The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Grandeur as monarch marks coronation anniversary

    Grandeur as monarch marks coronation anniversary

    Ilawe-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was agog for the fifth coronation anniversary of the Alawe, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports that the presence of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, added colour to the event. 

    All roads led to Ilawe-Ekiti, one of the major towns in Ekiti State as the residents celebrated their monarch, the Alawe, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, who marked his fifth coronation anniversary.

    He was crowned the Alawe and received his staff of office on April 27, 2012 from the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and succeeded the late Oba Adeyemi Ademileka.

    Before ascending the throne, Oba Alabi was a career diplomat who served in many Nigerian embassies and high commissions in many parts of the world.

    Since his enthronement, the community had witnessed social, economic and infrastructural development with the monarch using his local and international connections to attract development to his kingdom.

    The week-long activities featured football competition and free medical mission in which over 500 residents of Ilawe were treated of their ailments free. The medical mission was personally sponsored by the Oba.

    A massive crowd thronged the sports field of Corpus Christi College, Ilawe; venue of the coronation anniversary, with the rich cultural heritage of the town on display.

    A long queue of cars parked along Ilawe Road because the owners could not find parking space inside the Corpus Christi College. It was an indication to passers-by that something unique was going on in the town.

    Security agents had a hectic time controlling the surging crowd that trooped to the venue from within and outside the town.

    Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) who was the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee was on top of his game to ensure that things went on smoothly.

    Some eminent personalities who witnessed the event included the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Asiwaju Oyedeji Olajubu, who was chairman

    of the day; traditional rulers, politicians and community leaders.

    The event featured cultural dances by various groups in the community. Chiefs, women, youths and non-indigenes resident in Ilawe paid homage to their king.

    It was also an occasion for those who are indigenous to the town to take stock of the development of the town and also envisage better things to offer their homeland.

    The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, advocated unity in Yoruba land to facilitate the development of communities, towns and states in the region.

    He said traditional rulers should play pivotal role in the development of their communities by using their positions to attract social and economic development to their domains.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke in his capacity as the royal father of the day, emphasised that unity and peace are needed for sustainable development. He urged the Yoruba to co-operate with their monarchs in order to realise the dream.

    He said: “I want to appeal to all Yoruba wherever they are to be united and I want them to always embrace peace because nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis.

    “We need peace to ensure development and when we join hands together, we are going to achieve many things. It shall be well with us in Yoruba land and it shall be well with us in Nigeria.”

    Two natives of the town, popular musician, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz and a medical doctor, Lamide Orekunrin, were honoured with Award of Excellence.

    A Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) was among the personalities who bagged chieftaincy titles at the coronation anniversary. Adedipe was honoured with the title of Otunba Gbaweluyi.

    Others who received chieftaincy titles included Prof. Idowu Odeyemi (Atunluse), his wife, Prof. Sola Odeyemi (Yeye Atunluse), Engr. Akin Abereowo (Otun Bobasua), his wife, Modupe (Yeye Bobasua), Captain Jacob Ajao (Fiwagboye), Mrs Aduke Asaolu (Iyalaje) and Mr. Ndubuisi Okemini (Kajewolu).

    The Alawe, Oba Alabi paid tributes to his predecessors for their heroism which made Ilawe to be a reputable town that was jealously defended from invaders.

    The incident, according to Oba Alabi, occurred in 1925 during the reign of Oba Afinbiokin who fought back colonial overlords who wanted to turn Ilawe people to slaves in their homeland.

    According to him, Oba Afinbiokin was sent on compulsory exile by the colonial warlords that year and he remained there till his death four year later To Oba Alabi, that tragedy was Oba Afinbiokin’s legacy as a freedom fighter for the Ilawe people and a sterling contribution to the emancipation/liberation struggle for the people. He also paid tribute to another Alawe, Oba Adefolalu.

    He also recalled an incident in which some people burnt down his house in the town in 1995 while he was out of the country on a diplomatic service as a result of the revelation by the Ifa divination that he would be an Alawe in the future.

    Oba Alabi explained: “It happened on April 28, 1995, and was a most unfortunate. I just returned from Cameroun where I was serving on foreign mission then. It was my first big money and my wife had planned to use the money to build a nice house along Igede-Ilawe Road instead of squandering it on frivolities.

    “You know there is always this phobia for royalty. We wanted to be removed from such acrimony. In fact, I refused to use any of the lands belonging to our royal family. I was not even around from the beginning of the contraction till its completion.

    “I only came around when the house was completed, but the house had become the talk of the town. It was a small but classic structure.

    But then, just three months after its completion, some people razed the building down.

    “The incident gave me and my family serious trauma and was a major setback for me. My family and I had to relocate to Abuja after the incident. I had all my things in that house when it was razed.

    “A lot of investigations went into the incident and it was discovered that it had much to do with what I would become later in the future. Some people had found out through Ifa that the owner of the house would one day sit on the throne of the Alawe and were angry with that.”

    Speaking further about what distinguishes Ilawe among other communities in Ekiti, Oba Alabi said, apart from the town’s rich cultivation of huge and nutritious bananas; there are traditional

    festivals that have great significance for the survival of the people of the town.

    Of the several festivals usually organised by the people to celebrate their deities, Ajagbo, Orinlase and Olofin are most significant.

    Ajagbo Festival, according to Oba Alabi reveals secrets of people who have perpetrated evil deeds and thus helps the community to checkmate activities of such wicked people.

    The royal father said: “With Orinlase, a deity that protects the people of Ilawe from robbers, no robber or thief that intrudes into Ilawe would escape from the town without being caught, especially if he kills a native of the community.”

    Speaking on the Olosin Festival, Oba Alabi said: “It is the most unifying festival of the town. It is the Oba’s festival, celebrated every June, July and August of the year, according to what time it falls in the calendar.

    “The Oba, during the festival, is expected to come to the public, dance round certain culturally significant spots in the town, changing his regalia. In the past, it used to be for seven times, now

    we have reduced this to only three times.

    “ It is such an elaborate ceremony that many people are invited and masquerades display in various ways.”

    Oba Alabi expressed delight at the achievements recorded during his reign, even as he also highlighted some of the challenges the community experiences.

    He said: “We have recorded several achievements in the past five years. We are getting more united as we have been navigating through disputes, some of which predated my ascension to the throne, and we are settling them. Several of our sons and daughters have excelled in their careers. We are proud of them.

    “In terms of physical developments, we can see the contraction of modern and beautiful edifice and structure springing up at every nook and cranny of the town. Some of these include the Lakeview Resort along Igbara-Odo Road, Provincial Headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, along Igede Road and the Federal Government College along Ikere Road.

    “We now have internet facilities courtesy of my efforts on ascension to the throne, and our Youth Empowerment Fund which I instituted has seen some of our indigent young scholars through their education.

    “We equally have better school facilities as recorded by the administration of former Governor Fayemi and the incumbent Governor Fayose is building a dual carriage way as part of the township roads.

    “We also have given the palace a new, more befitting modern outlook by rebuilding it to taste. We wish to appeal to Governor Fayose not to forget the promise to construct the Ilawe-Ikere Road which is very dear to us.”

  • Ex-militants decry non-payment of allowances

    ‘From all indications, our ordeal is not unconnected with our refusal to support his preferred governorship candidate in the last election in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN). Since the election, Ajube has threatened to deal with all those who worked for the APC candidate and now Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu’

    Some ex-militants from Bolowou community in Ese-Edo Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised the alarm over non-payment of their N65, 000 monthly amnesty stipends.
    The affected ex-militants, numbering 25, said they became worried when they were not paid alongside other beneficiaries of the scheme in the council who had received alerts on their bank accounts.
    They alleged that they were being victimised due to their decision to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) during last year’s governorship election.
    Ese-Odo has always been a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but the APC was victorious in the council during the last gubernatorial polls.
    They also alleged that the former Western Fringe Commander of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr Bibopere Ajube, alias General Shoot at Sight, is the mastermind of the stoppage of their allowances.
    A statement jointly signed by two of the ex-militants, Jamin Wariebi and Lubi Timiakirimni said Ajube was punishing them over their refusalý to support the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.
    They, therefore, threatened to embark on a peaceful protest at Bolowou if their allowances remained unpaid.
    The statement reads: ‘’We are worried and constrained to alert the nation that a former MEND commander, Bibopere Ajube, aka General Shoot at Sight, has stopped the payment of our N65,000 monthly stipends with the collaborating of the programme’s coordinator, Brigadier- General Paul Boroh (rtd).
    ‘’All other beneficiaries of the programme have been paid, but to our surprise, ours was not and we were informed by competent sources at the Amnesty Office that Ajube went to the coordinator to delist us from the programme and has already replaced us with persons who were not even captured in the programme.
    ‘’From all indications, our ordeal is not unconnected with our refusal to support his preferred governorship candidate in the last election in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).
    ”Since the election, Ajube has threatened to deal with all those who worked for the APC candidate and now Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.”
    But when contacted, Ajube confirmed the allegation, saying he has given their slots to those who were genuine ex-militants.
    He warned them to stop linking their ordeal with the last governorship election in Ondo State, insisting that they will never benefit from the scheme again because they are not ex-militants.
    He noted that the 25 people involved lied by claiming that they worked for the APC during the last governorship election because they were loyalists of Chief Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
    He said: “I have been sincere to my people on this issue of Amnesty and that is why I always directed the Amnesty office to pay directly into the boys’ accounts unlike my colleagues, who would ask the office to pay into their accounts and later share the money to their boys.
    “We will ensure that only those genuine ex-militants will continue to benefit from the scheme.”

  • Lagos at 50: UK celebrations gather momentum

    Lagos at 50: UK celebrations gather momentum

    Preparatory  to the celebrations of 50 years of Lagos State creation on May 29, Nigerians in the Diaspora have shown great interest in participating in the great event. For instance, Nigerians living in the United Kingdom (UK) have began preparations to celebrate the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Lagos State at 50.

    The world-class celebration; Lagos at 50 London Carnival and Recognition Dinner is a two-day event  that will celebrate individuals and corporate organisations in Lagos and in the Diaspora who have made contributions to the development of Lagos culturally and economically.

    This first-of-its-kind event will bring together Lagosians who have different success stories to share in a colourful and relaxed environment.

    Scheduled to hold at the popular Hyde Park and the prestigious Cumberland Hotel in August, Lagos at 50 London Carnival and Recognition Dinner is bound to revitalise the bond and rekindle the flame and passion for a prosperous Lagos in the minds of Lagosians in the Diaspora.

    The event, which is powered by InstinctWave, a full spectrum publishing, B2B event management, business and media solutions company, in conjunction with the present administration of Lagos State.

    There will be exclusive showcase of investment opportunities that Lagos State offers to European investors in key sectors, while the special recognition dinner will celebrate individuals and corporate brands that have excelled in the vibrant business climate of Lagos.

    Lagosians in the Diaspora will engage with Lagos State Governor and senior government executives to share the vision of the state. Other side attractions include colourful display of culture, music and various cultural mingling.

    According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of InstintWave, United Kingdom, Mr Akin Naphtal, the company has, over the years, with its understanding of local and global environment and the needed competitive edge, brought to life premium events in the UK and Africa.

    “We will create a remarkable event that will linger in the memories of Lagosians for years to come. This is a special time for Lagosians in the Diaspora and London is the best place to do this. We all know that there are many Nigerians and, especially Lagosians in London.”

    He added that Lagos and London have many things in common, hence the reason for situating the celebrations in London.

    London is the multi-cultural melting point in Europe. It is the European gateway. Like Lagos, it is a city of dreams, possibilities and endless adventure. The population of Nigerians in London is the highest in any city abroad. For decades, Nigerians are easily at home in London. Also, Lagosians in Europe can easily connect to London and be part of the event.

    “Brands interested in sponsorship can visit our website www.lagos@50ukcarnival for more enquiries, he added.

  • Honour for ex-lawmaker

    Honour for ex-lawmaker

    The umbrella body of students in Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has honoured a businessman and former member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Rufus Sunday Adunmo, for his philanthropy and service to humanity.

    The students’ body said Adunmo was honoured for his contributions to the body, the students and other Nigerians through his advocacy as a lawmaker and generosity as a businessman and employer of labour.

    Adunmo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented Oye Constituency 2 in the Ekiti State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011 and later served as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Roads between 2011 and 2014.

    The NANS delegation was led by the Vice-President (Special Duties), Festus Uzor who decorated Adunmo with a medal and certificate of honour at a brief ceremony held at AB Hotel, Ado-Ekiti.

    Other members of the NANS delegation were Royce Ochau, Deputy Senate President; Emeka Austin, Assistant Secretary-General; Segun Famuyibo, immediate past Deputy Senate President; Idowu Odebunmi, National Public Relations Officer;  Olaitan Adeyanju, Director of Gender; Ebenezer Adebayo, Director of Travel and Exchange; Samson Adeleke, Chief Security Officer and Kehinde Fabusuyi, Vice-Chairman, Ekiti Joint Campus Committee.

    Famuyibo said NANS recognises individuals, firms and organisations that support students and its body, noting that Adunmo has distinguished himself in identifying with students and giving them both moral and financial supports.

    Adeyanju said the NANS executive had to travel down to Ado-Ekiti to honour Adunmo, wondering why it took so long for his gestures to be rewarded. He urged him to use his position to assist women.

    Odebunmi said the visit was in line with NANS’ tradition of recognising those who not only fight for students’ interests but also contribute towards assisting them to realise their dreams.

    He said: “You (Adunmo) are a leader to us and we see you going further than this, going beyond the shores of this country in politics and business. You are one of the leaders in whom we are well pleased.”

    Presenting the plaque of honour, Uzor said: “I want to recommend you for the position of patron of NANS Ekiti axis. You have employed lots of youths and students in your businesses to take them off the streets and assist their families.”

    Responding, Adunmo appreciated the NANS leadership for the award, recalling that the first award he received was that of Rotary Club in Ado-Ekiti just two years after he commenced his career.

    He said he would not relent in giving support to youths, students and the less-privileged individuals in the society. He also pledged to make his hotel available to NANS for use anytime the body wants to host its events in Ekiti State.

    Adunmo said: “I appreciate the leadership of NANS for this award. Whatever you do, always put God first. I was motivated by the award by Rotary Club which I received in 1991 and I want to give the Almighty God the glory for all He has done for me since then.

    “They always say the youth are the future of this country but the question I usually ask is that when will that future come considering the fact that 70-year-old people are contesting for chairmanship positions of local governments.”

  • Group passes confidence vote on Okorocha

    Group passes confidence vote on Okorocha

    As critics slam the leadership style of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, a group Ndi Imo in Lagos whose members are indigenous to the state, has described such criticisms as mere distractions from the opposition and those who have no access to the state’s treasury to pilfer as was the case in the past.

    Rising from their monthly meeting held at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre, Okota Lagos, members of the group noted that critics of the policies and programmes of the governor were ignorant of the impressive achievements recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Imo State.

    “Within few years in office, Governor Okorocha has achieved laudable, dramatic, and exhilarating changes at all levels of government, in all strata of the state and in every nook and cranny of society. The Rochas’ fame for good governance is applauded by an anonymous many even beyond his state. He has, in a positive manner, touched the lives of the common man to the chagrin of his opponents,” they said.

    The group further noted that Rochas is the man the people wanted, adding that he is fulfilling his campaign promises to the people.

    “Governor Okorocha is a man who wants to enhance the welfare of the downtrodden. Every technocrat in Imo  State had maintained that free and compulsory education is not possible but he has proved them wrong by providing free and compulsory education for the people,” they said.

    On infrastructural development, Ndi Imo in Lagos maintained that Okorocha has performed wonderfully well.

    “Consider the number of roads being opened in just few years. It’s incredible and unheard of in any state in Nigeria. People are asking where the money is coming from.  Imo State has enough money to do whatever it wants to do. The unfortunate thing is that previous administrations had been siphoning the money meant for development and taking care of the welfare of the so-called godfathers who take enormous share of the state’s funds every month.

    “Rochas has no godfathers except the Almighty God. He is really God-send because he is doing things the way the people want them done,” they said.

    The group regretted that unnecessary criticisms in Imo State against all serving and former governors of Imo State was as a result of business men in the state who indulge in partisan politics.

    In other states, the group said, business men do not indulge in partisan politics; rather they sponsor those who are interested in politics. They also stated that “Rochas Okorocha has done so well more than any other previous governor of the state which some of us have witnessed when we had visited Imo State in various times.”

    On issues of pensioners and workers owed months of salaries, the group maintained that “the impression being created that pensioners and workers were not paid was  erroneous based on our interactions with some of the workers. Pensioners have been paid and are happy for having substantial amount of money to start up tangible businesses.”

    Explaining how Governor Okorocha struck a positive deal with pensioners, the Special Assistant to Imo State Governor on Liaison/Liaison Officer Imo State Liaison Office, Lagos, Nze Steve Asimobi said: “Having considered the huge amount of money owed to pensioners by previous administrations, Governor Okorocha summoned the pensioners for a meeting where he discussed with them the possibility of giving them 40 per cent of the backlog of pension arrears owed them by previous administrations while they continue to receive their current monthly pension every month. They agreed, not out of coercion but after many meetings even at ward levels of the concerned pensioners.”

    Continuing, the Liaison Officer said: “Governor Okorocha is making giant strides to enhance the economy of the state, noting that some moribund industries have been revitalised. He also revealed that Imo Airport has been approved as an international cargo airport.

    “In the circumstances, Governor Okorocha, in his determination to ameliorate the sufferings of Southeast traders, has acquired five cargo aircraft to enable them to bring their goods straight to Imo State instead of going through other states.

    “Imo Air, he said, will be operated by Dana Air.

    “Again, the dilapidated Imo Concorde Hotel has been revived and it’s fully functional.”

    Along Aba Road, he said, there are many industries that are springing up which will provide employment opportunities for Imo people.

    The group also noted that it was not correct that Governor Okorocha had sold off most of the parastastals in the state, even as they said some of the parastatals such as Imo Transport Corporation and Imo State Water Corporation were concessioned to some agencies for efficiency and they are working hard to make them efficient, even as they are paying members of their staff.

    On security, Ndi Imo in Lagos noted that Imo people can now sleep with their two eyes closed, in contradistinction to what used to be. They revealed that Governor Okorocha had put in place serious security plans that made criminals to flee the state.

    They stated that “there are still few isolated cases of kidnap and robbery, Imo Security Network has been able to checkmate the activities of criminals. Robbery and other related vices have drastically reduced.”

    The group advised Ndi Imo back home to draw a line between politicking and governance. Mingling politics and governance, they said,  should be consigned to the trash can of history in 2019.

    On the mandate for every local government to construct 15 kilometre roads, the group noted that: “If all the 27 local governments construct 15 kilometre roads, it will ensure rapid development.

    However, while one may admit that some roads in the grassroots lack quality or standards due to lack of commitment to job specifications on the part of some contractors, it is incontrovertible that no government in Imo State has opened more roads than Okorocha’s administration.

  • FRSC chief advises motorists on safety

    FRSC chief advises motorists on safety

    ‘Despite these efforts, many drivers, commuters, and others still claim they were not aware of certain traffic laws when they were arrested or prosecuted’ 

    The Badagry Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Fatai Adesina Bakare has said car crashes on Nigerian roads would be drastically minimised if road users become passionate about safety measures instead of developing fears of arrests by safety officials.

    He noted that many road users nurse the fear of being arrested by traffic officials instead of developing the desire to master and obey traffic rules and regulations.

    The Unit Commander spoke while briefing reporters on the challenges in his jurisdiction.

    He said road users only behave well when they sight checkpoints, adding that there is need for them to cultivate the virtue of being good road users.

    As road users, it is expected that they obey the rules and regulations. Every road user should be disciplined, careful and considerate to others to ensure safer roads, avoid road crashes, arrest and prosecution.

    He said the Badagry Expressway is one of the roads that link Nigeria with other African countries, resulting in human and vehicular movements that create traffic snarl.

    Other challenges he highlighted were over speeding and driving rickety vehicles on the highway by smugglers, impatience and disobedience to traffic rules.

    To end this ugly trend, Bakare said he has deployed personnel to strategic points across the community to ensure free flow of traffic and to enforce traffic rules. He said the Command had always organised workshops and public enlightenment on the importance of obeying traffic rules in markets, schools, motor parks/garages and religious houses, among others.

    He regretted that despite these efforts, many drivers, commuters, and others still claim they were not aware of certain traffic laws when they were arrested or prosecuted.

    The Commander praised the Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi for providing more tools for the Command in response to their requests. He requested for some operational vehicles such as patrol vans, ambulances and tow trucks from the management or individuals who are passionate about safety on our roads.

    He praised Customs officers for giving his men backups any time they were on patrol and to the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi I, for his leadership role and passion for safer roads.

    He also praised some fleet owners and operators who have installed speed limiters on their vehicles. He appealed to those who are yet to do so to install the device to avoid arrest.

    Commander Bakare appealed to motorists to ensure that their vehicles have good wipers that would enable them to see clearly when it rains.

    He spoke on the need to have good tyres, saying the good ones would grip well whenever the brakes were applied.

    He said traffic pointers and headlights were also important and, therefore should be in good condition.

    FRSC chief said motorists plying the roads during the rains without good wipers and tyres were endangering their lives and those of other road users.

    He advised motorists to stop when they felt that they could not move well due to heavy rains.

    He condemned a situation where parents allowed their under aged children to drive, believing that they were making them comfortable.

  • Health care delivery receives boost

    PharmAccess Foundation, a leading non-governmental organisation has entered into partnership with Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA 2017) in a bid to improve access to better health care in Africa.

    Speaking on the essence of the partnership, the Project Coordinator of NHEA, Dr. Shola Alabi, say: “We were very excited to welcome PharmAccess on board last year and are happy that they will be continuing the partnership this year. Their commitment and steadfastness to improve health care in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.”

    Alabi also reiterated the fact that nominations for the 4th edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA 2017) are still ongoing. He called on stakeholders in the health sector to visit www.nigeriahealthawards.com.ng to either make their nominations online or download the nomination form.

    Country Director PharmAccess Mrs. Njide Ndili, spoke about their motivation for supporting the award. “This is our second year of partnership with NHEA to recognise excellence in health care quality. At PharmAccess Foundation, our objective is to facilitate innovation to improve access, efficiency in service delivery with continuous and sustained improvement in health care, especially for the low-income communities in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.

    “NHEA presents one of those credible platforms to recognise and reward excellence supporting these objectives.”

    Winners of the various categories will be honoured on Friday, June 23, this year at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Nominations will close on May 26, before the commencement of online voting to enable the award jury to select the winners of the various categories.

    About 23 awards and recognitions will be presented at the ceremony. The awards comprise three main categories namely Special Awards, Healthcare Delivery Services and Biomedical Technology.

    PharmAccess Foundation mobilises public and private sector resources for the benefit of health care providers and patients through clinical standards and quality improvements, loans for health care providers, health insurance, health innovations and operational research.

    NHEA is organised by Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) in collaboration with Anadach Group, USA.

  • Borehole for community market

    Borehole for community market

    As part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities, Real Drill HydroKonsult has donated a motorised borehole system to Olugbeja Community Market, through Osogbo Central Lions Club.

    Inauguration of the water project took place amidst pomp and ceremony to the delights of the market men and women who had borne the pain of water scarcity for a long time.

    At the unveiling of the water project, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Real Drill Hydrokonsult, Engineer Ajani Najeem Babatunde, said service to humanity is his watchwords. Mr Ajani also called on government at all levels to be alive to their responsibilities and give water provision a top priority because water is essential in the existence of man.

    In his opening remarks, the President of Osogbo Central Lions Club Lion H.A. Owoo highlighted the essence of Lions Club as a service club which is poised to assist humanity in all facets of life.

    While cutting the tape to inaugurate the project, the Centennial District Governor 404 B-2 Nigeria, Lion Taiwo O.S. Adewumi encouraged traders at Olugbeja Market who are the beneficiaries of the water project to take proper care of the project and always lay emphasis on service to humanity in their daily activities. He had earlier decorated Engineer Ajani Najeeem with the District Governor Centennial pin as a mark of honour and recognition of his philanthropic contributions towards helping humanity.

    To help him cut the tape were the sponsor of the project, Engineer Najeem, Alhaji Yekeen, the Babaloja of Olugbeja Market Adetoro, Mr Musiliu Omotuntun, the Iyaloja of Olugbeja Market, Osogbo, Alhaja Naimot Lawal and Lion Owoo HA, among other dignitaries.

  • Community,institution sign MoU on project

    The Akure community and the Federal College of Agriculture (FECA) Akure, the Ondo State capital, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the location of a new civic centre for the community within the premises of the institution.

    The project tagged “Akure Civic and Outreach Centre”, is being funded by the Federal Government and would be handed over to the Akure community upon completion.

    According to a statement signed by the Secretary, Civic Centre Committee (CCC), Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the project was included in last year’s budget of the Federal Government and was facilitated by a lawmaker representing Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency, Afe Olowookere.

    The modern Civic and Outreach Centre will be located on the western corridor of the premises of the expansive college which adjourns two major roads (the Akure-Owo highway and the Agbogbo-Okeijebu Road).

    The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, had set up a committee to secure a befitting location for the project, with the committee later recommending that particular portion of the FECA land.

    The approval of the part of the land for the project was conveyed to the school authority and the Akure community by the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, (ARCN), which supervises the institution.

    Consequently, the community and the management of the school endorsed an MoU to signal the beginning of the construction of the centre.

    The Legal Adviser of the ARCN, Barrister Ibrahim Nduku, led the team of the college, while the Akure community was represented by the Chairman and Secretary of its Civic Centre Committee, Hon Patrick Ojo and Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, respectively.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo thanked the Provost of the institution, Dr. Samson Odedina, for his co-operation and support for the project and his various achievements in the college.

  • ‘Way out of recession’

    ‘Way out of recession’

    The atmosphere was charged as worshipers thronged the church auditorium, bearing palm fronds and singing praises to God for the opportunity to witness another Passover Feast. It was a gathering of the faithful to celebrate the risen Christ.

    This was followed by a procession from the main auditorium, even as the worshippers stooped to make their heads to touch the earth, in total submission to Almighty God who was in the beginning before the beginning began.

    During the grand finale of the 21-day annual Jesus Passover Feast (Perfection Day) of The Saints Gospel Church of Christ, also known as Hand of Fire, Igando, Lagos, people expressed happiness and hope that the resurrection of Jesus Christ will make all things come anew in their lives.

    The founder and General Overseer of the church, Pastor Jacob Shodeinde, who recounted the journey to the Passover Feast, said it is a mysterious programme ordained by God to deliver people from their problems.

    His words: “After my calling, God ordered me to go on a seven-day marathon and after that, He revealed the ordinances of the Passover Feast to me; it’s an ordinance of old.

    ”Everything started in the Tabernacle of Moses. They used palm fronds during their Passover so we pray with palm fronds to replicate the days of old. Expect that we don’t offer sacrifices with animals because Jesus was offered as a propitiation for our sins. A dead woman came back to life during the Passover Feast after the palm frond was put into her hands.

    “During the triumphant entry, the people laid down palm fronds to honour Jesus Christ as he rode into Jerusalem. It’s part of the mystery of the call.

    “In Nehemiah chapter eight, the people gathered on the street to mark the Passover. That is what we are doing today; bowing to worship the Lord who does wonders, except that we don’t offer sacrifices because Jesus was offered as a sacrifice for us. It is a Biblical mystery which we have been holding on to since 1996. We are celebrating the blood of Christ, which is the mystery of the Passover.”

    The cleric emphasised the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the feast, saying it gives man hope that life will be better, especially at this time of recession. This, he added, was the purpose of the feast–to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus who shed his blood so that man could be free from condemnation and triumph over evil.

    “That is why we gather annually to celebrate the blood through the Passover Feast. The purpose is to deliver the people from their mountainous problems and to gather the candidates of heaven in Mount Zion. That is why testimonies can never cease here because Mount Zion is the house of the Lord.

    “Every Christian must be involved because the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for the whole world and not for a select few. That is why as Christians, we have the hope of life after death and a certainty that our faith is not in vain. We are also freed from every condemnation,” he said.

    Pastor Shodeinde, who credits God for his strength and testimonies recorded during the feast, urged Nigerians to serve Him faithfully and with sincerity of heart as it is the only way out of crisis.

    “My reliance and dependability in the blood of Jesus Christ has been my source of strength. When you have a calling and you abide by all rules guiding the call, be sure God will provide the needed strength. When the challenges came, I cried to God and he assured me I will prevail and today we are rejoicing.

    “If God has performed miracles in people’s lives, they should serve Him wholeheartedly and with sincerity of heart. The answer to Nigeria and Nigerian’s problems is Jesus Christ. He is able to set the country free if everybody surrenders totally to Him and serve Him sincerely,” he added.

    A member of the congregation, Pastor John Adeyemi, said it was through the Passover Feast that man has hope of a greater tomorrow.

    According to him, revelations about generational battles, as well as strategies to fight and win, were revealed to him during the programme.

    “Passover is the feast when I knew about battles existing in my lineage in the last 100 years and these battles were won. Every sorrow is turned to joy and every battle is conquered,” he said.

    Pastor Ayodele Afuwape said the feast is a covenant between God and founder of the ministry, adding that it’s a multi-dimensional calling and an embodiment of so many things.

    “It’s specially created by God and it’s done thrice a year–April, August and December. There is healing, deliverance, victory over the power of the enemy, blessing and recovery.

    “Personally, I’ve experienced healing. My wife developed complications during pregnancy but she was delivered of the baby safely during the feast in 1997.  My sister had fibroid but she received her deliverance during one of the programmes,” Afuwape said.