The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Kits for indigent pupils

    Kits for indigent pupils

    Ponle Golden Lions Club, Ipaja, Lagos has shown commitment to improve living conditions of the indigent pupils and out-of-school children in the seedy Ipaja area of Lagos.

    Lion (Prince) Adeyemi Aderemi, revealed this after his official presentation to the public as the President of the Ponle Golden Club by the District Governor, Waheed Kadiri, at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The colourful event was chaired by Senator Gbenga Kaka.

    The four-year-old Club, Aderemi said, would take improvement of the condition of school pupils in Ipaja seriously, even as he said that in the next one year, efforts would be made to complement the efforts of the state and local governments to improve education standard.

    According to him, education is a great asset. Helping people, especially the less-privileged, to have access to education is a worthwhile venture since government can’t do everything unassisted.

    “We intend to supply them with free uniforms, books and other learning materials.

    “We should accept it that government alone cannot be expected to cater for the education needs of people. Whatever individual or club can do to assist, is a good gesture. That is why our club has taken improvement of school in our area as its agenda during my tenure as President.

    “We are looking at out-of-school children, the less-privileged ones in public primary schools in Ipaja area. We have visited some of them, looked at their needs to see what we can do in order to address some of them.”

  • N8m business funds for the needy

    N8m business funds for the needy

    Dejectedly they ambled into the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners Hall, Alausa, Ikeja penultimate Sunday morning. They had the inkling that the NASFAT Agency for ZAKAT and SADAQAT (NAZAS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) would distribute various gift items and cash to some less-privileged people. So, hopeful that they would get something to keep life going, they sauntered to the venue where the items would be disbursed. About 45 of them were present.

    Out of these, one is visually-impaired while two women came to the venue in wheelchairs. The remaining 42 beneficiaries were men and women who had thought all hopes were lost. They sat quietly while the women offered prayers intermittently. And even in their state of despair, they were still hopeful. After all, the outcome of that day had a positive impact on their lives.

    In what could be regarded as life-changing experience,  45 beneficiaries went home with various items and cash donations worth N8 million at a ZAKAT and SADAQAT disbursement ceremony organised by the NASFAT Agency for ZAKAT and SADAQAT (NAZAS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) saddled with the responsibility of taking care of the needy. The agency was able to achieve the feat with the support and commitment of kind-hearted Nigerians who volunteered to part with some of their yearly earnings in form of Zakat.

    Committed to touching lives, the agency began to empower the downtrodden and provide scholarship programmes for indigent students. In all, about 235 people have been empowered by NAZAS. These include 86 students on educational scholarship support which cuts across primary, secondary, tertiary, visually-impaired, law school and prison inmates. It also embarked on empowerment and business support for 15 persons/SMEs, debts bail-out for six people, health-related cases/medical support for 15 people, business and accommodation support for six converts/reverts to Islam. Currently, 42 students are on regular annual scholarship list.

    The agency’s act of benevolence is not limited to individuals alone as it had reached out to the vulnerable groups within the society. In March this year, it dispatched the first batch of relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons camps in Borno, Yobe and Gombe states. This was jointly executed by NAZAS and Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC).

    Also, through its public health initiative, the agency is collaborating with Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) to provide free medical services to the downtrodden in underserved location.

    At the commencement of the programme in 2014, the agency gave out over N36 million on empowerment programme while in June this year during Ramadan it also gave out N6 million. The third intervention was worth N8 million, including items and cash donations. Some of the items donated were industrial machines, sewing machines, wiping machines and deep freezers. The donations were according to the specific needs of the each beneficiary.0

    Mrs. Aisha Ogunbayo, a physically-challenged mother of three who was brought to the venue in a wheel chair could not hide her joy for the gesture from NAZAS when she was called to come and receive a cheque of N200, 000 to revive her chemical business.

    “Is this real?”  Ogunbayo asked rhetorically. “Nobody has ever done this for me”.

    In a chat with reporters, Ogunbayo said: “This is real. But at the initial stage, I was skeptical about it.  I am into chemical business but I have been having financial difficulty. I discussed with one of the members and my husband also persuaded me to apply for it.  With this intervention, NAZAS has bailed me out of poverty. I am grateful to the organisation.”

    For Ashafa Amoke, a single mother and a seamstress, she couldn’t have wished for a better day. She received a sewing machine, wiping machine and a cash donation to equip her business. “NAZAS is God-send. I am a tailor. I finished my apprentice in 2005 with only one machine. Since then I have been struggling to make ends meet. I have not been able to raise money to equip my shop. I pray to God to give me the enablement to be able to pay back. God will continue to bless them and their businesses and as God prospers the work of my hands, I will be able to pay my Zakat.”

    One of the beneficiaries Ashafa, Taofeek Ahmed said: “I am happy that I am becoming my own boss. Today is a turning point in my life because God has used them to enable me to become a man of my own. With this money, I would be able to buy welding machine, filing machine and all the equipment I needed for my job. I never dreamt that I would receive such amount of money that would make me stand on my own.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Abdulfatai Onasanya said: “I am a transporter. I had a danfo that had been grounded for years. I have three children and in order for them not to be hungry, I went into petty trading.  With this money, I will be able to bring my bus back on the road. I am back to business and my hope is renewed. I thank the coordinators of this life-changing empowerment programme.”

    For 45-year-old Ranti Sodeinde, that day would remain evergreen as she also received funds to revive her business. The mother of two lost her husband 11 years ago and since then, life has become unbearable for her and her children.

    “I have been shouldering the responsibility of my family in the past 11 years. My deep freezer which I used to cool my soft drinks has broken down. I also do catering rentals but I need money to keep it going. I am excited. I pray that their children will not go hungry,” she said.

    Aileru Zainab one of the organisers and a beneficiary, who received a power generating set, deep freezer and cash, was grateful to the organisers.

    Falilat Olubori, also received a cheque for N300, 000 to expand her business. She said: “Things were not rosy for me. This fund will revive my vision, dreams, and business.  There are many of us who wanted help but I was among the chosen. I really appreciate this gesture. God bless them.”

    For Akewusola Shakirudeen, who graduated from the Department of Marketing Lagos State University in 2008, the intervention was timely. “Since I graduated in 2008, I have not engaged in any meaningful job.  I had a brief stint with LASU Muslim Community for two years. I also worked for LASU External Systems for two years before we were laid off. Since then, life has been difficult for me.  I intend to invest this N200, 000 in vegetable and palm oil business. Now, I will be able to put my marketing talents to good use,” he said.

    Explaining the activities of the agency, NASFAT President Worldwide, Alhaji Yomi  Bolarinwa said what the organisation is doing is not extra-ordinary as  one of the pillars of Islam is Zakat: which means  share with  the poor whatever Almighty has given  you.

    “People have given their Zakat and we are gathered here to distribute to those who are considered less-privileged. As a Muslim, you are enjoined to pay ZAKAT which will be distributed to those who are sick, whose bills are beyond their reach. People who cannot make ends meet, people who are supposed to work but don’t have the means. Basically, to assist people be a better Muslim. If someone is gainfully employed, he or she will be a better Muslim. It has been a rewarding experience touching lives,” he said.

    In a chat with reporters, Chairman, Board of Director of the agency and Managing Director of Accenture Nigeria, Mr. Yusuf said the inspiration to embark on such gesture is borne out of the five pillars of Islam which says trust in the oneness of God, observe your Salat, pay your Zakat, fast during Ramadan and if you have the means go for Hajji.

    “We realise that people try to observe all but neglect the key one which is Zakat. And this is one pillar that can help reduce poverty in the land. This is what inspired NASFAT to establish the agency which focuses on two goals of NASFAT namely education and welfare (empowerment or poverty alleviation).

    “So far we have spent N50 million. These funds come through donations from both NASFAT and non-NASFAT members. And for you to pay Zakat, you must be qualified with a value of N750, 000 a year,” he said.

    Yusuf said touching people’s lives positively through donations from benevolent Nigerians gives him and his team joy.

    Hear him: “I am grateful that one has been chosen to do this. It is also a sense of responsibility and trust. One has been entrusted with the wealth of others to cater for the needs of the less- privileged. It is a sense of accomplishment and gratitude that the little we are doing is helping others.”

    Continuing, he said: “I will be happy the day we spread our tentacles beyond Lagos and its environs by going national; I mean spreading to the 36 states of the federation. In the past two years, we have been able to distribute N50 million. I will be fulfilled the time we succeed in distributing up to N1 billion. This will indicate that we have done for humanity.”

  • Business kits for traders, artisans

    As part of his efforts to reduce effects of current economic hardship experienced by members of his constituency, the member representing Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Olajide Jimoh, has empowered some members of his constituency with business and entrepreneurial kits.

    The items provided included tricycles, block-moulding machines; motorised sewing machines, grinding machines, power generating sets and hair dryers, among others.

    While distributing the items at the fourth stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Jimoh said the gesture was informed by the need to empower people with sustainable means of earning income. He noted that the effort will further tame the harrowing rate of unemployment and youth inclination to criminal activities.

    He said: “Need we stress the fact that the country is currently facing myriad of problems and Nigeria’s economy is in comatose. It is gratifying that the present government is working steadily to give the economy the needed impetus in order to restore Nigeria’s glory.

    “It is obvious that empowering Nigerians is the way to go if we must develop. If we are serious about reducing the incidence of burglary, armed robbery and associated crimes, the youth must be constructively engaged.”

    The lawmaker noted that the modalities used for selection of beneficiaries was carefully organised to align with thriving business angles.

    “For instance, we have invested in these tricycles because of our belief that transport business is thriving in Nigeria; likewise fashion designing, so that beneficiaries will have good businesses to engage in. The food industry is, perhaps, the biggest. Thus, grinding machines will come in handy,” he said.

    He, however, advised the beneficiaries to make use of the items provided in order to grow their businesses into huge establishments.

    Hon. Jimoh, who also gave an account of his stewardship, reeled off robbery on federal roads, problems confronting the entertainment industry, unemployment crisis, international certification of vaccination as some of the motions he had raised before the House of Representatives.

    Others, he said, included pushing for a bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the traditional medicine council of Nigeria, technological solutions to manual handling and checking of passengers’ luggage at airports by Immigration and the Nigerian Customs Service.

  • Respite as 250 undergo surgery in Lagos community

    Respite as 250 undergo surgery in Lagos community

    The four-day free medical programme for residents of Alimosho Constituency 1 organised by their representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bisi Yusuf, will remain evergreen in their minds. Thousands who were hitherto hopeless had their medical challenges resolved. OZIEGBE OKOEKI reports

    For several hours penultimate Monday, residents of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State were trooping to the four centres where they had their health examined. Some who had serious ailments that required surgery were operated upon where necessary.

    Courtesy of their representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bisi Yusuf, the four-day free medical programme was said to be life-changing experience.

    The event was one that brought smiles and relief to thousands of residents in Alimosho Constituency 1 as they were given rare opportunity to know their health situations. Those who are already aware of their health challenges and stigmatised as a result also were given one form of treatment or the other and were no longer victims of stigmatisation.

    At the end of the four-day programme, over 250 residents went through different types of surgery while thousands of others were treated of different ailments/diseases.  Only one of the residents tested positive to HIV and 10 others who had serious medical complications were given referrals after proper screening had been carried out on them by medical personnel.

    Surgical operations were carried out for residents who had hernia, lumpectomy, ganglion, goiter and keloid, while screening was carried out for diseases such as urine analysis, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis B, prostate specific antigen, sight problems, malaria, de-worming for children and adult. General free medical checkups were also carried out.

    The screening took place in four designated locations in the four local councils that make up the constituency, namely Alimosho Local Government (Open Space, Alaguntan Bus Stop);  Agbado Oke-Odo (Council Secretariat); Mosan Okunola (Abesan Mini-Stadium) and Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA (Ipaja Mini-Stadium Hall).

    The surgical operations were carried out at the Ayobo-Ipaja Mini-Stadium Hall which was converted to a hospital. On ground for the programme were 25 surgeons, more than 30 pharmacists and a retinue of nurses and other para-medical personnel.

    Though the lawmaker had ensured that the programme which he began when he was Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Area was yearly event, this year’s exercise was unique. This is so because it was the first time surgical operations became part of the programme. The lawmaker assured that subsequent programmes will have doctors from the United States of America in attendance.

    He said: “It is my annual project. I began it when I was the Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA. I take health as my priority. As the chairman, I built one health centre in each of the five political wards in the LCDA.

    “I have the largest constituency in Nigeria. The number of people is enormous and every day I live with them. This free health programme covers all manner of diseases.”

    The lawmaker also said he decided to use the medical programme to reach out to his constituents while celebrating his birthday which was the day the programme commenced.

    “At my age, if God has given me good health, I should replicate it to benefit others who are less-privileged.”

    He said his constituents deserve sound health if there will all-round development  in his area, “because without good health, there is little you can do to improve the society. There are some here who cannot afford even drugs of N200.

    He said: “As you know, I’m celebrating my birthday today. I was born on September 26. So, instead of partying with people who even have more than I do, why don’t I do things that the less-privileged people will benefit from? You can see the way the people are appreciative of the programme.”

    On the surgery operations carried out, Yusuf said: “It is baffling that these kind of problems exist in the country and people are burying dollars in toilet pits instead of spending it on people who need it. I am happy I am part of this.

    “For some of them who were operated on, they had been stigmatised as a result of the ailments but we have been able to take them out of that bondage. They can now live a free life. Some of them could not believe relief would come their way free of charge. Some have resigned themselves to fate because they could not afford the bill for the operation in hospitals. But through this effort, they have been taken care of. For them, it is unbelievable,” Yusuf said.

    The lawmaker, who is Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), said:  “You can see the number of people here. Even though we are in economic recession, people should not suffer in all aspects of life. There are so many people who cannot afford drugs of N200. Since I’m representing this teeming population and I’m healthy and since God has given me the power to do it, I must do it. If you have good health, you have everything.” he said.

    Continuing, he said: “This is bereft of any political motive. I have Prince of Hope Foundation; I’m building an institution that is going to live after me. I once donated one million drugs to ministry of health for de-worming of children. I’m still doing that even beyond my own constituency.”

    In a chat with reporters on the first day of the programme, head of the medical team, Dr Olajoko Samson Alaba, a surgeon, assured the residents of professional treatments, saying everything has been put in place for successful surgical operations.

    He said: “We will treat hernia, glaucoma; we won’t be able to do the big ones because this place is not a formal hospital. We will do the pre-surgery here. Any other post-surgery will be resolved in the hospital.”

    While appreciating the massive turn out, the lawmaker said he could not give specific number of people that benefited from the programme since the it was open to all residents in the area.

    The lawmaker thanked some pharmaceutical companies that assisted the programme with drugs and some of their personnel as well as some hospitals and surgeons who volunteered their services.

    While commending Yusuf for the health programme, the Sole Administrator of Alimosho Local Government Area, Quadri Ishola said the lawmaker ”has been a very wonderful personality. He has been doing all he could to ensure the well-being of his constituents. What we are witnessing today is a strong achievement sponsored solely by him.

    “Health is wealth. In whatever way we can give our people a viable health opportunity, we should do it. As a government, we have done something similar to this where we partnered the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate bodies,” he said.

    He, however, advised the beneficiaries to take whatever medical advice given to them by the medical team serious.

    Ishola said:  “Whatever health advice given to them by the health personnel, they must abide by it. When we live healthy, it’s better for us all. A healthy individual or society encourages the economy. They must keep to instructions.”

    One of the beneficiaries whose lump at the side of the neck and back of his head was operated upon and removed, Dele Lawal, said he has carried the lump for over 15 years. He said he had been charged between N80,000 and N120,000 to remove it in hospital but could not afford the money. He thanked the lawmaker for the gesture that brought relief to him.

    He said: “I will always pray for Hon. Yusuf, his family and the political party that produced him.”

    Another beneficiary, Ogunyemi Wasiu also said: “When I received the information that there would be free health programme for the people, I rushed down here. The programme is good; it’s going on well. They gave us absolute attention.”

  • For the love of his constituents

    For the love of his constituents

    Residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were ecstatic when the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Adesoji Akanbi, empowered thousands of women, artisans and young graduates from across the nine local government areas that make up the district.

    Akanbi provided work tools and equipment worth N150 million at the event that took place at the main bowl of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.

    The choice of the stadium for the epoch-making event was apt as crowd of supporters thronged the sports complex for hours to benefit from the Senator’s philanthropy.

    The event was akin to a political rally; with many leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state trooping in to felicitate with the Senator who they said was committed to the  economic well-being of his people at such a critical time.

    They were all smiles as they acknowledged cheers from their followers and beneficiaries who waited patiently; ignoring the scorching sun. They clapped, sang, danced as entertainers provided music to calm frayed nerves.

    Beneficiaries included over 1,000 jobless young graduates who had received special training on entrepreneurship in different vocations by the Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi Foundation (RAAF) in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational  Centres and National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB).

    Areas of training were fashion  designing,  electrical  installation and repairs, hair dressing, hotel and catering management, leather works, shoe making and repairs, mobile phone repairs, tie and dye, soap and  detergents  making, production of insecticides perfumes, deodorant and air-freshener.

    They received tools and equipment to begin their own businesses in their areas of skill acquired.

    At the well-attended programme, Senator Akanbi also distributed equipment and tools to various groups and associations of artisans such as the Oyo State chapters of auto technicians, panel beaters; auto body builders, auto sprayers, blacksmiths, auto electricians, vulcanisers, barbers, fashion designers, beauticians and the Nigeria Agricultural Co-operative Organisation (NECO).

    Other beneficiaries were the Children Ward of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, State Hospital, Adeoyo, Oni and Sons Hospital, Oluyole Cheshire Home, Federation of Muslim Women Association, Heart and Soul Disability Centre, W. O. Lawal Homes, Adeen Homes, Celestial Church of Christ, Apete, Christ Church, Mapo, Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Yusrullahi Association of Nigeria and National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO).

    Items distributed included  numerous motorcycles, sewing  machines, deep and chest  freezers, vulcanising  pumping machines, furniture/carpentry equipment, hairdryers, catering and baking  equipment, welding  machines, barbing  equipment; power generating sets, chemical  sprayers for farmers, 18-seater bus and  Nissan Micra car, among others. He also gave out cash gifts for purchase of other tools and to start-up businesses.

    Speaking at the event, Senator Akanbi said the gesture was borne out of his belief in teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish.

    He said when people are empowered; they will be able to empower others.

    Akanbi urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items for their self-development.

    One of the beneficiaries, Waheed Akanmu, an auto builder, expressed his satisfaction with the tool he received. He praised Akanbi’s gesture, saying it would go a long way in helping the beneficiaries to be economically self-reliant.

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Ismail Ali.

    He commended Akanbi for the gesture, emphasising that as many voters as possible should be empowered to lift them out of economic stagnation.

  • Ekiti farmers benefit from Fed Govt’s agric subsidy

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh,  has revealed that 94, 972 farmers in Ekiti State have been registered to benefit from agricultural input subsidies packaged by the Federal Government.

    Ogbeh, who stated this during the opening ceremony of Ekiti State Agricultural Summit in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was empowering farmers through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agric Loan Disbursement Scheme.

    Represented by the Federal Director of Agriculture in Ekiti State, Dr. Oladipo Kolade, Ogbeh said the Federal Government was committed to diversifying the economy from being oil-dependent to agriculture-based, saying “a nation that cannot feed its people is a failed country.”

    He noted that Nigeria flourished when agriculture was the mainstay of her economy, adding that investment in the sector will earn the country more foreign exchange and provide jobs for millions of her citizens.

    Ogbeh said: “During those years, we could boast of good investment in groundnut, cocoa and palm oil. They were resources of our foreign earnings. There was pride and economic boom until things changed for bad.

    “But President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is supporting the farmers through the CBN agricultural loan disbursement scheme. About 94,972 farmers are to benefit under this scheme in this year’s budget. We want to improve agric business in Nigeria for us to move forward as a nation.”

    Governor Ayo Fayose urged the Federal Government to immediately declare emergency in agriculture sector to prove its seriousness in the much-proposed diversification of the economy.

    Fayose said: “The Federal Government should declare emergency in the agriculture sector. There must be a bailout fund for the agriculture sector. What Nigerians need is food on their tables.

    “It is sad that state governments can’t diversify again because they are financially incapacitated. So, the Federal Government must come to our aid. It must bail the people out. If emergency is declared in the sector and people are attracted into farming, they can use the gains to run around and better their lives.”

    Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, called for 50 per cent reduction for agriculture-related courses in Nigerian universities, to encourage youths in acquiring professional skills in the business of food production.

  • ‘Implement sustainable development goals’

    ‘Implement sustainable development goals’

    A social activist and politician, Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti has said that the three tiers of government should implement sustainable goals that will end all forms of poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change.

    She spoke at a programme organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos in commemoration of this year’s International Democracy Day.

    Delivering a keynote speech with the theme “Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Building Blocks of Peace,” she said the theme seeks to provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

    She noted that from the local to the global levels, participation of women in leadership and political spheres are restricted.

    Her words: “Women are under-represented as voters as well as in leading positions; whether in elective or appointive positions. Education is a positive weapon that drives away poverty and violence, among other social ills. Stakeholders should train women and young girls in order to become educationally and economically independent.”

    Shedding light on steps taken in this direction, the Executive Director, Women in Politics and Government (WINPOGOV), Mrs. Obiageli Obi, a lawyer, said WINPOGOV is training young professional women who are well-informed and positioned to contribute positively to their environment.

    She said: “WINPOGOV is currently training, assisting and building capacities of women who wish to run for elective positions or are involved in government on advocacy and action in the promotion, protection and advancement of women’s rights.”

    On how UNIC is encouraging women’s participation in politics in Nigeria, the Public Relations Officer, UNIC, Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun, said UN is partnering with all stakeholders within the democratic institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Civil Societies and various agencies of government to ensure that there is equity and equality to encourage more women to participate in active politics.

    An Environmental Scientist and representative of the youth, Ugo Ibe-Ejiogu, who spoke on “Economic Empowerment and Professionalism as a Pathway to Success” said society as a whole has a role to play in women’s development. She, therefore, urged policy makers to implement policies that are targeted towards overcoming financial obstacles among women.

    The programme, according to Soremekun, was aimed at drawing public attention to the importance of democracy and the nexus between democracy and development.

    “People should be at the centre of development and governance”, Soremekun said.

    In his message, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, said implementation of the goals must be strengthened by a strong and active civil society that includes the weak and the marginalised.

    “We must defend Civil Society’s freedom to operate and do the needful. On this International Day of Democracy, let us rededicate ourselves to democracy and dignity for all,” Ban Ki-Moon said.

    Speaking on the challenges experienced by women in politics, former Director-General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs. Ify Akerele, pointed out that women who are interested in joining politics could only make positive impacts if they work from the grassroots as well as from their areas of strength.

    According to Akerele, education as well as experience will also help women in participating actively in politics.

    She added that men can be very supportive once they discover that a woman is serious. She therefore enjoined women to lobby effectively to establish a fair quota ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The programme was organised by UNIC in collaboration with Women in Politics and Government (WINPOGOV) and supported by Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality for Women (STAGE).

  • ‘How to improve education standard’

    The Proprietress of Jols-Rose School (Montessori) in Mowe, Ogun State, Mrs. Comfort Modupe Oyinlola, has said the only problem the education sector in Ogun State is experiencing is lack of standardisation.

    Oyinlola, who revealed this during her school’s just-concluded Valedictory Service/Prize Giving Day, said proprietors of schools should uphold quality education which goes beyond structures and aesthetics that are attached to the schools.

    Features of the event were praises and worship, cultural dance, Bible verse recitations in Igbo and Yoruba languages, choreography, presentation of certificate/prize giving.

  • Jakande seeks more funding for education

    Governments at all levels need to improve their spending on education if the country must attain development, Lagos State Governor in the Second Republic Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande said yesterday.

    He spoke at the Founders’ Day of Ilogbo Higher School, Ebute Metta.

    Jakande, who established the school and others in 1981 as governor, lamented that poor funding is the bane of the education sector.

    He explained that the falling standard of education is a serious concern to him because of his interest in education.

    The elder statesman urged the government to do more on education because no society could be better without quality education.

    Jakande hailed the alumni of Ilogbo High School for honouring him with an award as part of activities to mark the 35 years of the school’s existence.

    Ministry of Education District IV Tutor-General Mrs. Lola Are-Adegbite hailed the alumni association for contributing to the school’s growth.

    She called on old students of other schools to emulate the Ilogbo Higher School’s alumini because government alone could no longer fund education.

    The headteacher, Mrs. Bertrice Efole, hailed the old boys for remembering their source.

  • APC members hail EFCC’s probe of Fayose

    EKITI State All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for probing Governor Ayo Fayose for alleged money laundering and purchase of assets after assumption of office.

    The party leaders and members in Ado Ekiti Local Government, who rose from their monthly meeting at Ward 5 in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, urged the anti-graft agency to ensure that all Ekiti funds and assets purchased with state funds are recovered.

    Fifteen people were empowered with cash in aid of their businesses by a chieftain of the party, Faleye Rotimi.

    He said the gesture was to assist the less-privileged in line with the party’s manifesto.

    Party leaders, who attended the meeting, include ex-Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker Femi Bamisile; ex-House of Assembly member Tope Olanipekun; ex-Commissioner for Culture Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele; ward and local government executives.

    Addressing the gathering, Ayodele said the people were happy with the EFCC probe, maintaining that illicit funds traced to the governor must be recovered.

    Ayodele said: “We are happy with EFCC for investigating Fayose and what is happening to our treasury. Fayose must face the music for the way he has been handling our funds and the arms funds diverted to his campaign.”

    Former Chairman of the State Sports Council Ade Adetola called for the understanding of Nigerians.

    He said the 16 years of “destruction of the economy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration” could not be rectified within two years by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ward Chairman Olumide Ajibade said the recession was not caused by Buhari, but by “unprecedented corruption wreaked on Nigerians by the PDP government”.

    He urged Nigerians to repose their confidence in the President.