The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • ‘Include vigilance groups in neighbourhood watch’

    ‘Include vigilance groups in neighbourhood watch’

    The Lagos State Commander of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN), Otumba James Udoma has called on the state government to include VGN in the security apparatus of the state, especially for community policing.

    While reacting to the recent disclosure by Ambode that the state government will soon recruit 5,000 neighbourhood watchers for community policing duties in the state, Udoma said: “If we are talking about 5,000 officers for community policing, involve VGN because our men are already trained for the job.”

    While commending Ambode for his interest and concern over security situation in Lagos State and recognising community policing as a major solution, Udoma said when VGN is incorporated into the state security apparatus, they will serve in gathering security information for the police to be more proactive in their policing efforts.

    “It will also involve the engagement of so many of our idle young men in various communities thus redirecting their energies positively and keep them away from idleness and criminality to more patriotic and productive endeavours such as security of lives and property in their communities,” he said.

    According to him, the state government should make VGN, a major stakeholder in community policing, as part of its planned arrangement for community policing which is VGN’s core area of operation.

    This, he said, is because VGN operatives are already on ground in the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas, carrying out the duties and functions of community policing and assisting the police in checking crimes and criminality as well as apprehending criminals in various communities across the state.

    The security expert said: “The Lagos State Command of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria has about 100 men, well-trained and equipped, in each of the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas on community policing duties. With the total strength of 5,700 officers across several communities, we are better positioned to deliver community policing as a strategic means of curbing crimes.”

    He further revealed that all VGN operatives are domicile, i.e. living and working in their areas of operation as provided for in the bill sponsored by VGN Commander-General, Alhaji Ali Sokoto, which has gone through the second reading and now awaiting public hearing at the National Assembly.

    “While the management of VGN, Lagos  State command is made up of various security professionals such as ex-service men in the military and police force” and a number of specialised units to carry out specialised functions such as anti-robbery squad, hunter/fishermen squad, marine unit, surveillance unit, motorised patrol unit, traffic control unit and education corps,” he said.

  • NDE floats ICT-driven agric scheme

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has established an Information Communication Technology (ICT)-driven agriculture scheme to provide job opportunities for unemployed youths.

    NDE Acting Director-General, Kunle Obayan, revealed this in Ado-Ekiti at a training workshop on enhancing the employability of beneficiaries of the Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) of the agency.

    Obayan described the new programme tagged the “Smart Farmer” scheme as a “cutting edge IT-based interactive information and communication system providing agricultural intelligence, reliable data that is of high quality, timely and cost-effective that results in accurate statistical and demographic information.”

    He said: “The platform has SMART agents on the field that will be on ground in every local government area equipped with smart phones to upload data to the platform.

    “The scheme is designed to provide employment to the unemployed youths, linking sellers and buyers and applying ICT in agriculture thereby adding value to the farmers.”

    Obayan added that the agency was also using School-to-Work scheme to impart vocational skills on students as part of their school curricula to give them self-employment, adding that it has been piloted in selected states of the federation.

  • 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.

     

  • Fayose issues violent herdsmen red card

    Fayose issues violent herdsmen red card

    The new law signed by Governor Ayo Fayose to regulate grazing in Ekiti State is already raising some dust. The  enactment of the law resulted from an attack on the village of Oke Ako by suspected herdsmen. The issue is already attracting national and international attention.  ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Fulani herdsmen are kicking against the law enacted by the government of Ekiti State against grazing beyond the stipulated time of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Before the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Act 2016 was signed by Governor  Ayo Fayose on August 29, many communities had sordid stories to tell about the daring brutality and ruthlessness of the rampaging herdsmen.

    At a stakeholders’ meeting summoned by the former Commissioner of Police in charge of the command, Taiwo Lakanu, (currently in charge of Imo State command), in February last year, attacks by the herdsmen dominated talks.

    The attack sparked state-wide and nation-wide outrage. Many inhabitants of Oke Ako and other neighbouring communities such as Ipao, Irele, Itapaji and Iyemero who also experienced constant threat of herdsmen, fled to areas they considered safe.

    But the visit of Fayose to Oke Ako two days after the attack has changed all that. The governor vowed to clip the wings of the rampaging herdsmen.

    Fayose forwarded an executive bill to the House of Assembly for consideration and passage into law which resulted in the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Act 2016 which has given the state government the weapon to curb the menace of the herdsmen.

    “Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti, 2016,” which forbids grazing or movement of cows at night provides that grazing activities must be from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on a daily basis and it also prohibits the use of firearms and any weapons. Culprits shall be charged with terrorism.

    It states: “No person shall cause or permit any cattle or other ruminants belonging to him or under his control to graze on any land in which the Governor has not designated as ranches, no cattle or other ruminants shall by any means move or graze at night and that cattle movement and grazing are restricted to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m..”

    The implementation of the law has been generating ripples with majority of Nigerians hailing it while some interest groups sympathetic to the cause of the herdsmen criticised the law.

    The new law has now pitched Fayose against the umbrella body of cattle owners in Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as both sides are firing verbal salvos at each other.

    What sparked the latest feud was the governor’s dramatic encounter with two herdsmen caught rearing their herd after 6:00 p.m. allowed by law to carry out their business.

    The drama occurred along Ado-Afao Road on the outskirts of the Ekiti State capital when Fayose was on his way to Ikole Ekiti on October 12 to inaugurate some projects to commemorate the second anniversary of his administration.

    The sight of the cows and the herdsmen at such an “unholy hour” infuriated Fayose who ordered his convoy to stop. Governor Fayose emerged from his car to give the herdsmen and their cows a “hot chase.”

    But the governor followed up the action with the inauguration of a security outfit to enforce the new law in all nook and cranny of the state. The security body is known as Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshals (EGEM).

    At EGEM’S inauguration, Fayose declared that any cow confiscated under the State Grazing Regulation Law will be slaughtered and shared to the people as part of the “Stomach Infrastructure” policy of his administration.

    Fayose further explained that the setting up of the EGEM was aimed at nipping in the bud the killing of innocent people and destruction of their means of livelihood by armed herdsmen.

    He said: ”We have a right to life, to survive and to possess things, especially peasant farmers, whose means of livelihood are taken away by cattle feeding on their crops.

    If peasant farmers are deprived of their gains, that is condemnable.

    “We will bring to permanent end the situation whereby some people take away other people’s means of livelihood.

    “Some people go as far as grazing in the night when farmers are no longer in their farms,” he said.

    While frowning at cattle rustling by some people, Fayose added that the law was in the interest of cattle breeders as well, as their operations would be streamlined.

    The governor added that the phone numbers of the marshals would be made public and warned the marshals against going beyond their mandate.

    “This is not an opportunity to harass or intimidate innocent people. You are to enforce the law and not to break it. Anybody found going beyond his bounds would be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

    In her opening remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Modupe Alade, said the law had helped in curbing incessant attacks on local farmers by herdsmen and feasting on crops by cattle.

    The Chairman, Hunters’ Association, Ikole Local Government Area, Joseph Osasona commended Fayose for the initiative.

    Osasona recalled that it was the prompt intervention of the governor in Oke Ako-Ekiti early in the year  that sent a strong signal to lawbreakers to stay away from the state.

    Apparently outraged by Fayose’s outburst, MACBAN condemned the setting up of EGEM, describing the action as “unscrupulous and targeted at our members who are bona fide citizens of our country.”

    MACBAN, in a statement by its spokesman, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, alleged that EGEM  shot five cows and carted away the meat but the herdsman was able to flee with the rest of the cattle.

    The group further said: “As far as we know, Ekiti State is not an island of its own but a state within the Federal Republic of Nigeria and while the Governor is permitted to carry out actions geared towards protecting the interest of Ekiti State, such actions should follow due process of the law.

    “We deplore this act of brigandage and call on Governor Fayose to offer unreserved apology to MACBAN, and equally set machinery in motion with a view to compensating our members who lost five cows in this primitive adventure.

    “We are hereby constrained to implore the Federal Government, through its security agencies, to wade into this unprovoked and primitive aggression against our members, before this macabre incident develops into unquenchable inferno involving our members and Ekiti State government.”

    But the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), viewed MACBAN’s outburst as a terror, threat and an assault on Yoruba people until an apology is tendered from the herdsmen’s body.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, the ARG took strong exception to that comment, saying, “such open threat against the people and government that accommodated your business interest is terrorism.”

    It further accused MACBAN of deceit in its opposition to the law, noting that the group “had always exonerated its members from herdsmen’s vicious crimes, blaming it on ‘foreigners from other countries.

    “Sanity, therefore, prescribes that MACBAN should be happy with the enactment of such a law that will ensure genuine cattle breeders are not stigmatised by criminals from other countries.”

    Addressing a news conference at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, October 24, Fayose accused the Federal Government of backing the herdsmen to unleash terror on communities in the country, alleging plans to repeat massacres carried out in Benue and Plateau states in Ekiti.

     

     

  • Council seals off filthy market

    Authorities of Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have sealed off the Article Dealers’ Association Market and Oil Depot for alleged non–compliance with environmental laws and inability to pay their debts.

    The exercise was sequel to the directive from the state government that the council must generate enough revenue and engender safe and serene environment for the well-being of the people.

    Speaking after the exercise, the Sole Administrator of the council, Hon Abeeb Aileru, said it had become necessary to seal off the market and the oil depot because of the nonchalant attitude of some people towards the environment, coupled with their indebtedness to the council to the tune of over N100 millions and the danger they pose to human lives and security.

    The council chief also said the exercise was aimed at enhancing the revenue base of the council.

    The facilities, Aileru said, were sealed off for allegedly not complying with the  council’s instruction on environmental sanitation laws and debt, saying the enforcement was carried out after several warnings by the  council to the owners to abate the pollution were not adhered to.

    He said the council doesn’t seal off people’s property or facilities indiscriminately, noting that before sealing off someone’s property, the council must have given several warnings and failure to yield or comply with the warnings results in sealing off such property.

    Non-compliance with environmental sanitation laws and debt collection, Aileru said, were parts of what the council is kicking against.

    He said the council’s records in the last two to five years revealed that most of the oil companies and Article Dealers’ Association Market (ADA) do not pay their dues.

    Mr. Aileru promised that the council would not fold its arms and allow the environment become dilapidated while people risk their lives and those of other road users.

    The council chief added that the council needed to generate enough revenue and would continue to appeal to the market leaders and oil companies to pay their dues.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Joshua Aderopo thanked the Sole Administrator for the support given to them to carry out the exercise after several meetings with market leaders and oil companies.

    The exercise was carried out in collaboration with members of  Environmental  Services,  Community Development Associations (CDAs) and members of the council’s staff, Civil Defence and  the Nigeria police

  • When students went wild in Oyo

    When students went wild in Oyo

    Incessant undisciplined behaviours among students nowadays have become a source of worry to parents, government, school administrators and other stakeholders.

    The situation has affected the school system, as academic calendars are often disrupted.

    The most recent manifestation of undisciplined behaviours among students was the violent protests by students of some public secondary schools in Oyo town, which resulted in loss of life and wanton destruction of properties worth millions of Naira.

    For several hours penultimate Monday, secondary school students poured to the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to protest what they termed government’s intention to return some schools to stakeholders.

    The state government had notified the public of its intention to return some schools to their original owners. Organised labour unions in the state, however, expressed their displeasure at the plan, describing it as “privatisation”.

    Apart from the secretariat, other places the students visited included the All Progressives Congress secretariat Oke Ado, which was vandalised as well as the governor’s private residence in Oluyole Estate.

    Recall that under the new academic policy of Oyo State Government, students would no longer be promoted to another class on trial, as was the situation in the past; they have to meet up with reasonable cut off marks in joint promotion examinations.

    After the examinations, answer scripts were swapped among schools before markings, to prevent favouritism and other forms of malpractices.

    After markings, results are collated and sent to owner schools for distribution to students.

    However, on the ill-fated day, managements of Isale-Oyo Community High School, Oroki; Anglican Secondary School, Apara and Oba Adeyemi High School, Agbogangan, located in Atiba and Oyo-East Local Government Areas respectively, distributed the joint promotion examination result cards to their students.

    On receiving their results, the irascible students, it was gathered, felt enraged and immediately mobilised themselves to wreak havoc on their school structures.

    At Oba Adeyemi High School, students were to have stormed the school in groups, hounded, and armed with dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, sharp knives, broken bottles, fetish objects, iron rods and sticks.

    Narrating the ordeal to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, who paid unscheduled visits to the affected schools, the school’s Principal, Mrs Oyewo Olufade, said the incident was like ‘guerilla warfare’.

    She said: “The students, who covered their faces with masks and armed with dangerous weapons, stormed the school in groups. Immediately the teachers saw the rampaging students, they ran into my office. The students were hurling stones continuously at my office.

    She explained the school’s night guard sustained similar injury and has also been hospitalised.

    Our correspondent gathered that one person, who was neither a member of staff nor student died in the incident.

    The deceased, who allegedly wore a mufti to the school premise during the crisis, according to some source, was sent by his parents to take his brother home from the school, while the crisis lasted.

    “On entering the school, he (the deceased) went straight to the night guard who was writhing in pains and in a pool of his blood for an enquiry.

    The night guard mistook his identity for one of the students who injured him. The night guard, out of anger, brought out a fetish object and hit the deceased in retaliation. He died on the third day,” she said.

    At the Anglican Secondary School, Apara, office louvers, classroom windows and part of the fence were destroyed.

    The last and which is the most devastating was the Isale Oyo Community Grammar School, Oroki, where blocks of classrooms were

    Speaking with reporters after visits to the affected schools, the Alaafin of Oyo, who was accompanied by the Oyo traditional council (Oyo Mesi), some traditional rulers from Oke-ogun area and three out of the four Councils’ caretaker Chairmen, described the incident as “disheartening, worrisome and disturbing”.

    Oba Adeyemi said the rate of indiscipline and crime among youths, and in recent times, among secondary school students, was becoming worrisome.

    “It is also sad to note that students’ indiscipline has had a lot of negative effects on the school system and learning, as many academic calendars are being disrupted as a result of this undisciplined behaviour.

    “Many students now form themselves into gangs; they threaten lives of fellow students and even teachers. It is as a result of this that we now have secret societies or secret cults even in our primary and secondary schools. It is necessary for the stakeholders to pay attention to the frequent unruly behaviours among our students, if the country is to achieve fame and progress in all fields of human endeavour. This is because the fate of any nation depends on the youth she breeds, as they are the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

  • Residents praise Ajimobi, Sunmonu over road repair

    Residents praise Ajimobi, Sunmonu over road repair

    Motorists and residents of Ibadan have commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu for their intervention in the repair of a portion of the Ibadan/Ife Expressway.

    The failed portion of the highway at Adegbayi area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, caused nightmare to motorists and residents for several months; with many spending hours in the traffic.

    On report of alleged death of some motorists in the area on October 16, Senator Sunmonu visited the portion the following day to assess the extent of failure and attendant consequences on motorists.

    While assessing the site, the lawmaker invited Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) which constructed the road.  Based on her appeal, the construction firm commenced repair work on the site the following day.

    Sunmonu said: ‘“My visit was prompted by local news reports of recent deaths on that section of the road, where unfortunately five people were reported to have died. The accidents and subsequent deaths were caused by the poor condition of the road.

    “I went to the site with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). On getting there, I called the Managing Director of the construction company. He promised the company would resume work at the location the following day to reduce accidents on that road. I also called the Director of Federal Ministry of Works for Oyo State.

    “After the visits, we went to the governor, Senator Ajimobi, to report the incident and he promised to also monitor the situation.

    “Following affirmative action, it is with pleasure that I inform the people of Oyo Central that the company fulfilled its pledge and indeed went to the site to begin remedial work.”

    She said the action was in fulfilment of some of her campaign promises.

    Motorists and residents have expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker and the governor for the gesture.

  • Ambode hailed on peace, unity

    Ambode hailed on peace, unity

    The Igbo community in Lagos has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for maintaining peace and cordial relationship among the diverse ethnic groups that reside in the state.

    Describing Lagos State as the microcosm of the entire country, the Igbo community, speaking through the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu and his Council of Chiefs, said since assumption of office, Ambode has regarded and treated everyone, irrespective of religious and ethnic leanings, as Lagosians.

    They spoke at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre, Okota area of Lagos on Sunday while appraising the success of this year’s New Yam Festival celebration held on Saturday, October 29.

    The Eze and his Chiefs expressed their happiness that the Governor identified with Ndigbo during the celebration by sending high-powered delegation to represent him, even as they saluted his wife, Bolanle for also sending a powerful delegation to represent her.

    They were of the view that “the gesture indicates that the Igbo and other non-indigenes have got a home away from home in Lagos State.”

    They urged Ndigbo to ensure that the cordial relationship existing among them and owners of the land continued. They also implored them to obey the laws of the land and remain obedient to the government in power.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Lagos State has demonstrated the ability to care for all, irrespective of ethnic or religious inclinations. It is therefore necessary that the gesture be reciprocated by all through being law-abiding and respectful to constituted authority in Lagos State. There is also the need for all residents of Lagos State to love one another in order to ensure that Ambode’s plans for all are realised,” they said.

    They Eze and his Council of Chiefs also praised the sterling qualities of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu who ensured that he was represented by two powerful members of his Oba’s Council and many White-cap Chiefs. They noted that “even though Oba Akiolu was not in the country, yet he sent people to represent him. That was a show of magnanimity which also indicates that he is a man who relishes peace, unity and friendship.” They wished him more rewarding reign on the throne.

    They also thanked many dignitaries who attended the fiesta. They included Most Rev. Dr MVC Iheanachor, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos, Mr Joe Igbokwe, the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike; a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Idimogu; Chief (Mrs.) Roseline Idimogu; High Chief Oloye Nurudeen Olobiyi Agoro; the Ezeudo 1 of Nsukka land, High Chief Henry Ejiofor Ugwu; Lagos State Chairman and Deputy National President of Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, and the Omepuruoha Ndigbo, Alhaji Chief Musa Muhammed; Chief Martin Onovo of National Conscience Party (NCP); Chairman Planning Committee and the Okwuruoha Ndigbo of Lagos, Chief Innocent Nwankwo; Eze Igbo Oshodi/Isolo LGA Eze Frank Atuzie; Eze Igbo of Oshodi Eze Reuben Ibe; Okwe Dakara Orji of Okporo Orlu LGA, Prince Cyprian Ibenye-Ugbala Onyeoma; Chief Victor Okoro; Chief Emmanuel Utah; Ikpah James (Nkuku 11) and Chief George Etukudo, among others.

     

  • Flood: Residents seek government’s intervention

    Residents of Araromi Odo community, Bariga, have urged the Lagos State Government to save them from health-related diseases and economic strangulation.

    The chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA) Mr. Johnson Adeola said Odukoya, Lateef Fagbemi and Oshin Folarin streets are always submerged by water from the lagoon, forcing the residents to flee their homes.

    He said: “The problem we experience here results from our being very close to the lagoon. The canal here was not properly constructed.

    “It is not wider than a gutter. We have two canals in this area; one is at Onike and the other at Bajulaye. Those were properly done. But the one that is supposed to serve our community is incomparable to the others.

    “The situation has been causing lots of problems to the community. It is not only during the rainy season that our houses are submerged but also during the dry season. The places are always flooded.

    “The flood starts in August till January when it subsides for some months and starts again. The situation has been like that for many decades.”

    The CDA chairman further said the development has led to the spread of waterborne diseases.

    He said: “School children don’t go to school when the situation becomes worse. School proprietors have relocated their schools to other places because of dwindling enrolment.”

    A community leader, Chief Adeyimi Zacchaeus said it was time government took urgent steps to save the people from untimely death.

    “We are calling on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to visit this community and see things for himself. But the situation is that our lives are at risk, our health is challenged and businesses have crumbled,” he said..

  • ‘Diversify the hospitality industry’

    ‘Diversify the hospitality industry’

    Qbrat Zoos, one of the top- notch recreational centres in Lagos has introduced guests’ lodge as part of its services in order to improve its tourism facilities.

    According to the Chief Executive Officer, Qbrat Zoos and Gardens, Prince Sakiru Adesina Raji, the lodge, which is situated within the zoo garden, will provide leisure seekers the opportunity to experience fascinating atmosphere close to its array of interesting creatures.

    The construction of the lodge, he said, was necessitated by the yearnings of visitors who desired to feel at home away from home.

    Noting that the move was one of the steps geared towards expanding the coast of the Public Private Partnership with the Lagos State government, he said more options of partnership will be sought to drive substantive investment in developing the zoological garden to a state-of-the-art resort.

    “We are into ecotourism, recreation and relaxation industry. Our hospitality takes a different end in the sense that it also adds the ecosystem to it. So, we are creating a small forum where people can relax after running all over the place. People have said that rest itself is medicine. People came to us asking for a facility which can take them away from the noisy environment of Lagos any time they come to see animals.

    “That was when we first came in 2012 and today we are happy that we are able to achieve the feat by creating a forum whereby they can relax themselves. Here is a place where you can forget everything about the normal stress of the day. By the time you go back to your work, you are totally fit,” he said.

    He noted that the section which comprises four standard rooms, two suites and one super executive room, are currently on friendly rates of between N6, 000 and N10, 000 from now till the end of the year.

    Prince Raji added that the success of the lodge will be consolidated with the provision of unconventional circular buildings that will provide a scenic setting.

    He said: “We are trying to work on round houses different from the conventional buildings such as typical Hausa houses. This is because we want people to be as close as possible to nature.”

    Highlighting some of the impediments to successful running of zoological gardens in recent times, Raji lamented the adverse impact of upward decline in promotion of recreational industry. He frowned at apathetic public disposition and waning interest towards patronising local tourist centres, saying government must strive to rekindle such affection in Nigerians.

    He said: “We have been talking to some people for partnership. Unfortunately, most people we talked to dissuaded us because they don’t believe in it. We believe that some new orientation has to be created in keeping up with the age long spirit in other climes, where visiting zoological gardens is just like every day Christmas.”

    He urged the government to also diversify into tourism as its potential are robust enough to boost the country’s gross domestic product if adequately utilised with the involvement of private sector.

    “In Kenya, for instance, the bulk of their GDP is from tourism. The same applies in South Africa, America and European cities. We are still open to partnership and with the depression; people are now looking at where they have closed their eyes to. There is money in the service industry because you are not importing anything fantastic. Unlike a manufacturer that needs raw materials on daily basis; the raw materials can be sourced locally here.

    “Government should give opportunity to people who are into private practice by creating a unit rate of interest. It should support indigenous establishments to grow. If well packaged, the service industry is very lucrative. There are some places you fly to that all you just need is accommodation and a means of transportation. Why can’t government provide it or assist people who want to provide it?” he said.

    Raji further canvassed the need for banks to review their interest rates to support emerging enterprises in order to expand.

    “Business like this, nothing stops banks from supporting us to build more to expand. People are saying they want an elephant and if I want to order it, it’s between N5 million and N7 million. I know if an elephant should land in this zoo today, I’ll make back the cost. People are running after easy money with short-term gains that will not outlive them,” he said.