The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Ruling House demands justice over regency

    Elders and family members of the Akinlalu Ruling House in Ode-Erinje, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have kicked against the state government’s choice of regent for Ode-Erinje town. The ruling house demands justice from government.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos, a former Supervisor for Works in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Chief Gbenga Akinyode, said the selection of the regent for the town was hijacked, noting that the person announced was different from the choice presented to government.

    He said: “It is very unfortunate that some elements have misled the Ondo State government in the choice of a regent for Ode-Erinje town. The state government had announced somebody whose candidacy does not agree with the consensus opinion of the 13 segments making up the Akinlalu Ruling House.

    “Chief Akindele Omosule is our choice, and he is the one we recommended as the regent for Ode –Erinje but unfortunately, the state government had announced a name that is not our choice. We had expected the state government to respect the choice of the family in this regard.

    “What the state government has done is a clear and complete violation of the laid down tradition and procedure for the appointment of regent for Ode-Erinje Kingdom.”

    Akinyode, who was a contender for the regency stool, said he was asked to step down as 11 out of the 13 families making up the extant ruling house built a consensus selection around the candidacy of Omosule.

    “It is the custom and tradition of Erinje that when an Oba or Oloja dies, his brother from the same lineage is enthroned as the regent and this was the case upon the death of Akinlalu 1, whose brother, Lisa Koko succeeded as a regent. The same was the case when Oloja Akinyemohun whose brother, Ifatola Obaterun succeeded as a regent after his death at Ode-Erinje.”

    Akinyode maintained that shortly after the death of His Royal Majesty, Oba Akinlalu II all the family segments constituting Akinlalu Ruling House met and decided to present Omosule as the ruling house’s choice of candidate to occupy the regency stool of Ode-Erinje Kingdom.

    He urged the local government committee set up on the Erinje regency matter and Ondo State government to do the right thing by recognising the candidate that has the consensus of the majority of segments of the Akinlalu Ruling House.

    In his appeal, Omosule said it will amount to injustice if his choice as the regent which was supported by the majority is not honoured and approved by Ondo State government.

     

  • DAWN leadership harps on integration, restructuring

    DAWN leadership harps on integration, restructuring

    The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has gained more traction in rallying more players in the socio-economic activities across the region to support its economic and social integration efforts of the six states in Southwest Nigeria.

    The commission has succeeded in enlisting more supporters for its projects through two major programmes. They were the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Southwest Football Forum and a workshop for media practitioners during which regional integration, its gains as well as concepts such as true federalism, restructuring and secession, among others were examined.

    While addressing media practitioners and other professionals that participated in the workshop held at its Cocoa House, Ibadan headquarters, its Acting Director-General, Mr Seye Oyeleye, said all stakeholders have all to gain and nothing to lose in making Western Nigeria integration a success.

    While the MoU was aimed at starting regional football tournaments to identify young talents and provide the platform for them to maximise their potential, the workshop was used to dissect the current agitations for restructuring of Nigeria. Other concepts deconstructed at the workshop included true federalism, regionalism and secession.

    At the sports programme, Oyeleye revealed that Western regional football tournaments are able to create one million direct and indirect jobs with multiplier economic effects across the region.

    The DAWN Acting D-G emphasised to participants at the workshop the need for corporate bodies and all citizens living in the region to support its activities as it creates the platform for interaction and template for developmental initiatives.

    Emphasising that the DAWN agenda is not a separatist one, Oyeleye said it was just a project aimed at harnessing the potential of Western Nigeria for socio-economic well-being of its people and residents.

    For Oyeleye, Nigeria is better when all the parts stay together. “There is nothing wrong in restructuring our country. It will make it better. But it should not lead to war or secession because we are better together,” he said.

    While quoting the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on the strategic importance of DAWN, Oyeleye said: “The Southwest Regional Integration Agenda is an eminently sensible course of action. Socio-culturally, the Southwest is homogeneous. Ecologically, the region is characterised by lush vegetation and fertile soil. But the most compelling reason for integration is provided by economic geography.

    “We must understand that the lines that demarcate the region into states are cartographical marks laid down for administrative convenience. In real terms, they are imaginary. In this respect, we share a common destiny. To a great extent, the social and economic challenges that we face are the same.”

    He further added: “DAWN is widely acknowledged as presenting an opportunity for the states of Western Nigeria to act together and focus on critical development priority areas. The strategy is premised on the need to create a basket of collective actions towards delivering significant development outcomes to the people of the region.

    “The vision behind the agenda is clear: it is to make Western Nigeria the preferred destination to visit, live, work and invest. Western Nigeria refers to the Southwest geo-political zone as a definitional boundary comprising Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states. Apart from contiguous boundaries, the states have close historical and cultural affinities, common language, similar development orientation and trajectory; all of which is being combined as a leverage for the development of the region.

    “The agenda seeks to commit the leadership of the region to governance actions and activities that deliver impactful results to the people, through deliberate regional thinking, planning, and acting together in critical areas of development possibilities and potential. It also seeks to mobilise the collective strengths, enterprise, assets and endowments lying within the states.

    “DAWN is a regional development strategy. There is a need to seek resource maximisation through joint exploration of innovative solutions for achieving social, economic, human and physical development. The development agenda is therefore a united front of all the states in the region for a secured future for all, which takes into consideration the development of Western Region as a consolidated bloc of interventions, economic opportunities, resource optimisation, investment promotion, advisory, guidance and access; development assistance and multilateral support.

    “It prescribes a compelling roadmap for achieving social and economic development, through a synergy of development actions that cut across the six constituent states of the region, hoping that successful models and best cases can evolve which would then be copied or replicated across zonal boundaries. It is hoped that Nigeria’s development process can then be fast-tracked in an atmosphere of competitive regional initiatives and actions across the country.”

    He said the workshop was organised to enlighten journalists on the calls for restructuring of Nigeria, devolution of power, regional integration, and the debate on Nigerian federalism so that they would be better informed to play their role of agenda-setting from informed perspectives.

    Participants praised the commission for blazing the trail in regional integration in Nigeria.

    Giving a lecture on “Understanding Nigerian Federalism: Origin, Trajectory, Dynamics and Travails,” Williams Fawole, a Professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, explained that the hotbeds of sub-national agitations for break-up of Nigeria has necessitated the need for negotiation of the country’s existence.

    Fawole said: “I am convinced that Nigeria needs to be negotiated along the lines that promote unity, equity and justice for the benefit of its diverse people, not for the purpose of break-up, for it is better for all Nigerians to hang together so that none will hang separately.”

     

  • Rotary Club gets woman president 34 years after

    Rotary Club gets woman president 34 years after

    HISTORY was made in Rotary International District 9110 at the weekend when its club in Gbagada  installed its first female president, Mrs Adefowope Williamson. The club was chartered on February 27, 1984.

    The installation, which held at Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, was spectacular in many ways. While the tables wore creamy cloths, the chairs were all in red, giving the hall a distinctive lookw. But many of the men of the club, wore white agbada with green caps to match, looked gorgeous in the outfit.

    At the kick off, there was a roll call of all the club’s past presidents, whose names and works were displayed on a screen. As they were called out, they filled out one by one with their spouses. Mr Lanre Kazeem, a veteran journalist, who was the 27th president, also matched in amid applause. There was also Mr Adenuga Taiwo. But some were either absent or not in during the kick off. For example, both Prof Kayode Taiwo and Yomi Adewunmi, a former District governor (DG), were not seen during the procession.

    It was at the end of this that Mrs Williamson called. Her procession was also spectacular. She was accompanied by four female ushers, who led the way and some women at the rear. They danced to the music supplied by the DJ as the new president and her husband made their way to the front.

    Kazeem said the past presidents deserved applause because it indicated that they had been in the club in the past 43 years.

    There was a ‘service of songs’ by pupils of Dobris Nursery Primary Schools, Lagos, who brought a band.  They sang and danced their hearts out as if they were the celebrators. ‘’Theirs was a spice to the event. I never said this last year,’’a guest quipped.

    Outgoing president Olanrewaju Akintilo gave a brief account of his tenure, thanking his colleagues for their support. This done, he handed over to Mrs Williamson by passing the gavel to her. Kazeem, who was the MC, joked that by that event, Akintilo had joined the list of ex-presidents in the association. The gavel like Moses’ staff, Akintilo added, is symbol of power and authority for her to control the club members.

    Akintilo told The Nation: ‘’My tenure was fulfilling, challenging and inspiring. We came in at a time of recession in the country. This affected donations. But with the support of our dedicated members, we were able to pull through, especially our star project, which was the renovation of Ifako Primary School, Gbagada.’’ To his successor, he prayed: ‘’May your tenure be fruitful.’’

    DG 9100 Wale Ogunbadejo praised the club, made up mainly of men, ‘’for being bold’’ to elect a woman to led them. This is no mean achievement, he said. He advised Mrs Williamson: ‘’You must be patient. The men will be judging you by their standards.’’ He urged the members to support the president and the non-members to join the club, noting that it is humanitarian organisation. ‘’Please join us in Rotary. We are to serve humanity. Let’s remember this,’’ he said.

    In her response, Mrs Williamson thanked the club for giving her the mantle of leadership. She also thanked her husband for her support. She listed all her projects, including one worth over N4million at the Carrena Public Health Post as perhaps, as her star project, during her one year administration, enjoining all to donate generously to enable her prosecute them.

    Before the installation, the new president had hit the ground running with the donation of some hospital equipment worth thousands of naira at the Ikorodu General Hospital.

    Former DG Dr. Mike Omotosho, a man of timber and calibre, according to his citation, gave an inspiring and exciting lecture.

    At the ceremony were important personalities. They included the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kamal Salau-Bashau.

     

  • 100 students get computer sets

    100 students get computer sets

    One hundred students have received a computer set each from the wife of Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. The gesture was aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the girl child ICT programme organised for girls picked from 23 secondary schools in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    Speaking at the event which held at the Public Service Training Institute, Ilara-Mokin, Mrs Akeredolu expressed optimism that the digitally-empowered girls would deploy the knowledge acquired at the programme to become key players in the global space.

    Mrs Akeredolu, who recalled her growing days in Emeabiam, a remote community in Imo State, gave insights to the dream behind the vision.

    “I was born when women were not supposed to go to school and all you get is that they prepare you for that graduate husband. That is why I have been championing the cause that God has given me the opportunity to. I am running with it. We need to make extra effort to make our young girls understand that they have the capacity to be more. That is the foundation we are laying now.

    “I don’t just want to bridge the gender gap; I want these girls to be part of the solution to our societal problems. Here is the connection. The Solar Girls will fix the panels in their school and the ICT girls will operate the computer. In a few years’ time, we should have a Digital Academy here in Akure- a virtual classroom. That is how to use skills to solve societal problems.”

    She further acknowledged the place of ICT and Solar Energy Technology as being able to help in the development of virtual classroom all over the nation, most especially in the remotest villages one can imagine.

    Earlier in his remark, the facilitator from SAO Capital, Temitope Runsewe highlighted the skills impacted on the girls while also calling for sustainability of the programme.

    Mr. Runsewe, who stated that the digitally-empowered girls will go home with a computer tablet each, reiterated that each of the tablets have been loaded with Jamb Questions, School Curriculum and West African Examination Council (WAEC) syllabus, among others in order to encourage them to continue with the training at home.

    In her keynote address, the Managing Director of Mainone Cables, Mrs. Funke Opeke stressed the need to bridge gender gap in ICT as there is less than 10 per cent gender gap in advanced countries while in Africa, it is over 30 per cent.

    Mrs. Opeke advised young women to pursue careers in engineering and sciences as it is quite fulfilling, noting that it is part of efforts to close the gender gap in the nations’ drive towards development.

    The climax of the event was the distribution of the 100 computer tablets to the girls. Two of the beneficiaries, Ayomiposi Christopher and Bukola Ayodele from St. Dominic’s High School and St. Francis High School, Akure respectively expressed joy at the opportunity given to them to benefit from the programme. They thanked Mrs Akeredolu for impacting their lives.

    Ayomiposi Christopher said: “I have never had the opportunity to touch a computer before and I am not sure I would have because I spend most of my holidays washing plates and sweeping as my parents could not afford the cost of an extra lesson.

  • ‘Club facilities’ll be improved’

    The executive of Lagos State University Staff Club has promised to consolidate on the development drive of the management.

    The President of the club, Adedoyin Adekunle Babatunde, told Southwest Report that his administration would fulfill its promises on improving facilities at the club.

    Adedoyin, who is the 10th President of the club, noted that the new administration which came on board in June was faced with a task on how to improve facilities and increase membership of the club.

    In an interview with our reporter, Adedoyin said the current leadership has already set in motion mechanism to attract more members into the three membership categories-Active, Honorary and Associate.

    Adedoyin said active members are workers in the institution; honorary members constitute students, alumni, and businessmen and women who are influential members that could be approached for connections or financial aid to the club. He noted that Associate members are those willing to part with the N12, 000 annual levies and participate actively in the club’s activities.

    According to him, membership of the club which stood at 200 when the new executive came on board last this month, has surged to 250, adding that it targets additional 50 members by October by which time the club will no longer appeal for more.

    Adedoyin praised his predecessors for laying a solid foundation which his administration is now building on. He is also happy that LASU management is favourably disposed to the development at the staff club.

    “Our Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lanre Adigun Fagbohun has been a patron of the club. He and his principal officers have visited the staff club more than three times and they have shown interest in furthering its development. We want to complement this development drive by ensuring we have a perimeter fence and landscaping of the place before management fully comes in.

    “We know management is planning to have an International Conference Centre; our administration is also planning to put up a modest guest house as a means of complementing management’s developmental project.

    At present, trees at the staff club are being hacked by bulldozers; a development Adedoyin said was as a result of his administration’s commitment to landscape as well as erect a perimeter fence around the club.

     

  • ‘We’ll enhance people’s well-being’

    We are leveraging technology for tracking and effective cash management issues without compromising members’ money and attended risk of fraudsters and posers. We are in talks with reputable technology companies that are major players in the financial service sector of the Nigerian economy to provide and issue Smart (ATM) Cards branded in FCMS colours and logo for our members only.”

    These were the statements of President Front (Ikeja) Co-operative Multipurpose Society Limited, Lagos Ogbuefi Bede Nevobasi during the launch of the society in Lagos.

    He stated that the society, which is founded by various professionals to enhance the financial status and to eliminate poverty among its members, will create special funds for investment purposes, including procurement of essential commodities, aimed at enhancing the economic and social well-being of members.

    Nevobasi said it will also promote the spirit and practice of thrift, mutual aid and self-help based on co-operative principles as well as invest in agro-allied and other profitable ventures among members.

    “Invest in mutual funds and other securities of federal, state and any other international securities of both private and public interest,” he added.

    According to him, the society’s target audience includes co-operative shops, real estate, insurance, corporate organisations with less than 100 members of staff who might not have staff co-operative societies, individuals such as private employees, shop owners, market men and women, petty traders, associations and organisations such as church groups and others.

    Speaking on “Role of Co-operative in a Recessive Economy”, President, Federal Medical Centre Senior Staff Co-operative Society, Mr. Ibitoye Kehinde identified the use of technology and insurance scheme as two vital elements that stand FCMS out among other societies.

    He further said the present crisis of capital and ideology, credibility and management will not befall the society as there are capable hands in the management team. “They have the knowledge and capacity to carry on with the operation of the society,” he said.  An insurance expert, Mr. Anthony Olaseyile stated that insurance policy is designed at handling risk of organisations and individuals, even as he added that it provides access, identity, and control of threats to survival of any organisation or individual. Insurance, he said, comes to play when there is accidental occurrence, and it comes handy when there is either temporal or permanent disability.

  • Ojude Oba…And the memories will linger

    Ojude Oba…And the memories will linger

    Many Illustrious Ijebu sons and daughters on Sunday defied the rains to converge in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State to grace the annual ‘Ojude Oba’ festival in the town. The memories will sure linger for a long time, including the birth of a baby

    The ‘Ojude Oba’ celebration in Ijebuland drew indigenes of different age groups, their friends and associates from far and near.

    Some of the dignitaries in attendance at the 2017 fiesta included a former Governor of Ogun, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, the Proprietor of First City Monument Bank, Chief Kola Banjo, Chief Dayo Adeneye, and many others.

    Some Ijebu-Ode residents who deliberately abandoned their usual Sunday routines told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Ojude Oba celebration was core to their unity as a people.

    Otunba Wahab Osinusi, Chairman, Ojudu Oba Festival Committee, said that the pomp and pageantry displayed in the “Ojude Oba’’ was an appreciation by the Ijebu Muslim faithful to the Awujale, for giving them the freedom of religious worship.

    According to him, pledging allegiance to the Oba was core to having a peaceful and controllable reign over all of Ijebu territory.

    “The reign of the Oba has become extremely great with the sustenance of this festival and we must remain faithful to his rule.

    “Over the years, the “Ojude Oba’’ has brought so much love, peace, prosperity and stability to indigenes both within Ijebuland and across the diaspora,’’ he said.

    Osinusi said the gods will continuously bless partakers of the festival for their yearly contributions to ensure its success.

    Kayode Adetoro, a 24-year-old U.S.-based entrepreneur, said that the glitz and colours of the “Ojude Oba’’ were second to none globally.

    “I have always attended this festival since I was 18 with my late grandfather and every year, it opens my eyes to a lot more fun, people and traditional rites than I have learnt from previous ones.

    “Describing the parade of colours at the festival as that of a rainbow is not out of place because the Ijebu people use it to showcase their dress style, as a people.

    Otunba Olutoyin Osibogun, an ijebu indigene, said that the festival was an annual platform for sons and daughters of the soil to meet, interact and network across board.

    “We do not only showcase our culture but we help generations to learn and emulate the very essence of the festival.

    “Unity is what every Ijebu man stands for and with the current situation of the Nigerian economy, we are using this as a platform to stay strong in these trying times,’’ she added.

    ‘Ojude-Oba’ festival began over 100 years ago. Today, the festival is usually attended by over 250, 000 people from across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

    It is often sponsored by the incumbent Awujale, the people of Ijebu-Ode, individuals and corporate organisations.

    Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland,  expressed his happiness for the grace in participating in this year’s edition of the  Ojude-Oba celebration.

    Adetona, who showed  much vigour at the event, thanked the people for their prayers and support while delivering his speech on Sunday at the  festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

    The monarch extolled the grandeur of the event which he said had continually put Ijebuland in the limelight of tourism.

    “I want to thank the people who have contributed to the success of this programme which has been made possible by their support and benevolence.

    “I am happy that the Almighty God in His blessings and grace gave me the strength to witness this day with you all despite the rumours about my health and life.

    “What we are doing today, it is God who made it possible and I will also appreciate the state government,  Globacom and others for the success of this event.

    “This festival has been around for centuries, being unique in its organisation, which makes it difficult to be emulated elsewhere,” Adetona said.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun congratulated the monarch for witnessing another Ojude-Oba event, a programme he said had surpassed others of its kind in splendour.

    “I congratulate  all of us here who have been able to see this event once more and above all I thank God Almighty for preserving our Kabiyesi’s life.

    “From his speech, we can all see there is no need for us to fear or be anxious for him. He displayed much dexterity by his presence here.

    “I congratulate the Awujale and the entire people of Ijebuland,” he said.

    Otunba Subomi Balogun, the Otunba Tunwashe of Ijebu and founder of  First City Monument Group, said the event meant a lot to the people.

    “It gives the opportunity for us to pay tribute to the Ijebu throne and forefathers and to thank God for what he had done in bringing prosperity to Ijebuland.

    “We have many reasons to be particularly grateful for this year’s event as we are all glad that the kabiyesi is with us despite all the frivolous stories around.

    “It gladdens the heart of all Ijebus. The Ojude-Oba is a festival that has surpassed anything like it all over the world,” Balogun said.

    In his goodwill message, the Ojude-Oba Chief Guest of Honour, Dr Sulaiman Adegunwa, thanked the people for always coming out  to extol the king.

    Adegunwa, a renowned businessman and former chairman of Sterling Bank PLC, said the Ojude-Oba had cemented its place as the envy of other cultural festivities.

    This year’s festival witnessed the birth of a baby. The baby girl was delivered at the basement of the arena.

    The new mother, in her late ’30s, was said to be a member of the Regberegbe age group in Ijebuland.

    According to Janet Adekemi, a cleaner at the courtyard, in the heat of the Ojude-Oba celebration, a lady screamed in pain and knelt down at the basement of the arena. She was later identified as Mrs Abibat Ayanlola, 32.

    She recalled that onlookers had no idea what she was going through until she raised her wrapper and the head of a baby could be seen.

    “It was a few minutes to 1:00 p.m. when I heard a lady shouting not too far away but many ignored her.

    “No one knew the magnitude of what the woman was going through until she started crying with all of her strength.

    “All I saw was the head of her baby and other women immediately rallied around her to help.

    “A few skilled Traditional Birth Attendants came to her aid and assisted her to deliver the baby, just as onlookers prayed in their mother tongue, while some traditionalists chanted incantations,” she said.

    Adekemi told NAN that both mother and baby were immediately moved to the Ijebu-Ode General hospital for proper medical attention.

    Abayomi Oke, younger brother to the Head Queen, told NAN that the new baby was a gift from the gods to mark the celebration of 2017 Ojude-Oba festival.

    “Only special children are born at such events and of a truth, I know that the 16 Alagemos (gods that protect the land) will always be with that baby.

    “We will do everything possible to send words across to Gov. Ibikunle Amosun and the Awujale, that a child was born during the 2017 celebration,” he added.

    Mrs Ayanlola received a cash gift of N100,000 from Amosun. A visibly elated Ayanlola, on Monday received the donation from the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, who visited her at the State General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode.

    She thanked the governor for the gesture and all those who assisted her and the baby during the episode which she claimed caught her unawares.

    In a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after receiving the gift, Mrs. Ayanlola narrated how medics came to her aid when they heard her distress call.

    Ayanlola told NAN that though, she hails from the Awori clan in Ogun, she regularly attended the annual celebration of the Ojude-Oba with keen interest.

    Narrating her ordeal further, Ayanlola said that she never expected she would suddenly go into labour having been told by her caregivers that the expected delivery date was Sept. 12.

    According to her, what more can I say. God spared my life and my baby’s, now the governor came to my aid with a cash gift of N100, 000.

    “I am a caterer by trade, while my husband, Lukman is a transporter, but personally, I travel down every year from where I reside to partake in the Ojude-Oba Festival which thrills me.

    “I went to urinate having been pressed while partaking in the event. As I came back, I started feeling uneasy and decided to relax a bit on the stairs of the pavilion.

    “Before I realised what was happening, I couldn’t stand on my feet again and then went into labour before eventually birthing at the spot.

    “It was the quick intervention of the emergency medical team that saved my life and that of my baby.

    “I normally attend my antenatal clinic, which is programmed for Thursdays and was told my date for expected delivery was Sept. 12.

    “I thank God for living through this episode and also thank Ogun Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, for his benevolence through the financial support,” she said.

    Ayanlola says the baby is her fourth child having had three children, all males.

    Ipaye advised pregnant women to take necessary steps in ensuring that they remained healthy by conforming to their doctors’ advice, particularly after 35 weeks of the pregnancy.

    The commissioner urged them to minimise travelling, saying that it posed a great risk to their safety and the development of the baby.

    “She took a great risk, but was lucky that the emergency team prepared well for such eventuality.

    “Usually, when we have large gatherings like this in Ogun, it is customary for us to always have an emergency medical team on standby.

    “The baby was delivered with the umbilical cord round her neck which created some complications in her birth as we have to eliminate the risks.

    “If that level of care was not given, the baby might not have survived and the possibility of losing the mother too was high, because she lost a lot of blood in the process.

    “She was delivered of the baby on the floor which was not the best place for such activity; so she was immediately rushed to the hospital for proper care afterwards.

    “I advise pregnant women that when they are close to their delivery time, they should not to be too far away from their caregivers or their family members,” he said.

  • Lawmaker sues for peace, donates food items to Muslims

    Lawmaker sues for peace, donates food items to Muslims

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency 11, Hon. Jude Idimogu, has appealed to both Muslims and Christians to unite and give their support to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government’s efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the country.

    Idimogu, who made the appeal during the just-concluded Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, said efforts of the government would only be meaningful when both parties see themselves as one entity irrespective of religion, tribe; language and party differences.

    In a chat with Southwest Report in Lagos, he said: “Let us work together, both Christians and Muslims and support the government of the day so that our country would be better off.  The present government will not go back in its efforts to ensure a corrupt-free nation.”

    Meanwhile, he has provided food items such as rice, noodles, vegetable oil, salt, tomatoes, beverages and cash donations to the Muslim brothers and sisters for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Both party and non-party supporters of the Muslim community in the constituency benefited from the donations; including the security agencies and the physically-challenged.

    According to him, in time of festivity, God Almighty (Allah) approves that we share with others whatever we have such as food, drinks, and any edible items that come from our heart, noting that it always pays to give to others.

    “I know it has not been so easy. Most people are not finding it easy. So, I think I should be with them, felicitate, and rejoice with them in good and bad times. That is why I am doing this.

    “All I know is that they are members of my constituency. I cannot provide all their needs. Whatever I can do to assist them I will and leave the rest to God.

    “I love serving people and giving to others. I am better off when I give to others even if I am hungry. I believe in sharing with others.

    “I hope to continue to serve my constituency, Lagosians and the entire nation, to be a mouth piece for them. I will continue to work for my party. All I know is that I am a servant, we will continue to work for the benefit of our people,” Idimogu stated.

    He commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his visionary transformation of the state, adding that Lagos is a state to be counted upon in terms of good governance in Nigeria.

    According to him, the Lagos State government is committed to delivering the dividends of democracy through infrastructural development, including roads, schools, health centres that would give meaning to the lives of residents.

    While commending the governor’s determination to achieving good road network, Idimogu appealed to the state governor to give priority attention to the inner roads, including Isolo/Ejigbo Road, adding that inner roads are critical to the development agenda of the government.

    “We need roads, especially internal roads. Though there is fund constraint, the truth is that if we can develop the inner roads, it will speed up even development,” he said.

    Idimogu noted that members of the House and other principal officers had resolved to join hands with the government in order to move Lagos forward.

    “Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are aware that Lagos is a state with high level of standard and excellence. We will support the governor and help him move Lagos State forward,” he said.

  • When a new baby visited Awujale

    Thousands of people thronged the Aafin Awujale of Ijebu land yesterday in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

    It was on the occasion  of the now renowned annual Ojude Oba Festival, which is used by the Ijebu people at home and abroad to pay homage to the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, two days after the Muslim’s  Eid-Kabir Festival, also called Ileya Festival.

    The festival which started about 100 years ago, usually features a display of Ijebu culture and tradition. Music, food and drinks are generously provided in the palace frontage and adjourning streets.

    Different age groups called “Regberegbe”, bid to outshine one another in their parades of very colorful traditional dresses and dancing steps as they they take turns to march past the eminent royal father, the Special Guest of Honour, which is usually the sitting State Governor; and this year, it  was Senator Ibikunle Amosun. The Guest of Honour was Otunba Adebola Adegunwa, a renowned industrialist and philanthropist from Ososa – Ijebu.

    Ojude Oba Festival also showcases flamboyant horse riders in different robes performing different stunts with their horses accompanied by releases of gun shots.

    It is a festival for everybody, young and old, regardless of religion, status or ethnic origin.  It was therefore not surprising that Mrs. Ayanlola Abibat from Ado Odo Ota Local Government was also part of the thousand of people at the festival ground which was as usual, turned into carnival ground. She was for the main time unknown, lowly and unrecognised.

    However, what drew immediate attention to Mrs. Ayanlola at this year’s Ojude Oba was that she attended despite being heavily pregnant, and in the course of he festival, she went into labour!

    It became an instant call to duty as the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, who was one of the special guests at the annual gathering  promptly answered the unusual and history-making call to duty. Dr. Ipaye joined the Ogun State medical ambulance on stand-by at the venue to successfully deliver the woman in labour of a bouncing baby girl.

    The mother and the baby were later taken to the General Hospital Ijebu Ode for further care on the directive of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was  present along with his wife.

    The young baby girl has been named, and rightly so, as Fathima Adetona Amosun.

    Dr Ipaye who visited the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode to deliver a gift from the Governor to the happy family, confirmed that the mother and child are in good condition.

    In fact, a new baby has come to pay homage to Alayeluwa Kabiyesi Awujale of Ijebuland.

     

    • Oladunjoye, a journalist and former counci chief, sent this piece from Ijebu-Itele.

  • Don donates cash, materials to the poor

    A philanthropist and lecturer at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Olumide Oluwagbemi-Gabriel has urged individuals and corporate organisations to assist the less-privileged in the society, particularly the abused and abandoned children, widows and other physically-challenged people.

    He gave the advice while presenting cash, food and relief materials worth several thousands of Naira to children on admission at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure and Special Children Centre of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the Nigeria Police ‘A’ Division, Akure as part of activities to celebrate his 40th birthday.

    Oluwagbemi-Gabriel was accompanied to the centres by his friends, colleagues and members of his family to appreciate God for sparing his life to attain the age of 40.

    He said he opted for unorthodox way to celebrate his birthday when it dawned on him that if as a member of the middle-class he could feel the impact of the current recession in the country, the poor and vulnerable in the society must be worst off.

    According to him, he decided that the only way he would celebrate his 40th birthday was not to throw party, but by giving back to the society.

    This, he said, was to emulate the philanthropic gesture of one of his mentors, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the founder of ABUAD.

    The don, who tagged his gesture “Project 40”, revealed that 40 humanitarian projects spanning 40 persons and institutions are scheduled to be carried out in phases.

    The projects, he said, included donations of education materials to his alma mater, AUD Victoria Island, Lagos and Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos, payment of school fees of some selected indigent students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.

    Other areas of the project are empowerment for selected widows and physically-challenged cobblers as well as donation of relief materials and cash to hospitalised children and those at the Police Special Children Centre.

    Recipients of the celebrator’s gifts showered encomiums on him for coming to their assistance.

    The Head, Pediatric Ward, State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr A. Bello and the Officer in Charge, Police Special Children Centre, Yemi, praised the initiative of the don which they described as product of compassion, especially at this period of recession.

    The duo urged others; especially corporate bodies and individuals to come to the aid of the vulnerable in the society, stressing that government cannot do it alone.

    Oluwagbemi-Gabriel appreciated God, family members, colleagues and other supporters who supported his passion to give back to the society in commemoration of his birthday.