The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • ‘Support the physically-challenged’

    Wife of former Governor of Ondo State, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu, has urged government at all levels to prioritise the welfare of people living with disabilities.

    Mrs. Agagu spoke at this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, whose theme was “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want: Sustainable Development “, held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    She lamented that governments do much talking without acting on promises made to persons living with disability.

    Mrs. Agagu, who is the founder of Handicapped Education Foundation (HANDEF), also said despite several enlightenment programmes, the disabled are not seen as part of the society.

    She noted that in the history of Nigeria, none of the disabled persons has vied for elective positions.

    She said: “We are also disabled in one way or the other, but theirs are just physical and we should help to give them recognition and enablement.

    “We talk much in Nigeria without any action.  What is the attitude of commercial vehicles to the disabled people? Have we accepted them as part of us?

    “It is time society moved away from violence against them and focused attention on the welfare of people living with disabilities in our communities.”

    She, however, urged the people living with disabilities not to see their challenges as the end of their lives but as an opportunity to discover themselves.

    Mrs. Agagu urged the physically-challenged persons to discover and develop themselves so that people around them will not be looking down on them any longer.

    “Stop looking down on yourselves so that you can become somebody in life. Parents should encourage them by giving them the necessary support so that they can develop their innate abilities.

    “We will introduce more vocational trainings for people living with disabilities in the HANDEF Centre here in Akure.  Anybody who wants to learn skills such as traditional hairdressing, shoe making, barbing and so on, should take advantage of the programmes.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Moremi: Traitor or heroine?

    Moremi: Traitor or heroine?

    After the rivalry between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeoye, I11 and the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, which lasted for three decades, has been doused, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, has attempted to open another rivalry with the new Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the goddess Moremi. BISI OLADELE examines the facts and claims over Moremi in both towns as well as the tendency of the crisis to snowball into another controversy

    In his enthronement as the 51st Ooni of Ife on December 7, last year, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi made it clear that he was not interested in supremacy battle with any other monarch in Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole. Rather, he pledged to focus on how traditional rulers in Yoruba land would come together for the progress of the race.

    Two months after his coronation, Oba Ogunwusi launched his unity agenda by visiting first-class monarchs across Yoruba land. He took the world by the storm when he visited the Alaafin in his town. Thereafter, he visited other leading traditional rulers in Osun, Ondo and Ogun states to preach unity and oneness. The project earned him immeasurable goodwill and popularity within and outside Nigeria.

    But towards the twilight of November, Oba Akinruntan attacked Ogunwusi for stepping up celebration of Moremi, a heroine in Ife history.

    As Oba Ogunwusi relished a beauty pageant he organised to further immortalise Moremi and the tallest statue he built for her in Ile-Ife, Oba Akinruntan lampooned him for celebrating a woman Ugbo people regarded as a traitor.

    In a statement by the Olugbo-in-Council, the Ondo State community wondered why Ife people should celebrate Moremi whom they described as a traitor.

    In its own historical account, Moremi remains a traitor. The council in the statement said: “She was a slave captured by Ugbo warriors during one of their many raids on Ile-Ife. She later became the wife of Osangangan Obamakin, the son of Oranfe, who was the paramount ruler of over 13 aboriginal communities of ancient Ugbomokun, which later came to be called Ile-Ife.”

    The statement further said: “Oduduwa came to Ugbomokun as a stranger and was welcomed in Ilero, the aboriginal palace of Osangangan Obamakin, which is still in existence in present-day Iremo, in Ile-Ife.

    “During the dynastic struggles, Osangangan Obamakin was directed by the oracles (Ifa and Osanyin) to leave Ile-Ife. Moremi betrayed her husband’s trust when she exposed the secret of the Ugbo warriors’ gallantry.

    “Popular history states that Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Ooni,  migrated from the East/Mecca. In another account by the Oba of Benin, recently, Oduduwa came from Benin. We ask that the Ooni should confirm his ancestral roots. It is also important to note that, in the ancient custom of Yoruba, an incumbent king must have no living father. Also, no man from a female lineage of a ruling house is qualified to sit on the throne.”

    But Oba Ogunwusi described Olugbo’s statement as royal rascality. He pointed out that he was not interested in supremacy battle, even as he faulted his claims on the origin and history of Moremi.

    Moremi, in Ife history, was a female Ife daughter who used her prowess as a woman to discover the secret of Ugbo warriors that raided the town at will. The secret she brought to Ife people helped them defeat the warriors the next time they came raiding.  With the act, Moremi ended up a heroine in the ancient town. A special festival, Edi, is celebrated to remember her every year.

    Ogunwusi, in a statement  by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Ooni’s Palace, Mr. Moses Olafare, said the outburst of the Olugbo can only be viewed by well-meaning people as a mere royal rascality and a pitiable act of absurdity that doesn’t deserve serious attention by serious-minded people.

    The statement read: “How on earth should a Yoruba king refer to Moremi as a traitor just because she used her power of a woman to liberate her people from incessant invasions by some faceless terrorists?

    “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 incessantly raided 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 heights.

    “Most paramount on the mind of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II with the unflinching support of Baba Alaafin, Baba Awujale, Baba Alake, Baba Orangun, Baba Deji, Babe Ewi, Baba Osemawe, Baba Olubadan, Oba of Lagos and other relevant peace-loving monarchs in Yoruba land and in other parts of the country is, and remains the much-needed progress of Yoruba nation which can only be achieved by peace and unity.

    “This has necessitated his unimaginable barrier-breaking unity visits he has been taking around not only in Yoruba land but also across Nigeria and internationally. His activities in the last one year on the throne are enough to attest to his personality as a king of peace.

    “It is a pity that at this time when everybody is lucidly tired of retrogressive royal discord generally agreed to have colossally hindered our pace of progress as a people of common heritage politically and socio-economically, the Olugbo, who claims to be the chairman of Yoruba Obas’ Committee on Peace and Reconciliation, has suddenly, without a deep knowledge of Yoruba history, woken up to see royal controversy as the only tool for cheap publicity.

    “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 and unification of our elders and traditional rulers, to mention but a few.

    “We, therefore, urge every lover of peace and unity in Africa to ignore any reckless statement capable of further dividing us. They should rather see the author of such statement as a person who poses harmful danger to our peaceful co-existence.

    “Yoruba must remain united, Nigeria must remain united, Africa must remain united and the entire Black worldwide must remain united because we are one before the Almighty God.”

    Common to the history perspectives from the two communities was that Moremi was married to a man of Ugbo origin. It was also common that she discovered the secret of Ugbo warriors which she revealed to Ife community.

    In Ife history, the Ugbo warriors were regarded as spirits because of their war garment which covered their entire bodies. But Moremi was said to have revealed to Ife people that the garment only concealed their human outlook. It was discovered that the garment was made from product of palm leaves. The next time they came to raid, Ife warriors were said to have touched them to reveal their human identity. The other batches retreated and never returned to raid Ile-Ife.

    To remember the historic victory, the Edi Festival features touching of dummy soldiers who dressed in the typical Ugbo war garment.

    Besides, part of Ife history states that Moremi sacrificed his son, Oluorogbo to a river goddess, Esinmirin, to enable her to succeed in her voyage of going to discover the powers of Ugbo warriors.

     

    The statue

     

    In fulfilment of his promise to leverage on the available abundant resources to turn the fortune of Ile-Ife around, Oba Ogunwusi saw further immortalisation of Moremi as a major project. To achieve this, he constructed a 42-feet statue for Moremi, the tallest in Nigeria.

    The statue with 30 risers, was constructed right on the spot Moremi lived several centuries ago.

    It was learnt that the statue was locally constructed by Nigerian engineers using local Nigerian materials.

    At 161 feet, African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal, is the tallest statue in Africa followed by Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt which stands at 66 feet.

    Moremi Ajasoro statue of Liberty at 42 feet is now the 3rd tallest in Africa.

    While unveiling the statue as part of the activities marking this year’s Edi Festival, Ogunwusi, who was represented by his queen, Olori Wuraola Ogunwus (Yeyelua), extolled the virtues of the great African heroine. The monarch praised God for making one of his greatest dreams a reality within his one year on the throne of his forefathers.

    He described the heroine (Moremi) as the real mother of liberty in the world whose legacy must not be left in the oblivion.

    “God Almighty has given me the grace of achieving one of my greatest ambitions within my first year on this sacred throne of Oduduwa.

    “Moremi Ajasoro, an Ife queen who, in her lifetime, exhibited an unrivaled heroism of world’s liberty dedicated her life to the liberation of mankind by sacrificing her only child to free the people of Oodua land from the invasion of some faceless terrorists thousands of years ago.

    “We are already constructing the tallest statue in Nigeria to be known as Moremi Liberty Statue. This 42ft-statue, which will be the third tallest in Africa, is being erected right where Moremi lived before she became a deity thousands of years ago, as a goddess of liberty.

    “It is going to be one of the greatest achievements in Nigerian tourism and will be unveiled in two weeks’ time during this year’s Edi/Moremi Festival. It will be a tip of the iceberg, as many more tourist advancements are coming in the subsequent years,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

    Olori  Ogunwusi urged women and girls to emulate Moremi’s  act of bravery, saying women needed to make themselves available for taxing roles in the modern society.

    She stated that Moremi’s personality remained unique in the world and would continue to remain an important point of reference.

    Her words: ”Moremi is an important figure and a great warrior worthy of emulation. With the pageant, we are trying to make the world know about a very important person.

    “Times are changing and women are beginning to realise that we need to grow stronger. We need to show strong character in changing the society. I urge them to emulate the great heroine and be saviours to others.”

    As the world watched with interest how another generational supremacy battle brewed, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka, urged Oba Ogunwusi to ignore Olugbo’s outburst, stressing that he should concentrate on his unity project. They gave the advice at the first coronation anniversary of the Ooni in Ile-Ife last week.

    Their intervention, which was a support for Ooni’s position, had a far-reaching impact in dousing the tension. It made many heave a sigh of relief that a new supremacy battle has been defeated.

    Several questions may be asked; who is right, Ooni or Olugbo about Moremi’s status?  Again, judging from the said act of bravery by Moremi through which she saved her people, was she a traitor or a heroine? This is left for discerning minds to decipher.

  • Rotary Club installs female president

    The Rotary Club of Ilupeju Central District has held its 5th handover and the investiture of its president.

    The event, which held at the Banquet Hall K-one Hotel and Suites, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja witnessed the inauguration of Eniola Afolabi as the first female president of the Rotary Club of Ilupeju Central District. She joined the Club in June, 2013.

    In his speech, the outgone President, Otunba Douglas Ishiodu paid tribute to his successor.

    ‘‘In her years, she served as Assistant Secretary/member Strategic Planning Committee and has held various positions which helped in taking the club to greater heights. Give her your supports.

    “Today, we induct her as President of the Rotary of Club of Ilupeju Central District,’’ he said.

    In her acceptance speech, Afolabi said: ‘‘I sincerely appreciate the significant contributions of our past presidents who have supported the club through thick and thin these five years to ensure that the club remains afloat, moving members beyond the club level to serve at district in various capacities through persistence and shear resolve to keep the torch burning no matter the situation.

    ‘‘I recognise the significant efforts of the state government, Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area and the community, stakeholders who had made our community a better place to live in.

    ‘‘As Rotarians, our cause and destiny lie in serving humanity and as change agents we have resolved to make the world a better place. We have various projects outlined for this year such as donation of school library centre, donation to old people’s home, supporting health-based programme, micro-credit for unemployed youths and market women, among others.

    ‘‘I enjoin you to support our initiatives and donate generously to ensure our quest to serve humanity is achieved,’’ she said.

    The new president will be assisted by the Vice-President Segun Awonuga ,Secretary, Folorunsho Ashecroft, Treasurer, Olamide Oguntayo, Chairman Club Administration Fitgerald Oleah, Chairman Membership Drive, Bridget Jaga-Creppy, Chairman Service Projects, Tope Kuyoro, Chairman Foundation, Ayo Ojo, Chairman PR, Debo-Luwaji, Chairman History and Archives, Gbenga Eleshin, Chairman Youth Activity, Biodun Adepoju, We Care Committee, Mercy Odoom and Babatunde Airoje SAA.

  • Air Force promises enhanced security for Oyo

    Air Force promises enhanced security for Oyo

    During a working visit to Oyo State, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar, visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He promised more deployment of airmen to the state for security purposes. Assistant Editor SEUN AKIOYE reports

    The meeting between the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar began and ended like a meeting between friends. They  laughed, shookhands and made promises of mutual benefits.

    It was Air Marshal Abubakar’s first visit to Oyo State where the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has a detachment; and as the governor would put it, the “first CAS to visit Oyo State, even as he called him the “son of the soil.”

    The meeting, which held at the Presidential Lodge of the Oyo State government, had all the trappings of warmth and friendliness while the two men appreciated each other and expressed the willingness not only to work together for the development of the state, but also to find mutually acceptable recipes for it.

    The Air Chief expressed great appreciation to the governor for the assistance the NAF unit has been receiving from the state government.

    “I want to thank the government and the people of Oyo State for all the support we have been getting for our unit here in Ibadan.

    “Ibadan, to me, is like a second home. I was here in 2008 at the University of Ibadan after my War College Programme in Abuja. At that time, I used to nurse the ambition to come and settle down fully in Ibadan after I leave the service because the town is peaceful and foodstuffs very cheap. I am still nursing that ambition,” he said.

    This was good news to the governor and his several aides who were present at the meeting, as the CAS also promised to help Oyo State in the area of security by strengthening the detachment and deploying more airmen and women.

    “We have a detachment here, we want to expand it, and we are looking at the secondary school here too. I have directed the commander that we must do everything possible to make sure that Oyo State is secured because without security, there could be no development.

    “Since we have increased the number of people coming into the service, I want to assure you that once the first batch passes out in January, we are going to send more airmen and airwomen to Oyo State,” he further said.

    While appreciating Air Marshal Abubakar for the visit, Governor Ajimobi restated that his administration will continue to accord security top priority for development.

    “We regard security as the foundation for our development,” he said.  The governor also promised to sign the title deeds to the land acquired by the NAF as soon as possible.

    “Regarding the title deeds to your land, I see no problem in signing the documents at all. We will do that,” he assured.

    But the Air Chief’s main focus was an inspection tour of the Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School in Lagelu, Ibadan. The school, which was established to cater for the academic well-being of children of the personnel, is fraught with some challenges which the CAS is determined to solve.

    As the Air Chief moved from one section of the school to another, he would point out a fault on a building, suggest corrections in a structure or instruct that certain things should be put in place.

    The school has challenges concerning electricity, water and classroom infrastructure. The CAS instructed the commander of the unit that everything possible should be done to ensure the challenges are surmounted.

    “The kitchen looks nice and neat, but the issue of water is very important. Even if it means drilling another borehole, please just make sure you do it,” he said.

    Highpoint of the inspection was a visit to the school’s dining hall where the CAS had lunch with the students.  The CAS insisted on sitting with the children and eating the same food and using the same kind of plates they used. He addressed the students afterwards.

    “I am here to find out some of the challenges you are experiencing with regard to electricity, water and so on. I want to assure you that we will address all these challenges so that you can study in an environment conducive to teaching and learning.  But I want you to promise me that you will always put in your best in your academic work, do you promise that?” he asked. There was a resounding yes from the students.

    Concerning the visit, the CAS said: “I have not been to Ibadan since I came on board as the Chief of Air Staff because of certain challenges we are trying to address in other parts of the country. But now that we have some breathing space, I decided to come here and see our units here in Ibadan, particularly the secondary school. The commandant and commander of the unit are doing well. We notice a number of challenges and I promised we are going to address them.”

  • ‘Don cautions against current energy trend’

    A don, Dr Olugbenga Adebanjo Falode, has warned that the current energy trends will threaten   the well-being of human race.

    Falode, who is a lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI), stated this while delivering the third Faculty of Technology lecture entitled “Plenty of Room: Unlocking the Energy Window for Sustainable Development In the 21st Century”,  noted that a globally-acceptable pathway to a safe and sustainable energy future had not been discovered.

    He lamented that previous governments had abandoned technology, saying that no country can develop without it.

    “Governments had relegated technology to the background. Even in the university environment, there is no room for research, there is no infrastructure,” the don said

    He said there was the need for policy redirection to ensure that education is well funded at all levels.

    “Although governments may be chiefly concerned with economic growth, environmental protection or energy security, it is clear that a continuation of current energy trends will have undesirable consequences and global threat to the well-being of the human race,” he said.

    The expert in petroleum engineering said the development of energy resources must focus on all dimensions of the energy dilemma.

    According to him, policy makers and the energy sector could also learn about the benchmark by putting in place policy framework to support the ongoing change agenda of the Federal Government.

    He urged government to develop a framework to engage and fund international technology cooperation for solutions that would simultaneously address energy poverty, energy insecurity and local and global environmental concerns.

    He called for the implementation of market measures to enable sustainable solution for clean energy access, energy efficiency and sustainable urban designs, such as building efficiency standards, urban air quality standards and  planning for sustainable urban mobility with emphasis on non-motorised and public transport.

    Falode also called for the recognition and strengthening of the role of indigenous women in energy management.

    He argued that women were not only end users of energy but also managers at the local level, playing role in the conservation of extension of natural resources and in managing the renewable energy systems, such as solar and bio-mass.

    “Women need cleaner cooking energy, but there is also a need for strengthening their capabilities in tree and water management, as well as inclusion in local, national and internal bodies set up to manage energy infrastructure,” he said.

  • ‘Let’s relish the mores of our land’

    ‘Let’s relish the mores of our land’

    Ndigbo in the Diaspora, especially those indigenous to Imo State, have been urged to be patriotic Nigerians. They were also advised to embrace their cultural beliefs in order to ensure continuity of the mores of the land.

    Chief David Mbamara gave these pieces of advice at the 30th anniversary of the Imo State Towns Development Association (ISTDAL), in Lagos.

    Chief Mbamara urged all citizens of Imo State resident in Lagos and other cities to think homeward, adding that it is a patriotic call for service to their home state.

    He noted that citizens of Imo State are carried away by the quest to acquire wealth, landed properties and leadership positions, especially in the states where they reside at the detriment of their home state.

    He advised them to embrace the leadership qualities of their past leaders such as the former Governor of Old Imo State, Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, Mbamara told the people that Igbo ideology loathes financial recklessness in government, arrogance and visionless leadership in all its ramifications. He insisted they should imbibe the virtues of brotherliness, adding that there is need for all to maintain close affinity with their home land.

    He said: “Let’s therefore think Imo and act like true citizens of Imo State. Imo has a divine mandate with the Creator; all hands must be on deck to ensure its actualisation.”

    President of the association, Okechukwu Anorue also stressed the need for them to show their true identity by putting on the traditional attire for which the people are known as well as consumption of their native food.

    He said: “Most of our people tend to forget our culture as soon as they get to another land; they allow our own culture to die and their children suffer as a result because most of them find it very difficult to understand their language and to trace their root.” This, he said, has posed a lot of challenges to the Igbo community.

    He maintained that African cultures must be celebrated at all times and promoted as well. He appealed to the people to stop living what he described as “life of borrowed cultures.”

    Commenting on unity of people of Imo State, Don Ezugha said the rich culture of the Eastern Heartland must be showcased. He noted that the forum offered them the opportunity to know one another. Again, it presents the platform to solve issues harmoniously.

    He said: “What we are showcasing is unity and it is important in nation-building and development. He maintained that unity was one of the key factors for any relationship to work. Where there is unity, every other thing would be in place.

    “The Igbo are identified anywhere they entered either by the way they dress or the food they eat. That is why we should continue to showcase our cultural values so that our young ones will not deviate from the way of our forefathers. We should not allow any form of civilisation that would erode our cultural value system.

  • Council sensitises residents to HIV/AIDS

    The Sole Administrator of Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Alao has urged residents to shun lifestyles that could risk their health.

    Speaking during the World AIDS Day, he said Apapa was one of the porous areas to HIV/AIDS because of influx of foreigners as it is one of the border communities in Lagos.

    The council chief said it had become imperative to sensitise the people to the enormous damage it has done to mankind, noting that the presence of foreign elements and their social engagement with them should be guarded.

    He said: “It has become important and compulsory to mark the HIV/AIDS globally considering the incalculable damage the disease has done to mankind.

    “It has reduced the population of young people, thereby decreasing the number of people available for productive ventures all over the globe. It has rendered a lot of people orphans. It has produced a lot of widows and widowers thereby bringing sorrow and anguish to many homes.

    “The theme of this year’s edition which is “Hands up on HIV Prevention” cannot be more apt. This is because it has been concluded that all hands must be on deck towards controlling the scourge. The scourge does not recognise religion, age, gender or colour. It attacks fiercely leaving in its trails gnashing of teeth.”

    He added that efforts are being made to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS at the council.

    “It should be noted that we have a peculiar problem on our hands as a result of the fact that Apapa is an important entry point through which people from different countries come into the country, bringing along both the positive and the negative. As a result of this, we have strengthened our campaign and sensitisation programmes so as to stem the trend.

    “Apart from this, we have partnered with many non-governmental organisations that showed interest in helping us. Those we found to have tested positive to this scourge have been encouraged to be on the prescribed medication and care. However, I still wish to say that the battle is not yet won.

    “We require assistance from the federal and state governments, corporate organisations and other non-governmental organisations in our efforts towards winning the war against HIV/AIDS pandemic. We shall continue to encourage and strengthen our sensitisation mechanism in the local government so that our people can be aware of the consequences of contacting the virus. “

  • Excitement as Southwest roads nears completion

    Excitement as Southwest roads nears completion

    Various ongoing road construction projects in Nigeria’s Southwest zone are nearing completion. At a recent tour of the project sites by House of Representatives Committee on Works, lawmakers urged contractors handling the projects to expedite action so that work would be completed on them for a hitch-free ride during the festive season. NNEKA NWANERI reports that prospects of enhanced commercial and social activities have put commuters in expectant mood

    Better days are coming for road users, particularly those in the Southwest geo-political zone. This is on the strength of the increased pace of work on the construction of various ongoing road projects in the area. Already, contractors handling the various projects have indicated readiness to speed up the projects’ completion in or before 2018. This has raised hopes of increased tempo of economic and social activities in the zone.

    For instance, work on the rehabilitation/reconstruction and expansion of the 83.40 kilometre Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway section 11: Shagamu-Ibadan in Ogun and Oyo states, has reached advanced stage. The project is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Limited.

    Already, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the N96.3 billion project, has set its completion date for July 3, 2017.

    According to the company, physical completion of the project awarded on June 13, 2013, has reached 35.39 per cent, apparently encouraged by a N40 billion provision in the 2016 budget for sections 1 and 11 Lagos-Ibadan. Out of the amount, N38 billion has been paid for the road, which forms part of the international trans-Africa highway linking Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states to the rest of the country.

    The section of the road commences from Shagamu interchange in Ogun State, ending at Ojoo (Ibadan) in Oyo State. The dual carriageway consists of 7.3m-wide carriageway, 2.75m-wide outer hard shoulders and 1.80m-wide inner hard shoulders respectively. The firm has fully mobilised its plants and equipment to the site, while permanent work had commenced and progressed up to asphaltic concrete wearing course.

    Reynolds Construction made these details available about a fortnight ago when it received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Works led by Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Enugu PDP). They were on oversight tour of ongoing road construction projects in Ogun State and adjoining states in the Southwest zone.

    The lawmakers, as part of their oversight functions, were on the tour to compare the pace of work on site with the specification given to the contractors on paper and to check the integrity of the work done.

    This, according to Hon. Okechukwu, was for the purpose of ascertaining the roads that should be appropriately funded in the 2017 budget.

    RCC informed the lawmakers that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who visited the project site on September 2, this year, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work. He, however, implored the construction firm to put more efforts to ensure the project’s completion on time.

    Similarly, the reconstruction and asphalt of the Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu Road (phase IV) is expected to be completed in October 2018. Work on the N71.6 billion project awarded in October 2014, began the same month. It is also being handled by RCC. The company informed the lawmakers during the tour that it has fully mobilised to site.

    Already, concrete and pavement work within the carriage way are in progress, while the maintenance of the existing carriageway is being carried out at various locations to ensure free flow of traffic during the Yuletide season. The 98.414 KM X 2 road has N5.2 billion provision in the 2016 Budget. However, only about N1.7 billion has been paid to date.

    The same excitement generated among residents and road users over the prospects of enhanced socio-economic activities, following the completion of the road in 2018 has also enveloped those in towns and villages around the Abeokuta-Owede Road. There, rehabilitation of the Abeokuta-Owede Road Section 1: Otta-Owede in Ogun State, has achieved 100 per cent completion.

    Awarded to Messrs Borini Prono & Co. (Nig.) Ltd, in July 2009, the contractor informed the visiting lawmakers that it has successfully completed all the permanent works on the 20.66KM road, in accordance with the contract agreement.

    However, it was not sweet tale for commuters and motorists in and around the border between Oyo and Ogun states. There, the contractor handling the construction of the Ijebu-Igbo-Olomi Oyo State/Baorder Road in Ogun State, Messrs A.A Duhu & Sons Limited, was said to have demobilised from the site since October, 2014.

    Southwest Report learnt that unlike other projects that enjoyed budgetary allocations, there was no budgetary allocation for the 14.20 KM Ijebu-Igbo-Olomi Oyo State/Border Road project for year 2016.

    The lawmakers were also informed that the contractor complained that the rate was obsolete and needed to be reviewed. The project was 30 per cent complete before work stopped, and efforts to make the contractor return to site were futile.

    The Federal Controller of Works for Ogun State, Mr. Popoola Olukayode, who confirmed the contractor’s demobilisation from the project site, blamed it on funds constraints. He said the roads, which were to be ready next year, will be completed in 2018 pending when money is made available for the project.

    Similarly, a visit to the Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Shagamu dual carriage international trans-African Highway connecting Lagos to the Port of Mombassa in Kenya through Enugu and Doula in Cameroun showed that inadequate funding of the project affected work on the site.

    However, the Lagos/Shagamu-Ibadan dual carriage section II, which accommodates more the 17, 500 cars and 21,000 heavy vehicles that ply the road yearly, with 20 years life span, is 35 per cent completed. The contract, which was awarded mid-2013, has 20 KM completed, leaving 22 KM to be opened before the Yuletide season.

    That of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, being handled by Julius Berger Plc has 32 of the 43 KM road done. The project, which was earlier awarded to Bi-Courtney, is responsible for the slow pace of construction, explains Julius Berger’s Project Manager, Wolfgang Pamzer.

    Though it is financially fit to continue work; having been paid 32 per cent of the total contract sum, it is taking cognisance of areas with high water tables to address flooding.

    Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State said the lifespan of the road is 30 years, and a periodic maintenance, sanction of weighbridges and warehouses for overloaded vehicles should be put in place as maintenance strategies, which tend to be cheaper compared to a reconstruction.

    A member of the House Committee, Hon. Muhammad Sani Abdu, warned contractors to stay within the contract terms so that government does not incur extra charges. He, however, urged them to redouble efforts to deliver the roads as soon as possible.

    Other members of the House asked questions and made suggestions. Some of them urged the contractors to implore the help of Road Safety officials during the festive season.

    RCC were commended for being conscious of road users on the Lagos-Ibadan Highway by placing traffic barriers. They noted that it was necessary that while work was going on, motorists are allowed easy movement.

     

  • Youths seek cultural revival

    Youths seek cultural revival

    Nigerian cultural and Christian values received attention on November 27 as youths of the  Redeemed  Christian Church of  God, Glory-Cloud Parish, 233, Ago Palace Way, Lagos organised  a programme tagged “Old School”, to clamour for a return to old days and ways of doing things that please God. It was the maiden edition of the programme.

    The weather was clement, even as the participants were full of excitement. It was common  to see guests in old fashioned dresses such as shorts  with shirts, long socks, bow ties and big shoes. There were women with big blouses and long skirts or dresses with big wigs. Some appeared in traditional dresses with cultural colouration.

    The event began with prayers.  Music was supplied by the City of David Musical Group. All events were preceded by a red carpet programme where guests were appreciated and encouraged to further support the idea.

    Speaking  on the programme, the Parish  pastor, Pastor Emeka  Okon said  the central idea is to bring out the strength  and benefits  of  the old Christianity  and Nigerian cultural values  which have been watered down by modernity.

    “The essentials of Christ message –salvation, love, and holiness are hardly preached in churches these days. Instead, prosperity and miracles are common topics’’, he said.

    He further said:’’In this programme, we want to  remind ourselves that there are good things  to learn from  old time believers  and virtues such as honesty, holiness, transparency, industry, discipline and hard work.

    “For instance, Apostle Lazarus, the legendary gospel singer was invited to show the youth that it pays to be humble, that despite his humility, he remains a colossus and a remarkable success. He submits  himself  entirely to the control of the Holy Spirit for inspiration and direction. The result is what we are witnessing in his evergreen songs that always lift souls. No doubt, this is a legend youths can learn from. ‘’

    Corroborating the Pastor’s views, the President  of  the Unstoppable  Youth  Fellowship of the church, Mr Ikenna  Eziefule said:’’The programme is celebrated in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can have a sense of belonging. There are elements in our customs and traditions that are still relevant today. Such elements include greetings, respect to elders, hard work, discipline and good name. We want to bring them back through a programme like this.

    Equally ,we clamour  for  old ways  of worship that will encourage seriousness, holiness and salvation’’

    There was song ministration by the youth choir as hilarious jokes were provided by comedian 2TALK.

  • How to achieve effective policing, by Alaafin

    How to achieve effective policing, by Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has said that the police must be adequately equipped and catered for if they would succeed in their quest to prevent crimes and criminal activities in the society.

    Oba Adeyemi stated this when former Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Zone 11, Dan Bature, visited his palace.

    The monarch said: “Our police are demoralised and yet they are the ones assigned the tedious and dangerous jobs of patrolling our highways, chasing armed robbers, fishing out criminals, as well as restoration of peace.

    “They are quick to be blamed once they perform below our expectation, even as we remain unmindful of the condition under which they have to operate. There is the need for commensurate motivation for the rank and file of the police”.

    Oba Adeyemi, who praised what he described as “gallant efforts” of officers and men of the four divisional  police commands in Oyo metropolis,  Oyo/Ogbomoso annex of the special anti-robbery squad and the area police command office in curbing crimes and criminal activities, assured the AIG and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police Command, Samuel Adegbuyi, continued support.

    In a chat with reporters, the paramount ruler harped on the role of family in maintaining a stable and crime-free society.

    “The rate at which marriages breakdown and their attendant effect on the children and society has become ticking time-bomb because it has encouraged criminal activities by children from broken homes. It is important that we recognise the role of families in building a strong society. “Children from broken homes are more likely to commit crimes than those from stable homes. Seven out of 10 offenders come from broken homes”.

    Family life, Alaafin said, affects all of us. What happens on our streets and in our communities? What you learn from a very early age has a great deal to say about the person you will eventually be and the life you lead.

    “Also the safety of lives and property is an issue of priority in any given society. Consequently, the government needs to increase its funding for the police so that modern and adequate equipment to combat crime could be acquired.

    “However, such funds are to be properly monitored to avoid diversion into private pockets and also rid the Nigeria police of its corrupt elements. It is also important that the police must be motivated through regular promotion, good salary and decent accommodation. There is need to strengthen the family institution as well as develop a welfare programme for children from broken homes, as well as unemployed youths as this will prevent them from being recruited into criminal gangs.

    “If crime is to be reduced to its barest, the government must take pro-active measures towards poverty alleviation”.

    Poverty, Oba Adeyemi said “readily offers a breeding and fertile ground for crime. As such, any effort made towards poverty alleviation translates to effort made towards crime prevention and

    control in the society. The police cannot fight crime alone.

    “Intelligence gathering is a veritable tool for crime prevention and control. This is why members of the public must assist the police in their functions. The public should be ready to give necessary information to the police. This is because, crime is a challenge that all must confront head-on for a stable and safe society.”

    Security experts have maintained that the security situation has grown from bad to worse and this has affected business organisations and sustainable national development.

    As a result of high level of unemployment and poverty among Nigerians, particularly the youth, they become attracted to violent crime.

    Some youths, out of frustration, indulge in crime and other societal vices. The rise of terror groups in some parts of the country is directly related to the neglect of social responsibility by some companies to either their members of staff or their host communities.

    Unemployed youths are readily available for criminal activities that undermine the stability of society.

    The rising rate of unemployment has further affected the effectiveness of the police to combat crime. Because unemployment readily creates a large army of potential criminals, effective

    policing has remained a mirage.

    However, observers say the police lack modern equipment to effectively combat crime.

    Vehicles, communication equipment, scientific tools for investigation and intelligence gathering control equipment are grossly inadequate.

    Motivation is a serious factor as far as efficiency in any endeavour is concerned. It goes a long way in encouraging hard work in any individual.

    There are policemen who have been on the same rank for more than 10 years. Investigation reveals that less than 25 per cent of policemen have official accommodation.

    Visits to some of the barracks revealed their sorry state, as some of them are in various states of dilapidation and squalor and are in dire need of renovation to make it habitable for policemen.

    Apart from the fact that they are underfunded and reduced to mere object of degradation with unattractive salaries, they also have to operate in less habitable places as offices.