The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • 400 benefit from free surgery in Ogun

    No fewer than 400 people have benefitted from the ongoing free medical surgery jointly organised by the Ogun State government and Rotary International, especially Rotary International District 9110 Nigeria.

    The surgery, which covers health issues such as hernia, glaucoma, breast biopsy, burn excision, debridement and many others, was supported by Rotary International 3020 India, and Rotary International 3610 South Korea.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye stated this while inaugurating the event at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu Ogun State. He added that the philosophy was to reduce the overhead cost associated with the large charities by providing volunteers with the chance to be part owner of the organisation.

    He explained that the event aimed at giving succour to indigent citizens that could not afford the costs of the operation or travel abroad for such surgical operation, adding that the Governor has given them the mandate to work with local and international partners in making life better for the masses.

    Ipaye said: “Such surgery usually costs so much and most of our people, especially those living in rural areas and the aged, might not be able to afford the cost.”

    He said the medical tourism was a global phenomenon and there are some reasons for people going abroad for medical check-ups, some would not get well until they go abroad for treatment while some who do not have the means die untimely. He urged the Federal Government to do more to enhance the health sector in order to reduce medical tourism abroad.

    “About 400 people will benefit from this free medical treatment. We are calling on the government to pay priority attention on the health sector so as to reduce capital flight in terms of people who travel abroad for medical treatment,” Ipaye said.

    The Elepe of Epe and President Remo Traditional Council, Alayeluwa Oba Adewale Osinderu, said the programme was unprecedented as the people had wanted to experience the programme in the state. He appreciated the state for the giant strides recorded during the programme.

    “Don’t you know how much it costs travelling abroad for medical check-ups? At least 400 people would benefit from the surgical mission. We thank the state government and the Rotary International for deeming it fit to help the people with the people-oriented programme”, Elepe said.

    Earlier in his speech, the High Commission of India in Nigeria, Mr. Jagdeep Kapoor said the free surgical mission was to be done with seven Indian medical doctors for free, saying that they chose the state because of the Rotary International Nigeria preference of the state to others.

    He praised the state government, Rotary International Nigeria and the patients for their hospitality and steadfastness, noting that those on exceptional cases would not be attended to but referred to the hospital because the programme was slated for only eight days.

    Among the beneficiaries were those with cataract, gynaecological diseases such as uterine prolapse, hernia, glaucoma, ovarian cyst, breast biopsy, burn excision/debridement, dental restoration, gastric bypass, caesarean section and those that have breast mass, among other ailments.

  • ‘How to promote quality tech-driven education’

    The advancement of technology has brought fundamental changes to education and teaching in the developed world, where hi-tech tools are deployed to give educational instructions and impart knowledge.

    However, this modern technique is a strange trend in many developing countries where conventional method is still being used to impart knowledge.

    While quality education remains out of the reach of millions of children in Africa, experts say it would be dangerous for developing countries to lag behind in taking advantage of modern tools to improve on the quality of education.

    Given Nigeria’s growing population of education-disadvantaged young people and out-of-the-school children, what role can technology play to increase access to quality education and efficient teaching process?

    This is the kernel of the discussion at the Social Sector Open House, a conference organised to promote application of tech tools to improve quality of education. The event was put together by Bridge International Academies in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education and Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

    Since its establishment in Nigeria in 2015, Bridge International Academies, a group of low-fee schools, has been championing the use of hi-tech tools to improve quality of education in rural areas.

    In his keynote speech, Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said the state’s appetite for investment in technology had increased with the aim to ensure effective governance and drive socio-economic growth. He said the state recently launched education-technology roadmap that would facilitate introduction of hi-tech tools in elementary schools to enhance teaching and learning.

    Bank-Olemoh said the recently launched CodeLagos was designed to equip one million young people with coding skills to transform the state into a hub of innovation and technology.

    He said: “Governor Ambode has set a target to push Lagos from the fifth largest economy to the third largest in Africa. To drive this goal, we need a new generation of technology-literate youngsters to help achieve the aim. Our appetite for investment in technology will continue to increase, as this has become the most viable way to feed the growth of our socio-economic indices.

    Partnership with Bridge International Academies is important at this period.”

    With more than 30 per cent of children attending school unable to read and write, the co-founder of Bridge International Academies, Ms Shannon May, said the foundation for the nation’s future had been weakened by poor quality of education, despite that its economy showing great strength for growth.

    She said: “Statistics from the United Nations Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF) shows that 40 per cent of children between ages two and 11 do not attend school in Nigeria, while 30 per cent of the children of school age cannot read and write.

    In 2050, Nigeria is projected to become third most populous country in the world, having 400 million people. That should be a power house and huge human resources. But, if its young people don’t have access to quality education, the expected future may not be attained.”

    She said the foundation for Nigeria’s economic prosperity remains in the quality of its classrooms, adding that efforts must be made to re-design the country’s approach to teaching and learning by investing in teachers’ performance.

    While sharing the Academies’ success stories after the application of teachers’ tech, May said the tool would help education policy makers and government to make decision that would transform the life of every child that hopes for quality education. The tool, she said, would help the government to check teachers’ absenteeism and also to track the quality of knowledge being imparted on children.

    May said: “Nigeria must re-design its approach to education. Efforts need to be made by the government to ensure it gets best performance from teachers. The present method of teaching, where a teacher is isolated with hundreds of pupils in a classroom must stop. Teachers now need to be connected to experts for daily capacity building through teachers’ tech tool, which contains updateable information about each subject, teacher-pupils attendance and frequency of interaction.”

    Chief Executive Officer of the Academies, Mr Jay Kimmelman, said Lagos State government’s readiness to partner with the Academies would bring about fundamental changes in learning process, noting that the partnership was targeted at building teachers’ capacity and capability to deliver quality knowledge in line with modern realities.

    He said: “In 21st Century, technology has become an enabler of better schooling and development across the globe. It is a good omen to see Nigeria in the forefront of the movement to drive change in education. Technology underpins the education provided by Bridge and there is no doubt technology would play pivotal role in empowering young Nigerians over the next decade.”

    The event featured discussion panel on the topic: “Lagos Government is Leveraging Technology to Change Lives” during which Bank-Olemoh praised the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for collaborating with the state to equip children of public and private schools with tech skills.

    Other panelists included the Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr Ladi Balogun, Chief Executive Officer of Leading Learning Limited, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, and Founder of SystemSpecs Nigeria Limited, Mr John Obaro, among others.

  • ‘Spare a thought for the poor’

    Rich Nigerians have been advised to spare a thought for the poor instead of throwing lavish party to celebrate their birthdays. The General Overseer of The Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) Prophet Temitope Joshua gave the advice during a homily to celebrate his 54th birthday at the church premises, Ikotun in Alimosho area of Lagos State.

    Prophet Joshua said while they are in such excited mood, they should seize the moment to remember the less-privileged persons in the society. The cleric noted that such gesture would go a long way in making them favourably disposed to God and building a home for themselves in the hereafter.

    A statement signed by Prophet Joshua and made available to Southwest Report, stated that the event was a low-key during which he admonished the congregation not to present to him gifts or money, He urged them to rather distribute such gifts to orphanage or motherless babies’ homes in their neighbourhoods.

    “I will always remember the teaching in the Holy Bible that emphasises on giving to the poor,” he said.

    Continuing, he stated: “I have told my members that I am not going to be having a lavish birthday party; but I want them to identify poor people in their neighbourhoods and celebrate my birthday with them by sharing with them what they would have brought to me as gifts.

    “I also wish to seize this opportunity to admonish those whom God has blessed and who are fond of spending such fortune on their birthdays every year to have a rethink.

  • Expert advises medics on stress management

    Medical doctors and health professionals must pay adequate attention to their health and take more than a passing interest in their health if they must stay alive and cope with the pressures of their jobs, the Medical Director of Alimosho General Hospital, Dr Ademuyiwa Benjamin Eniayewu has said.

    Stressing that a healthy workforce is the asset of the government, Eniayewu said he would always be at the forefront of ensuring that workers keep fit, adding that the regular physical activities embarked upon by the hospital’s workforce is part of the designs to build a virile and physically-fit workforce that can withstand any stress.

    He spoke at the hospital’s sporting ground, where a cross section of workers from all departments in the hospital gathered to participate in the sporting activities lined up to commemorate Lagos State’s 50th year anniversary.

    He said the advice became imperative because medical personnel, despite their know-how, have been known to take the least interest in their personal health matters, due to pressures at work.

    He said he had instituted the monthly fitness activity immediately he assumed office as the Medical Director of the hospital, pointing out that the hospital is proud to be dedicating this month’s exercise to the state’s 50th year anniversary.

    Eniayewu said Lagos at 50 has continued to be the template for good governance in the federation, a reason, he said, made the occasion worth celebrating.

    “Lagos is a success story. The state has continued to be the envy of other states across the country and a place of pride for every black race,” he said.

    Inaugurating the football competition between the Red Team and Blue Team, Eniayewu pledged N20, 000 for the winner of the competition.

    He also promised that support for the aspirations of the female football team of the hospital would continue. Workers were engaged in light aerobics and physical exercises, track race (100 metres male and female) and Tug of War, which was won by the Red Team.

    Some of the workers praised the strides of the state government in improving on infrastructural development across all sections of the state.

    Mrs Salihu Adebola-Abimbola said the workers were happy to engage in the keep-fit exercises which she said are symbolic, adding that they constitute healthy workforce that can be an asset to any government.

  • Fayose, Olukere clash over shrine, ancient tree

    Fayose, Olukere clash over shrine, ancient tree

    The plan by Ekiti State Government to uproot an ancient tree and demolish a shrine in Ikere-Ekiti sparked a riot in the community and a near fisticuff between Governor Ayo Fayose and Olukere Ganiyu Obasoyin, who maintained that he is the custodian of the historical artefacts at the Ereja shrine. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Ikere-Ekiti, the second largest town in Ekiti State is in the news again. The community had been embroiled in a supremacy battle between the paramount ruler, the Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado and the Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Ayodele Obasoyin.

    To Ogoga and the side of the town pledging allegiance to him, Olukere is never an Oba. To this side of the divide, Olukere is a mere chief priest of the Olosunta and should never be called a monarch because he was never given a staff of office.

    But supporters of Olukere, especially indigenes of Odo Oja area of the town and its environs, maintain that he is a monarch; non-presentation of staff of office by the government notwithstanding.

    Hell was let loose when the governor ordered that the Ereja Shrine and the sacred tree be demolished to give way for road project.

    Olukere, who had got wind of Fayose’s coming to the site mobilised his subjects to the spot and pleaded with the governor to spare the shrine and the sacred tree but his plea fell on deaf ears.

    An eyewitness said: “The governor had climbed the bulldozer with the intent of driving it towards the shrine which enraged Olukere’s supporters, who hurled stones at the governor’s direction.

    “On alighting from the bulldozer, the governor ordered his security men to arrest one of the Olukere boys but the armed policeman who moved to arrest the guy was overwhelmed by the crowd who grabbed his rifle and prevented him from carrying out the order.”

    The indigenes claim that the historical site known locally as the “Ereja” was the source of Ikere and was the place where the town was established and removing the tree is a bad omen. It is also the location where the annual Olosunta Festival is celebrated.

    “There is historical object called “Ege,” a mystical tree which belongs to Olukere. Ege is a fountain which has mystical powers to control flooding while the mystical tree is a place where Olukere worships Olosunta deity every year.

    There was a massive crowd around the shrine when Southwest Report visited the place on Tuesday. The residents had placed sacrifices made with a goat and pigeon and other fetish objects at the site while palm fronds were also tied around the shrine.

    At a briefing at his palace, Olukere Obasoyin, said “cutting down the sacred tree and demolishing the Ereja was akin to passing a death sentence on him (Olukere). He was joined by the Alare of Are-Ikere, Oba Oguntuase Atitebi and the Elejoka of Ikuomoba-Ikere, Oba Benjamin Owolade both of whom claimed that he (Olukere) is the head of the community.

    Obasoyin said the community had agreed with the governor to move all the five deities to the Ereja and preserve the historical site but wondered the latest decision to bulldoze the tree and the entire shrine.

    According to him, Fayose was advised to demolish the shrine and uproot the ancient tree by a powerful elite body in the town, Ikere Development Forum (IDF) who are the main supporters of Ogoga in the supremacy battle, so that he (Olukere) would lack the basis to call himself a monarch.

    The monarch said: “On Monday, the governor led the police to Ikere and ordered that the shrine be bulldozed; it is when a king dies that the branches of the tree are cut off and I went to meet the governor that he should not pass a death sentence on me.

    “I want to say that Fayose wants to kill me; by ordering that the tree which represents my life be uprooted and the people resisted him. My subjects said they don’t want a tenant that will be making life difficult for the owner of the land because I am the owner of Ikere.

    “The Ereja is where Ikere people meet once in every year. If that tree is removed, it means they have killed the Olukere. This is the tradition here. The tree branches are cut if the Oba dies. In every community, we have traditional heritage and cultural heritage and nobody can kill our cultural heritage.

    “I will resist Fayose’s attempt to demolish it because if he is allowed to uproot it, that will bring calamities to the community. If Fayose likes, let him bring 1,000 soldiers, 1,000 policemen, we will resist him.

    Fayose alleged that the Olukere was paid N1 million for the relocation of the shrines to enable the government to carry out the construction of the dual carriage way project along

    Ikere-Akure Road, saying vouchers are available as a proof that the monarch collected the money.

    Fayose, while appearing on his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor,” on the state television, added another dimension to the unfolding drama when he showed the footage of his encounter with Olukere, alleging that he (Obasoyin) almost punched him when he visited the site.

    When the footage was being shown, Fayose said: “Look at Olukere in that video. He wanted to punch me, see him removing his robes and beads, he wanted to fight me. Olukere is not a king because he has not been presented with the staff of office.

    “I am surprised that somebody of his status can do that to me but as an elderly person and father of the state, we will make sure that he sees reason. You cannot confront the government but we will explore all avenues of peace to resolve the matter.

    “We will be patient to find a solution to the problem; I want to appeal to the Olukere to be very careful because some people received machete cuts in their homes. I have made it abundantly clear that for development to take place, some of these traditional artefacts will give way.”

    ýOn the N1 million allegedly collected by the Olukere, Fayose said: “When we started, we met the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Jimi Adu Alagbado, who said there were shrines along the project site for us to handle.

    ý”Later, the Olukere came into the scene and said the affected area is his domain and that the issue of relocating the shrines did not concern Ogoga.

    “I told him that we might not be able to bend the road. Prominent Ikere indigenes such as former Governor of the old Ondo State, Chief Bamidele Olumilua, were at the meeting.

    “To help in performing the necessary rituals to relocate the shrines, the Olukere was given N1m on January 11, this year to relocate the deities and shrines. He collected the money at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti and the vouchers he signed are still available.”

    But Olukere denied the alleged receipt of N1m. Obasoyin explained that the money was not given to him personally either in cheque or in cash.

    He further explained that two of his chiefs, the Eselemo of Odo Oja, Chief Adeyemi Fajilade and Saya, Chief Foluso Olowofela collected the money from the Commissioner of Works, Mrs Funmilayo Ogun, which he said was effectively deployed for the relocation of four deities with the exception of the ancient tree.

    He said: “Let me say categorically that I didn’t personally collect any cheque or cash from Governor Fayose. So, this is a cheap blackmail.

    The agreement we had with the government was that, there were five deities that could obstruct the dual carriage way project and we agreed that four should be relocated.

    “Ikere people didn’t want Ejibaosi relocated but I had to pacify them because we love development. I want to believe that it was the Ogoga that wanted to mislead the governor because he knew he has no role to play in the tradition of Ikere town. So, he wanted these traditions obliterated.

    “The actual amount released was N850, 000. I even added a sum of N350, 000 from my own pocket to complete the ritual. I am presently constructing an N18 million worth road in the town while I have investments worth over N200m in this town. So, I can’t stand on the way of government to effect development.

    But Ogoga, who had been silent since the latest crisis broke out joined the fray by condemning what he called “the show of shame by Olukere and his thugs” saying their action did not represent what the town stands for.

    The paramount ruler of the kingdom said he, his chiefs and the entire community deem it fit to apologise to Fayose for what he described as “the disgraceful behaviour and show of shame” by the self-styled Aworo Olosunta who describes himself as Olukere.”

    He said: “We have refrained from joining issues with Ganiyu Obasoyin on the pages of newspapers or over the radio as we consider him and his gang of thugs’ irritable nuisance that should ordinarily be dealt with appropriately by the law enforcement agents.

    “However, his recent show of shame on June 5, 2017 and June 6, 2017 compel us to state the facts against the lies that have been sent out by the paid agents of Ganiyu Obasoyin. Ganiyu Obasoyin and his lawless gang do not represent Ikere.”

    It should be noted that Ganiyu Obasoyin going to collect N1m from the state government through false pretences is impersonation criminal and fraudulent.

    “We repeat for the umpteenth time that Olukere was never at any time in our history a chief let alone a king.  Olukere has always been a priest of Olosunta like other priests of idols in Ikere and no government, since the creation of mankind, has ever recognised him as a monarch.

    “His attempt to attack the palace on June 6, 2017 as he also did on February 11 last year and got away with it was taken with equanimity, knowing that his objectives have always been to throw the town into chaos as he boasted in the dailies in January of last year to make Ife/Modakeke crisis a child’s play when he would have finished with Ikere.

    “In Yoruba history and culture, there has been no leader who would obstruct developmental project in his community. By all living standards, Ganiyu Obasoyin cannot be seen as a leader in a decent society.

    “All Ikere people within and in the Diaspora are happy and welcome the project currently being championed in Ikere by the administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose and we support him in this effort. We salute the maturity that the Governor has applied in dealing with both cases of Ganiyu Obasoyin’s lawless and disgraceful behaviour.

    “We abhor any act of hooliganism, criminality and brutalisation of law-abiding citizens which has become the hallmark of Ganiyu Obasoyin and his cliques.

    “We find these rampant acts of thuggery very distasteful and disrespectful. The security agents should not wait till people start to defend themselves against this individual. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

    It appears the state government has bowed to the wish of traditionalists to spare the Ege tree as the contractor has diverted the road in a bid to avoid controversy but the triangular battle among Olukere, Ogoga and the Fayose government continues to rage.

     

  • My trouble with Oluwo, by Ogundokun

    My trouble with Oluwo, by Ogundokun

    Former Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), a High Chief in Iwo land, Osun State, Chief Abiola Ogundokun and the traditional ruler of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi were good friends until the relationship turned sour.

    Speaking exclusively to Southwest Report, Ogundokun said he did not know what Oluwo wants from him or what he has done to Oluwo to warrant him to destroy the foundation he has built.

    “While I will not allow anything to scratch his body, I will not allow him destroy the foundation I have built,” Ogundokun said.

    He revealed that he had stood firmly behind the Oluwo right from the time he was appointed.

    He claimed that he invested his money to furnish the Oluwo’s palace, adding that the monarch also acknowledged this in a letter of appreciation to him.

    The letter which was made available to Southwest Report read:

    “I, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Ilufemiloye Telu1, the Oluwo of Iwo, wish to confer Obanla of Iwo on Alhaji High Chief Abiola Adeniyi Oladepo Ogundokun, due to your immense and invaluable contributions to the growth of Iwo.“…With this appointment as Obanla, your previous title as Otun Balogun is hereby withdrawn and you are automatically a member of Conflict Resolution Committee of Iwo land.”

    In another instance, Ogundokun said he risked his life by challenging the mob that came to attack the palace.

    Contrary to what is being bandied in some quarters, the crisis between the two may not be a personality clash after all.  Ogundokun said his problem with the Oluwo of Iwo was based on principle.

    When Southwest Report contacted the Oluwo, he gave an express instruction that he was not ready to discuss the crisis.

    Media, especially the online in Osun had feasted on the crisis.

    Unfortunately, the crisis between the two titans of Iwo land is being stoked by action and inaction of the two actors.

    Tracing the genesis of the crisis, Ogundokun revealed that an honest advice to the Oluwo to stop some of his odd attitude and illegality did not go down well with the monarch. This sparked the disagreement between them.

    He accused Oluwo of planning to destroy the tradition of the people of Iwo by not only equating himself with the gods but also crowning his wife. He also accused Oluwo of engaging in actions that could bring disrespect to the throne.

    “Who is that Oba that you crown your wife? Who is that Oba that you say you are superior to the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife. He said every Oba in Yoruba land has the right to the throne of Ooni. He was talking anyhow and just manufacturing history.”

    Narrating the incident to Southwest Report, Ogundokun said he advised the Oluwo on the illegality he was perpetrating in the appointment of officers and members of the board, but the monarch was never comfortable with it.

    Osolo, the traditional ruler of Isolo, Lagos, tried to make him see reasons why he should listen to Ogundokun during a meeting at Osolo’s palace in Lagos, but Oluwo stuck to his gun.

    According to Ogundokun, when they got to Iwo, they started another meeting on the issue of the secretary of IBOT.

    In a separate interview with Southwest Report, Oluwo had explained that there was nothing strange in putting the crown on his wife’s head. He said it was his respect for and recognition of women as the Oduduwa had done to his wife that made him do that.

    On tradition, Oluwo explained that Iwo cannot continue to live in the past, saying it was improper to serve a god that do not bring development to its people.

    While Oluwo has kept mum on the incident, his action has shown that there is no love lost between him and his erstwhile benefactor.

    When Southwest Report sought to interview him on the matter, one of his close aides said the monarch said it was not necessary to discuss the matter. According to the source, it was not right for the monarch to engage his subject in a verbal war; rather he would act according to the power conferred on him by the tradition.

     

    How to end the feud

    Giving conditions on how to end the crisis, Ogundokun said he would forgive Oluwo on the condition that he desists from some of his behaviours. Oluwo should talk less. He should not call himself god. He should not abuse any traditional ruler. He should not abuse Ooni and Aalafin or any of his perceived enemies. He should not place curse on them again.

  • Family of fire victim gets Airtel’s support

    Eight months after a family lost its kids and house to an inferno at Magboro, in Ogun State, succour has come their way as a telecommunication firm Airtel Nigeria, donated a rebuilt two-bedroom apartment to the bereaved family.

    At an event to hand over of the new house to the Aina family, residents thronged the compound thanking the communication outfit for the gesture.

    Some of them who were overjoyed rolled on the floor thanking God for putting smiles back on the faces of the Ainas while other people sang and rejoiced.

    But Mrs. Aina, who suffered severe burnt was speechless when people stormed the residence. However, it was a mixed feeling for Korede Aina-the only surviving child in the October 11, last year’s inferno when the family stepped into the new apartment.

    “I wish my siblings were alive, but I am happy today because of Airtel’s gesture,” Korede said.

    Mr and Mrs Aina, however, smiled as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya handed the apartment to them.

    Ogunsanya commended them for demonstrating courage, resilience and hope amid overwhelming challenges.

    “Today is for the Aina family. Indeed, I am excited to hand over this two-bedroom apartment as we pray that God Almighty continues to reside with them, strengthens and enables them to find peace. With this gesture, we believe that their journey to recovery from the unpleasant experience will be easy, smooth and much better.

    “We are doing this in fulfilment of the pledge to the beneficiary in the just-concluded Airtel Touching Lives Season Three. While we can do little about the past, there is so much we can do about the present and our future.

    “And that is why we decided to step in to help this good family to rebuild their future. I must say the future of the Aina family is very bright and I encourage everyone to walk with them in getting the best out of the future,” Ogunsanya said.

     

     

  • Aspirant congratulates flag bearer

    One of the chairmanship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, in the forthcoming Lagos State local government election scheduled for July 22, Hon. Peter Ajayi, has congratulated the flag bearer of the party in the area Hon. Monsuru Bello Oloyede.

    In a statement issued by the Peter Ajayi Campaign Organisation (PACO), Ajayi said the emergence of Bello as the candidate of the party “can be seen as the best decision by the party leadership”, because it does not mean that the other aspirants are not capable hands.

    He said only one person can emerge victorious in any competitive political contest and that it is appropriate for other aspirants to rally round the selected candidate to win at the general election.

    “I implore other aspirants to extend the hands of fellowship and the spirit of sportsmanship to the candidate, so as to ensure victory in the coming election. The party is bigger than all interests.”

  • Foundation tackles child exploitation

    Child sexual exploitation is not alien to Nigeria; it is rooted in culture, tradition and, in some cases, fetish and ungodly religious beliefs with children and vulnerable women as victims. WALE AJETUNMOBI writes that Jose Foundation and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development have joined forces to curb the phenomenon. 

    September, 2015 findings from the Nigeria Violence against Children Survey carried out by the National Population Commission (NPC), with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, discovered high prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria.

    The population-based study revealed that approximately six out of every 10 Nigerian children under the age of 18 years, experience some form of physical, emotional and sexual violence before the age of 18 years.

    One out of two children experience physical violence, one in four girls and one in 10 boys experience sexual violence, and one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence.

    The majority of children never tell anyone about their experience and less than 5 per cent of children who experience violence ever receive the support they need to recover.

    The survey found out that childhood violence has a long-term impact that lasts well into adulthood, including poorer mental and physical health outcomes. Individuals who experienced physical and sexual violence in childhood were also significantly more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence.

    The shocking rape of a six-month-old baby in Kano of late that left the nation in shock further reinforced the call by experts to tighten security around minors to avoid child sexual exploitation against them.

    The defilement of the baby, no doubt, touched the heart of Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari and the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II both of whom visited the victim in hospital and expressed shock at the incident.

    Recall that Jose Foundation, last year, wrote a letter to the wife of the President, the Inspector- General of Police and wife of the Senate President, informing them of the growing trend of abuse of minors and women in the country.

    In the letter it called for a pragmatic action from highly placed individuals in authority to step up action against violence on children and vulnerable women in IDP camps and other parts of Nigeria.

    Although, child sexual exploitation (CSE) may not actually be a ‘Nigerian phenomenon’ the prevalence of abuse of minors in the country has become ‘alarming’.

    Unfortunately, several reported cases of child sexual exploitation have close family members as the ‘usual culprits’ pushing experts to redraw plans on how to deal with the monster that has continued to gain ground in the country of recent.

    Not even the Child Rights Act (2003) has been able to deter the evil doers from crying out heinous crimes against innocent minors, worse is that some states are finding hard to domesticate the Act due to factors centred around religion, culture and lack of political will.

    The situation has not only affected many psychologically, but has also threatened the future of millions of children.

    An international non-governmental organisation, Jose Foundation, since 2003, has continued to champion the fight against child sexual exploitation in Nigeria.

    To address the issue, Jose Foundation has been carrying out series of public awareness on how parents can protect their children from falling into the hands of sexual exploiters.

    This includes advocacy, creating awareness, trainings and international diplomacy to draw attention of leaders worldwide to the plights of the vulnerable in the society.

    The promotion of CSE campaigns necessitated the need to organise a workshop for all stakeholders in the protection of minors in Nigeria.

    The foundation, through the Nigerian mission in the United Kingdom, submitted a training proposal to several ministries in Nigeria; including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development.

    Reports have it that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development responded to the foundation’s request by asking for the details of the proposed programme.

    Details of the proposed workshop which has been delivered to the Nigerian High Commission in London to be transmitted to Abuja, it was learnt, will bring the crème de la crème in the Nigerian society under one roof to discuss child sexual exploitation, it’s implications to Nigeria and how it can be tackled.

    Between August 15 and 21, this year, some members of the Federal Executive Council, lawmakers, the military and the internally displaced persons (IDPs), parents, care givers, family members and community leaders will have to listen to a group of experts from the United Kingdom fighting CSE on how to curb the menace in Nigeria.

    Others to attend the workshop are: religious leaders; development workers; heads of schools; and other officers including law enforcement agents and social care educators.

    Speaking on the planned workshop, President, Jose Foundation, Prince Martins Abhulimhen told journalists that the time has come for Nigeria to join other nations who are showing commitment to the protection of minors and women from sexual abuse.

    “We have taken responsibility to work with the Nigerian government to tackle CSE and that is why we chose to submit our programme details for government scrutiny and full participation”, he said.

    He noted that the foundation planned to launch a book on child sexual exploitation written in three of Nigeria’s major languages and the setting up of a Jose Foundation Therapy Centre in Nigeria to be managed by UK experts to train Nigerians on how to handle victims.

    The book is to act as a day-to-day guideline that children must read to checkmate any kind of abuse from perpetrators.

    He said the seven-member team of experts from the UK on CSE will be led by Jayne Senior, a Councillor in Rotherham. She was credited for revealing a pattern of exploitation in the town that saw large numbers of children and young people groomed, gang-raped and tortured by groups of men.

    At least 1,400 children were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

    Children as young as 11 were raped by multiple perpetrators, abducted, trafficked to other cities in England, beaten and intimidated.

    Consequently, to further fight the scourge in the United Kingdom, the government is spending about 40 million pounds this year alone. Amount considered too low by some critics while Nigeria, with a rising cases of CSE, is lagging behind.

    Meanwhile, lawmakers and ministers will be the first to be briefed on the topic. Personal experiences and skills around tackling CSE will share and why CSE is a global issue and the short-term and long-term effects of CSE on victims and families.

    The military and officials of IDP camps will learn different types of exploitation. This will include the impact of victims both short-term and long-term and moral and legal issues.

    Religious leaders will be thought on how to spot the signs of CSE, their role in protecting children from harm, while law enforcement agents and social care educators are to learn issue of awareness within local economy, indicators of a child at risk, long and short-term impact of abuse on children, and reporting and referring concerns to relevant agencies.

    Meanwhile, working with families and communities in this regard has been identified as a measure to fencing the child against people with the intention to sexually-exploit minors.

    Monitoring and engaging children is said to make minors and their parents have a sense of what constitutes child abuse and what it is not.

     

     

     

  • ‘Help rebuild your alma mater’

    Old Students of Kiriji Memorial College, Igbajo Oyo State, have been urged to visit their alma mater frequently in order to assist it in rebuilding its glory.

    A former student of the college who graduated in 1977, Mr Lai Onipede made the call at the inaugural meeting of the 1984 set of the college organised by Mr Akintunde Ojo in Ibadan.

    He said when Kiriji College was founded in1952, the community tried so much to build it, adding that it was to train and produce future leaders.

    Onipede said:” The College has produced prominent personalities such as traditional rulers, ministers in the federal cabinet, captains of industries, high-ranking officers in the Armed forces, professors of notes in and out of the country.”

    He regretted that looking back at the state of the school currently, it has lost its glory due to neglect by successive administrations in the state.

    “The fact can be attested to if one visits the school to assess the level of decay as regards the maintenance of infrastructure on ground. The school, with over 400 students cannot boast of 13 permanent teachers, the principal inclusive. How can we have thorough teaching when the required numbers of teachers are not available?

    “The then most cherished Science laboratories are all gone. The buildings are all dilapidated, all the hostels, especially the female hostels, dining and assembly halls are all gone, “he said.

    Onipede called on allý old students of the college to come together and rebuild their Alma mater, stressing that government cannot do it alone ‘ but we all need to give back to the school that made us’.

    Similarly, the Senior Prefect of the 84 set, Adegoke Olaoluwa said the meeting was organised in order to bring together all their classmates whom they have not seen for over 33 years ago.

    He said this will give them the opportunity to refresh their memory of what their time was in Kiriji College and be able to know how to assist.