The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • NGO sensitises Ibadan residents to good health

    Population Media Centre (PMC), an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that educates the people about the benefits of having small families, elevating the status of women and motivating behavioural change for prevention of HIV/AIDS among other activities has organised road shows that educate residents of Ibadan on how to achieve good living condition.

    The organisation recently stormed major streets and markets in the Ibadan metropolis educating residents of the city on the effective use of family planning methods to help the people live better and move out of poverty.

    The NGO noted that much could be achieved in terms of having happy family life if the lessons learned during advocacy carnival were carefully applied by the residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The ancient city was agog as hundreds of people who trooped out to receive the PMC team who stormed the city on a sensitisation road show of the popular Radio Drama “Jangala” (song of life) and “A Dade Ana Yi” (pit of lies).

    From Agbeni Market to Oje Market, to Oja’ba to Beere and Bodija Market, many residents were enthusiastic about the message.

    Other areas visited by the team included Ring Road, Challenge, Molete, Oke-Ado Market, Dugbe Market, Queen Cinema, Mokola, Sabo and Iyaganku.

    The crowd comprising mainly women and children paid attention to the messages during the programme. They appreciated the message that urges them to plan for a better future.

    Some market men and women left their shops for the venues to listen to the thrilling road show on family planning and accepted the kits distributed to them by the PMC officials.

    While addressing the crowd, the Country Representative of the NGO, Mr Abom Ephraim Okon, said the organisation had used different methods to reach its target audience, including house to house visits, radio dramas and conferences to help people make informed choices on how to bring about stability of human population numbers at a level that can be sustained by the world’s natural resources.

    While expressing satisfaction with the level of acceptance, Okon revealed that his organisation was deploying the serialised radio drama to promote several health-related issues about humankind and the environment.

    He said: “Among the issues we are promoting are the family planning and reproductive health, environmental protection, gender equity, peace building and social cohesion.”

    On the radio drama, Okon explained that many people were being thought the rudiments of safer and secure lifestyle.

    Maintaining safer and secure lifestyle, he noted, has much to do with maternal and child health, nutrition, safe delivery and contraceptive options.

    According to him, the radio drama has sensitised the people to the harmful effects of agricultural and cooking practices which accelerate deforestation, resilience building, pipeline sabotage and pollution. He described the radio drama as most effective tool in reaching the people.

    He further explained that the organisation would not relent in its efforts to educate the people on the problems associated with non-education of the girl child, the harmful traditional practices such as early marriage and female genital mutilation, as well as the benefits of overcoming differences, conflict resolution and non-violence.

    At the show, there were demonstrations on the effective way of using contraceptives for both male and female, and customised gift items from PMC given away to the public and winners of different competitions.

  • Girl, 16, eyes Ambode’s seat

    Girl, 16, eyes Ambode’s seat

    A 16-year-old Miss Oyerinde Deborah of Jagunmolu Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga Lagos has promised to display brilliance that will make her emerge overall winner of this year’s Spelling Bee competition in order to become a One-Day Governor of Lagos State.

    She spoke after she emerged the winner in the contest organised by the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for senior and junior schools.

    She said: “My focus is to make myself and my school proud at the end of the contest. My determination is to emerge the overall winner, become a One-Day Governor of Lagos State, win a scholarship and all the prizes attached to the contest.”

    She competed with 10 other contestants from other schools.

    While Agada Emmanuel from Archdeacon Adelaja Secondary School emerged second, Perry Emmanuela of St Luke’s Junior Grammar School took third position.

    Master Sulaimon Basit of Ayetoro Primary School won the overall best in the primary school category and Master Okonkwo Chidubem of Igbeyinadun Primary School emerged second position while the third position was won by Nojeem Fawaz of Baptist Academy.

    Miss Oyerinde commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for initiating the competition, saying the idea had increased pupils’ academic excellence, good reading habits, spelling skills, vocabulary and developed correct English use.

    She thanked the state’s Ministry of Education, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for continuing the good idea.

    The Sole Administrator of the council, Prince Sanya Oshijo congratulated the winners of the competition, even as he urged them to work harder to enable them to emerge winners at the state level.

    He said one can become successful in life even if one did not attend private school.

    According to Oshijo, majority of the people who made it in their professions such as doctors, accountants, pilots, governors and presidents, were products of public schools.

    “We will continue to support the schools within the council by providing the needed materials that would enhance good learning,” he said. He ordered the re-construction of the collapsed fence of Igneyinadun Primary School.

    He thanked the initiator of Spelling Bee Competition in Lagos State, saying it had enabled pupils of public school to compete favourably with their counterparts in the private schools.

    He said the competition had spurred them to achieve better spelling skills and become proficient in English language.

    He noted that the competition had increased pupils’ knowledge in English and other subjects as the English language remains the only medium of learning other subjects. The council chief added that other states have adopted the idea as it has become part of their schools’ continuous assessment of the pupils.

    He urged the pupils to embrace reading and focus on their studies. He also urged them to be of good character both in school and at home so as to be good and responsible members of the society. The pupils were also advised to shun thuggery and cultism.

  • Aspirant pledges grassroots development

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Adamson Ayinde has called on all stakeholders in the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to unite for the progress and development of the council.

    Addressing reporters at a rally in Lagos, he said the council has been neglected by past chairmen of the council, noting that youth restiveness, unemployment and under-development would give way if competent hands were elected to run the affairs of the council.

    Ayinde who said he would contest for the chairmanship position of the council in order to fast-track the council’s development, added that he was familiar with the needs of the people.

    He said: “I want to bring about the much-needed change in the council. There are a lot of things that need to be put right in the Onigbongbo council. These are things people with vibrant and dynamic minds can contemplate and implement.

    “Politics has to do with bold ideas and not just sitting somewhere and toy with the collective destiny of the people. The youth need to be employed. Onigbongbo council has a lot of viable opportunities.

    “We will create one-stop investment centre with the council serving as intermediary. It would be between the investors coming in and the state government. The people that will be employed will seek the investors that will turn the council around. The health care system will be improved upon for the people’s benefit.

    “The one-stop investment centre will increase the internally generated revenue at a very high rate. Those to be engaged will go round to look for investors to tap the council’s resources. The collapsed industries in Onigbogbogbo will be revived.

    “Most industries  have been turned into car parks or event centres. What needs to be done is to meet with owners of the properties to discuss ways of reviving the industries. Once they come in, the corporate social responsibilities will be taken care of.”

    He said greed was responsible for under-development at the grassroots, noting that it was time the people thought deeply before they choose their leaders.

    “As a young man full of life and strength, I am aware that the past administration failed the people. It did not meet their yearnings. With the experience I have garnered so far at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, the political terrain and as a grassroots politician, I am aware of the pains of the people and ready to ameliorate their sufferings.

    “A leader must be willing to defend his people; he should be able to take responsibilities and must be aware of the problem they face. He should be in a position to tackle the problems which I strongly believe that I can.

    “Onigbongbo is not working, but we thank God for Govenor Akinwunmi Ambode who is trying to change the system to enable it work. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led the country for 16 years without much prospect. With the APC government, there are hopes that things will work well again in the country,” he said.

  • Firm unveils new logo at 50th anniversary

    O Fifty years is not 50 days.

    For a firm to survive the harsh economic environment in Nigeria for 50 years calls for celebration. It was in the light of this that one of the foremost oil and gas companies in Nigeria, SAIPEM, rolled out the drums while celebrating its 50 years of doing business in Nigeria. It also used the occasion to unveil its new logo. The firm has operated in Nigeria since 1967.

    Reeling off his company’s achievements in the last 50 years, the Managing Director of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Mr. Guido D’Aloisio said the company had done well in the area of infrastructural development.

    On national development, Guido D’Aloisio said: “Nigeria will need to put infrastructural facilities in place in order to attract foreign investors into the country so as to  develop some of the key infrastructure that will drive the country’s development while focusing on boosting economic growth.”

    The anniversary began with the unveiling of the 50th-year anniversary logo which was the first of activities lined up for the event.

    The company, which is a major EPCI contractor in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, has been responsible for the development of some of the major infrastructural facilities in the industry in the onshore and shallow waters and deep offshore fields.

    Not only that, the company is working to improve capability and technology in order to attract the right investments from organisations with good track records and potential to develop the economy.

    Guido D’Aloisio explained that since its 50 years of doing business in Nigeria, the company has become a leader in local content, adding that over 90 per cent of its workforce are Nigerians, some of whom have spent over 25 years working for the organisation.

    “We have Nigerians working here with us for over 25 years. For us, the Local Content Act is a continuation of what we were doing for many years,” he said.

    He further explained that as part of the company’s desire to make the Nigeria market attractive to foreign investors, the firm has built a strong presence and reputation in the oil and gas industry over the years, adding that investors are willing to do business with reliable and competent organisations; therefore presenting SAIPEM to these investors is an indication that the investors are dealing with the right company capable of delivering on time, quality and safety.

    “Today, we want to reflect not only on how far we have come with our values and mission, but also more importantly on SAIPEM’s future. The industry we compete in will continue to evolve just as it has over the years, with groundbreaking innovations and new ways of doing business. “We are better positioned to lead these advances. We have the resources to solve tough problems, we have invested heavily in assets, innovations and we have the deepest commitment to development in the industry.

    “Our facility in Rumuolumei in Port Harcourt Rivers State represents an example of this. With one million sqm yards, and a production capacity of 27,000 tons per annum, the yard still represents the largest and the most technologically advanced yard in West Africa.

    “We have an approach which is global but with a focus on the local environment. We have always been there; therefore we have always tried to integrate ourselves into the environment in which we are working. We have partnered with local companies to develop their capabilities and have brought in our technologies and experience in project management, engineering fabrication and construction. We leverage on our worldwide experience in the development and execution of complex and innovative turnkey projects all over the world,” he said.

  • Ekiti school’s ‘uncommon’ 50th anniversary

    Ekiti school’s ‘uncommon’ 50th anniversary

    Old students of Eyemote Comprehensive High School, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State gathered to celebrate the golden jubilee of their alma mater. The occasion was a showcase for the inauguration of some projects executed by the old students. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    It was a great reunion for many of the old students of the 1978 set of Eyemote Comprehensive High School, (ECOHS), Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State as they hugged and exchanged banters with one another during the school’s 50th anniversary cerlebration. Some of them recalled some of their pranks and escapades during their days in the school.

    The school and its old students lined up a week-long activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary.

    Although it could be classified as a community-based secondary school, it has succeeded in producing eminent Nigerians among who are former Federal Minister, a state Chief Judge, a traditional ruler, member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, not less than 10 professors, senior military and paramilitary officers and top players in the civil service and the corporate world.

    It was a week to remember for the people of Iyin-Ekiti as the community throbbed with activities and played host to guests from far and near who came to celebrate either as old students, friends or well-wishers.

    Some of the activities lined up to mark the school’s achievements included candle light procession, environmental sanitation, football competition/inter-house sports, anniversary lecture, career talk, inauguration of projects, annual general meeting, award ceremony and thanksgiving service.

    The derelict school gate was replaced with a new-look one by the 1978 set to mark the Golden Jubilee. This gave the school a new look from the outside and was a tell-tale sign that something big was happening. Students were busy taking pictures at the new gate in excitement never experienced before.

    Eyemote Comprehensive High School was founded on February 6, 1967 with about 57 students (boys and girls). It was a product of the efforts of exemplary Iyin sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora with the Ekiti Anglican Diocese being a co-founder and sponsor.

    It was initially known as Eyemote Secondary Commercial School because the school curriculum was based on commercial subjects. It was later changed and expanded to include all sciences, technology and vocational subjects.

    Instrumental to the establishment of the school was the former Military Governor of the old Western Region, Maj-Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), who is indigenous to Iyin and the late Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Julius Adeniyi Owolabi II who reigned for 47 years.

    While Gen. Adebayo gave approval for the establishment of ECOHS, Oba Owolabi assisted the school to move from its two previous temporary sites at St. George’s Modern School and All Saints Primary School to the current site.

    The late monarch personally supervised the laying of the foundation stone of the permanent site of the school on July 28, 1968. Oba Owolabi mobilised his chiefs and the entire Iyin community to ensure that the school began on a solid footing and stabilised to be a reputable school in Ekiti land.

    The school was founded on enviable tradition and a presentable reputation as if it were a creed. The school motto is “Towards Good Citizenship” and its colours are green and white.

    The tricolour disc represents the school’s bright future with the green representing the agricultural fertility of Ekiti land while the white stands for peaceful co-existence.

    The school’s first principal was Chief Edward Orhewere popularly known as “ESCO Daddy” by his students. He occupied the position between 1967 and 1971.

    The second principal was the late Chief Babalola Olajide who was in office between 1971 and 1975. The third longest serving principal was Chief Olufemi Araoye who was in the saddle between 1975 and 1982. The current principal is Mr. Adelaja Ajiniran.

    The first set of students of the school spent only five years instead of six that was expected, yet they proved their mettle by recording 100 per cent pass in the final West African School Certificate Examination in November, 1971.

    At the grand finale of the week-long celebration, the projects inaugurated included the school’s gate by the 1978 set, a block of four toilets constructed by the 1983 set and four blocks of classrooms renovated by the 1981 set.

    Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Oluyin of Iyin, Oba John Ademola Ajakaye, commended the old students for giving back to their alma mater and inspiring the students who would use the facilities.

    Oba Ajakaye said: “I feel happy that the old students are interested in their alma mater. The 1978 set gave the school a new gate while this block of classrooms we are inaugurating now was constructed by the 1981 set.

    “That is the way it should be because government cannot do everything. The present government is trying its best but it has not been easy financially with the government. I believe the problem will soon be solved.

    “The efforts of the old students are commendable, laudable and exemplary. I want to encourage them to do more as this will go a long way in taking their alma mater to greater heights.”

    The Oniropora of Iropora-Ekiti, Oba Joel Ajayi Olonibua, himself an old student of 1971 set said education is a major industry in Ekiti State and must be sustained by all and sundry.

    Oba Olonibua said: “This Golden Jubilee anniversary of our alma mater, Eyemote Comprehensive High School, is an opportunity to give back to the school that produced and nurtured us to greatness.

    “We will not rest on our oars; you will remember that Ekiti came first in the last National Examination Council (NECO) examination in Nigeria. The legacy of excellence in education should be sustained. What we have done is part of the ways we can sustain it.”

    Some ECOHS old students who were honoured with awards were former Minister of Aviation, Chief Babatunde Omotoba; Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola; Provost, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. Olurotimi Sanya; Prof. Victor Popoola and Wing Commander Lawrence Akinwumi (retd).

    Also honoured were Gen. Adebayo, Oba Owolabi (posthumous),three ex-principals, Orhewere, Araoye and Mr. Afolabi Ajobiewe; the late Mrs. Funmilayo Atoki (posthumous), an old student who renovated a block of four classrooms in 2009 at a cost of over N3 million and the late Mr. Babalola Olajide ( posthumous).

    At their annual general meeting, President of Old Students’ Association, Reverend Christopher Abere, called on members to be more committed to the development of their alma mater by being interested in the affairs of the students.

    Abere said 50 years is long enough to allow both good and bad to happen. He thanked God for sparing the lives of the celebrators. He also led other members to observe a minute silence in honour and memory of members who had passed on.

    The ECOHS Old Students boss commended the various sets for projects carried out in the school, even as he stressed on the need for members to always pay their annual dues to enable the group to execute more projects and run the association seamlessly.

    Abere urged the present students to be more disciplined; saying their forbears endured a harsh environment that included reading inside the forest to become what they are today. He stressed that success does not come easy.

    He said: “We implore the present students to imbibe the spirit of hard work, submit themselves to discipline and have role models in order to carve a niche for themselves. They should work towards becoming responsible citizens which is our school motto and watchword.

    “The students should realise that this is the path the old students trod and many of them are better for it today. We pray that the present and coming generations will achieve more successes than today.

    “To achieve that, we also seek the co-operation of the parents and guardians because child upbringing is a joint effort of the parents, society and the school.”

    Also addressing fellow old students, Justice Daramola emphasised on prompt payment of annual dues, adding that ECOHS old students must show more commitment in years to come as the school grows in leaps and bounds.

    He said: “I have no doubt that when we work together as a team there is no limit to what we can achieve for our school. Our life as an association is what our thoughts make of it.

    “We must try and be bold in our resolve to have a viable old students association and Almighty God will come to our aid. We must be unrelenting in having viable and vibrant association that will serve as engine room for infrastructural development of our alma mater.”

    Delivering the anniversary lecture, Prof. Adeola Popoola, said the school which had a humble beginning had grown to be a big oak from which great men and women emerged to make impact in their various spheres of endeavour.

    In the lecture entitled “Eyemote Comprehensive High School: A Humble Beginning, A Future Assured,” Popoola described the school as a leading light which has held its own among the illustrious post-primary institutions in Ekiti State. He called for concerted efforts to build on the legacy.

    He urged the old students to mentor the young ones who are currently in the school to guide and give them a sense of direction in life so as to ensure their brighter tomorrow.

    Popoola said: “One of the areas in which members of the Old Students Association can help the school to grow and excel in the near foreseeable future is to mentor the current students.

    “Mentoring or mentorship is an innovative process in which the older and more experienced professionals inspire young ones along the path of sustained tutelage and career progression.

    “What this implies in essence is that members of our association can develop a constant visit to the school with a view to interacting with the students. Find out how they are getting on and help proffer solutions to some of the challenges they are going through.”

    Popoola suggested the establishment of a hall of fame to keep memory and the impact of the alumni alive to serve as inspiration to the contemporary students and setting up of scholarship scheme, bursary and endowments.

    Executive Secretary of the State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Mrs. Bolajoko Adeyemi, delivered a career/motivational talk entitled “Secrets of High Flying Students.”

    Mrs. Adeyemi told the students that in spite of the moral decadence in the society, they can make up their mind to stand out and be morally upright to lay foundation for their academic success.

    She noted that every student has what it takes to be a high flyer but success is all about making a decision to be a successful person and doing the hard work to become such a person.

    Mrs. Adeyemi advised Eyemote students to have foresight, get their priorities right, concentrate on their studies and be consistent in the pursuit of success. She noted that “there is enough space at the top as the bottom is too crowded.”

    Besides the conferment of the awards, the grand finale also witnessed cutting of the anniversary cake, the launch of the school’s history book and the anniversary party.

  • Lawmaker honoured for community development

    For his active roles in community development and media-friendliness, a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has been rated as the best lawmaker in the Southwest.

    Oyintiloye, representing Obokun State Constituency, was honoured by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as the best lawmaker in the Southwest for the year 2016.

    The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Information and Strategy, was honoured alongside Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, among others.

    Secretary to the Osun State Government Moshood Adeoti presented the award on behalf of the corporation in recognition of the lawmaker’s contributions in media and community fields.

    Speaking after receiving the award, Oyintiloye urged government at all levels and citizens to pay more attention to the development of rural communities.

    Identifying the gaps in the area of mentoring, capacity building, provision of support services to the vulnerable and marginalised groups, youth and infrastructure development, he said to tackle those challenges, community service must be embraced.

    He said: “I advocate bottom-up approach to development, which is community-driven. We must revert to the old-African cultural mode of developing our community to achieve more result. We must imbibe the culture of community spirit, community service and community development.

    “As for me who represents an agrarian constituency, that is what I have been doing, as I have sponsored five bills that are all in relation to community development. Less than two years in the House of Assembly, I have used my earnings to develop my communities.

    “I call on government at all levels and citizens to pay more attention to the development of rural communities so that the people there can also have sense of belonging and play their roles effectively.

    “Nigeria will outlive recession, no doubt, but we must work very hard, sacrifice, open and patriotic for us to get out of recession. All Nigerians, regardless of social strata, can add value and must add value towards the development of their communities, state and the country.”

    Describing the award as inspiring, the lawmaker said it has re-energised him to continue in the community service of his Obokun State Constituency.

    He commended the FRCN for acknowledging good works, promoting diligence, merits and rewarding them accordingly, saying that celebrating excellence will go a long way in resetting the value system and aiding the anti-corruption war.

    FRCN’s Zonal Director, Mohammed Bello, said recipients of the awards were selected based on merit, saying they have made impacts in their various callings and deserved to be honoured.

  • Rain brings pains in Osun community

    A three-hour rain on Thursday evening has displaced many residents of Owu-kuta community in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State.

    The affected families are currently living with good-spirited Nigerians who came to their aid after the heavy rain had removed the roofs of their houses.

    The rain was said to have been preceded by windstorm which first caused panic among the residents. But the wind, it was learnt, did not cause any havoc until the rain began to fall.

    The Olowu-Kuta of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude lamented that the rain was unprecedented in the history of the town, especially since he became to the monarch five years ago.

    The traditional ruler said he was in town when the rain began and witnessed its severity, saying that the rain was a sign of what lies ahead in the coming months.

    Oba Oyelude said part of the palace where he usually holds meetings with his chiefs was also affected by the rain while a mosque and shopping complex built by the St Peter’s African Church were also affected.

    The monarch expressed his sympathy over the suffering of his subjects who were victims of the incident, just as he urged them to accept it as an act of God.

    He also called for calm among the residents, stressing the need to imbibe the culture of tree planting. He stated that trees have a way of shielding buildings from the effects of rainstorm and minimising danger.

    The royal father thanked Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola for sympathising with his people over the ugly incident. He also thanked officials of Ayedire Local Government Area for their visit to the palace as a show of solidarity.

    “I want to appeal to Governor Aregbesola to sensitise the public to the importance of tree planting. It is a preventive measure we need to tackle rainstorm. I know our governor is a proactive man, but I still need to remind him that the earlier this is done to encourage our people to protect their buildings from natural disaster, the better,” he said.

  • Philanthropist empowers unemployed women

    A philanthropist, Hon. Omonike Veronica Alonge has organised skill acquisition programme for women at the palace of the Baale of Amikanle, Chief Fatai Alli-Balogun.

    The palace coordinator, Abdulfatai Barika said the programme was aimed at helping unemployed women to learn some trades so that they could be economically independent.

    The programme was tagged “Let Women Speak”.

    Hon. Alonge, who is the facilitator of the programme, said she was motivated to embark on the empowerment programme by the challenges unemployed women and full-time housewives are experiencing in the society.

    The empowerment programme began in October, last year, even as four communities such as Meiran Town Hall, Command Army Barrack Kajola, Suberu Oje and Amikanle have benefitted from it.

    She revealed that the women are trained in four skills namely accessories, cake baking/decoration, cosmetology and household materials making.

    She appreciated the Baale for his accommodation and hospitality during the empowerment programme.

    “He has to make public announcement to the women in the community to participate.

    At Amikanle community, 60 women were enrolled but 45 graduated. After the graduation, equipment and materials needed for their new trades were given to the graduates to start businesses of their own.

    A beneficiary, Mrs Abosede Oladibu, who was trained in liquid and bar soap making, body and hair cream, dettol, detergent, izal, air freshener and conditional shampoo appreciated Mrs Alonge and the Baale.

    “Before now, I relied on my husband before feeding myself and the children at home but now I can feed my children without waiting for the assistance of my husband,” she said.

    Another beneficiary, Grace Ogunse who received training as a make-up artist said: “I tried to gain admission to higher institution but couldn’t because my parents were financially incapable. Now I can stand on my own as an entrepreneur without relying on anyone. I am fulfilled,” she said.

    She urged single ladies and unemployed women not to depend on men, even as she said they should find something to do in order to make themselves economically relevant before getting married.

    Chief Alli-Balogun commended Hon. Alonge for the support in training unemployed women. He promised to support her programme which aims at empowering the women folk.

    He advised unemployed housewives not to rely on their husbands for survival.

  • Corruption is bane of progress, says don

    A lecturer in the Department of Religious and Peace Studies, Lagos State University (LASU) Prof Ishaq Akintola, has said that one major area where Nigeria is witnessing grave retardation in terms of development is in the issue of corruption.

    He spoke at the school’s 58th inaugural lecture of the school entitled “Oh God! What Have We Done? An Eschatological Excursus”

    He said most Nigerians are engaged in several practices that are religiously unfit to be found worthy when judgment day comes.

    He noted that corruption, a major cankerworm, has eaten deep into every field of human endeavour and has hindered economic growth, bred conflict and denial of equal rights and justice.

    He said: “Some Nigerian judges are currently on trial for receiving bribe. The residences of some high profile judges seem to have become bureau de change as huge sums of foreign currencies were found there by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”

    To eliminate corruption and fraudulent practices, Akintola said the spiritual solution should be adopted; even though, he said, it should be used as a last resort.

    “If we adopt spiritual solution, then all corrupt politicians and civil servants should be cursed. As we wake up every day, as we sleep every night, we must rein curses on them. Because Allah said he will curse them and Allah said believers should curse them in Quran chapter 33 vs 66. And those curses will manifest because it is coming from the tongues of people whom they oppress. However we must use this as a last option,” he said.

    Continuing, he said: “When they are sworn in, they put their hands on the Bible and Quran to deceive us, because neither the Quran nor the Bible has immediate effect. People steal money with impunity, believing that since they have stolen billions, they have enough to defend themselves in court.  They use legal technicalities to prolong their cases. This is what has been frustrating the prosecution of these people in the cause of justice.”

    Akintola, who founded a Muslim human right organisation known as Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) explained that some religious crises in the North are stirred from other parts of the country.

    “Sometimes the religious crises that occur in the North did not start there. We have some religious leaders or politicians who make inflammatory statements targeted at the North, because they know the North is fragile. These crises are prepared from all geo-political zones and what you see in the North is just flames. The solution therefore is that we all agree solemnly to co-exist peacefully. That we all recognise one another’s right to practice our religions in every nook and cranny regardless of the faith,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun decried the corrupt practices in the judicial system.

    “Laws within the respective national jurisdiction should be very firm and tough in terms of enforcement of these laws and effectiveness of the laws. That is what is happening in Nigeria. The moment a man is brought to the law court, the next thing he does is hire some high profile lawyers. He believes that when the matter is stressed for years everybody will lose interest.

    “Then after sometime, a new government will come in and that will be the end of it. This destroys the jurisprudence of any country. It is until the laws are made very strict so that they do not allow people to ride rough short that is when there would be sanity in the system.

    “My position is, file up everything you have in one appeal, just have one appeal and push it forward so that within six months the case is determined. Those who are liable are jailed.

    “We are aware of Speakers of the House of Representatives who were involved in fraudulent activities that were investigated. Today, they are off the hook and they are pushing themselves as frontline nationalists,” he said.

  • Monarch gets staff of office

    Monarch gets staff of office

    For several hours penultimate Saturday, friends and well-wishers from far and near joined the people of Ota Awori in Atan/Iju/Ilogbo Local Council Development Area of Ogun State to celebrate the coronation and presentation of staff of office to Oba Oluwasegun Joel Fasina as Onikooko of Kooko Ebiye land. Governor Ibikunle Amosun did the presentation to the monarch.

    It was gun salute galore. Gbedu and Bata talking drums and Yoruba cultural dancers were present to make the event a colourful one.

    The presence of the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Man “O” War, among other security agencies, mounted in strategic places around the community, especially the king’s palace ensured hitch-free event.

    The monarch succeeded the late Oba Semion Olatunji Fashina, who died on October 28, 2008.

    Born on January 5, 1953 to the ruling family, Oba Fasina retired as a Police Area Commander of Ilaro Command in 2011, after serving in various capacities for 35 years.

    Governor Amosun, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Olajide Ojuko, urged the monarch to maintain loyalty, peace, orderliness and ensure that the welfare and traditional ethos of the citizens were maintained.

    He urged other contestants to the throne who lost out to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, spirit of sportsmanship and co-operate with the king in all his projects to move the town forward.

    He appealed to the monarch to rule without rivalry and involve his opponents in bringing peace, harmony, development and progress to the town and state.

    Oba Fashina thanked Amosun for the justice, equity and fairness exhibited during his selection. He pledged to serve his people and rebuild Kooko Ebiye land.

    He sought the support of his people both at home and in the Diaspora, adding that only the best advice and ideas would promote peace, oneness and the betterment of the land.

    The monarch said his determination was to unite and promote peace, respect for constituted authority and the traditional institution. He announced that he would have zero-tolerance for thuggery, disrespect for law and order and violence in the town.

    He urged the Governor to mull fixing the road leading to the community from Atan, Coker/Ibogun, among others, pencilled for asphalting for the rapid development and socio-economic enhancement of the state.

    The monarch pledged his co-operation to other monarchs and chiefs to boost development that would make Awori land stronger and more united.

    He warned the citizens against land grabbers, even as he condemned the attitude of omo onile who disturb people working in their sites. He warned those parading themselves as chiefs, using illegal plate numbers, inscribed with different titles to desist from such act, saying it would no longer be accepted in the town.

    He appealed to the police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other law enforcement agent to ensure that the directive was carried out.

    Present at the occasion were political leaders, captains of industry, chiefs, monarchs, and traditional groups, among others.