The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Crisis in Ilaje over constitution of oil funds committee

    Crisis in Ilaje over constitution of oil funds committee

    Controversy is trailing the list of the executive council members of Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC),an organisation saddled with the responsibility of relating with oil companies operating in the oil rich Ugbo Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Already, some members of the community have rejected the list which has been sent to Chevron Nigeria Limited, the major oil producing company operating in the area for the purpose of implementing some community development projects.

    The development has attracted the attention of the State House of Assembly committee on Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) which has summoned  the stakeholders on the issue following a petition forwarded to it written by the aggrieved persons.

    The petition signed by eleven leaders representing each of the communities under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed with Chevron, alleged that the names sent to the oil company did not emanate from the communities.

    They said the GMoU was community driven and did not need the input of government or traditional institution before an executive committee could be constituted.

    The stakeholders alleged that the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Frederick Akinruntan unilaterally picked the people on the list and forwarded the names to OSOPADEC, which in turn sent the names to Chevron.

    The petitioners explained that the monarch connived with the government and the OSOPADEC to ensure that their cronies were chosen to represent the people on the board of the IRDC.

    However, the Ugbo Council of Chiefs and Elders in a letter to the Acting Speaker of the House faulted the invitation extended to the Olugbo on the issue.

    They alleged that the chairman of the House committee on OSOPADEC, Gbenga Edema was an interested party in the issue.

    The letter signed by the Chairman, Council of Baales of Ugboland, Chief A.T. Oyetomi and 10 others, said the monarch has the power to superintend over matters within his domains, saying Ugboland has associations that interface between host communities and oil companies without interference by the assembly.

    The letter reads, “It behoves the traditional rulers in Ugboland under the paramountcy of the Olugbo to determine the dissolution and composition of executive committee of these associations who are representatives of Obas, Baales and communities under the control of Olugbo”.

    It explained that after the dissolution of the last executive committee of IRDC, a nine-man committee was inaugurated with the mandate to demand list of representatives from Baales or heads of the communities.

    The letter noted that the Baales sent the list of their nominees following which they were screened, putting into consideration their educational qualifications and exposure.

    But while denying he has an interest in the matter, the Chairman, House Committee on OSOPADEC, Edema explained that on April 28, there was a petition that the Olugbo was trying to impose new members on the committee especially in Awoye and Molute axis that have greater stake in the oil production.

    Edema said the Assembly thereafter wrote a letter of acknowledgement of the petition based on the authorisation of the acting Speaker, Hon.Dare Emiola and also sent letters of invitation to all stakeholders including OSOPADEC, IRDC, Chevron and Olugbo in the interest of fair hearing.

    According to him, the Assembly thereafter appointed two committees on Public Accounts, Judiciary and Anti-Corruption headed by Barrister Fatai Olotu and that of OSOPADEC which he is the chairman to handle the case.

    He said on May 6, there were similar petitions sent to the Assembly by three other groups and individuals including the Frontliners, Palace of Olubo of Obenla kingdom and Alagho of Odo-nla on the same issue of imposition of Committee members.

    Edema said “there is another petition from Ugbo Council of Chiefs signed by High Chief E.O Omotoye, the Ojomo of Ugboland and nine others alleging that myself as the Chairman, House Committee on OSOPADEC had earlier canvassed that the merger of Ugbo with Mahin and Aheri oil Associations under the offshore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering all the activities of Oil issues be brought under one umbrella like what happened in other states where Chevron has offshore operations, based on this they alleged the likelihood of bias on my part”.

    “But since I do not have any vested interest in the outcome of this investigation concerning Olugbo and IRDC issue, and in the interest of justice which must not only be done, but manifestly seen to have been done, and also to allay the fear of any of the parties especially those who alleged likelihood of bias, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw my further participation in the panel looking at the petitions”

    Edema said the panel is now being headed by Olotu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, stressing that he has confidence in his ability to do justice to the matter.

    His words: “I have no doubt in my mind that he would be fair and unbiased in the handling of the issue on behalf of the people in the oil communities.

    The Lawmaker commended the people for not resorting to self-help, urging them to cooperate with the Committee and the State Assembly for the resolution of the lingering dispute.

  • Royal rumble

    Royal rumble

    Women traditional rulers complain of neglect, suppression

    Female traditional rulers across the country have mostly been seen and not heard, but that may soon end as they have found their voice through a university don, Dr Fatai Olasupo, of the Department of Local Government Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who is championing a cause to get official recognition for them and end years of neglect. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

    For the no fewer than 20 women traditional rulers who left their kingdoms for the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State to explain their plight to the world, the long years of suppression and neglect could be about to end.

    Thanks to a varsity don, Dr Fatai Olasupo, a renowned researcher at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, a campaign to get official recognition for them and improve their welfare is underway.

    Olasupo, who has been researching for over 20 years on the existence of women traditional rulers across Nigeria, made public last week the result of his research and it was shocking. Not only are most of the women Obas, Obis and Emirs not officially recognised by government at all levels, many of them receive as little as N500 (five hundred naira) as monthly salary.

    He wants the authorities to reverse what he described as retrogressive system and barbaric trend, and legislate on the existence and recognition of female traditional rulers.

    Among the women traditional rulers at the press briefing called by Olasupo to announce the findings of his research and draw attention to their plight were High Chief Fakewa Fawoyi (Eyewule of Ipogun) and High Chief Titilayo Awomewe (Eyewule of Ero).

    Others are some women Emirs from the North, including Hajia Hawa Sulaiman, Hajia Mariam Ibrahim, Hajia Mariam Ishlak, and Hajia Ramota Isaq.

    Also present were Osemowe of Ijare, Oba Idowu Aladesanmi; Eyewule of Igbaraoke, Oba Rachael Olawumi; Osamowe of Ikota, Oba Celina Folorunso and Eyewule of Ibulesoro, Oba Olayiwola Victoria.

    Many who saw the female traditional rulers in their numbers at the briefing at Premier Hotel Ibadan, last Friday thought it was another Beijing conference. They may be right as the event was about injustice being meted on these female kings.

    They came in their full regalia to underscore the fact that female traditional rulers actually exist in different part of the country, with vast kingdoms and their subjects. Yet, there was little or no recognition from the federal, state and local governments.

    The Osemowe of Ikota, Mrs Selina Folorunso from Ifedore Local Government Area of  Ondo State voiced out against the discrimination and suppression against female traditional rulers, not only from their male counter-parts but government at different levels.

    “In my domain I have Iyalode, Iyaloja, and other chiefs. The people made me what I am. I did not wake up one day and make myself a traditional ruler. The existence of female traditional is not new in Ikota.

    The institution of female traditional ruler here is as old as the people of the community. And no one can remove that. That is how it has been since the days of our ancestors. What we are saying is that female traditional rulers in Yorubaland exist just as male traditional rulers.

    “We should be given equal treatment as traditional rulers in our communities. It is only when it comes to getting certain things from the government that they put the institution of female traditional rulers at the background in Yorubaland. And this should not be,” Osemowe said.

    The same sentiment was expressed by Mrs Victoria Olayi-wola, the Eyewule  Ibulesoro, in Ifedore Local Government of Ondo State.

    According to Olayiwola who accompanied the Osemowe of Ikota, the essence of their campaign for recognition was to tell the world that there are female traditional rulers in this part of the country and should be accorded all rights.

    From Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, is His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulahi Idris, the Sinadunwiru of Okuta,  spoke with passion and affirmation on the existence of female traditional rulers up North, but are being suppressed due to religious dictates.

    “Female traditional rulers are part and parcel of our traditional system in most parts of the North. So, I am surprised that many are still finding it difficult to recognise their importance for reasons best known to them. But whether they like it or not they cannot change the ways of the people, they have been living with that system for years,” the Emir said.

    Speaking on what led to his research on female traditional rulers, Dr. Olasupo, who expressed dismay over the denial of female traditional rulers in the country said, “Well, I have been researching on this for more than twenty years because my Doctorate Degree programme is on traditional rulers under the military.

    “In the process, sometime around 2003, a female professor, Professor Afonja requested that I do some research work on regents. In the process of doing that, every morning, I will go to newsstand, reading virtually all the newspapers taking notes of places with regents or kingdoms where regents were newly installed. These regents normally should not be in the office for more than three months before they appoint a substantive king, but some of them end up spending up to five, ten, twenty years and more.  If these people are there for this number of years and the communities are not complaining, then why can’t they be converted to substantive traditional rulers?

    “Later, I discovered that female traditional rulers actually exist everywhere, in most places in Ekiti State, in Ondo State and even Oyo State. In Maya very close to Ogbomoso, there is a female Oba there and the throne is alternated there and that one is superb. That is exactly what we have on ground.“

    He further called for the upliftment of female traditional rulers, adding that ”If you are well read and you are up to the task you should be able to become an Oba. The person that left office in Maya was a female. She spent 37 years as an Oba before she died. After her they now appointed a male. Even the male that was appointed contested the throne with a female, who was advised to step down because the immediate past Oba was a female.  It was during the tenure of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala that they were upgraded to Oba in that community.”

    The varsity don, who related his experience in the course of his research across the country advised delegates at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja to ensure that female traditional rulers are accorded their rightful place in the constitution.

    He described as gross violation of human rights and unacceptable, the monthly salary of N500 being paid to some female traditional rulers, and called for immediate review and upgrading of the monthly salary.

    He said: “In fact, we are lucky that the National Conference is on and before they end the conference we want the information to get to them that female traditional rulers exist in virtually every part of Nigeria but they are under suppression. Those who are not female traditional rulers, who are just Iyalode, Iyaloja, Iyalaje, they are the ones, particularly in Yoruba speaking areas, being promoted over and above those that are natural female traditional rulers.

    “We want people, we want government in particular to see to this issue, to uplift them in virtually all the areas of needs particularly their salaries. Most of them as they are seated here earn N500 per month as traditional rulers, not as Iyalode, Iyaloja but as traditional rulers.

    “In fact, all of these ones are under them. Yes, the government knows all these but they don’t want them to see the light of the day.”

  • Dawn of a new era in Ijebu-Ode

    Dawn of a new era in Ijebu-Ode

    Flyovers spring up in ancient city

    Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State is wearing a new look, thanks to the urban renewal programme of Ibikunle Amosun administration, writes ERNEST NWOKOLO

    Things are looking up in Ijebu-Ode, the traditional headquarters of the Ijebu people in Ogun State and royal home of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who gracefully turned 80 recently.

    Aside from being home to all Ijebu at home and in the Diaspora, the city is equally the administrative seat of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, of  Ogun State.

    Believed to have been founded by Obanta, the first Awujale of Ijebuland,  Ijebu-Ode is strategically located and served as a major artery to most Ijebu communit-ies spanning across over five local governments. And for a long time equally provided link roads to Ondo State, as well as the southern and eastern parts of the country for those travelling from the Yoruba inter land.

    Over 70 small and medium scale enterprises operate in the city, which is  also home to pioneer indigenous entrepreneurs and industrialists such as late Alhaji Jimoh Odutola, his brother, late Adeola Odutola and a host of others. The Ijebu people are also avid investors in transportation business and this is linked, in part, to their high level of mobility – social and economic.

    Heavy human and vehicular traffic are common sight in Ijebu-Ode, most weekends and this doubles a dozen times over during every Ojude Oba cultural festival, marked once in a year during the Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Adha, by Ijebu sons and daughters to pay homage to their traditional head and paramount ruler, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

    Attempts have been made in the past to improve upon the roads networks within the town to enhance seamless movement of goods and persons.

    For example, the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, when he was the  Ijebu-Ode Local Government Council chairman, did try to build roads to ring the town around but the project appeared terminated at the first phase.

    The immediate past government of Gbenga Daniel did dualise the Ejirin Road linking the town from Mabolufon junction and also dualised the old Ondo Road to decongest heavy traffic often experienced at the Lagos garage area of the town but as the town population surged over time and coupled with the avalanche of tertiary institutions located there as well as its emerging new industrial belt, existing facilities such as roads proved not only over stressed and inadequate but also not the kind that could support Ijebu – Ode 20 or 30 years  away from now.

    According to an Ijebu-Ode based lawyer and businessman, Mr Gani  Adefulu, the roads need to be renewed to cope with the demands of today and future.

    Adefulu said, this is why the urban renewal project of the Ibikunle Amosun administration in the state  did not only come handy, but also something that should be supported.

    A petty trader, who identified herself simply as Mama Ibeji, told The Nation that though her shop was brought down over road construction but she admitted that the pains and temporary setbacks experienced by the loss cannot be compared to the long term benefits of spacious and motorable roads in the town, aside the aesthetic value it adds.

    Last year, Amosun awarded contracts for the construction of two flyovers located at Mobalufon junction, along Sagamu-Benin expressway and Bobasua/Lagos Garage.

    He equally awarded contract for the expansion of the Folagbade-Ibadan road, and as would be expected with developments, people’s home, shops, worship centres were demolished to pave way for the six-lane roads and even the dead too, also lost their habitat to the road project as they were evicted from their graves.

    It is believed that when completed, the Mobalufon bridge would put a halt to the regular carnage on the expressway as vehicles moving to Ijebu-Ode from the Itoikin-Ikorodu road will now use the flyover instead of risking head-on collision with those coming from the Benin-Ore end of the expressway.

    That lives are lost to traffic accident and properties destroyed at that sharp junction is beyond dispute. On a particular day, in the month of September, 2012, a truck trying to make way for another one veered off the expressway at the Mabolufon junction and swept pedestrians and street traders away, killing no fewer than 24 persons in the process.

    Now, that flyover which descends into the six -lane international standard Moblufon-Folagbade-Imepe-Ibadan Road would check such occurrence.

    Also, commuters along the old Ondo-Benin Road will not experience any traffic gridlock at Bobasua/Lagos Garage and the attendant accidents particularly Okada – vehicle accidents,  would be eliminated drastically  as another flyover is being constructed at the T-junction.

    Amosun who inspected the multi-billion naira bridges few months ago, promised to transform the old Ijebu-Ode city through provision of modern infrastructural facilities.

    The roads and the bridges are expected to last over 50 years and with the complementary usage that would come from the ongoing Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye road project, when completed, they  would all boost commercial activities in Ijebu-Ode and the whole of Ijebuland  This is predicated on  the presence of Apoje Farm in neighbouring Ijebu-Igbo and the proposed Cassava and Rice Mills in that axis.

    Such quantum and standard of roads are needed to enhance the movement of goods and people as well as link major Ijebu towns and communities easily.

    Last December, Obasanjo lauded the changing face of Ijebu-Ode being initiated by his Owu brother and son, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, when he noted that things were now getting better in the state under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former president, who spoke at the Ogun State Christmas Carol in Abeokuta, noted that such massive road construction as embarked upon by Amosun would cause businesses to thrive, and that the projects are such that even those opposed to the governor can’t deny it.

    Obasanjo said: “Things are getting better every day; getting better every time in Ogun. When I was talking of roads in Abeokuta, they said I haven’t been to Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu.

    “On getting to Ijebu-Ode, I saw (if not better) bridges than that of Abeokuta being constructed. What about the ones in Ilaro; what of Ayetoro? If we have good infrastructure, business will thrive, economy will increase and that is what you are doing across the state.”

    Also, Oba Sikiru Adetona equally lauded the administration of Ibikunle Amosun for the wonderful work it is doing and prayed that God would grant it more successes.

    But Adefulu who spoke to The Nation at the weekend, captured the essence of the project succinctly when he said the development taking place in Ijebu-Ode affected his properties but remained unperturbed without compensation because it was a sacrifice for the general benefits of all Ijebu people.

    He said: “It is called urban renewal. You see what makes Ijebu-Ode different from other parts of Ogun State is the same urban renewal done during the Olabisi Onabanjo tenure, when he was a local government chairman. That time, he was breaking down houses for roads expansion and that was what made Ijebu-Ode to be different from other parts of the state.

    “Onabanjo was a local government chairman during the military era, that was when Folagbade street and the concept of ring road came about, he wanted to build a ring around Ijebu-Ode with roads from where you have Yisade Hotel. If you are coming from Ibadan, you will just go through Yisade and that was supposed to be the first phase of the project but they didn’t continue with it.

    “The concept was such that when you are coming from Ibadan you just pass through Yisade and link the Sagamu-Ore expressway without entering Ijebu-Ode town. That was the concept. You can see all the roads in Ijebu-Ode, the new road, Abeokuta road, Bonojo they are all widened and big roads despite the fact that they are all single lanes, they are better than some double lanes you see in some parts of the country.

    “Those were the visions of the people who governed at that time. And we enjoyed the concept up till today but there is supposed to be a renewal, I’m just being objective, but to some people, it is why is Amosun’s building roads and not building our stomach? Somebody must do it (build the roads and bridges).

    “I’m telling you, Ijebu-Ode is going to be better for it, if he is able to finish all the road projects here. It is going to boost the outlook and the economic activities here.

    “If people are saying we the Ijebus don’t need the roads and the bridges, the question you as a journalist should ask is: who are the people saying it? Look, when you go to Sagamu, before the beginning of this administration, it was a big village. You can’t compare Sagamu with Ijebu-Ode despite the economic activities there. They have the NNPC there and the cement company but you can’t compare the outlook there with the cosmopolitan outlook of Ijebu Ode because of the roads. The road network in Ijebu-Ode is better.

    “Those saying we don’t need roads and bridges are not the real people. It is these hungry politicians that are saying roads are not necessary and are going about destroying the man’s name and the viable projects being executed.

    “I’m not saying Amosun is a Saint, he has his shortcomings but the truth is, he is performing within the limited resources that he has compared to an era where nothing was done, and only money was shared.

    “I’m going to give you an analogy. If an engineer could construct a road that did not last for six months, what can you make of that?  What he (Amosun) did on this road affected my properties, I wasn’t compensated. How much are they going to pay me? But it is for the general purpose, it is for public use. Something must give way for development to take place.”

    According to Adefulu, an average Ijebu person, the technocrats and the market women are supportive of the roads projects in Ijebu-Ode and also praying for the initiator but it is the “paid politicians” that are averse to it and are in “remote minority.”

    Interestingly, Governor Ibikunle Amosun had last Saturday, named one of the flyovers in Ijebu-Ode after Oba Sikiru Adetona, in appreciation of his fatherly support to his administration.

    Amosun noted the contribution of Oba Adetona to some of the achievements recorded in the last 35 months by his administration saying such could not have been possible without the monarch’s royal support and blessings.

    Amosun said: ”We are grateful to God on your behalf for coming thus far. You are a role model and a monarch that respects all offices. My administration will not have achieved all that we have been able to record if not for your advice and fatherly role in ensuring that we did not fail. You are an experienced Oba and we are honouring you today which mark your 80th birthday with the naming of the first flyover bridge in the town after your name.”

  • ‘Osun is least on poverty index’

    ‘Osun is least on poverty index’

    Stakeholders in Osun State have reviewed the government’s performance in the last 40 months, Musa Odoshimokhe was there.

    The performance of the Osun State government since the inception of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration came under scrutiny recently at an economic summit in Osogbo, the state capital tagged ‘Orisun Aje 2014’.

    At the summit organised by the Peoples Welfare League (PWL), a non-governmental organisation, mind boggling issues bordering on the survival of the ordinary man, particularly the rising wave of unemployment and the widening gap between the rich and the poor were raised and solutions proffered.

    The venue, Osogbo Holiday Inn, was full of activities during the two-day summit attended by civil servants, artisans, cottage industry owners, trade unions and politicians who rubbed minds on the way forward in the country.

    The theme of the summit; ‘Crux of Economic Developmental Masterplan: Analysing Radical Economic Paradigm Shift’ captures the mood of the organisers, who believe it was time to better the lots of the people.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in his remarks said, Nigerian masses are living at the mercy of harsh economic policies and urged government to re-evaluate the situation.

    He said the reduction in states’ monthly allocation by 40 percent was a declaration of war on the Nigerians people, noting it would widen the gap between the haves and the have not.

    He said government at all levels must work to reduce the poverty level to pave way for a better society, adding that the Federal Government’s unilateral decision reducing money meant for state cannot be justified.

    The governor noted that the country still sells its oil at the same rate in the international market.

    Aregbsola said the summit is coming at a critical moment in the country’s national life, urging policy makers to tap into it.

    He said: “Summit like this is to conceptualise ideas to improve the living condition of the people. The primary focus of this summit is to look at the successes of government and advised where it has not lived up to expectation.

    “I urge you to give this summit all the seriousness that it deserves because in the long run, Osun will not only be the beneficiary but the entire country will key into the outcome of the deliberation and use the formula to advance their causes.

    “Osun in the last three and half years has made progress from the backwater of economic regression to the fertile place of economic abundance.

    “The transformation inspired by this transition is observably manifold in areas of arresting unemployment, reducing inequality among the people, capacity building etc. I must say that Osun economy has substantially grown from where we took over the governance of the state,” he said.

    The governor said Osun State has fought poverty and the result available for confirmation, stressing that the state has the lowest poverty index in Nigeria. “It is not a phantom wish, it was published in 2012. Five states in the lowest unemployment rate in Nigeria are Abia 11 percent, Oyo nine percent, Lagos eight percent, Kwara seven percent and Osun three percent.

    “In the poverty index, Osun is rated second only to Niger State; however, we don’t even know their parameter for arriving at the index because Niger State is not even among the best ten on the unemployment index. So, when you marry our performance on unemployment with our crystal performance in poverty, I will say we are the best governed state in Nigeria,” Aregbesola said.

    The co-chairman of the event and former Secretary General of the Organisation of Africa Trade Union Unit (OATUU), Comrade Hassan Sumonu, noted that the rapid physical transformation of Osun State indicates that the Aregbesola administration is working to better the lots of the people.

    He said: “Osun State has been greatly transformed. When my tenure as Secretary General of OATUU ended, I had the choice of staying back in Accra, Ghana or coming back to live in Abuja or Lagos. However, when I visited Osun, the transformation was so massive that it struck me in a big way and I have chosen to live here ever.

    “I support all the developmental initiatives that are people-oriented and capable of bringing about development. Any government that has a pact with the people must honour and fulfill that pact for such a government to remain a darling of the people.”

    Sumonu advised other governors and the Federal Government on the need to study and adopt the Osun State template for socio-economic development, adding that unemployment rate in the country is growing and worrisome.

    He said government at all levels must stop playing politics with the lives of the people. He stated government must embark on progra-mmes that will better the lives of the governed.

    “This is the type of approach the whole country needs. The Federal Government and other states must put politics aside and see how it is possible to replicate Osun’s pragmatic approach to employment generation and wealth creation all over the country. Nigeria will be better for such selfless consideration,” he said.

    The chairman of PWL, Comrade Abiodun Agboola said, the summit was organised to allow stakeholders reflect on government prog-rammes and contribute to the development of the country.

    He said: “PWL, as the third eye of the public has elected to shoulder the responsibility of bringing the stakeholders together in order to assess the situation of governance in Osun State in the last 40 months in line with our tradition.”

    Osun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Ismailla Alagbada, in his paper entitled: “Overview of Developmental Indices Before, Now and the Projection for the Future: Osun as Microcosm in Nigeria,” said the only way government could make progress is to proactively engage the people.

    “The people only appreciate government when they leave office, which is why the Aregbesola six-point agenda is squarely about the people. I must say before Are-gbesola came, infrastructure in the state was comatose. No investor in his right mind will come to such a state except the situation was redressed.”

    Corroborating the position of the commissioner, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu in a paper titled: “Welfarism and People Oriented Development: Modern Governance Ethos” said government must be transparent and accountable to the people for it to be trusted.

    He urged government to create the enabling environment that will ensure economic growth.

    “That is why we have most of the challenges now confronting the country in form of insurgency because concerted efforts have not been directed to it. Regrettably, when you have insurgency it cannot be completely wiped out, you can only manage it,” he said.

  • Relief in Ibadan after Auxiliary’s arrest

    There was muted jubilation among residents of Olodo area of Ibadan over the weekend following the arrest of a notorious former factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila, also known as Auxiliary.

    Auxiliary, who had been an object of terror, not only to the 3,000 or so residents of the area but the entire city of Ibadan since 2009, was arrested and whisked away to Lagos in the early morning of last Saturday at his Olodo, Ibadan residence by the police.

    But even in detention, and about 120 kilometres away, Auxiliary still radiates fear in the faces of Olodo residents as they discussed his arrest in hushed tones refusing to disclose their identities to this reporter when their views were sought on the development.

    But they were unanimous in their belief that he deserves to pay for his ‘sins’ against the people. They have also expressed the hope that peace will return to the area now that he is in police net. They are, however, demanding a clean-up of the area by the police to rid the place of touts who parade themselves openly, molesting the innocents in the service of their master.

    Some of the residents who spoke with The Nation on condition of anonymity thanked God that Auxiliary has been arrested.

    “This should be a warning to the rest of them that you cannot commit a crime and go unpunished. See, they have caused a lot of harm to innocent people. Some have been killed while others remained maimed when they suddenly unleashed violence on the people.

    “Since 2008, during and after the impeachment of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the people of this city have not known peace until the present administration of Governor Ajimobi came on board in 2011. I think this is the time for him to answer for his atrocities committed during those years.

    “The other ones – Eleweomo also paid with his life, I know the third one … Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a. Tokyo will one day be called for accounting,” one of the landlords at Olodo said

    Auxiliary, along with his late friend Alhaji Lateef Salako a.k.a. Eleweomo, who was killed in December, 2010 at Ona-Ara in an attempt to waylay the then Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, were trained as ‘motor boys’ by Tokyo and served as security guards for him during his days as state Chairman of NURTW.

    Auxiliary and his group came into limelight during the administration of the former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala in Oyo State. They were empowered, fully armed and primed to deliver the state power for Akala during the controversial impeachment of Ladoja in January 2006.

    It was alleged then that Elewe-omo and Auxiliary who camouflaged as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, with the pro-Adedibu G18 – lawmakers to impeach the sitting governor.

    They served as terror machine in the hands of late Ibadan warlord, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, and unleashed violence on the state.

    The state patronage enjoyed by Eleweomo, Auxiliary and Tokyo from ex-governor Akala suffered setback when Tokyo dropped out of favor. As a result, there was faction in the state NURTW, pitching Auxiliary and Eleweomo against Tokyo the then sitting chairman of the union.

    The in-fighting between the three with Auxiliary enjoying the backing of Akala left the state bleeding as many were killed in the heat  of violence.

    Auxiliary, who was declared wanted by the state Police Command in an attempt to check breach of the peace, was said to have been whisked away straight to Lagos last Saturday.

    His arrest and disappearance, according to the Oyo State Command took place without the knowledge of the command.

    “The Oyo State Police Command is not aware of the arrest. We don’t have that information,” the state police spokesperson said.

    It would be recalled the a handsome price was placed on Auxiliary head by the police for anyone who could provide information that could lead to his arrest following a surge of violence visited on the state by Auxiliary and his rivals in the NURTW.

    Auxiliary, along with his main rival Tokyo especially were  declared wanted following the bloody gun attack on many innocent travelers at the Iwo Road, Ibadan motor garage on June 4, 2011.

    When the news of arrest of Auxiliary was however broken, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and High Chief of Ibadanland, Senator Lekan Balogun, remarked that the arrest was political and allegedly orchestrated among by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government with the support of the state police command and a chieftain of the party in Lagos.

    Confirming the arrest, Balogun said, “Auxiliary was picked up early this morning at his Olodo residential area in Ibadan. He was immediately driven to Ikeja in Lagos. But, why Ikeja? Don’t we have SARS in Oyo State? It is connivance among Tinubu, Ajimobi and the Oyo State police commissioner ahead next year election.

    “They see him as a threat to them in the 2015 election that is why they want to get him out of circulation. The man is sick and is likely to die in the police custody if his case is not addressed on time. His NURTW supporters had been driven away from many motor garages.

    “Meanwhile, Auxiliary and Tokyo had at certain times been taken to the Inspector General of Police in Abuja by Oloye Jumoke Akinjide (FCT Minister) and the duo later set free. Why the arrest now and why is the Oyo State Police Command not in the knowledge of Auxiliary’s arrest?” Balogun asked.

    But, the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi described the allegation by Senator Balogun as incoherent and senseless.

    The media aide to governor Ajimobi, Dr. Festus Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of his boss said: ”It doesn’t make sense. In fact, we don’t want to join issues with Senator Balogun.”

    Adedayo said: “Senator Balogun’s allegation sounds like an absurd speculation, especially against a government which is the first in the history of Oyo State to abhor and openly demonstrate hatred for violence. It lacks logic and is inconsistent with the pedigree of our government as one of peace. He is apparently still in a slumber and thinks this is the Akala government against which he used to manufacture all manner of street gossips. But, come to think of it, when did the Osi Olubadan become the mouthpiece of a known notorious criminal? Something must be wrong somewhere!”

  • When the Toastmasters come to town

    When the Toastmasters come to town

    As the Toastmasters Nigeria District 94 prepares for its annual conference in Lagos with the theme Leadership and communication, Mike Omotoso, the District Governor, is engaged in teaching confidence in speech to young people
    towards effective leadership. Seun Akioye met him ahead of the Lagos conference

    Mike Omotoso came into the room using the same measured and dignified steps often employed by magistrates in entering the court of law. His entrance, like that of a judge was not without notice because he carried with him not just the bearing of a man with purpose but also the appearance too. Standing at about six-feet with broad and comely figure, it is not difficult to spot out the distinguished toastmaster in the midst of a crowd.

    Omotoso had been a champion orator throughout his educational career and as such many of his mates look up to him. It was not unusual, for many people to come up to him with congratulatory messages after giving a speech, “That was a fantastic speech,” they would say. Omotoso lapped up the accolades and basked in the glory. That was until he met the toastmasters.

    “People have remarked how fantastic I am when I speak, so I naturally believed I was a champion until I came to a toastmasters meeting and found out I knew nothing,” Omotoso said with a smile.

    That meeting five-years ago changed his life. Since then, he had learnt the rudiments of effective communication, the use of body movements, gesticulations and facial expression. He excelled in all and in five years he rose from a club member to become a Distinguished Toastmaster and now the District Governor.

    The Toastmasters are an organ-ised group of professionals dedicated to teaching effective communication and public speaking. Everything about the toastmasters is using effective communications to train for leadership. At the club level, it is a role playing engagement where members are taught how to speak with confidence and purity. Omotoso believes Nigeria’s inability to produce leaders is due to lack of effective communications.

    “When you communicate effectively, we will have good leadership that is the reality. A leader with effective communications skills will be able to pass across his vision to the people and will listen more to them. As we speak, there are over 25 conflicts going on around the world and when you look at the cause, it is lack of communications. So, it is important that we equip our youths with the right communications skill to prepare them for effective leadership in the future,” he said.

    Omotoso and the Toastmasters have walked their talk. Last year, they organised the National Championship for Public Speaking for  Nigerian universities. It was such a success that the National Universities Commission (NUC), has indicated interest to be part of subsequent editions. The Toastmasters have also successfully trained many young Nigerians in the art of communication which they believe is the key to the future. In the Toastmaster, a club consists of 25 members, where there are four clubs, they form an Area, and four Areas make a District.

    “I want to have 250,000 members in Nigeria spanning across four districts. In the United States, you will see a small community with five districts. It is possible here once we can get the message out there,” he enthused.

    The Distinguished Toastmaster believes Nigerian public officers must imbibe the habit of making good speech to be effective. “In America, a policeman would ask you sir, can I see your license and while you are busy making excuses he will say sir, I will have to book you. He says it in such a manner that you will almost enjoy it.”

    That is the thrust of the coming National Convention of the Toastmasters with the theme Leadership and Communication, which will take place in Lagos, between May 23 and 24, 2014. The coordinator of the event,  Akindele Semowo, while inviting Nigerians to the conference said it will be a trail blazer and one that will bring out the leadership skills in the participants.

    But being a Toastmaster is not the only thing that makes a deep impression on Omotoso, one of the core codes he lives by is holding out a helping hand to the needy. He achieved this sentiment through the Sustainable Healthcare International, a non-governmental organisation he has run for five years.

    “Our generation is lagging behind, many cannot afford to go to school and those who went came out without jobs. The take home pay for those who have jobs can’t take them home, so we realise that the strength of any economy is in the entrepreneurs and that is what we are teaching young people,” he said in a low tone.

    The real driver of Omotoso’s life is altruistic philanthropy.  He believes one must be able to give a helping hand without expecting anything in return. For a capitalistic and materialistic society this may be a dangerous, almost suicidal policy to imbibe let alone implement but Omotoso would have none of that.

    “Altruism is the real source of fulfillment,” he said with a look that depicted his seriousness.

    ”You have to develop the capacity to give without expecting back. Giving is the real source of fulfillment and we don’t have to wait to amass a lot of wealth before you give. You don’t have to want to get back before you give.”

    So, Omotoso again has been practicing what he preached in the last decade. His organisation has empowered thousands of Nigerians to acquire skills that would prove to be the economic stronghold for them.  Over 500 youths have been empowered, not only with economic and life saving skills but also with a new mindset.

    “What we try to do is to help young people increase their vision; we expose them to what is happening globally because you can only grow to the size of your vision. When they see it happen in other countries, they can dream it for their own future. After that we give them the life skills they need to achieve their potentials,” he explained.

    But an underlying factor for Omotoso is sustainability. “After you have given the drugs and the skills, what happens next? The most critical question we ask is how do we sustain this initiative? So, we go a step further. Many of the PLWHA have been helped to secure soft loans at reduced interest rates to begin their trades, we go all out to ensure whatever initiative we have is sustainable and have a lasting impact on the people,” he said.

    The Toastmaster believes there are no less privileged persons – we all need help – he said, but the degree of our needs vary. And the most important thing in life is to touch lives in whatever capacity.

    “Take polio eradication for instance, you may not have money to contribute, time to go out to meet people but you come across someone with a baby, you can engage that person and tell them the importance of polio vaccination. There, you see we all have the capacity to make impact.”

    So how does Omotoso sustain his initiative? “I don’t go cap in hand to beg for sponsors because if you do, you are setting yourself up for failure. I will rather have people see what I can do and then get excited and ask to be part of it. That is my policy.”

    His activities have also not gone unappreciated. Omotoso is a proud recipient of three traditional titles of Ononadiano from Edo State, Omeruolia I and Omepruohai 1 from Imo State. All the three titles connote a free giver.

    As busy and engaging as he is, Omotoso said he has never worked a day in his life. His model for activity if copied by many Nigerians may soon attract universal reputation. According to him, his model is hinged on doing what you love best as your work. “In that case, you will never have to go to work for one day. Touching lives is what I love to do, so I never feel the strain of work,” he said.

    This has also impacted on his outlook on holidays. “I don’t take holidays; I don’t live with that mentality. If you are working and travelling in the plane that is the time to rest. Once you are doing something you love, it is holiday for you.”

    He sees himself as a busy man who engages his time well. “If you want to get something done, give it to the busy man,” he said. Now with his altruistic philanthropy, is Omotoso looking towards politics in the future? Is he waiting on God and the people for the call to serve?

    “That is the irony of it, for many years my people have been saying come and represent us but I believe I don’t have to represent my people to touch lives, it doesn’t matter where you are from, if we are able to see the need, we should meet it. That is the essence of life,” he said with seriousness.

    Going by his activities, one may imagine Omotoso was born with a silver spoon or he has found it as adult. Well, the chief has some interesting answers: “I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. I still haven’t seen the silver spoon. I don’t know what it looks like,” he said to a roar of laughter.

  • Succour as Lagos rural school gets ICT centre

    Succour as Lagos rural school gets ICT centre

    Despite came for students and residents of Lakowe, a rural community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Lagos State with the commissioning of a new Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre at Iwerekun High School.

    The Omotayo Olusesi Ojomu ICT Centre was donated by Mr. Akorede Ojomu, to the school which served about 20 communities in the area.

    Ojomu said he was motivated to establishment the centre in the school as a way of promoting knowledge of ICT among the students and ensure best practices.

    ”I was propelled by the need to bridge the knowledge gap which I have identified in the indigent youths of this community and which I know could make them uncompetitive in their future endeavours.

    “Secondly, the driving force in me to help the helpless through the natural leadership instinct and conviction that I am sent to help in the emancipation of my people,” Oluwasesi said.

    He said, “There is need to inculcate the spirit of communal self-help in our people both upcoming ones and those who are already established.

    “I am beginning to think and see that my dream to contribute to the development of my people and our communities cannot be restricted by political limitations and uncertainties.”

    Ojomu explained that the area, over the years was regarded as backward in terms of modern infrastructural development, assuring that through the communal effort of the indigenes the situation will change.

    ”It is my appeal that all hands must be on deck and take our own destiny in our hands to make the educational and infrastructural development of our land a reality.”

    He said the idea of the ICT was conceived and executed in order to expose the students to emerging world.

    “We live in an age where vast amount of information passes from one side of the world to the other in seconds.

    ”Today’s world is a global village and market place of ideas. Ideas, as we all know rule the world.”

    In her remark, state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, said ICT will help enhance teaching and learning in schools.

    Represented by the Tutor General, Education District 111, Mr. Yinka Olaniyi, the commissioner said the government has given serious attention to the teaching of ICT to keep race with global technological development.

  • ‘Ekiti, Osun elections will shock Nigerians’

    ‘Ekiti, Osun elections will shock Nigerians’

    It may not be good music to the ears of many, but Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, says his sometimes controversial prophecies are messages he is under God’s instruction to deliver. And as the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States draw nearer, the man, many of whose predictions have come to pass is warning of danger ahead. He spoke with ADEKUNKE YUSUF and SINA FADARE

    There was a time that you predicted that if care was not taken, Nigeria may break up. Do you still stand on that prediction and if you do, can prayer avert the breakup of the country?

    The Nigeria issue will start from 2015, when you are going to start seeing what will become of the country in the nearest future. If you recall that in 2010, I granted an interview in The Nation where l said that President Jonathan should not contest 2011 general election. A lot of people raised eyebrow that you cannot say that about him. All what l foresaw then is what is happening now. I said something about confab that it will come up. This ongoing confab will only tell Nigerians what will happen in the future. I still foresee another confab that will start afresh and decide what Nigeria will be; it will tell us the Nigeria of now and what it will be in the nearest future. That confab will tell us either we are going to be together or not. I do not see Nigeria as a nation in the nearest future. It may not be 2015, it may even go beyond 2020; l don’t see Nigeria as a nation in the next 50 or 60 years. May be prayer can help, but l see Nigeria breaking up in the nearest future, but l do not know the exact time.

    You also once said that the break-up will happen without shedding blood. Can you shed more light on this?

    Let me start with the issue of Boko Haram. It is not an Islamic movement; it is an entity that cannot be explained. They came from the fallout of politicians. America is aware of the deadly sect but just refused to help Nigeria. If there is going to be problem in this country as regards what the country is passing through, America should be blamed. They are aware of this insurgence that is plaguing the country since 2002. I made mention of it in my book of prophecy that is due for public presentation in July. I said it in the past that terrorists will invade Nigeria. By the time of my prediction, nothing happened  – not until November 2010, when we saw bomb scare in Abuja during the Independence Day. I believe that the book was sent to everywhere for the people to read, to understand and know what to do.

    Prophecy is to warn an individual, corporate body and government of the impending danger and what to do in order to avert it. When you warn, it does not matter whether you like that person or not, that was how it was in the past. Prophet will go to government, leaders and people in authority to deliver God’s message to them in the form of prophecy, but today people do not take it in good faith. They do not listen to the prophets of God, an indication that they berate God. That is the consequence. Nigeria will divide at a conference where what to be done will be the central focus and there will be no war or shedding of blood when the disintegration will take place. There will be pockets of crises here and there, a lot of disagreement, but it will not lead to war before Nigerians go their different ways. There is a lot of disagreement in the Federal Government; they can still curtail it if they listen to the voice of God. Take for instance, when government said that power will be stable in 2010, l said then that power will not be stable until 2016-2017. They did not like it, but you can see what is happening now.

    In some of your past predictions, you warned President Jonathan not to contest 2015 presidential election and if he does, he may not complete the term. Do you still hold on to this prediction?

    If Jonathan does not contest, expect more crises. If any other party wins the presidency, expect crisis. If Jonathan contests and wins, expect crisis. We have only two major parties. Within them a lot of crises will erupt, only God will help us. Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb, we need prayers. That is why l am forced to ask the question, what is the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) doing? This problem we have in the country is not from God, but man-made. That is the reason why we can still overcome the problem. If it is God problem, it will be difficult.  If Buhari contests, he may not likely get there. Jonathan wants to contest, I still see him on that seat. If Jonathan contests, he will still win because there will be the eleventh-hour packa-ging that would assist him, but the future is shaking. l foresee more troubles, I see a trouble that will keep that government not moving steadily. It will not be running as expected.

    Nigeria needs proper cleansing, but who is going to lead the cleansing now, I do not know because CAN is now the third political party we have in the country. We need prophets and Imams who will pray for the country to avert this looming danger. Jonathan meant well for this nation, but he has bad aides.

    Let us divert a bit. Governorship elections are coming up in Ekiti and Osun states this year. What did you see on this?

    The elections in Osun and Ekiti states will shock Nigerians. Let us pray very hard so that there will not be bloodshed in the coming elections in the two states. There will be certain areas in Ekiti where the election will not be conclusive. That of Osun State, election will be a bit delayed in some areas. However let us pray for the two states irrespective of who will win the election. I see bloodshed in Ekiti and Osun; the people should be very careful and everybody should pray so that this will not happen – stealing of ballot boxes, killing and political thuggery are not good for the nation.

    On my own part, I have been praying. Other Nigerians, prophets and clerics should join to do so. We should fast to avoid the looming danger. From today to the May 31, we should fast and pray because of Ekiti and Osun elections. Without God, we are not going to get solution to most of our problems. He is the Alpha and the Omega and has solutions to all problems. We should ask God in prayer to direct us aright as a nation. It is now that prophets must be involved in the administration of this country. In the area of security, people should not be biased about religions, whether Christianity or Islam. Take for instance, the Malaysian plane, a prophet said he was aware about the missing plane. Why didn’t he warn the country ahead of time? The same prophet also said that he saw the plane in the water, the second week that the Lord spoke to me; I responded that the plane is not inside water; tomorrow it may be, I don’t know.  The plane did not crash, let the Malaysian government disclose where it is.

    Are you saying the disappearance of the Malaysian plane and inability to find the crash site is political in nature?

    Whatever they call it, the missing plane is at home (in Malaysia).

    Since you said God revealed to you that Nigeria will definitely break up, don’t you think that the breakup may come at the end of the on-going confab?

    No. The confab will only come out to say one or two things about the 2015 elections. The government is not ready for this confab; they just want to use it to know what is going on in the country. It is just a mere rehearsal for the future of the nation. When the government declared that the GDP of Nigeria is improving, whereas the Lord said that the economy of Nigeria will not be stabilised until 2016 and 2017. Whoever predicted the theory of the GDP is only predicting the future of Nigerian economy. The confab is just a primary of the bigger confab that is coming ahead in the nation. The new confab will be a new set of people, not the re-cycled leaders, old men who are in the present confab.

    You said Nigeria needs prayers and spiritual cleansing at these trying times. Is the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria doing anything in that direction?

    Who are the people in CAN? We have people with pedigree who can handle the association better. Not me, l cannot. People who can do it are there, why do they have to make CAN a political issue? My suggestion is that let CAN be scrapped or Ayo Oritshejafor should resign. The association has been turned into a political party; you see them taking themselves to court. If they want to do election now, they canvass to people; it ought to be more of a spiritual thing. CAN and other religious bodies should help the government. I understand that there are inter-religious bodies in the country, but they are not doing anything. If they are functioning as expected, a lot of things are supposed to have been fixed

    If truly Nigeria is blessed with a lot of men of God, why are we in this mess? What went wrong?

    Let me correct an impression, not all pastors are prophets. If you are not gifted as a prophet, you cannot know what to do if a nation is in crisis. It is different from a spiritualist, who has the source of his power through other means, but a prophet is linked with God and he delivers his message to whomever he was sent to. That is what most of these Pentecostal churches do not know. The Bible says my people perish because of lack of knowledge.

    You said prayers can avert the impending doom. Does it mean people should visit your church for spiritual solutions?

    No, not like that. When you came in, did you see any visitation time? All what we are saying is that if the Lord sent us to the nation, we must deliver the message. I thank God what I will eat till kingdom come has been provided by Him. When He calls you, definitely He will cater for your needs. As a prophet of God, you have a covenant with Him and He is going to be with you till the end. When you follow God’s instructions, He will surely bless you. What gains will I be looking for? Is it national awards? I have them in excesses. My position is higher than the president’s, therefore I don’t need all these so-called awards. I have done a lot, not only in Nigeria alone, but all over the world. Recently, I received a letter from Buckingham palace; they acknowledged our book of prophesy. I got another one from Israeli government. So, I do not need man’s commendation but that of God and if you are doing His work, you are blessed. I have a house and a vehicle. What else am l looking for?

    There was a time you warned Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State against his aides that they will foment trouble. It came to pass. Will the governor win a second term?

    The APC should be very careful in Ogun State. Otherwise, it will lose the state. The crisis in the state is a man-made problem and they have to work on it well, otherwise it will cost APC the governorship of the state the same way it did PDP in 2011.

    What is the idea behind the Veteran Welfare Group, an NGO you identify with?

    Though, it is a non-governmental organisation, we use it as a vehicle to get to the needy, particularly the widows, orphans and the less privileged. God is the brain behind it. To run such an NGO with millions of naira and commitment every year is divine.

    What is the outlook for 2015?

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be watchful so that they will not be pressurised to change the date of the election. Certainly, election will be conducted in 2015, but not in every place. There will be more bomb scares. There will be lots of kidnappings. That is why I am using this medium to appeal to all Nigerians irrespective of their religion to fast and pray in the first 15 days of January 2015, in order to save the country from the impending doom. A lot of things are going to happen in INEC and Jonathan will sack more ministers. The Petroleum minister will face a tough probe and they will want her out by all means, likewise the Director General of the Stock of Exchange, Mrs. Aruma Oteh. The House of Representatives will not rest until the two of them are sent packing. Let the All Progressive Congress (APC) be very careful in Rivers State, otherwise the party will lose the state. The people that the governor thought are behind him will shock him. It is a warning from the Lord, not from a human being. This is just a simple advice from God Almighty.

    Though a prominent cleric, many still don’t know you. Who is Primate Elijah Ayodele?

    I believe so much in things that are natural, I don’t believe in people deceiving themselves.  I come from a humble family in Ekiti, with The Apostolic Church background. In my youthful time, l attended a lot of churches – Anglican, Methodist and a host of others. I was a servant in the Catholic Church

    I believe in the efficacy of prayer and hard work, unity and creativity. I so much believe in God’s direction. I don’t go to parties because l don’t know how to dance. But like King David, l can dance for hours in the presence of God. I love gospel music especially those that are inspirational.

  • Alaafin’s son battles incumbent for Oyo Reps seat

    Alaafin’s son battles incumbent for Oyo Reps seat

    Barely seven months to the National Assembly elections, the battle of who picks the ticket to represent Oyo Federal Constituency in the lower chamber in the All Progressives Congress (APC)  is getting hotter, with a son of the Alaafin of Oyo gaining the upper hand.

    Oyo Federal Constituency consists of four local governments namely, Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West.

    The contest is between the incumbent Honourable Kamil Akinlabi, who is serving his second term in office and Prince  Hakeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is the current caretaker  chairman, Atiba Local Government.

    Within the constituency chapter  of the party and even the oppositions, Prince Adeyemi is daily turning into a formidable force ahead of the race not because of his link to the palace and the rumour that his father could swing the votes in his favour but his passion for the grassroots which cuts across all the four council areas.

    Besides, there is no ward in the constituency that has not benefitted from the unprecedented gestures of the monarch’s son, in terms of assistance to indigent pupils, provision of non-refundable funds to farmers, provision of potable water supply, development of young talents in soccer and empowerment of over 7,000 in vocational skills.

    Chances of the monarch’s son to make a reasonable impact in the lower chamber in Abuja got a boost at the just concluded wards and local governments’ congresses of the party respectively.

    At the congresses witnessed by APC National Monitoring Team leader, who is also former commissioner in Lagos State, Honourable Lanre Balogun, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission as observers, candidates loyal to Prince Adeyemi faction cleared majority of the seats, including the delegates.

    At both Wards 8 and 9 in the Atiba council area where there was chaos, the monarch’s son floored his closest rival, Kamil, who is from ward 8. Prince Adeyemi is from ward 3.

    There were allegations of rigging levied against Prince Adeyemi’s faction, but these were dismissed by both national and state monitoring teams, security agencies  as well as INEC officials who  unanimously affirmed the successful conduct of elections in eight of the ten wards in Atiba.

    In Oyo-East, having agreed to settle for harmonisation, faction sympathetic to Prince Adeyemi, led by the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu had over seventy-percent  of wards and local party executives.

    Commenting on the outcome of the congresses, Balogun expressed satisfaction on the impressive turn-out of party members and orderly conduct of the congresses.

  • Rotary donates free medical aid to needy

    Rotary donates free medical aid to needy

    Smile came the way of many residents of Ajah, a Lagos suburb, when Rotary Club of the Victoria Garden City (VGC) donated medical materials to the Ajah Primary Health Centre and Sangotedo Primary Health Centre at the weekend.

    The VGC Rotary President, Mrs. Victoria Kuteyi-Ogundemuren said the gesture is to assist the needy who cannot afford the rising medical bill in hospitals.

    Presenting the material to the jubilant residents, who came to witness the donation at Ajah Primary Healthcare Centre, the Rotary president said gesture would complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government.

    Kuteyi-Ogundemuren explained that Rotary International is an organization that is concerned about the wellbeing of the people. “In Rotary we have about three major areas of focus which include maternal and child welfare. I want to say it has become our burden to assist in our own little ways.”

    She added that the VGC Rotary Club took cognizance of what government is doing and urged other non-governmental organizations to support the noble efforts.

    She said: “That is why we are not just donating drugs only but medical equipment for these communities. Rotary is a community based club.

    “We are giving out gloves to help prevent the coming in contact with diseases, we are donating mosquito nets, we are providing blood tonic for pregnant women, malaria tablets, cough syrups and other basic health need for children,” she added.

    She noted that the club had enlightened the people not to pay for the drugs. According to her, the health management staff has assured that the drugs will reach the people free of charge.

    “The people are not to pay for it and should be supplied free to them. Rotary is a non-governmental organization and it is rendering services to the public free of charge. We are equally educating the beneficiaries that the drug they are getting is free.

    “We just left Ajah Primary Health Care Centre we made the people to know that what we are giving them is free. The people who administer the drugs are professionals they will not tamper with the original plans. We have a list of what we give to them, where they have similar things ours should be given to them for free. I am a nurse myself and I believe that my colleagues are very responsible and professionals, they will utilse what we donate judiciously to the benefit of the people of the community.

    “Some people thought we are here to sell drug but we told them that the drugs are for free and also we let them know that the drug should be strictly applied to those who need it. When the people are healthy the community will make progress, because health is wealth.

    “Every year we donate drugs to the health centers. I must say that government is really trying I think this is one of the main achievement of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s administration. On can see that since them the government is on top of the medical practice in Lagos State, I want to encourage them to keep doing what they are doing. We can see that the environment is clean the sanitation level is on the high side. The information about health is reaching the people, government hospitals are now being improved, there is less need for people to go to private hospitals. I will advise the people to always seek medical attention instead of going to quacks at the risk of their lives. Some people take drugs that they don’t know the level of the medicinal properties. The campaign that people should not take unwanted drug is winning and gaining momentum. What we have spent so far on the drugs we donated is almost N1 million at the two health centers.” She said.

    Responding on the behalf of the Eti Osa East Local Council Development Area, the Apex Chief Officer, Mrs Olubunmi Yusuf said the gesture came at a time the people are facing challenges on the rising medical bills in hospital.

    She said: “I want to say that what Rotary has done, is like they really want to embarrass us with their donation. By this, they have shown they are concerned about the welfare of the people.

    “The drugs and other medical facilities they donated will be separated from our own supplies. This will ensure that things are not mixed up; we will ensure they get to the beneficiaries for free.

    “We have patients here that cannot afford their drugs, so what the club donates will take care of most people in this category. Some people cannot even afford drugs at reduced prices,” Yusuf said.