The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Achieving much with less resources: The Osun example

    Achieving much with less resources: The Osun example

    Times are changing. Nigeria’s economy is in a shambles.

    The Federal Government is also not left out of the conundrum.

    The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo had warned of impending gloom which today has become a sreality.

    He had dreamt of a society in which all ethnic groups that make up Nigeria would be self-sustained through the development and control of its own natural resources. No state or region in Nigeria is without its own peculiar natural endowment.

    We are all blessed in some way with our comparative advantage in natural and even human resources. So blessed are we that each of the constitutionally recognized 774 local government areas in Nigeria also has its own natural resource with which it can survive without an external help.

    But over the time, we have failed to harness these God-given endowments.

    We always speak about true federalism as a national symbol, but we have been romancing unitary system. Nigeria iss a de facto unitary enclave. Everything begins and ends in Abuja. The economic fate of every state in Nigeria is decided in the federal capital.

    We can get out of the woods if we are ready to be real and honest with ourselves and stop living in fake realities.  We still seem to live in the old past when allocations from Abuja was more than enough to take care of the needs as states or as local government areas.

    We still want our wards to join the already over-bloated civil services of the federal, states and local government areas even though those already engaged are really not getting paid as and when due, due to dwindling resources.

    We still go to work from 8:00 in the morning and close by 4:00 in the afternoon without really earning our pay for that day. We chat and tweet verbally and electronically. We still lack that moral honesty to ask ourselves whether we have worked conscientiously for that money we expect to be paid by federal, state or local governments at the end of the month. Yet, we blame our government for not providing enough for us when we, in our own little ways, have refused to create that wealth from which we expect to reap.

    We have refused to be resourceful, thinking in our subconscious reasoning that the government is still there to take care of our needs.

    We still consume foreign foods which the unavailable foreign exchange can no more provide, neglecting our local staples. Indeed, what used to be an exception in our food and social consumptions are now our regulars: foreign rice, foreign teas and beverages, foreign automobiles, foreign wears and clothing as well as even foreign habits when we have been told that no nation develops if it does not develop the habit of self-sustenance.

    Even in governance, we still live in the vainglorious past as if it has not gone and gone for good.

    Many states are still in the habit of engaging in dishonest political appointments even though it is not sustainable. Who could have predicted few years back that we would have, in 2016, a Federal Government with very lean political appointees, even at that where a single minister would be saddled with unenviable responsibility of three “heavy” ministries to manage? Who, for example, would have thought of the office of First Lady, only in name without those encumbrances of office, including long vehicular convoys?

    The times are truly hard and it is only the truly committed leaders that have the potentialities to survive and still provide real leadership to its citizens.

    Long ago, a French social and economic theorist, Vilfredo Pareto, gave us what was and is still known as the 80/20 theory.

    In his observation, he came to the realisation that in our social, economic and political realities, about 20 per cent of our resources are, in actual fact, responsible for about 80 per cent of our achievements.

    And conversely, only 20 per cent of outcome comes from a huge 80 per cent of our deployed resources. What a waste if we cannot think deeply and smartly? What this translates to is that most of our so-called human and material resources deployed to achieve our social, economic and political goals are, indeed, unintended wastes.

    This theory has been embraced by industries in most of Europe and Scandinavian countries even before the arrival of smart technologies to achieve tremendous quality and quantity productivities, increased profit and reduced costs.

    Osun State seems to be the only good odd out of the pack by unwittingly embracing the Pareto’s theory.

    For example, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, using very meager resources, with native intelligence, patriotism and dedicated few has achieved much for his state. Many pundits have criticised his “refusal” to appoint regular political office holders such as Commissioners and certain Advisers, as well as a behemoth of other opulent office holders in these days of not only meager but truly unavailable resources.

    How long will we still live in open denial when the truth of the financial matter is staring us in the face? The constitution has envisaged this dire situation and gives allowance for a situation such as this which does not forcefully ask government executives to appoint such.

    Even without the money, Osun State stands out. And even without the Commissioners, Osun excels. Aregbesola, is a true student of Vilfredo Pareto. The superlatively constructed ring and urban roads, the superlatively constructed school structures, the free primary school feeding, rural development, Opon Imo educational tablet, employment generation, social welfare to the aged and vulnerable, smart human resource development, among others are some of the achievements of the Osun State government using very lean resources.

    It is assumed that if the various tiers of government, MDAs, corporations, medium-scale companies and cottage establishments and even families can adopt the Pareto’s model, coupled with technology, our lives would be better off.

    *Akinola is a developmental and policy analyst based in Osogbo, Osun State.

  •  New vista as LUTH trains biomedical engineers

     New vista as LUTH trains biomedical engineers

    AS the country joined the world to welcome the New Year, a new vista has opened in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba Lagos State.

    Some members of staff of some of the departments and units have vowed to do everything to ensure patients received the best of medical care, no matter the cost.

    In the circumstances, the School of Biomedical Engineering has trained 18 members of staff of the Biomedical Engineering Unit. They were trained by the General Electric Biomedical engineers. They also vowed to ensure they save patients by saving vital medical equipment.

    The Programme Director, Prof. Carmel Walker told those graduating from the school that they should not rest on their oars but to break new grounds in their chosen career.

    Prof. Walker said they had been given the tool of knowledge, which is the greatest of all tools to complete their task in the health sector.

    “You do not study to pass the test, you study to prepare for the day when you are the only thing standing between a patient and the grave. Be open to life-long learning. Science and Technology are changing and you will need to keep it up. Don’t be afraid to admit your knowledge gaps and seek to fill them.

    “Innovations are often initiated by creative minds, so think outside of the box. Make your voice heard. Be professional, competent and compassionate in everything you do. Don’t underestimate the impacts you can make,” she said.

    Prof. Walker reminded them of Nelson Mandela’s quote: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we live.”

    Encouraging them to look beyond what they encounter, she said: “Never give up; always go back to what you know. And most importantly, work together; leave no one behind for you are a team. Show your value, prove your worth and make a statement not just in your words but also in your actions.”

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Chris Bode said it was gladdening that LUTH is still strong and playing a lead role in the business of saving lives. He said the 18 members of staff are the second-class that has graduated from the Biomedical Engineering Training Programme at LUTH and he could not be more proud.

    On the important role the engineers will play in the hospital, Prof. Chris said: “I need to express my happiness at the graduation ceremony and award of certificates to the graduates who were trained at the School of Biomedical Engineering, LUTH, organised and sponsored by General Electric Foundation (GEF) in affiliation with Duke University, USA. The initiative of GEF and the impact it will bring in the country’s medical system is profound.

    “Nigeria was rife with medical equipment bought and used for few months, a year or two and maybe, a fuse or something minor happens to it, and they were parked. With the culture of wastage we have, people are encouraged to go and buy new ones and we end up with a lot of dead equipment.

    “Now, when we don’t even have the money, it is only wise that we have trained manpower that will undertake simple maintenance and repairs of medical equipment to give us longer uptime and very little downtime. This saves lives and money and everybody benefits from it. The era of medical equipment being abandoned or discarded because of minor faults is now over.”

    Prof. Bode said he had the dream about a Biomedical Engineering Training programme and the conviction was great that he had to commission a new training structure to be built without the programme yet in place.

    “General Electric Foundation also realised the need for a better training and skills for Biomedical Engineers and looked to Engineering World Health for help. The dream for a biomedical Engineering Training Programme in Nigeria has been in the making for over 18 years. The participants are trained by the best in their fields and I am convinced that their education, through this programme, surpassed all that they thought they knew.”

    He said the hospital would admit people from other hospitals/facilities that needed to be trained because, “Prof. Kazeem Olusola birthed the vision to have Biomedical Engineering training Programme in federal schools for the training of Biomedical Engineers in Nigeria. His cries and recommendations to help improve health care through medical equipment in Nigeria, was the basis for his inaugural lecture in 1998 at the University of Lagos,” Prof. Bode said.

    Prof. Walker rwe-echoed this and said the graduates are the change that took place 18 years ago. “Change certainly does promote change. I believe Prof. Olusola did more than arouse an admiration for this profession of Biomedical Engineering. I believe that Prof. Olusola did more than arouse an admiration for this profession of Biomedical Engineering. I believe he clearly pointed out the need for this profession in health care by showing how, through saving equipment, biomedical engineers can save lives,” Prof Walker said.

  • Stakeholders meet over council’s budget 

    The Sole Administrator Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi has said the council will consolidate on the Lagos State Development Programme to make life better for the people.

    Addressing stakeholders at a meeting in preparation for the council’s 2017 budget, the council chief said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had set the template for others to follow, noting that Mosan Okunola council is in high spirit to replicate it in the council.

    He explained that the stakeholders’ meeting was organised to enable the people to make their contributions toward the attainment of a budget that will take care of their pressing needs rather than embarking on projects that are unnecessary and which will not impact on the lives of the people.

    Ogunwuyi added that projects such as roads, youths’ development, primary health care (PHC), education, commerce and sporting activities were in top agenda of government’s fiscal policy.

    The Sole Administrator maintained that his leadership had always strived to ensure that the people were carried along.

    “That is why the stakeholders’ meeting is very important. They will use the opportunity to let government know what their priorities are,” he said.

    He noted that the era when government imposes its decision on the people without wide consultation was over, adding that success could be made easier when the people participate in decision-making.

    “In the past, the practice was for government to impose its wishes on the people without recourse to them and without considering their needs.  This is out of tune with development and democracy.

    “The spirit and letter of the new budgeting system at the local empowerment level means make it mandatory for the ultimate beneficiaries of government programmes and projects to be part of the whole arrangement, right from the beginning.

    “It is the above scenario that has necessitated the consultation. It must also be made clear that within the ambit of the financial capacity of the council, we expect the gathering to come up with the items that will be used to fashion out the 2017 budget.”

    Ogunwuyi further appealed to Nigerians to support the council’s PHC programme, stressing that the facilities were over-stretched.

    “It is in the best interest of the council that I appeal to Nigerians to support our PHC programme. We need more nurses to complement the ones we have on ground and to relieve our members of staff that are being overworked,” he said.

    He presented gift materials to Mrs Ogada Daisy who gave birth to the first baby of the month at the Rauf Aregbesola Hospital.

  • FRSC decorates 29 promoted officers

    FRSC decorates 29 promoted officers

    Twenty-Nine senior officers of RS.2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) who were recently promoted were decorated with their new ranks at the Corps Headquarters in Lagos.

    The officers included the Lagos Sector Command’s Head of Operation, Michael Olapade, who was promoted from the rank of Deputy Corps Commander (DCC) to Corps Commander (CC); the multiple award winners’ Unit Commander who is in charge of Mowe Unit Command, Oludare Ogunjobi was decorated with the rank of DCC.

    Ogunjobi had won several awards which include 2012 Best Commanding Officer and best command’s physical and non-physical project; 2013 Best Unit Commander and best command’s physical and non-physical project; Best Unit Commander in 2014 and 2015.

    Others that were decorated from ACC to DCC were Ota Unit Commander, Leye Adegboyega; Olawale Odekunle, Sodiq Abdulrahaman; Laisi Olanrewaju Ogundele; Adeniyi Akinola; Bridget Asekhauno; Edoja Kenedy Akpososo; Etuali Oko; Abimbola Owolabi; Abdulyekini Lawal and Olusesan Taiwo Eko.

    Others who were decorated to the rank of ACC included Bashiru Adeyemi; Fekoya E.E.; Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Obi; Michael Adesuyi; Lucas Oguntade; Hussain Suleiman; Olagunju Yusuf; Angbashim Hosea Luka; Lawrence Basuyi Ajibola and Ndifon Mary Akinbayo.

    Members of their families and friends came from across the country to rejoice with the officers.

    The RS.2 Zonal Commander Shehu Alkali Zaki, congratulated the officers and advised them to be prepared for onerous assignments ahead of them.

    He said their decoration was part of the Corps instituted staff’s welfare scheme, adding that it came after the officers might have passed necessary requirements for the promotion, including the examination processes.

    He told the officers to see their promotions as call to higher responsibilities and more dedication to duty.

    He said: “Promotion does not come from heaven; it’s the reward for hard work.  Those that have been promoted and decorated to the senior ranks should bear in mind that the reward is more work as to whom much is given much is expected.”

    He warned them not to engage in acts that could undermine the image of the Corps, even as he enjoined them to remain good ambassadors of the organisation by demonstrating commitment in all that they do.

    He appealed to them to be exemplary in their conducts and prove to others that they really deserved the elevation.

    He stressed the importance of discipline in the Corps, saying management will not hesitate to mete out disciplinary action on any member of staff that violates the Corps’ disciplinary codes.

    The FRSC boss enjoined them to engage in physical fitness exercise and promote healthy living for optimal performance in their various assignments.

    Responding on behalf of those promoted, Corps Commander Olapade thanked the FRSC’s management for the promotion, saying it signifies motivation for them to continue to contribute their best to the development of the Corps.

  • Respite as communities get road, borehole

    Residents of Kekereowo, Shobowale and Mopelola in Ilasamaja, Mushin will ever remain obliged to their representative at the House of Representatives, Hon. Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla for bringing relief and succour to the community.

    Ayinla, who represents Mushin Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, inaugurated a borehole for residents of Mopelola Street and a standard culvert for residents of Kekereowo and Shobowale streets as well as clearing the blocked drainage system on the one kilometer-long Kekereowo Street.

    This brings to an end the perennial lack of potable water in Mopelola and years of flooding on Kekereowo/Shobowale streets and inability of residents of Shobowale Street to access Kekereowo Street due to bad condition of the road.

    With the provision of the culvert, residents of Shobowale Street can now drive in and out of the street through Kekereowo Street, a major road that links Ilasa, Mushin and Idi-Araba in Surulere.

    According to some residents, any time it rains, the Shobowale/Kekereowo axis of the road is always flooded and impassable. This, they said, is caused by blocked drainage system resulting from improper drainage to channel the coming from Shobowale Street into the water channel on Kekereowo Street. They regretted that the Chinese firm that constructed the one-kilometre long road did a shabby job. The flooding therefore destroyed the road and cut it off from Kekereowo Street. But this has been rectified by the intervention of the lawmaker.

    Answering reporters’ questions on the inauguration of the two projects, the lawmaker said there were many issues in the various communities that needed urgent attention but I will attend to these issues bit by bit. It is also a challenge to everyone who has the capability to improve on his environment to do so. It doesn’t have to be the government alone; this is part of my contributions to make my communities and my constituents better. I have been doing things such as empowerment and I will continue to do so. By next month, I will distribute N20, 000 to 600 people in my constituency to assist them in their various trades or to kick-start a trade.

    “We should always look out for what the communities lack in order to assist them. For me I would not allow the communities to suffer if I have the wherewithal to assist them. I will do everything within my power and capability to give them relief and that is exactly what I am doing with these two projects I just inaugurated. I am inspired to correct the ills in the society,” he said.

    While giving God all the glory, Ayinla said he feels good being able to help his constituents, adding that he is able to do what he is doing by the grace of God.

    He advised the residents to put to proper use the projects and endeavour to maintain them. If there is any problem with the borehole or the culvert, they should report to his constituency office.

    He advised wealthy individuals to contribute to the well-being of members of the society. This is because, whatever you do for others, you will gain the reward on the Day of Judgment. Commending the lawmaker, who he described as a pragmatic leader, for what he has been doing for the constituency, the Sole Administrator of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Yinka Kazeem said he was happy with the job the lawmaker did on the road.

    He advised the residents to maintain the infrastructure “because it belongs to them. We must keep watch and maintain the infrastructure in the community, it is very important,” he said.

    A member of the community who was also the contractor that handled the project, Chief James Osemede described the lawmaker as a listening representative. He said he called the attention of Ayinla to the bad state of the road.

    “Shobowale Street had been cut off from Kekereowo Street by flood and he agreed to take up the project personally since the local government or state Ministry of Works was not forthcoming and that was how he took it up,” he said.

    Osemede said he felt elated about the job done and everybody feels satisfied that he is listening to the community. In fact, Ayinla listens, he attends to people, he empowers people and indeed he has reached out to a lot of people.

    Osemede advised the residents to stop dumping garbage in the drainage system so as not to block them again and cause flooding that will again submerge and destroy the road.

    Another resident, Adeleke Samuel, thanked the lawmaker for fixing the road, which he said was impassable before because when it rains the whole road is flooded. “But with the construction of the culvert, the water now flows through; making the road passable.” He described the lawmaker’s gesture as worthy as it has brought succour to the people.

    Thanking the lawmaker for providing residents of Mopelola Street with borehole, a community member,  Gbolahan Olusoji said the community has been longing for a borehole for a couple of years and the lawmaker promised during his electioneering campaigns that he would give us one if voted into power. He has actually done it, he has fulfilled his promise.

    He said the community is very delighted with the provision of the borehole, even as he pleaded that their representative should continue to provide them with dividends of democracy.

    He advised the community to be security-conscious and to protect every project located in the community because it will benefit everybody.

    “The project is for us all and we should protect it consciously,” he said.

     

     

  • Osun: Sustaining development despite recession

    Osun: Sustaining development despite recession

    These are not the best of times for most states of the federation. They do not embark on projects-no thanks to the harsh economic situation. Besides, they cannot pay workers’ salaries. However, despite the nasty economic condition in which most states find themselves, Osun State continues to sustain all-round development. This, pundits say, results from the determination of the administration of Rauf Aregbesola to give his people the best despite lean resources.

    At a period when most narratives point to “the recession” as an excuse for the crippling growth or performance across various governments, the story of Osun State presents a refreshing perspective as to how people-centred development is possible.

    While it may be easy to heap the blame of this economic downturn on the country’s present leadership, Nigeria arrived at this sorry state due to the mismanagement of our national economy by successive administrations at the centre.

    While on the topic of mismanaged economies, it goes without saying that critical infrastructure in Osun State before the inauguration of the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on November 27, 2010, was largely in a comatose.  Economic activities had largely slowed down with considerable capital flight and migration of citizens in search of a better life.

    Two options were available; namely to continue in the traditional cosmetic governance; which entails repainting a few state-owned buildings, patch a few roads here and there, pay salaries of civil-servants, using over 70 per cent of the state’s revenue, and position Osun State towards the path of sustainable economic development by making a case for concerted investments and using creative means to raise fund for critical physical and human infrastructure that will, in turn, spur private investments and economic growth.

    Undoubtedly, building roads, bridges, schools and hospitals, among other physical infrastructure, creates jobs, enriches the local economy and gives access to market for farmers (many of whom dwell in the rural areas).

     

    Why debt financing for critical infrastructure?

    For such a small state in a country with high inflationary environment, high  cement prices, currency exchange risks and non-existent steel industry (major components of construction), developing Osun into a 21st Century state became a major challenge, one which the Aregbesola administration tackled very well for posterity’s sake.

    What option really existed before Ogbeni in 2010 other than to raise funds from the capital market at seven per cent lower than commercial bank interest rate?

    Osun opted for a mix of financing options to reduce risks and meet its primary statutory commitment. She followed a responsible borrowing regime by only committing 30 per cent of its revenues to debt servicing, leaving free cash-flow for critical and mandatory expenditure, such as salaries.

    With this, Osun began an aggressive infrastructure roll out in 2012 before the three-headed tragedy of blanket salary increment negotiated by the Federal Government on behalf of states in 2012; 40 per cent crash in statutory allocation due to alleged theft of 400,000 barrel of oil per day in 2013; and 50 per cent crash in the global price of crude oil and subsequent impact on statutory allocation.

    Currently, three super highways are under construction. These super highways consist of five bridges with each bridge at 90 per cent completion. Despite this biting recession, construction is ongoing because Osun secured an innovative promissory note purchase facility.

    Osun’s financial model worked perfectly by creating a pool of funds for infrastructure roll out that can only be utilised strictly for such purpose; due to market regulations of such funding by 2014.

    Using this financial mix, the administration of Governor Aregebsola rehabilitated and completed 230 state roads spanning 368km. His administration partnered local governments to deliver 226 council roads across the 30 local governments and the development areas with a combined length of 216km.

    Osun, in partnership with the World Bank, RAMP 2 programme, also delivered 250 km of rural roads to open up farms in rural areas. The state is on course to deliver the next set of 250 km. It is noteworthy that Osun is one of just six states selected to participate in this programme.

    In all, the government has so far delivered road infrastructure to the tune of more than 1000 km, opening up our rural enterprises and areas, connecting urban centres and positioning the state as a trade and production hub.

    Other construction projects delivered include 20 elementary schools and 22 middle schools all completed and in use. Many more are still under construction.

     

    Human capital development in Osun

    Despite its limited resources, Osun State has continued to champion delivery of an integral human development agenda. Osun, in the last six years, has made unprecedented investments in security towards the greater welfare of the people. Twenty-Five high capacity Armoured Personnel Carriers were deployed, being the largest contribution to the Nigerian Police Force by a state government at the time of deployment.

    The state enjoys a functional 24-hour emergency ambulance services with a fleet of 50 new vehicles across the 31 local government areas. The state-wide ambulance service is powered by 408 well-trained and kitted paramedics, who have attended to more than 8,000 cases since inception. This quality of service in concept and implementation is unprecedented in the annals of the state.

    Osun has also invested in the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), given the trickle-up impact these make to socio-economic development. The government has so far deployed over N7 billion to 50,000 beneficiaries spread across 4,500 co-operatives and/or businesses targeted at market women, small-scale farmers, artisans and physically-challenged individuals.  Through its welfare programme for critically poor citizens, the government has supported 16,250 widows and disadvantaged people.

    Through the state’s partnership with the World Bank, the Osun Agency for Community and Social Development Project (OSUN CSDP), has reached 1,073,129 beneficiaries in rural communities by committing at least N2 billion to several social developmental projects. The partnership is delivering 356 inclusive, gender-sensitive and multi-sectoral micro-projects, covering education, rural electrification, primary health care, transportation and provision of potable water for 263 communities across the state.

    The government’s strategic investment in the critical basic education level has delivered training and re-training for over 21,017 teachers, giving the importance of these to the learning experience. So far, 277 model schools with 1,811 modern classrooms have been built or rehabilitated.

    The schools are being furnished with 26,922 sets of chair and table. Every school day in Osun, 253,000 elementary school children receive nutritious meals produced largely by local farmers, to boost health and cognitive capability at their formative stage, as well as boost local food production. The Osun School Feeding Programme is the longest running of its kind in the country.

    In six years, Osun has, through its basic education agency, invested over N8.5 billion in building capacity, both in human and physical infrastructure. The investment in education is driven by the resolve of the administration to equip the future generation of Osun State with the best possible resources regardless of their background.

     

    How Osun continues to thrive

    As many states became fiscally unstable and shortfall in federally collected revenues continued to challenge salaries payment, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari heeded Osun’s push for interventions by helping her and other states restructure commercial loans into FGN bond with reduced financial cost and freeing of cash-flow in August 2015. The Federal Government also granted a concessionary loan to Osun and many other states to clear backlogs of salaries and to restore their treasury and fiscal stability.

    From August 2015 till date, the prudent management of concessionary loan (bailout) and its subsequent revenues by the administration of Aregbesola has ensured salaries are paid and workers keep their jobs, rather than embark on mass retrenchment; an alternate idea other state governments have toyed with.

    The salary regime ensures full salaries are paid to junior cadre in levels 1-7, while their senior counterparts are paid nothing less than 50 per cent or greater, depending on the level of income per month.

     

    Omoluabi garment factory, abere

    The government’s infrastructure development efforts has already started yielding results as investments and production have been on the rise in Osun: In 2009, the famous International Breweries, Ilesa, known for Trophy brand which serves the Southwest and beyond, doubled its production capacity to cater for the boost in local economy.

    Tuns Farms, an indigenous poultry company, in partnership with small-holder farmers, ramped up broiler production to position the state as the second largest broiler producer in the country.   Omoluabi Garment Factory, a Public-Private-Partnership between Sam and Sara Garments and the state government emerged as the largest garment factory in West Africa.

    An indigenous computer assembly plant, RLG Adulawo also set shop in Osun as a result of the favourable infrastructure available. These and more are the direct and indirect investment results of the administration’s bet for a prosperous future and these efforts are paying off.

    Consequently, Osun developmental programmes have also impacted on the socio-economic profile of the state as reported by reputable institutions.

    In 2015, The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) rated Osun second highest in human development index among the 36 states in the country. In 2014, Renaissance Capital (RENCAP) in its 36 shades of Nigeria economic review of states ranked Osun as the 7th largest economy in Nigeria, while in 2013 the NBS rated Osun as the state with the lowest poverty rate in Nigeria.

    In conclusion, the impact of the decisions taken by the present administration has continued to yield positive results from all available indices.

     

     

  • 1,000 relish Afe Babalola’s N16.5m empowerment

    1,000 relish Afe Babalola’s N16.5m empowerment

    The huge crowd that thronged the AB Foundation Civic Centre located on Opopogbooro in Ado-Ekiti was unprecedented. Men, women, youths, students and the physically-challenged were present.

    They were among the 15,000 that obtained forms to benefit from the cash to be made available to them by Afe Babalola (SAN).

    Law enforcement agencies such the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) deployed their men and women to the venue to ensure that the event was hitch-free.

    Organisers had, about two weeks earlier, made announcements on the electronic media calling on residents of the state to obtain free forms to enable them to benefit from the gesture. However, only 15,000 people obtained the forms within the first three days.

    The committee, in its wisdom, halted further distribution of forms as interested applicants continued to show interest hence the need to manage the crowd and sort out the applications since limited amount was available.

    That was the setting at the maiden Poverty Alleviation Programme of AB Foundation, a charity and empowerment-based non-governmental organisation established by Babalola to further his philanthropic ideals.

    The main objective of the Foundation is to assist the less-privileged persons in the society, rework the social equation, put smiles on their faces and assure them that all is not lost after all.

    Out of the number, 1,000 applicants were selected to benefit from the AB Foundation Poverty Alleviation Empowerment and they had the privilege of having their tallies put in the pot from which the lots were drawn to determine the winners of various cash categories.

    Poverty is a problem afflicting the society with about 70 per cent of Nigerians living below the poverty line and living less on one dollar per day. Governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations have been working hard to tackle the scourge which still persists.

    Babalola had a taste of poverty as story has it that he was brought up in a non-plastered mud house covered with thatched roof. But he conquered poverty by the grace of God, determination to succeed in life and hard work.

    Having tasted poverty during his formative years in his native Ado-Ekiti, Babalola is passionate to assist those wallowing in poverty with his God-given and hard-earned wealth and this has endeared him to many within and outside Nigeria.

    There was pin-drop silence when the marked tallies of the selected beneficiaries were poured inside the glass container and was stirred several times before being brought out to determine the amount won.

    Many of the selected beneficiaries closed their eyes and went into a brief session of prayer calling on Providence to favour them and win fat cash from the draw.

    It was the physically-challenged that were called out first because of their condition before the able-bodied ones had their turn.

    Out of the selected beneficiaries, 20 people received N100,000 each; 180 people received N50,000 each; 300 people smiled home with N10,000 each while 500 beneficiaries received N5,000 each at the maiden AB Foundation Poverty Alleviation Programme. All amounted to N16.5 million which Babalola gave out.

    The event was chaired by the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim while the Ewi of Ado- Ekiti was the royal host of the day. The two monarchs were accompanied by their retinue of chiefs and palace aides.

    Other guests who attended the event were former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Anglican Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rt. Rev. Christopher Omotunde; elder statesman, Chief Deji Fasuan; President of Ado Progressive Union (APU), Chief Obafemi Ojo; Chairman, Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Senator Bode Ola and the Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, among others.

    Babalola said the event was significant in many respects primary of which was the fact that the month of January was significant in his life as it was in that month in 1937 that he was sent to school by his father against his wish; marking the 80th anniversary of the commencement of his education at Emmanuel School, Ado-Ekiti.

    He reminisced: “January, 2017 is significant in my life, even though I do not remember the exact day in January, 1937 that my father, of evergreen memory, made the ‘mistake’ of sending me to school, very much against my wish.

    “I must point out here that I was the only person in my immediate and extended family as well as the whole of our street in Odo Ado that was singled out for this punishment because we were subjected to corporal punishment at all times; including caning, closing of eyes, raising one leg with eyes closed and cutting of grasses.”

    He urged privileged Nigerians to assist the poor to reduce the high rate of poverty and unemployment in the country saying: “you don’t need to be the richest person in the world to help your neighbour.”

    Babalola said: “Nobody has the whole wealth in the world; you can turn around the fate of somebody who is poor today. My wish when I was very young was to inherit father’s hoe and cutlass but I want to tell you that with hard work, determination and industry, you can get there.

    “I urge the government to reach out to the ordinary people at the grassroots and do something to assist them. I am a grassroots man, the only time I am happy is when somebody beside me is happy.

    “I will rather go hungry than seeing somebody beside me going hungry; there are many Ado-Ekiti indigenes who are richer than me, there are many Nigerians who are richer than me but I won’t mention names here.

    “Giving is an act I borrowed from my parents; giving is very important if we want this country to develop. The Federal Government alone cannot fund universities in Nigeria and make them comparable to their peers in other parts of the world.

    “What Stanford University (in the United States) received annually from endowments is more than the whole amount Nigerian government votes for education. How then can Nigerian universities compare with them?

    “We should change our attitude of leaving everything for the government to do for us. Today, it has got to the ludicrous extent that many Nigerians want to bear children and want government not only to train them but also to provide the children school meals.

    “We cannot abdicate our responsibilities for government, not in the face of compelling and competing duties of the government. I, therefore, call on the rich and the more comfortable members of the Nigerian society to assist the less-privileged people with the overall aim of engendering growth and development.

    “What I am doing today is a token of my humble concern and love for the people generally and I will like the rich among us to take a cue from this because riches don’t become wealth until they are invested in humanity.”

    Babalola urged the beneficiaries to invest the cash received wisely and judiciously to give themselves economic empowerment through investment in small-scale businesses.

    He revealed that the building where the event took place, AB Foundation Civic Centre which can accommodate over 2,000 people, was built to raise money to be donated to the less-privileged people.

    The Ohinoyi, Alhaji Ibrahim, said Babalola’s gesture was commendable because of the rate of poverty in the country. He described poverty as a “very impatient illness needing attention.

    The monarch said: “Ado-Ekiti has an illustrious son that has lifted the name of Ekiti State. I want to congratulate the Ewi and the people of Ekiti for having a man of his stature.

    “The time is so right; the gesture is so commendable and so unforgettable when poverty has spread out its curtailing wings over opportunities and hope. But here comes a remedy to help generously.

    “I pray that those lucky beneficiaries of AB Foundation cash gift today should invest the money in any enterprise directly or in association with friends in order to gain self-reliance and gain the needed comfort.”

    The Ewi, Oba Adejugbe, commended Babalola for siting his university in the town alongside its subsidiaries such as farm, hotel, bakery and others which have generated thousands of employment.

    He advised the people to go back to the farm to ensure food security and be gainfully employed. He expressed concern over the huge number of people who turned out for the programme.

    Oba Adejugbe added: “That is what Afe Babalola is doing every day, giving to the needy. It is not until you become a millionaire that you can give; from the little you have reach out to the poor.

    “I want to appeal that we should do something about the unemployment situation in this country. I want to urge everybody to go back to the farm because we are in an era when salaries are no longer regular.

    “Even when the salary is regular, it is not enough. Let us go back to the farm because what I saw outside (the hall) this morning, may God bless this country.”

    Chief Fasuan slammed politicians “who make millions from their outrageous salaries and allowances but come back at the end of the year to distribute second-hand motorcycles and grinding machines as empowerment to the people.

    Describing Babalola as an “unusual human being”, Fasuan said ABUAD, in its seven years of existence, has given solace to many people in Ekiti and has become a reference point within and outside the country.

    Fasuan said: “Afe Babalola is an unusual human being; he has knocked at every frontier on all fronts. Can you imagine a seven-year-old university spreading its tentacles to every area of human endeavour such as agriculture and the hospitality industry, among others?

    “Afe Babalola discovered himself as the Pro-Chancellor of University of Lagos. The nearest is the symbolic gesture of politicians after making millions, they will come back at the end of the year to distribute grinding machines and used motorcycles.”

    Adeniran described Babalola as the rallying point for him and other students in the 60s at the University of Ibadan, revealing that the philanthropist used to give them money not minding where they came from.

    The beneficiaries also praised their benefactor and prayed God to grant him long life for him to continue to give solace to the poor.

     

     

  • Philanthropist donates work tools to the needy

    Philanthropist donates work tools to the needy

    Scores  of visually-impaired, the lame, hearing-impaired and those who have speech difficulty ambled to the Goldenpearls Estate in Ajah, Lagos, last Saturday. While buses conveyed some, others were led by their guides, and another set crawled their way into the estate having heard the good news.

    There was news getting the round that Dr Kelly Nwogu had resolved to empower some physically-challenged people. Also some destitute and people living with other forms of disabilities were said to be among those to benefit from the gesture.

    Any wonder would-be beneficiaries stormed the venue in an indescribable number. They learnt there were sewing machines, wheelchairs and hairdryers and other items to be distributed which were packed inside 4, Goldenpearls Estate, venue of the event.

    In the circumstances, the beneficiaries, who sauntered into the venue, took different sitting positions waiting for the arrival of their benefactor.

    The  event, which was slated for 10:00 a.m. didn’t begin until about 2:00 p.m., even though none of the physically-challenged persons, including the crippled who sat under the sun gave up hope.

    As soon as the philanthropist, Dr. Kelly Nwogu and his wife, Chijioke arrived at the venue, there was jubilation, with the physically-challenged persons singing his praises.

    After moving round to greet them, he apologised to them for coming behind the time scheduled for the event. He directed that those under the scorching sun should be moved to the canopies.

    Dr. Nwogu, a real estate developer, announced his plan to establish a national farm to be located at Nupe in Niger State for persons living with disabilities. He said he chose the area considering the fertility and richness of its soil.

    Describing himself as the “Voice of the Disabled”, he stated that he has initiated moves to raise N100 billion for small and medium-scale enterprises and agricultural projects for persons living with disabilities.

    The initiative, he said, was to not only give the beneficiaries a means of livelihood, but also to make them millionaires and employers of labour so that they can educate their children and by extension, reduce crime rate in the society.

    He said: “There are over 23 million people living with one form of disability or the other in Nigeria. I am an only child of a crippled woman and I know how tough it is to survive in such situation. That’s why I can’t keep quiet. Thank God I did and today, I feel the only way I can give back to society is by remembering them by all means possible.

    “These people have children who need to go to school and earn a decent living. Otherwise, they may turn to criminals, which would become a problem for the society. The society must make conscious effort to empower persons with disability and not just wave them off as useless.

    “I have given scholarships to children of persons with disability who can’t afford to send them to school and I will do more. Last week, I promised to give out sewing machines and hairdryers to some of the people who have learnt the skills but can’t afford them; we have the items here.

    “We would also give wheelchairs to some of our people here who do not have. These items are for Nigerians. We want to ensure that non-Nigerians do not come and own our farmlands. That’s why we ask for national identity cards.

    “Those I promised money to start up small business or pay school fees would also receive some amount of money. We must rise beyond the beggar mentality. You would own your own farmlands and employ people to work for you. Some of you would own your own businesses. We need to take our people off the streets and give them hope.

    “I am not the only one involved in this movement. I am just the Voice of the Disabled. I was late here because I went to the streets to get telephone numbers of people begging. Things are tough these days. Able bodied people are finding it difficult to feed themselves let alone persons with disability.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Gloria Nwajei, 37, a former weightlifter, who said she requested a sewing machine the previous week, thanked the donor for giving her N100,000 aside the sewing machine.

    She said: “I am married and have two children. My husband is crippled too. I used to be a weightlifter. But six months ago, I started learning tailoring and when Dr. Nwogu came to the National Stadium last week for an event, people were making requests. So, I appealed to him that I needed a sewing machine so that I can be sewing clothes to pay school fees for my children.

    “He promised to get it for me. And today, he gave me the sewing machine and also N100, 000 to pay my children’s school fees.

    “I am filled with joy and I pray that God will bless him continually. It is rare to see people like this remembering us. Most times, they pass us off as beggars and failures.  Most persons with disability beg because they don’t have another choice.”

    A para-soccer coach, Owolabi Odunyemi, who brought some of his players from the stadium urged the donor to help them actualise their dream of playing at the Olympics.

    He said: “My players believe he would help them achieve their dreams. I believe that too because I have never seen someone like him who goes out of his way to help persons with disability. He wants physically-challenged persons in Nigeria to develop like those in other climes. Other Nigerians should emulate him.”

  • Constituents trained in skills get work tools

    Constituents trained in skills get work tools

    For 75 residents of Lagos Island Constituency 2, there was no better Yuletide gift than their graduation from three-month intensive skill acquisition training and start-up handouts from their representatives at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Shola Giwa.

    Though about 260 applicants filled the forms for the training scheme in September last year, only 75 of them graduated on December 28, last year and received certificates as well as various start-up equipment/tools from Giwa to kick-start their various trades.

    The 75 graduates were trained in tailoring, hairdressing, shoe making, auto mechanic, and sign writing.  On the graduation day, the lawmaker provided sewing machines for those who trained as tailors, filing machine and gum for shoemakers, mechanical tool box for mechanics, hair dryers, aprons, towels, relaxers for hair dressers, cylinder, drier, cutter, burner, steel ruler, cello tape, and mesh for sign writers.

    The graduation ceremony and presentation of the work tools took place at Eleganza Sports Centre, Lagos Island.

    Speaking at the event, Hon. Giwa said it was a great pleasure for him to be part of the graduation which he said was an important occasion for the trainees who were graduating as qualified artisans.

    “But I also need to say that this initiative is part of a much-bigger picture –the roles our artisans have to play in fighting unemployment directly by providing skilled labour to a skill- starved economy.

    “The trainees completed theoretical and workplace training component of this programme which commenced in October with qualified artisans as supervisors in fulfilment of the artisan training requirements.

    He urged the beneficiaries to part themselves on the back for the inconveniences they endured to reach their goal and in the process, thus making the programme a success.

    “To the  trainees I  say,  the  road  you  have  travelled was long; you faced  a  myriad of  challenges;  but  still  you persevered to reach  this momentous moment.  For  this you can  pat  yourselves on the  back for the  sacrifices you endured  to  reach  your  goal  –  in  the  process, making this programme  a  success.

    “The graduation ceremony marks an important milestone for our government and further re-affirms our commitment to the development and empowerment of our constituents. This day  is  also  proof  that  indeed  our government is  serious about  addressing the  skill gap and drawing  significant  numbers of  the  unemployed into productive work”.

    The lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment said: “The Lagos State Government Employment Trust Fund was established to equip residents with technical and professional training and enhance the professional capacity of artisans and entrepreneurs.”

    Urging artisans to take full advantage of the fund, Giwa said: “It is to set  a  clear and strategic long-term interest  and  commitment  to  technical  and professional  training in the  environment–both to rebuild the professional capacity  of  the  artisans and entrepreneurs–and to contribute to scarce skills required in  the  enhancement of the environment generally.

    “The task is more urgent now as the country is experiencing economic recession. This is why, as part of the initiative to build capacity of trainees in trades and artisans, the programme has explored all channels of learning and empowerment.

    “All of our graduates will get incentives to start their contributions to the economy where they are prepared to make a significant impact.

    “I mustn’t fail to acknowledge the steadfastness of the artisans of Lagos Island. Without their active participation, the course would have been unachievable. I must also commend the graduates.

    “They must know that all they’ve learnt cannot be taken away from them and they should be on the path of sustainability, replication, innovation and creativity.”

    The event also served as a platform for the lawmaker to present awards to the champions and defending champions of the Hon. Sola Giwa inter-school debate competition in Yoruba language which held in November last year.

    The training initiative was in collaboration with the Lagos Island Artisan Association which trained the beneficiaries.

    “It was borne out of their interest and commitment to technical and professional training which would play a role in fighting unemployment directly by providing skilled labour to a skill- starved economy through theoretical and hands-on experience,” he said.

    The Deputy Speaker of Lagos Assembly, who was Special Guest of Honour at the event, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun, commended Giwa for the initiative and harped on the importance of learning a trade and venturing into entrepreneurship.

    He said: “With or without formal education, it is an added advantage and stream of income for you when you render a service or sell goods. It brings about less dependence on your salary.”

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart and member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee, Prince Tajudeen Olusi who was the Father of the Day, encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity and empowerment given to them. He stressed the need for inclusion of entrepreneurship training in the curriculum of tertiary institutions in the country, which, he said, is the practice in other climes.

    The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Akin Oyebode also attended the event. He enjoined the beneficiaries and residents of Lagos Island to tap into the opportunities the fund has to offer.

    The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Babatunde Durosimi-Etti assured the participants that they would be inducted into their respective trade societies at the state government level and would be entitled to subscriptions; an announcement that was hailed by the beneficiaries.

  • Moremi controversy: Finding solution to age-old debate

    Moremi controversy: Finding solution to age-old debate

    The controversy generated by the role of Moremi in the history of Yoruba land has continued to evoke an interesting reading.  Not only has it been an issue among custodians of traditional institutions, it has also become an issue of interest among scholars.  But in all of this, it is imperative for the Yoruba nation to set the record straight and avert any distortion that may not mean well for our race.

    A new dimension was recently introduced to the unending controversy with a historian and Prof. of History from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Isola Olomola lending his voice to the discourse.

    According to him, Ugbo from Ileje, Ondo State not Igbo from the eastern part of Nigeria, invaded Ile-Ife before Moremi sacrificed herself, to liberate her people.

    The historian, during an interview that he granted a national newspaper, said the Igbo were never called Igbo until after the civil war. The eminent scholar stated that there is no research work or book that traced Igbo of eastern Nigerian origin to Ile-Ife.

    He said: “There is no book or research work that traced the history of Igbo to Ile-Ife. Some of their scholars claimed they are part of Jews that did not follow Israelites to the Promised Land.”

    Olomola said the controversy about the status of Moremi is unexpected because a coin must have two sides.

    He said: “Moremi as heroine was not only being celebrated in Ife, but also in Ekiti because of her role in liberating the people of Ife from the Ugbo that came to raid them at night. She submitted herself to be captured by Ugbo warriors that later married her because of her beauty. But she later returned to Ife and revealed the secret of the Ugbo. So, one should not expect Ugbo people to celebrate Moremi.”

    Aside from the scholars, Dr. Olapade Agoro the traditional ruler in the Owa Tapa of Itapa-Ijesha land expressed concern about the fate of Yoruba history.

    He said:  ”I am honestly disappointed at the extent the Yoruba history has been twisted and bastardised. This is not good for our youths, as well as our people. I am for the truth and I will say the truth anytime any day. I have no personal relationship with the Ooni of Ife; neither do I have same relationship with Olugbo of Ugbo.

    Ugbo nla (the great forest), during the ancient times, was a very great expanse of land. And they were known as people from the Water areas of Yoruba land.

    For the sake of our children, I will endeavour in this matter, to put the history in its true perspective.

    “First, what most people misinterpret as Igbo is known as ‘Ugbo nla–the great forest in Yoruba land. The then Olugbo happens to be a son from Ile-Ife that went to establish a kingdom somewhere else.

    “Unfortunately, most people have forgotten this so soon.  The Ugbo nla people did not just invade Ile-Ife during those raids in question. They were trying then to establish a right over the people of Ile-Ife.

    “Moremi Ajasoro was a water goddess, who was bestowed to the then Olugbo of Ugbo as a wife. It was therefore, not a surprise that the then Olugbo felt and believed that Moremi had a right to them. Hence, the Ugbo nla people invaded the place then known as “Ile-Ifa” that was the name before they changed it to present day Ile-Ife.  The Ugbo nla people were angry and believed very strongly that Moremi deserted them to come and stay in Ile-Ife.

    “So, they invaded Ile-Ife with the masquerades, which they covered or designed with the materials they harvested in their areas, which were mainly made up of “raffia fronds”. Most people do not know much about these materials, only people from present day Epe and Ugbo nla knew about it. We call it Eko raffia. Wizards grow on these plants along the river banks in the riverside areas. These plants are still in these areas up till now.

    “The Ugbo nla people, even when they relocated to their present areas, used to have a camp near the present day Ile-Ife. That was why it was very easy for them to invade Ile-Ife at will. Not only Ugbo people, almost all the Yoruba people of old had their locations around present day Ile-Ife, which belongs to us all.”

    He added: “Now, to the main issue, because Moremi, who was so pretty a wife abandoned her husband and came to Ile-Ife  to stay, and because the Ugbo nla people wanted her back at all costs, they resorted to insistent raids of Ile-Ife.

    “My take in all this, is that Moremi was a wife to the then king of Ugbo nla. If her statue is to be erected in Ile-Ife for whatever reasons, the Ooni of Ife needed to have approached or obtained formal permission from her husband and the people of Ugbo nla.

    “You see, so many things are today done wrongly in the name of modernisation of the traditional institutions. Nowadays, you see an Oba wearing his crown all over the places; this is not done. All manner of staffs are being carried all over the places in the name of tradition. You see two highly placed Obas embracing themselves in public. This is not our customs and traditions they are practising.”

    On its part, the Ugbo Council of Elders demanded unreserved apology from Ooni for allegedly distorting history, by referring to them as Igbo. They even advised him to clarify historical facts from the elders of Ife.

    Their statement reads in part: “We the Olugbo-in-Council find such unguarded statements and historical fallacy disturbing, particularly when such emanated from a monarch who is expected to be a custodian of the history, customs and traditions of Yoruba land. We hereby state categorically that we are Ugbo, the original settlers and owners of Ile-Ife. Our forefathers descended from heaven that is why we are called Ugbo Atorunwo. We are not Igbo who are from the South-eastern part of Nigeria, and who have their own clearly researched and defined ancestry.

    “To set the records straight, Moremi, to us, remains a traitor and a betrayer. She was a slave captured by the Ugbo warriors during one of their many raids to Ile-Ife. She later became the wife of Osangangan Obamakin, the son of Oranfe, who was the paramount ruler over 13 aboriginal communities of ancient Ugbomokun, which later came to be called Ile-Ife.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, recently blasted oil magnate and Oba of Ugbo Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Federick Akinruntan, for referring to the Yoruba ancestral queen, Queen Moremi as a traitor not worthy to be celebrated.

    “While we remain very proud of the great queen Moremi Ajasoro, a brave woman who sacrificed her only son Oluorogbo for the victory of her people over the faceless terrorists who used to incessantly raid Ife markets, we will not dignify this rascality of royalty with an expected response as we are not ready for any useless supremacy battle incapable of taking Yoruba to a greater height.

    Kabiyesi  Ooni is not interested in joining issues with Oba Akinruntan or anyone on any matter that can jeopardise his peace and unity project which is already making impact in so many sectors such as youth development, women empowerment, cultural tourism, agric revolution, unification of our elders and traditional rulers, to mention but a few.

    From the foregoing, it is evident that there may not be an end to the controversy if an urgent step is not taken to nib it in the bud.

    To that effect, I align with the view of Prof. Asiwaju  who cautioned  Yoruba royal fathers to be sensitive to the vulnerability of historical sources on which their titles and positions are based and the need, therefore, for them to be more cautious in their public pronouncements.

    He said: “In this important regard, I would urge that revered Yoruba Obas be humble enough to read and learn more about their constituents’ history, beyond what is traditionally transmitted in the local courts and palaces.”

    The solution lay in convening a forum where scholars and custodians of Yoruba culture will set the record straight with nobody as the winner or vanquished.