The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Fadama lll trains 300 unemployed graduates in Ondo

    The Fadama lll Additional Financing Project has trained no fewer than 300 unemployed graduates in Ondo State to acquire vocational skills in agricultural enterprises.

    Mr Olusiji Olatunji, the state Project Coordinator, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the programme at the Federal University of Technology (FUTA) in Akure on Monday.

    He said the exercise would run for two weeks in three centres across the state.

    Olatunji said that the higher institutions selected for the programme were FUTA, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.

    The coordinator said that the training programme was initiated by the Federal Government through the Fadama Graduate Unemployed Youth Support (Fadama GUYS) programme.

    “The training aims to empower unemployed young graduates in Nigeria by making them self-reliant and employers of labour.

    “Leaving these youths unattended to will give them opportunity to dissipate their energy in all forms of menace and social vices like drug trafficking, robbery, internet fraud and cultism, “he said.

    He said that government’s efforts to stem the spate of unemployment among the youths would go a long way in ameliorating the tense situation in the labour market.

    “Each beneficiary will be trained; taught to write a business plan on choice enterprise and given a starter pack of about N1 million as grant,” he said.

    Mr Akin Olotu, Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture in Ondo State said the state government was committed to the transformation of the agriculture sector.

    Olotu said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was committed to making agriculture more attractive to the teeming youths in the state.

    “We are reviving the agriculture sector in the state through the engagement and participation of youths to take over from aged persons by making it attractive.

    “We are not thinking of production alone but rather thinking of the entire value chain, processor, marketing and agro entrepreneurship,” he said.

    According to him, if agriculture is made attractive, it will create jobs and produce raw materials for the agro-industry.

    Two beneficiaries, Mr Kolawole Samuel and Miss Busayo Adeyeye, said the training would help them to plan for their future and be self-employed

     

  • Jubilation in Ekiti as new Anglican Bishop is enthroned

    Jubilation in Ekiti as new Anglican Bishop is enthroned

    Ijero-Ekiti, one of the major towns in Ekiti State, came alive on June 27, 2017 as guests from far and wide witnessed the enthronement of the new Bishop of Diocese of Ekiti West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Right Reverend Rufus Victor Ajileye Adepoju at the Cathedral Church of Christ in the town. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    History was made on Tuesday, 27th June, 2017 when the Diocese of Ekiti West of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) witnessed a change of baton of leadership for the first time in many years.

    A new Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Rufus Victor Ajileye Adepoju, was enthroned to the exalted seat after about 32 years of priesthood and 20 years as a Venerable in the Anglican Communion.

    He replaced the first Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Samuel Oludare Oke, who retired from office as the occupant of the seat after attaining the retirement age of 70 years. Before becoming bishop, Adepoju, 54, was the most senior venerable in Ekiti Diocese.

    The new bishop, until his election, was the Archdeacon in charge of Emure Archdeaconry under Ekiti Diocese. He had also served as Archdeacon in Aisegba and Ikole Archdeaconries all in Ekiti Diocese.

    Adepoju, an indigene of Iropora-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was elected Bishop on February 20 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, which ironically, is the hometown of his predecessor (Oke) at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church

    of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) presided over by the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Reverend Nicholas D. Okoh.

    He was consecrated alongside three other bishops-elect at the Cathedral Church of Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL) in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on May 7 setting the stage for enthronement at the diocese he would superintend over.

    The Anglican Communion has three dioceses in Ekiti State; Ekiti Diocese has its seat in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti Oke Diocese has its seat in Usi-Ekiti while Ekiti West Diocese has its seat in Ijero-Ekiti.

    All roads led to Ijero-Ekiti, the seat of the Diocese of Ekiti West where the cream of the society including the traditional institution, senior government officials and top clergymen gathered to welcome Adepoju into office as the bishop.

    The town was agog as gaily dressed guests trooped in from all parts of the country to be part of the occasion. The vicinity of the church was decorated with giant banners bearing the portraits of the new bishop and his wife, Mrs. Christiana Tolulope Adepoju, now fondly referred to as “Mama Ekiti West.”

    Automobiles of various shapes and colours found space in the precincts of the cathedral while only those of the visiting bishops and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) were allowed into the inner compound.

    Members of the Boys Brigade stood guard at the church gate and never allowed a dull moment with their trumpeting and drumming. Itinerant drummers, comedians and mascots added colour by singing praises of guests.

    For a service that was supposed to start at 11.00 am, the inner belly of the church was already full to capacity about one hour earlier. Those who came late did not have programme booklet.

    The hometown of the new bishop, Iropora, was virtually empty as indigenes led by their monarch, the Oniropora, Oba Joel Ajayi Olonibua, flocked to Ijero to witness the elevation of an illustrious son, himself a prince from the royal family, who happens to be the first bishop from any denomination to emerge from the community.

    There was a deafening ovation when the new bishop who had been welcoming guests in his purple robe later emerged in his cope vestment with full compliments of the cone-shaped mitre cap ready for the administration of the oath of office and the receipt of the sceptre of office.

    Many people in the congregation strained their necks and stood on the pews to catch a glimpse of the bishop in his new regalia which conferred the rights and privileges of the new office.

    Installing the bishop on behalf of Primate Okoh was the man wearing three caps of the Archbishop of Ondo Province, Bishop of Diocese of Ondo and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend George Latunji Lasebikan.

    He was assisted in performing the task by the Chancellor of Ekiti West Diocese and a Judge of the High Court of Ekiti State, Justice Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde.

    Adepoju received the Diocesan Pastoral Staff at the entrance of the sacrarium. His sermon after enthronement was entitled: “God of our Fathers”, taken from Psalm 48:14.

    Dignitaries at the enthronement service included former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo represented by Hon. Idowu Adeniyi, former Governor Kayode Fayemi represented by former Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya; former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo and the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Simon Daramola.

    Traditional rulers who graced the occasion are the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole; the Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Egbeoba land, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku; the Elemure of  Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo; the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba John

    Ademola Ajakaye; the Olowa of Odo Owa-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Oyedeji; the Alayetoro of Ayetoro-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olu Ajayi and the Owa of Odo Ayedun-Ekiti, Oba Solomon Ajibade Ajigbotoluwa.

    Other monarchs are the Obadu of Ilemeso-Ekiti, Oba David Adegboyega Oyewumi; the Oluroye of Iroko-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ekundayo; the Alararomi of Araromi-Ekiti, Oba Adeoye, the Onilukuno of Ilukuno-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Jegede; the Olosin of Osin-Ekiti, Oba Philip Oyediran and the Onise of Odo Oro-Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin.

    Senior Anglican clergymen present at the enthronment included Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most. Rev. Dr. Ephraim Ademowo; Bishop of Ilaje, the Rt. Rev. Olugbemi; Bishop of Irele/Ese Odo, the Rt. Rev. Akinbuluma; Bishop of Idoani, the Rt. Rev. Dahunsi; Bishop of Mbamali, the Rt. Rev. Okeke, Bishop of Osun North, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Olumakaiye, Bishop of Akure, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Simon Borokini; Bishop of Owo, the Rt. Rev. Dr. J.A. Oladunjoye and Bishop of Oyo Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe.

    Others are Bishop of Etsako, the Rt. Rev. J.O.B. Bada; Bishop of Osun North, Rt. Rev. A.T. Olaoye; Bishop of Omu Aran, the Rt. Rev. P. Adeyemo; Bishop of Ifo, the Rt. Rev. N.O. Ogundipe; Bishop of Ilesa South West, the Rt. Rev. S.O. Egbebunmi; Bishop of Ijebu South West, the Rt. Rev. Dr. B.F.R. Ogunbanwo; Bishop of Ijebu, the Rt. Rev. E. Awosoga; Bishop of Ekiti, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Omotunde; Bishop of Offa, the Rt. Rev. Tunde Popoola; Bishop of Akoko, the Rt. Rev. Gabriel Akinbiyi; the Bishop of Ogbomoso, the Rt. Rev. J.B. Olayinka,

    Bishop of Ife, the Rt. Rev. Bunmi Akinlade; Bishop of Yewa, the Rt. Rev. Michael Oluwaronbi; Bishop of North East, the Rt. Rev. J.A.F. Olusola;  Bishop on the Coast, the Rt. Rev. Ebun Ogunele; Bishop of Ekiti Oke, the Rt. Rev. Isaac Olubowale and Vice Chancellor of Ajayi

    Crowther University, Oyo, the Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju.

    Some retired bishops present are the Rt. Rev. Michael Ipinmoye (Akure), the Rt. Rev. Oyelade (Kwara), the Rt. Rev. J.O.K.Olowokure, the Rt. Rev. G. Oloniyo (Ife) and the Methodist Bishop of Ifaki Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Sunday Aluko.

    Reminiscing on his tortuous journey to the bishop’s throne, Adepoju revealed that he lost his father, the late Prince Matthew Ojo Adepoju, nine days after he was admitted into Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan where the journey into priesthood began.

    He explained that his late father who was happy about the admission had promised to sponsor his theological education only to be taken away by the icy hands of death as the lot fell on his mother, Madam Elizabeth Idowu Adepoju to shoulder the responsibilities of caring for

    him and his siblings.

    Adepoju said: “I lost my father in the year 1985 and three times before I was admitted into Immanuel College of Theology, he promised to be there for me but nine days after I was admitted, he died.

    “It was only this woman (mother) that the lot to take care of me fell upon, my mother who is seated right there, Mama Elizabeth Idowu Adepoju.”

    He paid glowing tributes to the former Anglican Primate, the late Most Reverend Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye, whose hometown (Odo Owa-Ekiti) is under the diocese whom he described as a “nemesis to the Ogbonis” in his lifetime. He also paid tributes to his immediate predecessor, Bishop Oke.

    Speaking on his action plan, Adepoju promised to work hard and bring back Anglicans who had left the fold for other churches saying “they are only on sabbatical where they went.”

    He said: “We are not going to compromise on the vision and mission of the Diocese of Ekiti West, our slogan has now changed to “With God, All Things Are Possible” and the focus will now be on massive and vigorous evangelism.

    “From July 2, together with my priests, we shall embark on open air crusade, the type we did in Ilukuno some years back where they attacked me as a reverend but I am going there now as a bishop.

    “Becoming bishop, it was a surprise, it was a great grace for my wife and I to be here. We have many priests who are far better than me. Please, don’t mark my grammar because I may not speak the best grammar, just accept me the way I am as long as I preach the gospel.

    Speaking on the state of the nation, the bishop said the political problems afflicting Nigeria are not beyond divine solution urging the nation’s leaders to speak less grammar and be sincere in leadership.

    Adepoju said: “In this country, we need sincerity in leadership because we speak too much grammar in Nigeria. We have many programmes and policies capable of changing this country but we have failed.

    “Let all of us be sincere in tackling our problems in Nigeria and there will be a way out. If all Nigerians can trust God with our present predicament and problems, there will be solution.”

    Adepoju was born on May 10, 1963; he holds Diploma in Religious Studies from Immanuel College of Theology (1988); a B.A. (Hons) Religious Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (1993); MSc Sociology with a bias for Criminology from the Ekiti State University (2003); M.A. in Religious Ethics from Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta (2016) where he is undergoing a Ph.D programme in the same discipline.

    The new bishop was the Ekiti Area Chairman of the Bible Society of Nigeria  from 2007-2014 and was also a National Board member of the body to date.

    He had served as Bishop Chaplain to the former Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the late Rt. Rev. Clement Agboola Akinbola for several years before he was posted to many parishes as vicar until he became an Archdeacon (Venerable) in 1997.

    Adepoju got married to his wife, Tolulope on 22nd October, 1994 and the marriage is blessed with three children-Jesutofunmi, Iretomiwa and Jesutomisin.

  • Oyo govt warns against illegal pension processing

    Oyo State government has warned pensioners in the state to desist from patronizing individuals who collect illegal fees before processing their pension arrears and gratuities for them, urging that they should rather follow due process.

    The State Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi, who gave this admonition during the sensitization tour by the Management of Oyo State Pension Board to the twenty-nine (29) pension offices in respect of the forthcoming verification and Biometric capture of Civil Service Pensioners in the State, posited that pensioners are not expected to pay any amount as processing fee for their pensions and gratuities.

    Mr. Adekanmbi, who spoke through the Executive Secretary, Mr. Olaleye Ajagbe after the board’s visit to Eruwa, Igboora, Saki, Igboho, Igbeti, Kisihi, Iseyin, Oyo, Jobele and Ogbomoso, assured the pensioners that government will not relent in its effort to have accurate, efficient and effective database of its Pensioners so as to be able to take proper care of their welfare.

    The commissioner also enjoined all pensioners to bring along their necessary documents for verification during the forthcoming biometric capturing in which the date and the venue will be announced later.

    The State Chairman, National Union of Pensioners, Mr. Gbadegesin Akande commended the efforts of the Oyo State government under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi for ensuring that the welfare of the pensioners are well taken care of, pledging the union’s unflinching support for the success of this administration.

    In a related development, teachers have been urged to desist from securing loans that their net pay cannot cover.

    The Coordinating Director, Oyo State Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM) Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, made the charge while addressing the officials of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the TESCOM headquarters.

    Oni urged teachers to be decent in their approach and appearance, and consequently advised the teaching and non-teaching staff who are retiring, to stop giving tips, patronising touts or any intermediary while processing their pensions and gratuity.

     

  • Court dissolves 39-year-old marriage between ex regent, husband

    A Customary Court sitting in Ikole-Ekiti  in Ekiti, on Monday dissolved the 39-year-old marriage between Mrs Idowu Omolayo,50, and her estranged husband, Chief Olusola Omolayo,55.

    Mrs Idowu was a former regent of Ayebode –Ekiti in  Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti.

    The president of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, in her judgment ordered that the couple should go their separate ways since there was no room for reconciliation as claimed by the petitioner.

    “The court has heard the evidence of both parties and finds that the parties have lived together for a very long period of time, such that a marriage can be reasonably presumed.

    “But since no dowry was paid, an allegation admitted by the respondent, the association can, however, be regarded as cohabitation.

    “The petitioner insists on dissolving whatever relationship she has with the respondent, refusing to consider reconciliation.

    “It is on this note that the court orders the parties to go their separate ways as they stand unmarried,” she said.

    Ojo said that the prayer by the petitioner for the custody of the third and fourth children, aged 20 years and 25 years respectively, was not granted.

    “No order as to the visitation rights of the children and consequently no order as to the financial cost maintenance of the children sought by the petitioner by reason of their being aged,” she said.

    She said that the parties must maintain peace henceforth, reminding them of their rights to appeal the decision of the court within 30 days.

    NAN also reports that the former regent had approached the court for an order for the dissolution of the marriage that was blessed with four children.

    The petitioner had sought the dissolution on grounds of alleged threat to her life; constant fighting between her and her husband, lack of proper care for her and the children, as well as drunkenness.

    She also accused her husband of abandoning the family for two and half years, her unsettled mind, public assault and non-payment of her dowry by her husband.

    Olusola who was the respondent in the case, however, denied the allegations and claimed that both of them jointly responsible for their children’s upbringing.

    He said that he was shouldering 65 per cent of the responsibilities.

    Olusola, who opposed the prayer of the petitioner for the dissolution, claimed that the last time he beat his wife was over 20 years ago.

    He told the court that he abandoned his family in 2015 because of the issues he had with his younger brother-in-law.

     

  • Ikorodu on edge as murderous gang wreaks mayhem

    Ikorodu on edge as murderous gang wreaks mayhem

    The ancient town of Ikorodu was a place to live. Many reside there because of its peaceful mien. That was in the yesteryear. Ikorodu is no longer the cherished town. Residents live in fear, even as some leave the area in droves, no thanks to the vicious activities of a bloodthirsty group known as Badoo. Is the gang more powerful than government and police authorities? Never can be! But the residents are fast losing their confidence in the ability of the police to protect them. The earlier the group is rounded up, the better for the residents.

    The latest attack was as chilling as others before: men armed with grindstones in the dead of the night, surreptitiously scaled the fence of a church in the suburb of Ikorodu town and attacked two women and their children while asleep.

    The cries of the victims awoke others who had come for vigil on July 3 at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ajegunle. The attackers squirreled away, the way they had come, not fully accomplishing their deadly mission. Now the women, hospitalised, are battling to stay alive.

    A few days earlier, a Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry (MFM) minister, Pastor Wale Solomon was killed. The Ikorodu-based cleric had his head smashed with a grinding stone, the killers’ trademark weapon.

    The grisly attacks were just some of the bestial acts of the cult group known in Ikorodu and its environs as the Badoo Boys, a group that now sends shivers down the spines of residents.

    Despite attempts by the police authorities and various citizen actions manifesting in the setting up of vigilance groups, the Badoo gang are on the prowl, making residents live in fear.

    One resident summed up the mood of everyone:  “We now sleep in Ikorodu with our eyes wide open”.

    There appears no other option for residents of the ancient town and the surrounding settlements as the Badoo gangsters keep striking fear and keep piling up one grisly murder after another.

    The Badoo Boys first came into public reckoning on June 5, last year when the suspected members of the group killed a 27-year-old Ghanaian identified as Obina in Oke-Ota Community in Ibeshe.

    Their next prey was a 60-year-old woman. She was killed on July 9, last year in the same Ibeshe town, where the Ghanaian was killed.  Her attackers, who appeared to victims naked, with bodies greased up, had hit her with a pestle and when they spilled blood out of her, they wiped it with a cloth and disappeared into the night. Her 10-year-old child was also blinded by the predators.

    On July 23, last year, an 18-year-old lady was raped into coma right inside a church in Ikorodu. On October 23, last year, the killer gang wiped out a family of five, including an expectant mother, Afusat Yusuf, who was killed with a grinding stone.

    Few days after that, the gang killed a 62-year-old widow. On Boxing Day last year, two siblings Azeezat and Abeeb Oriade were also killed. All the killings were attributed to the Badoo Boys.

    On March 1, this year, they wiped out another family of five: the father and mother and their three children on Mosafejo Street, Agbowa Ikorodu. The children were aged three, four and nine.

    The group also hit a family of three in Ibeshe Tuntun Town on April 11.  On May 4, members of the cult wiped out a family of six in Imota.

    The serial killings, almost done with impunity, sooner put the residents on edge, as patience thinned out about police inaction in taming the menace. Some communities set up their own vigilance gangs to protect themselves, since the police had allegedly failed woefully in their duties.

    The self-help effort culminated into recent lynching of suspected members of the gang. The first happened at Igbo Oluwo Estate in Ikorodu on June 30.  Three members of the gang arrested by the security team were burnt to death.

    Last week, seven suspected members of the gang were set ablaze at Odogunyan and the police followed up, with the arrest of over 100 people, suspected to be linked with the bloodthirsty gang.

    The latest lynching misfired as a comedian, Paul Chinedu, alias “MC Think Twice’’, was killed. Chinedu was apprehended by the vigilance group along Oju-Emuren Street.

    The popular comedian, in the company of his friends, was returning from a show around 1:00 a.m. He was said to have told the local security men that he and his friends were going to tow his broken down Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), but their accusers were not convinced.

    The three men were lynched and burnt, while the SUV car was also set ablaze. It turned out that Chinedu was returning from a show, when he had a flat tyre. He had sought help from the other two victims, burnt with him.

    Ikorodu, arguably, one of the fastest developing towns of Lagos metropolis, has suburbs such as Solomade Estate, Ikorodu Garage, Itowolo, Majidun, Agric, Ibeshe, Ladega and Lagos Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), among others.

    From 2014, life in the city became unsafe because of the activities of criminals, mainly cultists, pipeline vandals, ritualists and kidnappers.

    One of the criminal activities by outlaws in Ikorodu is Pipeline vandalism in the riverside areas of the community.

    On September 1, 2015, there was an attack on a team of policemen in Owutu area by the pipeline vandals, euphemism for oil bandits. The attack left three policemen dead and others injured.

    On August 15, last year, the Lagos State Government shut a hotel in Ikorodu over criminal activities.

    Also, on June 24, last year, some vandals, said to be militants, invaded Ikorodu; leaving 30 dead.  The attacks were carried out in Abule Oba and Oke Oko, two hotspots notorious for oil theft and militancy, just like Arepo in Ogun State.

    It took the intervention of the combined team of naval personnel and the Nigerian Air Force who launched air strikes to smoke out the hardened criminals out of the creeks.

    The activities of the Badoo gang represent a different dimension to the climate of criminality in the Ikorodu area. The Lagos State Government and the police authorities are worried.

    In response to the menace, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has promised the residents that he would wipe out the cultists.

    As part of his efforts at achieving that, he has directed the traditional rulers to ensure that the menace of ritual killings and kidnappings happening in the communities is stamped out.

    He said there were intelligence reports that the gang had the backing of some powerful persons in the state.

    “As far as Badoo case is concerned, I don’t believe that rituals can be taking place without some people being behind it.

    “So, I challenge all our Kabiyesis, Baales and traditional rulers to arrest the situation. We will support you,’’ Ambode said.

    The Lagos State police command’s spokesperson, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the command had embarked on screening of the 138 suspects arrested in order to identify those directly involved in the criminal activities.

    He also urged residents to always arm themselves with their identity cards to forestall cases of mistaken identity.

    The Commandant of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Israel Ajao, said the agency would adopt traditional methods to unravel the mystery behind the cult killings.

    Ajao said the killings had a ritual undertone, adding that there was need for security operatives to go beyond the conventional approach in tackling the ritual killings.

     

    • Akojede is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
  • Alumnae reconstructs principal’s residence

    Alumnae reconstructs principal’s residence

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, literally wore a colourful air. The streets of the town and its environs came alive, as old boys of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti Class of ’87 returned in their numbers to the institution to celebrate their 30th graduation anniversary.

    Indeed, for old students of the first secondary school in Ekiti land founded by the Anglican Church in 1933, Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, it has become an undying tradition to return to their alma mater every year, to re-unite with fellow alumni and give something back to the institution that made them what they are.

    The events of Thursday June 29 and Sunday July 2 will be etched in the minds of members of the set interminably, even as scores of members of the general alumni, members of staff of the institution and current students of Christ’s School and residents of the Ekiti State capital would also not forget those days in a hurry.

    Besides affording the men, many of whom had not seen one another in the past 30 years, the rare chance to meet, mingle and network, was an opportunity to socialise in a convivial environment and learn useful lessons from their old principal as well as some of the teachers that taught them while they studied at the school between 1982 and 1987.

    Members of the Class of ’87 were also able to give a token back to the institution. They reconstructed the long-forsaken Principal’s residence, a dilapidated old house that had become totally derelict after its abandonment by successive school administrations for over two decades.

    The programme commenced on Thursday, June 29 with the registration of members of the Class of ’87. Shortly after, a delegation of the association, led by its President, Morakinyo Bayode, an architect plying his trade in the United Kingdom, visited the principal of the school, Mr. Christopher Abe.

    Other members of the team were Vice-President and Coordinator, Home branch, Otunba Adedapo Akinwunmi, General Secretary, Olukorede Oni and ex-officio member, Northern Nigeria, Prince Yomi Subulade.

    Shortly after, members of the set boarded the air-conditioned school bus and were driven to the homes of three of their old teachers in the Ekiti State capital. Those visited include Mrs. Melodi, whose son, Goke Melodi, a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), is also a member of the set; Mr. Aina, a former Vice-Principal of the school, and Mr. Egunlae. Gifts were presented to the teachers who could not hide their joy at seeing how their former students in the 1980s had now turned out.

    In the evening, members of the set from far and near were hosted to an evening of goat meat (asun), fish and chicken barbecue, drinks and songs by the home branch. Music was provided by a prominent Juju artiste, Akinlabi Olabode, popularly known as Zico, who is also a member of the set.

    The event was organised, it was gathered, by Otunba Dapo Akinwunmi, Toyin Omotosho and Prince Yomi Subulade on behalf of the home branch.

    The following day was kicked off with a novelty football match among members of the Class of ’87 and selected teachers and students of the school. The match ended 5-3 in favour of the old boys.

    That was followed by a public lecture delivered by Prof. Adamolekun It was entitled “In defence of elite educational institutions.” The lecturer, an old student of Christ’s School, is an emeritus Prof. of Public Administration of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

    Described as one of the leading scholars on political and administrative management in Africa, Prof. Adamolekun, in his lecture, gave succinct reasons why the establishment of elite educational institutions, especially at the secondary and tertiary levels, would boost education in Nigeria.

    He praised the decision of the Anglican Church, Ekiti Diocese, and the Christ’s School Alumni Association for their decision to retrieve the school from the state government and run it as an elite private boarding school, in order to return the school to its glory.

    In attendance at the event were dignitaries that included 90-year-old Chief Daramola, an old boy and chairman of the programme, Chief Olusola Bayode, an old boy, a former Principal of the school and Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Oladele Ayodele, National Secretary, Christ’s School Alumni, Principal of the school, Mr. Christopher Abe, Principal of the sister school, Christ Girls’ School, Ado-Ekiti, Mrs. Christianah Onipede (who taught the Class of ’87 members economics in the 1980s) and others.

    Former governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development (Solid Minerals), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, an old boy of Christ’s School, also breezed in to the venue. He congratulated members of the set for spending millions of naira to reconstruct the residence of the Principal of Christ’s School.

    The compere of the event was the General Secretary, Olukorede Oni, a Kaduna-based Pharmacist. Publicity Secretary of the set, Mr. Tope Adeboboye, an Editor with The Sun Publishing Limited, presented copies of his latest collection of poetry, entitled Songs of My Rebirth, to the school through the Principal.

    Four students-two from Christ’s School and two from the sister Christ Girls’ School-were presented with prizes for academic excellence during the lecture.

    In the evening of that day, the old students converged on the residence of their former Principal, Chief Olusola Bayode where they were hosted by the Ikere-Ekiti-born septuagenarian administrator and scholar.

    It was a nostalgic evening, as the old students and their Principal recalled old events while enjoying assorted drinks and pounded yam. Odunayo Adebiyi, a businessman and master comedian, was master of ceremonies.

    Gifts were later presented to Chief Bayode and his wife by the set, while an exclusive photo-frame of the former Principal was presented by the Vice-President 4 and Coordinator, North America, Mr. Akin Tayo Babayemi on behalf of the North American branch.

    The following morning, Saturday, July 1, members of the set had their annual general meeting at the school premises. A few hours later, the ultra-modern Principal’s residence reconstructed by the set was inaugurated and handed over to the school.

    Chairman of the project committee of Class of ’87, Vice-President 2 and Coordinator of the home branch, Otunba Adedapo Akinwunmi, led dignitaries inside the building, accompanied by other members of the set.

    In his speech, President of the association, Bayode explained that members of set decided to reconstruct the Principal’s residence after learning that the house had become dilapidated, and that past principals had stopped living on the school premises.

    Such practice, he noted, was capable of setting the school back, as discipline and character among the students would be diminished since there would be no principal to monitor their activities in the evenings and at night.

    He described the residence as, apart from being home to the Principal, a court room, a pastoral centre and a tutorial centre, among others.

    In the evening, members of the set converged on the Banquet Hall of the luxuriant De-Xambra Hotels, Ado-Ekiti for their anniversary dinner. There was much to eat and drink, even as Ziko, the Juju star, dished out sonorous tunes.

    Chief Olusola Bayode, the set’s former Principal at Christ’s School, and  Folarin Oguntoyinbo, a Professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Lagos, were given awards by High Chief Olatunji Obayemi, a member of the set and one of the most senior traditional chiefs in Ado-Ekiti. Oguntoyinbo was honoured for being the first Professor produced by the set.

    In his speech, Chief Bayode, who said he had become an honorary member of the Class of ’87, urged the old students to continue to showcase the Christ’s School tradition of integrity, courage, humility and an undying passion for the school. He specifically praised Messrs Tayo Babayemi and Dayo Obasa for bringing their immediate members of family to Ado-Ekiti for the re-union.

    The event was concluded on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at the Chapel of Living Hope, Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti.

    A number of the old students flew in from Europe and North America for the re-union. They included Morakinyo Bayode (UK), Joseph Adeleye (UK), Abiodun Ajayi, (UK), Ayo Owolabi (UK), Tayo Babayemi (USA), Olumide Olaborede (USA), Abimbola Benson (USA) and Rotimi Ilori (Canada.)

  • Monarch hails Ndigbo over peace move

    For members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo Community in Lagos State and the various community leaders of Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division, Tuesday, July 4, will be etched in their minds interminably.

    It was the day the search for lasting peace and unity among the Igbo in Ikorodu Division began earnestly.

    Led by the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State, Dr Dom Ferguson and Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Dr Christian Uchechukwu Nwachuchu (JP) to resolve what could be referred to as inconsequential squabbles among the Igbo leaders in Ikorodu Division. They also visited the Paramount Ruler of Ikorodu Division, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu to present one of their own, retired Colonel Reuben Nwako as Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division.

    The parley among the Igbo leaders in Ikorodu Division that included Eze Ndigbo of Ikorodu Division, Eze Paulicap C. Uhegbu, Eze Ndigbo of Ijede Kingdom, Eze John Okafor; Eze Ndigbo of Igbogbo Bayeku, Eze Enwemadu Livinus S.; Ezeudo Ikorodu West, Eze Ofordile Nwajey; Eze Nwachukwu and Dr Ferguson, among others was held behind closed doors.

    Addressing Ndigbo at the residence of Colonel Reuben Nwako, who is the new leader of Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division, Ferguson urged Ndigbo in Ikorodu to embrace peace and unity as that is the only way to achieve socio-economic, political development, noting that no tangible development takes place in a rancorous situation.

    “The Igbo have been consistent in the pursuit of national unity and inter-ethnic co-operation. The Igbo, over time, have been playing the role of bridge-builders in the fledging Nigerian state. The Igbo are adventurous and see any part of the country as home.

    “That explains why they are seen in remote villages and towns nation-wide where they help in developing their host communities,” he said.

    Later, the group moved to the palace of Oba Shotobi where the Igbo Community Lagos State under the leadership of Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Dr Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu and the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Dr Dom Ferguson jointly presented Colonel Reuben Nwako to the Oba as the paramount leader of Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division.

    Speaking at the event, Dr Ferguson thanked Oba Shotobi for accommodating the Igbo who live and do businesses in Ikorodu.

    He added that there will be overall peace in Nigeria if the Yoruba and Igbo continue in their peaceful relationship.

    Noting that the peaceful reign of Oba Shotobi and his love for Ndigbo resident in Ikorodu Division, heartened the Igbo Community and Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State to present to Oba Shotobi one of the illustrious sons of Igbo as the apex leader of Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division.

    “Your Royal Majesty, we are here today to present Colonel Reuben Nwako (rtd) to you as the leader of Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division.

    “We present him to you as the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division. He will coordinate the activities of Ndigbo in your domain. He is a good choice based on his experiences.  He also served as Director of Enforcement at the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) under the late Dora Akunyili and Director of Operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” Dr Ferguson said.

    Speaking in the same manner, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Dr. Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu corroborated Dr Ferguso’s assertion that Col. Nwako was a better choice to coordinate the activities of Ndigbo in Ikorodu, adding that his experiences are such that would help a society grow. He urged Oba Shotobi to relate with Ndigbo in Ikorodu through him.

    Eze Nwachukwu praised the Oba for his peaceful disposition towards his subjects, a situation, he said, had guaranteed peace and unity in Ikorodu.

    He recalled that “the cordial relationship that exists among the Igbo and Yoruba was amplified when former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu went the extra mile to solidify the mutual friendship among the Igbo and Yoruba by appointing an Igbo man as a commissioner.

    “Tinubu is a nice man and a good friend of Ndigbo; your royal majesty, thank him for us.”

    Responding, Oba Shotobi expressed his happiness over the visit by Ndigbo.

    The royal father praised the Igbo, especially those living in his domain for their hard work.

    “Your people are peaceful and hard working. Their contributions to the development of Ikorodu cannot be denied. I am happy you are presenting Col. Nwako to me because I know him as a man of honour and integrity.

    “I have accepted him as a man to work with and who will help in bringing peace among the Igbo in Ikoorodu,” he said.

    Highpoint of the event was Oba’s conferment of traditional chieftaincy title on Col. Nwako and his wife as Omobowale of Ikorodu land and Yeye Omobowale of Ikorodu land respectively.

    Reacting to the development, Col. Nwako (rtd) said: “It was a good development and a great achievement. The Igbo in Ikorodu Division are not working together towards the unity, peace and development of Ndigbo.”

    Regretting that Ikorodu  Division has five different Eze Ndigbo who represent each of the local council development areas and who do not see eye to eye, the peace move that threw him up as Chairman to Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ikorodu and the conferment of chieftaincy title on him by the paramount ruler were good omen for Ndigbo.

    He pledged to work assiduously to bring peace and unity among the people, even as he said he would be loyal to Oba Shotobi and carry out any of his rewarding instructions.

  • Abule-Egba Bridge: Ambode, LASTMA honoured

    Abule-Egba Bridge: Ambode, LASTMA honoured

    Lagos State Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Chief Executive of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Chris Olakpe, (rtd), LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Maruf Musa and 87 officers of the agency were presented with various awards by the Social Reformers Club, Ojokoro, in commemoration of the construction of the Abule-Egba Jubilee Bridge and the efficient traffic control throughout the eight months the construction of the bridge lasted.

    At the event, which held at the club’s house, its President, Dr Dayo Folorunso said the awards were the club’s way of appreciating the governor for turning the semi-urban area to an enviable environment.

    While Governor Ambode got the “Exemplary Leadership and Commitment to Excellence Award, LASTMA organisation won a Corporate Award, while the 87 officers and men of the agency were presented with Individual certificate for Outstanding Performance. Olakpe and Musa were presented with Special Appreciation Certificates.

    Folorunso, who was represented by a member of the club’s Board of Trustees Hon. Ipoola Omisore said the bridge, which was completed in record time, has tremendously improved traffic bottlenecks in the area.

    “We had thought we had an action governor before, but Ambode has shown us that we haven’t seen anything yet,” he said.

    Omisore, former two-term member of the House of Assembly, said the club is equally honouring officers and men of LASTMA for keeping faith with the government by keeping the traffic moving throughout the period the construction of the bridge lasted.

    “The men suffered day and night to reduce the pains of residents of this area while the Abeokuta Expressway was closed and traffic diverted to neighbouring roads,” he said.

    Chairman of the club’s BoT, Mr Dele Ajikanju praised Ambode for the enviable reform in LASTMA. He said for the period the agency took charge of the road, its men were “epitome of excellence, honesty and integrity”.

    Responding on behalf of the agency, LASTMA’s Lagos Area Controller (Lagos West 1), Mr Joan Adeola commended the club for rewarding its men.

    “The award is coming at a time we are not looking forward to any reward. So, I assure you that this award would spur us into doubling our efforts to removing impediments and ensuring free flow of traffic,” Adeola said.

    He, however, urged road users to do their best in contributing to free flow of traffic by ensuring that they refrain from acts that might put them in the wrong side of the law. He said LASTMA has been able to prove that it can bark and bite and would continue to enforce traffic laws without minding whose ox is gored.

    Adeola later received the award on behalf of the governor, and also collected the special recognition award presented to the Chief Executive of the agency Chris Olakpe. The Zonal Head of the agency for Abule-Egba, Akeem Padmos, received the certificate presented to the agency’s General Manager.

    Padmos and two other officers, Felix Olatunji and Jonathan Arewa also received Officers’ recognition Award from the club, while the remaining men of the agency got their certificates at the event.

    Present at the event were the Baale of New Oko-Oba, Chief Omololu Pedro, the Area Commander of Area G, Mr Makinde Olutosin, Mr Ayodele Babalola, Femi Komolafe and other members of the club.

  • Group trains youths on peace-building skills

    Building the capacity of young people to become peace-builders within their immediate community was the focus of a one-day capacity building training for young people on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention organised by Galaxy4Peace in Surulere, Lagos.  The training brought together 15 young advocates from the University of Lagos and other civil society groups. It featured lectures on the importance of peace-building, peace-building activities, conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy, post-conflict prevention and early warning system and signs while highlights of the training included task breakout session and planning of new advocacy campaigns for execution.

    Speaking at the event, the Project Lead, Galaxy4Peace Precious Ajunwa said the training was aimed at introducing new sets of young people into peace-building business, targets to raise young people’s awareness of the dangers of violence; the role young people need to play in contributing their quota in promoting peace, thereby preparing them as peace leaders in their respective communities.

    Educating the participants on why the organisation was established, Ajunwa noted that the vision keyed into young people as tool in countering violent extremism-focusing on projects the organisation run to promote the sustainable development goal No 16 which is “Peace, Justice and Strong Institution”.

    She stressed that there is no alternative to non-violence in solving conflicts.

    “We welcome new youth recruitment into #Youth4Peace Movement to counter violent extremism. We aim to raise young people’s awareness of the dangers of violent extremism, develop their leadership abilities and prepare them as peace leaders in their respective schools and communities,” she said.

    In his lecture entitled “Volunteering as a Tool for Sustainable Development” convener of Climate Wednesday, Olumide Idowu  noted that volunteer speak for our future; hence “volunteering gives you your next opportunity; get focused and know that you are priceless”.

    Sharing his insight on youth engagement in sustainable development, David Ogundero of Galaxy4Peace emphasised that the overall success of the Sustainable Development Goals depends on youth engagement because young people, if equipped, have the right capacity to drive positive change in their communities and countries.

  • Ooni drums support for tradition, culture

    Ooni drums support for tradition, culture

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,Ojaja 11, has described the newly-appointed Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, as a worthy promoter of Yoruba tradition and culture.

    Oba Ogunwusi gave the commendation on Sunday in his palace, while decorating Oloye Alabi with his insignia of office. He said he was not surprised by Alabi’s appointment because he (Oloye Alabi) had built a remarkable reputation over the years as a committed practitioner and promoter of culture, values and etiquette.

    The Ooni said for Alabi to have successfully and successively served four former governors of old Oyo State as Press Secretary (the late Chief ‘Bola Ife, retired Maj-Gen Oladayo Popoola, retired Brig-Gen Adetunji  Olurin and the late Brig-Gen Sasaenia Oresanya) from 1983 to 1989, speaks volume about Alabi’s professionalism, loyalty, integrity and popularity.

    Oba Ogunwusi added that Alabi’s appointment as Cultural Ambassador  did not come as a surprise to him and other paramount rulers in Yoruba land, if the  fact that Alabi is a trustee of the D.O. Fagunwa Foundation, Yusuf Olatunji Foundation, Duro Ladipo Foundation, Adekunle Fajuyi Foundation and Chairman, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation, among others, is taken into consideration.

    The Ooni, however, called on Nigerians not to abandon the promotion of their time-honoured traditions and cultures to enthusiasts such as Alabi, but to also join in the task of teaching and encouraging indigenous cultures such as mother-tongues, foods, music, dresses and others.

    In his acceptance speech, Alabi thanked the Ooni for accepting to host his investiture and presentation of the insignia of office.

    He promised not to relent in his long-time commitment to the promotion of Yoruba and other Nigerian traditions and cultures, buttressing the Ooni’s call for all to embrace our valued culture.

    Alabi’s investiture was attended by representatives of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the Osun State, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Ebira traditional rulers, academicians and artistes, among others.

    They all endorsed Alabi’s appointment, describing him as lover of culture and bridge-builder.