The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Smoking hemp with impunity in Akure

    There is an upsurge in the sales and consumption of Indian hemp in Akure, the Ondo State capital and environs, giving law enforcement agents sleepless nights.

    Of particular concern to law enforcement agents is the involvement of youths, especially teenagers, including girls in the smoking of hemp particularly in the open at different black spots spread across the city where the drug is on sale.

    Findings revealed that young individuals between the ages of 13 and 25 in many parts of the state are either involved in the sales of the drug or are actively engaged in smoking it.

    According to a source, residents in areas where the culprits have turned to smoking spots have reported the development to security agencies in the state but no firm action had been taken to combat the situation.

    Though Indian hemp is sold in different parts of Akure, the major markets for the drug where the smokers also operate in the open are in Iludun, Igbogi and Oja Oba areas of the state capital.

    Sources said some students in the tertiary institution within the community are allegedly patronizing the hemp spots at nights, a development which made the sellers to open a spot close to the campus of the university.

    A visit to one of the hemp spots at Iludun Ala in the heart of Akure metropolis where the drug is sold at night showed that the addicts of the illicit drug smoke it publicly as some young individuals were seen moving around with wraps of Indian hemp in their hands.

    Also, young ladies who were also in the system were seen dancing at the spot, which was an indication that not only men smoke Indian hemp, but ladies also get involved in the bad habit.

    It was learnt that the owner of the house where the drug was being sold who was nicknamed “Papa” died last year and one of his children has since taken over the illegal business.

    Also, efforts by relatives of the late papa to stop the illegal business have not yielded any positive result.

    An addicted smoker of Indian hemp who refused to volunteer his name boasted that he had been smoking it for years, saying he did not see anything wrong in smoking it as it improves his agility and senses.

    It was however gathered that the state command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is making frantic efforts to curb the sales and consumption of Indian hemp in all parts of the state.

    An officer of the NDLEA who spoke in confidence hinted that officers of the agency would soon be deployed to various hideouts in the state to arrest those involved in the sale and consumption of the illicit drug.

    The officer recalled that the agency had last year discovered an Indian hemp plantation in the state and arrested the owner of the plantation.

    He said smokers of Indian hemp have been arrested in different parts of the state.

    The NDLEA official noted that the increase in the sale and consumption of Indian hemp

    in the state might be attributed to the presence of different tribes in the state and heavy presence of youths, adding that the agency was prepared to curb the illegal acts.

    The state commander of the NDLEA, Mr Ibrahim Abdul confirmed that the consumption of Indian hemp was high among teenagers in the state.

    He added that the State Command of the NDLEA would not relent in its efforts at ensuring zero hard drug consumption in the state.

    Abdul said since he assumed office less than a month ago his command had identified various Indian hemp joints in the state and destroyed hectres of hemp plantation in Akure and its environs.

    He assured that the command would intensify efforts at ensuring that young individuals are enlightened on the dangers inherent in illicit drugs.

     

  • ‘Council workers are engine room of grassroots development’

    ‘Council workers are engine room of grassroots development’

    Council workers as the engine room of grassroots development have been charged to redouble their efforts at bringing the dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos State.
    The Executive Secretary of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area Rotimi Adeleye, dropped the charge in his message on the New Year prayer/award giving ceremony of workers of his council, held last Tuesday at the council’s area office.
    Adeleye who assumed office 43 days ago said if government must succeed in its commitment to improve the infrastructure and state of social welfare of the people, it must have the backing of a workforce that is ready to eschew civil service mentality and be service-driven.
    He said: “As the engine room of this administration, the task before us is enormous and I would implore you all to key into the vision of Governor Babatunde Fashola who by example has convinced us that every good thing is achievable through determination, unity and perseverance. Let us work as one indivisible entity to place this council in an enviable position among other local governments.”
    He also charged them to go and collect their permanent voter’s card and support the All Progressives Congress (APC) party in its determination to bring the good things of life closer to the people of the area.
    In his welcome address, the Chairman of the council’s branch of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Comrade Mayowa Morakinyo said the workers’ forum was organised to motivate all workers to continue to put in their best, adding that series of awards were introduced this year to boost worker’s morale and enlist their commitment to the continued growth, success and development of the council.
    He listed that his leadership has achieved a number of successes within his short tenure in office, ranging from upward review of monthly imprest, continuous assistance to members during promotional examinations, conversion and confirmation, and the acquisition of land for members’ estate.
    He called for the prompt completion of the proposed council secretariat which he said would resolve the lingering issue of office accommodation, even as he challenged the management to provide the workers with new staff bus, more work tools and make the present offices more worker-friendly.
    The workers under his leadership he pledged, would continue to renew their efforts in making the council a reference point in the delivery of government’s programmes and manifestoes in the grassroots in the state.
    He said over 40 retirees and 22 outstanding workers drawn from all the departments and agencies of the local government would be celebrated for their diligent service to the people of the council and the state.
    The Council Manager Alhaji AbdulAfeez Adeniyi Otuniyi lauded the NULGE leadership for putting the event together and adding to this year’s package, an award ceremony, which was targeted at not only all outstanding workers across all the departments and agencies of the council but also retirees.
    He described workers welfare as being very critical to the government adding however that the only way a worker can show appreciation for all that have been done for him is to throw everything to the job that gives him his sustenance and provides him with daily living.
    He said the council will no longer brook absenteeism and will continue to reward diligence, and hard work, adding that besides the Christmas benefit, the council has put in place a welfare initiative to take care of the financial needs of its workers.
    He assured that all within the council’s financial capacity would be done to ensure that the ongoing secretariat building does not become an abandoned project adding that when the secretariat is completed the council would be able to have all its workers in one place, which he said would enhance the workers’ productivity.
    In his goodwill message, the Human Resources Officer Alhaji Yusuf Ibitoye called on all workers to be more dedicated as the wind of reforms sweeping through the state’s civil service has berthed at the council and will likely affect all truants and those handling their official assignments with levity.
    He said: “Let me warn all of you that attendance at work is now compulsory and part of your assessment. Anyone who wants to be promoted must come to the office as this now carries 50 percent of your total assessment.”
    Highpoint of the event which was attended by the over 1,000 workforce, top management staff of the council and the four council-management team were the prayers from Christians and Moslems and gift awards to all retirees and best workers of the council.

  • Reward for excellence

    Reward for excellence

    A National Youth Service Corps member in Oyo State has been conferred with a chieftaincy title by his host community for his contributions to the development of the area during his service year, BISI OLADELE reports.

    At 29, and about completing his compulsory one year national service, the last thing on Adedayo Adewole’s mind was a chieftaincy title.

    All he wanted was to serve his fatherland with all his strength during the service year and leave a lasting legacy with his host community as part of his contributions to the development of the area.

    But his efforts in this regard in Iroko, a large community on the outskirts of Ibadan the Oyo State capital has earned him the chieftaincy title of Oluomo Iroko.

    Adewole, a graduate of Medical Microbiology from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (UK) was honoured with the title last week by the Oniroko of Iroko, Baale Olasunkanmi Abioye for building a public library provided with a borehole for Iroko as part of his community development project for his service year.

    Iroko is the centre of many other smaller communities in Akinyele Local Government area of the state.

    The young chief was honoured by the Oniroko, Monday, last week at the commissioning of the project. Baale Abioye surprised all the members of staff of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Commissioner for Education in the state, Professor. Solomon Olaniyonu, officials of the University of Ibadan, other corps members, teachers, World Bank officials, friends and well-wishers who gathered to witness the inauguration of the project when he announced the conferment of the title on Adewole.

    The traditional ruler could not hide his joy and satisfaction with the project, describing it as one of the best things that are happening to the community during his tenure.

    He disclosed that a legal battle over the throne was fought for 32 years before it was resolved, paving way for his emergence four years ago.

    “Within these four years, Iroko is changing for the better. It is enjoying cooperation from the government, chiefs and other stakeholders.” The traditional ruler said.

    For the unique project and for choosing Iroko for the public library among many other communities in and around Ibadan land, Baale Abioye said ‘Dayo,’ as he fondly called the corps member, deserved a chieftaincy title.

    He said: “For this important project that will bring succour to the people of Iroko, I hereby confer on you the title of the Oluomo of Irokoland.”

    The chairmen of Akinyele Local Government, Mr Ope Salami, emphasized Adewole’s determination to see the project completed. He said he is unlike some other Nigerian youths who run after material wealth.

    The Assistant Director, Community Development Unit of the NYSC in Oyo State, Mrs Obiageli Okpalifo, said Community Development (CD) project is one of the key points in national service. She identified sponsorship as a major challenge facing CD ideas generated by corps members and called on Nigerians to support them to enable them make meaningful impacts in local communities.

    She also called for inclusion of community service into the nation’s education curriculum to stimulate CD interest in youths.

    The representative of the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Olubukola Abiodun, expressed gratitude to the Oniroko for embracing the project by providing land and supporting Adewole from the beginning to the end of the project.

    Mrs Abiodun appealed to the local government authorities to continue to support the project in order that it will not be abandoned. Specifically, she requested the council to provide electricity to power the borehole and light for the library. She also urged the council to initiate programmes that will attract students and researchers to the library.

    In his comment, Adewole, who is the son of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, expressed satisfaction for accomplishing the dream of providing potable water for the community. He also instituted scholarships for indigent students from the fund realized from donors. The new chief said more initiatives were on the way.

    He said he believes in giving back to the society.

    According to him, he chose Iroko, believing that the community can as well produce some professors and other successful professionals in the future. He added that he chose a library project to widen up opportunities for the young ones who, if supported, could become highly successful in their education in future.

    The representative of the World Bank at the event, Prof. Foluso Okumadewa, also pledged to bring more projects to the community. He disclosed that the bank was already supporting similar projects in 26 states in the country with 76 communities benefiting in Oyo State. He said Iroko community has joined the list of beneficiaries with the library and water project. He emphasized that the bank would not allow the library project to be abandoned.

    Professor Olaniyonu, who represented the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, explained that the new library would add value to education and also facilitate teaching and learning in the community. He reeled out some of the achievements of the Ajimobi administration in education and commended Adewole for the project.

  • Our ordeal in the hands of Ekiti PDP thugs, by NANS officials

    Our ordeal in the hands of Ekiti PDP thugs, by NANS officials

    For attending and speaking at the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ado-Ekiti on January 24, four officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)  were attacked, one almost killed, by hoodlums suspected to be agents of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State. Two of them shared their experience with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, January 24 where he addressed a mammoth crowd at the Ekiti Parapo Square on his vision for Nigeria if elected in the February 14 (now March 28) election.

    The rally which was a huge carnival attracted party members, supporters, interest groups and members of the general public who defied the scorching sun to receive the APC presidential flag bearer.

    One of the interest groups that added spice to the rally was the student movement and the interest of the students was well represented by their umbrella body, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    Ogunkuade Oluwatosin, who is NANS Vice President (External Affairs) addressed the rally on behalf of the Nigerian students whom he said had rejected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ogunkuade, also known as Jasper, hinged his position on what he called the serial failure of the Jonathan administration to halt the decline in education and stop the incessant strikes in the education sector; the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State and; the nonchalant attitude to the welfare of Nigerian students abroad some of whom were murdered in questionable circumstances among others.

    But unknown to him and other student leaders who attended the rally, their appearance and utterances at the event which was televised live by major TV channels ruffled feathers among some local politicians offended by their action.

    With the rally over, the NANS officials headed for their various communities to continue their mobilization drive for the Buhari candidacy but they met what they didn’t bargain for later in the day.

    They were waylaid by some blood-thirsty roughnecks who swooped on them, attacked their vehicles which they forced to stop before unleashing deep machete cuts on one of them who could not escape immediately from the scene.

    Apart from Ogunkuade, others in the car at the time of the attack were Odebunmi Idowu, Alimi Yusuf, Obikoya Dayo and Adeleke Samson who was unlucky not to escape from the assailants.

    Adeleke was said to have been detained by the thugs for over ten hours and was wounded by machete cuts on his head and left for dead on the major road before he was taken to a hospital by a Good Samaritan where doctors are battling to save his life.

    Ogunkuade, Odebunmi, Alimi and Obikoya were later arrested and detained at the police station where another student activist, Bewaji Damilare visited them only to be detained as well.

    The brutality visited on the students, their arrest, detention and the battle to save the life of one them cast a thick pall of gloom on the student union movement in Ekiti State and heightened tension for about four days the drama lasted.

    But the PDP-led state government branded the victims as thugs and alleged that arms were found in their vehicle, an allegation vehemently denied by the students.

    Two of the NANS officials, Ogunkuade and Bewaji narrated their experience and insisted that no amount of intimidation could dissuade them from pursuing the cause they believe in-working for the victory of Buhari and the APC in the fast-approaching general elections.

    They maintained that their support for the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket remains unquestionable and would never be deterred by the attacks on them by the thugs.

    Ogunkuade’s account

    I am Ogunkuade Oluwatosin a.k.a Jasper, the National Vice President, External Affairs, of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), an indigene of Ikogosi Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    Why Nigerian students’ support for change

    Every blame on bad governance is rooted in a bad citizen because it is only a responsible citizen that can produce a responsible leadership. The song of sorrow makes the heart bleed, the entire Nigerian students and youths have suffered setback during the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and we must not totally forget because history will give us another opportunity to reposition Nigeria come February 14, (now March 28) 2015 Presidential Election and here are the reasons why the entire Nigerian students must reject the Jonathan candidacy and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the polls:

    1 .The college of education /polytechnic students spent not less than 13 months at home on account of strikes of COEASU / ASUP.

    2 .The university students spent nine months at home for ASUU strike which paralyzed 2013/2014 academic session.

    3. Many Nigerians student leaders and youths are jobless and the aborted Abuja National Stadium Immigration recruitment tragedy left 18 youths dead and several others injured with no reasonable result up till date

    4 .The security of the nation is in shambles, as students in the northeastern part of Nigeria are in agonies and pains as result of Boko Haram insurgency, many Nigerian students were killed and these include 49 students in Potiskum, Yobe State on 11th November, 2014, 48 students in Buni Yadi, Yobe State on 25th February, 2015 and 16 students in Bayero University Kano, Kano State in 2012. We must not also forget the failure of the Federal Government to rescue the missing 219 Chibok girls of Borno State since 14th April, 2014.

    5.  Nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government to the welfare of the Nigerian students in the Diaspora. Series of report from Dubai (UAE), Ghana, South Africa, Ukraine and the recent case of the death of 22-year old Mathew Ajibade on January 2, 2015 in an isolated cell at Savannah police station in Georgia United States, which the Federal Government was yet to respond to.

    As a matter of fact, if you refuse to stand up for something you will fall for all things and freedom is not freely given to the oppressed until you fight for it. I can feel Nigerian students’ heartbeat; all my people want is a better Nigeria. Therefore, as the National Vice President External Affairs of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), I spoke out the voice of the Nigerian students for CHANGE at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential rally of Ekiti State on January 24, 2015 and reasons why General Muhammadu Buhari and Professor Yemi Osinbajo remain a better combination of ideology to take Nigerian students from mutiny to destiny.

    After the speech at

    the rally

    Unknown to us (after the rally) we were on PDP watch-list since the hour of the declaration, I was in my hometown at Ikogosi-Ekiti with my colleagues on the evening of Sunday, January 25 when suddenly at about 8pm, the hoodlums of Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came to attack us. They came in a black Camry Toyota Car with registration number SMK 967 BU belonging to Segun Adewunmi, an indigene of Erinjiyan Ekiti, as well as the House of Assembly candidate of PDP in Ekiti West Constituency 1. They held dangerous weapons, cutlasses, axes, sticks, guns and vandalized our car, we all ran away to secure our life before we discovered that Adeleke Samson (OBAMA) was caught in the attack, kidnapped and held hostage for about ten hours over the night.  He was left to die by the roadside where he was found seriously injured and unconscious the following morning by a Good Samaritan who took him to the hospital

    The unlawful arrest

    and detention

    As an apostle of justice in the temple of peace and orderliness, all we could do was to locate the nearest police station which is Efon –Alaaye for complaints because the hoodlums have laid ambush at Erinjiyan leading to Aramoko police station. Acting on the order of Governor Fayose and false report of Adewunmi to Aramoko DPO, we the complainants became suspects as our car was searched and Buhari/Osinbajo campaign materials were found. No incriminating materials were found before, myself (Ogunkuade Oluwatosin), Odebunmi Idowu, Alimi Yusuf and Obikoya Dayo, were detained at Efon Alaaye police station and later transferred brutally at gunpoint by DPO Atanda and his team to Aramoko police station where our car was searched for the second time and no incriminating material was discovered.

    To our outmost dismay, early Monday morning on 26th January at Aramoko police station, a colleague of ours who is the immediate past NANS Joint Campus Committee Chairman of Ekiti State axis, Bewaji Damilare, who came to visit us was also detained on the orders of the Governor and Adewunmi.  The five of us were later transferred to the ‘Black Cell’ at State CID Police headquarters in Ado Ekiti.

    Our freedom from cell

    Let the hottest room in hell be reserved for a man who keeps mute in the face of social injustice because injustice to one is injustice to all. Thanks to our ever gallant Nigerian students who stood by us to establish the truth and defend our integrity and right for freedom of association which eventually facilitated our release from shackles of oppression and victimization around 10pm on Tuesday January 27, 2015. Also to a section of the leadership of Nigerian students who have collaborated with Fayose’s paid agents to deny us brotherhood and support false accusation leveled against us to defame our character and the name of our organization, we say kudos to you and never stop spending the money you collected from Fayose on Wednesday January 28, but always remember the end of Judas Iscariot in the Bible as the end will justify the means.

    The false accusations

    Ekiti State Government and  Ekiti State Broadcasting  Service( EKTV and 91.5 FM) which lack credibility and independence under the leadership of Fayose’s  media aide, who specializes in misinforming the populace through  false information without facts should retract all the false accusations leveled against our integrity and NANS as a body or else, they sit on a keg of gun powder which can explode anytime. Also, the Public Relations Office of the Nigeria Police State CID in Ekiti State, should give a comprehensive statement establishing the fact to the whole world as our car was searched and no incriminating material was found.

    State of the injured Adeleke Samson

    With praises to the Almighty God, our colleague is responding to treatment and we thank God the PDP hoodlums did not succeeded in killing this young talented colleague of ours. We pray for quick recovery for our brother.

    Our stand for change

    A man must decide whether to walk in the light of creative altruism or darkness of destructive selfishness. It is audible to the deaf and visible to the blind that the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has failed Nigerian students so nothing changes around you until something changes within you, therefore our stand for Change remains. To be informed is to be transformed and if you are not informed you will be deformed, the time for Nigerian students to rise up for change has come or else we perish as a liability. Therefore let us mobilize Nigerian students with no fear of intimidation from state to state, zone to zone and vote for men of capability and integrity, courage and intelligence who never take no for an answer but stand their ground to conquer. The only way to save the destiny of Nigerian students is to vote for the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and the vice presidential candidate,  Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

    Bewaji’s account of the incident

    My names are Bewaji Damilare Kayode. I am from Erijiyan-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State. I am a graduate of Business Administration and Management from the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, an aspirant for the House of Assembly seat in Ekiti West Constituency 1 on the platform of APC in the just conducted primaries of the party. I am the immediate past Chairman of the Joint Campus Committee of National Association of Nigeria Students, (NANS JCC) Ekiti State axis.

    On the event that happened on Saturday, January 24, at the General Buhari’s rally in Ado-Ekiti, it was historic and a bombshell to the ruling party in the state because they never believed what they saw. Despite the intimidation from Mr Fayose to members of our party, people trooped out to welcome our flag bearer, students were not left out. It was me and Comrade Ogunkuade Tosin, Vice President of NANS (External Affairs) that coordinated the student wing for the rally. We had over 1000 students who are schooling and voting in Ekiti in attendance because we worked with their PVCs during the course of mobilization. So, that is why we suspected that they might attack us. Again, when we got to the campaign ground, we were given an opportunity to talk on behalf of Nigerian students, which Ogunkuade Tosin did as an office holder in NANS and as a native of Ekiti. So that was what led to our attack following day.

    How the attack happened

    I was not at the venue of the attack, because the attack happened in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ogunkuade’s hometown and I was at Ikere-Ekiti that night. I only got to know when Ogunkuade Tosin called to inform me of the incident. He called to inform me because of my standing in NANS, as a native of Erijiyan-Ekiti and a stakeholder in APC in my constituency. As a leader in NANS and a stakeholder in APC, I went to check them in the police station where they were detained on Monday morning, (January 26), on getting to the station, myself, Ogunkuade Tosin and three others that were detained, it was there one Adewumi Segun from Erijiyan-Ekiti, the PDP candidate for Ekiti West House of Assembly constituency 1 came with some thugs, he ordered them to attack me, I was beaten and I was later arrested by the DCO of the station.

    What led to our attack was our involvement in the APC presidential campaign rally and they knew we were in charge of our constituency. I never thought I would be attacked in the police station not to talk of being arrested.

    Experience at the

    police station

    We were treated badly at Aramoko police station. It was quite unfortunate that someone could be attacked under the noses of the police, and they couldn’t do anything than to arrest the person that was attacked. Our experience at the state CID was much better than that at the Aramoko police station. The officers at the state CID are well trained and responsible. So the treatment there was much much better than that of Aramoko.

    Government allegation that weapons were found in your station

    On the issue of allegation that weapons were found in our vehicle, that is what PDP and Mr Fayose are known for. It’s a big lie, that was their plan for us, they wanted to implicate us by dropping weapons in our vehicle, but kudos to the DPO of Efon Alaaye police division, who made the DPO of Aramoko police division to know that nothing incriminating was found in our vehicle when Ogunkuade Tosin and others were arrested. If weapons were found on us or in our vehicle, why was it that the police were yet to parade us with those weapons till today? If weapons were found on us why was it that the police were yet to issue an official statement to back up the allegation? So, you can see how desperate Mr Fayose and his boys are. So it’s a big lie. Very soon a legal action will be taken to that effect from our side.

    Present condition of

    your injured colleague

    To God be the glory, he is getting better even though we had spent huge amount of money on him. We need prayers for his quick recovery.

    No amounts of intimidation and threat that can stop me from working for General Muhammed Buhari’s victory because if you stand for nothing, you will fall for all things. Change is inevitable, the time in now for change.

    Government insists they are thugs

    But the PDP government insisted that the NANS officials who were arrested and detained are thugs working for the APC.

    In a statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, they were allegedly recruited to cause mayhem and unleash terror in Ikogosi-Erijiyan axis.

    The statement read: “Four thugs allegedly recruited by the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti Central Constituency 2, Oyetunde Ojo to terrorise supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Erijiyan and Ikogosi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government, have been arrested by the police.

    “The thugs were arrested with guns, axes, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons while trying to escape through Efon-Alaaye at about 3am.

    “The thugs were Odebunmi Idowu (from Ilupeju-Ekiti), Aliyu Yusuf (from Ibadan), Oladayo Obikoya (from Ikogosi) and Ogunkuade Oluwatosin (aka Jasper).

    “They were arrested in a red-coloured Nissan Sunny with registration number Ekiti AH 176 EFY, and were moved to the Aramoko-Ekiti police station, where they were detained briefly before they were moved to the Police Headquarters, Ado-Ekiti”.

    Ekiti youth vanguard kicks

    A socio-political group, Ekiti Youth Vanguard, has vowed to hold Governor Fayose responsible if any untoward fate befalls the injured student leader, Comrade Adeleke Samson, currently in the intensive care unit at an undisclosed hospital.

    The group expressed dismay that thugs allegedly working for the PDP-led regime were sent after Adeleke and his colleagues for endorsing the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari at the rally held in Ado-Ekiti on January 24.

    A statement by the spokesperson of the group, Charles Fakunle, said:  ”We read in the newspapers and social media about the gruesome attack on a Students’ Union leader, Comrade  Adeleke Samson (Obama), by suspected thugs of Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    Fakunle said Adeleke’s offence was that he attended General Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential rally and joined other student leaders to endorse him.

    “The thugs trailed Obama and his colleagues to Ikogosi Ekiti where they were brutally attacked with machetes and axes.

    “It was in this process that Obama was abducted and taken to the bush where he was dealt machete cuts on his head which almost broke his skull.  His other colleagues escaped by the whiskers and ran to Aramoko police station to report the incident.

    “To add insult to injury, his colleagues, Ogunkuade Tosin, Odebunmi Idowu, Oloye and one other person were arrested by the police in Aramoko when they went to report there.

    “The fifth student, Bewaji Damilare, who went to check on them was also arrested and all were thereafter transferred to Ado-Ekiti police headquarters,” Fakunle explained.

    He said it took a letter from the National Association of Nigerian Students to the Inspector General of Police and a threat to march on the police headquarters to free the innocent students whom Fayose’s aide already labeled as armed robbers.

    Fakunle said: “We wonder why the ‘armed robbers’ were released quickly without charging them to court. We wish to alert all men of good conscience to come to the aid of the students who have become endangered species in Ekiti State simply because they support the candidacy of General Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The right to support a candidate of choice based on personal conviction is guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “There is no reason why Governor Fayose should send thugs to go after those who don’t share his political belief, neither can he explain why he should lead thugs from town to town to shoot sporadically and harass political opponents in a democracy that is supposed to guarantee freedom of choice.”

    The youth leader urged Fayose to tread softly, warning that the governor will incur the wrath of Ekiti youths if anything bad happens to Comrade Adeleke who is still unconscious in the hospital.

    “We urge the police to tender an unreserved apology to the students who were unjustly detained after being attacked while they left the thugs who attacked them to go scot-free because they are untouchable!

    “The police must fetch the thugs who attacked Comrade Obama and bring them to book without further delay while we pray God to spare the life of the maimed student leader,” Fakunle concluded.

    Adeleke’s battle for survival

    As parties in the drama continue to trade blames, Adeleke is still battling for survival. His fellow comrades have vowed not to give up the struggle. They are appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to assist them save the life of the young man.

    Ogunkuade said: “We are not giving up in this battle despite the condition of our comrade. This is a typical example of man’s inhumanity to man and we urge all Nigerians to rise in unison to condemn this bestiality.

    “We appeal to lovers of democracy to support us in taking care of our colleague who was almost killed for his conviction and the last has not been heard of this battle.

    “We are going to explore all legal and constitutional means to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime and their sponsors to book to serve as a deterrent to others”.

  • Don advises Nigerians on attitudinal change

    A professor of Social Studies and Citizenship Education at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi has said that it was the responsibilities of all Nigerians to make the country great again.

    He said the negative attitude of the leaders and followership in Nigeria is responsible for the numerous challenges facing the country at the moment, urging Nigerians to pay more attention to national development.

    The university teacher who spoke at the 69th inaugural lecture of the institution said the evidence of the bad citizenship reflects in the way we handle our government affairs, business, economy, marital and family relationships, cultural life, legal practice, religion and ethical conduct and more importantly, education sector in Nigeria.

    The Don who tagged the lecture: “The Search for Good Citizens and the Curriculum as Compass”   highlighted some newspapers headlines report to buttress his point that the attitude of many Nigerians is responsible for the challenges facing the country at the moment.

    Ogunyemi described good citizens as the one who obey and respect the law of the land adding that a good citizen would be honest in all his private and public dealings. He said it was the duty of each citizen to be devoted to duty, ready to help the needy and sympathetic to others.

    He maintained that the job of restructuring the country should not be left in the hand of the leaders alone, adding that individual also must make the effort to ensure the success of national development.

     

  • How I overcame breast cancer, by survivor

    How I overcame breast cancer, by survivor

    A woman who survived breast cancer has spoken of how she overcame the ailment and how the disease could be defeated.

    Mrs Betty Akeredolu who was diagnosed of breast cancer in 1997 said access to the right information coupled with the advancement in medical science has helped her to successfully fight the disease.

    Speaking in Lagos last Wednesday at a lecture to mark World Cancer Day, Mrs Akeredolu, who is the founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) said the global efforts to stop the spread of cancer may end up as a mirage if people do not share the right information on the disease and government failed to bring down the cost of treatment.

    The lecture which was the inaugural edition of the Omolara Jolaoso Memorial Lecture with the theme: Breast Cancer and Lifestyle, held at the Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School in Ikeja, and was organised by LANDER 88, an Old Students’ Association of the school to celebrate the life and times of the late Ms Jolaoso, who died on December 2013 after she lost the battle against breast cancer. The honoree was the convener of the association before she died.

    Mrs Akeredolu, who has survived breast cancer for 17 years and still getting stronger, said the disease could be defeated if people volunteer information about their health challenges and go for regular medical check for early detection.

    The wife of the frontline lawyer, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, said recent researches on breast cancer showed solution was within the reach, stressing that the growing cases of cancer had necessitated the need for specialist hospitals in the country to diagnose and treat patients at low cost.

    She said: “When I was diagnosed of breast cancer in 1997, I did not know anyone with such disease at that time. I felt it was the end but medical research has improved over the years. From the outcome we are getting, it shows solution is within our reach. I am standing here today to tell you that we can beat breast cancer.

    “But people must know that sharing information is key to beating breast cancer. Women must go out for regular medical checkup. This way, we can stop the cancer at the early stage. But many complain about lack of specialist hospital and expensive treatment. We want government to look into this to help poor victims and reduce foreign exchange (expended on overseas treatment).”

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, noted that researches showed that the best way to prevent cancer is to perform physical exercise and eat low calorie diet, containing fibre, fruits and vegetables. He said sedentary lifestyle, intake of animal and exposure to tobacco products increase vulnerability to cancer.

    Idris, who was represented by Dr Olajumoke Oyenuga at the event, said the state government had been offering free screening for women on cancer, noting that there was need for individuals and corporate bodies to complement the efforts of the government in extending the free service to more people.

    He said: “It is a known fact that no one is immune to breast cancer. Therefore, early detection through intensive and sustained public enlightenment, education and regular screening is the key to a favourable outcome. The risk factors of the disease include increasing age and early menarche, late menopause, and genetic predisposition.”

    The Commissioner urged women to always conduct Breast Self-Examination (BSE), go for Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) and periodically engaged in mammogram after the age of 40 to reduce the burden of the disease.

    The Special Adviser on Education to Lagos Governor, Hon. Fatai Olukoga, said cancer was not incurable, stressing that massive public enlightenment must be sustained to reduce the growing cases. “For cancer to be stopped, we must tackle the challenge of ignorance among the people, he said.

    Other speakers at the event included Dr Olufemi Ladehinde, Chief Executive Officer of Rencare Limited and Dr Biodun Adeyanju, a consultant surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    The event ended with an interactive session with pupils of the school and the guests.

    The late Omolara’s brother, Mr Abdulrasaq Sowunmi, said the event was to inform the people to take adequate measure against cancer. On how the family had been coping after the Omolara’s death, he said: “As a Muslim family, we have accepted it as the will of God. There is nothing anybody can do to it. God giveth and taketh. But life goes on.”

  • Monarch urges politicians to be honest

    Monarch urges politicians to be honest

    CHAIRMAN of the Yoruba Council of Elders in Ogun West, High Chief Bamgboye Akanni Osunlabu, has urged politicians to be honest and transparent if elected.

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, Osunlabu, who is the Ekerin of Ota, Ogun State, said the tension in the country was caused by failed promises by politicians.

    According to him, the type of tension and problems across the country today was only witnessed in the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the late Chief Ladoke Akintola.

    He decried leaders, who forgot the campaign promises after their elections.

    Osunlabu said the country had advanced politically, adding that the era of godfatherism has gone. “It will be difficult for the electorate to re-elect any politician who does not fulfill his promises in his first tenure,” the monach said.

    He noted that most indigenes in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area were unemployed, despite being the most populous and industrialised area in the state.

    His words: “We have a lot of industries, but despite this, our youths are jobless.”

    According to him, Nigerians needed not just a leader, but leaders who will serve with the fear of God and tackle societal problems, such as unemployment, power outage, bad roads, food scarcity and others.

    Osunlabu noted that most people ventured into politics to enrich themselves, adding that to serve people should not be a do-or-die affair.

    He said any political aspirant, who borrowed money or sold property to win election will not serve the people, rather he would embezzle money.

    He urged Nigerians to vote for the right candidate in the coming elections and shun dubious politicians.

    The Ekerin Ota appealed to youths to avoid being used as thugs so that peace will reign during and after the elections.

    The royal father urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state, even as he advised the electorate to collect their cards and perform their civic duties during the polls..

     

  • Ruler urges politicians to shun violence

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has urged politicians to shun violence and embrace peace as the general elections draw nearer.

    He advised them to remember the poor and the supporters of their respective parties when they get to power.

    The monarch who spoke last weekend when the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Senator Teslim Folarin paid him a courtesy visit, described Folarin as one of his sons who cannot be denied of his rights in the palace.

    According to him, Folarin was the only governorship candidate to be allowed campaign at the ‘Ojude Aremo’ (king palace) adding that many parties had written to that effect but were not allowed.

    “By God grace, your dreams shall be achieved. I want to beg all politicians to shun violence and embrace peace before, during, and after the coming elections. Folarin is my son. He is the first person to be taken to national assembly with a traditional ruler. I took him to the senate in 2003 when he contested and won the Oyo central senatorial seat. Among all the governorship contestants, he is the only one to be allowed here at the Ojude Aremo, for you to know that he is my son. Please when you get to power, don forget the poor masses and your supporters” he noted.

    The traditional ruler who, prayed for the governorship candidate to actualise his dreams admonished him not to be intoxicated by power after winning the election.

    Earlier, a former member of the National Assembly Senator, Chief Lekan Balogun and the former national vice chairman of the party, Chief Yekini Adeojo had described Folarin as an intelligent and highly respectiveful individual who had promised to consult the traditional rulers before taking decisions.

    Balogun said Folarin had severally displayed his readiness to listen to elders during his time as a senator and even till date, he continue to listen to the elders.

    Adeojo on his own part described Folarin as the choice of the people due to him overwhelming acceptance everywhere he visited with his campaign team.

    While reacting, the governorship candidate said PDP is a party of peace adding that those who were responsible for violence in the party had left.

    Meanwhile, the former special adviser to governor Ajimobi on the Youth, Hon. John Ebode who resigned in January 20th has defected to the PDP.

    He said he believed so much in the leadership of the former senate leader and as a youth, he understands the plight of this generation adding that his decision was taken in the best interest of the state and the youth, especially students.

  • We want to vote Deaf, blind and cripple tell INEC

    We want to vote Deaf, blind and cripple tell INEC

    Last week, Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) converged on the International Press Center, Lagos to talk about impediments to their rights to vote in the 2015 general elections. They also told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give them priority voting. SEUN AKIOYE reports.

    There was something strange about the eyes of Joseph Bulugbe whenever he talks.  No matter how passionate the matter was, the eyes betrayed no emotions. The only emotion Bulugbe betrayed was evident in his voice which seemed to have attained a high pitch of its own accord.  Whenever he talks, his eyes focused on his audience conveyed a feeling that he was seeing into your soul. And unless he told you beforehand, you will not know he was blind.

    Unlike Bulugbe, Solomon Abiodun Elugbaju’s disability was easily distinguishable. He wore a well cut suit and clean shoes, a very dark sunglass covered his eyes and his head was always raised high.

    In the room on Saturday February 7th 2015 at the International Press Centre (IPC), there were other guests and participants who share similarities with Elugbaju and Bulugbe. There were the deaf and the dumb; the cripple; the albinos; the imbecile and those suffering from speech defect.

    These unusual personalities have similar stories yet different in many ways. The disabled who are politely referred to as Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) sat together in like groups. The deaf and the dumb have acquired a habit of yelling at the top of their voices in incoherent syllables as if that is the only way they are sure of being heard.

    The blind were supported into the room and they sat separate from the deaf, theirs is a difficult world filled with darkness and frustration. The cripple stayed at the back and mainly concentrated with conversations within themselves while the imbecile also sat at the back. The albinos took their place separated from the rest.

    The deaf are the most active, there were loud chattering among them and they always shout when talking. It was a psychological mechanism and because they do not hear themselves they always shout thinking others can only hear them when they do. A sign interpreter stood in front of the group, he was involved in all the frantic conversations between the deaf and dumb. Many of them needed his attention at the same time and as he was attending to one, another would call his attention so he was engaged in a flurry of interpretations from one person to the other.

    The blind were helped to their seats by whoever is nearest to them when they come in, except for Bulugbe; all of them wore dark sunglasses and carried a stick.

    Helping the disabled through the electoral process

    The programme, Strengthening Citizens Engagement in Electoral Process (SCEEP) had been conceived bearing the PLWD in mind.  There are a number of issues in mind; how do we ensure fair and equitable justice for PLWD in our electoral process? How can the blind, lame, deaf dump and others enjoy the same level of electoral freedom like the other citizens especially in a volatile electoral system as in Nigeria? How can the PLWD have a voice in choosing their political leaders?

    Sami Falobi, a Programme Associate at the IPC thinks the SCEEP project would provide answers, or at least suggestions that can help tackle the issues.  The SCEEP, which was funded by ActionAid through the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) is being implemented in 10 states in Nigeria and its objectives include: to support citizens, especially women and the vulnerable to participate in and influence electoral process, to promote inclusiveness in the Nigerian electoral process and to promote the emergence of a politically better informed electorate.

    According to Falobi, the electoral sensitization meeting had representatives from six local governments across the three senatorial districts in Lagos state.  He said the project is important because PLWD are a critical, but often neglected stakeholder groups during election. “We need to bring on board marginalized groups and advance their participation and active engagement in the electoral process so their votes count and they are able to hold elected officials accountable on priority development initiatives,” he said.

    In Nigeria, there are estimated 22 million PLWD who stand to be disenfranchised in the 2015 general elections if the electoral body does not put in place adequate measures to ensure the participation of this group. Falobi said this group is “often cut off from actively participating and benefiting from development policies.” To this end, the SCEEP project according to him will “build capacity and knowledge of people living with disability to have requisite voter education message and information that give them increased understanding of the electoral process.”

    The PLWD and 2015 election

    The people living with one form of disability or the other who had gathered to brainstorm on how to further strengthen their participation at the polls had bitter experiences trying to vote in the past elections. They did not mince words in telling their able bodied colleagues too.

    Their lamentations rang deep in the room sending many in the audience into the deepest melancholy.  Adewale Adeyanju, coordinator of National Handicap Careers Association of Nigeria gave a pathetic submission about the plight of the deaf in Nigeria. He said most of them do not have their Permanent Voters Cards because they could not comprehend the information being relayed by INEC.

    But the biggest problem being confronted by the deaf and dumb is lack of trained electoral officials or interpreters at the polling booths. “When we line up, there will be nobody to interpret; even electoral officers would just pack us aside. The deaf will be looking, when trouble comes, we are the last to know and when people are running, the deaf will be running, he does not know why he is running.”

    Adeyanju was not done: “Most of our votes get voided because we don’t know where to stamp, we have told INEC to train us on how to vote, all of these caused confusion.” Adeyanju spoke in a high pitch voice which breaks after every word or two which makes following him a little strenuous. But he had secured the sympathy of the audience and every word he spoke seemed to afflict their souls.

    He was concerned that there are no deaf legislators or elected public officer in Nigeria against the norm in other countries like Ghana which reserved at least six spaces for PLWD in the parliament.

    “When we say we want to contest election, the people will say, our legislator ko gboran o, on election day, people laugh and they gather to sing for you because they know you don’t understand, they refused to carry us along,” he said.

    Bulugbe spoke for the blind. He stood up carefully holding on to the edge of the table until a microphone was thrust into his hand which was a sign that he could now proceed. He bent his head slightly to the left and focused his opened eyes on the audience. “I know what I went through to get my PVC,” he began. A sigh of relief swept through the hall, but it was short-lived. “But how can I vote, who will attend to me when I get to the polling booth?”

    The import of these questions was not lost on the audience as they began to envisage the problems of the blind voter in a volatile electoral process like Nigeria’s.  There are estimated 1.1 million blind Nigerians eligible to vote. “That is a huge number and it can swing votes if we all cast for a candidate. It is key to have something done by INEC, nothing in the constitution caters for us, if I go to vote and something happens, how do I get to my house?” he asked.

    Bulugbe’s journey to perpetual darkness was slow and painful. The first sign of blindness began when he was one year old. He finally went blind in 1995 when he was in Senior Secondary School 2. But despite this personal misfortune, he went on to get a Law Degree from the University of Lagos and a Masters in Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

    Bulugbe practices as a lawyer and a right activist but that does not protect him from the usual stereotypes: “In other societies, the blind are well catered for but here they say look at them and when they see you with a female blind person they will exclaim, won ma nfe ara won (they are even marrying each other).

    Solomon Abiodun Elugbaju of Hope and Life Foundation also spoke the mind of the blind calling on INEC to ensure that the election is violence free “so that they do not increase the number of disabled people.” Elugbaju called for attitudinal change from Nigerians and total inclusion in the electoral process. He should know better as he contested for the Federal House of Representatives in Kosofe Federal Constituency in 2007 under Accord Party, he lost the election coming a distant fourth position.

    “INEC should give room for total inclusion, we should be given the right to vote and be voted for. When I contested for election, I could not vote because on the day of the election because they were shooting everywhere. We are over two million blind voters and that block vote could go a long way,” Elugbaju said. And as if possessed by some higher power, he suddenly raised his voice and shouted “Why don’t you reckon with us, when they get there, they won’t have any provisions for us.”

    The deaf and the blind are not the only ones concerned about exercising their fundamental rights, the albinos are urging for total inclusion. The Chairperson of the Albino Foundation, Lagos chapter, Josephine Omolola said the albinos are particularly vulnerable when it comes to the intrigues of election.

    “The albino is not protected from the sun, when such a person goes to the poll, they cannot easily accommodate whatever is written on the ballot papers. People are always impatient with us when we start to squint and it can be very embarrassing, that is why we don’t go out to vote,” she said.

    The way forward

    A number of those who gathered agreed that something needed to be done and fast in order to ensure that PLWD were not cut off from the electoral process. The starting point according to the PLWD is the provision of educated electoral officers who can cater for the PLWD and their special needs.

    “We should have a dedicated desk at the polling booths and trained officers who will patiently guide us through the process, we can’t say they should immediately provide binoculars for us but they can do,” Omolola said.

    The others agree that there should be a dedicated desk for PLWD at polling booths staffed with trained officers. Adeyanju went further: “I learnt in Ghana, the disabled don’t vote on the day of the general election but on the next day, which can also be adopted here.”

    Deacon Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase of the Joint Persons Living with Disability Group said communication is the major challenge of the deaf and should be taken care of. “I cannot hear you without an interpreter, without an interpreter we are useless, so the INEC should help us with an interpreter because if I am on the line and you greet me I cannot hear. Those of you enjoying the Grace of God to be living without disability should be kind to us. We need priority voting,” she concluded.

    Ronke Adeyemi from Albino Foundation believes that the able bodied are not doing enough for the PLWD. “Where are our so called big men, why can’t they help us. If we can have a commissioner for Stomach Infrastructure in Ekiti, why can’t we have a commissioner for the disabled?” she said.

    Adeyanju wants to see a change in the political landscape where PLWD will be offered political slots by political parties. “If we get six legislators in the national assembly, it is okay for us.”

    Elugbaju wants more. “I will contest again in 2019 if I am supported and if Nigerians stop violent and politics of bitterness. Many applauded this bold move, but it wasn’t clear if all agreed with him.

     

  • Fire guts Igboro market

    Late night fire on Monday razed part of Igboro market at Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    According to eyewitness report, the inferno began around 9.00pm when the shop owners had closed for the day and left for home. The whole edifice would have been consumed but for the prompt intervention of fire fighters from Ilaro.

    Hundreds of people affected by the inferno wore mournful look when the state Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Ayo Olubori visited the scene.

    Reacting to the incident, the commissioner, symphatised with the marketers and assured them of government intervention.

    He donated some relief materials on behalf of the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. The items included: roofing sheets, roofing nails, bags of rice and bags of cement.

    Expressing the victims’ appreciation for government’s quick response, the Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Odebiyi Safiu Abiodun, admonished the victims to always turn-off all electrical appliances when going home after every market day so as to forestall future fire occurrence.

    The project coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Ogun State, Engineer Sakiru Ogundare, who visited the scene, promised his agency’s assistance to the victims.

    The Iyaloja of Ilaro, Alhaja Bola Idowu, while commending the quick response of the government, appealed to all relevant agencies to accelerate efforts in re-constructing the market as it remains the mainstay of the economy of the ancient town.