The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • More communities benefit from amnesty programme

    The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) has noted that the amnesty programme should be a collective responsibility of every Nigerian.

    According to him, the scheme ought to have been formulated as a policy of the Federal Government since the past 50 years.

    Gen. Boroh, however, praised President Buhari for showing greater commitment to finding workable solutions to various problems in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking to reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital shortly after receiving an award of the ‘Niger Delta Peace Ambassador’ bestowed on him by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo State chapter, Boroh said the scheme had impacted on the lives of over five million people, particularly in the region.

    The presidential aide said due to the current peace initiative in the Niger Delta communities, oil production had increased to 2.3 million barrels per day.

    He said efforts were on to provide projects such as provision of treated water for the people’s consumption, stressing that most of the people in the creeks have no toilet facilities, hospitals and other basic needs.

    His words: “We will touch the lives of people in the oil-bearing communities. They need to feel the impact of the Federal Government mostly in all the small communities of the Niger Delta.

    “The amnesty programme came due to conflicts. It is a very expensive scheme; we need peace, stability and development in the Niger Delta as a long and short measure of development”.

    The retired military officer said the amnesty programme focused mainly on human capacity development to allow infrastructural development as against’ mathematical’ solution, stressing that peace efforts cannot be measured.

    Boroh noted that his appointment had afforded him the opportunity to feel the pulse of the people, particularly those in the Niger Delta axis.

    He described the honour of Peace Ambassador bestowed on him by Ondo NUJ as a great challenge to prove his worth, even as he urged the media to partner with the scheme to sustain peace in the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general.

  • Rumpus in Ekiti over alleged sexual harassment

    Rumpus in Ekiti over alleged sexual harassment

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly is in the news again for the wrong reasons. The lawmaker representing Ekiti-East State Constituency Hon. Dare Pelemo, is in the eye of the storm for alleged sexual harassment and physical assault to a woman, Mrs. Mercy Ilesanmi. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the issue.

    The Parliament is respected all over the world as an important institution in a democratic dispensation.

    Because of its importance, members of the Parliament at local, state and national levels are expected to be role models and show good examples in speech, conduct and carriage.

    But some observers claim that the Fifth Ekiti State House of Assembly is fast becoming a chamber where all manner of comedy and absurdity play out.

    They had caused a stir by protesting on the highway in Ado-Ekiti an alleged plan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to co-opt them into an alleged plot to remove Fayose from office.

    During the protest which took place at Okesa Roundabout in Ado-Ekiti and which grounded traffic for about three hours, the lawmakers, apart from clutching placards, also carried their bags and personal effects such as toothpastes, toothbrushes, sponges and other items symbolically declaring their readiness for arrest by the anti-graft agency.

    But the latest storm raging in the Assembly over alleged involvement of a member, Hon. Dare Pelemo, in sexual harassment and assault of a widow, Mrs. Mercy Ilesanmi, has sparked a public outrage within and outside Ekiti State.

    Mrs. Ilesanmi had visited the Assembly complex to see the Majority Leader and lawmaker representing her constituency, Oye Constituency 2, Hon. Tunji Akinyele.

    She came to see Akinyele and the Chairman, House Committee on Information and lawmaker representing Oye Constituency 1, Hon. Samuel Omotoso on her intent to vie for the chairmanship position of Oye Local Government Area in the forthcoming local government election.

    The woman accused Pelemo  of “indecently” fondling her breasts at the Assembly premises and later unleashing people suspected to be political thugs on her after she protested the alleged sexual harassment.

    The beating she received from the suspected thugs landed her at a private hospital in Oke Ila area of Ado-Ekiti where she was treated for injuries sustained during the attack.

    Already, the case is under investigation by Ekiti State Police Command and the state chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

    Mrs. Ilesanmi, through her lawyer, Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye, wrote a petition dated September 6, this year, to the Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe.

    The petition entitled “Petition against Hon. Dare Pelemo over Criminal, Sexual and Indecent Assault on Mrs Mercy Ilesanmi’ was also copied to the Inspector-General of Police, Ekiti State Director of Department of State Services (DSS), FIDA, Ekiti State chapter, Ministry of Women Affairs, African Women Development Fund (AWDF) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    The petition reads: “We act as solicitors for Mrs. Mercy Ilesanmi (hereinafter referred to as ‘Our Client’) and we have Our Client’s instruction to write this petition against the indecent and sexual assault on her by one Hon. Dare Pelemo.

    “Our Client informed us that she was at the State Assembly complex to visit Hon. Tunji Akinyele, the Leader of Ekiti State House of Assembly who is also the member representing Oye Constituency 2  where Our Client hails from and brief him on her aspiration to vie for the chairmanship position of Oye Local Government Area in the forthcoming local government election.

    “We were further informed by Our Client that after her discussion with Hon. Akinyele, she had an intention to have an interactive session with Hon. Samuel Omotoso who is also a member representing Oye Constituency 1 at the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    “To her utter dismay, Hon. Dare Pelemo accosted, assaulted and indecently fondled her breasts at the entrance leading to Hon. Omotoso’s office at the Assembly complex.

    “We were further briefed by Our Client that the said Hon. Pelemo did not stop at this criminal and indecent act on Our Client but also molested and battered her in company of some unknown miscreants who acted on the instruction of this culprit just as she was rushing to report the incident to Hon. Akinyele, the Leader of the House.

    “We were also briefed that in the process, Hon. Pelemo and some unknown miscreants tore her cloth into shreds. A copy of a photograph showing the torn part of her cloth is hereby annexed as Annexure ‘A’ and ‘B’.

    “We were further briefed by Our Client that in the process of these criminal and indecent acts of Hon. Pelemo and the unknown miscreants, she lost valuable items to wit: gold wristwatch, Infinix Hot 4 phone both worth N250, 000 and the sum of N20, 000.”

    Aribasoye said: “We have written a petition on the brutality and sexual harassment to the state police command and it is already receiving the attention of the Commissioner of Police.

    “Besides, FIDA in Ekiti is also investigating the case and I believe that very soon, an action will be taken on the matter.”

    FIDA has called for the arrest and prosecution of Pelemo for the alleged assault on Mrs. Ilesanmi, a widow. The body noted that Pelemo, who was elected to make laws, was the one who allegedly broke the law.

    Ekiti FIDA Desk Officer, Mrs. Kemi Atitebi, told Southwest Report that the body received a complaint of an alleged sexual harassment and assault of Mrs. Ilesanmi against Pelemo but the legislator shunned the invitation to defend himself on the allegation.

    She said: “FIDA Ekiti received the complaint of alleged sexual harassment and assault against Hon. Dare Pelemo from Mrs Mercy Ilesanmi, the complainant that she was assaulted and stripped naked right at the premises of the Assembly complex.

    “FIDA wrote a letter to invite the respondent so that we can hear his own side of the story and mediate in the matter. The woman is a widow and a mother of children whose dignity has been violated for the fact that she was stripped naked.”

    Narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Ilesanmi said: “Hon. Pelemo fondled my breasts and I asked him what that meant. I also told him that I am a married woman and I don’t like how he touched my breasts.

    “He said I am an enemy of government and that I was not supposed to come to the Assembly complex. I asked him if that was the reason he fondled my breasts, a married woman for that matter?

    “I went to report the matter to Hon. Akinyele and I met the Clerk and two other visitors in Hon. Akinyele’s office.

    “Suddenly, Pelemo came in with some miscreants and they started beating me, destroying things in that office; asking what I was doing at the House of Assembly complex. He said I am not supposed to be there, that I am an enemy of government.”

    But Pelemo, who denied fondling the breasts of Mrs. Ilesanmi accused her of attempting to pull him down and destroy his name. The lawmaker accused the woman of trying to frame him up.

    Pelemo, who is the Chairman House Committee on Security, said Mrs. Ilesanmi did not wear visitor’s tag when she visited the Assembly complex on September 5 which prompted him to challenge her on her mission.

    The legislator said: “The complainant came to the House of Assembly complex and I met her at the door. Ordinarily, she was supposed to have registered with the receptionist.

    “But because I am the head of the Security Committee, I asked her to identify herself. I called on the Sergeant-at-Arms to take her out of the House of Assembly complex.”

    The lawmaker accused Mrs. Ilesanmi of working as an agent of the Senator representing Ekiti South, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, who is no longer in the good books of Governor Ayo Fayose and the leadership of the Assembly.

    Pelemo added: “It is not true that I touched her. I did not touch her breasts but I suddenly saw a petition from FIDA on Friday. I had travelled to my hometown, Ilasa-Ekiti after which FIDA called me. I told them that I would come back to Ado-Ekiti soon.

    “It was not as if I ignored FIDA. She is trying to frame me up and destroy my good name. She is being sponsored by some people but I will still honour the FIDA invitation.”

     

  • Respite for Ogun traders

    Respite for Ogun traders

    In order to improve the living condition and cushion the effects of the current economic recession in the country for market women and traders in Ogun State, a non-governmental and socio-cultural group, Paseda Women Forum (PWF), has made available the sum of N10 million as free-interest soft loans for them. The gesture was aimed at improving the lot of the women folk.

    Thousands of market women and petty traders drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state thronged Onikolobo, venue of the event, to benefit from the free-interest soft loan made available by the former Ogun State gubernatorial candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, (UPN) Otunba Rotimi Paseda.

    Addressing the beneficiaries of the maiden edition of the scheme at the occasion, the President of the PWF, Mrs Yemi Layeni, stated that the initiative was borne out of the need to ameliorate the poor living conditions of market women and petty traders who have been at the receiving end of the present excruciating economic conditions.

    According to her, the loan scheme is a sign of good things to come from the initiator of the programme. He added that “the loan scheme was designed for both medium and small business enterprises with a view to assist owners of medium and small-scale enterprises and to banish poverty.

    We are targeting over 5,000 traders to benefit from the first phase of this scheme.

    Layeni, who expressed gratitude to this laudable scheme that will eradicate poverty among women the folk, said: “I want to appeal to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loan and refund it within two months, so that other applicants can benefit from the scheme.

    “This is the scheme’s maiden edition, while subsequent ones will be taken to the doorsteps of the beneficiaries at the three senatorial districts across the state.”

    The Coordinating Director, Paseda Legacy Foundation (PLF), Mr Babatunde Folarin, urged the beneficiaries of the scheme not to regard the loan as a national cake but a new lease of life to touch their lives by reinvesting the money to boost their trades.

  • Akeredolu’s wife seeks help for breast cancer patient

    Wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has urged well-meaning Nigerians to assist a breast cancer victim, Mrs Kehinde Akingboye.

    Mrs Akeredolu, who is a survivor and founder, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), said many of the victims remained indoors and refused to expose their trauma for fear of having their breasts cut off should they present themselves at the hospital.

    Mrs Akeredolu had already launched N200m special fund to tackle the deadly disease.

    The story of a 45-year-old breast cancer victim in Okitipupa, came to the fore through the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Okitipupa Local Government Area, Mrs Morenike Alaka.

    She revealed that the woman had remained indoors for 20 years, writhing in pains without exposing her trauma.

    Mrs Alaka said she got the report of the distressed woman through the primary health officers (PHO) who had visited the woman and who later led her to the woman. She said she wept profusely after seeing the victim’s situation.

    She noted that the woman and her husband were afraid that the breasts would be cut off if she visited the hospital and consequently endured the pains in the past 20 years.

    Mrs Alaka noted that the state was blessed with Mrs Akeredolu, who according to her has passion to rescue those in need, particularly breast cancer victims.

    A consultant at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, Dr Aba Katung said there were various stages of breast cancer, ranging from zero to stage four and five which he described as advanced breast cancer.

    He, however, allayed the fears of breast cancer victims that the disease was without treatment, stressing that “it is not a license to death as being speculated”.

    Mrs Akeredolu pledged to continue with his advocacy programme, particularly in the state and the whole country at large.

    She contended that Ondo State has a population of over three million people, saying that if only one million people could donate N200 each, it will go a long way in assisting women who suffer from breast cancer.

  • Group protests non-provision of pre-paid meters

    Group protests non-provision of pre-paid meters

    The Ogun State chapter of Electricity Consumers’ Mega Forum has staged a protest against Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over its failure to provide prepaid metres for residents.

    Over 100 of protesters who gathered at Otun Ota, a suburb of Ogun State in their yellow- branded T-Shirt on which was emblazoned “together we can chase out darkness’’ carried placards some of which read “Stop infringement of customers’ right’’, ‘’stop extorting customers and entire citizens’’, ‘’no prepaid metres-no payment’’,’’ it’s our right to have free prepaid metres’’, ‘’say no to electricity metres manipulations’’ darkness, say no to outrageous billing, no to estimations’’, say no to electricity supply slavery, among others.

    The group urged the residents to reject any bills from IBEDC and restrain them from disconnecting lights until they provide prepaid metres to the residents. No prepaid metres-no payment, they insisted.

    The group, through its Coordinator, Comrade Olajide Jayesimi, said it’s the right of the company to provide free prepaid metres to the residents. He noted that the company refused to do that because of extortion.

    He said residents bought poles, cables, installed lights, using power generating sets to get lights, maintaining it and at the same time paying for exorbitant bills for IBEDC.

    He noted that members of the group would restrain IBEDC officials from disconnecting wires as well as rejecting any bills from the company until they provide prepaid metres for every house. He noted that it is the duty of the electricity distribution companies to provide metres for electricity consumers. He said those that even paid are yet to get theirs.

    Comrade Jayesimi said Nigerians were rejoicing when NEPA was sold to individuals, believing that would bring relief to residents but regretted that the reverse is the case.

    He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the cry of customers on the issue of electricity, saying power failure is the greatest challenge affecting the economy.

    The group’s state chairman, Comrade Adebola Adelekan, said the electricity distribution companies were adamant about distributing the metres to the public because it will expose their atrocities.

    He said it had been discovered long ago that the companies are extorting the customers through estimation and outrageous billing system. This, he said, would no longer be tolerated.

    He urged the Federal Government to help the masses fight against illegal extortion, power failure and outrageous billing by electricity distribution companies.

    He said regular power supply would curb criminality and improve the economy.

     

  • Lawmaker points way forward for constituency

    The winner of the Eti-Osa 1 State Constituency bye-election for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams has stressed that development of his constituency is his paramount focus.

    He contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The lawmaker made the assertion during a stakeholders’ meeting with stakeholders in Eti-Osa. He urged all aggrieved individuals to bury their hatchet and team up with him to take the constituency to an enviable height.

    The team, led by the Ward E chairman of APC, Alhaji Adewunmi Tijani Fatai, visited stakeholders in Eti-Osa; the Baale of Alpha Beach Alhaji Shamsideen Atewolara Akinsanya, the Oshateru Olowa of Ajiranland Okun Alpha, Chief Muraino Gbadebo.

    Ward ‘A’ APC Chairman Alhaji Taofeek Adeola Majekodunmi, West Side Base in Ajah, Baale Ajah,Ilaje/Ajah Church, Baale Ajah Badore, Chief Muraino Jikoji in Ward ‘D’, Baale Sangotedo in Ward ‘B’ Chief Rafiu Lawal the Ajakaiye 1 of Sangotedo.

    Recall that the death of the member of the State Assembly representing Eti-Osa1 Hon. Kazeem Alimi on July 18 necessitated the bye-election.

    According to Noheem, former member of staff of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and a certified accountant, the deceased left behind a big shoe.

    “Through the help of the people and the Executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, we shall enhance ecological protection to decisively tackle the ocean surge that is troubling us in Eti-Osa, the last rainfall wreaked havoc in Alpha Beach and beyond. We shall also embark on periodic clearing of drainage in our areas in order to ensure free flow of water, youths empowerment will not be ignored as we shall provide them with vocational trainings and assist them with tools to operate independently.

  • Monarch, police partner to curb crime

    In an attempt to curb all forms of criminality in Mowe town, the Baale, Chief Olatunde Babatunde Ojelade has said that his community would co-operate with security agents within the community and the entire Mowe town to dismantle the stronghold of daredevil criminals.

    Ojelade, who was responding to call by police in the town to help locate the hideout of the criminals, noted that he’s poised to get rid of them in response to the letter sent by Badoo gang to Mowe in recent time.

    He, however, stated that he accompanied the combined team of police from Mowe and Sagamu divisions where they combed the town and arrested some of the suspected criminals. According to him, Mowe is peaceful and safe.

  • Rotary, community walk against breast cancer

    Rotary, community walk against breast cancer

    No fewer than 100 members of four clubs in Rotary International District 9110 and the Indian Women’s Association, Lagos have held a walk to create awareness on breast cancer prevention and cure. They were Rotary clubs of Falomo, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos Central and Okota.

    The walk covered some streets in Lekki Phase One.  It was coordinated by the President of Lagos Central Rotary Club, Sanjev Tandon.

    Participants in the event entitled Rotopink Walkathon’17 wore pink T-shirts and fez caps with the slogan “it’s time to wear pink. It’s time to beat breast cancer.’’ Some brought their little children who also took part in the walk. They were not allowed to drive their cars. They carried a large banner, which proclaimed the importance of the walk.

    The journey took off from the Geeta Ashram Temple on Grace Anjos Drive, moved to Admiralty Way, the Roundabout and veered off into the Lekki Phase One-Ikoyi Bridge before returning to the starting point.

    A Rotarian, Chief Anil Glover along with others, ensured that the walk was without any incident by directing members from oncoming vehicles. “This way, this way…’’ he ordered several times.

    Members of the Nigeria Police Force and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) were also on hand to ensure hitch-free walk.

    Tandon, in an interview, said: ‘’Breast cancer is one of the deadly diseases in the world. We are here to tell Nigerians why it is still happening and how they can prevent it. We can’t help them financially. But we create the knowledge through this walk, seminars, talks, distribution of fliers and even brought in experts to speak on breast cancer prevention.’’

    He said if the people knew about the symptoms of the disease on time, they would be able to come out early for treatment and that this would reduce its spread. ‘’Timely intervention brings in cure,’’ he said.

    Tandon added that beside breast cancer, the club also has blood donation, free eye treatment and women empowerment as part of its programmes for the year.

    President of Indian Women’s Association, Mrs Geetika Tandon said it was important to educate people about the disease–what symptoms to look out for, and how to get round them.

    “Before” they said, “cancer had no cure, know it can be treated,’’ she said.

    District 9110 Assistant Governor Kayode Adeinokun praised the clubs for the holding the walk. “The walk will enlighten people on the street on how to prevent the calamity being created by the disease.’’

    After the walk, Mrs Omolola Salako gave a talk on the prevention of cancer, especially cervical cancer. She said because cervical cancer is caused mainly by unprotected sex. Nigerians should use condoms, be faithful to their partners, go for screening periodically and take vaccination, if need be.

  • ‘We want continuity in Ogun’

    Chairman, Leguru Local Council Development Area (LCDA,), Odogbolu, Mr Ololade Onakoya, has said Ogun State needs a strong candidate who has been in the system and will continue with Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration’s mission to re-build the state.

    Mr Onakoya made this declaration during a chat with reporters at his Atiba, Ijebu Ode.

    “Ogun State needs a strong candidate who has been in the system with the agenda of the mission to re-build Ogun State.

    “The governor is known for two things, namely building on the legacies achieved by his predecessors and ensuring he left his own legacies to be built on by his successor.

    “He came into governance and built on the works he met on ground, modifying and restructuring, thus making them better, without destroying our most cherished heritage, and where need be, create a better avenue for their preservation.

    He believed that Governor Amosun’s visionary leadership is based on sound and holistic view of transformation, as an excellent way to bequeath sound legacies for posterity.

    “This is remarkably appreciated in the areas of infrastructural development,” Onakoya said.

  • Fidau: Ambode, Sultan, Okunnu, others honour late Chief Imam

    Fidau: Ambode, Sultan, Okunnu, others honour late Chief Imam

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, former Federal Commissioner for Works Alhaji Femi Okunnu and other notable Nigerians eulogised the late Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheik Garba Akinola Ibrahim.

    At the Eight-Day Fidau (prayer for the deceased) held at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan Lagos on Monday, Ambode called on the Muslim community to keep the memory of the late Chief Imam alive by upholding his legacies, especially on inter-religious and ethnic harmony.

    The governor, who noted that the best honour the Muslim community can give to immortalise the late Chief Imam is to ensure that they uphold his known legacies which, according to him included faithfulness, hard work, religious tolerance, fear of God, love for one’s country, state and community and belief in mutual and peaceful co-existence among people irrespective of their religious inclinations or ethnic background.

    Represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Ambode noted that the late Chief Imam was the best example of a detribalised and peace-loving Nigerian, adding that the deceased contributed in no small way to the religious harmony and inter-ethnic peace achieved by his administration.

    While reassuring Muslim community that his administration would not relent in promoting peaceful relationship among people of different tribes and religions, the governor urged the executive council of the Lagos Central Mosque where the late Sheikh Ibrahim was holding forth before his death, to  remain committed to the principles of  love, unity  and   religious harmony.

    He said: “You should not allow the death of the Chief Imam to bring disharmony to the community. You should continue to live together in peace irrespective of your religion or tribe; we should emulate all those virtues of the late Chief Imam and his strict adherence to the doctrines of Islam which clearly showed that Islam is a religion of peace.

    “The state government will continue to miss him for the noble role he had played to promote inter-religious harmony. The late Sheikh Ibrahim was a detribalised Nigerian who used his vast knowledge of his religion to promote peace and unity.’’

    The NSCIA President-General Alhaji Abubakar described the late Chief Imam as a bridge-builder and champion of peaceful co-existence.

    Sultan, whose message was delivered by his Deputy and President, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Sakariyahu  Babalola, said the late Chief Imam was a selfless public servant, astute administrator and a trustworthy leader.

    According to Sultan, the late Imam stood for unity among the Ummah and promoted religious harmony in the country.

    He commiserated with the Lagos State Muslim Community over the Imam’s death, even as he urged them to continue to propagate his ideals.

    Alhaji Okunnu, who is the National President of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN), said the late Chief Imam’s sermons have had positive impacts on Lagosians.

    He described Sheikh Ibrahim as “a simple man, a personable figure, a wise counsellor, a warm-hearted person and an approachable leader. I found him dedicated to the cause of Islam and humanity.”

    ADSN Chief Missioner Sheikh AbdurRahaman Ahmad admonished Nigerians to face the reality of the purpose of creation and not get carried away by the material things, noting that “-death is inevitable and  life should always be lived  with the fear of God.’’

    Sheikh Habeebullahi Adam of Markaz urged people to always be conscious of life after death as, according to him, every living soul would give accounts of his or her deeds on the Day of Judgment where material things such as gold, houses, cars and love for power will be of no help.