The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Man docked for ‘fraud’

    A 30-year-old man, Sunday Ogundipe has been arraigned before an Ado Ekiti Magistrate’s Court over alleged fraud.

    Police prosecutor, Inspector Bayo  Ajiboye told the court that the accused committed the offence  sometime in the month of  September  at Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the accused fraudulently collected the sum of N350, 000 from one Remi Oguntuase with intent to get him a bus which  he refused to do.

    Ajiboye said the accused was a serial fraudster, saying he has a similar case at other courts.

    According to him, the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The accused pleaded not guilty while his counsel, Opeyemi Ogunremi, prayed the court to grant bail to his client, with a promise that he would not jump bail.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Modupe Afeniforo, consequently granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 and two sureties  in like sum.

  • Day Ekiti stood still for Ogunsakin

    Day Ekiti stood still for Ogunsakin

    •Fayose, Olanipekun, others celebrate uncommon Ex-cop

    The occasion was a thanksgiving in all ramifications. The glorious day was laced with all the trappings of class. However, the attendant emotion exposed the humanity behind the subject of the day.

    Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Ayotunde Ogunsakin, retired from the Nigerian Police Force after 34 meritorious years in service of the fatherland.

    The event began from the church, St. Peters Anglican Church, Ikere Ekiti, where Ogunsakin revelled in thanksgiving. For a top-notch security officer, many in the church were surprised at the dance steps churned out by Ogunsakin. Even the presiding clergyman, Venerable A. O. Ayodele, the Vicar and Archdeacon of Ikere-Ekiti attested to that fact, saying in all his years of interaction with the police officer, not once had he seen him laughing uncontrollably.

    According to him, the closest to a laugh he had ever seen on Ogunsakin’s cherubic face in all those years was a smile that does not even last long.

    “But today, in this church, I have seen him smile and even try to laugh,” the clergyman said.

    He, however, admonished the congregation to emulate the virtues of Ogunsakin, whom he said was able to stand tall throughout his service years in a society that has been highly compromised. “In almost 34 years in the police force, Ogunsakin has obeyed orders as a junior officer; enforced discipline as a boss; showed humility in leadership and led by example. By God’s grace, the retired AIG has battled the storm but was not consumed; has tasted fire but was not burnt to ashes; has demonstrated discipline and mercy without compromising standards; has been to the warfront and has returned alive. This is why we must thank God because he has brought honour to Ikere people and to his family,” he said.

    Projecting into the future, the Vicar noted that it would be difficult for a person of Ogunsakin’s stature to go into oblivion having been a restless, compelling but compassionate officer honed through the years in the service of the Nigeria Police Force.

    While advising Ogunsakin against dabbling in the murky waters of Nigerian brand of politics, the clergyman, on the other hand, wanted the retired AIG to use the influence he has amassed over the years to attract the best, politically and economically to Ikere-Ekiti.

    Ayodele was specific. He said: “Don’t go into politics because your hard-earned reputation will be at stake but use your powers to ensure that Ikere produces the next governor of this state.”

    The colourful reception, which was another funfair with all the trappings of high society event, had movers and shakers of the Nigerian society gracing the occasion. The guests were treated to a documentary about the celebrator, cultural dance, performances and presentations. There was no dull moment during the event.

    Governor Ayo Fayose was there with his usual bluntness, saying  his presence at the event was not out of love for Ogunsakin. The anchor of the programme drew the first blood by announcing that the reception should not be turned into a political rally; going by the number of politicians at the event.

    The lady anchor was unaware of how Fayose would react to such statement at a time the governor was making his entrance into the venue. As expected, Fayose did not allow the soft blow go off without a return blow, saying the young woman should be forgiven because she is not a politician.

    “When a governor is somewhere, or anywhere the governor is, politics is there,” he retorted. About the celebrator, he said: “I am not here because I love you. I am here because you are one of our leading lights in Ekiti. Your stepping aside from the Nigeria Police Force is not by mistake. One day, you will look back and thank God for leaving at the time you left. You will watch with your eyes why God took you away at the time He did. Your time will come. I know that it’s not easy for a uniformed officer out of office; but God will guide you. God will give you direction.

    “He will support you. On my part, when I retire, I’m not going to the Senate like other governors. I will remain here in Ekiti. I’m not running to America. This is where I will remain.”

    Several guests had a word or two about the retired AIG.

    Former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said  Ogunsakin’s service to the nation was exceptional. Though Adeyeye regretted that Ogunsakin’s efforts were not crowned with appointment as Inspector-General of Police, he was, however, thankful to God, saying “we thank God for his distinguished career in the force”.

    In his goodwill message, Chief Wole Olanipekun described Ogunsakin as a very loving, charismatic, amiable, handsome, brilliant, resourceful, thoughtful and irresistible personality and gentleman.

    Olanipekun said though they were cousins, the relationship does not explain the reason for their very close ties; “because two persons might be related by blood to another, without both of them being close in the real sense of it”.

    Captain of industry, Oba Otudeko described the retired AIG as an exemplary cop, whose brilliance, dexterity and comprehensive knowledge of law enforcement were vividly demonstrated across the many important positions he held throughout his career.

    “From his days as a young officer in Ibadan, AIG Ogunsakin (retired) exhibited courage, agility and devotion to duty; and it was not a surprise that he was soon attracted to the elite Interpol Unit of the Nigeria Police Force,” Otudeko said.

    On his part, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), M. D. Yusuf praised his former sub-ordinate, saying it was a well-deserved retirement.

    “I praise you for your years of service and achievements.  Few have worked as hard as you had. I hope you enjoy directing your energies into your other special interests,” he said.

    Col. O.O. Keshinro (rtd) said: “You weathered the storms and berthed safely after many years of dedicated service culminating in the rank of an AIG.  Congratulations. The popular accolade ‘An officer and a gentleman’ fits you perfectly “.

    Martin Nwogoh, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who described Ogunsakin as ‘my boss’, said: “I have never seen him shout or demonstrate anger on any officer or abuse and intimidate subordinates. Instead of abusing and insulting officers when they made mistakes which is not uncommon in the job, leaving the officer demoralised and feeling deficient, AIG Ogunsakin will rather draw defaulters near, show them superior logic why they should not act the way they did; telling them the right thing to do, thus leaving the officer more fulfilled, informed, confident and desirous to act more acceptably.”

    Responding, Ogunsakin, who described his wife as his greatest inspiration and a pillar of strength that kept encouraging him to do the right thing, could not help but express a mild disappointment that, all over the world, people show some form of dislike for policemen.

    “But you can’t do without policemen. In accepting to be a policeman, it means you have accepted to die. This is because, as in other forces, policemen stay awake while others sleep. That means, what you sign for is actually a duty to die for others to live. You sacrifice your own life so that others can live. The society must recognise that we have chosen to die in service to the nation,” he said.

    For an officer who was saddled with the responsibility of unravelling some tough cases involving powerful personalities in the business and political terrain in Nigeria, the import of Ogunsakin’s statement is not lost to those who had gathered to felicitate with him for not only weathering the storm but also having the opportunity to come out with unblemished record.

    Maybe it is for that reason that the celebration stretched into the night in the honour of a retired officer who remains unwavering in his pursuit of justice as he has taken up a new challenge in security and information management.

  • Scholarship: 206 savour Olanipekun’s generosity

    Scholarship: 206 savour Olanipekun’s generosity

    His belief that education engenders revival, freedom and emancipation informs his resolve to help brilliant but indigent students. To achieve this, he established the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme (WOSS) to ensure that students in need of funds to continue their academic careers received help.  ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports that Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), gave scholarships to 206 students during this year’s edition of the 20-year-old scheme. 

    Legal luminary and one-time President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Oluwole Oladapo Olanipekun (SAN), believes that education is a weapon against poverty and its attendant societal problems.

    Consequent to this belief, he accords education the most important position in his scheme of things. He has devoted enormous resources to the education sector to ensure that his people are free from the encumbrances of illiteracy and poverty.

    Apart from education contributing enormously to the enviable status he had attained in his profession and in the society, Olanipekun is also passionate about brilliant but indigent students whose ambitions are threatened by paucity of funds.

    In his over 40 years of practice at the Bar; he had ploughed back his God-given wealth to education in terms of sponsoring thousands of less-privileged students in their academic careers and building infrastructure in most of the nation’s tertiary institutions.

    While practising at Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, his rented chambers along Unity Road and God’s Grace Chambers; the one he built along University Road in Tanke area, used to play host to hundreds of students who are indigenous to Ekiti State and those from other parts of the country who needed financial support.

    By the time he relocated to Lagos in 2002 where he currently has the headquarters of his law firm, Olanipekun’s support for education had grown in leaps and bounds and he seems not tired of giving succour to students who are in need.

    That explains the motivation behind the establishment of the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme (WOSS) in 1996 to assist students to realise their dreams of becoming great personalities.

    Initially, the scheme was established to assist students who are indigenous to Olanipekun’s hometown, Ikere-Ekiti. However, as it develops over the years, it has incorporated beneficiaries from the other 15 local government areas of Ekiti State and other parts of the country.

    Thousands of students in secondary schools, universities and Nigerian Law School had benefited from the scholarships given out every year by the WOSS Principal, Olanipekun.

    The case of a student who is not indigenous to Ikere-Ekiti who benefited from this year’s edition, Hameed Oyekanmi Ajibola, was peculiar. Mr Ajibola, who hails from Oyo State and a law graduate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), could not raise funds to further his career at the Nigerian Law School.

    Just two days before the scholarship award ceremony, he was nominated by a member of WOSS Board of Trustees, Dr. Gani Adeniran. He had earlier known Adeniran two weeks before then. Olanipekun had told Adeniran, a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, to get a Muslim from Oyo State to be among the 14 beneficiaries of the scheme for the Nigerian Law School for this year’s edition.

    Ajibola, who had never met Olanipekun before, had to travel to Ikere on the day of the ceremony to receive his cheque. He was overwhelmed and prayed profusely for the sponsor.

    Ajibola said: “I  got your (Olanipekun’s) message from Dr. Gani Adeniran who happens to be my referral in respect to the financial support you have rendered to me, sir.

    “I use this opportunity to show my sincere appreciation and to say a thank you for your helping hand. May the Almighty God ease all your affairs and enrich you the more sir. I am most grateful, sir.”

    There was a story of the best graduating Law student at the University of Ilorin about 10 years ago who benefited from Olanipekun’s gesture. After graduating from the Law School, he was too poor to buy his wig but was assisted by the Senior Advocate.

    WOSS brings together stakeholders in education every year at Olanipekun’s country home, Iyaniwura House, along Moshood Road in Ikere-Ekiti.

    Olanipekun, a man renowned for his modesty and humility, rolled out the drums this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his scholarship scheme. He was joined by members of the WOSS Board of Trustees led by renowned educationist and retired school principal, Mr. Sunday Omoyeni.

    Dignitaries who attended this year’s edition of the scheme were the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Agirilala Ogbenuotesoro II; Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola; former Deputy Governor, Chief Abiodun Aluko; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka; Chairman, Ikere Local Government Area, Mr. Ola Alonge; member representing Ikere Constituency 1, at the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Wale Ayeni; Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jide Egunjobi and Prof. Toyin Bamisaye, among others.

    As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the scheme, Olanipekun donated customised exercise books to all public primary and secondary schools in Ikere-Ekiti.

    A total of 206 students received scholarships in this year’s edition and the breakdown are as follows: beneficiaries in Ikere secondary schools (155); undergraduates who hail from Ikere Local Government Area (24); undergraduates from other LGAs in Ekiti (13) and special recipients from Ekiti, other states and Law School (14).

    Chairman of the occasion who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Olayinka, described Olanipekun as a colossus who performed wonders while serving as the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the nation’s premier university.

    Olayinka said: “He (Olanipekun) paid great attention to details as UI Pro-Chancellor.

    “He built a lecture theatre for the Faculty of Law at UI.

    “Wole Olanipekun is a gift to humanity. When he became Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, he funded the building of the V-C’s Lodge.”

    The Ogoga, Oba Adu, described Olanipekun as a “rare and special gift to Ikere land, urging the beneficiaries to reciprocate by working hard to make the best grades in their studies.

    The monarch said: “During my primary school days, I knew five pupils in my school who were very brilliant but never had the opportunity of proceeding to secondary school because of financial constraints.

    “This scheme has clocked 20 years and we have many people who had become great through the benevolence of Asiwaju. This man funds the scheme with his personal resources and I want you to repay him by justifying what he has given to you.”

    Deputy Governor, Dr. Olusola, described Olanipekun as a mentor and leader, saying it was not a surprise that the Ogoga recently bestowed on him the chieftaincy title of the Asiwaju of Ikere.

    He said: “This gesture is the mark of a quintessential leader having key projects on all the roads that lead to the centre of Ikere. His philanthropic activities go beyond the borders of Ikere.

    “Those of us coming behind you are now challenged to contribute our own quota to the development of this town. To the beneficiaries, I want to advise you to be diligent in your studies, be serious with your studies and become great in life.”

    Commissioner for Education, Mr. Egunjobi, said Olanipekun’s gesture is worthy of emulation, noting that education is the only industry in the state and the gains made  in public examinations such as the National Examination Council (NECO) must be sustained.

    Olanipekun explained how the scheme began from a humble beginning to become an oasis that has been giving solace to students within and outside Ekiti where it began.

    He praised the WOSS Board of Trustees for being “methodical, clinical, focused and honest” in nurturing the master seed sown 20 years ago which has grown into an oak.

    Olanipekun said: “We started from a very humble beginning; we must not forget education which is the legacy of Western Nigeria that we all grew up to know.

    “Before we instituted the scheme, all students of Ondo State origin used to come to my chambers in Ilorin then saying ‘how do we pay our school fees?’ Ikere currently has 77 professors, how do we make future professors, deputy governors, governors and presidents out of them?

    “There is poverty in the land which affects the education of many children. I want to appeal most profoundly to the beneficiaries that when you grow up, look back to the less-privileged and assist them.

    “The government cannot do it all; the greatest thing you can be remembered for is not the wealth you accumulate but the lives you touch.

    “Education is our heritage but it is dehydrating, evaporating and dying. I want to appeal to our Law School beneficiaries to utilise what we gave to you by concentrating on your law studies.”

  • Expert decries poor library services, reading culture

    Expert decries poor library services, reading culture

    The Principal Librarian of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prince Sunday Olurotimi Obadare, has described the current poor reading culture among Nigerians as worrisome. He said the ugly situation needed to be addressed urgently.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, Obadare, who is also the National Vice-President of Nigeria Library Association (NLA), noted that he was not comfortable with library services in the country, saying that the situation is not pleasant.

    According to him, despite the country’s huge population, government has not recognised the role library services could play in the country’s development. He regretted that the National Library Headquarters located in Abuja is currently operating in a rented apartment.

    “This indicates that the state of library services in Nigeria is so poor. There is need for government to declare national emergency in the area of library services so that the Federal Government would be alive to its responsibilities. The same thing applies to libraries in the state and local government areas across the country.”

    The librarian pointed out that private individuals needed to be encouraged to partner with government in salvaging the situation so that there could be enough libraries in the country. This will be a stepping stone for our national development.

    “The country is in a critical situation in the area of provision of library services. Members of the association are ready to assist the government in this area but the government has to make certain facilities and infrastructure available for the establishment of more libraries. “Though, it is capital intensive, government needed to take the bull by the horn while members of the association and public can assist in the provision of the all-important services to the people,” he said.

    He regretted that Nigerians are no longer reading due to laziness, noting that reading has to do with people who are very serious and determined to add value to their lives through reading.

    “Nigerians are no longer reading. They want to delve much into something that attracts little concentration and attention. They like to watch television; they like to do all those frivolities rather than reading. But when they read, they get the information they need to better their lives. But people are not reading,” he added.

    While blaming government at all levels for not providing adequate library services, Obadare  argued: “People don’t want to trek far from their houses before they get to the library and the books needed have to be available as well as other materials. Also, there must be in place such an environment that is conducive to reading. When all these are in place in  the neighbourhood, people would be encouraged to read.

    “In South Africa, you have libraries in all the neighbourhoods. Every community has its libraries and you only need to walk across to access the library. But in Nigeria, you have to travel far before you can get one. This is not encouraging at all.

    “That was why we are calling for national emergency. Once one has a library within one’s community, one will be encouraged to read and do research. You can read for pleasure, you can read to obtain knowledge and some other things,” he said.

    While explaining the importance of library to national development, Obadare argued that government has to budget huge funds for library service if the nation would attain the much-needed development.

    “In those days, all the principals and other retired education officers used to write books but it is no longer so. People are not reading, people are not writing and books are not published. When you work for about 35 years, all the experiences one had gathered, one have to write  and document one’s experiences and ideas in book form so that others can read about them. But people are not doing that again,” he noted.

    He lamented that even if the services are available; people are not ready to read in order to be better informed.

    “The truth is that people are no longer reading and most of their times are wasted on irrelevant things that may not add value to their lives,” he said.

    He further explained that the association is not folding its arms on this crisis. It is rather looking for a way to solve the problem.

    “Our association is looking into that and TETfund has come to the rescue. But its contributions are not enough. Tertiary institutions are supposed to earmark 10 per cent of their total budget for library development; but they are not doing that. It is a critical problem that must be addressed.

    “In terms of maintenance, we are encouraging communities to have library of their own to complement the efforts of the government. We are also working on a project that will encourage rich individuals to establish and maintain libraries in memory of their parents and members of Nigeria Library Association (NLA) can assist them to operate the library in their communities, so that we can have it in all the nook and cranny of the country.

    “We are encouraging private individual to come to our aid. There is also the need to call on all the traditional rulers to have libraries; private individuals are supposed to have libraries in their homes in order to assist and complement the efforts of government. But majorly, government has to put in place policies that will favour establishment of libraries in all the nook and cranny of the country,” he said.

    To complement the efforts of government in the provision of library services, he revealed that there is a pet project he had embarked upon. Tagged “Private Library Project (PLP)”, it allows wealthy individuals to establish private libraries in different parts of the country in memory of their loved ones or in their own names. The donors will fund the projects as well as be responsibile for their sustainability while the operations of the libraries will be greatly assisted by the Nigerian Library Association in the various states of the country where the private libraries are located. The library will be opened to the public, even as the donor controls the library.

    Obadare, who emphasised the importance of library in national development, said “library is about research and research is very important for the nation to grow and develop.”

  • Women urged on domestic responsibilities

    Women urged on domestic responsibilities

    Wife of former Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has urged Nigerian women to embrace skill acquisition programmes in order to help their families out of the current economic recession.  She said Nigerian women have the capacity to improve the economy.

    Speaking at the Nigerian International Women Entrepreneurs Exhibition (NIWEX) held at Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos. Mrs Fashola said Nigerian women should contribute their quota towards national development by engaging in laudable economic  activities.

    She explained that women have excelled in various economic activities, noting that the present harsh economic reality made it more compelling for women to take business risks in order to break even.

    In the same manner, the Deputy National President of Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture Chief Alaba Lawson said NIWEX aims at promoting women entrepreneurship and sale of local products.

    She added that the exhibition was to complement the Federal Government’s drive towards diversifying the economy from dependence on oil to one that depends on other sectors, especially agriculture.

    Lawson said: “A woman is a change agent. She can feed her family, build her business, raise her kids and  employ her neighbour. She can inspire sensational transformation and create a new story for herself.  Women are powerful and full of untapped potential.

    “A woman can change the world if she is given an opportunity and encouraged. Our government needs to empower women to develop our local products to break free from the cycle of poverty and over reliance on foreign goods.”

    She maintained that women have huge role to play in ensuring peace in their homes through meaningful economic contributions, noting that the time when means of subsistence were left for the husbands alone are gone.

    She explained that the wives  of governors of the Southwest states have been of immense impact to the dream of NIWEX.

    “I want to extent my gratitude to the wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, wife of Ogun State governor, Dr. Olufunsho Amosun, wife of former Lagos State governor, Abimbola Fashola and others.

    “They have always encouraged women folk to think positively in the areas of skills, entrepreneurship and management. It is time we broke new grounds  and let the world know that Nigerian women are good in soap making, cottage industry, textile making, catering, baking and decorations.”

  • Church celebrates 21st anniversary

    As part of activities to commemorate its 21 anniversary, the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Apapa GRA, Lagos has held a special service tagged: “21st Church Anniversary Service and Musical Concert”.

    The concerts were performed in English, Igbo and Yoruba languages to promote unity among members of the church.

    Addressing the congregation, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, (OOU), Prof. Dayo Ejiwunmi, identified injustice, corruption, lack of courage to speak the truth, and inaccurate population figures as the source of Nigeria’s problems.

    Ejiwunmi, who called on Christians to serve God by providing solutions to the country’s economic recession, also challenged the youth to rise up and speak against corruption and injustice in the society.

    “The best way we can serve God under this circumstance is to provide intelligent answers, contributions and solutions to the current socio-economic challenges we are experiencing. We, as Christians, need to be sensitive to the needs of the poor. We are not supposed to live ostentatious lives while many around us suffer.

    “How can we achieve progress in the country when we are not concerned about justice in our society? I, therefore, urge our youths to speak against corruption and do something to uphold justice. I want to plead with us not to not only talk but also do something,” he said.

    Founder of the church, Venerable Michael Gbadebo thanked God for His faithfulness and protection on the members since its inception. He thanked them for their support and contributions towards the growth and development of the church.

     

  • Bank workers clean Erekesan market

    Bank workers clean Erekesan market

    Workers of Sterling Bank temporarily abandoned their official duties to carry out community service by cleaning up the Ado-Ekiti Main Market, otherwise known as the Erekesan.

    Armed with shovels, rakes, brooms and other equipment, the bankers stormed the Post Office Roundabout at 6:30 a.m. and cleared heaps of garbage and cleaned the drainages in the vicinity.

    The gesture was part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the people of its area of operations.

    The effort also was aimed at raising the aesthetic value of Ado-Ekiti, prevent breakout of epidemic diseases and improve the city’s cleanliness.

    Speaking during the exercise which lasted for three hours, the bank’s Regional Manager (South West), Mr Abiodun Tomomero, said the programme was also an avenue through which they identified with the people of the city.

    Tomomero, who said the exercise was taking place in 14 states of the federation, added that  the bank would also intervene in other critical sectors such as education and  tourism to boost the state’s human capital development as well as shore up the  resources accruing to it.

    He said the bank had demonstrated  its corporate obligation to the state by building a modern e-library at the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, saying the facility is now used by members of staff  of the college and workers of the state civil service.

    “We have discussed with the state waste management agency on those areas that are strategic and prone to dirtiness and we discovered that Oja Oba Market is the right place.

    “Cleanliness, they say, is next to Godliness. We have to make our environment clean. We should not rely on government alone to do everything, because this may bring about breakout of diseases. We are operating in Ekiti and this constitutes part of our noble contributions to this state,” he said.

    Another top executive of the bank, Mr Olatunji Adeyemi, revealed that  members of staff of the bank are participating in the exercise, adding that the programme will create awareness among the people on the need to accord the issue of sanitation a priority.

    The General Manager, Ekiti State Waste Management Agency, Mr Olajide Borode, said every area suspected to be prone to breakout of epidemic diseases within the state capital were being fumigated at regular intervals by the agency.

    Borode appealed to the people to stop sabotaging government’s efforts at making Ekiti clean by refraining from indiscriminate garbage disposal and deposition of sewage inside canals and ditches.

  • Community seeks station upgrade

    Bothered by the crime upsurge in the community and the need to forestall atrocities such as kidnapping, robbery and ritual killings, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Area E Command Adoff Ojo has called on the Inspector-General of Police to fulfil his promise of upgrading the Iba Police Station to a Divisional Headquarters..

    The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of PCRC, General Secretary, and grand Patron of the Zone Messrs. Phillip Uzor, John Leo Okpala and the Oniba of Iba land Oba Goriola Oseni respectively.

    Recall that Oba Oseni, a first-class king in Lagos, was abducted by kidnappers from his palace on Saturday, July 16 this year. He was, however, released on August 16.

    The statement reads in part: “Sir, the population of Iba at present stands at 25,000 according to the 2006 census. Besides, Iba Town, which has over 36 communities, has been the traditional headquarters of the old Ojo. Its jurisdiction includes Okoko division, Ishashi and Lagos State University (LASU).

    In a chat with Southwest Report in his palace on Monday, Oba Oseni, who thanked the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for coming to his rescue when he was in the kidnappers’ den five months ago, recalled that the former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko visited him shortly after his (Oniba) release where the issue of the upgrade was discussed.

    During the meeting, the monarch said Manko had insisted that before the upgrade could be affected, new facilities such as water borehole, armoury, a power generating set, provision of walkie Talkie for administrative staff, among others, must first be put in place as part of parameters for the upgrade of Iba Police Station.

    “Now all those things requested are now available. We want them (police) to come here and see what we have done. We are now very confident that the facilities are good enough to earn us the new status we desire,” Oba Oseni said.

  • Old students meet 50 years after, to lift alma mater

    For 50 years, they had been apart after their secondary education at St Louis Secondary School, the first post-primary female school in Ondo State.

    Any wonder members of the 1966 set of the old students were excited when there was an opportunity for a re-union recently.

    The old students, who are now occupying various vital positions within and outside the country, converged on the school premises in Ondo town penultimate Monday to appreciate God and give back to their alma mater.

    The anniversary began with a lecture entitled “Challenging Girls to Greatness” delivered by a member of the 1966 set, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, a Lagos-based school proprietor from Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area.

    Mrs Akinyemiju noted that everyone was created by God for a purpose and people achieve greatness when they work hard to bring to fruition their God-given mission.

    According to her, greatness radiates from inside out and enables one to honour the value that could be fulfilled through that purpose.

    The school proprietor observed that many are living below the plan of God for different reasons such as lack of knowledge and understanding as well as the environment/background of individuals.

    She said: “Many people still tell you that the place of woman is in the kitchen, you are a girl and you will amount to nothing, you are the last born or you are in the middle. You must put that off your mind and be determined to reach the height God has destined you to reach in life.”

    Mrs Akinyemiju made references to some women in contemporary period who are achievers because they have entered into such purpose.

    According to her, Mrs Ibukun Awosika and Mrs Osaretin Afusat Demuren are chairpersons of two strong banks in Nigeria  currently, just like Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who is the Minister of Finance.

    Within the 1966 set of St Louis, Mrs Akinyemiju listed Mrs Sola Dublin-Green, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the Marine sector who retired as the Director of Marine Geology and three medical doctors namely Dr Bolaji Ogunsulure, Dr Boyin Omotoso and Dr (Mrs) Adeleye.

    She also mentioned Mrs Biola Longe who retired as Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Catherine Kuye, a leading educationist, Mrs Margaret Fasae, a seasoned Pharmacist and others who are performing excellently in their various professional callings.

    The National President of the Old Students Association, Mrs Elizabeth Adeyemi appreciated God for sparing their lives to witness the 50th anniversary of their passing out from St Louis Secondary School, Ondo with flying colours.

    She recalled that all of them (1966 set) passed out with good grades and are now in better positions.

    According to her, in uplifting their alma mater, they had come together to raise the institution by tiling the school hall, renovating the dining hall and preparing to execute many other projects.

    She urged well-meaning individuals in the society and the state government to rehabilitate roads within the school premises to ease movement.

    Highlight of the anniversary was the thanksgiving service held at the school’s chapel.

     

  • Man protests alleged plot to seize father’s farmland

    Crisis is brewing in Ise Ekiti, headquarters of Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State where a farmer, Olomi Arogundade, is fighting hard to avoid being dispossessed of a farmland belonging to his late father.

    Arogundade, 52, is claiming that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, is using his powers and position to support another party to take over the land.

    But Ajayi has denied the accusation, saying he was only exercising the constitutional powers bestowed on him by law to ensure that justice is done in the land case already before the court.

    Arogundade described the unfolding scenario as a ‘breach of law and order’ as he lamented the seizure of a farmland allegedly belonging to his father, Suberu Arogundade.

    He revealed that his father, Suberu Arogundade, of Omiomo Street, Ise Ekiti, owned a farm land at Edu village, Agbado Road, Ise Ekiti.

    According to him, Suberu filed a suit before the Magistrate’s Court against Sunday Ogunmuyite and Ojo Ogunmuyite (now deceased) in 2001 with the court delivering judgment on December 5, 2006 in his father’s favour.

    The defendants, according to Arogundade, were represented by Mr. E.K. Omosebi, a lawyer from the chambers of Owoseni Ajayi and Associates-the law firm of the  present Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State.

    He claimed that Boyede Ogunmuyite and Toyin Ogunmuyite (the defendants’ children) still continued to trespass on the Edu farmland, unlawfully harvesting crops allegedly belonging to Arogundade, despite the court judgment.

    Counsel to Arogundade, Mr. M. A.   Daramola, explained that “the father of my client was the plaintiff in a land matter, Suit No. ISECC/24/2001:Suberu Arogundade v. Sunday Ogunmuyite and Ojo Ogunmuyite,  determined by the Customary Court, Ise Ekiti and in which judgment was delivered in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants in 2006.”

    He noted that “the judgment specifically restrained the defendants, children, wives and whosoever from further trespass to the cocoa farm.

    “Our client, Olomi Arogundade assumed the management of the farm thereafter to take care of his father and family as his father took ill, but the children of the defendants in that case have since been disturbing the lawful enjoyment of the fruit of the judgment.

    “The defendants in that case (who are now late) were represented by Owoseni Ajayi and Associates. The judgment remains binding as there was no appeal against the decision of the court.”

    Daramola said subsequent to 2006 judgment, the children of the defendants of the case-Boyede Ogunmuyite and Toyin Ogunmuyite-still continued to trespass on the farm land, by harvesting crops, issue threat to the life of the child of the plaintiff (Olomi Arogundade).

    He further said: “Consequent upon this, the matter was reported to the police. The police took over the handling of the case with the Chief Magistrate’s Court.

    “Our client is the nominal complainant in the charges. The charges are MIS/25c/2016:C.O.P v. Boyede Ogunmuyite and others and MIS/42c/2016: C O P v. Toyin Ogunmuyite and othes.

    Daramola noted that “the accused persons in the first charge was charged for threat to life while the accused person in the second charge is arraigned for stealing cocoa seeds from the farm of the complainant.

    The lawyer expressed dismay that the state Ministry of Justice suddenly took over the case from police prosecutor “in order to serve the personal interest of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice” whose chamber has been representing the accused persons”.

    Daramola further explained that for necessary interventions, his client has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Director, State Security Service (Ekiti State command), Governor Ayo Fayose, Chief Judge, Ekiti State Judiciary.

    He said his client had earlier forwarded a petition to the Attorney-General to hands off the case and desist from taking over the matter from the police prosecutors who, according to him, consists of lawyers who are capable to prosecute the case competently.

    In his reaction, Ajayi maintained that the position of law is supreme and therefore must be adhered to.

    Ajayi said:  ”The Attorney-General is constitutionally mandated to prosecute all cases and several lawyers do come to complain that their cases are badly handled by the police, and that the Ministry of Justice should take over.

    “We assign lawyers in the Ministry of Justice to take over such matters from the police.”

    On Arogundade’s issue, Ajayi explained that a lawyer from his chambers sought the take-over of the case by the Ministry of Justice “because they don’t have confidence in the way police are handling the matter.”

    Ajayi further explained: “I assigned Barristers Aderiye Yinka Martins and Femi Onipede from the Ministry of Justice to handle the matter based on the petition written by the lawyers to the accused persons.

    ”It was written in the petition that the accused was convicted over a land matter. The accused had earlier been convicted by the same prosecutor, by the same Magistrate over this land matter.

    “Another charge was brought again over the same land matter, where the accused have been convicted. They also brought the third one, by the same prosecutor, by the same Magistrate.

    “Do we say we should not look into the matter, when they consult the Ministry of Justice?”

    On the 2006 judgment that favoured the plaintiff, Ajayi explained that civil matters are different from criminal matters, saying:  ”The issue written on the petition is that the Magistrate went into purely civil matters, whereas no crime is alleged.

    “We have the right to look into the matter. The accused person is saying he did not commit a crime, and these people alleged crime out of civil matters over the same land matter.

    “The counsel to the accused said the Ministry of Justice, which the Constitution has given the power to look into criminal issues, should help them look into the matter. There is no sentiment attached to it.

    “No decision has been taken.  No conclusion has been made.  The only thing is that the Ministry of Justice has taken over the matter so as to look into the merits of it.”

    Ajayi said it is not out of place for a lawyer working in his chambers to write petition to the Ministry of Justice if they observed some lapses in the way police are handling their matters.

    He argued that Owoseni Ajayi and Associates is a law firm independent of Owoseni Ajayi who is Ekiti State Commissioner for Justice.

    However, Daramola and his client (Olomi Arogundade) have declared that “unless justice is allowed to be dispensed without the involvement of the people at the corridors of power, the state may soon start witnessing anarchy and a breakdown of law and order.”

    Arogundade, therefore, called on well-meaning Nigerians to “come to his rescue”, saying all the attempts are to illegally drive them out of the farmland.