The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Let the girl child breathe

    Let the girl child breathe

    Women leaders from across the Southwest gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital last week to champion the cause of the girl child in a society where the specie seems increasingly endangered more than before.  BISI OLADELE and TAYO JOHNSON captured the import of the gathering

    It was exactly 148 days after over 230 girls were abducted by members of the Boko Haram sect at Chibok, Borno State. It was also the week when cases of rape of young girls flooded Nigerian newspapers and the electronic media.

    With the theme of the third National Women Summit focusing on the well-being of the girl child, the occasion, which drew notable women from both the public and the private sectors for practical talks on the plight of the girl child, was apt.

    The summit, which was organized by the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA), had “Girl Child Empowerment: A Challenge for All” as its theme. It was held at Lekan Are Hall, Kakanfo Inn, off Ring Road, Ibadan with delegates from many states and women groups across the nation.

    Wives of governors of Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti states joined Oyo State officials’ wives in their hundreds to discuss the challenges facing the girl child in Nigeria. They also found solutions, raising hopes for a safer, brighter future for young girls in the country.

    The First Ladies at the event are Mrs Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), Mrs Olufunso Amosun (Ogun) and Erelu Bisi Fayemi of Ekiti State respectively.

    Setting the tone for the summit was the renowned social crusader and activist, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, a woman that has spent the last 15 years championing the cause of democracy and women emancipation.

    Okei-Odumakin, in her charge to the participants, urged the women to demand immediate rescue of the girls abducted by Boko Haram members in Chibok on April 15.

    The activist, who is Coordinator, Women Arise for Change Initiative, lamented the untold hardship which the abducted girls have been subjected to for 148 days with government seemingly helpless in rescuing them.

    She highlighted the plight of the Chibok girls, moving participants to pity for the young victims of terrorism. The crowd of participants  enthusiastically responded to her request for a united call for the girls’ rescue.

    She explained that some of the abducted girls, who escaped from the captivity of the terrorists, narrated their harrowing experiences of serial rape and other abuses to her, urging Nigerians not to give up in demanding their rescue.

    Odumakin listed peculiar challenges facing the girl child in the society to include poor feeding or care, early or child marriage, victimization for alleged witchcraft, physical and sexual abuse, child labour, trafficking and prostitution.

    To overcome these and other challenges, the social crusader said children must be empowered with good education, stressing that girls and boys must have the same access to equal and quality education.

    She lauded the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, for organizing the summit yearly with the aim of highlighting the plight of women and finding solutions to them.

    “I salute Mrs Ajimobi for realizing how important the girl child is. This empowerment requires the efforts of all. The more we believe that the girl child is important to the survival and progress of our society, the better for all of us.

    “To the Chibok girls, we will never forget you. You are heroines.” Okei-Odumakin said.

    In her welcome address, Mrs Ajimobi recalled that the first two editions of the summit, which dwelt on women issues, were successful, adding that they served as a motivation for this year edition.

    She described the project, which includes sensitization and empowerment, as a way of re-invigorating, enlightening, educating and promoting women in the society.

    Explaining the rationale behind the theme for the 2014 edition, Mrs Ajimobi said: “We deemed it necessary this year to concentrate on the girl child rather than women because most of the future of a woman is usually determined from when she is a girl. This is when her character is formed; this is when she develops her personal ideologies and idiosyncrasies. This is when the foundation that will make or mar her future is usually laid.”

    She said the greatest way to empower the girl child is through education. “Education is all-encompassing; it goes beyond the formal education that is received within the four walls of a classroom and usually includes informal education such as teaching of customs, socio-cultural values, traditional norms, courtesy and etiquette.” She said.

    In his keynote address, Governor Abiola Ajimobi consented that women are able to achieve great feats in the right environment. He added that they are an integral part of the development process of any nation.

    Having identified the many ways girls are poorly treated in Nigeria, Ajimobi disclosed that his administration has taken several steps to empower girls and women.

    He said: “Education is the most important tool to empower the girl child and women. Hence, we focus on the tripod of the pupil, teacher and teaching facilities. Though we focus on children collectively, we have great respect for the girl child.”

    Hon. Justice Olajumoke idowu Aiki of Oyo State High Court in her lecture on” Law Enforcement and Government Policies that Foster Empowerment for the Girl Child,” said the topic was crucial at a time in world history when combined negative factors of poverty, economic recession , family instability have ravaged humanity in general, with the girl child worse hit.

    She said: “Nigeria signed all the laws guiding the girl child act. Among them is the prohibition or punishment of child marriage and betrothal, which stipulates that anyone that breaks the law will be fined N500,000 or five years in prison.”

    In addressing the law enforcement issues affecting the girl child, the judge urged the government at all levels to embark on policies which will foster the protection of the right of the girl child.

    She stressed that the internal and external aggression confronting the girl child must be eliminated.

    Another lecturer, ýMrs Grace Atim, of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, who spoke on the ‘Right of the Girl Child,’ said investment in girl child should be prioritized by all.

    Atim posited that a girl child seemingly grows up in an environment where she is made to believe that she is inferior to the boy, adding that she is further vulnerable to societal discrimination, marginalisation, oppression, rape, stereotypes against the girl child that is reinforced by cultural and traditional beliefs.

    “People prevent the girl child from going to school and subject them to early marriage in the name of religion. No violence on girl child is justifiable. If we want a peaceful atmosphere and rapid development in the country, we shouldý indulge in girl child education,” she said.

    The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe, spoke on: “The Girl Child: An Asset for Sustainable Cultured National and Tourism Development”.

    She underscored the involvement of women in culture as up to 50 per cent. The commissioner insisted that women maintain tradition and build strong communities through proper rearing of culture, producing handcrafts, using natural medicines, speaking local dialects, weaving traditional dresses and performing traditional songs.

    She further called on the government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) to help create an enabling environment for the girl child to grow, noting that women representatives at the management level in different organizations have increased in number tremendously.

    According to her, given proper education and an equal footing with the male child, they would perform more.

    In her recommendation as a solution to the empowerment of the girl child, she said: “Leadership training programmes should be organized to disabuse their minds from the relegating image misconstrued by the society. At the home front, parents should give equal opportunities to the girl child with their male counterpart to grow and compete in the world. Parents should constantly disabuse the mind of the girl child of any religious beliefs and status quo and practices that can limit their aspirations in life.”

    Another facilitator, Princess Oyefunke Oworu, who spoke on Entrepreneurship and Self Dependent for a Girl child, emphasized the importance and role of education, stressing that there was need for a massive empowerment for the girl child.

    Oworu, who is the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperative in the state, highlighted the various vocational skills women from different part of Oyo State are known for and implored women to go for any of them to improve their economic strength.

    She stressed that the advent of the Internet and modern technology has created easy access to sell their goods and make good profit.

    ý”Empowerment and vocational skills are keys to development and the progressive advancement of the girl child. Empowerment increases the participation of women in politics and gives an edge to the girl child anywhere,” the commissioner said

    She disclosed that more vocational training centres would be built to facilitate the girl child empowerment in the nearest future.

     

  • Council boosts local economy with empowerment programme

    Members of communities that make up Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have cause to thank God recently following a unique business empowerment programme embarked upon by the council aimed at alleviating the problems of the needy in the area.

    In recent weeks, Chairman of the council, Hon. Ibrahim Tunde Sanusi, has been on tour of wards in the council area to dispense items of empowerment as part of the council’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the citizens.

    The programme tagged “Small Business Empowerment Fund Programme”, according to the council chief, aims at making funds available to indigent parents to enable them set up small businesses that will ensure daily income with which they will take care of their families.

    He said: “The LCDA embarked on this programme in order to help those who do not have enough wares in their shops so that they would be able to stock their shops with enough wares for sale during the Yuletide period. We reasoned that between September and October is the best period to help those who are into buying and selling to stock their shops with goods in readiness for December sales.

    “If we decide to empower them in November, cost of articles of trade would be on the high side and the aim of the programme will be defeated. In each of the seven wards in the council, at least 39 members will be empowered with the sum of N30, 000.

    “For instance, in Ward ‘H’ at Ikhaare Town, 64 people benefited from the small business empowerment programme. Each received the sum of N30, 000, 39 students received bursary awards while 38 out of the 300 aged people who benefited from the monthly social security allowance for the elderly are from Ward ‘H’.

    “In Ibasa Town, 65 people received N30, 000 each in the small business empowerment programme while another 110 people received bursary allowance.

    “This gesture cuts across political and religious affiliations.”

    Apart from the small business empowerment fund, Hon. Sanusi said the council is also giving out bursary awards to students that are in higher institutions across the country.

    On infrastructural development, the council chief noted that “physical infrastructure help in enhancing the well-being of the people. This explains the council’s commitment to road construction and rehabilitation across the council area, provision of adequate education and health infrastructure and encouragement of rural farmers with incentives. We also recognise that members of staff become more dedicated to their duties when they are happy and encouraged. That is why the council ensures that workers are highly motivated”.

    While distributing the materials in each of the wards, Hon, Sanusi said abject poverty and unemployment among youths were serious challenges which the council is experiencing, adding that his administration is committed to reversing the awful situation.

    Continuing, he said: “The increasing number of unemployed youths roaming the streets in search of jobs and some parents not having tangible means of livelihood has made them become frustrated and, most times, engage in anti-social activities that are inimical to the well-being of our society. It is therefore our responsibility as government to do something concrete to address this situation by intervening with various measures that will alleviate poverty and unemployment.

    Hon, Sanusi revealed that the council had provided several amenities for the people, which he said included rehabilitation of S.A. Primary School, Ikhaare, construction of footbridge at Irede Ikhaare, construction of public toilet at Iyagbe and Ikhaare, regular clearing of bushes along Ikhaare-Iyagbe-Irede footpath and ongoing construction of health centre and doctors’ quarters at Iyagbe and Irede.

    On youth employment, the council chief said his administration accords great priority to youth employment, adding that about 35 youths from Ward ‘H’ will be considered for contract jobs in the council this month. He also disclosed that some of them had been engaged in various sports such as swimming, football, athletic,  street soccer and track and field events which the council had organised.

    Contributing, the member representing Amowo-Odofin State Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs.) Akinlola-Hassan Ramotalai praised the council chief for fulfilling most of his promises to the people during his electioneering campaigns.

    She expressed her happiness over what she called “deliberate efforts by the council to make life meaningful for the citizens,” noting that she had also contributed her quota to the development and well-being of the people through her education empowerment efforts. She revealed that she had provided school uniforms for almost all the primary schools in the council because, she said, education is a catalyst for development of any society.

  • No hiding place for importers of banned products in Oyo,says Customs boss

    No hiding place for importers of banned products in Oyo,says Customs boss

    The battle between men of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) and  smugglers in Oyo state is yielding positive results. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports on the recent seizures of goods worth several millions on naira by a crack team of Customs men in the State.

    It was a moving scene at the Abaja forest, near Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo state, the site of the seizure of smuggled goods made by the Nigeria Customs Service  Oyo/Osun Command last Thursday .

    The villagers along the route to the forest were stunned on seeing the presence of security operatives comprising soldiers, policemen, DSS, men of the Directorate of Civil Defence and Customs officers. The route which was a familiar one to the villagers and smugglers had remained hidden to security men for long until last week when the arrest and seizure was made.

    One of the villagers, an elderly man who gave his name as Kabiru, a Fulani cattle tender confirmed that the narrow path in the forest has been serving as the route for the smugglers for more than 5 years until the discovery by Customs men who acted on a tip-off.

    Kabiru who spoke Yoruba fluently said “this is good for us because of the intimidation we receive every day from the smugglers here. When they are coming mostly in the late hours they crush whoever was found on the way. Our children were always asked to remain indoors when they were passing in convoy because they are very dangerous. We don’t have rest of mind here as we live in fear because of their intimidation”.

    In the Abaja forest, about forty security operatives stood guard to protect the seizure which included forty vehicles and over 2000 bags of rice.

    The smugglers, it was gathered numbered over 100 and were fully armed with sophisticated weapons and assorted charms which were used to confront the Customs officers who had laid a siege in the forest five days before the attack.

    Describing the sound of guns as deafening and frightening the night the smugglers engaged the Customs men in a gun duel, one of the villagers, a farmer, Adesuyi Nasiru praised the security men for their gallantry and pointed out that it was very rare to defeat the smugglers in the area because of their weapons .

    “Now, we have peace in these villages and we can now sleep with our eyes closed unlike before when we live in dread”, Nasiru said.

    The seized items which were displayed before senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service from Abuja headquarters was described as a great feat in recent times.

    The  squad leader, DSC Alajogun Joseph narrated how his team was able to discover to route in the forest and subsequent defeat of the smugglers.

    He said that for over four days his men were in the forest, anxiously waiting for the smugglers with the hope that they would pass as usual.

    According to him, the squad went through many hardships in the forest that had to be endured for many days before we saw the smugglers.

    Alajogun said “we got wind of the smuggling of rice through some informants, and through intelligence gathering for over two weeks. So, when we got information that they were coming in the early hours of Tuesday September 9, 2014, we have already taken our position in the forest and after some shoot out they fled because of our intense fire power”.

    Also, a similar seizure was said to have been made by men of the Customs, which was displayed  last Saturday. The squad intercepted imported poultry products worth over N14million concealed in two trucks, along Bakatari axis of Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway.

    Addressing newsmen on the seizure on behalf of the Comptroller of the Oyo/Osun command Mr Richard Oteri,  the Deputy Controller of the Command, Mr   Usman Buwa  said the  seizure of the two trucks  carrying poultry product with over 2000 cartons of frozen poultry, was made by a  task force led by Assistant Comptroller Mohammed Adamu Ibrahim on 11 September, 2014 at about 4.30am.

    The seized poultry product, consisting of frozen turkey and chicken, according to the Customs boss was being imported from Brazil into the country before it was intercepted in Ibadan along Bakatari, in Ido local government area of Oyo state by officers of the command.

    He listed reasons why the importation of banned poultry products must be discouraged, stating that poultry product remained on the list of contraband.

    He said:” As we all know, poultry products are contraband and their importation is prohibited by the federal government.

    “The reason behind the ban is to protect local poultry farmers thereby securing employment for the citizenry and consequently facilitate economic growth.

    “Also, consumption of imported poultry products is injuries to health of individuals. This is not only due to period of long storage, but also the chemical used in its preservation and the long distance it covered before coming into this country. “

    For instance, the Customs boss said this particular “seizure is from Brazil, so you can imagine the distance it covered.

    “So, we will continue to advise the general public to stop patronizing imported poultry products, so as to discourage smuggling of imported poultry products,” he stated.

    The seized poultry products were later buried at a dump site in Arapaja Village,  Oluyole local government area of Oyo state before newsmen ,DSS and NAFDAC officials.

    The Controller of the Oyo/Osun Command, Mr Richard Oteri who led officers of the Command and other security personnel into the forest last Thursday , a journey of over four hours ,was optimistic that the war against smuggling would soon be over as the operators of banned imported goods are fast losing the battle.

    Oteri , who commended the crack squad for the wonderful feat said the estimated Duty Paid Value of the 2000 bags of rice is N20million , while the market value of the seizure is N18million.

    “ It is worthy of note to recollect that a similar seizure of twenty one assorted vehicles also loaded with rice was made early last month. The command will continue to engage in aggressive patrol activities in all areas of the command and ensure effective blockage of the entry of all illicit goods.

    “It is worrisome that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose. Not even Federal Government’s visible efforts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production have touched their conscience to avoid rice smuggling”, he said.

    The Customs boss further explained that already the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi has ordered a thorough investigation with a view to prosecuting all those connected with the illegal act, adding that the command remained poised in her resolve to arresting saboteurs and make them face the full wrath of the law.

    He revealed that his men had all what it requires to flush out smugglers because of the incentives from the management of Nigeria Customs Service, coupled with the provision of new patrol vans and ammunition that are more superior than the ones used by the smugglers.

    The Command boss said: “You can see the guns we have are not just guns but automatic AK47 assault rifle. So my men were well kitted. We could not have done anything less, because the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi has indeed raised our morale and we are going to win the war against smuggling . As you can see, there is no hiding place for sabotuers .”

  • Police train officers on how to fight terrorism

    Police train officers on how to fight terrorism

    The police high command in response to the security challenges facing the country recently carried out an intensive training exercise for some of its officers at its training college in Ila Orangun, Osun State. ADESOJI ADENIYI was there.

    No fewer than 55 middle ranking career police officers, including two women participated in a three week intensive training for 2 i/c squadron commanders held recently at the Nigeria Police Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State.

    The programme was designed to afford the participants the opportunity to be trained in new techniques in weapon handling, tactical manoeuvres and obstacle crossing. Also, academic papers were presented by facilitators from the private sector and police instructors, especially on how to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.

    For the participants drawn from all the squadron commands across the country, it was a rewarding experience. The course 6/2014 chairman, Francis Osagie Erhabor, a Superintendent of Police, said the course though hectic, was very important and strategic for repositioning the police mobile force and squadron commanders in the face of current upsurge in violent crime and insurgency taking place in the North eastern part of the country. Two other participants, AbdulKareem Abubakar (SP) and Felicity Jacob (DSP) said they had really been equipped during the training and promised to discharge what is expected of them.

    Abubakar said the challenges of insecurity required tactical approach urging government to continue to train more security officials to contain all acts of terrorism in the country. ýHe said: “The course has equipped us with not only combat operational techniques that had been the norm over the years but those requiring mental and intellectual capacity.”

    According to Jacob, he and other participants in the training would ever remain indebted to the directing staff, instructors and management of the college for quality training programme.

    The passing out ceremony for the participants provided an opportunity for the Acting Commandant, Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila Orangun, Livingstein Orutugu, to ask the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, to look into the challenges facing the training college. He listed among challenges facing the college, the  provision of primary school within the college to enable their children go to school.ý He said the participants had been exposed to both physical and intellectual aspects of holding the office of Squadron Commander in Police Mobile Force and other aspects of policing. However, Orutugu said: “I thank the Inspector General for the emphasis he put on professionalism.”

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, who was represented at the passing out ceremony by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters, Mr.Felix Uyanna, charged officers and men of the Force to re-dedicate themselves to duty and stand up to the challenges of terrorism. The acting IG said the reason for massive adjustment in the Police security thinking and training became imperative in other to cope with the emerging challenges of insecurity. He reminded the officers that they could not afford to fail Nigerians, therefore, urging them to embrace intelligence-led policing to aid their operations.

    He said: “it is no hidden fact that contemporary Nigeria is faced with emerging security threats and challenges different from what we used to know in the past decades. The emergent threats that manifest in the form of insurgency and terrorism have not only challenged our hitherto and reactive approaches to internal security operations. They have affected the operational preparedness of Police Mobile Force as the last line of defence for the Force to effectively counter and contain these threats as they emerge.

    “The era of riots, violent demonstrations and isolated acts of criminality have gradually given way to more precarious security situation in the country. Now crimes have become better organised, highly sophisticated, extremely lethal and totally complex, perhaps, with transnational links. This unwholesome security situation in Nigeria has not only impugned on the ability of the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency in maintenance of internal security but also that of other security agencies often invited to aid in internal security operations.

    “Time was when the Police Mobile Force was not only the hope of the Force but also that of the people that time was no more. Time was when  a unit of PMF can effectively confront, contain and conquer any act of insurgency, that time was history. Time was when the PMF was dreaded by criminals more than soldiers that time is no more. Time was when the PMF was impregnable, when its personnel are hardly killed in operation, that time was gone.” Abba said.

    The IGP, who noted that ýthe nation is at a cross road, said a careful assessment of explicitly identified threats to the nation’s security has become imperative.

  • Life returns to Agodi gardens

    Life returns to Agodi gardens

    Thirty-four years after a devastating flood swept through Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State destroying the popular Agodi Gardens among others, the tourist centre in the heart of the ancient city is gradually coming back to life following a N1 billion redevelopment programme initiated by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration. BISI OLADELE reports on the new Agodi Gardens.

    It was the place to be in Ibadan in the 70s and 80s to catch your fun and enjoy a family outing. Second only to the popular University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Agodi Gardens, Ibadan is a city recreational centre that any family or fun-seeking tourist would want to patronise.

    Tucked in the heart of the Oyo State capital, the garden is located at the foot of Mokola Hill, backing the State government secretariat, Agodi and the western part of the expansive Agodi Government Reserved Area (GRA) which houses both the seat of the state government, Governor’s Lodge and a prestigious housing estate.

    While all these border Agodi Gardens on the eastern part, the recreational centre borders a lake, hilltop Premier Hotel and Cultural Centre on the west. The first teaching hospital in Nigeria, the University College Hospital (UCH) borders the centre on the southern part to give it an elitist and sophisticated environment.

    Sprawling on a 35-hectre landed facility, the garden which was established as a biological and relaxation centre to provide recreational as well as educational services for inhabitants and visitors in 1967, lost its glory as a foremost tourist centre, particularly following its destruction by the infamous 1980 flood disaster dubbed Omiyale by locals, that swept through the ancient city.

    The flood swept away most of the Gardens’ wild animals, exotic and vintage plants and most importantly its beauty leaving the people with little or nothing to look up to at the centre. Expectedly, tourists have stayed away ever since, especially in the face of little or no government effort to revive the centre. But things are beginning to change thanks to the efforts of the current administration in the state.

    Agodi Gardens has witnessed a rebirth from the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration. With an investment of over N500 million from a budgeted N1 billion already sunk into the new Agodi Gardens, fun seekers, lovers of nature and animals will heave a sigh of relief on visiting the redeveloped centre when it hopefully opens to the public next month.

    At inception, Agodi Gardens was a reference/meeting point for botanists, zoologists, environmentalists, naturalists and users of herbs in the trado-medicinal trade. It served as a gene pool and biodiversity complex as well as amusement park for both young and old for over two decades before the flood disaster.

    “It was initially a forest reserve with thick plantation. But the government later started the animal world known as Agodi Zoological Garden. The biological aspect of it included medicinal plants garden as well as a botanical garden and some rare trees. Only few of such species of trees were left in the country,” said the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr Bunmi Babalola.

    Successive flood disasters and years of government neglect reduced the centre to nothing but a play ground of dangerous reptiles and such animals, making the task of resuscitation a herculean one for the Ajimobi administration.

    On assumption of office, Babalola said:”We saw that face lifting will not work there. To achieve our goal, we had to totally redevelop the garden. To ensure safety of our people there, we employed local hunters to remove all dangerous animals in the lake.”

    The garden now boasts of a modern theme park and zoological garden with plan to develop two other phases that will see the growth of a medicinal plants section and a truly modern zoological section.

    Explaining government’s big plan for the multi-million Naira recreation centre, the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe, said: “The Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration established the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Hitherto, they were just departments under Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. When the ministry was established, we thought it fit that a place like Agodi Gardens should come to this ministry and the proposal was granted by the governor. So, we were able to start this project. We call it Redevelopment and Rehabilitation of Agodi Gardens.

    “The project is in three phases. We wanted a theme park, where people can just relax. We believe that it will contribute to the good health of the people and with minimal distortion to the original architecture of the place. At every stage of this project, we are always doing Environmental Assessment Impact (EAI). So, no single tree was removed, if not necessary. There was individual tree tagging. That is why the project is going slowly. That place is like a buffer zone which absorbs extra carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide that contribute to depletion of the ozone layer.

    “We made it such that each phase will independently operate on its own.  So, the first phase consists of the walkways, swimming pools, water slides, children play ground, see-through fence, parking lot, dredging of the lake and creation of artificial lake, channelisation of the various streams, landscaping, restaurants, toilets and bathrooms, bridges and electrification. Cables have been laid for the entire project in this first phase. There is borehole channelised to the various points.”

    The commissioner explained that government’s goal for the first phase is “to create a place in Ibadan that can easily provide leisure, accommodation, relaxation and entertainment for the family in the same place in a healthy environment.”

    She emphasized that clean environment, fresh air and access to natural environment mark out the centre, adding that they would improve quality of life of tourists.

    Adeyemi-Akhigbe disclosed that about N1 billion was budgeted for the project but that what has been spent so far is already more than half of the amount.

    She said: “We projected over N1 billion for the entire project. But as the project was evolving, new ideas were coming up.”

    The first phase, which is over 90 percent complete, is expected to be commissioned next month.

    The second phase, according to the commissioner, will feature a health farm that will involve partnership with Chinese and Indians who have reached a good stage in herbal medicine. Chalets for lodging and a modern event centre with a different entrance will also be constructed on the garden.

    Her words: “In the second phase, we want to have a health farm. This is a natural health farm where they won’t use orthodox drugs. It is a Medicinal plants garden. On this, we want to bring in the Chinese and Indians. They are bringing their own knowledge of these medicinal plants having been on them for years. They have acquired standardization of the products. So, our herbal medical practitioners will benefit immensely from them. They will see how herbal infusion can be brought into orthodox practice.

    “It will also feature chalets for lodging. It will also have an event centre. They won’t be coming through the garden. We may also have a small golf course there.”

    The third phase, according to the commissioner, will be mainly a zoological garden. “We are thinking of having friendly animals such as tortoise and peacock walking around in the garden to strengthen the natural view of the garden.” She said.

    The project is expected to generate about N1 billion yearly as well as create about 1000 direct and indirect jobs when it comes up full swing.

    As the flagship of the ministry’s projects, Agodi Gardens is expected to pull most of the tourists and fun seekers in the city and also provide easy access to other such centres in the Oyo state capital. From its central location, the garden is about four kilometres to the historic Captain Bower’s Tower, three kilometers to the University of Ibadan, and two kilometers to the current centre of trading buzz, Heritage/Cocoa Mall. It is also only about one and a half kilometers to the proposed Olubadan palace.

    When inaugurated, Agodi Gardens, as a modern resort, will add more glamour and value to the city with its surging population.

  • Mystery school springs up at Ibadan’s ‘evil’ forest

    Mystery school springs up at Ibadan’s ‘evil’ forest

    Few months  after  the frightening discovery of several decomposed  bodies and dozens of human parts in a forest at Soka  in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, a public school is being built on the site but nobody seems to know by who.  OSEHE YE OKWUOFU reports that little progress has been made on the forensic investigation ordered by the state government.

    IT was dubbed ‘Ibadan Forest of Horror’ by the media after the world woke up to the discovery of decomposing human bodies and rescue of some persons who had been kept in captivity for a long time. The discovery was greeted with rage and bewilderment, but shortly after, the noise died down and the city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on whose outskirt the forest is located, has since put the saga behind.

    Today, the ‘Forest of Horror’ is being turned to a public school by the government as a massive school thought to be one of several  Federal Government Model Colleges being built across the country, is being constructed at a speedy rate on a large piece of the former forest.

    But many still live with horror and the fear of Soka forest will continue to hunt the people for many years to come.

    Residents of the area who bared their minds said the thought will continue to remain very fresh in their memory as they still find it difficult to forget the rude shock and nightmare they suffered as a result.

    The victims , who were rescued from the forest and taken to the state hospital, Yemetu, Adeoyo, Ibadan,  it was learnt, were given adequate medical attention and have since been re-united with their relatives.

    A medical personnel at the hospital, who would not want her name mentioned in print, said a few of the victims suffered from mental disorder and have been referred to the psychiatric hospital for further medical care.

    Meanwhile the Oyo state police command is yet to make any significant headway on the investigation to bring to book the culprits behind the killings at Soka forest.

    Head of the investigation team, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), Mr Dasuki, told The Nation that all efforts to track down the principal suspect, simply identified as Alhaji Gbadegesin, has not yielded fruit .

    The police, he said, in its investigation, was also making effort to arrest owners of the abandoned factories being used by the suspects to commit the crime but none has shown up despite the intense search for them.

    Mr Dasuki had referred to the team of forensic experts as a basis and beacon of hope for tracking down the culprits, but as at last week nothing has been made available to the police to assist in its effort to arrest the suspects.

    The Chief Pathologist, Dr Eze Uwom, who led a team of scientists from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan to the site where many people were believed to have been chained and killed by their captors, described the exercise as very disappointing and frustrating .

    Since the team was engaged by the state government to conduct forensic analysis that would lead to the roots of the deaths of many Nigerians at the forest, nothing significant has been achieved.

    The Chief Pathologist explained that his team has not gone beyond the initial stage of its analysis since the exercise has been stopped due to lack of support and logistics.

    He said: “The only thing I have to tell you is that we are at the level of forensic recovery. We can only proceed at this stage if we have the needed logistics. So, we have not left the initial stage. We are still at the very initial stage. This investigation requires resources and manpower.

    “But I have come to realise that the authorities have not shown the will to pursue this case. It is not because of lack of expertise that we cannot move beyond this stage. The problem is that until we turn the heat on those we put in the position of authority, we are not going to get anywhere. We do forensic with full support from the authorities with the appropriate materials and resources. We did the Dana Air crash in Lagos. I led the team and everyone was there working with all our clothes melting on our bodies.

    “We got full support from the Lagos State Government and we are working closely with the authorities. Logistics was not a problem. Maybe it is because its Soka, the people involved were nobody.  “

    Speaking further on the Soka saga, Uwom said during the period his team was on site for data collection, he was not aware of any support from the authorities, and if there was, he said it was definitely not for his team.

    “Well, as to your question regarding the report of the forensic analysis, the answer you are seeking is not available because this has not moved from the rudiment stage,” he stated.

    While police said they are not relenting in their resolve to fish out the suspects behind the Soka killings, the faceless owners of the abandoned buildings have filed legal action against the government over the demolition of the buildings and construction of model secondary school on the plots of land situated at the notorious forest.

    The Assistant Commissioner Police who confirmed the suit said a copy of the legal action was also served on him. He however expressed delight on the decision of the government to use the plots for school.

    “At least, this will send away those criminals who hide under the situation of the area to commit crime, “ he said.

    The legal action, he added will also open the way for owners of the structures to come forward, having gone into hiding since the discovery of the Soka killings.

    The area  where many lives were lost is now wearing a new look with economic activities springing up. When The Nation visited the site, construction workers and food sellers were seen working hard to see the school project completed. Building materials suppliers were also adding to the buzz on the site.

    However, there are conflicting reports over the ownership of the said model secondary school. While the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Oluyole Local Government, Mr Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, said the school was being constructed by the state government, The Nation learnt that it could be a Federal Government Girls Model college.

    While speaking on the construction of new blocks of classrooms, the council boss hinted that the citing of the school at the location was strategic by the government.

    The decision of the government, he added was aimed at bringing development to the area and make it a no hiding place for criminals who see the abandoned buildings and plots of land as a cover to commit heinous crime.

    “We are thankful to the state government for donating the school to the local government, to bring more development to the area”, he said.

    But the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Solomon Olaniyonu said he was not aware of the donation of the school to the local government.

    “As the Commissioner in charge of Education, I am not aware of the model school being cited at Soka area” , he added.

    When The Nation visited the Ibadan office of the Federal Ministry of Education, the officers could not give useful information as they said that their boss who could confirm the ownership of the school was not around.

    When speaking on the model school, a resident of the area, Mr Adesokan Smith lauded the effort of the government for taking decisive step to clear the area of nefarious activities.

    “This is something all of us living in Soka and Macmillan have been praying for over the years because this forest has been harbouring these criminals for over ten years now. There was a time the landlords wrote to the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mukaila Aborode, during Alao-Akala’s regime complaining about these evil men and we called on the government to clear this area but nothing happened. Now that the government has brought this school, our people can now sleep with our two eyes closed”.

  • Rape scandal rocks ‘operation burst’ in Eruwa

    Rape scandal rocks ‘operation burst’ in Eruwa

    The alleged rape of an ND 2 student of Mass Communication, The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State by a member of the state special security squad ‘Operation Burst’ has thrown the outfit into a crisis of confidence and drawn the ire of the victim’s family and the general public. IBRAHIM ADAM reports.

    A rape scandal is currently rocking the Oyo State joint security patrol team, ‘Operation Burst’ as a member of the outfit has been accused of forcefully having canal knowledge of a female student of The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa.

    Omolara (surname withheld) an ND 2 Mass Communication student of the institution had alleged that a soldier attached to operation burst, Ignatius (surname withheld), armed with a knife, had forced her into having sex with him penultimate Friday,

    But the management of the security outfit have denied this and instead treating the alleged rape as mere assault on the part of Ignatius. And this has expectedly drawn the ire of Omolara’s family which through their lawyer Barrister Ola Adeosun has called for a proper investigation into the matter and stiffer punishment for the culprit and rehabilitation for the victim.

    Giving the fact of the matter the family lawyer said: “Precisely at about 10.30pm on Friday, 29th day of August, 2014, while returning to her apartment around the Oke Ola area, of Eruwa, The Victim, who is Our Client and an ND 2 Student of the Department of Mass Communication of Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa was “arrested” by a soldier attached to the Oyo State, special Security outfit “OPERATION BURST”, on the allegation that she was a cultist.

    “The victim explained to the soldier that she only escorted her friend who came to visit her, and they both discussed into the later part of the day, and that she was not a cultist as alleged by the soldier. Not satisfied, the soldier took The Victim to the Ibarapa Zonal office of “OPERATION BURST” situate after Secretariat, Eruwa.

    “On entering the premises of the “OPERATION BURST”, The Victim saw other soldiers and security agents torturing some students of the Ibarapa Polytechnic within the premises.

    “The soldier almost immediately dragged The Victim to the shed under a tree at the premises of the “OPERATION BURST”, removed a two edged knife and ordered our client to remove all her clothes, as he wanted to see all the “occultic tattoos” on the body of the victim. The victim pleaded with the soldier, and informed him that she was not a cultist as alleged, and that she only escorted a friend who visited her. When the threat by the soldier became vicious, as he had started beating and strangulating the victim, the victim removed all her clothes, including her  underwear on the orders of the soldier. The soldier thereafter ordered the victim to lie down under the tree as she was already stark naked and was crying profusely.

    “All The Victim’s plea to the soldier only earned her threats and beatings from the soldier, as the soldier informed her that if she fails to “Cooperate”, she would be killed and buried like many other girls who had failed to cooperate in the past  and nobody would trace her death to him. At this point the soldier had drawn out his knife again and promised to slaughter The Victim “like a ram”.

    “At this point, The Victim was left with no option, but to stop struggling with the soldier who pounced on her and forcefully had sex with her between the hours of around 10.30pm on Friday, 29th August, 2014 and 3am on Saturday, 30th August, 2014.

    “As a confirmation of the fact that it had become a routine ritual amongst the Soldiers and officers of the “OPERATION BURST” Ibarapa office, while the soldier was forcefully having sexual intercourse with The Victim and The Victim Client was shouting and crying for help, the other soldiers and security agents were only walking past and acting as if what was happening was normal!

    “Sometime at around 3am or thereabout, the randy soldier informed The Victim that he needed to take some rest, and that The Victim was a “good girl”, hence, he wanted to go into one of the offices around the premises of “OPERATION BURST” to get a better cloth for The Victim to wear, since he had damaged her clothes in the course of events leading to rape.

    “The Victim promptly seized the opportunity of the temporary exit of the randy soldier to escape from the venue of the crime and ran to her house while still weeping and already psychologically dismembered.

    “In the morning of Saturday, 30th August, 2014, The Victim called her parents on the telephone to tell them of the attack on her, and her parents in turn called to brief Our Office. We thereafter advised that The Victim should report to the Police Station at Eruwa, which she promptly did.

    “The Police at Eruwa contacted the Police hierarchy in the state, who in turn contacted the military authorities since the culprit was a soldier. The Victim was thereafter taken to “OPERATION BURST” office wherein and identification parade was carried out and she identified the randy soldier amongst the others.

    “At this point, the soldier admitted raping the victim and was only begging for forgiveness, as he attributed his conduct to “the Satan”!

    “Thereafter, the victim was taken by the men of the Nigerian Police Force to Eruwa General Hospital, for appropriate tests to be carried out on her.

    “Unfortunately however, on getting to the General Hospital, The Victim who had been traumatized was informed by the staff on duty that the Hospital does not have hand gloves, with which the doctor was to conduct tests on her, hence, The Victim was instructed to go and buy hand gloves before anything can be done, an instruction she had no option but to comply with!

    “A doctor at the General Hospital, Dr. Jesim Gambo in conducting the test only instructed The Victim to lie down, and thereafter used his GSM phone’s torchlight to look into her virginal and thereafter wrote his report. In his report, the Doctor stated that although he did not see semen/sperm therein, The Victim’s virginal had been tampered with, he further stated that the test was inconclusive. On being probed on the reasons why the doctor did not check inside the virginal for semen, we were embarrassed when the doctor informed Our Client that the hospital does not have the facilities to carry out such “an elementary” test!

    “We were shocked to hear from relatives of The Victim, who on enquiries were informed by some Army officers that the randy soldier had been made to substitute his earlier statement where he admitted the crime with another statement wherein, he only admitted assaulting The Victim since the medical report does not reveal that there was semen on The Victim’s body! This is despite assurances from both the Police and representatives of the Nigerian Army that the security agencies will ensure that The Victim gets justice.

    “In Our view, this is a tacit approval of crimes and criminal conducts by security agents by their direct employers, and same is a dangerous trend which every well meaning human being must join us to condemn as everyone of us may be exposed to danger in the event that same is allowed to stand.

    “It is noteworthy to state that since this incident, The Victim had abnormally taken to alcohol as a means of trying to forget the incident. Worst still, precisely on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2014, out of frustration, The Victim made an attempt to poison herself, as she feels the agony and stigma attached to being a victim of rape is just too much for her to bear, especially stemming from the information she just received that as a face saving measure by the Nigerian Army, the accused soldier, who had earlier confessed to the crime of rape has been made to change his statement by the Army authorities, and has now only agreed to the fact that he assaulted The Victim, and based on the soldier’s new statement, he is to be prosecuted for “ASSAULT” and not “RAPE”!, but for the alertness of a relative who saw her while opening the bottle of the poisonous substance.”

    But the security outfit has dismissed the allegation of rape as baseless, even though it is taking disciplinary action against Ignatius for abandoning his duty post.

    In a statement by the outfit’s second in command CSP Elijah Bawa, Operation Burst said immediately the it was intimated with the allegation of rape against the said student, it dispatched an investigation team to Eruwa.

    Bawa said the team met with the Divisional Police Officer for the Eruwa Division, DSP Kayode Adigun who disclosed that the 23-year old Mass Communication student of the school lodged a complaint with the command that she had been raped by the soldier who was also an operative of the anti-crime outfit.The DPO took the lady complainant to the Eruwa General Hospital for medical examination, the result of which proved negative.

    When interrogated about the process of the rape, Operation Burst said , the allegedly raped lady said she had left her hostel and was seeing her friend off at about 2230 hrs and when she was returning, she was accosted by the Operation Burst operative who accused her of being a cultist.

    According to Bawa, the lady alleged that the soldier took her under a Dongoyaro tree where he asked her series of questions, ordered her to remove her clothes to affirm whether she had tattoos of cultists on her.

    “The test on the lady was conducted by a Dr. Jesimi Gamdu and all the physical manifestations of rape were not found on her. The soldier will however be charged for abandoning his duty post in the night without permission against standing instructions in the Operation Burst’s code of conduct,” he said.

    But in spite of the denial Omolara is insisting that Ignatius did rape her. Narrating her story she told The Nation that:  “It was 10pm when I saw my friend off and it was few distance to my house. Immediately I turned back, a man on bike stopped me and asked where I was coming from. I told him I only saw a friend off and he said it was late and I said am sorry. He later identified himself as a member of the Operation Burst and asked me to mount his bike to their base. I resisted but he threatened me with the knife in his hand and I followed him.

    “Getting to their base, we entered and I saw some students being beaten by some member of the Operation Burst. Immediately, he hit me outside and said he will beat me himself. He took me under a tree across the street and asked me to kneel and started asking me different questions like being a cultist. I told him I am not one and he started beating me, hitting me, slapping me and asked me the colour of the pant I was wearing and I told him it was white and he asked if I have a red pant and I said no. He asked me to pull off my cloth and I told him I won’t but he still threatened me with his knife which made me to comply. He checked my body if there was any tattoo but he found nothing. I was naked, cold and helpless and later on, he said if I don’t cooperate with him, he will kill me and throw my body away. And still, he kept slapping and hitting me.

    “At this point, I had no choice but to do what he wanted. He asked if I had a condom with me and if I have any disease because he does not have one with him as he normally have ‘flesh to flesh’ sex with his wife. At that point he had sex with me, he did it for several times; he did it and was full of joy. He asked me to wear my cloth and not to tell anyone. He then requested to have a relationship with me and I said ok. He later said he cannot take me home and I should sleep in their base and I said no that I have a class that day. He gave me a bottle of  beer to hold and said I should wait for him that he wanted to get me a cloth to wear because it was cold and that was about 3am. After waiting for about 20minutes after he had left, I ran home from that spot and gave a call to the Special Adviser to the association I belong which is ANUNSA, Eruwa in person of Ambassador Oludare Sunday Ogunlana who immediately asked me to inform the police,” she said.

    Omolara said after reporting at the Eruwa police station, she was asked to go for a medical test the Eruwa General Hospital.

    Doctor Jesini Gamdu who attended to the victim at the hospital told The Nation that he did not carry out a test but only examined her and his result was inconclusive.

    “I did not test her but I only examined her because pregnancy result stay about two weeks (two weeks after sex)  and running a pregnancy test for her case was not relevant. If it was a forceful rape, it would have been more okay because she had to consent because she was threatened, because they were alone and with the threat, she had no choice. So, there was an easy flow of sexual intercourse.

    “Two things I was trying to find out was one, for evidence of bruses and secondly, any semen deposit but they were not there. The result of my findings was inconclusive and I prescribed Postinure 2 to her to help her against pregnancy,’ he added.

    Omolara also told The Naton that when she got to Eruwa General Hospital, the doctor asked her to buy him hand glove before any test could be conducted saying ‘he only flashed a touch light in my private part and prescribed Postinure 2 for me to use’.

    On hearing the incident, the head of the Operation Burst in Eruwa community, summoned an emergency meeting of the squad and asked the victim to identify the culprit.

    The culprit, Ignicious at the point of identification did not deny meeting her saying “Yes, I interrogated her” and immediately, he was put in hand cuff and taken for interrogation.

    The Acting Deputy Rector of The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, Evang. Dr. Abiola Jesulowo who spoke on behalf of the school management said the incident was unfortunate and called on the State government to carry out a thorough investigation on the case and to equip the hospitals in the community.

    “We thank God that from the report we have so far, the culprit did not deny her when she identified him. This people are those who are supposed to protect the members of the community and have now turned to something else, it is quite unfortunate. So, we believe the State will be able to handle it and justice will be done.

    “The case of the doctor instructing a rape patient to get hand glove for him has really shown the level of  healthcare service in  our hospital and we are really appealing to the government to equip and assist our hospitals with equipments and drugs because life is very precious,” he added.

    The president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Com. Yinka Gbadebo in his reaction also condemned the culprit and demanded for justice for the victim.

    Omolara’s father lamenting the incident told The Nation that; “all I want is the Federal government and the State government to help me fight for justice.”

  • Lagos CDA rewards indigenes, groups

    Lagos CDA rewards indigenes, groups

    The Idowu Aso Community Development Association (CDA) in Isheri Osun, Igando Ikotun Local Council Government Area (LCDA, Lagos has held its maiden awards where it honoured some people and institutions for their services.

    The event was supposed to be the day of glory for former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Benjamin Olaiya. He might have looked forward to it. But when former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) was called, he did not answer. He had passed on the previous day in London, where he went to meet his children as he usually did. But some heard the news for the first time at the ceremony. Those who passed by his block of shops at the Junction  Bus Stop in Isheri Osun did not pay attention to the fact that they were shut; a tradition normally observed by tenants when their landlord dies.

    However, his death did not diminish the importance of the day. Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Jelili Olubodun praised the late Chief Olaiya for his contributions to the community. He listed some infrastructure he attracted to the area and his selfless service, adding that his kind are rare. A minute silence was observed for the Ekiti-born ex-cop.

    Olubodun urged everyone to serve, saying the late President Nnamdi Azikiwe and leader of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Pa Obafemi Awolowo were being remembered because of their services to the nation.  He asked: “What do we do for our people?”

    Specifically, he urged the executives of the association to be trustworthy and make selfless service their watchwords. Like a military commander, Olubodun, a former director, Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWNA), charged the executives to be star performers. He commended their association for being alive to its responsibilities, adding that during their tenure the CDA’s light must not go off.

    Beside Olaiya and Olubodun, other awardees were Chief Shamsudeen Amao Mojeed; the former CDA chairman, Alhaji Alaba Akinlagu; the Divisional Police  Officer, Superintendent of Police Keneth Egbo; and Director, Abiola Farm, Alhaji Aliu Babatunde. The institutions were Elim Providence Schools, M-Trend Schools and Hitech Construction Company, the firm handling construction of the Jakande Estate-Isheri Osun- Ijegun Road.

    The CDA’s Chairman, Otunba Segun Kolawole, sought the cooperation of residents of the area. He asked them to assist the CDA with quality advice on how to move the community forward. He recalled the words of the United Nations Secretary-General, Bank Ki Moon, saying: “No nation can be built without one first building the community”.

    On security, he said there was need for them to cooperate to tackle not only the menace but also others, such as child abuse, kidnapping, and the attacks by Boko Haram insurgents ravaging some parts of the country. He tasked them on the need to be vigilant and “try as much as possible to expose suspicious movements of people around us, and as landlords to be extra-vigilant and careful in admitting tenants to our houses as this may pose a great risk to our community’s peace and progress, which we are enjoying.

    Kolawole led the prayers for the release of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls held by the Boko Haram sect for over four months. He called for another minute silence in honour of Pa Olaiya, whom he described as an illustrious father.

    Praising Hitech for a good job, he pleaded with its management to speedily complete the road, noting that it is dear to the people. In the interim, he asked them to rehabilitate areas that are bad to ease movement.

    Two officials of Hitech, Ashton Davies and Theo Cilliers, told The Nation they would deliver the road on schedule, promising that, all things being equal, they would meet the April target. They lamented that the work was being slowed by passers-by and the rains. Against the backdrop of their colleague who was killed earlier, the engineers called on the CDA to keep the area safe.

    The representative of the DPO Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mrs Akinola as crime free and neat. She said this was because its residents are security conscious. She sought for their cooperation with the police.

    Also at the event were Chairman, CDC Igando/Ikotun CDA, Elder Ademola Osibeluwo and Supervisory Councillor Agriculture in the Council Mr Kaeem Amaoo.

  • The joy of Agidingbi Auto-mechanics

    The days of trial and error to determine what was wrong with vehicles brought to their garage seem to be over for automobile Mechanics at Agidingbi, Lagos as they now have an Automotive Diagnostic Machine to pin point the problem, courtesy of the lawmaker representing Ikeja 2 constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly. OZIEGBE OKOEKI reports.

    Automobile Mechanics under the aegis of Motor Mechanic and Technician Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN), Plot 7 Yard, Agidingbi branch were full of joy and appreciation last week when their age long desire became a reality. The Mechanics had always looked forward to owning an Automotive Diagnostic Machine (ADM), popularly called vehicle scanning machine but lack of funds had prevented them from achieving this. But this is no longer the situation.

    Their representative at the Lagos state House of Assembly who is also the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Lola Akande last week donated the machine including some other modern mechanic tools to them in fulfillment of the promise she made to the mechanics four months ago when they approached her for assistance to train their members on the use of the machine.

    Speaking to journalists at the ceremony where she handed over the machine and the other tools to them in the mechanic village, Akande, who represents Ikeja 2 constituency, said the leaders of the mechanic village appealed to her to sponsor their members for training on the machine but after calculating the cost of training them which amounted to millions, “I decided to buy the machine for them so that they can employ a trainer who can come and train them here in their place, and definitely if they employ someone to do that, they would be able to train as many of them as possible, that is exactly what I have done for them.

    “They in fact requested that I send them to a school and each person they said would pay about N500,000; I now asked them the cost of the machine, when they told me, I said okay, I won’t be able to do it immediately, just give me four months which is August ending and today is September 1st. So I am happy, I thank God I am able to do it and this will teach as many of them as possible. And it is something they can use after the training for a very long time to come”, Akande said.

    The lawmaker stressed further that the machine will equip the mechanics to attain international standard “because it is no longer trial and error, once you use the machine it will tell you exactly where the problem of the vehicle is”. She urged the mechanics to make use of the machine very well, “make optimal use of it so that you can derive the maximum benefit from it and at the end of the day this will translate to better functioning for the mechanics themselves”, Akande said.

    She also promised to assist other mechanic villages in her constituency if they present what their needs are and if within her capacity.

    Though the lawmaker expressed her desire to contest for House of Representatives seat in 2015, Akande assured that it will not in any way distance her from her constituents when she goes to Abuja. “I don’t think going to Abuja will take me farther from my people because I have a constituency office that will take their request for me. And definitely I am supposed to come home at certain times to look through their request and see what I can do about them”, she said.

    Thanking Akande for fulfilling her promise, National President of MOMTAN, Alhaji Sulaiman Husaini admonished leaders to lead by example and emulate the good others have done and promote unity amongst all. “I have never witnessed this kind of occasion before, all they do is to make false promises, this is the first time that I am witnessing a politician making this kind of promise and fulfilling it”. According to him, there are about 300 mechanic villages in Lagos; “if Akande is doing this here others should emulate her in other mechanic villages.

    “I am surprised and amazed by this donation, it is an example for other leaders to follow, she has shown good example, they should emulate and recognise our association so as to grow and develop the economy”, Husaini said.

    Chairman of the mechanic village, Ayodele Owoniyi, while thanking Akande for the gesture disclosed that it was the branch that gave the name and model of the machine to the lawmaker after “we did a lot of research, she promised and she has fulfilled her promise.

    “The machine works for any type and any aspect of vehicles. Data for all models of vehicles are installed there up to 2015 models and could also be upgraded anytime for more years. The machine will enable us to do more and boost our finances the more”.

    Owoniyi said mechanics from his branch use to go elsewhere to use the machine at the cost of between N10,000 to N15,000 to scan a vehicle, “and it is only the vehicle and machine owners that benefits, we don’t benefit. But with this we can allow our members here to do it with N1000 or thereabout and the balance (of the money paid the car owner) will be in their pocket because the standard price in the whole of Lagos today is N10-15,000 for diagnosis.

    “And with this machine here, we can measure up to the standard of any mechanic in Lagos even in the world”, he said. He also disclosed that himself and a few other members have attended several courses on the machine, “so we already know how to use the machine and now that we have the machine we can benefit more because then it was only theory but now I can practicalise it,  and we can also train more members”, Owoniyi said.

  • Water spill sacks Ondo community

    Water spill sacks Ondo community

    Indigenes of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State are pleading with government at all levels and oil companies to come to their aid following a tidewater spill from two rivers in the area which had destroyed no fewer than 200 houses and property worth millions of naira. LEKE AKEREDOLU reports.

    For one month running now, residents of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State have been battling with a natural disaster that has rendered over 1000 people homeless following a spill of tidewater from Oluwa and Ofala Rivers which surrounds the riverside community.

    The water had submerged several houses, including the palace of the community’s monarch, Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, and that of the State Commissioner of Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseni. Others houses affected include those of the Caretaker Chairman of Ilaje local government, Hon, Soji Ayenuro, Chief Olusola Oke mother’s house, houses of former NDDC Commissioner, Dr, Ibukun Omotehinse and Hon, Tunde Ayemo.

    Already, Ilaje people, who are naturally living on water have adapted to the disaster as some of them now paddle canoes to their various homes. Children could be seen swimming inside the water  when  The Nation went to the area.

    About 15 quarters have so far been affected. They include Ebiseni Avenue, GRA, Kofawe, Orikiti, Ilu-Church, Up Market, Larada, Kugbene among others.

    It was observed that those who could not withstand the disaster have  relocated to neighbouring communities.

    The river‘s surge has been described by residents as a recurring disaster that happens every 10 to 15 years in the community.

    But, this year’s experience has been described as the worst since the existence of the community.

    According to the Council Chairman, Ayenuro and the Commissioner for Environment, Ebiseni, they have provided accommodation at Holy Trinity Secondary School and Igbokoda High School for those whose homes have been submerged in water.

    Ebiseni, who spoke with The Nation on phone, said the disaster was caused by climate change that normally occurs in the community.

    He noted that Igbokoda was a confluence town between Oluwa and Ofala Rivers, describing the situation as unfortunate.

    He added that his ministry and the council have immediately responded to the disaster by providing accommodation for the victims at Holy Trinity Secondary School and Igbokoda High School.

    Ayenuro, said the community has been taken over by flood due to the fact that all the water channels have been  blocked, adding that with the assistance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, all that could change.

    The Council boss lamented the attitude of his people who normally empty their wastes and sand into the gutters, thereby preventing free flow of water.

    Ayenuro warned that the natural disaster must not be linked to government neglect of the community, stressing that Mimiko’s administration has impacted a lot on the riverside areas in the state.

    He affirmed that there was no irrigation in the age-long road of Igbokoda which he said could have helped in diverting the water from entering various homes.

    “As you know, Igbokoda is a metropolitan area in Ilaje local government area. More than 80 percent of the habitants of this local government have been affected by the flood.

    “The Olugbo of Ugbo land, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan was here few hours ago to sympathize with me but the reason why I am happy is that when we were appointed, Mr. Governor told us to reside with our people so that the caring heart programme of the state government could be extended to the grassroots.

    “Having been a partaker of this disaster now, I am always happy anytime they call on me that ‘Chairman come and check at my own building,’ I will also tell them to come to my own house and see what the water has destroyed in my place. This is telling you that our government is above all this capitalist agenda.

    “For the past few weeks now, I have been trying my best to make relief materials available for those who have no place to stay. I have created a particular building for them in the council so that they will continue to manage the place. I have seen a man who has seven family members now managing a kiosk. This is really unfortunate.

    “We are calling on government at Federal and State levels, Oil Companies, NDDC and OSOPADEC to come to our aid, and bring us out of this mess. My people are suffering and we are appealing that these people should quickly intervene and save us” Ayenuro said.