The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Council provides medicare for residents

    The Sole Administrator of Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area), Rotimi Ogunwuyi has urged non-governmental organisations to support government’s health programme.

    Addressing reporters during the council’s free medical health service for residents, he noted that government alone could no longer provide all that the citizens need.

    He said: “The essence of the free medical programme is to promote the well-being of the people. The LCDA is collaborating with Christ the Rock Church, United States of America to ensure that Nigerians who have one health challenge or the other are attended to.

    “Though the exercise is expensive because the medical professionals are coming with their drugs, they found joy in doing it because it will go a long way in improving productivity of the people. We will ensure that the programme becomes a yearly event in view of the importance of health.

    “This is the first time such exercise is carried out in the council. I think the era when everything is solely provided for the people by the government is over. We are looking up to private sector and other religious organisations to come to the aid of humanity. People’s health challenges such as diabetics, glaucoma, prostate cancer, kidney and lungs will be examined.

    “We as government cannot do it alone. So, we had to invite those who share the same view with government, to come to the aid of the people in order to enable them to contribute to the development of the community,” he said.

    Leader of the group, Bishop Ayo Oduntan said: “We are here to examine people on blood sugar and other health-related challenges. We believe God that when we visit this area next year, we should be able to carry out some minor surgeries on people who presented extreme cases of health problems.

    “We have already made preparation on how we can bring some medical doctors to the country next year. We decided to embark on this medical programme because we discovered that people really need help. We have facilities in the USA, but here in Nigeria, it is very difficult to access medical facilities.

    “Nigerians are doing well over there, but in order to make their impacts felt in their own country, our members muted the idea to be back home to save lives of people.

    “Once the people have good health, they will not be violent, there will be no killing or kidnapping. It is about welfare and it is when the people are cared for that they will love the government. Healthy people go out to vote during elections. Healthy mind is a happy mind.”

  • For the love of widows

    For the love of widows

    Widows Care and Charity Organisation (WCCO), a non-governmental orgarnisation (NGO), has organised a seminar and fund-raising ceremony in order to cater for the well-being of women whose husbands are dead. The event held in Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, Deaconess Adeola Omotunde urged the widows not to despair, at the death of their husbands, even as she advised them to look inwards and engage in productive activities that could make them economically independent.

    Mrs Omotunde, an expert in women issues and Assistant Director in the federal civil service said widows must look inwards, have the right attitude and hold on to God to overcome their vulnerability, adding that the death of their loved ones does not indicate all-hope-lost situation. She said though death is an inevitable phenomenon and a situation that no one has inkling as to when it will occur, widows and their children need not turn themselves into item of pity by abandoning their desire to live.

    She said: “The Bible spoke about widows 85 times and rained curses on anyone that prides in victimising or pushing them into poverty.”

    Speaking on the theme: “You are Not Alone”, Mrs Omotunde, the guest speaker said the widow of Zarephath in 2 Kings 4, and her child could have died poor, despite been wife of one of the sons of the Prophets, if she had not harkened to the Prophet’s command.

    According to her, the woman not only looked inwards and used the only oil she had; she also had the right attitude with her neighbours, from whom she borrowed several jars just as she was commanded to do.

    Underscoring the place of attitude, Mrs Omotunde said several widows would have become intolerant and frosty with their neighbours.

    “The story has underscored yet again that God did not create anyone empty. Look inwards. There are a lot you can still offer. Look inwards for the sake of your children. Don’t turn yourself into an object of pity just because your husband died,” she said.

    In his remarks, Pastor Wole Olatimehin urged widows not to fear. “Fear not for you shall not be put to shame,” he said.

    Olatimehin, a former News Editor with The Daily Times condemned widows who become promiscuous as a result of the death of their bread winner.

    He said: “The death of your husband should not make you promiscuous. Rather, as a virtuous woman, it should make you stronger in faith and embolden you to always look up to God for sustenance.”

    He praised the group for organising the event, adding that he would do all within his power to support the noble objective behind its establishment.

    Also speaking, former Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Mr Demola Doherty said he would continue to join hands with the Widows Care Foundation to champion the cause of widows.

    “I was shocked to see that those behind this initiative could mobilise no fewer than 95 widows for this event. It shows the level of their seriousness. It shows their commitment. It shows that they are driven by the desire to make life more abundant for the widows. I pledge my commitment to continue to give my support to this organisation anytime I am called to do so,” Doherty said.

    In his goodwill remarks, Mr Solomon Alabi said “though widows face emotional trauma and financial difficulties due to the death of their husbands, they should look beyond the physical separation and resolve to face life with renewed boldness.”

    Alabi, who noted that anyone who refuses to go to school, or trade, or farm, would serve others, urged widows not to look down on themselves but start doing anything they have the capacity to do in order to keep body and soul together.

    Founder of NGO, Comrade Olayinka Oni said the vision conceived last year has continued to wax strong in spite of challenges. He added that from two widows which the foundation began with, the foundation partners with no fewer than 95 widows currently.

    He listed Akute, Abule-Ijoko, Agbado, and Ifako-Ijaiye as some of the areas where the foundation has active members.

    He revealed that in June, the organisation distributed food items among all its members, adding that the fund-raising ceremony was conceived to raise capital to further boost the financial capacity of petty traders among them.

    Oni called on benevolent individuals and philanthropic organisations to partner with the organisation in its onerous task of making lives better for widows.

  • Lagos ‘committed to developing tourism’

    As a result of the current economic recession which the country is experiencing due to fall in oil in the international market, the three tiers of government are looking inwards to identify sectors  of the economy that have not been fully tapped into. This is with a view to shore up their revenue base for implementation of their various people-oriented programmes.

    In the circumstances, Lagos State has shown commitment in developing its tourism potential as a way of encouraging would-be investors to have interest in the money-spinning non-oil sector. Several efforts are being made to ensure the potential inherent in its fascinating coastal landscape and other resources are maximally utilised.

    In a bid to realise this goal, Governor Ambode, few weeks ago, was granted permission to upgrade the Marina-Onikan axis of the Presidential Lodge into a global tourist centre by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Also recognising the viability of the gaming industry in achieving a robust tourist hub, the governor transferred the administration of the Lagos State Casino and Gaming Law and Regulations to the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB).

    The board has since mapped out strategies towards providing legal platform to address issues impeding smooth operation by pools promoters, agents, casino and the general gaming industry.

    At its maiden meeting with stakeholders, the newly appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the board, Oluwaseun Anibaba expressed the board’s commitment to redefining tourism through effective regulation of the sector.

    He said if adequately managed, foreign direct investments would be on the increase, with the state retaining its position as the largest gaming city which has the largest casino facilities.

    The essence of the forum, according to Anibaba, was to interact with key players on strategies to elevate the sector through formulation of investor-friendly regulations. He emphasised that the board will harmonise all laws and regulations relating to gaming, pledging that the board will partner with necessary regulatory agencies to engender an atmosphere conducive to gaming operations.

    “We are looking forward to harmonising gaming laws. As a state, we want to harmonise all the laws pertaining to lottery, sports betting and casinos. Casino, pools and betting were added to us late July. We didn’t want to come up with laws; we wanted to give the operators the opportunity to talk about their challenges and the issues they are facing.

    “Our main objective is to protect our operators and stakeholders. There are many areas we can add value to and create environment conducive to new innovations. For us, it entails leveraging on what we can do as a government and working hand-in-hand with other parastatals.

    On laws, you have to get approvals for certain things; you might actually have to go to the House of Assembly if need be. By next year, frameworks, specific layouts relating to casinos, pools and betting will be finalised,” he said.

    He noted that revenues generated from the sector were injected into provision of social amenities, adding that though some cultural beliefs do not permit gaming, the board will intensify its efforts in sensitising the public to the benefits indulging in gaming. He assured that shortcomings such as underage gaming will be minimised.

  • Come to our aid, pensioners plead with Buhari

    Pensioners in Ondo State have urged the federal and state governors to priortise their welfare in order to alleviate their suffering after serving the country meritoriously in various capacities.

    They urged the relevant bodies to allow them live decent life before their death, especially during the current economic recession.

    The National President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Dr Abel Afolayan, the Ondo State Chairman of the Union, Chief Raphael Adetuwo, Chairman, Ondo State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Mrs. Bosede Daramola and other stakeholders spoke during the inauguration of the N250 million modern complex of the union in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    “The structure we are inaugurating was initiated sometime in 2014. That it took such a relatively short time to reach this level is highly commendable. Therefore, we praise the state chairman, Chief R.A Adetuwo and all members of the executive and all pensioners in the state.

    “We salute Governor Olusegun Mimiko, because the laudable achievements by pensioners were recorded during his administration.

    However, they urged Governor Mimiko to pay entitlements of all pensioners before his exit on February 24, next year.

    Afolayan listed some challenges facing the members throughout the federation which include lack non-review of pension contrary to the provision of Section 173 (3) and Section 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

    He also said the problem of e-payment made it difficult for some of the members to access payment from 2009 till date. He added that some pensioners’ names have been deliberately deleted from the payroll on the false premise that they are ghost pensioners.

    He said: “There are many pensioners who were bio-metrically verified, captured and enrolled between June and July 2010 and were issued dud cheques which they could not cash. There are thousands of pensioners who are owed several months pension, with many of them still having their gratuities unpaid.

    “We are in constant dialogue with the National Assembly, especially through the House Committee on Pension. This is with a view to ensuring compliance with the constitutional provisions on review of pension, on harmonisation and speedy payment of the balance of 18 months of the arrears of 33 per cent pension increase.

    The NUP President said the union is currently in the process of compiling the total amount owed all pensioners, the total indebtedness to all pensioners in each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, adding that as soon as they have the figures, the union would publicise them.

    The Ondo State Chairman of NUP, Chief Raphael Adetuwo praised the Ondo NLC Chairperson, Mrs Daramola who stood by them during their hard times.

    Adetuwo lamented that the Federal Government’s pensioners have been wallowing in poverty since 2010 as a result of erroneous Federal Government’s verification exercise that short paid some pensioners and considered as ghost those whose names were consequently expunged from the pay roll.

    He noted that the Federal Government has not conducted fresh verification exercise to correct the anomalies.

  • Our pains, by waterfront communities

    Our pains, by waterfront communities

    Protesters stormed Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode’s office, urging him to intervene in the invasion of their homes. The aggrieved residents of two waterfront communities (Otodo Gbame and Ebute-Ikate) and their counterparts from other slums were protesting the invasion  allegedly by police and some hoodlums; an action that left houses burnt and many homeless. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

    They came bearing placards, banners, leaves, household utensils. They were chanting war songs. They were no military battalions but residents of two waterfront communities in Lagos-Otodo Gbame and Ebute Ikate.

    Both communities, on the edge of the Lagos Lagoon, were made up predominantly of Eguns and other ethnic minorities in Lagos.

    They were protesting the alleged invasion of their communities by the police and hoodlums. They needed relief materials and emergency shelter. They also demanded investigation into the matter. But they were not alone; with them were members of other slums across the country, under the aegis of “Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation.”

    Some came with buses, others on foot. Men, women and children wearing school uniforms formed diverse groups and held placards and banners. They cried, chanted and screamed, demanding justice and answers.

    According to the protesters, their fishing settlements were allegedly burnt down and demolished by some hoodlums and the police between Wednesday, November 9 and Friday, November 11.

    The sea of protesters began their match on the morning of Tuesday, November 15 from Seven-Up Tollgate and stormed the office of Governor Ambode to protest what they referred to as injustice.

    During the protest, some residents recounted that in the early hours of November 9, some group of thugs reportedly tied to a powerful Elegushi Chieftaincy Family, entered the Otodo Gbame community, claiming the police also assisted them, it was alleged. They also alleged that  police  assisted  a  group  of  thugs  led  by  a member  of  the Elegushi  Chieftaincy  Family  to  set  fire  on  houses,  businesses  and  community  facilities.

    “The attack continued into the midnight and early hours of Thursday, November 10, as bulldozers reportedly began to destroy the remaining houses which fire could not effectively destroy. When  residents  tried  to  put out  the  fire,  the  police  chased  them  away  with teargas  and bullets, forcing residents to rush in to the Lagos Lagoon where several people drowned. Just  after  midnight,  in  the  wee  hours  of  November 10 ,  the  police  came  again with a bulldozer  to  demolish  what remained of the  community’s facilities  when residents  and  the  now homeless people were  sleeping. They again, set properties ablaze.

    “In the morning  of  November  11,  police  and a  demolition  squad  on  mufti  came suddenly  to  Ebute  Ikate,  an informal  settlement  contiguous to  Otodo  Gbame,  and  told residents  to  start  packing  their  loads.

    “The demolition  began  shortly  thereafter  as the bulldozer began destruction of  homes and  shops  and  police  setting  properties  on  fire,” according to the Profiling Coordinator, the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation, Akinrolabu Samuel.

    The affected residents said since November 11, they have been experiencing hard times. They have no shelter, access to clean water, food, and other basic needs. They alleged that every day, police would return to the community to harass and arrest residents, and set more properties ablaze.

    Speaking on behalf of the residents, Mr. Samuel said members of the slum advocacy group from across the country were standing in solidarity with the affected residents.  He blamed the government for the incidence, describing it as forced eviction.

    “We  condemn  the  forced  evictions  of  over  30,000  hardworking,  law-abiding citizens from Otodo  Gbame  and  thousands  more  from Ebute-Ikate  from November   9 to 11.  We in particular condemn the use of fire, demolition in the middle of the night, and the tragic loss of life of persons who drowned when chased by police into the Lagos Lagoon.

    “We also condemn the impunity. The  forced  eviction  of  Otodo  Gbame  was carried  out  in  blatant disregard  of  a  subsisting  order  of  the  Lagos  State  High  Court restraining the police and the Lagos State Government from carrying out any demolition or eviction of Otodo Gbame or other waterfront communities across Lagos State,” he said.

    They called for provision of relief materials and emergency shelter; while demanding justice and investigation into the matter.

    “We, at Nigerian  Slum/Informal  Settlement  Federation, are therefore, calling upon our elected leaders and the international community to demand and condemn the forced evictions in Otodo Gbame and Ebute Ikate; immediate  provision  of  relief  materials  and  emergency  shelter  for  those evicted,  along with  longer-term  plans  for  rebuilding  or  suitable  resettlement  of those evicted.  We also demand compensation for all losses, and a public apology from those responsible for the inhuman act; an immediate moratorium on demolitions in Lagos State and engagement with we, the urban poor, around alternatives to evictions; and public inquiry into the role of police and private interests in Lagos demolitions,” Samuel said.

    The protest ended late in the day with a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho urging that the House has already set up a committee to look into the Otodo Gbame incident, saying the residents would not be subjected to further harassment by the police.

    Meanwhile, Lagos State Government last Thursday denied claims of its involvement in the fire incident that took place in Otodo Gbame Community that is being circulated in the media. It refuted, in strong terms, the reports getting the rounds that it sanctioned the burning down of the community.

    In a statement, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the State Government shared in the painful loss of the residents, but, hinted that from police reports and evaluation by the government, the waterfront community was wrecked by fire incident that happened as a result of the ethnic clash that occurred between the Egun and Yoruba residents within the community.

    According to him, even though the police succeeded in stopping the clashes which occurred as a result of continued disagreement over tolling and other diverse disputes, the large part of the shanties had already been torched and razed down before the combined team of Fire Brigade and emergency rescue officers got to the scene on the night of Wednesday, November 9.

    “It is therefore unfortunate that a few aggrieved persons and fifth columnists will choose to blame the government and law enforcement officers that rose to the occasion in ensuring that the clashes did not degenerate further and more importantly that the arson did not spread into Lekki Phase 1,” Ayorinde said.

    The commissioner said while the Otodo Gbame shanties clearly fell within the prime waterfront areas where Lagos State Government would prefer to have better development, befitting of a prime area in a mega city, it was mindful of the fundamental rights of the various residents living in the area.

    According to Ayorinde, while government was not unaware of the legal tussle over the areas and the rights of citizens to stage peaceful protests, relevant agencies of government had since been deployed to provide succour and lessen the pains of the displaced people.

    The statement warned both local and foreign individuals or groups that may be using the unfortunate incident to perpetrate wrong and unfounded information to desist from taking advantage of an unfortunate development and the plight of the former residents of Otodo Gbame. He added that the government is determined to improve on urban development and looking after the infrastructural needs of all residents.

    The commissioner, however, urged residents of the state to refrain from any act that could threaten the peace of their areas and pledged that government would continue to ensure the safety of lives and property and promote peaceful coexistence needed for speedy development of the state.

     

  • New Senate building for Ekiti varsity

    The Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele, has urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to execute more projects in the institution.

    Bandele, who made the call during the inauguration of three projects in the university built with the support of TETFUND, said the management had judiciously spent funds received from the agency to build more infrastructures.

    The buildings inaugurated by the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Dr. Abdullahi Bichi Baffa, included Senate Building, Centre for Gender and Development Studies and Four-in-One Lecture Theatre.

    Bandele revealed that the university boasts 18 modern buildings funded by TETFUND while the university has accessed its allocations up to 2014 while that of last year was still being processed.

    He explained that the new Senate Building inaugurated would host the office of the VC, Deputy Vice Chancellors (DVCs), Council Chambers, Conference Rooms, among other state-of-the-art facilities.

    Other TETFUND projects awaiting inauguration, according to him, include the new Faculty of Science complex, Faculty of Arts complex and e-examination Centre which have all reached advanced stages and would become operational in two months’ time.

    Bandele said the new projects inaugurated would facilitate administration and learning in the university, adding that he was fulfilled witnessing the occasion as the last time a TETFUND project was inaugurated on the campus was in 2012.

    The EKSU boss said apart from projects intervention, the university had also benefited from TETFUND in areas of library development, academic staff development, conferences and journals, manuscript development and construction of entrepreneurship centre.

    Bandele stressed that the new projects inaugurated were inherited from his predecessor, Prof. Dipo Aina, saying he is an apostle of continuity in governance and would never support abandonment of projects.

    He said: “I will complete all projects begun by my predecessor because the bane of development in our society is the penchant for abandonment of projects started by predecessors in office.

    “We are about the best user of TETFUND funds. So, like Oliver Twist, we demand more.”

    The Chancellor, who is also the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi said: “We appreciate the Federal Government for providing the funds. But I want to ask for much more after the V-C has asked for more.”

    Governor Ayo Fayose, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, said he was impressed with the vision of TETFUND in assisting tertiary institutions with new projects and capacity building of members of staff of the institution.

    He said: “With the calibre of people such as Dr. Baffa in TETFUND, we have a square peg in a square hole. And I want to emphasise more on building the capacity of members of our academic staff.

    “When we have the state-of-the-art equipment, our researchers will come out with quality researches that will stand the test of time and I believe EKSU will move to the level of highest performing institutions with respect to utilisation of TETFUND support.”

    TETFUND chief, Dr. Baffa described EKSU as “one of the higher performing beneficiary institutions,” describing the new Academic Building as an “iconic project”. He assured that more of such are on the way.

    Baffa said: “Going round and seeing the quality of projects provided for EKSU shows that the future of higher education in Nigeria is, indeed, bright. I congratulate EKSU on having the commitment to provide intellectual capital.

    “We cannot do it if you don’t provide physical infrastructure and develop the content. We have competent management in EKSU to provide this; EKSU is one of the higher performing institutions.

    “An iconic and beautiful structure such as this is what is expected in a tertiary institution. It will boost self-worth and self-esteem of students. Small cubicles like what is seen in primary schools should not be seen again in our universities.

    “We are going to triple the normal intervention we give to tertiary institutions, but we are going to bring in more control. We are going to spend more on our scholars to take them to the best universities in the world for further training.”

  • Youths undergo leadership, mentorship training

    Youths undergo leadership, mentorship training

    In a bid to help youths discover their potential, the Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe (HOW) Foundation has organised a leadership and mentorship seminar for students of secondary schools.

    Speaking at the event entitled “Be the Best” held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos, the Guest Speaker, Joshua Ajitena, a United Kingdom-based Nigerian motivational speaker and the founder Genero Living, noted that Nigeria is approaching the peak of its creative edge. However, he noted that the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow, lack good platforms where these creativities and innovations would be adequately built and harnessed.

    Speaking on qualities of champions, Ajitena said: “Champions are committed; they believe in themselves and they never give up. I enjoin young ones not to be lazy; for lazy people always give away the best in them.

    “Know that nothing good comes easy. Develop the right work ethics, have the right mind-set and be ready to face challenges. Challenges are supposed to bring out the best in you.

    “The young people are the answers to the Nigerian problem; we should sit with them, give them a voice and understand them. Only then can we compete favourably with the rest of Africa and the world.”

    Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Ms. Antonia Ally said the foundation is poised to help young people understand their type of leadership potential as well as develop their skills from a tender age.

    “We are helping the young ones to develop their skills. We want to enlighten them about how to direct these skills into something that would help to make them great in life. We want to impart in them the characteristics that good leaders possess which would make our country greater if properly utilised,” she said.

    The foundation has partnered with national and global organisations that share the same passion and drive in areas such as malaria, prostate cancer and youth empowerment. The focus around malaria is to help educate them on the possibilities of malaria eradication in Nigeria and assist in providing tools/resources that help to fight against and prevent malaria. The attention on prostate cancer is to raise awareness and aid in the provision of tools which would enable professionals to erase the stigma about the disease in Nigeria.

    The foundation also empowers youths with leadership and mentorship programmes, developing various seminars and schemes aimed at providing them with support to push them closer to achieving greatness.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, one of the participants, Debo Oluwadarasimi of St. Gregory’s College, Lagos said the programme was an eye opener, pledging to be more studious and to take care of his environment in a better way. Over 12 schools were represented at the event.

    The foundation had carried some events in the past, some of which were with Dr Save a Life Foundation, Visit to Isiokpo, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, (The Home of the Founder) to hand out 1 million free malaria nets to the community, performed rapid malaria tests, distributed 1 million malaria prevention and treatment drugs to women and children and educateed them on how to use these kits. Visit to Arrow of God Orphanage to hang out back- to school materials for children.

  • Rotary trains youths, women in skills

    Rotary trains youths, women in skills

    The Rotary Club District 9110 has begun a three-week intensive training for women and youths.

    The empowerment programme in which 500 people participated began on November 14 and will end on December 3, at St Leos Catholic Street along Toyin Street, Ikeja Lagos. It was inaugurated by the Governor of the District, Patrick Ikheloa.

    Some of the skills the beneficiaries will learn include bead making, bag and shoe making, event planning and decoration, makeup, gele tying, catering and hotel management as well as hat and fascination making.

    According to Chairman of the Organising Committee, Taiwo Shonubi, the event was instituted to support people in becoming self-reliant and economically viable in order to survive the current economic recession.

    It was part of activities to mark the Club’s Economic and Community Development Seminar for the year. Resource persons were on hand to train and lecture many of the beneficiaries who turned out in their numbers to take advantage of the rare opportunity that will help them to gain knowledge of the handiwork of their dreams.

    Each club sponsored five participants.

    Another of their activities held the previous week was a seminar on Agriculture tagged “Transformation towards Agriculture”

    Chief Executive Officer of X-ray Farms, African farmer Mogaji, spoke on Agriculture Investment as an alternative income source. He called on all to leverage on available resources, stressing on the value of information and knowledge gotten from other sectors.

    He noted that sustenance is crucial to having cheaper quality food; and small-scale farmers can be helped by giving them quality input for their crop production rather than money.

    He also warned that government should not ban importation of rice at least for three years, but should focus on local production and develop more storage facilities.

    “Nigeria has signed many treaties that won’t allow them ban rice. But after government have intensified local production, they can then develop a roadmap to increase its tariff in the next five years. That way, they are supporting businesses and farmers to produce enough rice for the next three years, within which there would be enough rice to feed the nation.

    “Also, it is not that government has no good intentions on this, but climate change will affect rice production. Thus, there is the need to look into the organic approach and the process of food production.

    Head, Agricultural Department of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Maximus Okoye spoke on financing perspective in ensuring the needed transformation in agriculture.

    He noted that agriculture is pillar to industrial development. He praised the adoption of the different intervention programmes of the government, which he said has helped agric-business.

    Professor of Economics at Caleb University, Olufemi Oludimu gave a presentation  on strategies for marketing agriculture. He urged all to leverage on untapped opportunities and look into food exports.

  • ‘Welfare of the poor is collective responsibility’

    ‘Welfare of the poor is collective responsibility’

    Quite often, issues concerning the less-privileged people in the society are treated with disdain. People are concerned about what benefits them and their families. Less thought is spared for the well-being of the poor.

    Bothered by the development, some social organisations have taken it upon themselves to care for the comfort of those Franz Fanon regarded as the wretched of the earth in his book of the same title.

    The Rotary Club of Oyo Metropolis is one of these organisations that have made the welfare of the poor a priority.

    The club, which was chattered in 2005, has since been performing well in its efforts to serve humanity.

    Among the projects it has executed include donation of Mikano power generating set, sinking of borehole and donation of life resuscitator to the State Hospital, Oyo; building of kitchen shed at the School of the Handicapped, Durbar, Oyo; sinking of deep-well at the Ajegunle Market as well as donation of over N500, 000 worth of equipment to the physically-challenged students of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.

    Others included free hernia surgery for over 100 residents; sponsorship of a polio victim, Wasiu Yussuf’s education for seven years, provisions of wheelchairs for more than 100 other victims as well as sinking of borehole at Akeetan Bale Market.

    Recently, the club elected, Mr. Olajide Olanipekun as its President and would oversee the its affairs for one year (2016-2017).

    In his acceptance speech, Olanipekun stressed the need for individuals to be more interested in the well-being of the less-privileged people in the society.

    He said: “It is true that organisations that take care of vulnerable people are in existence but, the question is how many are they? How can these crippled, blind, deaf and dumb people approach them unaided?

    “Until the welfare of the less-privileged persons is regarded as a collective responsibility, we will still find it difficult to identify with the needy around us. Individuals should therefore adopt a hospitable nature that would enable them to see the needy as people who should be cared for and not ostracised.

    “Little acts of enterprise by these less-fortunate neighbours of ours should be encouraged by our patronage, to give them a sense of belonging. This is what the Rotary Club is all about. “Communities should also team up with some care givers by creating centres where the homeless, vulnerable and helpless can be attended to. By so doing, people will be encouraged to volunteer help for the homes financially and in other ways.”

    Olanipekun further explained that projects executed by the club were carried out through contributions from members and donations from well-meaning individuals.

    “The Rotary Club is poised to contribute more to alleviate poverty in Oyo town and its environs through projects that will put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged people in the society,” he said.

    The President reeled off some of the ongoing projects being carried out by the club to include, vocational training and empowerment for more than 100 residents, adoption of St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Fiditi and Community Grammar School, Ladigbolu, Oyo,  for donation of educational materials such as chairs, desks, books and renovation of the school’s classrooms.

    Others, according to him, are donation of over N1 million worth of exercise books to pupils and students of primary and secondary schools in all the four local government areas that make up Oyo metropolis; provision of toilet facilities in some areas within the metropolis and organisation of career talks in secondary schools in a bid to mentor the younger ones.

     

  • Furniture for Lagos school

    Furniture for Lagos school

    The Deputy Governor of Lagos State Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule has urged the corporate organisations and all stakeholders to consider education as the best for investment in order to raise a generation of morally upright leaders for the country.

    She noted that if corporate organisations, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians are committed to uplifting the education sector, it will help in engendering the desired quality in education.

    Dr Adebule spoke at the inauguration and hand over of classroom furniture donated by District 9110, Rotary Club of Ikeja to Ikeja Senior High School.

    The event was not just for the inauguration of the furniture but also was a platform to raise funds among the members of the club for the development of community projects and induction of some members.

    She was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education Sina Odeyemi.

    While thanking the President of the Club, Mrs Olaitan Ojuroye, the Board of Directors and all members of the Club, the Deputy Governor said: “The gesture will go a long way in complementing the efforts of Lagos State Government in providing the best facilities needed to make teaching and learning more effective in the state’s schools.

    “The area you have chosen to support the state government is very important to enhance effective teaching and learning in the classrooms. With your donation, you have complemented efforts of government and help in bringing additional ones that make it more adequate for use in the school.”

    Mrs. Ojuroye said the gesture was aimed at contributing the club’s quota in helping and improving the standard of education in Lagos State.

    She said Rotary Club would continue to render quality service to humanity by impacting on people’s lives despite the country’s economic challenges, saying it is the main objective of Rotary Club and what defines the club internationally.

    She said: “The Club regularly visit the community leaders, schools and hospitals, interview and sample their opinions on what challenges they are experiencing. Out of those they enumerated, we pick one and solve at a time.

    Through this, Mrs Ojuroye said, the club had rescued citizens from environmental challenges, involved in screening and treatments of eye, hypertension, breast cancer, sugar/diabetics and malaria/typhoid ailments.