The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • ‘I will combat unemployment among lawyers,’ says Akintola

    ‘I will combat unemployment among lawyers,’ says Akintola

    Chief Niyi Akintola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and contender for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), spoke with journalists in Lagos. The pro-democracy activist unveiled his agenda, promising that his five-point agenda will solve unemployment among lawyers and reposition the legal profession, among other things. Assistant Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF was there. Excerpts:-

    The choice of next Nigeria Bar Association President has been zoned to the Southwest and we learnt that ‘Egbe Amofin Oodua’ (Association of Yoruba Lawyers) has embarked on the search for a candidate. Has the body endorsed any candidate?

    The Egbe Amofin Oodua has had two meetings on this issue of NBA President candidacy. The first meeting held in Abeokuta while the second held last Saturday in Ibadan. The body set up a screening committee, headed by former NBA President, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye and the committee is expected to submit its report on February 8, 2014. The decision of the committee is still subject to ratification of members. So, for now, there has not been anyone endorsed by the body.

    You once ventured into politics when you vied for membership of Oyo State House of Assembly and you later abandoned politics. Why are you eyeing the NBA President position now?

    After the military left in 1999, we discovered that the civil society groups that spearheaded the struggle abandoned the terrain for all sorts of charlatans and the implication of that is this state of quagmire which we found ourselves. Today, we are facing multi-various problems within the legal system; prominent among the challenges is the quality of lawyers that are joining the profession today. Of course, the standard of legal practice has to do with education. Our education system has collapsed because I have seen a Master Degree holder who claimed to be a lawyer but could not construct a simple sentence, a lawyer that cannot even prepare a motion. I believe such person could be found in journalism profession too and other sectors. The last call to the bar is over 5,000 lawyers and as at today, we still have about 110,000 lawyers to about 168 million people. It is not the question of having too many good lawyers; we are facing gross unemployment of lawyers. On my Blackberry for instance, I have over 100 applications by young lawyers looking for job. How these boys and girls got my number I don’t know, but they claimed they cannot get those of us who have established ourselves in the profession so easily. There are some among these young lawyers, after five years of being called to the bar, they don’t have work to do. It is as serious as that and I intend to tackle that if I become the NBA president. I’ve been to different international fora in Canada, Singapore, USA, South Africa and some other country and I discovered that something is missing about law profession in our country. Sometimes last April, I was in South Africa, and we learnt that a Law Chamber earned the sum of $5.8 million in a legal year. We discovered that the earnings of all law chambers in Nigeria put together is not up to that. In fact, in South Africa, we discovered that their former president, W. D. Clark still runs a law chamber in Cape Town. I was there; I saw things with my eyes. In South Africa, you can see a chamber having as many as 500 lawyers; some are having more than this number. But, we in Nigeria are yet to key-in into what is going on in developed environment. We have been acquiring experience year in year out. The rules guiding law practice in those developed countries ensure there is enough for everybody. We can solve the gross unemployment problem in this sector if proper rules are put in place. So, I intend to combat unemployment among lawyers if I become the NBA president.

    Apart from issue of unemployment among lawyers as you’ve stated, what other challenges confront practice of the profession?

    Like I said earlier, our educational system is in shambles. It is garbage in, garbage out. While we are in school in those days, we made it a point of duty to read newspapers everyday and we gained a lot from columnists like Sad Sam, Comrade Oyebola and others like that. In those days, the columnists set agenda for the country. Today, the reverse is the case even with journalism profession. The standard has fallen that we no longer recommend any newspaper to any group of students. What we are getting now is appalling and it is not limited to legal profession. We can change that for the better because there is no reason why experienced lawyers, particularly the SANs cannot teach at the Faculty of Law of our universities. That is the practice all over the world but here in Nigeria, we lay much emphasis on certificate and not on what you know. We need to tap the resources because we have them in abundance.

    What are your plans for NBA?

    I want to restrain myself from talking on what I wish to do if I become the NBA president. Mind you, I have to be careful and not let out my cat from the bag. What I can tell you for now is that my manifesto is ready. I have five-point agenda that I strongly believe that they are capable of solving virtually all the challenges confronting law practice in this country. I intend to fight corruption. I commend the current leadership of the judiciary because in the last one year, they have done a lot in that regard. They have done self-cleansing within the legal profession. If other arms of government can take a cue, issue of corruption will be drastically reduced in this country. The issue of corruption in the legal profession is being over-dramatised by the media. In fact, it appears some electronic media don’t have any other thing to report beyond corruption in the judiciary. They don’t even know that nine out of every ten allegations made cannot be verified. That is why those of us who are courtroom lawyers stay away from television stations to do any analysis on any issue. What kind of lawyer will have time to go to television studio in the morning between Monday and Friday to do analysis on issues? We referred to this type of lawyers as ‘Television Lawyer’ who cannot move any motion in their life but are fond of staying at television studio only to castigate a judge or lawyer on an issue they knew nothing about. We cannot find their name in any Law Report and these are lawyers that the media celebrate most. Each time NBA tries to sanction them, they will hide under freedom of speech. They are one of the greatest challenges the law profession is facing here in Nigeria.

    Why do you think you’re the best for the job from Southwest zone?

    Ninety-nine percent of my colleagues are courtroom lawyers, and I am a courtroom lawyer too.  I’ve taken part in NBA activities for years; I’ve been in the profession as a virile lawyer for decades. I know much about NBA and its politics and I run four chambers located in Lagos, Ibadan, Port-Harcourt and Abuja, the Federal Capital. I’ve been operating in Abuja since 2001 and I’ve assisted so many lawyers to move forward in the profession. I’ve travelled far and wide and got exposed to professionalism in law practice.  Let me tell you, the best of lawyers around are not Bar activists.  People don’t even know or hear about those lawyers that are making cool money from the profession and they have been living flamboyant life. Their philosophy is, see no evil, say no evil and hear no evil. They have a choice but I am not out for that. I’ve been an activist all my life and I have a choice too; to keep watching and allow things to go from bad to worse, but I’ve involved in struggle for long. I cannot fold my arms and watch things get worse beyond this level. Under my leadership, if I become NBA president, with the support of my colleagues, I will make change happen. NBA is going to experience positive change, mark my word. I can assure you on that. There is going to be revolution in Nigeria’s legal profession.

    Are you prepared for the financial expenses to go round the country and solicit lawyer’s support for your contest?

    Well, I won’t tell you it is not costly to run any election if I must be frank. It’s not going to be a tea party. Even touring the 104 branches across the country to contest for NBA president position is much more strenuous than contesting for position of a governor of a state because the entire 104 branches are your constituency. And each time one is going, he needs to go with some people. So the cost of accommodation and logistics are there to take care. To answer your question straight, it is expensive to contest but I’ll rely on goodwill of my colleagues.

    Some of your predecessors have lofty ideas like you before coming on board, but because of interference from within and outside, their hands are tied. What are you going to do differently to ensure your hands are not tied while in office?

    It is because they allow their hands to be tied. Let me say this; it all depends on individual concern. Look, at where I am now, look at where I am coming from, go and read about me. I’ve not been known to be one that will compromise. The NBA president position is not for profit making and our existence is not tied to any government subvention.  Some people might have taken or are ready to take government briefs; I am not against anybody doing that. Every lawyer has his or her own client. As a matter of fact, it’s unethical not to take brief if some conditions are met. Even, a lawyer should not deny an armed robber his service no matter how bad the situation may be. It’s justice according to the law not according to morality. That is why people don’t understand lawyers when they render service to certain group of people. To that extent, every lawyer is free to take brief from whosoever needs his or her service. A lawyer is like a taxi driver; whoever flags him down and can pay his fare would be taken to his destination.

    Still on interference, at NBA, there has not been a leader without lofty ideas but   the implementation of these ideas has always been their challenge. How would you go about seeing your ideas implemented without hindrances?

    I can assure you that there will be change this time around. I am not the type that runs away from challenge. I am a professional; I am not in a competition with anybody. I don’t want to be Aliko Dangote or Femi Otedola. All I aspire to be is Afe Babalolas of this world and his likes. That is my ambition. I am a professional and I like to work within that confine as a professional. I found myself comfortable being in the midst and work for the people being oppressed. That is why I am being called opposition lawyer by some people because I’ve defended people like Chief Rasheed Ladoja, Adams Oshiomole and so many people like that. These are people who are not moneybags. The struggle has always been part of my life. For years, I was a counsel to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). It has been like that.

    Do you have a specific progr-amme in terms of mentoring the younger ones in the profession?

    Of course yes! I have five-point agenda that I will pursue vigorously if I become NBA president. The mentoring of the up-coming lawyers occupies number three on my agenda. Mentoring of the younger lawyers is lacking by now. I got trained in Ibadan where I was carefully mentored by my seniors. I was trained to be humble in everything. For instance, before I bought my first car, a Beetle, I have to seek approval of my senior in the chamber. Even, after I purchased it, I have to take it back to him for prayers and graduated from that to Peugeot 504, to Peugeot 505, to Mercedes Benz. Our growth during our time is gradual. I trained purely on litigation, my foray into maritime, oil and gas takes almost nine years. In everything we do during our time, we’re modest. The younger ones in the profession do not want to do all what we did in the beginning.  If you investigate the number of lawyers being tried by the disciplinary committee of NBA, they fall in the category of the young lawyers. Some of them embezzled people’s money; some called themselves property consultants. These are not part of the profession because we didn’t meet it that way. When I started, I worked for three consecutive months without receiving salary. Today, the younger ones are not ready to do that. They only care to live big.

    What do you think can be done to resolve the thorny issue of prison congestion?

    If you look at prosecution system in Nigeria and our criminal justice system, you will see that the bane of our criminal system is at the level of poor prosecution, even in EFCC. That is the immediate and remote cause of prison congestion. Part of my own programme to solve the issue of prison congestion is to ensure that only lawyers prosecute people in all the courts across the country; not the police. When you look at the preparation and the proof of evidence by the prosecution, you will be wondering whether the people handling the prosecution are serious. With the collaboration of my colleagues, the IG and other stakeholders, I am going to sell that idea. Once we are able to amend the law in that regard with the collaboration of the National Assembly, it is like killing three birds with just one stone. We will have tackled the issue of prison congestion, human rights abuses and unemployment/underemployment among lawyers.

     

  • Court sittings in private residence illegal, says lawyer

    Court sittings in private residence illegal, says lawyer

    The relocation of five Magistrate Courts and two Rent Tribunals sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital to the private building of an Akure businessman is causing ripples in the state.

    The Courts started sittings last month in a building owned by Chief O. Olukayode located at Hospital Road, Oshinle roundabout, Akure.

    The Ondo State Judiciary has been battling with lack of court rooms for Magistrate Courts and Rent Tribunals which led to the letting of the Olukayode’s house.

    But lawyers in the state are not happy with the development and one of them Barrister Charles Titiloye has noted that sitting a courtroom in a private building can compromise the independence and neutrality of the Judiciary specifically where landlord or owners  of such building may have pending cases before the Court.

    He noted that section 36 of constitution on human rights of citizen prescribed that a court should be established in a manner to guarantee its independence and impartiality.

    The activist queried whether those courts can handle any case involving Chief Olukayode and his family?

    Titiloye flayed the state government for precipitating this problem by not building new court rooms for the Judiciary or giving out any of its houses at Alagbaka, Akure as temporal accommodation for courtrooms.

    The activist noted that the Olukayode building was not conducive as same premises house incompatible businesses and tenants like aluminum artisans, gymnasium, church, bank and a drinking joint at the back.

    He said, “In fact we sometimes find it difficult to hear what the Magistrate is saying in the court. The place is unsafe as only one door leads to all the court rooms and there is no parking space for vehicles.

    Titiloye noted that this situation has brought hardship to lawyers within Akure branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    He stressed that, ”we have resolved in our general meeting  that the executive of Akure branch of NBA should meet the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Sehinde Kumuyi, to relocate the Magistrate to a more conducive building owned by the government.

    The activist noted that justice is rooted in confidence of litigants in the impartiality of the court, Ondo State government must take immediate step to protect the integrity of the courts now sitting in the private building.

    However, a top official in the State Judicial Commission (SJC), said the development is temporary, stressing that efforts were on by the state government to provide conducive accommodation for the dispensation of justice.

  • Lagos, Ogun mark World Hijab Day

    Lagos, Ogun mark World Hijab Day

    Last Saturday, Muslims across the world celebrated the World Hijab Day. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI was at a walk organised by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit from Maryland to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos to join the rest of the world in the celebration.

    Last Saturday, millions of women, (Muslims and non-Muslims) gathered at different locations to commemorate a day globally set aside to mark what the Muslim women regard as their pride – the Hijab.

    The movement, started by a New York resident, Nazma Khan on February 1, 2013 to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women non-Muslims in particular to experience the use of Hijab for one day.

    The World Hijab Day is also in recognition of Marwa El-Sherbini who was stabbed to death in a German court by Alex Wiens in Dresden on February 1st, 2009, for wearing Hijab. This happened in the presence of her husband who was also shot by the police that mistook him for the criminal.

    Ms Khan, a social activist and resident of the United States once said: “Growing up in the Bronx, in New York City, I experienced a great deal of discrimination due to my hijab. When I entered university after 9/11 attacks, I was called Osama bin Laden or terrorist. It was awful. I figured the only way to end discrimination is if we ask our fellow sisters to experience hijab themselves.”

    Hijab is an injunction from Almighty Allah to all Muslims women. The Holy Quran says in Surah 33 verse 59: “O Prophet! Enjoin your wives, daughters and the believing women that they should draw their outer garments over their persons. That is more proper, so that they may be recognised and not bothered. Allah is forgiving, merciful.”

    This year’s theme is: “Better Awareness; Greater Understanding; Peaceful World;” and the goal is: to foster global religious tolerance through Hijab awareness.

    It was learnt that various mosques across the globe seized the opportunity of last Friday’s Jumat Service to rally worshippers for the celebration.

    The day was marked in over 120 countries with millions of women wearing the hijab.

    In Nigeria, the World Hijab Day was celebrated in different states including Abuja, Lagos, Edo, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.

    In Abuja, at ThisDay Dome in the Central Business District of Abuja, wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Amina Sambo addressed a large gathering to mark the day.

    Muslims women came out in various colours and styles of the Hijab.

    Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the wife of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed; Hajiya Aisha Dukku and Senator Khairat Gwadabe.

    Hajiya Sambo reminded the gathering that both Christianity and Islam preach the covering of women’s hair.

    She enjoined Muslims wearing hijab to be proud of their dressing, as well as proud of themselves as Muslims wherever they go.

    Highlights of the event include drama by children, a Hijab show by MID Collections, hijab exhibition and free distribution of hijabs.

    In Lagos, Amirah (Female President) of the Muslim Student’s Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit (LSAU), Hajia Hafsah Badru addressed over a thousand women and girls at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota after a long walk from Maryland bus stop to Ojota.

    Pupils and students of various primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions were there in large number.

    As early as 7:00am, the Muslim women have been gathering at Maryland bus stop in preparation for the rally. The procession started around 9:00am.

    Residents, marketers, commuters and bystanders along the popular Ikorodu roads marvelled at the orderly manner the rally was conducted.

    They had some cardboards with different writings which include: ‘The wrapped sweet is better than the unwrapped ones,’ ‘the covered sister is better than the uncovered ones’, ‘stop this victimisation, it is my pride, obedience to Allah has come to stay, no doubt about it’, ‘nudity is immoral’, ‘hijab is dignity’ and ‘hijab is the cloth of believers.’

    Others had, ‘come and experience the sweetness of hijab with us’ and ‘emulate the mother of Jesus Christ, used the hijab free of charge.’

    Tracts on the essence of the World Hijab Day were distributed to virtually all the road users.

    The large crowd chanted praises of Allah – La ila ila llahu (There is no other God except Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest) along the line which drew attention of people at distance.

    They also shouted words include ‘no hijab, no vote’.

    Getting to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota with its greenery atmosphere, some of the women laid flat to regain strength after the long walk. Some of them removed their shoes on the way to find comfort during the rally.

    Addressing the crowd, Hajia Badru shouted Kabirullah, the crowd responded Allahu Akbar!

    She saluted them for making the day a success by not indulging in violence or untoward acts.

    “You have once again showed the world that our religion is all about peace and good mannerism. I salute your courage, I salute your discipline and doggedness. We shall be victorious,” she said. The crowd replied saying “Insha Allah (God’s willing).”

    According to her, “the use of hijab symbolises obedience to Allah, curbing immorality in the society and a divine injunction.

    Why addressing the crowd, including journalists, Hajia Badru decried the alarming rate of immorality in the society.

    She said: “The increasing of unwanted pregnancies is worrisome, the culture of nudity and bestiality is being glorified and nudity – induced rape cases are fast getting out of hand. An estimated of 16 million girls between the age of 14-18 fall victim on yearly basis to these avoidable tragedies.

    “The concept of morality in our contemporary world is that no part of a woman is private; a woman can only exercise her rights when she adopts shameless western mode of fashion. At the same time, tags those who chose to be chaste in outlook as uncivilised and not modern. What is considered as fashionable is dressing which unveils female erogenous zones in the name of liberty. Fashion can be modern without being nude. We support civilisation but not nudity.

    “Hijab is an apparel of honour, a garment of modesty and a shield against immorality. It is our pride. It is our dignity.”

    Hajia Badru called on the Lagos State government not to politicise the issue of Hijab.

    “Our appeal goes to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to consider our demand on the issue of Hijab. We are neither seeking a favour nor asking for a privilege; we are simply demanding our rights. This is an opportunity for our governor to write his name in gold by simply do the needful. It is a wind of change which no one can stop; for if he refuses to grant it, another rights-conscious administrator will definitely grant it, it is a matter of time!

    “It is important to note here that Hijab has been granted by Muslim minority states, how much more Lagos State with Muslim majority. It still baffles us that while a Christian governor in Southwest, Nigeria is aiding Allah’s work, a Muslim governor in the same region is frustrating it!

    “As we join millions of people, both Muslim and non-Muslims all over the world to celebrate this great event, we strongly appeal to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party to intervene in this matter, else we may be forced to mobilise the entire Nigerian Muslim Students to vote against any anti-Islam government come 2015.

    Enough of playing politics with our morality, enough of playing politics with our dignity and enough of playing politics with our rights.”

    Also, speaking at the park, MSSN University of Lagos Amirah, Shakirah Oduwole said the rally was to call the attention of Lagosians to their plight.

    “It is what Allah has instructed us to do and we shall do it, we cannot compromise this because it is a mandatory on all Muslims women,” Oduwole said.

    A member of the MSSN Hajia Ganiyat Owolabi who dressed her two-year old daughter, Nusaybah in hijab said she did so, to give her sense of belonging.

    “My daughter always asks for her hijab whenever we are going out even if I forget; I am very comfortable every time I use it because I see it as an honour and part of modesty,” Mrs Owolabi said.

    At Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque Hall, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, various organisations converged to mark the day.

    They include MSSN, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, The Young Muslim Women Association, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), among others.

    Mrs Afusat Ogunkoya of MSSN Ijebu area council, describes that the use of Hijaab as a fundamental right of every Muslim women across the world with no exception to Nigeria.

    She called on the state governments to declare the use of Hijab in all schools, hospitals, private and public establishments legal, adding that any act of molestation, embarrassments, humiliation, harassment and assault would not be condoned from any individual, organisation or public functionaries.

    A procession was held from Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque to Lagos garage and end at the Chief Imam of Ijebuland’s residence.

  • Osun joins league of phone makers as Technology City is commissioned in Ilesa

    Osun joins league of phone makers as Technology City is commissioned in Ilesa

    Osun State is blazing the trail in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria with the establishment of Adulawo Technology City in Ilesa. ADESOJI ADENIYI witnessed the commissioning of the project last week, his reports.

    The industrialisation of Osun State is gaining momentum with the establishment of a technology community called “RLG-Adulawo Technology city” in Ilesa.

    The multi-million dollar electronic company, commissioned last week is a partnership between the State government and an indigenous business concern RLG Nigeria Limited, and is into the production, assemblage and marketing of phones and tablets. It is also involved in the training of youths on how to effectively carry out functions in production, assembly and marketing of the products.

    Located along Akure-Ife Road, the technology city was constructed at the cost of $50 million with Osun State contributing forty nine percent and the company fifty one per cent. The facilities at the company include a Technical Laboratory, a Training Centre and a Warehouse among others.

    The facility was commissioned with fanfare by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the management of the company.

    Speaking at the commissioning ceremony a highly elated Governor Aregbesola described the establishment of the technology city as another landmark achievement of his administration. He maintained that the centre will be one of the most productive assets through technological innovations, production and assemblage of electronics communication devices.

    Aregbesola said the establishment of the centre was to create wealth in the state to improve the living standard of citizens.

    He said: “Time is running out against Africa and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the continent attains its rightful position. As a government, political power is obtained for the service of the people and we shall continue to serve our people with all sense of responsibility. At the inception of our administration, out of our voluminous programmes, we set two agenda as a priority: to create employment and make our state a hub of Information Communication Technology. ICT is no longer a future phenomenon but current tool for best communication. Our World has changed. In the last 20 years, NITEL estimated all available phones as 150, 000 and the recent figure put mobile lines in Nigeria at 117million with 200 million mobile phones and the number will keep growing because we must add RLG product to it.”

    According to him, through the partnership with RLG, the state government in its OYESTECH Programme had trained 5000 youths both in Nigeria and Ghana on electronics devises assemblage.

    He said “apart from the thousands of employment the company will create for the people of the state, it will also allow the state to compete in the ICT world and by God’s grace we shall continue to support the RLG to make the $50 million investment worthwhile.”

    The governor disclosed that the state investment in the technology city through OSICOM is the provision of lands and provision of certain logistics.

    The Chairman of RLG, Mr. Roland Agambire, said what a country, state or people need is a visionary leader to translate people’s wishes into reality.

    The technology magnate said Aregbesola had the vision to carry the State of Osun to an enviable height with the citing of RLG assembly plant in the state. He said: “We invested this huge facility here to demonstrate that we are here to stay to catch the opportunity of mobile technology, out of 100 million Nigerians, let everyone hasveonly RLG devices and the state of Osun will make billionaires that will also be on the world map.

    “Our product is cheap, quality and durable, the facility will also employ direct 800 people and over 10,000 people across the country, some will be at coupling plants while others will also be at selling points,” he pointed out.

    He disclosed that the assembly plant has commenced production shortly after it was declared open, promising that the state would in the nearest future be the technological centre in the whole of Africa. The Owa of Ijesaland, Oba  Adekunle Aromolaran, said the solution to Africa’s problems is technology and Nigeria cannot afford to sit down and wait for or watch other  countries do it for the continent.

    He commended the governor for his foresight in finding solution to the problems of youth unemployment in the state, saying with the location of the assembly plant in Ilesa, the economy of the area and indeed the entire state would be boosted in no small measure. He called on the people to give their ultimate assistance and to support to the company because it is in such support that the company hinges its existence and survival.

    At the colourful ceremony were dignitaries from across the country, including the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Nigeria Bar Association President, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN.) Also in attendance were top government functionaries and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State.

    According to the Chief Operating Officer of the RLG Nig. Ltd., Mr. Taiwo Latilo, the company which commenced operation in the country two years ago had already created 600 direct jobs and is set create another 10,000 indirect jobs. He revealed that RLG products are affordable and competitive, saying that the company would produce 5,000 phones and 2,500 laptops daily.

    No doubt, people and various communities will benefit from the establishment of the company in the state. The Factory Director, Worlali Ameevor, acknowledged that relative power supply in Osun State would help the company’s assembly plant. He said the state government’s internally generated revenue would go up with the presence of the company in the state adding that the company as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility would give back to its host community by alleviating the peoples poverty and through award of scholarship to brilliant but indigent students in the area.

    The National Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr. Alex Oyebamiji, said parts to be assembled by the Ilese factory would come from China. He disclosed that many youths of the state, particularly under OYESTECH scheme have undergone both soft and hardware training from the company branch in Ghana. According to him the company would collaborate with some government agencies and universities to make its operation effective. The Head, Operation (Osun State), Mr. Teslim Ojomu, said there are some foreign supports for the company’s products which he said can compete with many world brands.

     

  • Quiz competitions for Oyo primary schools begin

    Quiz competitions for Oyo primary schools begin

    Worried by the high prevalence of examination malpractices in the country, Kingston College, Ibadan (KCI), has kicked-off the maiden edition of its Inter-School Quiz Competition for primary schools in Oyo State in order to prepare pupils to confront future challenges in their academic pursuits.

    The participating schools include, St. Patrick School, BISKAN Golden Heritage School, Mary Hill Convent School, Precious Heritage School, Police Children School 1, Air Force Primary School, IAR&T Staff School, Kingdom Heritage Model School, St. Catherine School, Olives International School, Develiz Golden School, Rosebud School and Grace Kiddies Porch School.

    In his welcome address, at KCI auditorium, Eleyele, Ibadan, the chairman, Board of Directors of KCI, Prof. Labo Popoola, stated that the competition was coming at a time when examination malpractices are gradually eroding ideals and values of sustainable education.

    According to the university don, the competition was packaged primarily to ignite the can do spirit in the young pupils for future challenges.

    He went further that the opportunity will undoubtedly impact positively on the lives of the pupils by way of instilling in them the virtues of hardwork, total commitment to their studies and self confidence.

    “This competition is coming at a time when examination malpractices are gradually eroding the lofty ideals and values of sustainable education,” Popoola said.

    The participants, he said, will be examined in Mathematics, English Language, Basic Science and Current Affairs.

    Addressing journalist shortly after the event, the executive director of Kingston College, Mr. Kayode Fasola stated that the competition would focus on tasking pupils intellect which prepares them to confront future challenges.

    Fasola stated that this will stoke the spirit of competitiveness in primary school pupils, adding that it was designed to encourage them to collectively solve problems.

    The director of the school described Kingston College as an emerging world class school with a vision to train pupils in an atmosphere that is underpinned by excellence.

    “ We are passion-driven to provide a top-notch qualitative education and I encourage all participating schools to put in their best as success can only be achieved through hardwork.”

  • Chief passes on

    Chief passes on

    The Ojumu chieftaincy family of Ipetu-Ijesha, Osun State has announced the transition of the head of the family, High Chief Michael Adekunle Ogunleye, aged 75 years.

    Chief Ogunleye was until his death an active member of Ajalaiye-in-council, the decision making organ of the palace of His Royal Majesty Alaiyeluwa Adekunle Baderin, the Ajalaiye of Ipetu-Ijesha.

    The late High Chief, who retired from the employ of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission on the June 2, 1999, as the state’s Chief Environmental Health Officer, had his professional training at the University of Ibadan, School of Hygiene (1961-63) obtaining the Higher Diploma in public health. He also obtained a Higher Diploma of the Royal Society of Health (MRSH) in 1964.

    Between 1964 (when the late Chief Ogunleye was employed by the then Mushin District Council as the council’s pioneer health inspector-in-training, and 1999 when he disengaged from the service of the Lagos State government) he traversed the entire gamut of local government environmental health structure, serving meritoriously, at different times, in all the then five local government divisions of Lagos State.

    A fellow of the British Royal society of Health (FRSH), the late Chief Ogunleye was in the course of his local government service career an accomplished trade unionist, his selfless contributions to the evolution of local government trade unionism saw him holding various union positions between 1967 and 1996. He was an executive member of the state council, Nigeria Union of Local Authority Staff, (NULAS)1967-74, Chairman, Mushin Local Government NULAS,1974-78, state publicity secretary, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, (NUL-GE)1978-1980, amonmg others.

    Chief Adekunle Ogunleye was conferred with the traditional title of Ojumu of Ipetu-Ijesha on the April 29, 1978. He also holds the honourary titles of Aniyikaiye of Esure-Ijebu and Afaniyan soro of Itele-Ijebu. A devout Christian, Chief Ogunleye was an active member of the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja and the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ipetu-Ijesha.

    The remains of the high chief will be committed to mother earth at the church cemetery after a memorial service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Ipetu-Ijesha on Friday February 7, 2014.

  • Ondo varsity, lecturers on war path

    Ondo varsity, lecturers on war path

    The seemingly unending frosty relationship between the management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State and the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), is deepening with the lecturers spoiling for a fight over alleged manhandling of their members by the university’s security personnel.

    Tension between the two groups, which has remained high since 2009, when the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko took over reached a boiling point Monday, last week, when the lecturers alleged that the school’s security outfit popularly known as “SHERIFF SECURITY” assaulted some national officers of ASUU from other universities who were in Akungba-Akoko for their zonal meeting.

    It was gathered that ASUU members from Olabisi Olabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Benue State University, Makurdi, University of Ibadan, together with their host were on their way to AAUA campus for the meeting when they were stopped at the main gate by the internal security outfit and prevented them from going in.

    The security guards were also alleged to have deflated the tyres of the vehicles conveying the lecturers’ guests, which led to argument between them and the security men. In the process, a lecturer, Oluwa-segunota Bolarinwa, who was the former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and the AAUA-ASUU chairman, Dr Mekusi were injured. Bolarinwa and Mekusi were later rushed to a hospital for treatment.

    Mekusi had pointed accusing finger on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko for mandating the security team to stop them from hosting any ASUU meeting in the institution.

    The security men action provoked the students who protested against the attitude of the security team and the management. They opined that their lecturers were ridiculed by the security officials.

    But sensing danger, the university’s registrar, Mr. Bamidele Olotu, quickly issued a statement denying the management involvement in the incident.

    According to him, “On the early hours of Monday, January 27, 2014, two buses with tinted glasses carrying plate numbers FL 282 LND and AZ 886 MKD, led by the chairperson, ASUU-AAUA  branch, rode forcefully into the campus of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko,  refusing to submit themselves to routine security checks.

    “In line with the requirements of their job, the university security officials monitored them to the car park in front of the ASUU secretariat to seek explanation to the unbecoming act of the occupants of the buses.

    “The occupants of the buses took the action of the security officials in bad faith, had a shouting match with them and later rough-handled the uniformed university security officials, some of whom sustained injuries. Two of the beaten security operatives are now receiving treatment in a hospital

    “A couple of hours later, the AAUA-ASUU chairperson led other individuals to gather and incite an unsuspecting group of students and lured them into believing that the security officials beat up their lecturers. The ASUU chairperson and those in his company rode out of the campus thereafter.

    “Members of the university community are urged not to allow themselves to be used to undertake any action that can disrupt the peace of the campus and the ongoing academic activities, as the issues are being addressed by management.

    When The Nation visited the institution, the lecturers have already down tools in solidarity with their leaders.

    Some students were afraid to speak with reporters, but a 400-level student of English, Tosin Adekunle blamed the management for the whole crisis.

    Adekunle said, he spoke with the AAUA-ASUU chairman, Mekusi, on how they were attacked, adding  that the video has been released online on how the security officials assaulted the lecturers.

    His words, “I will continue to stand for the truth as ASUU also do and I will not succumb to anything that tends to take away our humanity notwithstanding highly placed forces that seek to give either me or ASUU a bad name in order to hang us. The university community is, and should, remain a free space devoid of circumscriptions.”

    Another student, Ayeleso Olorunyomi said, the crisis will continue to persist between the lecturers and the management as long as the school authority refused to create an atmosphere that will allow a cordial relationship between the two parties.

    Olorunyomi said, “it is the students that will suffer because this is a fight between two elephants and of course the grass will definitely suffer.

    “We don’t want to remain at home because the lecturers have refused to teach us. I want to appeal to the management to apologise to the ASUU members because they were at fault in this matter.

    The frosty relationship between the management and the lecturers, it was gathered might not be unconnected to the belief among the academic staff that the Vice-Chancellor, a brother to the visitor to the university, Governor Olusegun Mimiko was not using his relationship with the state’s chief executive to get their cause across to the right ears.

    Prof. Mimiko, whose tenure is expected to lapse this year in accordance with the five-year tenure for the university’s Vice-Chancellor has never been in the good books of the lecturers since he took over in 2009. But the attendant crisis has always been managed by the university authorities in order to forestall academic dispute.

    But, the recently ended national strike by ASUU brought the two to another round of confrontation, following a directive by the university’s management that all the striking lecturers in the institution should resume duties before the strike was officially called off by the national leadership of ASUU.

    This development eventually turned into verbal war on pages of newspapers between ASUU, led by Dr. Mekusi and the management following a threat that any lecturer, who refused to resume may lose his or her job.

    Mekusi directed his members to ignore the order and only waited for the directive from the ASUU national leaders.

    Though, some lecturers who were scared of the university’s sledge hammer resumed their job despite the directives of the ASUU chairman.

  • Inisa celebrates monarch

    Inisa celebrates monarch

    The people of Inisa, an agrarian town in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State are using the opportunity of the celebration of the 75th birthday anniversary of their traditional ruler, the Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Oyedele, Fasikun II to take stock of the community’s achievements.

    According to an indigene of the town, Mr. Dayo Olanipekun, a journalist, celebrating “our monarch is one good way of reflecting on our past, our rich cultural heritage and tradition, how and where we started as a community, how far we had gone and what is next for us to do.”

    The people of the town said the monarch deserves their reverence and respect because of his “tremendous and unprecedented achievements which are yet unbeatable.” They listed among his success on the throne in the last 38 years, his mobilization of the indigenes for advancing the fortunes of the town, which they said include presence of a financial institution, post office, many public and private schools as well as working for the maintenance of peace with their neighbours in Odo-Otin council area.

    These, no doubt, informed the decision of the indigenes of the town to roll out drums in honour of their monarch. They invited friends and well wishers from all walks of lives to the various programmes lined up for the week -long event.

    The concluding part of the programme was a thanksgiving service at the St. Peters Anglican Church, Inisa, where many prominent sons and daughters of the town joined the monarch and his family to express gratitude to God. The Bishop of the Osogbo Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. James Afolabi Popoola, in his sermon eulogized the monarch’s virtues of humility, dedication and commitment to his people, which he said had helped him transform the community in the last 38 of his leadership. Those present at the church service included the Head of Post Graduate Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Labo Popoola, the Asiwaju of Inisha, Alhaji Shuab Oyedokun, who was formerly deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party among others. The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi, a community of about ten kilometers away among  traditional rulers who showed solidarity with the celebrant.

    Penultimate Friday, the Deputy Chief Imam, Alhaji Kazeem Adebisi, led other Islamic clerics to the Olunisa Palace to pray for the monarch. As they prayed for Oba Oyedele they also prayed for more development for Inisa. Many also spoke glowingly about the monarch. The Oluomo of Inisa, Alhaji Shauib Oyedokun, recalled that the Olunisa was the first graduate monarch in the history of the town and whose achievements remain unqualified and unsurpassed.

    In his words, “our Kabiyesi speaks, dreams, and acts Inisa at all times. The Olunisa is always concerned about the welfare, well being and success of all his subjects. He promotes peaceful co-existence among his people. He is not partial and does everything with the fear of God.”

    More importantly, he expressed, the hope that the present administration in the state would assist Inisa fulfill her topmost  yearnings and aspiration to have a local council of their own which the Olunisa typifies.

    Also, Hon. Rasaq Adeyemi, a member of the state House of Assembly, representing Odo-otin State constituency, said the Olunisa always aim at promoting whatever will benefit his people. Describing him as humane, God fearing  and a unique father and leader, who leads his people through thick and thin, he said the traditional ruler will always gather his people and all household to discuss and ruminate over the progress and development of the town.

    The President, Inisa Descendants Union, Mr. Kayode Olanipekun, said the monarch is a consummate ruler, an extremely learned king, who in his 38 years  on the throne demonstrates leadership by example. He said: “The Olunisa abhors cheating, preaches forthrightness, forgiveness and tolerance. He rallies his people round always for the cause of  Inisa. He is a disciplinarian, firm and a believer in all that is good. He is also very hardworking, industrious and always promoting educational and developmental upliftment of the youths.”

    The Olunisa’s first son, Prince Ayodeji, described his father as very tolerant, saying “You cannot offend my father in any way but only when you do anything against the progress, development and success of Inisa.”

  • Excess crude oil funds: Oluyole council boss to build schools, shops, others

    Excess crude oil funds: Oluyole council boss to build schools, shops, others

    Worried about infrastructure development particularly at the grass roots, Oyo State government has channelled the chunk of the excess crude money which the Federal G overnment shared amongst the states in December last year, into provision of basic infrastructure facilities and amenities within the 33 local government councils.

    Specifically, each local government council was given N100 million from the oil windfall with the mandate to provide basic infrastructure and amenities at the local level according to the needs of the local residents.

    Yielding to this directive, the chairman, Transition Committee of Oluyole Local Government, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye recently inaugurated a N60 million capital projects within the council areas, which is aimed at proving succour to various communities.

    The projects include construction of Ifelojulo Community School, Ololade Layout, Mosfala, construction of 12 lock-up bungalow stalls at Toll-Gate Market, construction of 24 open market stalls at Toll-Gate, construction of 24 lock-up market stalls at New Garage.

    Others include construction of a block of three classrooms with headmaster’s office and toilet at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Onigambari and construction of a block of three classrooms with headmaster’s office and toilet at OLBC Primary School, Lamolo.

    Flagging-off the project at Ifelojulo community, Abass-Aleshinloye explained that the objectives of the state government is to bring succour to its people through construction of new modern markets, employment generation, promotion of basic education and economic empowerment of all and sundry, to enhanced living condition of the people through equitable distribution and access to the dividends of democracy.

    According to him, the inaugurated projects will be completed within two to four months to further re-emphasise that the government will not relent in its determination to improve the quality of lives of the people.

    “I want to express my pleasure with a sense of accomplishment that the state government, under the qualitative leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who has been wonderful with the aggressive manner with which he has been implementing capital projects across the nook and crannies of the state.

    “I should therefore use this medium to enjoin all and sundry to continue to join hands with the local and state government in our bid to turn this state around and refuse to be manipulated or cajoled by some deceitful politicians that are going around just to take this state backward again by decades,” he stated.

    The Oluyole council boss also charged the citizens of the state to continue to give their unalloyed support to the present administration at all levels.

    Commending the council boss, leader of Ifelojulo community, Mosfala, Chief Sola Ayoola thanked the council for simultaneously embarking upon the construction of the block of classrooms in the community.

    “Our children have been suffering for long when going to school because the closest school to our community is one kilometre away, but when this project is completed, our children will be comfortable and have a conducive atmosphere for learning,” he said.

    According to him, the presence of the government is being felt here for the first time in the area.

    Also, the Babaloja of Toll-Gate Market, Chief Samuel Odedina stated that the construction of the shops shows that the present government in the state is a listening one and has passion for the welfare of its citizens.

    “When we were chased off from the road side, we thought that this government was a wicked one, and when they promised to build modern lock-up shops for us we didn’t believe until now. We are grateful to Mr Abass-Aleshinloye and Governor Ajimobi,” the Babaloja said.

  • Lagos warns against buying land from speculators

    Are you one of those who buy land from land speculators in Lagos without checking its status to ascertain whether it has a covenant or have been acquired by government for public interest?

    In particular, are you intending to buy land in the Lekki axis of the state? If yes, then you better heed this warning.

    The Lagos State government has warned that due to the massive infrastructure development planned for Ibeju-Lekki axis such as the deep sea port, airport and the export processing zone (EPZ) people should take pains to obtain their planning and building permits before embarking on any building projects in the area.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola who gave the warning at the weekend spoke through the commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde regretted reported cases where prospective property owners inadvertently bought road or places designated for massive infrastructure from land speculators who swindle as many people as come their way.

    He spoke at a Stakeholders’ interactive session with the theme “The future of Ibeju-Lekki – Achieving Sustainable Physical Planning and Development” on the need to obtain approval before building.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, the governor encouraged the people to abide by government planning regulations.

    He said: “Government has planned the area with specific services, there is need to discourage distortion, people should not build on every available space. They should learn from the distortion in places such as Ebutta-Meta, Bariga and Lagos Island by keeping the character of a particular place as designated by government. If you want to change your approved building planning to a different drawing, seek to get new approval before you start construction.”

    The commissioner regretted that out of the thousands of houses in Ibeju-lekki the government has only gotten 36 applications and wondered what happened to the others.

    He said government has excised 99 villages, planned them but needs about N5 billion to build the needed infrastructure. The commissioner appealed to the land owners to pay for the lay-out as the government cannot shoulder the cost alone, noting that they will benefit from the exercise as the value of the land will go up.

    Responding to a question on the delays experienced by Lagosians in obtaining approvals, he said this could be due either to improper completion of the forms by applicants or applicants not paying the required amount for the requested approval. He revealed that the government is committed to the issuance of building approvals within 30 days.

    Earlier General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA), Mr.  Rotimi Toyin Abdul said achieving sustainable physical development requires bottom- up approach and broad-based active participation of all.

    He said no programme of government can successes without the cooperation of the people. Abdul observed that the task of making the state more enviable is a collective effort which must be encouraged by all. He added that the introduction of Saturday services by the agency is a means of ensuring that all citizens have access to obtaining permits and other enquiry’s when needed even on weekends.

    Oba Elemoro Onitedo, the traditional ruler of Ibeju-Lekki in his remarks pleaded with the state government to ensure speedy approval of their lay-outs. He regretted that the land acquired by government from them has been lying fallow for years as it has not been put into effective use. “Though we willingly gave our land to government, government has not reciprocated but rather resorted to the use of consultants that charge our people outrageous fees for their services” , he added.

    Another resident simply known as Baba Oloja advised government to resist the temptation of evicting them from their ancestral land in the name of development. He cited instances where government evicted landowners and developed it for money bags. Director, Regional and Master Plan in the ministry Mr. Ayo Adediran advised the public to take the pains to investigate the covenant binding a particular land before buying as the government has earmarked several portions for different uses. This he said should be a guiding principle to the public to protect their hard earned money by avoiding running foul of government town planning and building regulations.