The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Expert canvasses policy on food security, nutrition

    A lecturer with the Department of Agronomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Prof Julius Ipadeola Olaifa has said lack of coherent national food security and nutrition policy has serious implications on human survival, national growth and development.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, Prof Olaifa, who is a consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) stated that if coherent national food security and nutrition policy the policy is put in place, it will be capable of transforming communities into healthy and productive food producers. This, he said, will ensure reliable and consistent access to affordable nutritious food.

    He pointed out that hunger has devastating effects on the health and economic productivity of more than 80 per cent of Nigerians, adding that even those with access to food often suffer

    terribly from malnutrition.

    “Children not only suffer from the effect of malnutrition, but also from increased susceptibility to disease and other health risks such as neonatal disorders, diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria.  Under nutrition is the underlying cause of maternal mortality each year,” he said.

    He further said hunger and malnutrition also affect economic development in near and long-term, while illness, hunger and the need to care for ill children reduces income, particularly for

    women.

    Seeking a paradigm shift in issues of food import, he urged the Federal Government to spend less on food importation, saying that government should not be rhetorical but pragmatic in reducing food import bill in order to guarantee food security for Nigerians.

    “What Nigerians need is serious approach to revitalise the agricultural sector as is being done by the present administration.

    “Imagine billions of Naira wasted annually on importation of wheat, when the chain values of cassava is yet to be fully exploited, let alone other cash crop such as mango.  A lot of natural and agricultural resources abound in Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo State, for instance, but the government is not tapping them.

    “This is why it is imperative for state governments to rehabilitate all their farm settlements, in order to improve agriculture. These resources alone can generate employment for thousands of jobless youths,” he said.

    On how to transform the agricultural sector, Olaifa suggested increasing household access to agricultural inputs and credit, improving, natural resource management, and linking agricultural

    outputs with local, regional, and national markets.

    “Some of the ways to transform the agricultural sector are reduction of livelihood vulnerability, working with communities to increase access to water, as well as developing customised plans to ensure availability, ensuring that access and utilisation of food is stable and sustainable over a long period of time.

    “There should be a sustainable social welfare policy that would address problems that might arise when markets do not provide adequate mechanisms to deal with economic uncertainties.

    This, according to him, will ascertain the nature of the risks individuals experience in a given society, in order to tailor policies towards meeting these risks in a sustainable fashion.

    “Part of the considerations should be based on the fact that agriculture and informal economies are very important because they account for 70 per cent of employment for the teeming population.

    “This implies that social welfare programme should address issues on income uncertainties due to the fortuity of informal activities, which fluctuate considerably.”

    He lamented the limited coverage of social security systems in the country, which he noted raises serious equity issues, even as he said societal valuable resources and efforts are often targeted at small and privileged segment of the population.

    He said: “The Nigerian population is young, and is expected to remain like that over the period between 40 and 50 years.

    “This age structure affects the behaviour and demand of social security services.  But alas, budgetary allocation for agriculture ought to have been increased from its present 30 per cent to 70 per cent.  If this age structure can be properly co-opted and coordinated into agriculture, it will not only prop-up employment generation, but will also reduce crimes, restiveness and other anti-social activities in our society.”

    Olaifa stated that there is hardly any state in the country that is not effectively productive.

    “Agricultural production is sustained by peasant farmers. We have good weather, no global warming, coupled with ample rainfall. These are what we need for production of crops such as cassava, maize and yam. We have fishery and poultry products in the Southwest. What of South-south and the Southeast that produce oil palm.  Equally too are the onion, pepper, goats, and sheep produced in quantity in the North and moved to the South. What of pepper, carrots, and others?’’

    “Politicians play politics with rice. They assume it is the only food commodity in the country. That is wrong. They have forgotten yams and plantains, which are produced locally, From Lagos to Maiduguri, Port Harcourt to Enugu and Ibadan, where is yam not taken as food? Yet, yam farmers across the country are not given the kind of attention given to rice until recently. The present administration is interested in rice, and is pragmatically improving its production locally,” he said.

    Prof. Olaifa, however, pointed out that the major problem confronting the country currently is food processing.

    ‘’What have we developed from yam, cassava and plantain, for instance, other than garri, fufu, and chips? It is the present generation that started garri, fufu, and even the chips. We should develop new products from these commodities. China, Malaysia and Indonesia have no other crops other than rice. They have thousands of products developed from rice. That is what we need now,” he stated.

  • NGO partners Osun, Fed. Govt. on cancer education

    NGO partners Osun, Fed. Govt. on cancer education

    In its bid to stem the rate of prevalence of cancer in the country, the Glorious Youth Empowerment Centre (GYEC), a non-governmental  organisation (NGO), in partnership with Marie Stopes International, Nigeria, the Osun State and the Federal Ministry of Health, has held a cancer sensitisation and screening programme in Osun State for women.

    No fewer than 23 nurses were trained by a team of specialists from Marie Stopes International, Nigeria at a week-long workshop entitled “Who Shall Deliver us From This Plague?” held in Osogbo, Osun State capital city.

    Out of the 23 nurses, 15 were from Osun Hospital Management Board, seven from Osun Ministry of Health and one from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hopital (LAUTECHTH).

    Subsequent to the workshop, a capacity building training was carried out for health personnel at the General Hospital Asubiaro in Osogbo.

    According to the team leader of the cancer project, Glorious Youth Empowerment Centre, Dr. Samuel Ekundayo, 200 women were screened for cancer during the week-long programme.

    Ekundayo, who revealed that 80 women were screened for cervical cancer, said at the end of the exercise, no case of cervical cancer was recorded, adding that medical advice was offered to the participants.

    Explaining the mission of the programme, the founder of the NGO, Mrs. Remi Ajibewa, noted that the GYEC had vast interest and experience in the provision of support and necessities for the vulnerable youth, women and widows in the society, saying “our mission is to promote quality life for women, children, young people and other vulnerable population through skill development, enlightenment, advocacy engagements and direct support services.”

    Continuing, she said: “We have specifically focused the attention of this workshop on cancer in order to enlighten our people, especially at this time when our current lifestyles predispose us to different kinds of diseases.

    “Our interest in cancer is because the disease is one of the toughest fights anyone can face. Or even one of the greatest challenges difficult to come to terms with when it is diagnosed. The disease is growing rapidly in our community like a raged fire and the entire world at large, with several lives lost and dreams shattered.

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) says cancer accounts for 13 per cent of all deaths registered globally. Seventy per cent of that figure occurs in middle and low income countries. In Nigeria, about 10,000 cancer deaths are recorded annually while 250,000 new cases are recorded yearly, with breast and cervical cancers being the commonest among women.

    “Prostate cancer is more prevalent in men. Unfortunately, many Nigerians are still poorly educated on this growing disease. Many Nigerians still see cancer as a disease of the wealthy, the elderly and even restricted to the developed countries. While many sufferers of the disease in the country, on the other hand, still regard it as their fate and, as such, a death sentence.

    “Cancer is not just a health issue; it has far-reaching social and economic implications. It also does not discriminate. It is a global epidemic that affects all ages. Its consequences are alarming, challenging and very demanding; even as it has been noted to kill more than HIV and AIDS.

    “Although persistent research is still ongoing towards finding a permanent cure for this most puzzled disease, we at GYEC believe that massive awareness of the general populace is critical to stemming the tide of cancer in Nigeria and indeed globally.”

  • Robbers lay siege to Ekiti town

    Robbers lay siege to Ekiti town

    Ekiti State witnessed another devastating attack by suspected robbers who besieged one of its major towns, Otun-Ekiti, where they attacked two commercial banks, Oore’s palace, church and petrol station, among others. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the havoc wreaked by the attack.

    It was a harrowing experience for residents of Otun-Ekiti, headquarters of Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday, November 10. They were waiting for the sun to set before they retire to their various homes. But before the sun finally set, they were shocked by the attack on some institutions in the town by suspected robbers.

    Most of the residents had concluded the businesses of the day and were heading home after a hard day’s job. Commercial activities were at the low ebb except vehicles conveying intra and inter-state passengers angling to reach their destinations.

    Some fun spots such as hotels, pubs and other relaxation centres had been playing host to some residents who had wanted to unwind to calm frayed nerves.

    However, they had no inkling that violence of unprecedented proportion from the messengers of death was lurking around the corner. They never knew that the serenity enjoyed by the relatively big town was about to be shattered by some bloodthirsty fiends.

    Few minutes past six in the evening, the unwanted visitors unleashed their fury on the unsuspecting residents and by the time the smoke cleared, at least four persons lay dead, millions of Naira carted away in a commando-like operation.

    The hoodlums attacked two commercial banks, the palace of the monarch and a petrol station; an action that threw the town into chaos. Residents ran for their dear lives in a chaotic manner. Fear overwhelmed the community.

    This was followed by loud bangs of explosion and booms of guns. Traffic disappeared and frightened residents ran for cover. Throughout the time the attack lasted, there was nobody in sight to confront the hoodlums.

    It was like Armageddon had descended on the town with beleaguered residents finding no help when they needed it most.

    Policemen allegedly fled in various directions as they were unable to face the bandits. This was despite the fact that the police divisional headquarter was about a kilometre away from the theatre of violence, the central business district of the town.

    The robbers did not spare hallowed structures as they fired explosives to the Oore’s Palace which claimed the palace guard and the Seventh Day Adventist Church which is one of the oldest places of worship in the town.

    The four dead persons included a bank manager, bank security officer who was to wed in a week’s time and a night guard at the Oore’s Palace.

    The two banks attacked were the town’s branches of Heritage Bank and Unity Bank located at the centre of the town. Heritage Bank branch lost the manager and a cashier in the incident while a security man at Unity Bank was shot dead.

    The banks had closed at the time of the attack but bankers were said to be busy reconciling and balancing accounts. They were looking forward to another working day.

    Sources revealed that the dead bank security guard had just resumed for work that evening. His soon-to-be wedded wife is said to be heavily pregnant and their wedding had been fixed for about a week’s time.

    The robbers, who are believed to be more than 30 in number were said to have divided themselves into four sub-gangs to ensure that the attack was successful.

    The bandits reportedly made away with huge amount of money seized from the banks and the petrol station. Many residents of the community who received gunshot wounds are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

    The Otun robbery sent shock waves round the state as branches of Heritage Bank and Unity Bank were closed down. Some vehicles bound for Otun same day discharged their passengers after the news had spread.

    Otun is a major town in Ekiti State and is a commercial centre close to both Kwara and Osun states. Its banking services are enjoyed by communities in the two neighbouring states that find it inconvenient to go to the hinterland of their states for transactions.

    The Oore of Otun, who is also the Paramount Ruler of Moba land, Oba James Adedapo Oladele Popoola, said he thought Boko Haram militants had invaded the town when he heard loud bangs of explosives used by the robbers during the attack which lasted about an hour.

    Oba Popoola said:  ”It happened about few minutes past 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening. I was relaxing with my chiefs in front of the palace when we heard what first sounded like some fireworks and we dismissed it as some of the children’s antics as a result of the festive period.

    “But later we heard heavier and more shocking sounds that resembled gunshots and explosives. That was when we realised it was no child’s play.

    “Sounds of gunshots and explosives were all over the place and heard from all corners. I couldn’t situate the incident as we ruminated whether it was robbery, attack by Boko Haram insurgents or some kind of war happening.

    “We later learnt that the robbers mounted their men at the four outlets into the town. First was  the roundabout at Erinmope Road, second was outside Moba Local Government Secretariat, third was in front of my palace and the fourth was in front of the Technical College outside the town on the way leading to Kwara.

    ”The intermittent gunshots and explosives lasted for about an hour before the dust settled. And by the time it settled, four innocent lives were lost. The Manager and cashier of Heritage Bank, security man at Unity Bank and my night guard who had just resumed for night duty and wanted to close the gate were the victims.

    “I reported the case to the governor and he immediately mobilised the security operatives who promptly heeded to the governor’s instruction and came around past 7:00 p.m. but the robbers had left before they came.”

    While noting that it was the first time a major bank robbery was recorded in Otun, the Oore said the town was prone to the attack because of its location as a border community with neighbouring states.

    The monarch added: “The border towns and local government areas should be provided with very tight security so that such incident would not happen again. Government should put in more effort in seeing to the protection of lives and property.”

    A resident who asked not to be named because of security reasons alleged that policemen also ran for cover during the attack, adding that the palace guard who was killed was closing the palace gate when he was felled by the bullets.

    He said: “The Oba’s guard killed was shot in his private part. He was closing the Oba’s gate when one of the robbers rushed towards him and rained bullets on him. The man who is to get married in two weeks’ time and the Oba’s guard hailed from Mayan, a suburb of Otun.

    “Even policemen ran for save their lives. We saw a Sergeant who ran far more than every other who scampered for safety during the attack. The one killed in Unity Bank has just two weeks to his wedding. His wife is heavily pregnant. We also learnt that the slain Bank Manager resumed just 20 minutes before the robbers attacked.”

    Spokesman of Ekiti State police command, Alberto Adeyemi, who confirmed the incident, revealed that investigation into the robbery incident has commenced.

    Adeyemi further said the remains of the four persons killed have been deposited at the General Hospital in Usi Ekiti.

    He said: “We have commenced investigations into the development and hope that the perpetrators would soon be apprehended.”

    Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole, has condemned the robbery attack at two banks in Otun, pleading with authorities to make more policemen available in the state.

    According to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen  Gbadamosi, on Friday, Oluwawole, who commiserated with the families of the victims of the robbery attack and the Oore, Oba Popoola, prayed that God would console the people of Otun and the entire Moba Kingdom.

    The Speaker, who represents Moba Constituency 1 which included Otun also appealed to the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to consider making more men of the force available to the state. He stated  that the current government would not treat security of lives and property of its people with levity.

    “The incident is sad. We do not take the security of the lives and property of our people with levity.

     

  • Students protest death of colleagues

    Students protest death of colleagues

    Students of the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Owinni area of Oyo town in Oyo State, have protested the death of five of their colleagues. The untimely death of the five female students has brought to the fore the need to rehabilitate the federal road that is in very bad shape and to curtail the activities of street traders.

    The students, who had just resumed for new academic session were said to have left their school on permission to have hairdo at the neighbouring Sabo Market, just few kilometers away.

    After the hairdo, the students boarded an intra-city mini-bus back to school.

    The students and other passengers were waiting for a mini-lorry fully loaded with garri to pass by, when the mini-lorry ran into a big pothole beside the mini-bus.

    Consequently, the driver of the mini-lorry lost control and the vehicle fell on the mini-bus and smashed it, killing six persons (five students and the driver) on board.

    Other passengers were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries in the incident.

    Unexpectedly, the street traders and other traders inside the market, who apparently were not disturbed by the tragic incident, resumed for business the next day, to the amazement of residents.

    They were beaten up and chased away by street urchins who stormed the market.

    Mourning the departed souls of their colleagues, who had since been buried, students of the college staged peaceful protest to the Alaafin’s palace and Atiba Hall where caretaker chairmen of the four local government areas in the metropolis, namely Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West and other community leaders converged for a town hall meeting.

    The students accompanied by their Principal, Mrs. T. A. Olasusi, members of management and teachers, carried placards with different inscriptions calling for abolition of street trading, rehabilitation of the federal road and relocation of commercial vehicles loading garri to and from the market.

    Fielding questions from reporters shortly after paying condolence visit to the management of the college, the caretaker Chairman of Atiba Local Government Area, Mr. Gbolagade Okeniyi, described the incident as “very disheartening”.

    He said: “Before now, the local government had rehabilitated the federal road thrice, checkmated the activities of traders on the road and relocated the mini-lorry commercial vehicle operators to a newly constructed site known as Beta.”

    Expressing dismay at the care-free and recalcitrant attitudes of both the street traders and mini-lorry drivers, he assured that the local government would apply full weights of the law on anyone who contravenes its directives.

     

  •  ‘Be resourceful’

    A Chairmanship aspirant in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Hon. Adejoke Risikat Adegeye has urged youths to devote their time to productive activities. She said the idea would help them to develop their potential for growth.

    Speaking at a programme she organised preparatory to welcoming 14 people that arrived in Nigeria after a tour of United Arab Emirates, she said youths are within productive age, and therefore, must channel their energy to activities that would bring development to the society.

    Adegeye, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said she would work hard put in place some skill acquisition programmes for youths in order to make them self-reliant.

    According to her, she has sent 14 youths to the United Arab Emirate (UAE), in order to expose them to ideas that would enable them to become better individuals.

    She said: “The trip to UAE was organised to empower youths and further reduce unemployment. This is part of my contributions to the development of Nigeria.

  • NGO partners Osun, Fed. Govt. on cancer education

    NGO partners Osun, Fed. Govt. on cancer education

    In its bid to stem the rate of prevalence of cancer in the country, the Glorious Youth Empowerment Centre (GYEC), a non-governmental  organisation (NGO), in partnership with Marie Stopes International, Nigeria, the Osun State and the Federal Ministry of Health, has held a cancer sensitisation and screening programme in Osun State for women.

    No fewer than 23 nurses were trained by a team of specialists from Marie Stopes International, Nigeria at a week-long workshop entitled “Who Shall Deliver us From This Plague?” held in Osogbo, Osun State capital city.

    Out of the 23 nurses, 15 were from Osun Hospital Management Board, seven from Osun Ministry of Health and one from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hopital (LAUTECHTH).

    Subsequent to the workshop, a capacity building training was carried out for health personnel at the General Hospital Asubiaro in Osogbo.

    According to the team leader of the cancer project, Glorious Youth Empowerment Centre, Dr. Samuel Ekundayo, 200 women were screened for cancer during the week-long programme.

    Ekundayo, who revealed that 80 women were screened for cervical cancer, said at the end of the exercise, no case of cervical cancer was recorded, adding that medical advice was offered to the participants.

    Explaining the mission of the programme, the founder of the NGO, Mrs. Remi Ajibewa, noted that the GYEC had vast interest and experience in the provision of support and necessities for the vulnerable youth, women and widows in the society, saying “our mission is to promote quality life for women, children, young people and other vulnerable population through skill development, enlightenment, advocacy engagements and direct support services.”

    Continuing, she said: “We have specifically focused the attention of this workshop on cancer in order to enlighten our people, especially at this time when our current lifestyles predispose us to different kinds of diseases.

    “Our interest in cancer is because the disease is one of the toughest fights anyone can face. Or even one of the greatest challenges difficult to come to terms with when it is diagnosed. The disease is growing rapidly in our community like a raged fire and the entire world at large, with several lives lost and dreams shattered.

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) says cancer accounts for 13 per cent of all deaths registered globally. Seventy per cent of that figure occurs in middle and low income countries. In Nigeria, about 10,000 cancer deaths are recorded annually while 250,000 new cases are recorded yearly, with breast and cervical cancers being the commonest among women.

    “Prostate cancer is more prevalent in men. Unfortunately, many Nigerians are still poorly educated on this growing disease. Many Nigerians still see cancer as a disease of the wealthy, the elderly and even restricted to the developed countries. While many sufferers of the disease in the country, on the other hand, still regard it as their fate and, as such, a death sentence.

    “Cancer is not just a health issue; it has far-reaching social and economic implications. It also does not discriminate. It is a global epidemic that affects all ages. Its consequences are alarming, challenging and very demanding; even as it has been noted to kill more than HIV and AIDS.

    “Although persistent research is still ongoing towards finding a permanent cure for this most puzzled disease, we at GYEC believe that massive awareness of the general populace is critical to stemming the tide of cancer in Nigeria and indeed globally.”

  • Monarch cautions youths on violence

    The Baale of Orile-Kosofe, Mile 12, Chief Rasak Ajani Adeosun has appealed to the youth and motorcycle operators at Omojuwa Street in Orile-Kosofe of Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area of Lagos State to sheath their swords and allow peace reign.

    Baale Adeosun reacted over the recent clash between police officers from Ketu Police Post and motorbike operators popularly known as ‘okada’ over flagrant disobedience of traffic rules which resulted in a stray bullet that hit one of the young sons of Omojuwa’s family.

    He, however, stated that as soon as he got the wind of the crisis, he invited the soldiers stationed at Kosofe/Mile 12 Market to be on guard in order to forestall further violence and also to save lives and properties from being vandalised and looted.

    According to him, he reached out to the parents of the wounded boy to seek for their co-operation through peaceful settlement, even as he urged them to keep calm while the victim was taken to Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital where he is currently responding to treatment.

    Oko-ilu, as he is fondly called, also convened a meeting with officials of Okada Riders’ Association, Private Taxi Operators and other stakeholders who witnessed the crisis. First to speak on the issue was Mr. Sola who said the two policemen held one of the okada riders for operating beyond the distance approved for them. But as he tried to escape towards Omojnwa’s family home, the police ran after him. This drew the ire of the youth of the area.

    Another cab operator, Mr. Suleiman Adeleke also said he observed argument between police officers and okada riders and the next thing he heard was gunshot.

    Concluding, Baale urged the Lagos State Government to provide jobs for Orile-Kosofe residents and Omojuwa community, appealing to the police to stop indiscriminate shooting at civilians.

     

  • ‘Ajimobi’s achievements’ll give APC victory’

    ‘Ajimobi’s achievements’ll give APC victory’

    As the local government election in Oyo State draws near,  a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sheu Oyekunle Suara has said the unprecedented achievements of Governor Abiola Ajimobi will give the party all-round victory at the polls.

    Suara, who addressed reporters in Ibadan, said for the first time in recent time, the state now has a governor who knows what to do with the mandate of the people as he does everything possible to improve the standard of living of the people.

    “As it stands today; peace reigns in Oyo State, security of lives and property is guaranteed, there is laudable improvement in the provision of social infrastructure, we have real urban renewal and beautification projects in place in all the major towns and cities across the state, unprecedented priority on the welfare of workers and citizens among other things. Most of those who criticise Senator Ajimobi do so because they feel the need to talk.

    “None of them could say that the governor is responsible for the meager allocations from Abuja or the economic recession currently ravaging the world.

    “Economic regeneration just got a boost with the $2b investment from China (the Free Trade Zone project), improved infrastructure with the award of N28 billion road projects in key areas of the state, release of White Paper on the way forward for the education industry, among other things,” he said.

    Assessing the level of development in the state, Suara, who is also aspiring for the chairmanship position of Egbeda Local Government Area, said the resilience of the people as well as the exceptional qualities of Governor Ajimobi, has given the state vast development and a hope of a better future.

    Suara, a grassroots politician noted that the unprecedented achievement of Governor Ajimobi was responsible for the people to give him their mandate for a second tenure.

    On why he aspires for the council’s chairmanship position, he said: “My aspiration is motivated by the need to actualise a tripartite desire which revolves around serving my people in a higher capacity, moving the state forward and assisting the cause of a better Nigeria. I see the local government administration as very essential in driving the vehicle of growth, development and stability in our society and I’m convinced that only the best and willing individuals should be allowed to serve the people at all levels.

    “Moreover, the governor has done well to remove all the impediments against the conduct of council polls and this has afforded our people the opportunity to choose who they want as their servants at the grassroots level.

    “Our great party- the APC-is working towards the emergence of the best material for each of the available positions in the 33 local government areas and 35 local council development areas. I am aware there are other aspirants but I am confident that my people would want me to serve them. I am the best man for the job and this will play out in the next few days in accordance with the guidelines of the party,” he said.

  • ‘Don’t close Nigeria’s mission’

    A prominent traditional ruler in Ekiti State, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, has advised the Federal Government against closing down Nigerian Consulate in Buea, Republic of Cameroon.

    The Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti said shutting down the diplomatic mission in Buea could threaten national security and affect Nigeria’s economic and commercial interests in the Gulf of Guinea.

    Oba Alabi, who was in the Foreign Service and served in many countries across the world before ascending the throne of his forefathers, stressed that carrying out such policy may weaken Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Cameroun and jeopardise the interests of millions of Nigerian citizens resident in the country.

    The monarch, in a statement signed by him and made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital urged the Federal Government not to measure the relevance of the mission  in terms of revenue generation, but should be analysed in terms of relevance to national security.

    Oba Alabi, who served as Vice-Consul in Buea in the course of his diplomatic career, said the Consulate was established by the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to take care of the interest of Anglophone Nigerians who decided to join the French Colony out of interest.

    According to him, carrying out the policy will negate the unwritten and solemn agreement  by Balewa that Nigeria won’t neglect the 1.5 million local population in the two provinces in Beau, since the colonial era.

    The royal father contended that doing so will expose Nigerians resident in the area to anguish, intimidation and harassment by Cameroun’s Gendarmerie, aside the security threat it poses to the country.

     

  • Group, varsity sign pact

    The Igbomina in the Diaspora  under the aegis of Igbomina Project, North America (IPNA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Landmark University (LMU) Omu Aran, Kwara State.

    The pact marriage signed last month was aimed at establishing a joint medical ambulance service  programme for communities  in  Igbomina land.

    The signing was  done  via  a  teleconference among the university management, the President of   IPNA, Alhaji Taiwo Salawu and his Vice, Chief Bode Ojeleye from the United States of America.

    During the signing, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aize Obayan, described the institution as a formidable entity that is set for great achievements.

    She said: “As an institution, we are passionate about the restoration of human dignity and we are signing the dotted lines to change the lives of the Igbomina people as a whole.”

    She noted that the initiative by members of IPNA in the Diaspora to contribute to the welfare   of their kinsmen at the home front was a welcome development, adding that this should be emulated by others.

    “If everyone in the Diaspora gives back to the various communities they belong to, Nigeria   would be a  better place.  I believe this save-a-life  project will serve generations to come,” Obayan said.

    Responding, Salawu said Landmark University would be the first private institution the group would be collaborating with.

    Salawu recalled that IPNA has giving back to Igbomina, their birthplace as its philosophy.

    He lamented that previous efforts made over time to collaborate  with  some  institutions on   developmental  projects had not yielded  meaningful  result.