The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Success story of Osun’s feeding programme

    Success story of Osun’s feeding programme

    The free feeding and health programmes introduced by the Osun State government to encourage school enrolment, attendance and rate as well as enhance pupils’ health has not only become a model for the federal and state governments, but also a platform for agricultural development  and food production. SINA FADARE reports.

    At the onset, the primary objectives of the free school feeding programme introduced by the Osun State government was aimed at increasing school enrolment, encourage attendance as well as enhance pupils’ health in all public primary schools.

    Farmers appear to be the major beneficiaries of the programme as they embarked on massive food production as well as having ready market for their produce.

    The programme has also enhanced the income of local farmers; thus reducing poverty level as all goods are sourced locally.

    On weekly basis, no fewer than 40 herds of cattle; 10,000 crates of eggs; 20,000 chickens, over 400 metric tons of fish are needed to feed the pupils.

    About 500 unemployed youths were trained and empowered for mass fish production under Osun Fisheries Out-Growers Production Scheme (OFOPS).

    The scheme supplies well over 400 metric tons of fish regularly for the school feeding while cultivation of cocoyam through a cocoyam rebirth programme was also encouraged.

    Over 1,000 cocoyam farmers (selected across the nine federal constituencies) were trained and assisted to mass cultivate pink cocoyam for inclusion in the school feeding menu.

    Today, the number has risen to over 15,000, as more women and young adults have taken to farming; cultivating cocoyam, vegetables, tomatoes and melon.The programme, which began in 2006, has become a success story and indeed a reference model for many states and countries as pupils from kindergarten to primary four in public primary schools are fed daily with balanced foods such as fish, meat, vegetables and fruits that are rich in protein.

    The pupils are de-wormed twice a year. A comprehensive menu which, among other things, would help to develop the brain capacities of the growing children in their formative years was drawn up by stakeholders in the education sector.

    The team argued that a well-fed pupil is likely to be healthy and more attentive in class than those on empty stomach.

    Addressing delegates from all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the school feeding programme, Osun State Deputy Governor, who doubles as the Commissioner for Education under whose supervision the school feeding is carried out, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori noted that the programme began in 2006 as one of the 13 pilot states (Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, inclusive).

    She explained that the Aregbesola-led administration extended the beneficiaries of the school feeding programme in 2012 to primary four pupils and rechristened it Osun School Feeding and Health Programme (O-Meals).

    Mrs. Laoye-Tomori maintained that the free meals in public schools has led to sharp increase in enrolment from 155,318 to 194,253 after four weeks of its implementation, saying that currently over 252,000 pupils are being fed while they remain in school until closing time.

    She said: “According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics Report of 2013, Osun State has the highest primary school enrolment rate in the country and the lowest number of children of school age being out of school.”

    Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said that through the programme, the state was able to capture the actual figures of school pupils being fed under the programme which costs the government the sum of N18 million a week.She said a total of 3,007 food vendors were engaged, trained, kitted with uniforms and made to undergo medical screening.

    The vendors, according to her, were given loans to procure cooking utensils and organised into 124 functional co-operative investment and credit societies for effective administrative purposes.

    Mrs. Laoye-Tomori noted that the success of the programme has attracted compliments and accolades from both local and international forums.

    In 2014, the British Parliament invited the Governor Rauf Aregbesola to talk on the implementation of the school feeding programme for which the Parliament praised him.

    She explained that commendation also turned in from government of South Africa which sponsored her visit to the country.

    While praising the delegates for the visit to have a requisite insight into the dynamics of the school feeding programme, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori advised them to sit back and fashion out what will work for their respective states and people.

     

  • Rotary donates projects to community

    Rotary donates projects to community

    Five life-changing projects; among them mosquito nets, vocational centre, power generating set, a signpost promoting communal peace and a micro-credit scheme, were handed over to the Olusanya Community in Agege, a Lagos suburb by the District 9110 Governor of Rotary Club of Agege, Mr Patrick Ikheloa.

    The projects were executed by the club of Agege. Ikheloa, who led other district 9110 leaders, including two past district governors; Dr Dele Balogun, Chief Somo Omoniyi and the

    Secretary Samuel Ayetutu and other members of the club to the event, also inaugurated the community’s Rotary Community Corps (RCC), a Rotary projects’ ombudsman, a novel idea by the club.

    The Rotary chief praised the Agege community led by the Olu of Agege Oba Kamila Oyedeji Isiba, and other Baales under his domain for their support for Rotary Club in its determination to improve the quality of lives of the less-privileged.

    While turning the sod on the land, Okheloa singled out Bishop Julius Babatunde Olusanya for his selfless service and for giving the club a piece of land on which the vocational centre would be built.

    He described Rotary International as an assembly of business and professional people who are united in the cause of serving humanity, adding that the club would be happy if members of the community pick interest in becoming members.

    The club’s President, Gbenga Sunmonu said the Rotary Club of Agege has adopted Olusanya community, which is made up of Olusanya, Papa Ukwu, Agbajowo and Ifesowapo communities (OPAIC) for its star project for the current Rotary year.

    He said the club would donate an electricity generating set to the community to power the borehole which the club had handed over to the community in May and would be delivering a vocational centre later this year to same community in its desire to ensure that many of the unemployed youths are trained in some skills that would make them self-reliant.

    Sunmonu added that to promote peace among the Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and other nationalities who have been living in harmony in the community, the club also decided to unveil a peace and harmony signpost in the community, even as it is distributing mosquito nets in its quest to promote maternal and child health. He said three persons would benefit from the club’s micro-credit facility.

    He said each of the beneficiaries would be given N60, 000 repayable in eight months.

    Representative of the King, Chief Ishiak Dada praised the club for its commitment to the progress and development of the community. He said the vocational centre would change the face of Agege as many unemployed youths would be able to have new skills through which they could be job creators.

    Among other community leaders at the event were Bishop Olusanya, Prince Olubunmi Ogunji, Chief Musbau Adebari, Alhaji Ibrahim Olohunoyin, Abdulshuaib Hassan, Alhaji Abubakar Aliu, Adisa Adebayo, Pastor Olumide Akinpelu, Ayuba Ayodele and Lukman Olaiya.

    Others were Rotarian Agnes Olatunbi, Mrs Fawole and former Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, among others.

  • Stakeholder rewards students at competition

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Biodun Owonikoko, has organised another round of quiz competition for some secondary schools in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.

    The quiz competition, which was organised in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was held at the Iseyin Local Government Area secretariat, Iseyin.

    Hundreds of students from schools in the four local governments competed for prizes ranging from laptops to mobile phone and cash.

    The competing local governments were Kajola, Iwajowa, Itesiwaju and Iseyin.

    After a preliminary competition, the best three students in each participating local government were brought to Iseyin for the final competition.

    They were tested in English language, Mathematics and Current Affairs.

    At the end of the competition, Kajola Local Government Area came first while Iseyin and Itesiwaju came second and third respectively.

    Kajola and Iseyin teams went home with a laptop each while Itesiwaju team was rewarded with a mobile phone. The remaining nine participants got N5,000 cash each.

    In his remark at the event, Owonikoko, who is the Baamofin of Oke-Ogun land, explained that “the decision to begin the project in 2010 was borne out of the need to boost the interest of the younger generation in education so that they can strive for excellence. It is my own little way of supporting education development among the indigenes of Oke-Ogun where I come from.

    Represented by Alhaji Waheed Shittu, Owonikoko, a lawyer said reforming education is taxing, pointing out that it requires the support of all stakeholders.

    Emphasising the need to properly plan education, Owonikoko said: “The process of education reforms must match modern scientific and technological innovations for it to remain relevant to the learner and the nation. It also takes years for any meaningful educational reform to yield fruits. Nigeria must learn to plan its education and implement it with commitment and sense of direction for the greater good of all its citizens.”

    Also highlighting the importance of secondary education to the Nigerian society, he said: “Secondary education must be accorded the deserved priority that aims at helping our youths to develop sellable skills and knowledge to continue with their studies. Policy haste in education never gives the desired result.

    “It would be better if policies are made in such a way that changes can be accommodated without disturbing the overall system in operation. Nigerian education system should aspire for manpower training.”

    Also speaking at the event, State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akin-Moses, who was represented by the Zonal Inspector of Education for Ibarapa, Mrs. Ajose Yewise, praised the initiative of the legal icon. She congratulated the participating schools on being part of a veritable platform towards remodelling their future for the better.

  • Stop distorting our history, Afa monarchy warns

    Mindful of the publication of A Short History of Ancient Afa-Okeagbe by Oladele Awobuluyi, PhD in the Punch Newspaper of July 5, 2016, the Ajana Afa, Okeagbe-Traditional Council, has refuted the said publication.

    In a rejoinder, the Ajana Afa, Okeagbe monarchy said: “Our attention has been drawn to a report in the Punch Newspaper on July 5, 2016 about the book written by Oladele Awobuluyi entitled A Short History of Ancient Afa-Okeagbe and we hereby rebut same. The rebuttal became necessary because the said publication erroneously presented the history of Afa-Okeagbe and the Afa Monarchy in a bad light.

    “While it is not customary for us in the council to join issues publicly on matters relating to an attempt to inaccurately rewrite history, and the use of already legally disproven theories which try to ridicule and diminish leaders of Afa-Okeagbe; we find it necessary to publicly state our position for clarity purposes and understanding.

    “To this end, the Ajana –Afa, Okeagbe Traditional Council rebuts details as they pertain to the history of Afa and the Afa Monarchy as stated in A Short History of Ancient Afa-Okeagbe by Oladele Awobuluyi, PhD.”

    This falsification of Afa History, they said, first came to the fore when the author’s father, the late Chief Awobuluyi; the then Ologotun of Ogotun Afa, Okeagbe authored a self-admitted false publication which resulted in his leading a delegation to His Royal Majesty, Ajana Arasanyin II in 1978, to seek pardon for his falsification of historical facts and affront to the revered Ajana Stool.

    Oladele Awobuluyi, author of the aforementioned book was already a Ph.D holder and a lecturer at the University of Ilorin at the time, and was surely aware of these happenings.

    They said they were surprised to see “these same illogical details peddled yet again by Oladele Awobuluyi, adding that it was a cause for alarm.

    “The Afa traditional council is very surprised and disappointed in the misrepresentation of the history of Afa in the book,” they said.

    They said: “Ajana-Afa, Okeagbe Traditional Council will shed light on all misinformation contained in the book and offer Afa, Okeagbe the true history of our fatherland in a more appropriate forum.

    “We enjoin all Afa Okeagbe sons and daughters to remain calm and resolute in the face of those who wish to specialise in destabilising our already peaceful co- existence.  We ask that we continue to work for the progress and development of Okeagbe during these extremely challenging times in Nigeria and focus on issues that will continue to bring pride, unity and development to our people.

  • ‘I’ll provide purposeful leadership’

    Residents of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have been assured of purposeful and responsible leadership, if a former supervisor for market and revenue generation, Mr. Peter Ajayi, is voted into power as chairman during the forthcoming local council election.

    This was contained in a press release from the Peter Ajayi Campaign Organisation (PACO). According to the release, which was signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Okunade Adekunle, the former supervisor gave the assurance during his recent interaction with the residents.

    Ajayi, who is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to the release, said the residents of the local government deserve more than they have benefitted from successive governments in the council, saying he would carry along all stakeholders in his government, if given a chance.

    Adekunle stated: “Grassroots development is the bedrock of national development. With Ajayi’s experience in revenue generation, he is in a better position to mobilise resources for the implementation of projects that will impact on the lives of the people.

    “Our government would make sure that the projects to be executed within the LCDA are executed by professional contractors who are residents of the council, thereby boosting the economy of the area, including creation of job opportunities for the teeming youths of the LCDA.

    “The local council under Ajayi’s watch would not engage in projects that do not have a direct bearing on the lives of the people.”

    The release also quoted the aspirant as saying that the people of Ejigbo will be consulted widely before he embarks on any capital project, “because they must have input in the process of policy formulation and implementation”.

  • ‘Badagry’s feeling the impact of Gov Ambode’

    ‘Badagry’s feeling the impact of Gov Ambode’

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has been applauded for spreading development to Badagry and to all the nooks and cranies of the state.  This commendation was made by the former lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State, in the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladele Kosoko and Elder Enoch Akinola, a notable community leader in Badagry.

    They applauded the governor for making good his promise to advance development in the Badagry zone. Kosoko praised Ambode on his unique choice in holding the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in the ancient city so as to give the constituency a great sense of belonging. He said Ambode is on the right track in his development agenda, urging him to keep the fire burning.

    Kosoko made the observation in a chat with the media at the weekend, when he said, ‘’I was touched by that singular consideration by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to hold the State Executive Council meeting in our ancient city of Badagry. The governor said he would spare nothing to make Badagry a flashpoint for developmental projects in the state and he has already started with some of the road projects. He inspected the road under construction from Badagry Expressway to Whispering Palms Resort, where he promised that the contract for completion would be awarded and that has been done as I speak.

    ‘’What he did is giving my people a good sense of belonging and we appreciate it.  The governor has vowed that his administration would open up Badagry forever and we know he is one that keeps to his promise. He can be rest assured we will give him all the support he needs from us.” Akinola said “Ambode practices all-inclusive government and one with a listening ear,” just as he commended him for holding the EXCO meeting in Badagry as well as ensuring that the area is properly integrated in his development agenda for the state.

    ‘’Governor Ambode is a leader and he has shown glaringly that he is focussed with the blue-print to transform the state to the next level of development. I am happy with his commitment towards the development of Badagry. I am not alone in the excitement; my people too are also happy and together we are grateful to him,’’ he said.

    Kosoko and Akinola, who said they spoke on behalf of Badagry people also want Ambode to give approval for the construction of the road from Aradagun to Imeke Bridge.

    We gathered that the bridge at Imeke has been renovated by the Ambode government and that the governor has instructed work to commence from Imeke bridge road to the Whistling Palm but both Kosoko and Akinola said their people want Ambode to give approval for the construction of the road from Aradagun to the Imeke bridge so as to have a perfect job done in the area.

    It would be recalled that Ambode promised during his tour of Badagry in July that his administration has fine-tuned plans to make Badagry a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa within the next 18 to 24 months.

    “Our eyes are set on Badagry, we are going to do something there for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever and make the city a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa’’ Ambode had said.

    Some Badagry residents who commented on the development expressed desire that the road from Aradagun to Imeke Bridge be done so as to have free access to the Whispering Palm.

    In what was described as the first time the state Executive Council meeting would hold outside Ikeja, the state’s seat of power, Ambode, had, in the same July, relocated the state executive council meeting to the state’s most cherished tourist centre, Badagry. After holding series of meeting with different groups including religious leaders, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and persons living with disabilities, Ambode said his administration had perfected development strategy to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism.

    At a town hall meeting he held with religious and traditional, the governor disclosed the strategic plan of his administration, which he said, plunged the state’s dependence on federal allocation to zero percent when Badagry’s tourism potentials and service sector were fully developed. He explained that the state government under his leadership “will reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocation to 10 per cent, even zero level in three years. The future of Lagos is about service and tourism. We have a greater plan for Badagry. Our plan is to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism.”

  • Osun: Tackling the menace of female genital mutilation

    Osun: Tackling the menace of female genital mutilation

    With the benefit of hindsight, there was high euphoria across the country when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill outlawing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into law on May 5, 2015. In spite of the widespread optimism that the law will save millions of Nigerian girls and women from the myriad health implications of FGM, concerned observers insist that the age-long practice is still very much in existence.

    According to the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), Osun State has the highest prevalence of FGM in the entire South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, said this at a meeting organised by UNFPA, in collaboration with Shericare Foundation (SCARF), the pet project of the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

    “The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation in Osun State stands at 76.6 per cent,’’ she said.

    She stressed that all hands must be on deck to eradicate the age-long practice in the state.

    Speaking on the high prevalence of FGM, Mrs Aregbesola, who is an ambassador of the anti-FGM campaign, warned perpetrators of tradition in the state to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.

    She vehemently decried the prevalent rate of female circumcision in the state, insisting that urgent efforts should be made to stamp out the practice.

    She moaned that Osun ranked number one on the list of the six states where FGM was most endemic in the country, adding that this compelled her to lead an intensive advocacy against FGM and sensitise the citizens of the state to the dangers of the tradition.

    Aregbesola emphasised that the reasons adduced by those engaging in the removal of external female genitalia were not tenable, adding that the perpetrators were only inflicting unwarranted lifelong trauma on the circumcised females and denying them sexual pleasure.

    “Investigations have revealed that none of the reasons adduced by perpetrators has any link to any medical objective, in which case the genitals of a female child or woman is just altered for a reason not aimed at saving her life.

    “The UNFPA, through a study, has confirmed that the practice of FGM in the endemic states in Nigeria was only anchored on various traditional beliefs and social pressures to conform to culture.

    “Documented studies have found that the health implications of FGM range from dangerous infections arising from unsanitary conditions, in which the practice is carried out, to death through severe bleeding,’’ she said.

    Aregbesola, who described FGM as a violation of fundamental human rights, said that she would ensure that the practice was completely eradicated in the state. Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kayode Oguniyi, the Director of Primary Health Care and Disease Control, said that the government would henceforth ensure the strict enforcement of the law against FGM in the state.

    He said that it was worrisome that Osun still had the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation in the South West. Oguniyi said that the law prohibiting FGM in Osun, which was signed by Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, stipulated two years imprisonment without an option of fine for anyone caught engaging in the practice.

    “Let me agree that Osun is still one of the places where this old tradition is still being practised.

    “As regards the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the South West, Osun has the highest figure with about 76 per cent.

    “We do not like it and we are working very hard to remove the tradition from our state,’’ he added.

    Oguniyi said that as part of the campaign, the agency was also training some people as anti-female genital mutilation ambassadors in the state. He said that the ambassadors carried out house-to-house campaigns to sensitise people to the ills of the harmful tradition. Medical experts, nonetheless, insist that government at all levels ought to embark on a more aggressive public awareness campaign on the health implications of FGM, while strictly enforcing the law banning the practice.

    Dr Banke Popoola, a gynaecologist, said that since there was an extant law criminalising FGM, offenders should be punished accordingly, adding that such punishments should also be publicised to serve as a deterrent to others. She said that the cruel practice of cutting the clitoris of young females should be discouraged by everyone, particularly those in the rural communities.

    Nevertheless, Dr Grace Adanri, the Research Director, Better Life Africa, called on the government to enforce all laws prohibiting violence against persons, as part of efforts to secure a better future for the Nigerian girl- child. She said that FGM, in some cases, could lead to the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, thereby triggering Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition more commonly associated with obstetrics complications such as obstructed labour in teenage pregnancy.

    Besides, Adanri said that there was a possibility of the failure of the wound to heal, leading to excessive growth of scar.

    “This could also lead to hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, reproductive tract infections, infertility, obstructive labour, painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse, among several other health issues,’’ she said.

    Adanri said that FGM could as well lead to Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF) particularly when “the pelvis and birth canal of the pregnant woman are not fully developed’’. She, however, underscored the need to stage intensive awareness campaigns on the ills of FGM.

    Observers insist that since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared FGM as a violation of human rights, government should enforce the extant laws on FGM to the letter. They insist that the kind of campaign, which was carried out during the fleeting Ebola crisis in Nigeria some years ago, should be replicated in the campaign against FGM, considering the growing number of affected females.

    “It is, therefore, not be out of place to describe FGM as a heinous crime against womanhood and humanity,’’ some of the observers say.

    • Victor Adeoti is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

  • Stakeholder rewards students at competition

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Biodun Owonikoko has organised another round of quiz competition for some secondary schools in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.

    The quiz competition, which was organised in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was held at the Iseyin Local Government Area secretariat, Iseyin.

    Hundreds of students from schools in the four local governments competed for prizes ranging from laptops to mobile phone and cash.

    The competing local governments were Kajola, Iwajowa, Itesiwaju and Iseyin.

    After a preliminary competition, the best three students in each participating local government were brought to Iseyin for the final competition.

    They were tested in English language, Mathematics and Current Affairs.

    At the end of the competition, Kajola Local Government Area came first while Iseyin and Itesiwaju came second and third respectively.

    Kajola and Iseyin teams went home with a laptop each while Itesiwaju team was rewarded with a mobile phone. The remaining nine participants got N5,000 cash each.

    In his remark at the event, Owonikoko, who is the Baamofin of Oke-Ogun land, explained that “the decision to begin the project in 2010 was borne out of the need to boost the interest of the younger generation in education so that they can strive for excellence. It is my own little way of supporting education development among the indigenes of Oke-Ogun where I come from.

    Represented by Alhaji Waheed Shittu, Owonikoko, a lawyer said reforming education is taxing, pointing out that it requires the support of all stakeholders.

    Emphasising the need to properly plan education, Owonikoko said: “The process of education reforms must match modern scientific and technological innovations for it to remain relevant to the learner and the nation. It also takes years for any meaningful educational reform to yield fruits. Nigeria must learn to plan its education and implement it with commitment and sense of direction for the greater good of all its citizens.”

    Also highlighting the importance of secondary education to the Nigerian society, he said: “Secondary education must be accorded the deserved priority that aims at helping our youths to develop sellable skills and knowledge to continue with their studies. Policy haste in education never gives the desired result.

    “It would be better if policies are made in such a way that changes can be accommodated without disturbing the overall system in operation. Nigerian education system should aspire for manpower training.”

    Also speaking at the event, State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akin-Moses, who was represented by the Zonal Inspector of Education for Ibarapa, Mrs. Ajose Yewise, praised the initiative of the legal icon. She congratulated the participating schools on being part of a veritable platform towards remodelling their future for the better.

  • Ondo 2016: Ward chairmen get motorbikes for grassroots mobilisation

    Ondo 2016: Ward chairmen get motorbikes for grassroots mobilisation

    The lawmaker representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Dr Bode Ayorinde has mobilised chairmen in the 203 wards of Ondo State with motorcycles ahead of the November 26 governorship election.

    Ayorinde, the founder of Achievers University, Owo, is also a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He had earlier donated 24 Toyota Sienna cars to all APC chairmen in the 18 local government areas and other party stakeholders.

    The legal practitioner said the motorcycles and cars were meant to facilitate party assignments at the grassroots in order to ensure victory in the forthcoming governorship election.

    Ayorinde said: “These items do not belong to anybody and they are not for empowerment of anybody, but a provision to aid mobility and mobilisation of people.

    “I am providing these because I want APC to win, not because of myself or any other aspirant. As I said when we were distributing the cars, it is just to know that the party is serious. Let us not under rate the opponents; we should work very hard.”

    The varsity proprietor urged the people to solicit for votes with the motorbikes provided, urging them not to sleep or slumber until APC becomes victorious.

    Ayorinde said: “If the party picks me as its flag bearer, it will be good for us all. I will industrialise the state as it lacks industrial estates that could ginger employment for the people.

    “This is the third time I will be coming here to uplift the party. I want to lay a good example that you can become a governor without the help of thugs. This is how best politics can be practised.”

    The lawmaker appealed to all party supporters, particularly those from Ondo South and Ilaje Local Government Area to remain calm on the anomaly in the appointment at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    He stressed that the development would be rectified, even as he advised party faithful to pray for the success of the party at the polls.

    While receiving the motorbikes, the Chairman of APC, Isaac Kekemeke, said there was no division in the party.

    He said: “You all are representatives of the party anywhere you find yourselves. The vehicles given to the ward chairmen are not for them but for the use of party members in all the wards.”

    Kekemeke said the motorbikes were in the custody of Ward Chairmen, and not their personal properties.

    The former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) commended Ayorinde for his regular assistance to the party.

    He urged other aspirants and party stakeholders to emulate the lawmaker, who was also the first contestant to pay the mandatory N2 million development levy for the party.

    Some of the Ward Chairmen who spoke with Southwest Report commended Ayorinde’s, assuring that they would make good use of the motorcyles to facilitate victory for the APC in the imminent governorship election.

  • Gbagi market fire: Traders count losses

    Gbagi market fire: Traders count losses

    Wednesday, July 27 was a day occupants of CWH 66, Bola Ige Market were low-spirited. It was a day that fire engulfed the entire market. Traders, their families and dependants are still in shock as they had lost their means of livelihood. What is baffling is that the cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be identified.

    The building housed six warehouses, each of which contained a minimum of 100 bales of clothing fabrics of various types. Though they lost millions of naira in cash and stock worth hundreds of millions of naira, it is gratifying that no life was lost. The incident was even more heartrending because Oyo State is a civil service one where traders depend on workers’ patronage, even though civil servants have not received their salaries since January.

    The security personnel on duty alleged that “some minutes after 10:00 p.m. that night, he heard sounds emanating from the roof of the building from which an object dropped with a loud bang. Clouds of smoke billowed from one of the shops as a result of an explosion which resulted in  fire outbreak that engulfed the entire building.” He said he proceeded to call the shop owners to intimate them of the occurrence.

    Mr. Chinedu Michael, a shop owner who lost cash of N5 million and goods worth over N100 million said: “I was out of town that day when I received a call that my shop was on fire. I returned on Thursday evening. When I returned on Thursday evening, the security man told me that he was lying in front of the shop and saw no one. I, however, suspected that the fire was thrown in from the back of the building. It was a plan. “

    However, Mr. Michael debunked the notion that the fire outbreak resulted from power surge, or a generator accident. He maintained that the incident was arson rooted in envy. He stated that they had not had power in the said area for over a year, and none of them used generators.

    He said: “It could not have been caused by power surge or explosion from generating set as we have not had light in well over a year. Neither do we use generators in the building. And nobody cooks in the building. It was an intentional act borne out of envy. “

    Another victim, Mr. Damian said they were often vilified for ‘using means’ to sell their wares, in addition to being accused of stopping people from making sales’.

    “The incident was as a result of jealousy or envy because they claim that we use means to make sales.  They claim that we are the only ones making sales. If my goods are not good, they will not buy.”

    “The fire incident was not accidental; someone set the building on fire. But I hand it all over to God to pass judgment.  The affected shops were owned by Igbo.”

    Nothing could be saved as the Federal Fire Service was unable to respond immediately as they claimed that their truck was faulty.

    Continuing, Michael said: “When the personnel got to the building, the fire had already consumed the entire building. I could not pick a single pin from my shop. I sell wholesale Ankara fabrics, i.e. in bales, and had goods worth close to N100 million.”

    Unfortunately, Mr. Michael regretted not having insured the goods in his shop, adding that “I have a transaction with one of the banks, and insured some of my goods to the tune of N6 million.”

    He, however, said the insurance company had agreed to pay him over N1 million.

    Continuing he said. “I am an agent to Amtex Textiles in Lagos, and they supply goods to me on credit. I offloaded three containers of goods on Sunday. Each container is worth N38 million. With the stock already in the shop, it comes to over N100 million.”

    A forensic investigation would have been carried out to ascertain the cause of the fire. Reconstruction work is ongoing at the site as the shop owners are rebuilding their shops, as they are unwilling to wait for the government.

    One of the traders said:, “I cannot wait for government or the landlords because I did not get a good answer from them.”

    Mr. Daniel alleged that the fire outbreak occurred after a misunderstanding between the traders and the management

    “That afternoon, we had a misunderstanding with the management that asked us to take in all the wares we displayed outside our shops. Consequently, they took four bundles from Chinedu’s shop and three rolls from Mr. Kingsley’s shop. We took in our wares, even though there was an exchange of words.

    “It was a few minutes to 11:00 p.m. when my pastor called me to know where I was. He told me to leave everything I was doing and go to the market; that my shop was on fire.  I had to leave for the market. I was unable to get a bike at that time, so I ran a long distance before getting a bike.

    “By the time I reached the market, all the shops had been burnt; my cash, wares; everything. I had withdrawn over N1 million, Chinedu withdrew about N5 million that day, another neighbour had a little over N500, 000 cash in our respective saves; all burnt. Also, my share certificates, business registration certificate, and other documents were burnt,” he said.

    Giving an estimate of his loss, Mr. Daniel Damian said: “Chinedu’s stock was estimated at over N100 million, mine is a little over N80 million.” He, however, admitted that neither he nor his colleagues had insurance cover. “We don’t have Insurance cover,” he said.

    Pleading for assistance, Daniel said: “We appeal to the government for help, as most of the goods are not even ours, but bought on credit. There is nothing I am doing now; I have only N500 on me.”

    Speaking on behalf of the authorities of the market, the Iyaloja of the market; whose shop is a stone throw from the affected building, stated that the cause of the fire was “a mystery, and only God knows what happened.”

    The Oyo State Commissioner for Trade and Investment; Princess Taibat Adeyemi -Agaba said: “I heard about the fire outbreak and sent my Personal Assistant (PA) to visit the place the next morning to see what happened.

    “Early this week, I sent my Special Adviser (SA) there to get feedback so that we know how to come in in terms of help. I have also spoken to the Facilities Manager, with a view to seeing how we can intervene in the matter, even though the affected people have not made any formal request to the government. We are currently looking at how government can intervene although there are no specifics yet.”

    Daniel appealed to the government and public-spirited individuals for help to enable them survive.

    He said: “I don’t even know where to start from, because even government is finding it difficult to pay salaries. I am appealing to government and well-meaning Nigerians to help us. I am 47 years old, who will employ me now?”