The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Praises as Ogunbusuyi goes home

    Praises as Ogunbusuyi goes home

    Families, friends and loved ones had showered tributes as the final burial and funeral service of the late Pastor Isaac Oluwadare Ogunbusuyi and the late Deaconess Rachael Omobolaji Ogunbusuyi was held in Ido-Ekiti Ekiti State.

    Pastor E.A. Jeje, who preached at the event, praised the deceased, saying they had lived a fulfilled life. He advised the children to learn from the lifestyle of their late parents and grandparents and continue to exhibit good virtues they had bequeathed to them while on earth.

    The event was held at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Aanu Zonal Headquarters, Olorunsogo, Iyedi in Ido-Ekiti.

    One of the children of the deceased, Hon. Deji Ogunbusuyi appreciated God for the good life his parents had lived, saying they will continue to be remembered.

    A relation of the family, Prophet Sam Olu Alo described the deceased as people who had lived exemplary life. He said the deceased had shown love for God through their dedicatedness to the work and ministry of the church. He urged the children and the entire members of the family to continue to live in unity.

    One of the daughters, Oluwatoyin said in her tribute: “Papami, I am short of words to describe how I felt on the breaking news about your death. Though we fight and settle but then I will never forget the moments we have shared together as father and daughter. I pray that your soul rest in perfect peace. I love you papami”.

    The late Madam Rachael died on October 28, 2010 at the age of 62 while her husband, Pastor Oluwadare died on January 23, this year at the age of 72. They were survived by children and grandchildren.

  • Ambode opens Epe, others for business

    Ambode opens Epe, others for business

    Epe, Abule-Egba and other parts of Lagos State now boast of good road networks and bridges, which will change their fortunes forever, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    Epe, an Island town which is home for many prominent Lagosians, was in the woods. The roads leading into it gave the impression that you were entering into one small town. That was then; not anymore.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has changed all that, even though he is only executing the first phase of his plans for the historic town.

    The governor has inaugurated network of roads in the town with a pledge to commence other massive road projects.

    Speaking while inaugurating the Epe roads, Ambode revealed plans by his administration to construct a standard eight-lane road from Ikorodu to Epe via Agbowa, Itoikin and Ijebu-Ode.

    He said the road project would be delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect is about to be signed.

    The governor also revealed that in a bid to scale-up the socio-economic integration of the Southwest, the state government, in partnership with Ogun State, would construct a top-class road from Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode Junction.

    The roads reconstructed and upgraded under the Epe Phase 1 Project include Lagos Road (Oke Osho/T-Junction/Aiyetoro Roundabout), Professor Agbalajobi (Aiyetoro Garage/Ita Marun-Ottin) and Oloja Estate (Bature/Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha/Adekunle Rahman) roads.

    While inaugurating the roads, Ambode, said the completion of the project was in line with his promise during election campaigns to address the challenges of gross infrastructural deficit, flooding and erosion that the people of Epe had lived with for decades.

    He said: “It gladdens my heart to see that, two years into the tenure of this administration; the dream of transforming Epe and its environs into a modern city is becoming a reality. The narrow roads are being redefined to give Epe a face lift. The network of roads has been complemented with street lights to provide illumination, improve security and enhance socio-economic activities.

    “This is consistent with our pledge to ensure inclusive growth, where no part of the state will be left behind or neglected. The ongoing infrastructural development in Epe is a foundation for economic progress and development.”

    He added that the plan of his administration was to open Epe town to local and international investors who would be keen to take advantage of the ongoing transformation of Ibeju-Lekki axis which is being turned into an industrial hub.

    Aside the roads, the governor said when the ongoing Epe-Marina project is completed, Epe would be transformed into a world-class destination for tourists and adventure seekers.

    Giving details on other road projects in the axis, the governor said work had already commenced on the Phase II of the project from Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka and Epe-Poka-Mojoda Road, while the proposed Phase III is the Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode Junction Road to be delivered in collaboration with Ogun State.

    Besides, the governor expressed optimism that the Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu-Ode and Itoikin Epe Road projects would provide viable alternative routes to Lekki-Eti-Osa-Epe Expressway which will witness increased vehicular movement resulting from industrial activities at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

    “We are optimistic that the future prosperity of Lagos State is secured. The development of the East-West wings of the state is our sure bet to prosperity,” he said.

    The Chairman of Epe Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief Yinka Tobun, said the transformation of Epe within a short time was pleasantly surprising to the people.

    He said: “Epe, once sleepy and rusty town is being transformed to a modern one. We are marveled and dazed by the level of development that Governor Ambode has brought to our town within a short time. We are very appreciative of this.”

    May 15 to May 19 was a week the people of Lagos State will never forget in a hurry. It was a week which Ambode delivered some landmark legacy projects to the people, ranging from top class flyovers, roads, pedestrian bridges, lay-bys and segregated bus terminals, among others. It was indeed, as many observers have noted, a week that changed Lagos.

    As part of activities marking the 50 years of Lagos State, Ambode has been inaugurating several projects initiated and completed by his administration, but the inauguration of May 15 to 19 would be symbolic in the history of the state.

    First on Tuesday, May 16, Ambode, to the admiration of the people of Ojodu Berger, inaugurated 98 metres pedestrian bridges (the longest in Nigeria), lay-bys and slip road.

    Speaking on the interventions in Ojodu Berger, Ambode said his administration, at inception, identified the axis as one of the major traffic flashpoints that required urgent attention, adding that the decision to transform the place to a hub was informed by the strategic importance of the axis being a major gateway into the state.

    Ambode said a food court would also be built where people can relax before climbing the pedestrian bridge, as well as an inter-state bus terminal within the Ojodu Berger axis for buses coming from outside Lagos to drop and load passengers, while inter-city transportation system would move commuters within the city.

    Besides, the governor assured that his traffic interventions would not only stop at the Ojodu Berger axis, but would also be an ongoing process to create solutions to traffic congestions in every part of the state.

    The Ojodu Berger project was conceived by the state government as a response to the yearnings of the people of Ojodu Berger Community for an improved, efficient and gridlock-free road network, as well as the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Lagosians who, hitherto, were endangered by the need to cross the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The scope of the project include 98 metres pedestrian bridges with illumination, 150 metres length lay-bys on both sides of the expressway, 500 metres length of retaining wall with varying height from 3.5 metres to seven metres and two multi-by bus park/bus lay-bys on Ogunnusi Road with public convenience.

    Other scope of the project include 650 metres slip road connecting traffic outward the expressway to Omole/Olowora Junction, 700 metres Ogunnusi/Wakatiadura dual carriage road from Kosoko Road Junction to the expressway, 250 metres PWC Road to the expressway, street lighting on all the roads and multi-bay bus parks, signalisation of all junctions, pedestrian walkway and drainage infrastructure, among others.

    After inaugurating the Ojodu Berger project, Ambode, on Wednesday, May 17, moved to Abule Egba and Ajah where he inaugurated flyovers and major link roads as part of the creative solutions to address the perennial traffic associated with the areas, as well as boost economic activities in both axes.

    Residents of Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, can also testify to the Ambode magic. The Ajah flyover was completed within a record time of 10 months, while that of Abule Egba was completed within 13 months.

    The Ajah Bridge is a 160 metres long dual carriage way with total length of 620 metres, while the Abule Egba Bridge is 1.3km with a water fountain. Both bridges were designed with traffic signalisation, street lighting, walkways, service ducts and drainage infrastructure, among others.

    The governor, who spoke at separate events in Ajah and Abule Egba to officially open the Bridges, christened as ‘Jubilee Bridges’ for public use, said while the motive behind Ajah Bridge was to improve connectivity in the axis and facilitate economic growth, the Abule-Egba Bridge was about opening up other areas of the state and improving the lives of residents in the area.

    Ambode recalled that Ajah was troubled with terrible traffic gridlock daily, which, according to him, was crippling business activities, causing loss of valuable man hours and revenues.

    He said the bridge would eliminate the traffic jam usually experienced on the road while the 2.7km Freedom Road and 2.2km Admiralty Way, which he also inaugurated, would provide an alternative route to the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge, thereby, easing traffic at Lekki Phase 1.

    “We had to give this project priority because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis will play key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as the home to many multi-billion Naira private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the upcoming seaport and airport.

    Ambode said beyond the bridge, his administration was already looking forward to activating the Badore Jetty in line with efforts to commence reforms in the state’s water transportation initiative.

    He said the intervention would see the creation of a bus route from Badore to Langbasa and Ajah axis, rehabilitation of the Badore Road and create alternative routes through Oke-Ira to the Epe Expressway, while the alternative slip road which motorists used while the construction of the Bridge lasted would be closed to accommodate a new bus terminal.

    At the inauguration of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki few minutes after,  Ambode said: “In continuation of efforts to open the axis for economic activities, the state government, in partnership with the private sector, would commence construction of 8km Regional Road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) to Freedom Road.”

    When the governor’s train moved to Abule Egba, where thousands of residents waited in the sun for hours, to inaugurate the flyover, he said the area was a strategic route for commercial and social activities which was riddled by heavy traffic gridlock, hence his administration’s decision to redesign the traffic flow chart of the axis to ensure better connectivity between Lagos and Ogun states.

    “Lagos means business and today, Abule-Egba is open for business. This bridge signposts the beginning of a new era of development that would enhance the standard of living of the people in this axis with the provision of this infrastructure,” Governor Ambode said.

    Ambode said the construction of the bridge was the beginning of a process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the state, assuring that the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba would be followed by another BRT lane from Abule-Egba to Ogun State border.

    Ambode said all the adjoining roads disrupted in the course of the construction of the bridge have been awarded for rehabilitation, while a shopping mall would also be constructed opposite the Oke-Odo Market to further boost economic activities in the axis.

    At Kosofe Local Government Area where he equally inaugurated eight newly upgraded roads in Omotayo Banwo, Kola Iyaomolere, Omotayo Close, Adetunji Adegbite Street, Ogun Street, Goodluck Street and Prince Oyewunmi Streets, the Governor said the rehabilitation of the roads was part of the efforts to further improve road connectivity and reduce travel time in the axis.

    Lagos State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Tajudeen Agbede praised Ambode for the timely completion of Abule-Egba Bridge, saying that the bridge would eliminate loss of man-hour usually experienced due to traffic congestion in the axis.

    He said: “For us as transporters, the bridge will help to boost our business as we will make more money due to free flow of traffic. It will also greatly reduce the amount of money we spend on maintenance of our buses.”

    Chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC) in Ogudu, Comrade Adebayo Maradesa thanked the Governor for the multi-faceted projects implemented at Ojodu Berger, saying that apart from saving lives and ensuring free flow of traffic, the aesthetics of the area had been greatly improved upon.

    Also speaking on the Ojodu Berger project, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cardinal James Odumbakun, said in his over 50 years’ experience of living in Ojodu Berger, the area had never had it so good.

    “Before now, if you want to buy the best bread, just go to Berger over the bridge, you will see all that with attendant risk involved. But today, the entire area has been transformed for good. With the kind permission of the people, since we don’t know Berger that this place was named after, I like to rename it Ojodu Ambode for the transformation. It is God that has chosen Governor Ambode for us and his second term is assured already,” Odumbaku said.

  • Ndigbo celebrate Lagos at 50

    Ndigbo celebrate Lagos at 50

    The Igbo Community in Lagos, held a solidarity celebration of Lagos at 50. The event, which was held at the VIP Lounge, Entrance A, National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos brought together personalities and policymakers from all the states of the federation. NNEKA NWANERI reports

    As part of activities lined up for the month-long celebration of Lagos at 50, the Igbo Community in Lagos (Ndigbo), under the leadership of Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu held a solidarity festivity to commemorate the 50 years of the existence of the state as a geographical entity.

    The event was also a showcase for the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo Community.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tunji Bello who appreciated the gesture of the outstanding achievements of Ndigbo to the state and urged that they continue to maintain harmonious co-existence

    Describing Lagos as a mini-Nigeria, the SSG called on citizens to remain law-abiding and faithfully discharge their civic responsibilities that have made the state the benchmark of good governance and a place where opportunities are created for everyone to realise their full potential.

    One of the hosts and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon (Sir) Jude Emeka Idimogu (KSM), who represents Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency II, said Lagos is gradually tilting towards being a mega city that can be likened to Johannesburg in South Africa and Cairo in Egypt. He also added that Lagos is the first place that comes in mind to anyone who says he is coming to a South-western state.

    “Lagos is a land of great opportunity. We are celebrating not just because Lagos is 50, we are celebrating good roads, flyover bridges, good transport system, maximum security and street lights, to mention but a few.

    “Apart from the cosmopolitan nature of the state, Lagos is the safest place for the Igbo man outside his home land and provides the best opportunity for Ndigbo to do their legitimate businesses; in an atmosphere conducive enough to prosperity and making the best out of these great opportunities provided by the state.

    High point of the event was the presentation of award plaques and special recognition to Governor Ambode and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha. Governor Okorocha was represented by the Imo State Liaison Officer, Nze Steve Asimobi.

    Others who received awards were Hon. Idimogu and former Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, among others.

    Also at the event was the Iyaloja-General, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo (who also received a prestigeous award); Lagos All Progressives Congress spokesperson Joe Igbokwe and Hon Desmond Elliot of the Surulere Constituency.

    A book, entitled: Ndigbo: A Factor in Lagos State Development, written by Chief Geoffrey Umeh was unveiled and launched.

    The book chronicles the existing cordial relationship between Igbo and Yoruba as well as the contributions of Igbo sons and daughters to the development of Lagos in the past 50 years.

    A lecture was delivered by Dr Fredrick Nzeako, a lawyer and development economist on the theme: “Lagos Cosmopolitanism, Democracy and Governance: The Challenges of non-indigenes (Ndigbo) in the Development Process of Lagos State.”

    Another Member of House of Assembly, Hon Layi Olawale said the Igbo asking for a special status means asking for too much since Lagos State Government has always been recognising them as part and parcel of the economy of the state.

    “In terms of representation, they are in the cabinet and in the party structure too even at the national level. So, asking for a special status will call for other ethnic bodies to be asking for their own quota and so will like them to have equal distribution of wealth, which is being manifest in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s programmes without discrimination.

    “All ethic geo-political zones have always been carried along under this administration. Why then are they asking for recognition? Olawale asked.

    He, however, praised Ndigbo for their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.

    He said: “I appreciate their resilience and hard work and entrepreneurship nature of an Igbo man. This they should keep up because no other ethnic group can be successful in another town. Despite the intimidation and problems, they are very dogged and other ethnic groups should take a cue from them.”

    Director-General for Black and African Art Civilisation (CBAAC), Dr Ferdinand Aniekwe said “Igbo have contributed in several factors of economic integration and are the only ethnic group that will build houses and be relaxed; a feat they are yet to achieve in Igbo land.

    “They are everywhere in African countries and even beyond the continent. They always form communities where the serve selflessly for the development of such places. They should be given honour and their pride of place because it is clear that they have not been given the political position they have been looking for. It is clear to see that they have been marginalised.

    There is a fault in the population of Igbo. In Lagos, they are the second largest to the indigenes; in Ogun, they are the second and even in Kastina. Thus, they should be given chances based on their population; not just in Nigeria, but also in international communities.

  • ‘My plan for Ejigbo, by aspirant’

    A chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming local government election in Lagos State, Mr Peter Omotayo Ajayi, has said he will make his local government a better place. He said he is running for the chairmanship position because he cares about his community and the state at large. He wants to go back, reach back, and give back to his community. To him, serving others is the greatest reward of all.

    For long, Ejigbo LCDA has everything backwards and upside down. In a true democracy, the people are in charge, not the elected officials. Elected leaders are public servants and should do the will of the public. That is what he plans to practice now in Ejigbo LCDA.

    He is running for the Chairmanship position of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in the forthcoming Lagos State local government election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ajayi is running for public office because he is upset with the way local issues are being handled and wants to actualise his vision for Ejigbo LCDA.

    As a strong advocate for social change, he is fully immersed on human rights issues. Between 1999 and 2011, he served in different capacities with different organisations: administrative officer/group coordinator/chair, caretaker committee of Amnesty International Nigerian Section, Co-Convener Movement for Genuine Democracy in Nigeria, Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights Education and Reporting. Politically, Ajayi has served Ejigbo LCDA as Supervisor for Market and Revenue Generation, Chairman, Committee on Revenue for Ejigbo LCDA and Revenue Consultant to Ejigbo LCDA. During his appointment as Supervisor for Market and Revenue Generation, he worked assiduously and increased the revenue of the Council with 360 per cent, a record that was unprecedented.

    Ajayi is the founder and Executive Director of Salvage for Development Initiative (SDI), a think-tank arm of the APC. The SDI, through research and policy analysis, proffers solutions to socio-economic and political problems confronting governments in Nigeria. He is also the publisher of The View Magazine (online and print), which focuses on politics, corruption and general issues.

    While he was with human rights organisations, he participated at different committees such as human rights education, campaign and outreach, refugee/relief work, fundraising for investment and development. He chaired press and publication as well as the media and publicity organs of the committees.

    After the return of civil rule in 1999, he joined politics. In the Media Office of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the then headship of Mr. Sunday Dare, Ajayi was a Social Media Assistant, with the responsibility of managing and monitoring every online news report about the image and personality of his principal.

  • Police avert crisis in community

    In a bid to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the ancient town of Igboye land in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, the police have stopped the annual sacrifice to the ancestors of the primordial town till further notice.

    Last Thursday, some persons (names withheld) suspected to be sympathetic to the embattled traditional ruler of the town, Michael Onakoya, had attempted to offer sacrifices to the ancestors (Osi Ilu) of the town at the shrine, claiming to be acting on divination by an oracle.

    It was gathered that these persons cleared the bush surrounding the shrine and hired tents, chairs and bought a goat with which to make the sacrifice.

    The attempt to make the sacrifice came days after the monarch returned to the community following reprieve granted him by the Lagos State government last month.

    The monarch, who came back to the community as “an ordinary citizen”, it was learnt, has since kept a low profile as part of the conditions laid down by the government for his return, pending final determination of various cases in court.

    The Lagos State government, had earlier on May 17, last year, banished Oba Onakoya from Igboye, following two judgments by Justice Habib Abiru in October, 2008 and Justice Iyabo Kasali in April last year deposing Onakoya as the Orijeru of Igboye land.

    The deposition letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sanuth J.A.B., ordered the monarch to stop parading himself “as the Orijeru of Igboye with immediate effect until another judgment setting the two aside is obtained.

    “I am to also advise you to stay away from the community in order to prevent any breakdown of law and order until the situation is reversed.”

    However, before the sacrifice could commence, youths of the community, in retaliation, were said to have swooped on the shrine, stopped the ceremony and chased away the people they met there.

    It was gathered that they insisted that no sacrifice would be allowed to take place at the shrine until there is a substantive king on the throne, more so that the community has not selected and installed a new Olisa after the death of Chief Fatai Mustapha.

    Investigation, however, revealed that those sympathetic to the monarch had earlier in March, this year, prevented some members of the community from celebrating Kilajolu Festival spear-headed by one of the ruling houses and during which they normally make offerings to their ancestors.

    It was learnt that a breakdown of law and order was prevented in the community following the intervention of Alara of Ilara, Oba A.A. Adesanya and the police.

    As a result of the new development, one Alhaji Rasaki Azeez and the youths’ leader (Olori Odo), Mr Toyin Sangosanya, leading some of the youth of the community, lodged a formal complaint at the office of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Divisional Police Station at Oke Oyinbo, Epe.

    During an eventual meeting with the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Mrs Akinbo, the monarch reportedly insisted on having nothing to do with the attempt to offer sacrifices in the community.

    The DCO, thereafter, ordered that no sacrifice, under any guise, should hold in the community unless it has the support and approval of all the four ruling houses and until after the Muslim fasting season.

    Oba Onakoya did not pick his phone when contacted on his GSM line for comment on the matter.

    Head of the ruling houses (Olori Ebi Gbogbogbo) and also Head of Osikadewa Ruling House, Chief Safiriyu Bakare, who also confirmed the development, insisted that there is a reigning king in the town.

    Chief Bakare said the monarch left the town a year ago to allow peace to reign.

    He insisted that the monarch has nothing to do with the attempt to offer sacrifice to their ancestors at the shrine but that a new date would be fixed after the Ramadan for the conduct of the sacrifice.

    Acting Head of the Ewade Ruling House and Baba Adinni of Igboye and Odoyangusen, Alhaji Mikhail Kadiri confirmed the events in the town. He alleged that those sympathetic to the embattled monarch breached agreement reached at the police station in March that no family should make any sacrifice until there is a king on the throne.

    “If at all it must hold in the future, it must be subject to the agreement of the four ruling houses on equal terms”, he said, adding “any meeting to which Ewade Ruling House, for instance, is not validly invited on equal terms cannot be in the interest of Igboye land and would not be acceptable”.

    When contacted for comment on the matter, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Ajimuda Olatunji also said   the issue in Igboye land is being handled at the level of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.

     

  • Tomori, Babayemi bag NUJ awards

    Tomori, Babayemi bag NUJ awards

    As part of its activities to mark the 2017 Press Week, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has honoured the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori and Chief Executive Officer of Fort Knox Group Limited, Abuja, Prince Dotun Babayemi with the Golden Mother Award and Evergreen Award for Humanitarian Services respectively.

    They were honoured alongside Mr Adeyinka Afonja, the CEO of Ace Supermarkets with Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mallam Yusuf Ali, with Man of the Year Award.

    Babayemi, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended the organisers of the awards for the recognition, adding that the honour would spur his efforts in giving back to the society.

    “My life has been about service without expecting anything in return; but this recognition by the Fourth Estate of the Realm has not only humbled me but also has further made me realise that a lot still needs to be done and I am committed to doing that,” the Gbongan-born politician said in his acceptance speech.

    Chairman of the NUJ council, Abiodun Olalere, said during the dinner and award night that the recipients of the awards were honoured for distinguishing themselves in various professions and contributing to the well-being of humanity.

    “Our union is committed to the cause of humanity while encouraging others who are doing the same. This has necessitated the need to honour the individuals,” Olalere remarked.

  • Students receive awards

    The Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs has given awards to three students in support of Lagos at 50 during an essay competition. The awards were presented by Mr Abiodun Oni from Ministry of Education, who represented Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The essay competition had the theme “Building a Better Lagos for the Future.”

    It was held at V. Ade Allen Hall of Yoruba Tennis Club, Ikoyi. The competition was open to interested students between ages 15 and 18 from the Lagos State public senior secondary schools.

    There were 30 essay written by 30 shortlisted students, showing the quality of education in public schools. They sat for the essay on Saturday, May 20, and three candidates emerged best.

    The three best candidates were Olayinka Esther Mohammed of Ikorodu Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu; Gideon Testimoy Ogundeko of United Senior High School, Ikorodu and Boluwatife Rukayat Calfos of Eko Akete Senior Grammar School, Lagos.

    It was organised by the Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs to recognise the important role that young people can play towards building a better Lagos for the future.

    The competition tested the knowledge of the students on Lagos affairs, versatility of content, organisation, expression and accuracy.

    The President of the association and Iya Abiye of Lagos, Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Foresythe said: “The effort of the teachers and school administrators is, no doubt, producing good students that can compete and excel in any internal or external examination”.

    Her view reinforces the mission of the Lagos State government in building putting in place an atmosphere that is enabling, inspiring and conducive to teaching and learning for Lagos youths.

    The chairman of the planning committee, Bashorun J. K. Randle praised Lagos State government for its efforts to improve education in public schools, even as he called for more involvement of the private sector, individuals and organisations in the total reform of the education landscape of Lagos.

    He also praised the efforts of the past and current administrations of Lagos State. He urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to build a better Lagos for the future through incremental development in education.

    The secretary of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawumi Gasper said: “The association can only support the Lagos State government to achieve its mission through such activities.

    “The students have been given hope that it is possible to excel with hard work and determination.

    Present at the event were: Chief Folarin Coker, Chief E. K. Aina, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Oshodi, Chief Femi Adeniyi-Williams, Chief and Chief (Mrs) Joseph Oyebanji and Chief (Mrs) Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, among others.

     

  • Osun introduces calisthenics in public schools

    The government of Osun State has announced that it will institutionalise calisthenics in all public schools as extra-curricular activities as part of the education interventions of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    While addressing journalists at a training workshop for coaches who are teachers in secondary schools in Osogbo, the state capital, Director, Department of Social, Grassroots Mobilisation and Guidance, Office of the Governor, Comrade Bayo Ojo said calisthenics in public schools has assisted in decimating social menace among students.

    The workshop had in attendance, Permanent Sectary, Ministry of Education, Mr Festus Olaide, Permanent Secretary, Local Government Loans Board Dr Oyeboade Olowogboyega and selected coaches from the nine federal constituencies.

    He said calisthenics has instilled discipline among the 22, 000 students drawn from 50 schools in the two local governments, Osogbo and Olorunda that have been participating in the programme since 2012.

    According to him, spreading the benefit of calisthenics on volunteer basis is, among others, to encourage school children to be physically strong, mentally sound, skilful, knowledgeable and socially oriented.

    Ojo said: “Calisthenics is an exercise that consists of varieties of rhythmic movements with different formations and compositions. Every participant is important to the success of the display which involved competence in coordination and management of complex situations.

    “Worthwhile training in the process is unity of purpose that compels participants to work towards a single objective, co-operation and team work that allows the participants learn to work in concert, realising that each must play his or her own part well in time, as each part, big or small, is equally important in attaining the set goals.”

    He explained that organisation, discipline and collective responsibilities involved in calisthenics are core values missing in Nigeria that has derailed the desired development of the country, arguing that if the young generation imbibed such values, Nigeria can be sure of a better future.

    To bring the game down to the grassroots, the state government is introducing selected schools as training centres in the nine federal constituencies and allows schools to take ownership of the programme as extra-curricular activities.

    Students from the public and interested private schools will constitute the calisthenics team of between 1,000 and 1,500 students that will participate in the state-wide competition that has trophy and financial rewards for the winners.

     

  • ‘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.

    The convener of the meeting, Mr Akintunde Ojo said the meeting was timely and will go a long way towards contributing towards the rebuilding of our Alma mater.

    “We have invited majority of the stakeholders of the college too in order for us to forge ahead on where to start from in our Alma mater. We have elders here and people of like minds to know what else we can do to bring back the glory of our Alma mater” he said.

    Ojo appealed to all former students of the college to assist the school that made them.

  • Ogun assures residents of adequate water supply

    The Ogun State Water Corporation has re-assured residents of Ifo, Arigbajo, Papalanto, Akinsinde, Itori and Ewekoro of adequate potable water supply after rain storm had destroyed electric poles and other properties of the corporation. The destroyed poles have been replaced by the corporation.

    The General Manager of the Corporation, Engineer (Mrs.) Monsurat Agboola made this known while inspecting Ifo/Akinsinde water scheme at Ifo Local Government Area. She revealed that no fewer than 10 power poles, including building housing the pumping machine and office block for members of staff were destroyed by the rain storm.

    “As a result of the damage caused by the thunder/rain storm to Ifo/Akinsinde Water Scheme, supply of water to the axis was initially put off for about two weeks in order to restore the damaged poles and other properties of the corporation. Now that normalcy has returned to the scheme, residents of the areas can now enjoy uninterrupted water supply,” Agboola said.

    She added that kiosks, shanties and illegal structures mounted around the water scheme usually constitute nuisance, as some of the roofs of the shanties were blown off and caused some damage to the water scheme. She urged the owners of the shanties to remove them before the corporation clamps down on them.

    Mrs. Agboola said the corporation had replaced the poles and other properties damaged by the thunder storm, noting that supply of water to areas such as Papalanto, Ifo, Itori, Arigbajo and their environs had commenced.

    She appreciated the residents of the areas and other customers for their patience during the trying period, adding that the damage was a natural occurrence. She enjoined the residents to promptly pay their water bills as the corporation is poised to provide them potable water.

    On behalf of other residents, Mrs. Akinwande Ayomide thanked the corporation for always justifying the confidence reposed in it, pledging that the residents would reciprocate the corporation’s readiness to supply them water by paying their bills as and when due.