The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • How Mimiko’s vendetta eased me out of National Assembly, by Rep Abegunde

    How Mimiko’s vendetta eased me out of National Assembly, by Rep Abegunde

    The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment last week ruled that a member of the House of Representatives, Ifedayo Abegunde, representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency should vacate his seat in the National Assembly for defecting from the Labour Party to now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2012. Abegunde, a two-term lawmaker spoke with DAMISI OJO on the court case and other related issues.

    Why did you leave Labour Party [LP] for the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN]?

    You can recall that I was a founding member of LP. I started with the Party as a sitting member of the House of Representatives and Chairman House Committee on inter-governmental affairs from 2003-2007. So I was a prominent member of the party and a financer. We went into an election against late Dr. Olusegun Agagu just two months when the party was launched in Ondo State. We went through a process which was now history but the end process produced Dr.Olusegun Mimiko.

    Remember, I was a sitting House of Representatives member when Mimiko was Secretary to the State Government [SSG] under late Agagu before he became a minister. We partnered together to bring LP into Ondo State along with other prominent politicians in the state. I contested for the House of Representatives but I was rigged out by the ruling PDP. I went to court and the election tribunal sitting in Akure nullified the election but the Appeal court in Benin upturned the judgment on technical grounds that the case was filed late.

    Mimiko called me immediately after the judgment that 2011 was around the corner. For almost eight months, I was idle sitting down at home. The agitation became so much and Akure people were putting pressure on the governor to do something about my case which ordinarily should not occur at all.

    At last, the governor appointed me as the Chairman of Aforestation. Aforestation is located far away along Lagos express road. The first day I resumed office in that place, I didn’t need anybody to tell me that it was deliberate on the part of Mimiko to send me out of the town. No light, no water, and no telephone network in that place. When the office opened an annex in Akure, I decided to operate from the Akure office rather than staying in that bush to risk my life. The governor became furious and asked why I did not reside in the official quarters and stay at the head office located in that bush. I told him the condition of the place and that I will rather leave the job than to risk my life. We were on this issue when the 2011 election came and

    Mimiko who had earlier promised me started playing game. Many aspirants started showing interest. The governor had anointed candidate, Chief Olu Falae’s son late Deji also showed interest. At this point, came confusion and suspicious. He promised me the ticket, he also promised Chief Olu Falae to stabilize his government. Meanwhile, the governor had given instruction to his friends and associate to work secretly for his anointed candidate, Mr. Dare Aliu but the party leaders and the Excos took sympathy and voted for me. I went into the election with less support from the government and I won.

    In view of this, the governor and his appointees in government created problem for the party Excos in Akure North and South. The Excos in Akure North were dissolved and aggrieved party Excos went to court to challenge this illegality and factionalized the party. When this issue was going on, the party became so factionalised in the two local governments, I tried to discuss with the leadership of the party and Mr Governor. The crisis reached a pick when another faction of the party emerged from the state Exco of the party, one faction led by Ogidan as the State Chairman, the other led by Hon. Kunle Odidi also as the State Chairman. At this point, I had no choice than to rely on section 68 of the Nigeria Constitution and defect to another party so that I could concentrate to deliver the dividend of democracy to my constituents.

    During the election to choose the Speaker, House of Representatives, you supported Tambuwal against the directive of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to vote Mrs. Adeola Akande, what informed this?

    I was in the House of Representatives in 2003-2007 and was in the same Communication Committee with Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, we interacted and became friends, we were re-elected again in 2011 and we met. I took interest in his ambition because we had been together before. We started working and canvassing other members to vote for him. A day to the election, the governor invited all elected House of Representatives members from the state under the LP. At the meeting, he directed all of us to vote Hon. Adeola as Speaker without giving any reason other than that she was the choice of Mr. President. He did not allow individual views and opinions.

    At that point, I became confused because I was already a committed caucus member of Tambuwal’s ambition. As a Yoruba man, I made up my mind to go with my conscience which is to go and align myself with Tambuwal, so as not to be seen in that camp as a spy and betrayal. At the end I became the only lawmaker from Ondo State that voted Tambuwal as Speaker. But with my action, the governor became angry with me and started victimising my political allies in his government. He dropped his two commissioners from Akure North and South whom I influenced their nomination in his cabinet. Hon. Omoniyi Omodara Commissioner for Transport and Mr. Kunle Asaolu Commissioner for Urban Development. Not only that, he used police to seize the official car of Hon. Saka Yusuf, the Education Secretary of Akure North and forced him to resign his appointment. He directed others not to recognise my leadership in the party in Akure South and appointed a leader who is his bosom friend Soji Bello, who is an Ekiti man.

    The situation led to heavy factionalisation of the party which led to my exit from the party. At a point I needed police protection because there was an attempt on my life, I went through hell.Voting Tambuwal and defying Mimiko’s order was not an easy step in my political life. However, I have no regret.

    What would you consider as being the reason why you lost your case from the High Court up to the Supreme Court?

    Looking at the case, you will see that the judgment was political and induced by politicians. Unfortunately some of our judges became so rich that they rely on political cases to become overnight billionaires. When I defected to the defunct ACN, the heat was too much and Mimiko was desperate to take any step to get me out of the NASS. He had gone to INEC to falsify the voters register so that he will recall me from the National Assembly. You know Mimiko, he can be funny. I went to court to exercise my right and he used that avenue and spent tax payers’ money to get me out.

    Mimiko and his party are aware that I am on ground in this state and particularly in Akure the state capital, where I have won election twice to the national Assembly. I know I have paid a big sacrifice in seeking for a better change for this country and I am happy that the change has finally come. No sacrifice is too big to join hands with other patriotic citizen to affect that change, so no regret at all.

    You were a governorship aspirant in ACN but at end, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN was picked as the governorship candidate in 2012, how did you feel?

    All of us that contested for the ticket are prominent citizens of the state and have the capability to govern the state very well if elected but we had earlier assured the leadership of the party that we would agree with their choice of candidate and work together. I knew that one person would be picked not two. When that moment to pick came and Rotimi Akeredolu was picked I had no difficulty in line with our agreement to align myself with the decision. I am a democrat and a team player. I had no choice than to start working for the party. No regret at all because I was not desperate (to become the candidate) and I will always respect the wishes of the leaders. So it was a welcome development.

    You contested the APC primary for a senatorial seat and lost in a controversial manner, can you shed light on how it happened despite your popularity?

    This is the sensitive area I don’t want to repeat and I have decided to put all the drama behind me. Let me tell you that I won that primary but I decided to let it go in order to achieve peace in the party. I can’t be fighting two wars at the same time. I was already at the Supreme Court with Mimiko and at the same time contesting an issue with my party leadership.

    How did you feel when your agent was barred from witnessing the recounting of your votes at the National party Secretariat of your party in Abuja?

    My agent was not barred, to set the record straight, but I was not physically present during the recounting of vote neither did anybody represent me as agent. I was even at the premises of the Secretariat but I was not at the counting venue. I was not invited. However, as a loyal party man, I took the outcome of the recounting exercise in good faith. You are aware that I was the one that protested to the leadership that votes written on my second name was not counted. I was informed that I lost the election by seven votes because some people wrote my name and that of the winner in the same ballot paper.

    However, some of my supporters advised that I should go to court to challenge the invalid votes through the use of scanning machine but I refused. I can’t take the leadership of the party to court for what I am not so desperate about, and I told them I have been in the House of Representatives twice and I have won election and also lost election so losing the primary is not an end to my political life but a coma. Another reason is that I can’t be an obstacle that will derail the goal of the party. I quickly see the outcome of the primary as a price and I let it go.

    The Supreme Court ordered that you to vacate your seat at the House of Representatives over your defection from LP to ACN few days after you lost your senatorial ticket in a controversial manner, how did you cope with this situation?

    The judgment from the Supreme Court is political. Judgment was delivered on March 22 and the judges reserved their reasons till April 17. My lawyers were in court to argue a motion already filed only for the justices to disallow their attempt to move the motion. They adjourned for few minutes and came back asking for lawyers to address the court after which they went for few minutes recess, came back and delivered judgment on the matter. I saw the scenario as a charade and already belated because an election to elect another person to that position has been slated for the same week by INEC.

    The judgment coming barely few days to the period I lost my senatorial ticket will be devastating not only to me as a person but my numerous supporters especially people that decamped with me from LP to ACN in 2012. Some of them looked worried because in their mind, they thought it was all over and that their sacrifices, investment and risk they took are not appreciated by our party. For me as a person, I am of the opinion that we must continue to give Mimiko a fight for his money and tricks. I did not allow these two events to discourage me so I quickly put it behind me. I have been active in the party after the judgment and that was the reason behind the success we recorded in Akure during the Presidential and National Assembly election where we recorded over 50,000 votes for our party.

    During last year governorship election in Osun State, you went to Osun and mobilized support of Ondo indigenes for Aregbesola. What actually informed your action?

    I was in Osun State to mobilise support for Ogbeni Aregbesola for his re-election. I visited the governor before the election and I told him that I want to assist him to mobilise and talk to Ondo State indigenes residing in the State of Osun to support him. He asked how I intend to go about it. I told him I have the plan that I just wanted to inform him. He directed me to liaise with one of his aides, Barrister Akano the deputy Chief of Staff. I met with Akano and I told him my mission and that I was not ready to take a kobo from the government for my assignment. I went into action and I visited 30 local governments in the state, talking to people in different towns and villages on a daily basis for three weeks including Modakeke area council. I first put together a team with local government, state and ward excos in all the 30 local governments. The team was mainly Ondo state indigenes residing in Osun. I financed their weekly meetings and personally inaugurated these excos at all level. They moved back to their various local governments and wards and began mobilization of other indigenes of the state residing in the state of Osun. This group is called Oranmiyan Sunshine Movement, (OSM). So we used this platform to achieve our aim of mobilising our people for the re-election of Ogbeni Aregbesola and we came for public adoption of the governor at an open arcade where the governor and his cabinet members were personally present. Ogbeni Aregbesola was in Ondo State during our governorship election in 2012, he spent time, money and energy to effect a change not that he has personal grudge against Mimiko but he wanted Ondo State to collaborate with other South West States to achieve regional integration. Unfortunately our party lost the election and Mimiko started boasting that he will deal with Aregbesola by supporting Omisore to unseat him. So I took the courage to invest in Ondo State indigenes living in Osun state and mobilise them to support Aregbesola despite the demands at home from our party members who are looking upon on us for little assistance.

     

     

     

     

     

  • UN agency, ministry of women affairs task men on safe delivery

    UN agency, ministry of women affairs task men on safe delivery

    Hitherto, the battle to arrest child – maternal death during pregnancy or in the labour room has been largely centred on educating the expectant mothers on the propriety of always seeking expert attention throughout the period of pregnancy and after delivery.

    But in Ogun State, the frontier has been expanded to include the men folks. This is predicated on the discovery that despite the availability of orthodox healthcare service, a good number of pregnant women still patronize traditional birth attendants with the tacit or open support of  their husbands, and unmindful of the risk to expectant mothers and unborn babies.

    Last week, the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the United Nations Population Agency (UNFPA), trained no fewer than 30 persons on how to instigate positive behavioural change in men towards motivating and encouraging expectant mothers to seek help from healthcare centres and stop risking their lives with unsafe birth practices.

    The 30 trainees who are called community volunteers, were drawn from 10 communities in three of the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun state – Ipokia, Yewa South and Yewa North.

    State Programme Officer, United Nations Population Agency (UNFPA), Mrs Damilola Obinna, said the training is part of efforts to increase male involvement in the sexual and reproductive health of their wives.

    Mrs Obinna added that the men – husbands, henceforth are expected to lend more helping hands to their spouses before, during and after child birth.

    She advised that married men and women in the state should always make the best use of modern family planning techniques available, and avoid self-medication and unwholesome traditional healthcare practices that could hamper their health and socio-economic development.

    According to her, the three day training on “Male Involvement In Sexual And Reproductive Health” of Women followed the outcome of a recent National Demographic Health Study (NDHS) carried out in 2013 and whose report was released in 2014.

    The report, she said, indicated that most maternal health indicators had marginal improvement with a non-significant increase in national maternal mortality rate from 545 deaths per 100,000 births to 576 deaths per 100,000 live births.

    She noted that the situation was common to all the 36 states of the country, including Ogun, hence the reason the training was targeted at male family heads and relatives to expose them to dialogue, information sharing and raising of awareness ostensibly to promote role modeling for men.

    According to the UNFA programme officer, men should be seen as “protectors and promoters of rights of women and young girls.”

    Mrs Obinna said: “studies have shown that a lot of pregnant women do not visit ante-natal clinics and do not give birth at health facilities within their localities. This has a lot of negative health consequence.

    “We need the support of all family members, especially husbands to be involved in ensuring that their wives visit ante-natal clinics regularly, ensure that they are being attended to by skilled birth attendants , they should deliver at the clinics for the well-being and development of the home.”

    Also, the Director of Child Development in the Women Affairs Ministry, Alhaja Salmot Otun, told the participants that they are expected by virtue of the training, to be change agents in the way men and women perceive each other on their respective rights, roles and responsibilities in their localities.

    Otun emphasized that the overall interest is to contribute towards reducing maternal mortality in the state by encouraging access and utilization of Skilled Birth Attendants and Family Planning commodities and services across the 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

    A participant, Mr Owolabi Adedayo from Yewa South Local Government Area, lauded the training, saying it was an eye-opener to what Gender, Sex and Gender Roles were all about.

    Adedayo, who is a religious leader, pledged to pass the knowledge gained to women and men in Owode – Yewa community.

    For Mr. Ahmed Taiwo from Igan Okoto in Yewa North Local Government Area, the training had exposed him to the immense benefits of rendering moral, physical and psychosocial support to wives before, during and after pregnancy.

    Taiwo urged the organiser to replicate the programmes in all the 20 Local Council Areas of the State.

  • Why Ajimobi broke second term jinx, by Alaafin’s aide

    Why Ajimobi broke second term jinx, by Alaafin’s aide

    Not a few people thought the Royal Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo, Aare Ayandotun Ayanlakin, was spinning yarn in January 2014, when he predicted that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State will be reelected.

    The governor, according to the Oyo chief took his prediction with a pinch of salt during a visit to his office in Ibadan. The countenance of the governor rather than discourage Ayanlakin, emboldened him to call a press conference, where he again reiterated that Ajimobi would be returned as governor of the pacesetter state.

    “Governor Ajimobi did not believe me when I told him that he would be returned as governor. Although, the governor did not utter a word when I told him that he would win the 2915 governorship election, but I noticed his reservations about my prediction in his countenance. I left his office that day and I immediately organized a press conference where I made it clear that Ajimobi will break the second term jinx. A lot of people queried my prediction but I stood my ground because I was so sure of Ajimobi’s victory. My prediction was published in several newspapers and I have been vindicated by the outcome of the governorship election.”

    What then could have made Ayanlakin to be so sure that Ajimobi would break a jinx that has endured for decades since the creation of Oyo State? If you think that he consulted an oracle or seer about what would be the outcome of Oyo governorship election, how mistaken you are. Rather, his prediction was based on the unprecedented achievements of Oyo State government under Ajimobi’s watch.

    Hear him: “I foretold Ajimobi’s victory without consulting any oracle or seer. My prediction was based on the uncommon transformation of Oyo State in the last four years under Ajimobi’s administration. Since its creation, Oyo State has not witnessed massive infrastructural development and innovative projects that Ajimobi has inaugurated so far.

    “The outstanding achievements of Ajimobi are the reasons why he has broken reelection jinx in the state. Ajimobi has done what others before him did not do. The achievements of his administration so far cannot be compared to that of any administration in the political history of the state. He has invested massively in infrastructural development, including the beautification of the environment; the construction of the Mokola flyover in Ibadan; building of roads; timely payment of worker’s salary as well as disbursement of N300 million loans to traders and artisans in the state.”

    “I predicted his reelection in January 2014 and I am happy that it has come to pass. He has established a harmonious relationship with the traditional institution in Oyo State in a way that has never been done before. It is to his credit that the Alaafin of Oyo, is now the permanent chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Ajimobi was divinely chosen as governor of the state and it was the reason the people of Oyo did not re-elect his predecessors for second term.”

    He however urged Ajimobi to intensify his efforts in providing more social amenities for residents of the state and to tackle infrastructure decay in some sectors.

    “Ajimobi should focus more on sectors such as education, health and the welfare of the aged. I also want him to fix bad roads and build low income housing estates, so that the masses can also afford to own houses. I expect him to continue to support traditional institutions in Oyo State and look after the wellbeing of monarchs in the state. I know that he has a good heart for people and he would justify his re-election which was made possible by his outstanding strides as governor during his first term in office.”

    Ayanlakin warned those who have been parading themselves as Yoruba leaders and castigating the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, urging them to beg for forgiveness adding that Tinubu is the authentic Yoruba leader.

    “I am saying it without any iota of doubt that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the only authentic Yoruba leader. Anyone confronting or contesting the leadership of the Yoruba race with him will continue to fail. All those who are parading themselves as Yoruba leaders and tackling Tinubu should beg for his forgiveness because God has created him to lead the people of Southwest. Therefore, anyone that attacks Tinubu is wasting his time because nothing would affect him. Tinubu is not only our leader in Yoruba land, but an undisputed political leader in Nigeria.”

  • Old Students Alliance-Badagry congratulates Ambode, deputy

    Old Students Alliance-Badagry congratulates Ambode, deputy

    The Old Students Alliance-Badagry (OSAB), has urged the Governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his deputy, Dr Oluranti Idiat Adebule to hit the ground running once they take office on May 29, 2015.

    In a congratulatory message to the incoming Lagos Chief Executive, his deputy and all the  All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates from Badagry area that were victorious in the March 28 and April 11 elections, OSAB enjoined Ambode to immediately immense himself and his team in the arduous tasks ahead to sustain the enviable height of the centre of excellence as the state of reference in the country.

    The congratulatory message signed by president Mr Felix Sadare and the general secretary Otunba Yomi Olomofe, drew the attention of the successful party candidates to the extremely high expectations of the people of Lagos in particular, and Nigerians generally in the areas of infrastructure developments, quality and affordable health care delivery, provision of quality and affordable housing schemes across the state, continuous employment generation, security of lives and property of Lagosians, etc.

    “We wish to place on record our unwavering confidence in the calibre and competence of our Governor-elect Mr Akinwumi Ambode, his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, and indeed, the candidates representing Badagry at the federal and state legislative chambers. These are people of exceptional personal and professional endowments, who have made invaluable contributions over time, to the growth of Lagos state. We therefore envisage a seamless transition and subsequent elevation of the state to higher levels of excellence”. The alliance said.

  • Honour for real ambassadors of Lagos

    Honour for real ambassadors of Lagos

    Many jaws often drop in utter awe at the sight, especially during the monthly environmental sanitation being observed across Lagos State. Armed with broom and shovel, at his age, the first Executive Governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, would totter through the streets in his Ilupeju neighbourhood, in observance of the exercise.

    He is usually joined by other eminent landlords that constitute the Ilupeju Estate Residents Development Association, including a former Military governor in the state, Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (rtd).

    Observers could only appreciate their effort to sustain the glory of Lagos of old with one refrain – a prayer: “May God reward these good people in heaven!”

    Such men and women of exemplary patriotism are in every nook and cranny of the metropolis doing great things for the society through sheer sacrifice. In the same vein, quite many corporate organisations have done what First Bank Plc did to arrest the progressive decay of the popular Costain Roundabout, years ago. It has since remained a beauty to behold.

    Are you among or do you know the individuals, public service and corporate organisations that have been toiling exceptionally to restore, protect and share those sacred values that made Lagos great? Now is the time to reap the fruits of such efforts.

    The opportunity will come on May 27, when the Spirit of Lagos (SOL), a behavioural transformation initiative, holds a unique awards ceremony to celebrate individual and corporate citizens who have evinced rare selfless civic acts to effect positive change in Lagos.

    SOL’s Project Director, Mr Olaniyi Omotoso, blew the lid of the plans of the organisation at a media briefing in Ikeja, where he said the ceremony, tagged Citizens’ Day, “is part of ongoing activities of our group to encourage residents to restore, protect and share those values that made Lagos a great city.”

    Omotoso said the three-category ceremony – individual, public service and corporate organizations – would be chaired by the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola at the grand event commemorating the 48th year of the creation of the state.

    The individual category includes Lifetime Achievement Award – for an elderly citizen, living or dead, who has impacted positively on the state; Award for Community Development – for a citizen who has impacted positively on his/her community; Award for Exceptional Community – for a community that has done exceptional things through collaborative efforts; and Award for Exceptional Youth– for a young resident between the ages of 18 and 25, with a strong commitment to societal good, he explained.

    The Public Service categories according to Omotoso, cover Lifetime Achievement Award, Role Model Award and Rising Star Award, and will reward employees of the Lagos State civil service who have demonstrated dedicated and excellent performances in the discharge of their duties.

    The corporate organisations category, he said, would recognise and honour socially responsible corporate bodies – multinationals, emerging corporate bodies and small and medium scale enterprises – that have, in very tangible ways, given back to the society in which they operate.

    “The award is to inspire and acknowledge good behaviour as well as engender and sustain attitudinal change among Lagos residents. The search for these exceptional citizens and organisations will extend to all the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state. It will give the grassroots residents the opportunity to identify and nominate those who they feel are worthy of the awards in their localities,” the SOL Project Director said.

    Omotoso disclosed that nomination forms had been deposited at all the secretariats of the LGs/LCDAs for easy collection by residents.

    A panel of judges comprising eminent men and women of impeccable character in the society, he added, would screen and shortlist the prospective nominees who will subsequently go through a voting process by the public to eventually determine the worthy awardees.

    Mrs Folasade Fasehun, Director, Development Partnership Department, Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget, lauded the initiative, noting that it will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the state government at ensuring the rebirth of a new Lagos of residents’ collective dream.

    Also, Mrs Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, General Counsel to Fashola; Shola Shasore, Office of Public Private Partnership; Ronke Daniels, Spokesperson, Akoka Community Development Association (CDA), and Kelechi Nwosu, Managing Director, TBWA Concepts, were at the briefing.

    They observed that SOL activities are complementary to the state government’s environmental efforts and enjoined all stakeholders to play their respective part to ensure the success of the ceremony and to ultimately achieve its goals.

  • Arewa chieftain applauds Aregbesola

    The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members among the Arewa Community in the South West, Alhaji Hassan Isiaka has applauded Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola over the victory of the party in the zone in the just-concluded general elections.

    In astatement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Monday, the Arewa leader acknowledged “the singular efforts of the APC Presidential Campaign team in the South West, headed by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola which did wonderfully well in the zone.

    “Aregbesola as a reliable team leader is an enigma when it comes to the management of human and material resources as put into practice at the APC campaigns that resulted in grand success at the polls, not only in the South West but all over the nation,” he stated.

    Alhaji  Isiaka specifically acknowledged “Ogbeni Aregbesola’s efforts in judiciously managing the scarce resources available from the Buhari Campaign Organisation at a time when the opposition had laid siege on the nooks and crannies of the zone with ‘Ghana must Go’, in their erroneous belief that the voters could be grabbed with money.”

     

  • I kept Folarin’s transformer to avoid chaos, says Seriki Hausawa

    Following the controversy trailing the transformer donated to the Hausa Community in Oyo state by the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded governorship election in the State, Senator Teslim Folarin, the Seriki Hausawa of Ibadanland Alhaji Dahiru Ahmed Zungeru has said the transformer was kept to avoid crisis.

    He said Folarin did not know anything about the whereabouts of the transformer urging people to desist from politics of bitterness.

    The leader of Hausa community who spoke with journalists at his Sabo palace in Ibadan said he deliberately ordered his boys to take the transformer to unknown destination when some agrieved members of the community wanted to set the transformer ablaze.

    According to him, he ordered the arrest of a member of the Hausa Community by Oyo State Police Command in connection with theft of  the said transformer.

    He said; “It is true that Folarin donated a transformer to us here in Sabo for the use of the whole community.  After the general election on Monday, I saw some people gathered in the front of the palace saying in Hausa language that they didn’t want  something. When I try to find out what was going on I discovered it was the transformer they were talking about when I investigated among the people they told me some people had taken the Folarin’s transformer away before that day.

    “When I asked who were the people who took it away, they mentioned one Alhaji Basiru and I took it up as the leader of the Hausas in the community. That was when I knew it was not Folarin who ordered for the removal of transformer.

    “I have known Folarin for the past 30years and I know he cannot do such a thing. We knew each other even before I became the Seriki Hausawa of Ibadan Land. I knew him through Baba Adedibu. I could have accepted the transformer but I wanted my people to go back to their respective houses and that was why I said they should take it back when the alleged man returned the transformer.

    “If I didn’t do so, I trust my people, they can burn the transformer, so, I ordered my boys to take it to unknown destination. For me to be sure, I spoke with Folarin on phone and he said he did not know anything about it.

    “When Folarin said he didn’t know about it, I invited the DCO and DPO of Mokola Police station to investigate the issue and bring the culprit to book.

  • Maternity scandal deepens Ekiti political killing

    Maternity scandal deepens Ekiti political killing

    An attempt to frame up a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly in the killing of a 32-year-old man last week during a protest to stop the planned impeachment of Governor Ayodele Fayose has backfired. The woman who claimed to be the deceased’s mother and laid the allegation against Hon. Gabriel Folorunso Ogundele has been exposed as an impersonator. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Ekiti State was seized by an orgy of violence last week  over the impeachment proceedings against Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    Nineteen members of the House of Assembly who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) sent a notice of impeachment to Fayose and his deputy, Kolapo Olusola, accusing them of gross misconduct.

    The lawmakers accused Fayose of eight impeachable offences.

    An attempt by the APC lawmakers who had been in and out of the state since the Assembly crisis began last November to return to their legislative chambers was greeted with violent protests by Fayose’s supporters.

    Thugs, hoodlums and other miscreants laid siege to all roads that lead to the state in a bid to prevent the legislators from sitting to firm up the impeachment.

    Federal highways and state roads were blocked with rods, logs of wood, drums, trailers and other heavy objects to prevent human and vehicular traffic.

    One of the roads affected was the Ilesa-Aramoko-Ado Highway through which the lawmakers intended to enter the state capital.

    At Efon-Itawure junction,  scores of loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) blocked the major road, awaiting the legislators.

    One of the protesting PDP supporters was a 32-year-old man, Modupe Taiwo, who joined other party members from Efon Alaaye to the Itawure junction, which hosts a checkpoint manned by soldiers.

    Eyewitnesses told The Nation on a fact-finding mission to Efon last Friday that Taiwo was allegedly killed by security agents while thugs armed with guns and other dangerous weapons massed at the Itawure military checkpoint violently protesting to block the route through which the APC lawmakers were coming to Ado-Ekiti.

    Some residents of Efon confirmed that the incident occurred long before the lawmakers arrived the checkpoint, when the thugs became unruly shooting at the security men.

    Eyewitnesses revealed that Modupe was killed in the exchange of gunfire and his body was conveyed to the mortuary.

    Despite the fact that the Police are yet to conclude their investigation,  PDP members are pointing fingers in the direction of the lawmaker representing Efon Constituency, Hon. Gabriel Folorunso Ogundele as being responsible for the killing, an allegation vehemently denied by the Assembly member who belongs to the APC.

    About twenty four hours later, a woman, Mrs. Apeke Olaya, appeared at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti posing as the mother of the deceased.

    In a dramatic and theatrical manner, Mrs. Olaya at a news conference organized by the state government claimed that Modupe was killed by Ogundele giving a different account of circumstances leading to the death of the young man.

    Mrs. Olaya told reporters at the Government House that he was ‘pained’ by the death of her ‘son’ at the military checkpoint incident.

    She cried, yelled, shed tears and rolling on the ground saying in Yoruba “Ogundele ti pa mi o, Ogundele ti pa mi o”, which literally means “Ogundele has killed me, Ogundele has killed me”.

    Giving account of how the incident happened, Mrs Olaya told the news conference that: “He (Modupe) was 32 years old. It happened at Fabo, at Efon Junction on the way to Ijebu-Ijesha.

    “Ogundele that shot him is a member of the House of Assembly, he is an indigene of Efon. They say his name is Gabriel Ogundele.

    “They said he was coming with some OPC members from Lagos and they made a detour in Osun, but they were coming to Ekiti through Ijebu-Ijesha.

    “What I learnt was that when the convoy in which Ogundele was travelling arrived at Fabo Junction, they opened fire there.

    “He was said to have shot at the protesters at the junction who had mounted a roadblock, claiming that he knew that Efon people were heady and stubborn.

    “He was said to have announced that he was going to resume duties at the Ekiti State House of Assembly, of which I knew nothing about.

    “I was told that my son had hidden behind a car, when everyone else had scampered to safety. He had been shot at the back.

    “The vehicle with which he was being taken to the hospital ran out of fuel on the way, they continued with a motorcycle, which also ran out of fuel at Adagba farm settlement.

    “They eventually got another motorcycle with which they got him to Odufunke Hospital, where the doctor had to call the police to ascertain his identity, having been brought as a gunshot victim.

    “While all these were going on, my son had started to foam from the mouth and while they were trying to give him transfusion, he gave up the ghost.

    “His pregnant wife, Yinka has two children.  I don’t know what to do now.  He is my fourth child and has been the sponsor of the family”.

    Mrs. Olaya’s theatrics which was watched by bewildered and stupefied relations is causing disquiet in Efon community where many people are wondering why she was claiming paternity of Modupe when the deceased’s mother is alive.

    The maternity scandal is already causing ripples in both the Olaya and Akinyemi families and the entire Efon Community with relations, neighbours and  sympathizers expressing disgust with the scandal.

    Few days after, the true mother of the deceased, Mrs. Deborah Kehinde Akinyemi, has expressed shock on the alleged impersonation.

    Mrs. Akinyemi, in a chat with The Nation last Friday at her residence in Idagba Quarters of Efon Alaaye, said she was surprised that Mrs. Olaya could claim to be the mother of her son at a news conference held at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti in the wake of the killing.

    But the authentic mother of Modupe, who was surrounded by mourners and sympathizers when reporters visited her that Friday evening, said Mrs. Olaya was an aunt to the deceased as she (Mrs. Olaya) is the younger sister of the deceased’s father.

    Contrary to Mrs. Olaya’s claim, Mrs. Akinyemi said her son left behind a child.

    She looked forlorn on the mat she sat clutching a copy of the Holy Bible which has become her indispensable daily companion since the unfortunate incident happened.

    Yet to come to the reality of the unfortunate and untimely death of his beloved son, Mrs. Akinyemi still believes that Modupe is still alive and would come back home in a short while.

    First to speak was her daughter, Eniola who was the first person to counter the claim of Mrs. Olaya that she was Modupe’s mother.

    Eniola said Mrs. Olaya was an aunt to the deceased and not his mother as the whole world was made to believe when the dust about circumstances surrounding his death was yet to settle.

    The half-sister of the deceased said she was yet to see the corpse of Modupe since the unfortunate incident occurred.

    She believed that the controversial claim of Mrs. Olaya was unfortunate and that her half-brother did not deserve to be so treated even in death.

    The distraught mother, Mrs. Akinyemi, also queried the claim in government quarters that Ogundele, the lawmaker representing Efon Constituency, was responsible for the killing of her son.

    Exonerating Ogundele of complicity in the killing of her son, Mrs. Akinyemi said she had accepted fate and leave justice to God to find the real killer of Modupe.

    •Mrs Akinyemi (Real mother)
    •Mrs Akinyemi
    (Real mother)

    Mrs. Akinyemi explained that she gave birth to the deceased from her marriage to her first husband (Mr. Olaya) who, according to her, was killed in the violence that rocked the 1983 general elections before her last marriage to her current husband.

    She explained that the state government had not sent a message to her on the killing of her son whom she said left behind a wife and one kid.

    Mrs. Akinyemi said Mrs. Olaya did not obtain the permission of the family before going to the Government House to claim that she is the mother of the deceased saying she was embarrassed to hear the news from neighbours and family members who watched the ‘drama’ on the state television.

    Mrs. Akinyemi said: “I don’t know who killed my son. I don’t know; I can’t say. They were saying it was one lawmaker that killed my son, how can that be?

    “I last saw him (Modupe) two days before his death. He was born in May 1982 as the fourth child. His colleagues said he was among those who were protesting.

    “The woman that went to the Government House was just his aunt. I’m his true mother. She (Mrs. Olaya) went there without the knowledge of the family.”

    “I was shocked when the woman said she had gone to claim she was the mother. She didn’t bring anything to me, but I know she is a member of the PDP.

    “I have not seen his corpse since then. My son is irreplaceable. There is nothing I can do as a poor widow but I have left vengeance for God.”

    When asked about what her late son did for a living, Mrs. Olaya revealed that Modupe operated a business at Ojuelegba in Lagos and also served as a commercial driver.

    She said: “He used to sell goods at Ojuelegba in Lagos and was also a driver. When he came to Efon, he rented a room at Alabukun. He was born in 1982 and he was the fourth child.

    “I hear that he was among the protesters, I asked the people to know whether he was with them.

    “The woman that went to the Government House is his aunt and not his mother, I am his mother, I am the one that gave birth to him.

    “We never sent her (Mrs. Olaya) to go there, I and other members of the family were not aware that she went there.

    “She has not come since yesterday (Thursday) and she has not delivered any message to me after her appearance at the Government House.

    “She did not tell me, the mother, when she was invited to come to the Government House. She is one of the PDP women leaders in Efon here.

    “The state government has not sent any message to me, the mother, about the killing of my son if it ever happened.

    “He left behind a wife and a son, if they give me money now, it cannot raise my son back to life.

    “He didn’t use to be involved in political activities before but later he began to follow them. His father died in 1983″.

    As the corpse still lies in the mortuary, the dust raised by the false maternity claim of Mrs. Olaya is casting a thick pall of controversial on the death of the young man.

    Only God knows whether the relationship between Mrs. Olaya and the rest of the family will remain the same.

  • 300 get gas stoves in Ifako-Ijaiye

    300 get gas stoves in Ifako-Ijaiye

    The Executive Secretary of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area Mr Olurotimi Adeleye has distributed 300 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves to residents of the council.

    The move, Adeleye said, is aimed at promoting the use of cooking gas and stop the hazards associated with the use of kerosene stove, charcoal and firewood.

    Speaking at the event which took place at the council’s Area Office at the weekend, the council chief said the initiative is to enable residents know the immense benefits of the liquefied gas thereby promoting their health and longevity.

    Adeleye said the distribution of the free 3kg gas cylinders and burners is part of the poverty eradication initiative of the state government and it is being done because everyone must enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    He said the interest of the government is not limited to the distribution of the free cylinders, but the promotion of a healthy and cleaner environment through the reduction in carbon emission.

    He noted that the residents should not be left behind in the use of gas which the nation has in abundance as other neighbouring countries have adopted the use of gas for domestic purposes.

    He maintained that the distribution is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that all homes embrace the use of gas because of its unlimited advantages.

    On his part, Mr. Richard Davies who represented the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Taofeek Tijani said the government introduced the Eko Gas Scheme (EGS), as a domestic fuel of choice for all Lagosians  in order to fight carbon emissions and promote the wellbeing of her citizens.

    He said gas which the nation has in abundance is cleaner and cheaper and promotes cleaner environment than kerosene or other traditional forms of cooking which the people hitherto uses.

    “Certain health challenges such as bronchitis, conjunctivitis, heart and lung diseases are on the increase and are suspected to be as a result of the use of kerosene, firewood and charcoal which emits dangerous fumes that are injurious to health,” Davies said.

    He explained that beneficiaries should take good care of the cylinders and ensures that the control valves are properly shut down to prevent leakages that might expose them to danger.

    The Head of Department (HOD) Agriculture Mrs Iyabo Solo, echoed the government and urged residents to migrate to the use of gas either for domestic or other uses which would stop the felling of trees thereby preserving the environment for future generation and put an end to the use of kerosene stove.

    Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in the local government Alhaji Adegoke Onifade, praised the council chief and the government for the war against carbon emission and putting the people’s wellbeing first in their policies and programme.

    He pledged the support of the people to the government and assured that they would migrate to the use of gas as envisaged by the government.

  • EDC flags off Azuri Peninsula luxury apartments

    EDC flags off Azuri Peninsula luxury apartments

    Eko Development Company, (EDC) Limited has unveiled the construction of the first phase of prestigious Azuri Peninsula in the Marina District, Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, which comprise of 120 luxury apartments, 12 super-luxury simplexes.

    Chief Responsibility Officer, EDC, Ibiene Ogolo told journalists during a tour of the facility that the Azuri Peninsula offers residents in Nigeria the optimum place to live, work, play and invest, all in one city.

    According to her, “The new Azuri Peninsula with architectural design done by the award winning, global design firm Gensler, has 120 luxury apartments, 12 super-luxury simplexes and two superb Villas as well as seven fine townhouse apartments, make up the first phase, with a three-year completion programme.

    “Azuri Peninsula offers a unique and luxurious urban lifestyle by the delightful marina-front of the Marina District in vibrant new Eko Atlantic City.

    “There will be a five star marina and yacht club with an attractive promenade, high-end shops, cafes and a wealth of amenities in a curated and sophisticated environment. The landmark scheme is also close to the Business District in the new city, which is destined to be the new financial centre of Lagos.

    “The developers behind the most luxurious residential destination of 2015 in Lagos, have carefully chosen a brand name that resonates. “Azuri” combines the African word “Zuri” meaning beautiful, while Azure suggests a radiant sea.”

    Ogono said the first phase of the marina-front project showcases exceptionally crafted two and four bedroom luxury apartments, six bedroom simplexes and seven bedroom villas which are arranged across marina townhouse apartments and three outstanding residential towers.

    She added that the three outstanding towers will be christened “Zuna” “Orun” “Oban” (meaning abundance, heaven) and king respectively saying the “Orun” would be built to 26 floors.

    “The podium towers are carefully positioned to maximise views of the marina and garden-piazzas. Located on the ground floor are retail spaces while ample underground car parking is to be found on the lower ground level.

    “Gensler’s exceptional panel of interior designers are creating spacious and elegant apartments with a selection of design palettes.

    “Fulfilling the highest standards of contemporary living, all apartments will be fully-fitted with the finest materials, including state-of-the-art kitchens and luxurious bathrooms, District Cooling air conditioning and broadband (which will also be provided throughout the city). Each apartment will feature terraces and/or balconies.

    “The ultra-exclusive Villa residences which crown “Orun” and “Oban” Towers, will offer the ultimate in luxurious living and include a private gym and swimming pool as well as stunning, panoramic views.”

    She said residents of Azuri Peninsula will have access to a twenty-four hour concierge service, a gym, two squash courts, and a café.

    “Further amenities include a relaxing sauna as well as games and screening rooms and a children’s playroom. Outside, residents will have access to a private outdoor swimming pool, children’s playground, garden-piazzas and valet parking.

    “In the Marina District itself, there will be high-end retail outlets, international standard restaurants and an abundant range of amenities, all of which will establish Azuri Peninsula as a premier residential destination”.

    She added that the Eko Atlantic’s high-standard infrastructure, which includes managed and maintained utilities, will guarantee an exceptionally comfortable lifestyle.

    “A well-planned road system, up-to-date ferry service and helicopter service linking the city to Lagos, will ensure that Eko Atlantic is the best-connected city in West Africa.

    She highlighted that the entire development would cover about 127,507 square metres, with the phase one taking up 13,000 square metres, while the built up area would take as much a 130,000 square metres.

    Ogolo said Azuri Peninsula was already 80 per cent subscribed, with 20 per cent still up for grabs.