had been demolished by the construction firms handling the 10-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor.
A statement signed by the Information Officer of the council, Mrs Jimoh Sharafat said the Executive Secretary advised the traders through their head, Seriki to desist from erecting illegal structures, adding that those who flout the directive would face the full wrath of the law.
According to the statement, the council boss expressed dismay over unwholesome attitudes of some residents on the environment, saying some of the ailments which people suffer from resulted from unhealthy environment due to their unfriendly approach to the surroundings.
“Basically, our attitude to the environment is very discouraging. For instance, the way we indiscriminately dispose of our domestic wastes is quite unfriendly to the environment. Indiscriminately people empty their wastes into our drainage systems thereby blocking them. The most worrisome among our attitudes to the environment is our penchant for tree cutting and building of illegal structures which prevent our breathing in dirt-free air.
“It is time we shaped our actions with a more prudent care to avoid dangerous environmental consequences. Through ignorance, or indifference, we can do considerable and irreparable harm to the earthly environment on which our life and well-being depend. On the other hand, through wise actions, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in an environment more in keeping with human needs and hopes. To defend and improve the human environment for present and future generations has become an imperative goal for mankind,” Hon. Yaya said.
Continuing, he said: “No doubt, poor economy and reduced human development are direct fall outs of man’s activities that are harmful to the environment. These include keeping dirty surroundings, pouring refuse into the sea that kill or drive away fishes, dirty drainage system that empties its dirty water into the sea which kill the fishes, cutting down trees, improper management of domestic and industrial waste products, pollution of both the air and the sea, bush burning and smoky engines. These help in endangering our environment and present harsh economic, social and health situations.”
Replying, the Seriki promised that the traders would co-operate with the council to make life meaningful for the residents, by keying into the council’s policies and programmes evolved to enhance the people’s well-being.
The Lions Club International has urged operators of orphanages, motherless babies’ homes and other rehabilitation centres across the country to be more vigilant in view of the upsurge in child trafficking.
President of Ado-Ekiti Metropolitan Lions Club, Dr. Idowu Adeojo, gave the advice in Usi-Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State while donating some materials to the inmates of Winning Children Foundation, a private orphanage.
Adeojo advised that there was need for the operators of these motherless babies’ homes to take the issue of security serious, to prevent evil doers from capitalising on the vulnerability of the children to perpetrate evil.
The former chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state urged the government to invest in the education of the children that found themselves under that condition.
The step, according to him, would not only reduce crime but would also prevent their future from being jeopardized.
“It is disheartening to be hearing on daily basis, reported cases of child abandonment, baby factories, child labour and trafficking even when we have a functional government in place.
“The government and the private organisations owe it a duty to protect the future of these children. They should not allow anyone to seize the opportunity of their vulnerability to use them as slaves or for other evil things.
Unless the Oyo State Government intervenes in the lingering chieftaincy tussle rocking the Ago-Are community in the Atisbo Local Government Area with a view to finding lasting solution, the agrarian and peaceful community in Oke-Ogun area may soon be consumed by violence.
Tension has already enveloped the town, as youths and other interest groups, including the royal families are threatening fire and brimstones should the king- makers go ahead in their strange selection of a successor to the vacant throne, which they described as “unacceptable and a negation of age long tradition in the selection process’’.
The former community head, Aare of Ago-Are, the late Oba Jubril Oyesiji Oladoke, joined his ancestors in May this year after about 39 years of peaceful reign.
Southwest Report reliably gathered that barely two months after the death of the late ruler, a family meeting of Edu Ruling House which is to produce the next king, was convened where 15 candidates emerged to contest for the vacant stool.
Names of interested candidates were later presented to the community kingmakers for thorough screening through Ifa Oracle divination and in line with the age long customs and traditions.
It was learnt that rather than allowing age long traditional status quo in the process of selecting a new monarch for the community to remain, the kingmakers allegedly opted for orthodox religious method.
The community has eight kingmakers through declaration made under section 4(2) of the Chieftaincy Law of 1957. Two of the kingmakers had died, thus remaining six.
The six kingmakers, four Christians and two Muslims were alleged to have jettisoned traditional selection method, secretly picked two among the contesting candidates and voted along religious affiliations.
At the end of the secret election, a Christian candidate was said to have emerged victorious.
Competent source hinted that the decision of the lawmakers could not be communicated to the people for fear of unpleasant reactions.
The strange approach to selection of new monarch by the kingmakers elicited anger and uproar from indigenes, including the remaining 14 candidates who contested for the throne.
The royal candidates led by Prince Taoheed Oyekola Olakanla, told journalists at a briefing that “it is unfortunate that the kingmakers allowed self-centredness and greed to prevail over Ago-Are traditions and customs. Since July 7, this year that the kingmakers conducted their strange, kangaroo, alien and unlawful election to select another Oba, why has it been difficult for them to make the pronouncement? “All the contesting candidates who are also princes vehemently rejected the selection process. We have also forwarded our grievances to the appropriate authorities, notably the state government and the Alaafin of Oyo, who is the consenting authority and permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.”
In a related development, other five princes from the same ruling house kicked against what they referred to as “unlawful exclusion of their vested rights’’.
While denying any knowledge of the steps taken by both the ruling house and the kingmakers to select a new monarch, they noted that such steps were not made public as required by law.
Spokesman for the aggrieved princes, Semiu Bolaji Opeloyeru said: “We find it incomprehensible and unacceptable the activities of both the ruling house and the kingmakers.”
They added that their rights to seek appointment into the revered stool of Aare of Ago-Are has been jeopardised by the duo who have refused to adhere to all relevant laws regulating their conduct in this regards.
The princes, therefore, demanded outright cancellation of the nominations and election of any candidate, to ensure due process of law and to provide avenue for them to realise their aim of contesting for the vacant stool as provided under the law.
The ruling house, apparently feeling the heat ordered the cancellation of the initial selection and directed the kingmakers to follow laid down rules and regulations in order to ensure strict compliance with the age long traditions as well as to ensure the participation of all interested candidates.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, was said to have intervened and allegedly warned the kingmakers against neglect of their communal heritage in the name of orthodox religion, especially on the selection of successor to the vacant stool.
He said any attempt to circumvent the age long traditions and denounce the legacies of their forefathers to the dustbin of history, rather than preserving and recognising them always leads to crises and disharmony.
Meanwhile, youths, members of the royal family and other interest groups in the community have raised the alarm over strange movements by a group known as Oke-Ogun Professionals to create disharmony and cause violence, through distortion of historical facts about the community’s chieftaincy affairs.
Prince Oyewole
A press release jointly signed by Princes Salam Kazeem Oyewole and Olalekan Olaniyonu of the Edu Ruling House in Ago-Are community and made available to Southwest Report said the faceless Oke-Ogun Professionals is not speaking the minds of the royal family in particular and the Ago-Are community in general, let alone competent to act as the community’s mouthpiece.
It further stated that the community has a well-organised vibrant Native Assembly, the Ifelodun Ago-Are Parapo that will not delegate its duty to others.
It added, however, that it is not surprising to the Royal Family to see such a group parading itself as mouthpiece of the ruling house at this critical period when it has
called for cancellation of the selection of Prince Abodurin Kofoworola, which was carried out through dishonesty and abuse of power, which the secretary-general of the unknown and faceless group regards as due process.
“Indeed, more and other actions by selfish interest groups are expected by the Royal Family which is fully aware of the desperation of sponsored mischievous elements in the society striving to determine weak and unsuitable leadership and a bleak future for Ago-Are by misleading and cajoling the general public and authorities to accept the culture of immorality and impunity demonstrated by the six kingmakers who betrayed the throne and their privileged position by jettisoning age long tradition which stipulated the processes for appointing the Aare of Ago-Are land,” the release said.
Prince Olaniyonu
Continuing, the release said: “Ago-Are is not a club house or an association where members conduct simple majority vote to determine their leaders. It is also not a political party whose leadership must come through party politics. Let the defenders of the wrongfully selected candidate and the six kingmakers tell the world anyone out of the past 13 paramount rulers in Ago-Are history that was so enthroned; from Ajibesin Adensile down to the immediate past Oba.
“The media campaign to pressurise our highly respected monarch Iku Baba Yeye the Alaafin of Oyo and Oyo State Government to approve the fraudulent selection process of the candidate in question and to suppress the truth started weeks ago with posts on Facebook and publications in some newspapers. The blatant lies went further that all the candidates signed a document accepting the wrongful selection of Prince Kofoworola. We have already challenged the entire six kingmakers to show proof of that claim.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Ago-Are customs and traditions which have been duly supported by the Chieftaincy Declarations never put the selection of a candidate for the throne of the Aare of Ago-Are land at the whims and caprices of the kingmakers.
“Checks and balances are incorporated in the selection process, starting with family meetings of the Edu Royal Family for the purpose of nominating any number of candidates among the male descendants.”
It, therefore, advised the Oke-Ogun Professionals to go for enlightenment on the traditional process of appointing the Aare of Ago-Are land and indeed recognised obas in Yoruba land.
It was an emotional event as members of family and friends of the late Prof. Adepoju Onibokun remembered the town planner who was credited with the design of the Federal Capital Territory.
At an event which took place at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, an engineer and town planner, who contributed to the development of some of the highways in the country, Prof. John Falade, said many developing areas manifest features of slum settlements because the government has failed to play its role of planning the urban areas.
ýProf. Falade, who was the guest lecturer on the occasion, observed that it was easier for the government to work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to achieve success in all areas, adding that “government, through the planning agency, is supposed to have plans for our communities. What we find in Nigeria at the moment is abnormality, as people do not see town planners as their friends.ý”
Continuing, he said: “The case of Ibadan is a quite interesting one. I grew up in Ibadan to some extent. I was here from 1969 to 1974, when I travelled abroad.
“The problem was that the planning was truncated, following the Agbekoya incident. That was the time of Maj-Gen Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd).
“Residents protested that town planners were extorting money from them, some people were killed. The protesters went to Agodi Prisons to set some people free. “Then the governor went on television to say that there was no town planning again. It was a law. So, all the development you see towards and around were as a result of how people began to build without government’s approval.
“This is the genesis of narrow roads in Ibadan today. You see a lot of people building their houses without approval.
“Town planning came as a preventive arm of medical service. We have to make sure that town planning works. We need to obey town planning rules. It is for our own good. In England where I practise, they don’t joke with it. So, we must learn to obey it for our own health.”
He linked poor planning of the developing areas with government’s lack of political will to enforce town planning rules, warning that poor living conditions in the areas could lead to outbreak of diseases and other disasters.
He said: “Government should have planned the developing areas through the planning agencies ahead of the population explosion that is now being witnessed in those communities. By so doing, a planning standard would have been established. People should also stop tampering with the size of the roads in developing areas.
“Developing areas in Nigeria are in a bad shape and people no longer regard town planners as their friends.” He acknowledged that low income earners and poor people might never have the financial power to stay in well-planned communities such as Government Reservation Areas, but urged the government to commit itself more to planning the developing areas.
He also said government could help low income earners own their houses by allocating plots of land to them for free instead of selling to the rich.
He said: “We have many housing estates coming up but not for the low income earners. The easiest way for low income earners to build houses in Nigeria is through co-operative housing scheme. In Nigeria these days, mortgage does not help the poor because the loan provider will ask for collateral that a poor man cannot afford.
“By the provision of the Land Use Decree, government owns the land. So, it can help the poor by giving them lands to build their houses instead of profiting from selling them to the rich. It’s the best subsidy to help the poor.”
The chairman on the occasion, emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo described the late don, who died at the age of 63, as one of Nigeria’s bravest scholars.
According to the don who said the invitation was what he could not possibly refuse “because of the personalities involved” recalled that “as far back as 1990, the late Prof. Onibokun established the Centre for African Settlement Studies and Development (CASSAD).
“Then in 1990, he took the brave and far-reaching decision of establishing CASSAD. The centre is situated in the same area of Bodija as where I live and I never ventured from my house into the town without seeing the centre’s sign board which, indeed, is still there.
“My first impression of Prof. Onibokuný was that of a man bursting with physical and mental energy. There was something about his look and bearing which conveyed a sense of resoluteness and urgency. It appeared as if he was being driven by a great idea. Then one heard that he was involved with the big Abuja project under the supervision of Prof. Akin Mabogunje.
“But when he took early retirement and unfolded his plans for CASSAD, one concluded that this must have been the big idea which had been going through a period of gestation in his mind. It seemed an ambitious idea, but Prof. Onibokun seemed to have what it takes to launch such a seemingly elaborate project which, one hoped, would bring some understanding and, ultimately, order to the African habitat. Ibadan would appear to be the ideal place to site such a project.”
Describing the late Onibokun’s legacies as unforgettable, Banjo called for massive overhauling of universities.
He said: “Our universities need massive overhauling to make them a veritable engine of development, producing scholars working within and outside the university system, who will ensure a consistent rise in the level of development in the country.
“Prof Onibokun has bequeathed a legacy, which should challenge generations after him to be in the vanguard of efforts to develop the country and enhance the well-being and happiness of its inhabitants.”
ýAkin Mabogunje, another erudite Prof., described the late Prof. Onibokun as an enterprising Nigerian, who was concerned with the problem in the country.
“He paid attention to ways in which we really don’t pay attention to our cities. And he wanted to come and see what can be done to improve the conditions in the cities.
“Although he worked for many years in the public sector, he used his money to start what is currently known as CASSAD. And so, he gave examples to people that you don’t wait for government to solve a problem.
“Ten years after, some things have changed; some are just as bad as when he left. This celebration is to show that we have not forgotten him and his contribution and to use it as an example which people can copy and improve upon,” he said.
A book was launched in commemoration of the late scholar and town planner of repute.
Following the approval of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, the Ekiti State Office of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has disbursed a sum of N145.2 million to 25 contractors handling 2011, 2012 and 2013 projects.
Presenting cheques to the contractors at Ekiti State MDGs Office in Ado-Ekiti, the Chief of Staff to the Governor/Chairman, MDGs Chief Dipo Anisulowo said the payments made were strictly on merit, stressing that Governor Fayose’s approval was because the affected contractors did good jobs.
Chief Anisulowo noted that the Governor had, earlier in the year, revalidated an approval by the immediate past administration for payment of a sum of N117 million because he believes that government is a continuum.
Emphasising that the welfare of the people remained a top priority for the present administration, Anisulowo noted that the gesture has, again, demonstrated the Governor’s sincerity of purpose, adding that the move would also serve as a re-awakening to other contractors to complete their jobs without delay.
In his remarks at the event, the Secretary/MDGs State Focal Person, Mr. James Owolabi urged the benefiting contractors to reciprocate the Governor’s magnanimity by contributing their quotas to the development of the state by always delivering standard jobs.
Speaking on behalf of other contractors, Mr. Sola Oyebanji showered encomium on Governor Fayose, describing him as a true democrat.
He advised contractors that were yet to complete their jobs to do so on time, saying that since the Governor keeps his promise, he would ensure prompt payment for work done.
The hope of brilliant but indigent students within Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency to further their education beyond the primary school level was rekindled as the lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives; Hon. Adedapo Lam-Adesina distributed the 2015 General Certificate Examination (GCE) forms to 40 prospective students. The gesture was in fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promises to enhance the education of members of his constituency. The students were randomly selected from secondary schools within the two local government areas that make up the federal constituency by relevant stakeholders under the “Omo Oloore Educational Development scheme” at his yet-to-be inaugurated federal constituency office in Ibadan South East Local Government Area along Ile Titun area of Ibadan. The forms cost N12, 300 each.ý
According to the lawmaker, the gesture aimed at motivating the students to strive towards excellence. Hon. Lam-Adesina also gave strong assurances of an imminent revolution in the education sector as it is the only tool for self-sustenance and national growth.ý
In his brief speech at the event, Hon Lam-Adesina referred to Nelson Mandela’s view that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. I have come to realise that when you invest sufficiently in your child via education, you have thoroughly secured a future for yourself and generations yet unborn. I have been privileged to exploit untapped opportunities recently purposely because I am educated and that’s why I would, as a legislator, do everything humanly possible to contribute to the development of the education sector within this constituency.”
He promised to partner with relevant stakeholders to resuscitate and sustain growth in the education sector and to work in line with the manifesto of his party; the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national and state levels in order to reduce the level of illiteracy in his constituency in particular and the country in general.
He said: “I have met with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the two local government areas and All Nigerian Confedration of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) to explore ways of partnering to bring the desired change to our constituency within the best possible time.
“So also, I would liaise with other legislators, especially with the House Committee on Education, to ensure that government parastatal saddled with policy formulation and implementation performs their obligations as gazetted in the acts establishing them.”
He thereafter promised to award scholarships to the best students during the examination.
Hon. Lam-Adesina also urged parents to be alive to their responsibilities, even as he advised them to pay greater attention to the well-being of their children and wards. He unfolded his developmental plans towards transforming the fortune of his constituency.
He further assured members of his constituency of his commitment to giving them quality representation in the National Assembly. Mrs Kehinde Adedayo, who spoke on behalf of parents of the recipients, praised the lawmaker who he said remains committed to make people’s welfare top priority. “We are very grateful to God and to our representative who has shown us a new era in governance, where people’s interest comes first,” she said.
An APC chieftain Chief Ayo Eniade presenting the GCE form to one of the the beneficiaries, while Lam-Adesina looks on.
Mr Oluwaseyi Oduola who also spoke on behalf of the recipients prayed God to grant the Hon. Lam-Adesina success in all his endeavours. He advised other public office holders and the rich to emulate Hon. Lam-Adesina. He praised him for the programme which he said is coming at a time when it was most needed.
Dignitaries present at the event included Chief Ayo Eniade, Mogaji Amusa Makinde, Chief Abolade Akinyemi, Alhaji Mufu Adisa, chairmen of APC in Ibadan South East and North East Local Government Areas, chairmen of the NUT in the two local government areas, chairmen of Community Development Council (CDC) in the two local government areas, women, youth leaders and leaders of the APC in the constituency.
