The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • First female president for Ikeja Rotary

    Plans have been concluded for the investiture of the 50th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Olaitan Ojuroye and the induction of the Board of Directors for the 2016/2017 Rotary Year.

    In a press statement, the Directorate of Public Relations, Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110 Nigeria, also announced that the event is important because the new president doubles as both the first female president and the 50th president of the club.

    The event, which will have Sir Festus Oluremi Omotoso, Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Limited as guest speaker will hold on Sunday by 2: 00 p.m.  at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Mobolaji-Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Other special guests include Mrs. Olufunke Iyabo Osibodu, Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. as mother of the day and His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Karunwi III, Oranmiyan Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba will be the royal father of the day.

    The Chairman, Investiture Planning Committee, Rotarian Goke Olayinka said: “The entire Rotary family is excited about this event. This is because the investiture is remarkable in the history of Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110. Rotarian Ojuroye will be our first female president and also the 50th President of the District.

    “We are also happy that touching lives runs in her blood. Her father was one-time president of Rotary Club. Her younger brother was also a past president of the Club.”

    In line with its promise to continually offer humanitarian services and advance goodwill around the world, Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110, had donated gift and relief materials worth one million naira to special Nigerians.

    The beneficiaries of the gesture included the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives’ Association, (NAFOWA), six artisans and one disabled person.

    Expressing gratitude at the maiden visit of the District Governor, Rotarian Pat Ikheloa, to the Rotary Club of Ikeja, the beneficiaries praised the club for its gesture. Some of the items donated to beneficiaries included sewing machines, shoe making/maintenance equipment and grinding machines.

    The beneficiaries included Amaechi John who came to the event on crutches. He got the shoe-making equipment. He  appealed to other special people not to go to the streets begging. Admas Aina received grinding machine, Temitope Akinduyite received vocational materials and equipment on behalf of NAFOWA, among others.

    According to the Acting President of the District, Rotarian Olaitan Ojuroye, the club will continue to execute programmes designed to touch lives positively.

     

  • Stakeholders discuss development at forum

    Stakeholders discuss development at forum

    The Sole Administrator of Etio-Osa Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Prince Babatunde Ayo’ Ayeni, has said his administration would carry all stakeholders along to enable them to contribute their quota in the development of the council.

    He said it is his responsibility as the Sole Administrator to tow the path of Ambode in the dispensation of administration in Eti-Osa East where no one is left behind, adding that the discharge of his duties at the council will not deviate from the directives and policies of Lagos State government.

    The council chief said it was in consideration of this principle of inclusive governance that he visited all the primary health care centres (PHCs) in the LCDA few days after he assumed office. He also said he had held meetings with the Community Development Committees (CDCs) and the Peace and Security Committee.

    “All these meetings were in a bid to have an unbiased appraisal of the situations on ground. I have also consulted notable community leaders on the modalities of moving Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area forward,” he said.

    Prince Ayeni noted that forum was convened in order to bring together all stakeholders of the council in a bid to fashion out ways of bringing progress to our immediate communities.

    “As an administration saddled with the responsibility of bringing succour to the grassroots, it is reasonable for us to allow residents have a direct input in the governance of their immediate environment.

    “This forum will be a launch-pad to highlight critical issues and challenges and also collectively proffer solutions to raging problems. As a people, we must all be committed to the state of our environment; we must be ready to co-operate with the administration on having a cleaner and safer environment. Residents must also collaborate with local government officials when they approach them for the payments of rates and taxes.

    “Our council can be self-sustaining if residents pay their rates and taxes promptly. When these payments are made, it will be easier for us as government to dispense quality administration to our people.

    “We pledge to work assiduously with organisations and institutions and also individuals who are concerned with development of our community,” Ayeni said.

    Prince Ayeni solicited the support of the residents to ensure his administration’s success. He urged the Babaloja of Eti-Osa East to ensure that all markets in the area are clean and in good condition.

    He also advised him to ensure that traders transact their businesses in their shops; warning that those who display their wares by the road side would be prosecuted, adding that the measure is for their safety and security.

    On partnership with PSP as requested by one of the stakeholders, Chief Kolaru, he assured the people of his administration’s readiness to work together with them to ensure a clean and healthy environment for residents.

    He further assured that necessary steps would be taken to make sure that drainage systems are free of garbage. This, he said, is to guarantee free flow of water and to avoid erosion.

    Prince Ayeni also promised to partner with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance the well-being of the people

    Dignitaries such as Baales, political office holders, market men and women, youth leaders, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), among others attended the event.

  • Oluwo of Iwo traces roots to Ife

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi has come  to Lafogido Ruling House of Okerewe in Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race, to re-establish his roots in the ancient town.

    The Oluwo, who was accompanied by prominent indigenes of Iwo, including Chjef Abiola Ogundokun, was received by the head of the ruling house, Sooko of Obaraso of Ife, Babatunde Adediwura Omolaso.

    Omolaso, who described the visit as important, maintained that it would remain a significant trend in the annals of Ile-Ife in particular and the Yoruba people in general.

    Omolaso further explained that Lafogido Ruling House produced the 16th Ooni and the only female king that ever reigned in Ile-Ife, Luwo  Gbagida, whom he said gave birth to Adekola Telu, the founder of Iwo town.

    According to him, in his bid to expand and acquire more territories, Telu moved to Ogungbaro, and later to Igbo-Orita, and eventually settled at the present day Iwo.

    Omolaso said Iwo was a contraction from the “expression of the adventurers, (Ewooo) when parrots were sighted as the sign of appropriate location of settlement.

    “We welcome Oluwo to his ancestral home. This is his roots, his forebears left this place to establish Iwo town. The heir of Ooni Luwo,  Adekola Telu, founded the town,” he said.

    Responding, the Oluwo said the royal family in Ile-Ife today is one, describing the Osinkola, Ogboru, Giesis and Lafogido ruling houses as one and from the same father, same source.

    He maintained that Iwo is from the same source as “these ruling houses.”

    He said: “Iwo has a ruling house here in Ile-Ife. So, this means that an Ife Prince can come to Iwo to be on the stool just as an Iwo Prince too can come to Ile-Ife and still want to do the same.

    “The last time a historical event such as this happened was about 1,500 years ago when Oranmiyan came back to his father’s house. Although he became a king, by the grace of God, we will see what the future holds for us. This is for the future of our great land. The mother of Iwo is Luwo Gbagida. I want you to know that Ife and Iwo are from the same father,” he said.

  • Residents sensitised to clean environment

    Residents sensitised to clean environment

    The Sole Administrator of Lagos Inland East Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Mr. Bashiri Abiola Are has said one of the priorities of his administration is ensuring that residents’ well-being is guaranteed.

    This, he said, would be through making sure that the environment is safe and healthy.

    According to him, the council is making frantic effort toward securing the environment.

    He stated this while sensitising residents to the importance of maintaining clean environment through participation in the weekly and monthly sanitation exercises which he and some council officials monitored at Okesuna, Pike Street and their environs.

    Mr. Are, who said strict enforcement of Lagos and council’s environmental laws, would go a long way in keeping Lagos Inland East LCDA in particular and Lagos State in general clean. He expressed his dissatisfaction over nonchalant attitude of some members of the council towards the environment. He said incessant dumping of garbage close to residential areas is inimical to people’s heath.

    At Pike Street off Okesuna Street, Mr Are described it as an eyesore, even as he advised the leaders of the area to ensure that residents keep their surroundings clean at all times. He also urged sanitary inspectors to make sure that residents stopped dumping garbage in drainage systems to avoid epidemic.

    He said: “Our team will continue to let our people know the danger of living in dirty environment. Some of these vehicles have not been driven for over six months or more. We need to inform owners of the abandoned vehicles to remove them. If they fail to comply, then we would do something about it quickly.”

    On youths playing football on the road, Mr Are reminded parents and community leaders of the need to talk to their kids about the importance of environmental sanitation.

    The council chief expressed dismay over some residents’ non-compliance with proper waste disposal system, frowning at indiscriminate dumping of garbage in water channels by some residents which, he said, would have devastating effects on the environment and residents’ health.

    He revealed that the council’s vehicles would help in evacuating domestic wastes from individuals’ homes and also work towards making residents of various communities to maintain clean environment.

    Corroborating Mr Are’s views, the Chairman of Community Development Associations (CDAs) Lafiaji North West (CDA), Chief Magaji Fatayi said in their monthly stakeholders’ meeting, they would continue to appeal to residents to maintain clean environment. On the abandoned vehicles, he said they would persuade the owners to remove them.

    Responding on behalf of the residents, Mr. Mufutau  Abdulsalami thanked the council for the sensitisation exercise.

    The Head of Environmental Services and Waste Management Department, Mr. Babasanya Ayosanya said efforts are being made to sensitise residents to the need to clean their surroundings every day and not necessarily waiting for the routine sanitation days.

  • NGO donates mattresses to prison inmates

    NGO donates mattresses to prison inmates

    Trustees of the African Ultimate Human Development Trust, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation, paid a visit to the inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Apapa Lagos.

    The trustees, led by Chief Seun Alli (President) and Chief Adesina Alli (Vice-President) included Sir Festus Olu Coker (Treasurer), Mrs. Taiwo Akinsiku (Secretary), Mr. Feyisayo Alli (PRO) and Mr. Femi Omoniyi (Legal Adviser). They donated a large number of mattresses and blankets for the comfort of the inmates.

    In his appreciation speech, Mr. Seye Oduntan, the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in charge of Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, referred to the gifts as an answered prayer. He remarked that it was as if the prison’s authority requested the items from the visitors. He called on all good- spirited individuals and organisations to donate materials for skill acquisition and books for the prison’s library as some inmates are undergraduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

    Mr Oduntan also said the facility was in dire need of functional vehicles to convey the inmates to and from various courts within Lagos State for quick dispensation of justice. He appealed to the public to assist the government.

  • Albinism: Experts, victims seek end to discrimination

    Albinism: Experts, victims seek end to discrimination

    The large number of Persons with Albinism (PWA) arriving at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, indicated that something was happening. These were PWA attending the first Pan-African Albinism Conference at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC).

    In attendance with the PWA were members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), experts and friends from Italy, Japan, Norway, United Kingdom, Neitherlands, United States of America, Turkey, Spain, Belgium, France and Germany.

    The coming of PWA from 29 African countries was amazing. This was because African countries have high record of attacks, including mutilating and killing of PWA. Factors responsible for these attacks include African myths, tradition and capitalism. All the three key factors interact in the context of deeply entrenched witchcraft beliefs. Children made up a large proportion of victims because of the belief that their innocence somehow augments their potency.

    Lies about Albinism in Africa are many. For instance, it is believed that the children’s albinism is always the fault of the mother who had an affair with a European ghost or white man, PWA never die, body parts of PWA taken while alive or dead have magical powers capable of making other people rich and powerful, albinism is a curse, contagious and can heal AIDS, among others.

    To reach across Africa and the world  in an attempt to stimulate a movement that will not discriminate and plant the seed of empowerment for PWA, a non-profit organisation Under the Same Sun (UTSS) organised a Pan-African Albinism Conference (PAAC) at the end of which, the Pan-African Albinism Network (PAAN) was established.

    Driven by the belief that all people have been created in the image of God and thus, have intrinsic value and are worthy of love and support, UTSS began as a collision of the heart, mind and vision of Peter Ash and Vicky Ntetena.

    It was registered in 2008 as a Canadian non-profit organisation and later in 2009, it was re-gistered as International NGO in Tanzania. UTSS promotes, through advocacy and education, the well-being of PWA who, in many parts of the world, are misunderstood, marginalised, attacked and killed because of their genetic condition.

    The purpose of the conference, according to Peter Ash, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of UTSS, was to get PWA leaders in one place, learn from experts and one another as a training channel to take the next step against attacks and discrimination against PWA.

    Welcoming government officials of Tanzania and over 200 participants from about 41 countries at the opening dinner, Ash, a PWA himself, narrated some of his personal experiences of stigma as a young boy when growing up in Canada. He urged PWA to believe in themselves and work hard, saying “you have challenges. It is not easy but you have hope. Today, it’s our time, it’s our day. You must believe yourself as having albinism. Then people will accept you as humankind”.

    With the Theme “Our Goal is to Make Attack, Stigma and Discrimination a Faint Memory,” the four-day conference featured presentation of papers, free eye and skin screening and beach tours among others.

    Training sessions covered topics on documenting attacks, engaging your government successfully, your human rights and preparing your case for court, bring the clinic to your country as well as training teachers and service providers on Albinism.

    Other topics discussed were what is Albinism? Skin cancer: prevention and skin care; Vision-facts and adaptive instruments, Albinism and disability, self-identification, legal framework and reporting to the United Nations.

    Participants learnt about genetics of PWA from renowned world genetics, Dr. Murray Brilliant as well as facts and adaptive vision instrument from a vision optometrist, Dr. Rebecca Kammer who is a specialist on low vision.

    Aside the training sessions, PWAs were all allocated clinic schedule for free skin care and eye test provided by Standing Voice, a charity organisation that promotes the social inclusion and well-being of marginalised groups. It currently tackles the primary dangers facing Tanzania with albinism.

    Standing Voice team has experience of over a decade working with PWA in Africa. While early stages of skin cancer detected were treated using liquid nitrogen applied through Cryo gums, each PWA was given Kilimanjaro sun care cream (Killsun) produced in Tanzania. PWAs that have never treated their eyes did and were also given free eye glasses.

    They also learnt about low vision in detail and the need to visit optamologists who specialised on low vision. During one of the sessions, training leaders and service providers on albinism explained that for children living with albinism to excel in school, they must be well positioned using slanted desk to prevent neck and back pain because they have to bend reading. Experts advised that they should be given reading devices such as telescope to see what the teacher writes on the blackboard and be able to also see the teacher as well as his or her expressions and their colleagues.

    • Lucy Oladipo is a member of a civil society group that advocates for non-discrimination against Albinos

     

     

  • Fayemi’s centre feeds Ekiti residents

    Fayemi’s centre feeds Ekiti residents

    Former Ekiti governor and Solid Minerals Development Minister Dr Kayode Fayemi has distributed food items to people of the state to cushion the prevailing economic hardship. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Like elsewhere, in the country, Ekiti State is feeling the pangs of the prevailing economic hardship engendered, in most cases, by the non-payment of workers’salaries.

    Being a civil service state, the economy revolves around the payment of civil servants salaries. Big-time and petty traders, artisans, transporters and farmers make money from civil servants.

    Non-payment or delay in the payment of salaries affects these people as civil servants constitute their major customers.

    The situation has been worsened by the abandonment of farming which used to be the largest employer of labour, especially by the youth, who constitute the most economically productive segment of the population. The youth can be found in public and private sectors, politics, commercial motorcycle riding and taxi driving, among others.

    Some government workers had resorted to unorthodox means to survive. Reports of stealing of food in neighbour’s houses, selling of blood, begging otherwise known as “fine bara” were rife among civil servants.

    Many youths resorted to crime and other anti-social activities to survive.

    Irked about the development, former governor of the state and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, through the John Kayode Fayemi Leadership Centre, intervened to give the people food.

    During his tenure as governor between 2010 and 2014, Dr. Fayemi ran a food bank which provided food for the less-privileged members of the society on periodical basis.

    The latest gesture is believed to be a continuation of the policy even despite no longer being the governor. It is currently run by the centre which promotes the ideals of good governance, defence of human rights, democracy,  charity, poverty eradication and economic empowerment which formed the core values of the political ideology of Dr. Fayemi.

    Despite the scorching sun, the people waited patiently until the distribution of the food items began at 11:45 a.m. Representatives of various interest groups came to collect their items on behalf of their members after which items were given to individuals.

    Officials of the centre had a tough time controlling the crowd as the number of people who thronged the place exceeded expection. The crowd spilled into the Ado-Ikere Highway causing a traffic snarl.

    Items distributed included bags of rice, sugar, salt, semovita, packets of noodles, spaghetti, macaroni and wheat, among others.

    Fayemi said he was deeply concerned by the level of hunger in Ekiti State; hence the gesture to distribute the items to the people to identify with them in their time of need.

    Speaking through the Director of the centre, Biodun Omoleye, Fayemi advised civil servants and other residents to embrace farming to tackle hunger and boost food security.

    The former governor said the gesture was borne out of the need to assist indigent citizens and not to score a political point against Governor Ayo Fayose over the failure of his administration to pay workers’ salaries.

    Fayemi, who promised that the scheme would be a regular exercise, urged other well-meaning indigenes and groups in the state to assist the less-privileged and save them from the pangs of hunger.

    He said: “We are disturbed by the turn of events in our state where many of our citizens have nothing to eat and many go to bed hungry. We are carrying out this exercise to alleviate the hunger crisis in the land and offer our people a stop-gap approach to give them relief.

    “The wind of hunger blowing in Ekiti now is unpleasant. It seems hunger is gradually taking over the land and that is why we that are privileged must continue to identify with the poor. This has no political or ethnic undertone, but just a means of helping the needy.

    “Taking cognisance of what is happening in Ekiti now when some civil servants were stealing food on fire; our people must embrace farming as a way of life. Food production remains the best for now.

    “We must all rise up to save our state and the future of our children. Some can’t be living in opulence when some could not afford one square meal a day.

    ”This welfare programme is going to be a continuous one and we shall do it in a way that would have positive impact on the lives of our people at the community, ward and local government levels.

    “Dr Fayemi is much disturbed by what our people are passing through and we are all here in the interest of our people. This is not a matter of party because hunger knows no party.

    “We have also sent forms to groups, churches, mosques, orphanages and other groups to assist the needy.”

    According to him, food items were also sent to the other 15 local government areas for those who can’t come to Ado-Ekiti.

    He revealed that the centre also plans to carry out leadership training for unemployed youths while more empowerment programmes will be rolled out for artisans and other interest groups.

    While calling on all Nigerians to key into programmes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, Fayemi stressed that the change promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is real as things will henceforth be done differently for the benefit of the masses.

    The minister added that Nigeria is currently in the era of change under a ‘focused and purposeful’ leadership of President Buhari, advising that people must key into all the programmes of the Federal Government by learning how to do things in different ways.

    Fayemi said the centre will soon embark on empowerment programmes for artisans and other groups.

    Some of the beneficiaries praised Fayemi whom they described as a benevolent politician and a compassionate leader who still has the interest of the people at heart.

    An aged beneficiary, Alhaja Safurat Ogunsakin, said the gesture was least expected from Fayemi at a time when many people are dying of hunger as a result of economic hardship.

    She said: “We are grateful to Fayemi for remembering the less-privileged people during this hard time. I heard the announcement on the radio and I decided to come; I have just received my own package from the organisers.

    “What I have received here will last me for a reasonable length of time. There is hunger in Ekiti and you can see the number of people that are here and when the hunger problem is solved, a big load has been carried off your neck.

    “We want to appreciate Fayemi for what he has done. God will continue to protect him and take care of his family. He has proved that he is a leader that really loved the people.”

    A commercial motorcyclist, Sola Oyewole said: “Fayemi has proved that he is a real statesman because we have many people who came to benefit here that voted against him but they had seen that they made a mistake by voting for another person.

    “But what the man has done is devoid of politics as the food items are given to people irrespective of their political affiliations because hunger does not know whether you’re APC or PDP.

    “This is the type of leader we need in Ekiti and I want to urge other politicians to emulate Fayemi because if we have many people doing this, hunger will be banished from our land.”

    Another beneficiary, Wumi Agbebi said: “We were deceived with stomach infrastructure but this is a real and genuine effort to assist the people.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Support the poor, says Ooni at Rotary induction

    Support the poor, says Ooni at Rotary induction

    He stood tall and calm. He also seemed undaunted by the huge task ahead as he mounted the rostrum of the Shell Hall at MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos to be decorated with the age-long emblem as the District Governor for the next Rotary Year of District 9110, which oversees Lagos and Ogun states.

    It was Patrick Ikheloa’s day. It is the wish of every Rotarian to get the number one seat in Rotary. To him, it was a realised dream as the fair-complexioned man from Edo State was all smiles during the installation.

    But the event was not just a Rotary affair; it was a gathering of men and women of reputation who are passionate about philanthropy. Among them was the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

    There was fun in the hall adorned with yellow and blue decorations. What made the occasion significant was that even club members were treated to a red carpet reception before making for their tables.

    In a report, the outgoing District Governor, Otunba Bola Onabadejo, outlined his achievements during the past year, even as he solicited support for his successor. He urged Rotary members and the public to extend the same hand of fellowship to Ikheloa.

    Expectedly, Oba Ogunwusi entered with a retinue of courtiers who played trumpets, flutes and drums. His shinny cap stood out among them all.

    He spoke on the need to love one another, urging all to extend the same hand of fellowship to the downtrodden and other less-privileged persons.

    The monarch was inducted as a special ambassador.

    A raffle draw was held, where Economy and Business Class tickets to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, courtesy of Etihad were won.

  • ‘We’re committed to residents’ welfare’

    The Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State has, since assumption of office, embarked on some projects to make life better for its residents.

    Some of the projects include construction of modern toilets with other facilities, provision of security post at the local government secretariat annex, provision of modern toilets at Water and Environmental Sanitation Department, purchase of four project vehicles to facilitate effective service delivery, regular payment of over 200 adhoc staff to reduce youth unemployment, inauguration of environmental marshals, grading of access roads in all the 16 wards of the council, among others.

    The Chairman Transition Committee Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Kayode Sodiq Idowu – Ojumo revealed this while addressing newsmen and party faithful in his office.

    According to the council chief, the local government had successfully graded rural and access roads to aid movement residents and of goods.

    On health, Mr. Idowu-Ojumo said his council had provided enough drugs at all the health centres and clinics and participated actively in all phases of national immunisation exercises as well as the weekly and monthly environmental sanitation exercises. Also, public toilets were constructed for the people while boreholes were not only activated but were also sunk in some areas.

    On staff welfare, the council chief said that he had paid over 200 adhoc workers as and when due to check youth restiveness and combat unemployment.

    Other achievements include repair of dysfunctional vehicles, purchase of four project vehicles, repair of staff quarters and assistance to the staff labour unions to engender industrial harmony.

    He revealed that agriculture had been accorded priority as the moribund local government poultry farm had been resuscitated with purchase of 800 point of cage birds. Also extension services were provided to the farmers in all wards of the local government.

  • CBN canvasses for more states’ funding of youth training from states

    The Central Bank of Nigeria, Entrepreneurship Development Centre (CBN/EDC), has called for more funding by the Southwest states to train more youths to make them self-reliant.

    The Project Director of CBN/EDC Southwest, Dr Olumide Ajayi made the call in a communique issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after second meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of EDC held at the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

    According to him, without funding by the Southwest states the centre cannot achieve its aim of training more youths to be entrepreneurs.

    “Concerning the challenges CBN/EDC is experiencing, nothing has been done by Oyo State which is the hosting state. Since Oyo State is hosting the SW/EDC on behalf of the Southwest, it would be a good if TAC members could meet with the Oyo State government concerning the challenges CBN/EDC is facing in their State,” he said

    Ajayi praised Osun State for its involvement in CBN/EDC activities, noting that it is the first to give the centre sponsored trainees.

    He said: “Osun State gave CBN/EDC 135 participants that are currently trained. Still on participation, Ogun State requested for names of those trainees that have been trained by CBN/EDC and who are doing businesses in the state for funding through the BOI-OGSG fund.

    “Ogun State promised to give more funds to CBN/EDC but the trainees need to have their businesses in Ogun State. In order to achieve this, it would be if we can have trainings organised in the state to enable more indigenes that do businesses in the state to participate.

    “The centre has also started Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP) for current and ex-corps members who served in the last five years. The essence of the programme is to train youths on entrepreneurship and teach them how to write a bankable business plan. If the business plan is viable enough, they would be granted loans to begin their own businesses.”

    The director also stated that the centre has built an ICT Incubation Scheme Tech-hub to assist people to develop their business or ideas.

    ‘’The hub helps them develop their ideas when they are set for market. The incubation centre gives them opportunity to start their businesses pending when they have their own office,” Ajayi said.

    Earlier in his remarks, The Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Babatunde Durosimieti, emphasised that the major reason for the creation of the ministry is to proffer lasting solution to unemployment.

    The Commissioner commended the gesture of CBN/EDC towards the initiative, adding that the ministry looks forward to working with ALF/CBN/EDC Southwest in order to create a synergy in the region.