The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Taofeek needs N8m for kidney transplant

    Taofeek needs N8m for kidney transplant

    Some four decades and nine years ago, there was excitement and joy in the home of alhaji mudashiru and alhaja amudalat amori alayaki of okun alfa village, in etio-osa local government area of lagos state. God had blessed the young couple with a bouncy baby boy who they named taofeek, meaning god’s favour.

    taofeek was bubbling with life as he grew into adolescent and eventually adulthood. being so promising, he went into printing as a profession in which he excelled, being a job he loved so much.

    he later got married to adenike, with who he has four children. he was full of life and making considerable progress in his cherished career and family life until last year when the bubble burst.

    the unexpected happened and the young, energetic and vibrant son of alayakis was hewn down by an uncaring and life-threatening kidney problem in february, 2013. since then, taofeek has been battling this grave renal problem.

    his family and well-wishers did not abandon him. they, especially his dear wife, have been taking him from one hospital to the other where he has been receiving treatment.

    he was first taken to gbagada general hospital. he was also a patient at the magmed specialist clinic and dialysis centre magodo. when there was hope of his being totally cured, his health relapsed and became worse. since the deterioration of his health, family members, in-laws, friends and well-wishers have been apprehensive that their cherished taofeek may be a grave man if nothing urgent and drastic is done as advised by his doctors.

    to still keep him alive, the hospitals’ management, at different times, had to act fast by placing him on life-support machine and carrying out dialysis every five days which costs n40, 000 each session.

    his family and in-laws had already spent n2 million, thus stretching the family’s resource beyond its impressionable limits, even as the situation has plunged them into huge debts. those who have an idea about dialysis sessions would appreciate the financial implications of what taofeek, his family; friends and relations have gone through in terms of money already expended on receiving medical treatments in these two hospitals.

    no doubt, taofeek is still alive by divine providence. he should have gone to india since last year as advised by his doctors on a very urgent note, for proper medical treatment. this has not been possible due to the paucity of his family’s purse. the inability of his family and relations to raise n8 million for a renal transplant in india has prevented taofeek from enjoying his normal life again.

    he has remained in nigeria experiencing excruciating pains. n8 million has stood between this once bubbly, lovely and hard working man and normal life.

    consequent to non-availability of the needed fund, he has become a guest to these two hospitals in nigeria, in spirited efforts by his distraught family and relations to sustain him until they are able to raise such whopping amount of money to send him to india for the kidney transplant.

    taofeek, the once handsome, vivacious creature full of life is now a pathetic sight to behold. he has shrunk so dangerously and her skin colour and texture have undergone dramatic change.

    recently, his condition became worse, a development that made his doctors to warn seriously this time round that he can no longer afford to delay his trip to india to have the required and necessary medical treatment. but the doctors have continues to give him treatment to sustain him until his family and relations are able to raise n8 million for a trip to india for a comprehensive treatment that will engender his absolute cure.

    medical reports issued by gbagada general hospital and magmed specialist clinic and dialysis centre suggest that urgent action should be taken to make taofeek travel to india as soon as possible to enable him live normal life again.

    in an issued letter by gbagada general hospital was dated april 2, 2014, with ref no gbgh/3/c/vol.xxx/401.

    the report signed by dr bomi-omowo reads: “to whom it may concern: “the above named patient is a 49-years-old man known hypertensive diagnosed about one-year-ago (sic) and being manage (sic) at our centre for end stage renal disease. patient is presently (sic) on maintenance dialysis (twice a week) and also on the following medication…

    patient, however, required (sic) your assistances (sic) to enable him undergo his renal transplant which will help him lead (sic) an optimal life.

    the medical report by magmed specialist clinic and dialysis centre dated march 10, 2014 was signed by dr adebayo oyelola.

    to this end, an alayaki taofeek account has been opened with access bank plc, with the following details: account name: alayaki taofeek olayiwola, account number:  0053983804 has been opened to enable benevolent individuals who wish to help taofeek get well and live his normal life again to make their donations. for more information and verification, you may wish to contact him on 08023713623.

  • ‘Our roads will last more than 15 years’

    ‘Our roads will last more than 15 years’

    Sabitu Amuda, an engineer and Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Works, spoke with SEUN AKIOYE

    What is the philosophy behind the road constructions being undertaken in Osun now?

    Simply to increase the revenue generation of the state.

    How is that possible?

    It’s simple, people are saying that we are constructing roads and at the same time talking about revenue generation, the amount of money we have spent so far in the construction of the roads in the state remains. The only percentage that goes out cannot be said to be five percent.

     There are foreign companies working on the road and definitely they must be returning profits to their home country?

    Thank you, when I say five percent, I am talking about salaries only and that is for those workers who are being paid as foreigners. When it comes to the materials being used, except for a small percentage, all of them are sourced from this state. Granite  and sand are found here. The cement, whether we construct roads or not people are building houses so we have distributors everywhere, the reinforcement rods, we can say they are being rolled out in Lagos but they are bringing them here and we can still say they are sourced here.

    So when we are talking about the construction, we are using the money to buy materials to construct the roads so no matter how much it costs, the money is still entrenched here.

    How bad were the roads before this administration?

    We can say the condition was poor. That is giving it about 30 percent, even the roads that were constructed, you go back after four months they are gone. When they make budgets for road construction this year, they will make the same budget for the same number of roads in the next budget. You will not see an increase in the number of roads being constructed, it is because of the methods they employed in constructing the roads.

    A lot of roads are being constructed in Ilesa and other places, what is happening in Osogbo, the capital?

    Let me start from the major road works. There are two that can be said to be seen physically within the state capital that is Oba Adesoji Aderemi bypass which is totally within the city. It’s from the existing stretch of the West bypass which starts from Ikirun roundabout by the stadium to Iwo roundabout where we call ‘Dele Yes Sir’ area. It’s a roundabout that connects Iwo road and that West bypass. It ended there before, but we now want to complete the loop, we want to finish the ring. It starts from Iwo road roundabout and goes the whole of 17.5 kilometers to link back to the roundabout at Ikirun road, so that you have a complete Ring road round Osogbo.

    What are the features of the road?

    It’s a dual carriage way, there will be no interference with any other road, you are not waiting for another vehicle to pass, when you move from Channel 0, you get to the rail line and fly over it, when you get to Ataoja area where it crosses Gbongan road, there is going to be another flyover, so you have a full clover leave interchange similar to what we have in Ketu and Mile 2 in Lagos. Flyovers that allows you to complete the ring of a total length of 26 kilometres within the state capital.

    We have another one that is starting at the centre of Osogbo; the old garage road dual carriage way to terminate at the boundary of Kwara State. We will be taking the road to fly over two railway crossings at two locations namely Okuku and Ilesa areas. Whether the Oba Adesoji Aderemi by-pass or the Kwara boundary road, we are going to have street lights on them. We have another one, a single carriage way that will be constructed alongside the dual carriage way which will form a crescent because of the Dagbolu hub that we want to put in place.

    Just about two kilometres from the steel rolling mill, you have the Dagbolu settlement. Now, in between Dagbolu and Oba-Ile, there is the land where we will develop, an international market which we call the Dagbolu hub. It is yet to commence but we are preparing the access roads to that market. This market is going to sell the way they sell wholesale in Lagos because government is going to be responsible for hauling these products from Lagos, so the traders can sell the same price they sell in Lagos.

    There is a railway station there, so that is an advantage. We will transport agric produce from Dagbolu hub to Lagos and we are bringing finished products from Lagos down to Osogbo and government is going to bear the cost of haulage, look at that. We want to build the economy of the state, we are not just constructing roads, we have the economy at the back of our minds. We want to create a conducive environment enough for people to come back and do business here because Osogbo has been relegated.

    Businessmen think if they come to Osogbo, where is the market for their products? But if we could have all these roads in place, like we are linking Gbongan to Osogbo with another dual carriage way so that the dual carriage way from Lagos will continue like that to Osun.

    What about townships roads?

    We have many single carriage ways in Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa, Iwo, Ife and a number of other local government roads, not directly financed by the state but enhanced because the government is supporting them with loans from the banks. The roads are on the average six kilometres all over the 30 local government areas including the area office. The actual number of local government roads built to the same standard is 228 kilometres. We want the local government roads to be the same standard, so that in the next 15 years, we will not come back to it.

    We will not do any major work on the roads in the next 15 years, I am assuring you. If you look at the terrain where these roads traversed you can imagine what must have gone into building the roads. You can see the road lane markings too, they are modern.

    How about maintenance, what are the things you are putting in place for constant maintenance?

    As we build, we are also grooming an agency to constantly monitor the roads. That is the Osun Road Maintenance Agency (ORMA). They have the responsibility to monitor and maintain the roads all over the states.

    You said you empowered local contractors when there are many foreign companies

    Let me tell you, Ratcon has its headquarters at Ibadan, but Slava- Yeditepe has its main operation here in the state, if you can go to their camp you will see the facilities they have. Sammya is fully Nigerian; any white person there is an employee. But whether Ratcon or Slava, in terms of staff their foreign input is less than 20 percent. Majority of the workers are sourced locally. Not all sector within these companies is foreign, many of our people are in charge.

    In total, how much has the government spent on these projects?

    For now, we are spending in the range of N80 billion. There is one in the bracket of N29 billion; one in the bracket of N18b, there is one of N15 billion and N17.5 billion etc. The local governments’ road is costing us about N21 billion, it is 228 kilometres single carriage way. Add that together we have about N110 billion.

    What are the immediate economic reactions to these projects?

    All petty traders along these roads can in retrospect admit that profit has improved because people can easily access their businesses and they can have quick turnovers. The roads we are constructing have opened up their businesses. Same for grocery sellers and other small scale businesses. The population of Osogbo is also increasing. Hotels are also springing up showing that the standard of living has improved in this city. That is the effect of what the government is doing, it is not a normal growth, it is anchored on the level of infrastructure government is putting in place.

    Now, sell Osun State to me when all these are completed, what do you see?

    I want to see the Ring road; I want to look at the most busy road in Washington or Broad Street in Lagos. The transformation that will happen to the properties along this road will be unprecedented. If you have a plot there, you will be thinking of having multi-storey building there. By the time we have the airport, picture it yourself, the good road networks in the state, the market hub in Dagbolu, a busy modern town, Osun is going to be great.

  • Security: Ogun commissioner calls for vigilance in communities

    Security: Ogun commissioner calls for vigilance in communities

    Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu has underscored the need for communities to be vigilant at all times, particularly now that the country is facing security challenges.

    Olaniyonu gave the advice in Abeokuta, in a lecture he delivered at a programme of the Junior Chamber International, with the theme: “Effective policing; the key factor to a crime-free society.”

    He emphasised that ensuring security is a collective responsibility of all, urging Nigerians to get the law enforcement agents promptly informed of any suspicious activity that could threaten the security and peace of a community.

    “We must all be vigilant at all times and get the Police informed of any suspicious move that is inimical to the security, and consequently, the peace of our community. That is why I am an advocate of community policing, where all of us, consciously police our environment. We must realise that members of the Nigerian Police and neither spirit nor omniscient. Thus, we provide them with information that can truncate the moves of men of the underworld.”

    While urging Nigerians to have attitudinal change and repose enough confidence in members of the Nigerian Police Force, the Commissioner tasked the law enforcement agents to also see their profession as that which is sensitive and deals with lives and well being of the populace. He, therefore, called on the Police High Command to rid the force of bad eggs and take necessary steps to launder its image in the mind of the populace.

    To do this, he called for orientation programmes, seminars and trainings to re-orientate the policemen to see themselves as public servants and trustees and not masters or rulers of the public.

    Olaniyonu also enjoined government to provide essential amenities for the populace in terms of education and employment generation as well as improve on the funding of the police force to motivate them and enhance their welfare packages, saying all these would go a long way to smoothen police-public interaction.

    Corroborating the position of the Commissioner, the state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, emphasised the need for the people to be security conscious and vigilant in their day-to-day activities.

    Adejobi added that members of the society needed to assist the Police by giving out information that could help in nabbing people with criminal tendencies.

    Earlier, the National President of the Junior Chamber International of Nigeria (JCI), Mr. Eniola Egbek-unle, said that security of lives and property is one of the basic needs of every Nigerian, stressing that the intervention of the Police was important to maintain law and order in the society.

  • Man paralysed days after wedding

    Man paralysed days after wedding

    A few days after he got married, Gbenga Akinleye became paralysed. Nine years on, his health has not improved. He is crying out for help. DAMISI OJO presents his pathetic story

    When Gbenga Akinleye, 34, got married to his heartthrob in 2005, he looked forward to a fruitful and happy married life with all the physical and emotional enjoyment that marriage brings.

    But few days into this life long journey, precisely in the midst of his honeymoon tragedy struck changing the course of his life, turning the once strong, vibrant and energetic young man into a beggar on the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    Akinleye was fit as a fiddle when he checked into a hotel at Ile Ife, Osun State, with his wife for what they thought and planned to be a memorable honeymoon, which unfortunately was not to be.

    As husband and wife cuddled on the bed, a strange frog fell from the ceiling and he quickly got up to hit it and throw it out of the room and returned to his wife. But that natural reaction to a strange occurrence was to be the beginning of his problem since nine years and it has defied all solutions, medical or spiritual.

    Akinleye in his own words said: ”When I saw the frog on the floor, I hit it with a stick and threw it out of the room. But shortly after, I suddenly became paralysed on the left side.

    “It was exactly at the left side where I hit the frog that I was totally paralysed. My wife did not know what to do as she was extremely shocked.”

    The situation consequently forced him to seek treatment at the state Specialists Hospital Akure, but was rejected because the doctors at the hospital could not diagnose what was wrong with him

    In order to seek solution to his prolonged illness, Akinleye was taken to a herbalist in Ogun State by his relatives.  The herbalist, who promised to cure the sickness, however, had his own hidden agenda. His joy was momentary when discovered that the herbalist wanted  to use his semen for money rituals.

    He said: “When I got to that place, I thought that is where the solution would come from. But the reverse was the case. The herbalist asked me whether I can make love to a woman.

    “He asked a woman to come and meet me and rub my manhood which pressed me to a climax. The lady wanted to rub my manhood with a handkerchief which I rejected passionately.”

    The young man was saved by his mother’s timely intervention. The old woman insisted that her son should be taken away from the herbalist to another place where she hoped help would come.

    However, after several disappointments and seeming hopelessness, he received a major boost at a church in Akure where he sought spiritual deliverance. Though partly healed, Akinleye is more of a beggar today, now seeking alms on the streets of Akure.

    He said: “I wouldn’t mind if well to do Nigerians can come to my aid, I am living on alms given to me by sympathetic Nigerians; I will appreciate if people can come to my aid to start a business of my own.

    Akinleye said, when there is life, there is hope, believing in God that he could still overcome his present hurdles with the help of well-meaning Nigerians.

  • The changing faces of the Rock city

    The changing faces of the Rock city

    After a long absence from the city of his birth, SEUN AKIOYE returned to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and found a changed city – courtesy of the transformational programmes of the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun

    I had it all planned out. After a long absence from Abeokuta, all I wanted was a long drive from Lafenwa through Iyana-Igbore, check an old friend who ran an Adire store in Itoku, then drive all the way to Sapon where I will connect Oke-Ijeun, then to my former neighborhood in Babarinsa Street, Oke-Ijeun.

    I intended to move to Ijaye, down to Iyana-Mortuary where a friend pastors the Rock Foundation Church and visit my Alma Mata, Lisabi Grammar School in Idi-Aba. Time permitting, I will take a quick tour of Abeokuta-North, coming in through Iporo-Ake, Oke-Efon, Saje and the rest. It would be a tight schedule but one that would evoke memories and histories from my childhood. Or so I thought.

    I didn’t see anything strange coming in from Lafenwa, the snarling traffic was still there, and the traffic wardens still had a hectic time controlling the traffic towards Sabo. I waited my time in the line and when I was eventually passed I shook my head. Lafenwa is the nightmare of travellers.

    For those who left the city of Abeokuta two years or more, it would be difficult to reconcile the new city to what they used to know. From Totoro junction, the city began to take on another shape. Standing at the junction now is a huge round-about. Totoro road itself has assumed a different look. The narrow passageway had given way to a two lane dual carriage road with bumps and streetlights. In the past, Oke-Ilewo was the only road that benefitted from such modern road facility but now a seemingly unimportant Totoro road has dual carriage.

    But my greatest shock was the new bridge which began from Iyana-Igbore stretching right over the busy Itoku market. I stood there at the foot of the bridge mesmerised. I knew this place; I remember all the landmarks in Itoku. The cenotaph at the junction now rests peacefully under the bridge. According to some of the workers from the China Civil Engineering Company, the bridge is designed to link Oke-Ijeun passing through Sapon.

    For about 20 minutes, I struggled to find my way to Sapon and when I got there, I didn’t realise it because right in the middle of the street is a bridge. Passing in front of the General Post office – which was a favourite rendezvous for us in our secondary school days – I made my way to Isale-Igbehin and the whole street looked like one big construction site. Bridges are being built, roads are being expanded and shanty buildings are giving way.

    I decided to do more tour of the city. I was told that Ijaiye to Iyana-Mortuary has also changed, so I decided to visit but going round through Kuto passing through the NNPC road to Iyana-Mortuary. The place as I knew it was gone; I could not find my way to Idi-Aba. Bulldozers were busy clearing piles of sand and road expansion was on-going. One of the workers told me there will be a bridge in Iyana-Mortuary. Till now, it is still incomprehensible to me.

    The road from Ijaiye all the way to Sokenu has been expanded. I looked for familiar stores and landmarks to remind me of my childhood but found that they had given way to the new road construction. From Oke-Ijeun junction to Sapon, there is now a dual carriage way complete with walkways and huge drainages. Though work is ongoing and large sections of the road had been cordoned off, workers on the site said the road is due for commissioning in May 2014.

    From pain to gain

    Even though, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has made giant strides in physical infrastructures, the people are still feeling the pains of the disruptions to their lives due to the massive construction going on. For instance, going from Totoro to Sapon could take a minimum of 30minutes on a light traffic day and much worse on a really bad day.

    Going from Sokenu to Sapon, also one would have to go through different diversions stretching commuter’s patience. But a taxi driver, Akisanya Abdulhamid said, it is a necessary pain before the gain. “I am happy about the infrastructural development of the state; this is how the city should be, if those who came before this governor had done something like this it will not be this bad. We need to cry before we smile.”

    There is also the issue of demolished buildings. To make way for road expansion, hundreds of structures including houses, shops, churches, public buildings were demolished. The Totoro Post Office was cut in half likewise the General Post Office in Sapon. On Sokenu road, several residential buildings paved way for the new construction. However, the government has promised to pay adequate compensation to the owners of such buildings, but for some of them, they could well be waiting forever.

    Ogundeyi Obasa is one of them. Though he acknowledged that the infrastructural development has been fantastic, he still lives with his family in what remains of his house at 50 Sokenu Road, with house number OGSG/BLS/R5/12/5/413.

    “We have never seen anything like this before; we thank the governor and also want to beg him not to forget the compensation he promised us. We have not been able to move because we have no money to rent a house now,” he said.

    Obasa said, he lost four shops and four rooms to the road construction. Half of what he lives in now has no roof and the wall of his mud house has cracked in several places. He claimed he has not been paid any compensation while some of his neighbours have received their cheques. Also, repeated visits to the Ministry of Finance have yielded nothing.

    “My son sells iron sheets in Sapon and they demolished his shop. He brought his goods here to the house but they were stolen overnight,” he said.. Now the son stays indoors all day, bitter and angry. Obasa’s mother’s family house at 60, Sokenu road was also demolished and no compensation has been paid. The situation has caused no small rift within the family.

    Close by, Seun Aina came out of his now uncompleted apartment and spat  into the road.  More than half of his house was affected by the construction and like Obasa, he  lives in what remains of his old house. “I have not been paid, they keep asking me to come back next week. Please, help us tell the governor, I have not been paid.”

    Though full of praise for the governor, Aina said when he received the news of the demolition, he was sick for several weeks. “I fell sick, the thought of losing my house was unbearable, but then they said we will be paid so I got well. Now, I have not been paid,” he lamented.

    Will Abeokuta become little London? Many of the residents interviewed think so. Given the speed by which the government has accomplished the feat starting from the flyover bridge at Panseke and the magnificent reconstruction of the road, the street and traffic lights and the new feeling of comfort being experienced, many people say in another four more years, Ogun state would have assumed a totally different look, ready for the 21st century global business.

  • Ibadan’s toast to its monarch on his centenary birthday

    Ibadan’s toast to its monarch on his centenary birthday

    Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was the centre of attention for the centenary birthday celebration of the city’s monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1. BISI OLA-DELE and TAYO JOHNSON write on the exciting week-long revelry.

    Not many people hope to or could live up to 100 years but when anyone attains the centenary age – and still counting – then it calls for celebration. That was exactly what the people of Ibadan did about a fortnight ago when they staged a huge party to celebrate the 100th birthday of their monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I.

    It was a unique occasion for the entire indigenes of the ancient city, who proudly celebrated their monarch as they practically sang and drummed it into the ears of those who cared to listen for the whole week that the event lasted, that Oba Odulana was a hundred years old.

    Old age has never really been a problem as far as the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land is concerned as most of the past Olubadans actually ascended the throne in their very old age, but few, if any, before Oba Odulana actually lived to celebrate 100 years on the throne. And that added to the uniqueness of the occasion.

    From billboards announcing the birthday, to radio jingles and television commercials eulogising the monarch and the city, no resident could beat the impact of the media campaign heralding the birthday celebration.

    While members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), which planned and organised the ceremony were head-over-heels reaching out to interest groups, organisations, government and individuals to make the ceremony a huge success, politicians of Ibadan origin scrambled for newspaper pages, billboards and airtime on radio and television to congratulate the monarch. Among them were Governor Abiola Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former governor Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party and Mr. Oluseyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  Many other politicians donated towards the project.

    By Sunday, April 14, the city was already agog for the ceremony. The monarch turned 100 years on Monday, April, 15. The week-long ceremony kicked off that Monday with a thanksgiving church service.

    To lead other dignitaries in joining the Olubadan at the church thanksgiving service at the St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo and cut the birthday cake that Monday was President Goodluck Jonathan. The city was already prepared as Mr President had confirmed his attendance.

    But it was not to be as a suicide bomber ripped through the heart of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the fateful day, killing over 100 people, though government officials put the figure at 75.

    The incident forced Jonathan to stay back in Abuja to visit the scene and condole with victims of the blast and their families.

    As the blast inflicted pains on victims and many Nigerians, so did Jonathan’s absence in Ibadan that day inflict pain on some indigenes who had looked forward to his attendance to add colour and glamour to the ceremony.

    But, the president sent a powerful delegation of six ministers to represent him and convey his goodwill message to the birthday boy, who personally attended the church service. They are Labaran Maku (Information), Jumoke Akinjide (Minister of State for FCT), Akinwumi Adesina (Agriculture),  Omobola Johnson (Communication and Technology), Jelili Adesiyan (Police Affairs) and Musiliu Obanikoro (Minister of State for Defence)

    As early as 7:30 am, all roads leading to the famous church, St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, in the heart of the city, had been blocked by security agents.

    Security presence around the church itself was heavy. A combination of soldiers, policemen, operatives from the Department of Security Service (DSS), men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, joined others to provide security for the visiting president.

    However, the church glittered continuously with bright decoration, glamorous guests and many indigenes wearing uniform (aso-ebi) in honour of the birthday boy. Joy, songs of praise, dance and celebration pervaded the air as Ibadan indigenes revelled in pride for the unique occasion.

    The church witnessed preponderance of a mixture of politicians, business men, professionals, Ibadan chiefs, friends, family and well-wishers.

    Delivering the goodwill message in the church on Monday, on behalf of President Jonathan, Maku disclosed that the strong team representing the Fexeral Government showed the historic significance of the day.

    He recalled that the President had since last year, when Oba Odugade clocked 99, planned to attend the centenary celebration with a prayer that God should spare the life of the monarch to see his 100th birthday and was happy and eager to fulfill his promise but for the Abuja bombing.

    Asking for the observation of minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast, he described those behind the dastardly act as forces of darkness and enemies of the country.

    Jonathan lauded the peaceful coexistence among Yoruba Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers, a very good example which he enjoined other ethnic groups follow. Regardless of religion or culture, President Jonathan stressed that Nigerians should see one another as fellow human beings and country men who should be shown love.

    He pointed out the religious tolerance among Yoruba, stressing that if people in the Southwest could live with one another despite the population of both Muslims and Christians, then there should be no reason for political violence in any part of the country.

    His words: “Yoruba land is a symbol of peace where Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers embrace one another. If there is no religious violence in Yoruba land, there is no reason for religious violence anywhere in the country”, he said.

    Playing glowing tributes to Oba Odugade, he described him as king among the kings and promoter of peace, not only among his people, but across the country by his doggedness, forthrightness and his knack for truth at all times.

    In his sermon, Most Rev. Segun Okubadejo described the celebrant as an embodiment of virtues who has served mankind meritoriously.

    He said attaining centenary in one’s lifetime is an uncommon phenomenon.

    “This is unique because it is 100th birthday of royalty. We should offer sacrifice of jubilation and songs of praise to God for what He has done in the life of our king. Looking at the hopelessness, restlessness, insecurity in the world; looking at a world where life expectancy is now 49, it is worthy of praise for somebody to attain 100 years,” he said.

    Turning to the celebrant, the cleric said: “You are a unique and distinguished personality. You are the first Olubadan to clock 100 years on the throne and the first Olubadan to serve his subjects meritoriously.”

    Making reference to the book of Isaiah 3:10, he said the word ‘righteousness’ in the text does not connote perfection but connotes someone who has done justice to all. “Your impeccable record and invaluable contributions to social and other facets of life would remain indelible. As you live on, you must praise God because he has been so faithful to you. Praise him because his undying love is still available to you till you breathe your last”, he said.

    After the church service, Ibadan chiefs: Mogajis and Baales together with the chairmen of the 11 local governments in Ibadan land, paid homage to the Olubadan in his palace at Monatan. It was a celebration of culture as the chiefs appeared in gorgeous Yoruba attires with beads around their necks. They prayed for longer life for the monarch as well as more peaceful reign.

    On Tuesday, the president put the horror and pain of the Abuja bomb blast aside and  paid a make-up visit to the celebrant. On his entourage were Senate President, David Mark; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and other top Federal Government officials.

    They visited the monarch at his Monatan, Ibadan residence to personally join him in the centenary celebration.

    The visit, which lasted 25 minutes, left the airport – Iwo Road – Monatan axis of the city reeling under traffic snarls for the period the president’s visit lasted.

    Also, on Jonathan’s entourage were the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu and the Deputy Senate Whip, Hosea Agboola. They were received at the airport by the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi while the Minister of State for FCT Jumoke Akinjide, Ajimobi’s predecessor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, and some other PDP leaders joined them.

    President Jonathan apologised for his inability to come on Monday as a result of the Nyanya bomb blast.

    Though, he was represented by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, he said he wished to attend personally but for the unfortunate incident.

    While praying for more prosperous years ahead, he  said his representative at the thanksgiving service on Monday had delivered his birthday message.

    He described the Olubadan as a very unique monarch, being one of the very few around who were born when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated.

    According to him, it is the clean mind, good character, clear conscience and good record of service, which the monarch has that made him enjoy longevity.

    Jonathan and his entourage sang for the celebrant and thereafter cut the birthday cake.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Otun Olubadan, Omowale Kuye, who spoke on behalf of  Olubadan praised  the President for the visit, saying being the first person to occupy the presidential seat from the minority zone of the country, he had done the right thing by the approval he gave for the ongoing National Conference which he said, “is what the country needs currently.”

    On Thursday, academics, medical experts, clerics and traditionalists gathered at the Civic Centre to deliberate on the theme of longevity which the Olubadan enjoys. It was another programme on the list of the centenary celebration.

    Emeritus professor, Oladipo Akinkugbe, moderated the programme. After a long deliberation at the symposium with the theme: “Ageing and Longevity”, it was agreed among experts that consumption of large quantity of water, right amount of fruit, vegetables and regular exercise would keep sickness at bay. They also advocated forgiveness, that is, habouring no hatred or bitterness in one’s heart against fellow humans, as demonstrated by the celebrant.

    At the symposium were Prof. Lekan Oyedeji, Mr Tunde Ajobo, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Prof. Oloyede Abdulrahman and a traditionalist, Chief Ifasola Ifamapawa.

    Others included the CCII National President, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Are Oyebola, Oloye Lekan Alabi and Chief Waheed Ekun.

    Conferment of chieftaincy titles on some distinguished individuals on Saturday wrapped up the celebration. Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; Senate President, David Mark and a historian, Prof. Toyin Falola, were to be conferred with chieftaincy titles at the palace. But only Falola, a specialist in American history, showed up.

    Falola was conferred with the title of ‘Bobapitan’ of Ibadan land by the Olubadan-in-Council.

    The event started around 11:30 am with Falola, his wife, Bisi decked in a wine and chocolate colour Aso-oke. They were joined by friends and associates in the academic world from home and abroad.

    Other indigenes, decked in a different uniform (aso-ebi) were on hand to add to the colour of the occasion. So were itinerary drummers, who drummed to the ecstasy of guests.

    The Personal Assistant to Olubadan, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, kicked off the event by inviting all the members of Olubadan-in-Council and later announced Falola’s name for the conferment.

    The man prostrated for the Olubadan three times as a mark of respect and as custom demands.

    His citation was read before a green (Akoko) leaf was placed under his cap to confirm him as a chief in Ibadan land. His wife became the ‘Yeye Bobapitan’ of Ibadan land.

    Dignitaries at the ceremony were a former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof Oladapo Afolabi; Olugbo of Ugboland, Obateru Akinruntan; Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin;  former Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Prof Akinola Murtala Salau; Amb. Olusola Saanu and Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Sulaimon Omiyale.

    Others include, President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero;  Chairman of Council, Lead City University, Prof. Jide Owoeye; Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole, scion of Olubadan, Prof Femi Lana and another son of the Olubadan, Prince Gbade Lana, the  Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, among others.

    In his speech, Prof. Falola said that he accepted the honour because Oba Odulana is not given to frivolous conferment of titles on undeserving individuals.

    He said the honour was based on the monarch’s objective assessment of his intellectual acumen, adding that he would forever be grateful to the monarch.

    “I am very proud of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, I would have collected several chieftaincy titles, but I have no choice than to accept this honour, coming from the highly revered royal father, the Olubadan. I know that he doesn’t just dole out chieftaincy titles anyhow. He is a man of no mean achievement and he is highly principled,” he said.

    Reacting on behalf of the Olubadan, on why Senate President, David Mark and Prof Wole Soyinka were absent, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, said that Mark had already written to the palace to inform them about his unavailability for the chieftaincy title conferment due to official engagements.

    He said: “Mark promised to give us a new date to receive the title. Also for Prof. Soyinka, he is still mourning the death of his daughter and he called us yesterday evening that he would choose a new date when he will come for the title.”

    For Oba Odugade 1 and the entire Ibadan indigenes, the centenary was a ceremony that will find a central place in the history of Ibadan land.

  • How fear of ‘Boko Haram’ scuttled Akure youth carnival

    How fear of ‘Boko Haram’ scuttled Akure youth carnival

    Though it happened hundreds of kilometers away, the April 14 terror attack at Nyanya Motor Park, in Abuja by the terrorist group, Boko Haram is causing trouble in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The twin bomb blast at the popular bus station in the Federal Capital Territory, which claimed no fewer than 75 lives and left many more injured has driven fear into the Ondo State government which hurriedly cancelled the permit for a youth carnival planned for Thursday last week (three days after the Abuja blast) in the ancient town, citing security concerns.

    The carnival, which had been long in planning and on which no less than N18 million had been expended was scheduled to hold at Akure City Hall, but was cancelled at the eleventh hour by the government which sent security operatives to cordon off the venue to the chagrin of the organisers of the event and the youths.

    The much-publicised event which would have been the first ever in Akure was organised as a forum for the indigenes to deliberate on how the ancient town would progress and attract good things rather than unpalatable occurrences as has been the case of recent particularly the sudden death of its monarch, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, the Deji of Akure, who reigned for only three years.

    However, after much preparations and even the arrival of the popular Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, billed to entertain the invited guests from within and outside the country, the state government allegedly issued a directive which abruptly scuttled the big event on the excuse that Boko Haram insurgents were in town.

    This development led to uneasy calm in Akure as aggrieved youths went on rampage to protest the refusal of the state government to allow them hold the carnival.

    The irate youths stalled commercial activities, barricaded the popular Oba Adesida road and vandalised many valuables in the capital city.

    It took the intervention of armed policemen from the anti riot squad to disperse the angry youths who made bon fires to show their grievances against the state government.

    They moved to the government offices at Alagbaka in an attempt to ‘deal’ with top government officials in protest against the development, but the officials had fled before the aggrieved youths stormed the area.

    The President, Akure Youth Coalition (AYC), Comrade Adekanbi Oluwatuyi, expressed his disappointment over the refusal of the government to allow the carnival to hold and the heavy presence of the security men at the City Hall, venue of the event.

    Oluwatuyi, who described the development as a slap on the face of Akure and its people, however said they would not resort to violence to show their grievances, a promise already negated by action of the irate youth.

    It was learnt that the carnival had been on the card for over two months.

    Scores of Akure indigenes at home and in the Diaspora had dressed in uniform ‘Ankara fabric’ before the carnival was stalled.

    While narrating his ordeal, the AYC President, Oluwatuyi, who wept profusely over the disappointment said, the event was initially scheduled to hold last year, but shifted to last Thurday following the death of Oba Adesida.

    He said a letter had been written to the state government alongside security agents intimating them of the event and also to formally request for the use of Democracy Park. A letter approving the use of the Park for the carnival, he said was sent to him on April 1.

    He said despite the fact that letters requesting security coverage had been sent to the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State command, the Department of Security Service (DSS) and other security agencies in the state, the event was cancelled at the last minute.

    Oluwatuyi said, three days to the event, he was called that a letter was awaiting him at the Ministry of Transport.

    The letter was to terminate the approval of the Democracy Park for the carnival on the ground that the place was under construction.

    Oluwatuyi said, “a rational mind would know that, that place is not under construction, the government and other bodies have been using that place for over two years.

    “We went to the Regent, Princess Adetutu Adesida and in my presence she called concerned authorities, including the Commissioner for Transport, Nicholas Tofowo-mo, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but to my utmost surprise they did not pick Kabiyesi’s call.

    “After many steps had been taken, the Regent concluded that we should make use of the Akure City Hall, since it was built by Akure Community.

    “We were surprised when we were told again by the state government through the DSS that we cannot hold the carnival because rival cult groups were coming to strike, I told them we are no cultists but Akure indigenes that want progress for our town. We explained to them that we are planning to give post humous awards to our dead heroes and bring Akure people together.”

    Oluwatuyi said, they were at the Akure City Hall, throughout the night before the planned event to prepare the stage for the musician.

    “We were surprised when we came here (Akure City Hall) and saw heavily armed security agents barricading the venue of the event.” Oluwatuyi said, adding that it was shocking when the security agents said there was a standing order that the event could no longer hold because Boko Haram members were in town.

    Oluwatuyi said, the Police Area Commander personally told him that members of Boko Haram were in Akure and the event had to be subsequently cancelled.

    Enraged by the development, the youths went to “Omolaree” House, a revered traditional haven by the people of Akure, to rain curses on whoever was behind the cancellation of the carnival.

    The youth leader explained that N18m had been expended on the carnival including payment to the popular musician, who was already in town for the event and checked into a hotel.

    Meanwhile, the state police command has washed its hands off the cancellation saying it had not only approved the carnival to hold but had also prepared to provide adequate security. The Command, however, explained that after all arrangements had been made, the state government made an observation and cancelled the event.

    The state Commissioner of Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, in his reaction said the state government cancelled the carnival because of the security challenge in the country. He did not elaborate.

  • The making of new Osun

    The making of new Osun

    After nearly four years of the Rauf Aregbesola administration, things are beginning to look up in Osun State and the people are happy. OGOCHUKWU IKEJE reports on what the government has done to give the state a new lease of life.

    The story of reinventing Osun State may well have started from poor and unflattering circumstances. Back in 2003, four years before he ran for governor of the state and seven before he was declared winner and sworn in, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola travelled round several communities in the state. What he saw did not lift his spirits. Old people, in most cases women in their late 60s and mid 70s, were surrounded by malnourished children.

    This was a grim picture. Who were these kids? Most probably grandchildren left behind by their mothers in search of jobs and survival elsewhere.

    It was at this point that the vision of a new Osun began to take shape. Something needed to be done to lift the people from the depths of poverty and despair. It would be a comprehensive approach. New jobs would be created, but more than that, the people needed to rediscover themselves and their worth. They also needed to be happy citizens of Osun once again. Collapsed infrastructure would be revived, nonexistent ones put in place. The uninspiring school system needed a new lease of life and parents must be encouraged to begin to send their children to school. The school infrastructure, nothing to write home about at that time, must be upgraded to make it as inspiring to both teachers and pupils as possible.

    There was a plan for developing local technology, a clear vision for boosting the state economy and getting Osun citizens to give their best to the state and be happy working for the collective.

    Aregbesola is said to have got to work, mobilising partners who would help work out a development plan for the state. One striking thing that came out of that plan was the Osun Green Book, which rallied the people to the awareness of their liberty and freedom to determine their own affairs.

    Four years on, the picture of the new Osun has appeared and the people seem to like what they see. Considerable order has become part of the state. You can tell from the landscaping of the road as soon as you cross into the state end of the border, and also from the trees planted on both sides of the road.

    “The landscaping makes for more pleasurable driving,” said Mr Adelowo Adewumi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Planning and Special Duties.

    That same pleasure and ease informed the policy of at least 10km of roads in each of the state’s 30 local government areas, in addition to one Area Office, added the permanent secretary. The road plan has helped to open up the rural areas, making it easier for farmers not just to access their farms but also to transport their produce to any market in the state. Residents of rustic, Ori-Oke prayer mountain community of Ikoyi also benefitted from the policy.

    The focus on education is perhaps even more striking. In several towns, eye-catching schools with modern learning tools have replaced the dilapidated and off-putting facilities that used to exist in those places. Elementary schools enjoy this attention as much as do the middle and high schools. And Governor Aregbe-sola and his team are quick to point out that the postcard-perfect schools are not model facilities. They are the standard Osun schools, they say, adding that in time every school in the state will not only be a beauty to behold but will offer state-of-the-art learning and teaching aids.

    “We went to Osun purposefully,” Aregbesola likes to say, adding, “The state was on the journey to perdition if the trend wasn’t stopped.”

    That slide has been halted not only in schools where enrolment is perhaps the highest in the country, but also on the streets of towns and cities as well as villages in the state. Like every other state, unemployment was a big concern. Jobless young people fled the state in droves in search of jobs in such places as Lagos State. Those who stayed behind could only swallow hard and grind their teeth; in some cases, they were a problem to everybody.

    The OYES, a youth jobs scheme, has considerably thinned down the mass of the unemployed in the state, helping to curb crime in tow. Tens of thousands of youths have been trained in skills and put to work, either directly employed by the state government or privately engaged. So many young people in the state across both sexes have been trained to control traffic or keep the streets tidy. Some women drive heavy-duty refuse trucks and are happy doing so. Some have been trained to make durable burnt bricks, some to raise fish, a good number to make garments.

    The Omoluabi Garments Factory puts the fabric-making plan in great relief. There, hands and minds are at work on an array of sewing machines. The movement of workers from one point to another is constant.

    Mr Oyedeji Abayomi, branch manager of the facility, said 3,500 garments are produced everyday at the factory. This is impressive.

    Every month, the state makes N200m, Aregbesola said. His administration’s revenue policy should take the credit for that, especially the plan to source 60 per cent of every project locally, and to give 80 per cent of the work to locals. This prevents capital flight and boosts the local economy. Three different uniforms are used in Osun public schools. All the uniforms are sewn by Osun residents. This creates jobs for the locals and helps to retain revenue in the state.

    You also find this approach at work at the Ayegbaju International Market, a sprawling facility boasting a bank, hospital, hotel, police and fire stations, and warehouses, among others, including a second-hand clothing section.

    “2,500 people work at the market every day,” Dr Wale Bolorunduro, Commissioner of Finance, Economic Planning and Budget said as work at the market was rounded off preparatory to its inauguration.

    Bolorunduro is happy that the market project, which is directly under his ministry, has kept to plan, and that the Aregbesola administration is delivering on its promises.

    Just as happy is Mr Ajibola Basiru, Commissioner of Regional Integration and Special Duties, whose alma mater, one of the state’s primary schools, was given a new life in Aregbesola’s education plan. Basiru believes that the governor has done what he said he will do, and that Osun people are happy with him.

    The state is touted as Nigeria’s seventh largest economy. In a few years, quality hotels are springing up in Osogbo, the capital. But one firm that is helping in growing the state economy is Rlg, a telecoms firm in Ilesha, specialising in repair and assembly of GSM phones and tablets. The firm, whose headquarters is in Ghana is in partnership with OYES, and has provided jobs to scores of Osun citizens.

    Four years on, a new Osun is visible. Grandmas in the rural settings may heave a sigh of relief.

  • Working for the future

    President John F.  Kennedy did not live to witness the final fulfillment of the most ambitious of his goals: the landing of man on the moon by the United States as he predicted. The Soviet Union had had a head start many times over, starting with the Sputnik in 1957, and the United States saw it as a competition between “tyranny” (Moscow) and “freedom” (Washington).

    Since the Soviets had not landed man on the moon, Kennedy saw such a feat as being the achievement to settle the matter once and for all. So, on May 25, 1961, the American leader went to the Congress and threw the challenge that had since changed the face of space exploration.

    He told the lawmakers: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal before the decade (the 60s) is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind or more important for the long range exploration of space and none could be so difficult or expensive to accomplish… I believe we should go to the moon.”

    That historic goal was fulfilled on July 20, 1969, before the decade was out. But alas, Kennedy, who broached the vision had been assassinated on November 22, 1963. He was gone: but he had worked for history. He had seen beyond his day and prepared for the future and history he had peeped into.

    That is how most observers view the pace of developments in the state of Osun under Governor Rauf Aregbesola. His policies suggest that he has one foot in today and the other in tomorrow. The criticism leveled against him has to do not only with a gross misunderstanding and ignorance of his long sightedness and mission; but more importantly also with the critics’ refusal to look past the present. We are too burdened with anxieties of the day; we do not want to brace for an encounter with history and the future. That is not the way of Aregbesola.

    We seem to be thinking that the future generation would take care of their own headache when the time comes. Really? No! Not so! The leader is only a good leader if while addressing today’s challenges, he is able also to do today what the future would benefit from, without compromising today and the future. That is the stuff of great men. Ghana is a stable polity today on account of the institutional philosophy of governance and probity its founding leader, Osagyefo. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah worked out in the 50s and 60s while he was at the helm. The Southwest is still a leader in a number of spheres in Nigeria today because of the developments pioneered by its first premier Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Ditto for the role played by the United States’ founding presidents, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, among others together with the civil war hero President Abraham Lincoln.

    None of these rooted themselves in the present. They all spent precious time looking into history. They asked what they could do to make a difference in leadership, in governance and in the lives of the people. History and society have always honoured them.

    In my candid opinion, that is exactly what Governor Rauf Aregbesola is doing in Osun State. His deep thrust of intervention in education will have irreversible impact on the citizen who will emerge as the leader of tomorrow by virtue of the fact that he is getting exposed to the technology and skills that would make him fit into the future.

    His uncanny policy of employing 20,000 youths at a go in his first 100 days in office in 2010, has succored a depressed economy to push the young ones for a say in the affairs of history. The figure has gone up to 40,000 now. How about agriculture? Aregbesola has introduced a strategy to capture part of the thriving multi-billion naira market in Lagos for the farmers of Osun. Not only that, the Osun farmers have already been empowered. Many were given loans for poultry and fish farming. And they are doing very well. He has established a meeting point at Dagbolu on the outskirts of Osogbo, where the farmers can get their crops transported by rail to the old federal capital for sale, for prosperous business.

    In tourism, the Aregbesola administration is targeting N15 billion as revenue in 2015. He met an Internally Generated Revenue of about N300m and today, the government is raking in N1.6 billion monthly without subjecting anyone to extra taxation.  In the strategic health sector, the government is undertaking radical changes in the primary, secondary and tertiary stages of health delivery.

    Like John Kennedy, it is obvious that Rauf Aregbesola is thinking beyond today. That is the key to solving society’s fundamental problems. The serious problem with leadership in Nigeria is that our helmsmen are too stuck in today. Let us have an eye on history. Let us do what the present and tomorrow will hail us for.

     

    Oyatomi is the Director of Publicity, Research & Strategy. All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun State.

  • Lagos residents urged to fight impunity

    Lagos residents urged to fight impunity

    The need for residents in Lagos State to rise up and speak against impunity in the society took centre stage at the forum organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Community Life Project (CLP), in collaboration with Stop Impunity Nigeria Campaign Group.

    The event held at the Isolo Community Centre, with the theme “Impunity and the Rule of Law”, featured various stakeholders including representatives of civil society groups, students, artisans and market men and women.

    CLP Project Coordinator, Mr. Lanre Arileola, said the trend of impunity has gradually eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigeria’s nationhood, adding that people now flout rules and regulations and are not made to answer questions or face the music.

    “High level of corruption and indiscipline is another barrier to development. The Nigerian state is corrupt, managed by corrupt leaders, who have made the state an instrument of capital accumulation, rather than using it to project the interest of the citizenry. A very good plan supervised by a thoroughly corrupt state can hardly do a thoroughly good job.

    “It is pertinent to note that leaders and individuals will continue in corruption because impunity ensures they do not get punished”.

    Arileola noted that citizens can aid impunity through their actions or inactions, urging them not to join the bandwagon but do things which were morally right and take responsibility for their actions.

    Also speaking on Rule of Law, he said a society which claims to have the system in place should witness checks and balances in government, minimal level of corruption, an open government, enforcement of fundamental rights, enforcement of order and security, among others.

    But Arileola lamented the level of abuse of the Rule of Law in Nigeria, saying that extra judicial killing, escalation of violence, insecurity of life and property, lack of access to justice, corrupt police force, ineffective law enforcement and bad governance have become the order of the day.

    Another speaker at the event, Mr. Sunday Solanke implored the people to develop cordial relationship with law enforcement agencies, urging them not to hesitate to use the available citizens’ complaints mechanisms whenever their rights were trampled upon.

    He stressed that cases of social deviance should also be reported within the available legal framework.

    Some of the participants who shared their experience at the forum were unanimous in their submissions against impunity which they described as a clog in the wheel of development.

    They, however, highlighted the challenge of the safety of whistle-blowers, noting that some residents have become victims for daring to question public office holders or law enforcement agencies when they go against the law.

    One of the community leaders in the area, Mr. Yemi Sogunle, commended the effort of the NGO for bringing the issue of impunity to the grassroots.