The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • June 12 re-echoes as senator empowers the poor

    June 12 re-echoes as senator empowers the poor

    The echoes of June 12 reverberated at the launch of poverty alleviation programme of Senator Ganiyu Solomon in Lagos.

    Solomon, who in the course of addressing the crowd at the occasion cited a victim of June 12 struggle identified as Comrade Gbenga Mustapha who had his leg amputated. He was asked to come forward for people to appreciate his contribution to the enthronement of democracy in the country. Gbenga’s condition drew the sympathy from the crowd and venoms on those behind the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by late business mogul Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

    The minority whip in the senate said if not for the sacrifice of people like Gbenga and others who are dead or alive there could have been no democracy, freedom of expression and association that we are enjoying today adding that people like Gbenga deserve support from us because of his physical challenges.

    Gbenga said since he lost one of his legs to June 12 in 1993, he had not been able to practice his tailoring profession because he could not afford buying industrial sewing machine. In a swift response, Solomon said “you will get industrial machine today even though it is not among the materials we have here to distribute. You will also get a power generator, a freezer and a grinding machine to compliment your source of income.” The announcement drew ovation from the audience and Gbenga who was overwhelmed by the senator’s kind gesture.

    Solomon who represents Lagos West Senatorial District used the occasion to call on political office holders to assist in reducing poverty level by empowering the less privileged in the society.

    He said if all elective office holders can give out to assist the people who elected them it will go a long way to reduce poverty.

    He said this is not the first time that he would make presentation of working tools and materials to boost the trade of the common people and noted that “some of my colleagues in the APC too have been doing their best in this regard to reduce poverty to the barest minimum in our society.”

    “Political office holders should assist in alleviating poverty among our people. We should do whatever we can to eliminate poverty by empowering artisans, market men and women, the unemployed and the physically challenged.

    “I have been doing this unannounced for the people in the state and even those who are not members of my party. But today’s programme is limited to people of my Senatorial District-Lagos West.”

    The items worth several millions of naira presented to all Local Government Areas in Lagos West include deep freezers, hair dryers, power generators, grinding machines, and sewing machines.

    Presenting the materials to local government party chairmen in the senatorial district, Solomon urged them to have fear of God in mind by giving them out to those that are desperately in need of them. Leaders should not be biased in sharing them or sell them, he warned.

    He promised that “if we get a favourable report on how the materials were shared, we will make another presentation before the end of the year”.

    The event was attended by some APC chieftains in the senatorial district. They are Prince Rabiu Oluwa, Cardinal James Odumbaku, Engineer Ajibade Balogun, Chief Nicholas Ajayi, Mr Charles Odugbesi, Hon Saka Sonayan, Alhaja L. A. Ajao and Mrs Dupe Awojogbon.

    APC Senatorial District leader, Prince Oluwa confirmed “this is not the first time Solomon is empowering the people in his constituency” and urged other elective office holders to emulate him by rescuing people from poverty.

    Oluwa observed that some of the party members holding public offices are not helping people who voted them in. He described Solomon’s gesture as a reward for members who worked for the party’s progress and urged the beneficiaries to make use of the materials to boost their trade and not to sell them.

    Odumbaku said he was surprised with what he saw because he thought the APC secretariat had been converted into a warehouse. According to him Solomon has proved his worth as a responsible and worthy leader.

  • Fayemi: An activist in Government House

    Fayemi: An activist in Government House

    When Seun Akioye was invited to a dinner by the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, he was worried about putting on fine manners, wearing the appropriate costume and other etiquettes usually associated with such events. But, as he found out, the governor is not only an excellent host, he is also a pleasant and easy to please gentleman.

    The thoughts that dominated my mind as the bus sped towards Government House in Ado-Ekiti, where I will join about 20 other civil society leaders for a dinner with the governor of Ekiti State were not about the promise of the fine foods and hospitality but about the possible hostile reception from the governors’ protocol. I was worried that I was not properly dressed for dinner; worried about the long protocol, the mean looking policemen armed with AK-47 rifles and barking out orders. I was concerned about security aides giving multiple instructions just to find faults with your presentation and finally I was apprehensive that the long protocol would eventually deny me the chance of the dinner with the governor.

    It was the 6th National Consultation on the Environment organised by Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), which was held in Ado-Ekiti from November 28-29, 2013.

    The conference with the theme: “Our Forests, Our Life” was a radical approach to the issues of deforestation and land grabbing by multinational corporations. ERA/FoEN had insisted the communities must resist taking over of the existing forests through the introduction of the United Nation’s Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) programmes.

    On the evening of Thursday, 28th November, Governor Fayemi invited the civil society leaders to an interactive dinner at Government House. The activists were led by Godwin Uyi Ojo, the Executive Director, ERA/FoEN; Akinbode Oluwafemi, its Corporate Accountability Director; Leslie Adogame; Professor Margaret Okorodudu-Fubara of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University and other leading civil society activists.

    But on arrival at the Government House, I was shocked at how little protocol was attached to activities in the official residence of the governor. He lives simply, making do with what was only necessary. As soon as the protocol was informed of our arrival, we were ushered inside. The governor surrounded himself with no airs and the officials put on none of those pompous attitudes which journalists detest. There were no endless array of state-of-the-art vehicles in the garage. I saw no “mean looking” policeman at all. After moving through two rooms, we went into the dining hall where the governor and those who arrived early were seated.

    While I had been worried about the right attire for the occasion, I discovered the governor was dressed with the greatest simplicity. He wore a stripped white and black polo shirt and black trousers. He wore black comfortable shoes and, for the first time, I saw him without his glasses and cap. He looked different.

    Living simple

    The dining room of the Ekiti Government House bears none of those bourgeoisie ornaments. It was a simple room with modest furnishing. At the centre of the room is a long dining table which could sit approximately 15 guests. We were more than 20 so makeshift arrangements were made for us with two other tables placed by the sides. The governor sat at the head of the centre table, directly behind him, a large picture of Jesus sitting at the last dinner hung beautifully on the wall. Directly under that picture was the Nigerian Coat of Arms.

    At the other end was a glass cabinet filled with exquisite China porcelain. By the side of the cabinet was a small television set from which a local soap opera was blaring out. From all indications, the television has not been connected to one of those pay-per-view channels. The fridge was in the other corner and the door to the kitchen was by it. When the fridge was opened, I was shocked to find it was not filled with assorted drinks and wines but with soft drinks, fruit wines and plenty of water.

    The buffet table was by the side of the dining table. There were about five servers, all males, wearing white apron with the inscription: “ Ekiti State, Ile Iyi, Ile Eye.” They were eager to please and quickly offered their services if the guest had any problems. There was rice (varieties) and pounded yam and efo with assorted meat. I checked the plate of the governor and saw he had taken jollof rice and fish. The governor ate normally but with relish. At first, everyone dined in silence until Ojo began to discuss salient issues on politics, that was when I discovered one of the ways to get the best out of the governor is at dinners.

    Fayemi didn’t want to be the centre of attention, so he gave ample time to his guests to express themselves. He spoke politics and development issues with Ojo and Ekiti State issues with Akinbode who is an indigene. It didn’t take long however for him to know Akinbode is a Lagos/Ekiti man.

    The Fayemi outside is the same at dinner. He spoke and laughed freely, sometimes using his hands for emphasis. In the midst of the chatter, Ojo suddenly asked: “Governor, what will you say is your greatest achievement?”

    “My greatest achievement” Fayemi repeated.

    For a few seconds he seemed to be in a state of philosophical reflection, I searched his eyes to penetrate his thoughts while considering some of the laudable projects he had done executed wondering which one would be his greatest achievement. When he spoke, he shocked all of us. “ The social security is very popular, but I would say it is the value re-orientation, that is more important to me. But, in political terms, you can’t see or feel value, it is intangible, you can only see the results that value has generated in terms of changes in attitude and the infrastructural renewal.

    “Before we came on board, a lot of damage was done to the system. We have also done a lot in infrastructure renewal in the communities. It is sad that we have to start rebuilding infrastructure, but our public schools have improved, I am always happy when I remember that the pass rate in our public schools have improved from 20 to 70 percent.”

    Akinbode nodded in agreement and Fayemi continued: “I can tell you that we have recovered from the years of the locust; we have stability now and we just need to build on that.”

    “Please continue in that line,” Ojo admonished. This drew laughter from the hardcore civil society activists and Fayemi got the message.

    “Do we have a choice?” the governor asked. There were several murmurs from those who sat at the other tables, it was not clear what the argument was about but there was silence when Fayemi began to speak, this time with more seriousness.

    An activist in politics

    “The problem with coming from the civil society is that you have many monitors who are waiting to see if you will abandon the ideals you fought for on the other side.” This drew another round of laughter and the governor turned to Tunde Akanni, one of the old breeds at the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), now a lecturer of journalism at the Lagos State University.

    “These are things that have become permanent in your life just like the religious doctrines and teachings that you were brought up with. They are internalised, so it is very difficult, even in partisan politics to abandon the ideals because there are many comrades here with me. How can I convince people like Wale Adeoye that Ekiti State will not have Freedom of Information Bill?

    “The issue with the civil society is that no matter how bad politics is, a man with that background will still be better because, outside of politics, you have several other groups that you are answerable to. They are monitoring you so, you cannot afford to disappoint.”

    The guests appreciated this frank admission from the governor but, before the euphoria could die down, Ojo told the governor on behalf of his colleagues that the civil society would continue to monitor progress in Ekiti State.

    The governor smiled.

    Akinbode spoke about security in the state. “ Many people are talking about the Peace Corps.”

    “ I know my Peace Corps are very popular for several reasons,” the governor interrupted, explaining the different sections of the initiative and the duties and responsibilities of each. But Akinbode was not giving up.

    “You have been accused of promoting state police.”

    The governor laughed. It was clear he had been asked the same question many times. “I don’t want to talk about state police because it is like you don’t want a federal police. But I do, it’s just that I know there is a limitation to what the federal police can achieve. There is no developed country in the world where you have a single police unit. It is just not practicable.”

    By this time, everyone had joined in the conversation and after about 10 minutes, the meeting had been divided into mini-groups with some arguing animatedly with each other. Betty Abba, the gender-focal person for ERA/FoEN, cleared her throat and indicated she wanted to ask a question. All eyes fell on her as she expressed her concerns about the recent merger of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and some governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She wanted to know if this will not taint the progressives.

    A pin drop silence descended on the room after this question with everyone unsure how the governor – who is also the chairman of the APC governors – would escape this tricky issue.

    At this time, the servers went round pouring wine into the glasses of those who wanted, a few accepted, I declined and the governor took Fanta.

    When Fayemi spoke, he thanked Abba for asking that question and began to talk about how compromises are important in politics. He said the challenge with civil society is the generalisation that everything government is bad. He called attention to the fact that most of the ‘rebel governors’ were the shining stars of PDP. He said many of them have progressive credentials and they will not have any challenges imbibing the clear democratic markers of the APC.

    “We have a primary responsibility to rescue this country first, and when we are in that kind of situation, you have to look for like minds and work together to save the country. We have no choice in APC but to set clear markers in our party manifesto so that we can win the trust of the people. The governors who just came in have distinguished themselves in their states. So there is no problem at all about the merger, it is for the best of the country.”

    There was heartfelt applause after this speech and someone asked if the governor thought he has won the heart of the Ekiti people.

    “If you go around asking about me, people will say yes, he’s a good man, he’s building roads and infrastructure. Things are moving but he doesn’t share money,” the governor said amid laughter.

    This is what he called stomach infrastructure. He said he has been able to eliminate the distribution of the commonwealth of the people to certain interests at the expense of the masses.

    “I don’t have money to dash to people and that’s not very popular. But I share money in a different way, you don’t have to know me to get your share or do baba rere, two fingers in the air before you get your share. The social security safety net is part of it and that is why they call me Oko Arugbo,” the governor said.

    Ojo wanted to know what Oko Arugbo meant, he must have given it more seriousness than intended. The governor gladly explained. The governor also chided his colleagues: “ We need to stop this puritanistic approach that everything government is bad and everything civil society is good. We should partner and not build Chinese walls between us.”

    It is amazing how much the governor still know about the civil society, who has moved on and what another is currently doing. It was apparent he had kept a tab on them, monitoring their activities. He told them: “You need to focus on local resource generation because when you rely on funding from outside donors, you only do what they want you to do and not necessarily what is good for your country. Let your campaign be issue based and partner with the government for development.”

    The dinner ended at 9:pm and the activists took the time to take photographs with the governor who, despite his tight schedule the following morning, was humble enough to accede to every request.

     

  • Industrialist urges better attitude from workers

    Industrialist urges better attitude from workers

    An industrialist, Gabriel Isinkaye Abiodun, has said poor attitude of some employees to work is contributing to the high level of unemployment. Many industrialists have been frustrated in their bids to set up businesses in the country because such attitude, he said.

    Speaking in an interview in Ado-Ekiti, Abiodun, the Chief Executive Officer of Prosperous Royal Hotel and Resort Centre in Ado-Ekiti, also said the people of Ekiti State must find means of positively engaging their youths, adding that producing graduates without gainfully engaging them was a wasted effort.

    This is just as legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has lauded him for believing in the Ekiti project.

    Babalola, who stated this when Abiodun visited ABUAD Farms, near Afe Babalola University, said he was happy that somebody like Abiodun was investing heavily in the state.

    “If we have more people who believe in the Ekiti project like you and I, the state will be better for it. When I wanted to establish the university, many wondered why I want to locate it in Ekiti State, but my answer was charity begins at home and if we do not develop the state, who is going to do so for us? Aare Babalola said.

    The legal luminary urged Abiodun to have the faith that his business in Ekiti would thrive, saying Abiodun’s bold steps would encourage others who may be doubting viability of businesses in the state.

    Going round ABUAD Farms before joining the renowned lawyer in his school, Abiodun praised the owner for taking such a gigantic step.

    He said the examples shown by Aare Babalola convinced him that investing in Ekiti would be worth while.

    He challenged other rich Ekiti indigenes to come and invest at home, noting that producing graduates without gainfully employing them would eventually be counter-productive.

    He enjoined those employed by others to have a positive attitude to work, saying, “The poor attitude of most employees to work is appalling and is fuelling unemployment in this country. Most people do not see the jobs they are engaged to do as their own. Many small and medium businesses have collapsed on account of that. People want to run others down,” he said.

    He added that already he had employed 180 hands in the running of the resort centre, stating that when fully operational, more would still be engaged.

    Abiodun, who is committing over N1 billion to the hotel and resort centre in Ado-Ekiti, appealed to government to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive through tax holiday, patronage, provision of municipal services among others.

    The resort centre has a garden that can accommodate 250 people, a 50-room hotel, shopping mall, gym, an event centre, two halls, open space that can sit over 3,000 people, a discotheque, among others.

     

  • The short but memorable reign of Oba Adebiyi Adesida, the late Deji of Akure (2010-2013)

    The short but memorable reign of Oba Adebiyi Adesida, the late Deji of Akure (2010-2013)

    Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida (Afunbiowo 11), the late Deji of Akure who joined his ancestors last Sunday, was one of the few monarchs of the ancient kingdom whose reign was short. Damisi Ojo recalls his three-year reign and the memorable times

    Sunday October 20,2010 to many people was just like yesterday when the Deji of Akure,Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida (Afunbiowo11) who joined his ancestors last Sunday was presented with his staff and instrument of office by Governor Olusegun Mimiko amid wide jubilation and ecstasies.

    No wonder, his sudden death according to the Sao of Akureland, High Chief Moses Adebayo was an embarrassment and rude shock to Akure people and many non indigenes.

    In the history of rulership in Akure, the Ondo State capital, late Oba Adebiyi Adesida was one of the few monarchs whose reign were short lived.

    He was on the throne for only three years and two months.

    Late Oba Adesida according to palace sources died shortly after he complained of a slight fever and passed on before medics could reach him.

    His installation as Deji was prompted by the dethronement of his predecessor, Oba Oludare Adepoju Adesina by the state government for allegedly assaulting his wife in public glare. Oba Adesida from Ojijigogun royal house was the 46th Deji of Akure.

    According to historical records, the institution of Obaship in Akure kingdom was said to have been established by Asodeboyede, who was also known as “Ajapada”.

    He was said to be a son of Ekun, who was one of the sons of Oduduwa, the legendary progenitor of the Yoruba race. Asodeboyede, the first Deji, who ruled from 1150 to 1180, was married to Eyesorun.

    Immediately after the passage of Oba Adesida, all shops and central Erekesan market near Deji’s palace were closed down. The market will remain closed for seven days in accordance with the tradition, in honour of the late monarch.

    Business activities in the whole Akure have also been paralysed as all shops and business outlets have been shut down, as the people continue to mourn the passage of the Deji. Businesses have been counting their losses since last Sunday when Oba Adesida joined his ancestors.

    During the coronation of the late Deji Oba Adebiyi  Adesida Afunbiowo 11 on September 20,2010,Akure was agog. Nobody predicted a short lived reign for the monarch on that memorable day which also coincided with his 60th Birthday.

    As early as 8.00 a.m eminent dignitaries from all walks of life particularly Akure indigenes, princes and princesses of Akure royal hood both at home and in diaspora radiated in joy as they decked in various beautiful attires and ‘Aso Ebi”.

    It was a day when the rich culture of Akure was on display with various traditional groups and drummers outshining themselves.

    In spite of heavy down pour that delayed that occasion, the excited guests defied the rain which lasted for over five hours. Observers said that it was a sign of blessing to the community.

    The expansive palace ground where the coronation took place was filled to the brim with people dancing and exchanging pleasantries under the massive canopies erected for the event.

    The journey to the throne began on August II, 2010 when he was selected by majority of the kingmakers and was presented with his certificate and Staff of Office the subsequent day by Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

    At his installation, late Oba Adesida, apparently in a bid to reassure his people that the customs and tradition of the land were duly followed in his choice as their new king said: “My selection followed Akure traditional royal hood’s due procedures, the selection was done by kingmakers within the three lineages of Adesida, Faturoti and Arosoye .

    “I was selected after all traditional procedures (were complied with); my name was forwarded to the state government through Akure south Local Council leading to my installation”.

    After all traditional rites spanning two weeks then, Oba Adesida was crowned alongside his first daughter, Dr. Adetutu Adesida – Ojei  who may become the Regent of Akure from now on going by the tradition.

    The late monarch during his coronation promised to re-shape the bastardized tradition of Akure, partner with the government to realize the vision of Akure becoming a true millennium City like Washington DC, New York and others.

    He said he would eradicate hooliganism and ensure total development of the ancient community.

    Governor Mimiko while presenting the staff and instrument of office to the departed monarch described the selection of Oba Adesida as God –ordained, urging the people of Akure Kingdom to rally round him in moving the community forward.

    According to him, the present administration would continue to develop the town as a reference point of the whole state.

    The mammoth crowd at the ceremony were treated to sumptuous meal and assorted drinks mostly supplied by the International Breweries (IB) PLC Ilesa in Osun State.

    Even,the king of Juju music, Otunba Sunday Adeniyi    Adegeye (a.k.a. Sunny Ade) and his boys were at the band stand to entertain guests apart from other Local musicians.

    Among the dignitaries at the occasion were Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Leader of Afenifere, Chief Michael Ade  Ojo, Chairman Elizade Nigeria Ltd Chief Bola Akingbade, then Marketing Director, MTN, Members of the State  Executive

    Council, State Lawmakers, Mr. Olu Makinde, a veteran Journalist, Dr. Rotimi Adelola Secretary to the state Government, (SSG), Akure SouthLocal Government Chairman, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi and Mr. Ayo Ogunmoyero.

    The late Akure monarch was born in 1950 to the royal family of Adesida, he was a graduate of University of Ibadan and an industrialist. Oba Adesida was married to Olori Monisola and blessed with four children.

  • Crisis rocks Ondo NURTW over alleged fraud

    The current acrimony between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo State and its current leadership headed by Mr Obayoriade Oladutele (a.k.a Die-the-matter) has remained persistent.

    For three consecutive times within the last two weeks, members of the union have been protesting round the streets of Akure, the state capital and the governor’s office in Alagbaka to kick against the alleged moves by the state government to recall the embattled chairman from suspension.

    Oladutele was accused of allegedly printing fake tickets and sold to unsuspected members with impunity, until the fraud was discovered.

    Such offence according to a source is punishable under the law guiding the union, hence its national secretariat ordered the suspension of Ondo NURTW chairman.

    During one of their actions, the Drivers in a long convoy of vehicles passed through the popular Cathedral- Adesida-Government House to Governors office chanting anti-Oladutele songs.

    They also carried a white mock coffin with various unprintable inscriptions written boldly on it.

    According to them, they would resist any attempt to impose the embattled state chairman on them.

    The National Secretariat of the Union ordered Oladutele to step aside over the allegation. His suspension was to allow proper investigation into the matter.

    The aggrieved members alleged that the institution charged with the investigation want to compromise their findings despite the overwhelming evidences to show Oladutele’s culpability.

    They caused a traffic snarl at the popular Adesida road forcing many passengers to be stranded.

    The irate drivers said since Oladutele has not been cleared of the allegation of financial impropriety, he should not be recalled to lead the Union.

    They also protested to Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, but Governor Mimiko was not ready to listen to them as his convoy drove past the aggrieved Drivers at the gate before they terminated their action at the Union’s State Secretariat, Ijapo,Akure.

    What many observers are saying is that since the Chairman has been accused of the wrong doings, he should be penalised.

    But from the look of things, the embattled Chairman worked assiduously for the re-election of Governor Olusegun Mimiko during the last year gubernatorial election with his numerous members across the state.

    Then, it is ‘payback time’ hence the delay in deciding the faith of Oladutele and his executive committee.

    But majority members of NURTW are agitating for the removal of the suspended chairman, which according to them is the only condition that could guarantee peace within NURTW in the Sunshine State.

    One of the former executive members of the Union said the state needed peace to move forward and with the current crisis within the road transporters the peace of the State may be threatened if the dispute was not resolved in earnest.

  • Govt to boost economy activities

    Govt to boost economy activities

    One of the ways to increase commercial activities in any society is to make the road network perfect.”

    This was the submission of the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan, at the stakeholders meeting held at the council secretariat to carry the residents along on the road construction project of the state government.

    “His Excellency has once again come to the rescue of the people of Mushin Local Government. The road linking Isolo to Mushin from the Oshodi-Apapa-Express Road to Mushin Market from Agege Motor Road, has kicked off,” the chairman said.

    Speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ganiyu Johnson, said the governor considered the strategic location of the road and the tremendous impact on road users. He appealed to residents to cooperate fully with the contractor to complete the work on schedule.

    He said no building would be demolished in the course of the road construction, adding “ those who observed the right of way have no reason to fear. For those who encroached on the right of the way, the encroaching area will be affected to the extent of the defaulting, for those whose fence has been removed, the constructor will rebuild the fence to restore the security of the people”.

    Johnson also assured the residents that all the providers of basic amenities like water corporation, telecommunication have been contacted to re-lay their cables so that the users of these items would not be affected in any way.

    He asked the residents if they would support the construction going on in their area and they answered in affirmative, saluting the administration of the Governor of Lagos State Mr Babatunde Raji.

    A community leader in Mushin, Mr.Ade Shoyebo, said: “The prize of land and accommodation will appreciate astronomically; the residents are very lucky because of the dualisation of the strategic road”.

    Johnson said for those whose houses might be affected slightly and have genuine complaints, compensation would be paid by the state government.

    Present at the meeting were the Assistant Director, Ministry of Works and Infratructure. Mr Akindele Ayinde; Assistant Surveyor-General, Lagos State, Mr Sarafa Lawal; His Royal Highness, Oba Lateef Dauda, the Onitire of Itire Land; the Olu of Mushin, Oba Fatai Aileru; Council Manager, Mushin Local Government, Mr Rasaq Olayinka, landlords, tenants, artisans and others.

     

  • Ekiti police refutes allegations of harassment

    The Ekiti State Police Command has refuted the allegations of brutality, frame-up and harassments leveled against the State Command by some members of the public.

    In a recent report by this newspaper headlined: Residents cry out over alleged police frame-up, brutality,” many residents of the state who have allegedly been victims of police brutality and injustice had cried out in a bid to seek redress.

    But the Command in a statement by its spokesman in Olu Victor Babayemi an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said allegations of harassment of some members of the public by some police officers are not only unfounded but “subjective and misleading.”

    “Personnel of the Command are mindful of the sanctity of human lives and that is why there has been no single case of any extra-judicial killing in the state by the Police on record. There is no policeman or woman that is on trial in any court in the state on the account of extra-judicial killing. These are facts that can be confirmed from the State Ministry of Justice,” Olu- Babayemi said.

    On specific cases of suspects arraigned for armed robbery namely: Ilesanmi Oluwadare, Faleye Akintunde, Adegbola Seun and Oluchi Simon who denied ever partaking in the crime they were allegedly arrested for or knowing any of their co-suspects, the Police said some of the suspects are ex-convicts who served jail terms for armed robbery and have just been released on Jail Delivery Exercise by the State Chief Judge.

    “With reference to Ilesanmi Oluwadare (ex-convict), Seun Adegbola ( ex-convict), Akintunde Faleye and Gbenga Faleye, the first and second suspects were arrested by members of the local vigilante at Ifaki for armed robbery on 4th September, 2013, taken to the palace of the traditional ruler and were being tried by ordeal. Investigation by police detectives led to the arrests of the remaining two suspects and findings revealed that the three suspects actually partook in the robbery while the last suspect provided the information that led to the armed robbery,” Police said.

    However, in the report carried by the newspaper, Akintunde claimed he was arrested in Ido-Ekiti when he went to see his elder brother while Adegbola said he was arrested in Ido at M3, Central Mosque area in front of his house. The accused person’s claims contradicted the police report that they were arrested by the vigilante at Ifaki-Ekiti for armed robbery.

    In the case of Oluchi Simon and nine others, the police said two of the suspects were arrested during a stop-and –search operation along Igbara-Odo-Ilawe-Ekiti road while a locally made double barrel gun loaded with two cartridges and a cash sum of N59, 000.00 was recovered from them. According to the Police, findings revealed that Oluchi was the female member of the gang and she provided the gun used by the gang for robberies. This contradicted Oluchi’s claim that she was arrested for buying stolen mobile phone.

    The police also defended its personnel against the allegations of molestation of a lawyer Oluwaseyi Moses who claimed to have been framed and molested by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) at Ado Odo Police Station. Moses said the DCO had falsely accused him and had been supported by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and other officers who threatened to deal with him if he doesn’t behave.

    In the Command’s statement, Olu- Babayemi said the lawyer’s behavior at the station on the that day “ fell short of acceptable standard and he was only spared arrest and prosecution for causing breach of the peace at the Police Station by the timely intervention of the Commissioner of Police.

    However, an entry was made in the Station’s Routine Diary of his unruly behavior in 26th July 2013, the day of the incident.”

    The police also raised questions about claims by one Adesola, who alleged he lost the sum of N250, 000.00 to some police officers. “It is our view that such damaging allegation should not have been published without an investigation by your correspondent. Was the vehicle driven to the station without the owner inside? Which station was it driven to? When did it happen? Could he have simply walked away after losing such amount for no just cause without taking any official action?”

    The police said the allegations presented the police Command in bad light without giving any chance to the Command to respond to specific issues raised by members of the public.

  • Ibadan wears new look as Oyo govt transforms ancient city

    Ibadan wears new look as Oyo govt transforms ancient city

    In this report, BISI OLADELE captures the captivating images of the emerging modern city and government’s efforts at making Ibadan even better

    With a population of about four million, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, holds a unique place in the history and politics of the Yoruba of Southwest, Nigeria.

    Home to all the sub-tribes of the Yoruba nation, especially, the Oyos, Ibadan, the largest city in Africa south of the Sahara, is a typical African town grappling with the challenges of transition from an ancient settlement to a city in the 21st Century.

    Rustic roofs, heaps of refuse, flying dirts, untarred roads and rickety vehicles used to announce arrival to this city of many hills that serves as the political capital of western Nigeria. But not any longer as the state government, under its urban renewal programme, is changing the face of Ibadan and other major towns in the state to bring them up to a modern city standard.

    Beautiful landscapes, modern buses, clean environment, expanded and tarred roads and free flow of traffic are giving the capital city a new and befitting look.

    Though the old, historic buildings still stand tall, new structures and a beautiful environment are redefining the fortunes of Ibadan and raising the hope of an even better tomorrow for a city that once languished in abandonment. Standing side by side the historic 25-storey Cocoa House at Dugbe in the commercial heart of the city is the largest shopping mall in Nigeria, the Heritage Mall

    The new look of the city is courtesy of the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who mounted the saddle on May 29, 2011. The governor, who said environmental change was a cardinal part of his vision for the state during the swearing-in at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium), has rolled out several initiatives that are giving the city and other major towns in the state a new image.

    Travellers from Lagos are now welcomed by the alluring green lawn and flowers beautifying the Challenge/Lead City Bridge by the toll gate at the Ibadan end of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Also the road medians from the toll gate to Soka area have been beautified. The beautification and the cleanliness of the long stretch of the road which used to be an eyesore for travellers and residents are a huge relief.

    The impact has also been made more visible by the demolition of make-shift shops at the former toll gate. While the beautified bridge used to house the mentally deranged and miscreants, the former toll gate looked like a village market for trailer and other commercial drivers in addition to motor park touts. Sex workers and traders in illicit products also found their peace there.

    The beautification of Iwo Road interchange is another high point of the new face of Ibadan. During its infamous years as home for drug addicts, miscreants and motor park touts, the interchange gave Ibadan an image of a violent city. For instance, several people, including passengers and other travellers were killed by feuding touts in the early hours of June 6, 2011. It was the height of the violence that ruptured the state’s branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the time.

    But, last year, the governor ordered the demolition of all shanties around the interchange. The development sent off all miscreants and touts who were using it as their hide-out while the area was fenced off with iron bars.

    Then green lawn and flowers began to grow in a once-hoodlums’ den while members of the state’s Youths Empowerment Scheme (YES-O) and traffic officers were stationed around the interchange all day to ensure compliance by road users, particularly commercial drivers. The result is free flow of traffic, sanity around the interchange and a beautiful landscape.

    From the interchange to Ojoo, the end of the expressway, the governor embarked on beautification of the median, to the delight of travellers, residents and passers-by. Short iron poles painted in the yellow and maroon colours of the state logo line both sides of the median from Iwo Road to Ojoo. Between are green lawn and flowers beaming beauty to passers-by.

    At the Ojoo end, the dualisation of the Ibadan-Oyo Expressway led to the demolition of virtually all illegal structures at the popular open place. The project also produced a large roundabout that gives the city a pleasant view. The site of the roundabout used to be scenes of fatal accidents in the past involving mostly heavy duty trucks and fuel tankers colliding with passenger buses and cars. This is no longer the case.

    Today, those entering Ibadan from the Oyo route after a long time would marvel at the massive change. The dualisation of Ibadan-Oyo Road was undertaken by the Federal Government but it complements the change Ajimobi brought to the city, especially at the Ojoo end.

    From the Ile-Ife entrance into the city, a modern motor park at WEMA Bank area of New Ife Road cleared off commercial drivers that created traffic snarls around the interchange. For inter-state travellers who nursed headache on the thought of passing through the interchange, they are today surprised at how large the space around the interchange is due to the relocation of commercial drivers from the area.

    From the Iwo entrance, the dualisation of the road undertaken by the Senator Rashidi Ladoja and his successor, Adebayo Alao-Akala not only beautified the area but set the traffic free.

    Though the new dual carriage way suffered abandonment before Ajimobi took over, he has rehabilitated some bad portions of the road, thereby giving the city an attractive look.

    For people entering Ibadan from Eruwa, aside the cleanliness that stares them in the face from Ologuneru area, the dualisation and beautification of Eleyele-Magazine-Aleshinloye-Dugbe Road announces the modern look of the city. So also is the Challenge entrance from the toll gate. The road is being dualised. The Eleyele and Challenge dualisation are near completion. A four-lane road from New Garage to Challenge is also in the works to usher in motorists/travellers coming into the city from Ijebu Ode

    People entering Ibadan from Abeokuta now enjoy freer movement. The ever-busy Apata portion of the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road has been widened towards Abeokuta through Omi-Adio.

    Within the city, major roundabouts have been beautified. The beautification is not just limited to those on the popular Ring Road. The Beere Roundabout and Total Garden Roundabout are other examples. They glitter in ‘precious’ stones and shining lights.

    Among other infrastructure giving Ibadan a new look is the flyover at Mokola Roundabout. The flyover has freed the roundabout from traffic gridlock since its construction.

    In Oyo, the dualisation of Owode-Iseyin Road and Owode-Aafin (Palace) Road is near completion. The two roads give the town a new look with widened roads for improved traffic. A similar project on two roads are close to completion in Ogbomoso in the northern part of the state.

    In all, the roads construction, beatification and environmental sanitation combine to give Oyo State a huge lift in outlook which will ultimately open up the state to more investments.

    The facelift being given to Ibadan and other major towns and cities in the state, to Dr Festus adedayo, special adviser on Media to Governor Ajimobi is better appreciated when contrasted with what the situation was before the advent of the Ajimobi administration.

    “To appreciate what this government has done in the areas of infrastructural renewal and environmental sustainability, you only needed to know what was on ground prior to 2011 when we came in. This will put in perspective the widespread enthusiasm of the people of Oyo state about ongoing developments in the state and even those passing by who give government kudos for its foresightedness and commitment to the development of the state.

    “As the governor often says, our government did not just pick infrastructural and environmental renewal out of the blues. We are reacting to the stimuli of development which states that, like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, after security of lives and property, which our government has ensured in the last two and half years, aggressive infrastructural drive and environmental renewal are next on the ladder, followed by education, health services and the like.

    “You will recall that Oyo State had this renown of being a violent state under the reign of (former Governors) Ladoja and Akala. To the glory of God and the leadership sagacity of Governor Ajimobi, that has been stemmed. Now, at the level of infrastructure, not that Akala and Ladoja didn’t construct roads but they were substandard ones which lasted for less than 6 months. And you couldn’t blame them; they did all within their grasp and depth. But our people can see the difference now. The erstwhile dirtiest city in Nigeria is now an aesthetic delight and the quality of roads our people only saw in Abuja are now being replicated in Oyo State.

    “This focus is yielding results. Investors now have renewed confidence in our state. The environment is appealing and road network is expanding. Companies are springing up in Ibadan because, with government’s concentration on the environment and aesthetics, Oyo is now the destination of investors.”

    With this urban renewal programme, could Ibadan be on the way to becoming a mega city?

     

  • Plight of a neglected Lagos community

    Plight of a neglected Lagos community

    Going down Gafaru Street, a soft wind caresses its hard and rough length. Waste papers and trash dust dance a light-footed tango with the wind as it drives them down the almost deserted street.

    Gafaru Street was the first tarred road in the old Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State before Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area was carved out of it by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Walking down the road, which is off Abaranje and Ijegun roads, is akin to a walk to Golgotha. You wonder if sane mankind lives in such a forlorn area. Yet, the area boasts responsible and intelligent people.

    But for what could be perceived as neglect on the parts of local and state governments, Gafaru/Itoki would have been a very exciting and bubbly community; far from it. Any wonder members of this forgotten area are gnashing their teeth.

    As one ambles further to Middle and Down Gafaru, one begins to understand why members of this community are angry. Their fury was perceptible. Men, women, youths and even infants bore hatred of their forlorn situation on their face. No pretence about it.

    Their disposition seemingly proved false Fela; the Afro beat king’s mordant comment about Nigerians’ longsuffering attitude in his song Suffering and Smiling. They were ready to tell their disgusting story.

    Women and youths trooped out to protest what one youth described as “criminal neglect of part of humanity.” There used be a road on which they walked, but now, they are living in an abyss caused by indescribable volume of erosion.

    During and after down pour; whether heavy or mild, babies are swept away as houses are submerged. For long, members of Gafaru/Itoki community watched helplessly.

    Time and again, rain deals a heavy blow on residents of Gafaru/Itoki community; a Lagos suburb. But it is the resultant floods that made the people cry out most, because whatever pours down from the heavens finds no other outlet than the road to Gafaru. This is so because water erosion from Babalegba, Old Garage, Abaranje, Ijegun and Ikotun Market are channelled to this forsaken street. This was why some residents; mostly women took to the streets to protest the brazen neglect.

    In spite of the seeming competition among local councils in Lagos State with regard to road construction, the residents of Gafaru/Itoki community in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area have expressed their displeasure over what they called shut in situation due to lack of access road to other parts of the council.

    The inhabitants of this area very close to Oba of Ikotun’s Palace and other adjoining streets maintained that they have been cut off from all neighbouring communities because Gafaru Road which is the only road that links them with the others has been in terrible bad condition over these past years.

    Investigation revealed that right from Gafaru Road bus stop along Ikotun-Ijegun Road; the Gafaru Road has become an awfully dreadful stretch of deathtrap. The road has turned out to be no-go-area for cars.

    Car owners have to park their cars in their garages. Those whose cars were out of their garages before the situation of the road worsened end up parking them outside the community before sauntering into Gafaru.

    Some residents who spoke with our correspondent said they had abandoned the road for a very long time when they noticed that the road is no longer impassable. They also hinted that they had to go through a long distance in order to connect their various destinations, even as they blamed the inability of previous local government administrations for not fixing the road.

    Chief Alhaji Lateef Balogun, the Asojuoba of Ikotun land said his people have been subjected to incalculable suffering as a result of the condition of the road which he described as deathtrap.

    He pleaded with the local and state governments to fix the road to make life better for his people, even as he added that when the road is fixed, it will help in decongesting the horrible traffic jam on Ikotun-Isolo Road.

    Mr Busari Fatai Balogun, Secretary-General of Gafaru/Itoki Landlords and Landladies Association said that the inhabitants of Gafaru/Itoki community have suffered what he considered as criminal neglect of the only road that links them with the other parts of the state.

    On efforts his association has made to draw the attention of the authorities to the situation of the road and the suffering of the people, Mr Balogun disclosed that they have made written several letters to both the local and state governments to draw their attention to the inhuman situation in which members of the community are living.

    “The inhabitants of this area are suffering horribly. We have written letters to Governor Babatunde Fashola, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Commissioner for Works; Commissioner for Special Duties and the former Chairman of Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area where we stated our problems about the road,” he said.

    A letter the association wrote to Governor Babatunde Fashola which was copied to the Commissioner for Works, Commissioner for Rural Development; Commissioner for Special Duties and Chairman Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area on January 19, 2009 was entitled: “Appeal for Reconstruction of Road and Drainage at Gafaru Street Ikotun.”

    The letter signed by Messrs Adewale Adesanya and F. Busari Balogun; Chairman and Secretary of the association respectively and which was received by the Office of the Governor on January 23, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. reads: “We the above named association write to inform the authority about the deplorable condition of our street; i.e. GAFARU STREET IKOTUN. This street, Gafaru is situated in Ikotun in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State. It’s very popular and has over five hundred thousand people living in and around the area.

    “Consequently, since the construction of Ikotun/Ijegun Road, the inhabitants of this area have been subjected to great erosion and flooding. This was due to the diversion of erosion from Ikotun; Ijegun; Abaranje/Okerube and Igando roads to Gafaru Street by the time the construction of Ikotun/Ijegun Road was still going on. We tried to meet the construction company that was handling the project. We also wrote LAMATA to complain about the diversion of the erosion to Gafaru Street but nothing fruitful came out of it. They were just promising the community that they will soon come to our aid, but up till today, nothing has been done.

    “During the rainy season, Gafaru Street is the most dangerous as flood usually carry little children to unknown places. We know your Excellency does not like this type of situation.

    “[When this road is reconstructed, it can be of social and economic importance to the people and other road users]. Gafaru Street can be linked with Bolorunpelu/Egbe/Agodo towns. This will automatically reduce the (traffic) hold-up at Ikotun Old Garage and Ikotun Junction [as motorists will prefer plying the road to get to Cele-Egbe and from Cele-Egbe to Ijegun, Abaranje and Igando towns without reaching Ikotun-Isolo Road]. The attention of Igando/Ikotun LCDA has been drawn to this street…”

    Corroborating the views of Mr Balogun, Mr Adewale Adesanya, Chairman of Ikotun/Itoki Landlords/Landladies Association and Community Development Association (CDA), said the state of the road gives him concern because many people find it difficult to get to their houses as they have been cut off from other communities.

    “The government has totally neglected this community. The only road that links it up to other communities is impassable. It’s an indirect way of government telling us that we are not part of the state and whether we voted for it or not is immaterial.

    He added that when the youth sensed that there was no way people could pass through the road as major part of it has collapsed, members of the Gafaru Youths Association had to task themselves to build makeshift wooden bridges (pako) across the road to enable people pass across the dangerous spots.

    Efforts made by our correspondent through visits and phone calls to the Chairman of Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area for comments were futile as she was said to have travelled to Israel.

    “No parents would want to risk the life of their children or wards. When the children are in school, the parents wouldn’t have peace of mind; especially during the rainy season. When it rains, the erosion could get to the mid-section of a tall human being.

    “All waters from about 10 areas like Babalegba, Old Garrage, Ikotun, Ijegun and Abaranje, among others were channelled to Gafaru Road when LAMATA was constructing roads in these areas. I complained to the contractor handling Ijegun Road about the situation and he said it would be rectified before former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu would inaugurate the road. But nothing was corrected.

    “When it rains, the erosion is so heavy so much so that it had once carried away a car parked along the road and deposited it very close to the canal. There was a seven-footer man who erosion swept off his feet and carried him through under my culverts down the street. The man was rescued but he sustained serious injuries.

    There was also a nine-year-old pupil who was going to school. She fell into the gully and the massive erosion carried her down to the canal; though she was rescued two hours later.

    “We have made several representations at Alausa and Ministry of the Environment among other authorities, yet we have been neglected as if we are not part of the system.

    “Anybody that comes to this area will cry for us. How can we be living in slum? Some houses have been swept away and some others erosion has laid bare their foundations. My school is nearly desolate.

    Mr Akinpelu Opeoluwa is the Vice-Chairman of Down Gafaru Youths Association. He said the youth of Down Gafaru Road (a term used to describe the worst part of the road) have tried all they could to bring the worsening state of the road to the attention of government through the landlords association.

    A source who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said that “Gafaru Road is in such terrible state because the street is named after a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who has a party office on the street. The government in power in Lagos State had told him to join APC so that the road would be fixed but he refused.”

  • Tackling emerging health issues in a potential megacity

    Tackling emerging health issues in a potential megacity

    Oyindamola Ademola, an expatriate, moved into Lagos on transfer from one of the Western states. He was able to secure an accommodation with ease. His house is bounded by a school on the left; a worship centre is in front while an event centre is on the right side.

    Oyindamola found it stressful resting during the week when he comes from office early due to the clatter of the pupils in the school. The incessant call to worship by the worship centre won’t allow him relax, as well, even at night due to their vigil. He does not look forward to his weekend with excitement because of the activities of the event centre. He thought Lagos is a megacity, a sort of Eldorado. But his three months experience does not prove that.

    He is not the only one exposed to such nuisance as even public facilities are not left out. Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, for instance, is squeezed in between a stadium and a private hostel, with a boarding school. A worship centre is also in its front. The patients do complain of insecurity, because should fans go wild after a sports event, they can burst into the hospital’s premises and wards. The road to the hospital is narrow and emergencies are atimes delayed from coming into the hospital’s premises promptly. The hospital’s management is considering requesting that the road be turned to a one-way lane.

    Orile Agege General Hospital, Oke Odo, is also sandwiched between an expansive church building and high residential buildings. The generator sets of residents run almost 24 hours for seven days of the week. The noise and fumes of the sets disturb the patients endlessly.

    These hospitals are not the only victims of the stressors – noise and fumes – from generator sets in the city of Lagos. Residents by and large are at the receiving end. Not only of these pollutants, but of other things experts describe as stressors, such as uncontrolled traffic, chaos at open markets, moving of cattle in the dead of the night on roads, harassment bytouts and hoodlums and unsolicited cleaning of cars’ windshields by urchins, amohg others. The list is endless.

    According to experts, in mental health, stress is a part of everyone’s life and natural activation of the body’s stress-response system gives you extra strength and courage to be alert and stay focused. However, chronic stress can threaten your physical and emotional well-being and trigger health problems, such as anxiety disorder, depression, sleep problems, diabetes, heart disease, digestive problems and many psychosomatic illnesses.

    As part of its effort to make Lagos livable, the state government has held a conference to examine the implications of attaining a megacity status as well as focus on the health and social issues that characterise a megacity.

    The conference tagged The Livable City; Preparing for the mental and social health needs of the Lagos Mega City drew participants from the state’s Executive Council and other policy makers

    Lawmakers, city planners, journalists, public opinion leaders, leaders of private industry, leaders in the health, education, environment and social welfare sectors, religious and traditional leaders, as well as members of the general public were there.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris speaking on the objectives of the conference said: “We are focusing on topics such as Society and Crime, Mental Health Services in a Mega city, Environmental Psychology: The interface between our environment and us; Social services and welfare – the role of the government.”

    Idris noted that the objective of the conference was to learn from the experiences of other cities that have faced the mega city and rapid urbanisation challenges, stressing that the deliberation of the conference involved participants taking stock of existing health and social infrastructure for dealing with the emotional well-being of citizens, critique of the plans and structure that are in process, and charting a pathway for development that comprehensively addresses the problems.

    These could be said to have been achieved at the two-day workshop involving sociologists, psychiatrist, psychologists and other social scientists. It is expected that a document with a multi-sectoral strategy for integrated development of mental and social health needs of the Lagos megacity would be produced soon as an off-shoot of the conference.

    Idris explained that Lagos as a megacity faces some unique challenges, such as a relatively tiny landmass and a clustering of the population which leads to density of up to 20,000 per square metrr in the metropolis and 4,193 per square metre in the whole state.

    He said: “The rapid urbanisation and general infrastructural developments in communication technology, transport networks and expansion of educational and employment opportunities in public and private organisations are among measures that are designed to improve the quality of life of the people.

    ”The health facilities and scope of services offered are being expanded at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and private sector involvement in the health sector is being fostered through a variety of government initiatives.”

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adesina, said one of the major sociological challenges posed by a rapidly urbanising environment like Lagos was the wide variety of stresses placed on the society, adding that the effect may be logically anticipated to deepen and expand needs for social and psychological services as well as to create new needs and demand the creation of services that were not previously necessary or anticipated.

    She said: “The conference has afforded the state government the opportunity to have a clearer understanding of the emerging issues that come along with a megacity and how to implement short-term and long-term improvements in livability, in an emerging megacity like Lagos.

    ”It is hoped that the implementation of deliberations at the conference will help chart a positive and realistic course towards making the evolving megacity of Lagos one of the most livable cities of the world,” she said.