The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Lawmaker supports small-scale entrepreneurs

    Lawmaker supports small-scale entrepreneurs

    Committed to the well-being of members of his constituency, the member representing Mushin Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, has given a boost to businesses of not less than 230 small-scale entrepreneurs in Mushin.

    At the empowerment programme, he gave them some items to either start their own businesses or practice the trades and skills they have acquired.

    Beneficiaries included the old, young, artisans, technicians, traders, small-scale entrepreneurs, widows and some vulnerable people. The event took place at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos.

    The items which were distributed to the beneficiaries at the event tagged: ‘BYA Economic Empowerment Scheme 2016’ were 10 tricycles, 12 motorcycles, 25 pepper grinding machines, 10 power generating sets and six welding machines.

    Others were two block moulding machines, five vulcanising machines, 40 sewing machines, 30 generating sets and clippers; 28 pop-corn machines, 20 hair dryers, 10 deep freezers and 31 Coca-Cola refrigerators with accompanying products.

    Ayinla said the items were what the beneficiaries requested for when he met them at a town hall meeting in November last year.

    “During the last stakeholders/town hall meeting, the dominant request was economic empowerment for our small-scale entrepreneurs, artisans, technicians, community development association, market men and women, widows and vulnerable people in my constituency. Today’s economic empowerment programme is a follow-up to the stakeholders/town hall meeting.

    He promised that nothing would be spared to ensure that Mushin is known for progress rather than for fighting and hooliganism, which he said used to characterise the area.

    The lawmaker appealed to the people not to fight or shoot at one another again, even as he urged them to think of how to develop the area.

    He thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for ‘working tirelessly to develop the state for the betterment of the people.’

    He said: “It is pertinent to admit that the items to be distributed today are not enough to go round due to the avalanche of the needs of our people. A popular proverb says ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step’. Today, we have succeeded in cracking the hard nut of poverty,” he said. He promised that the programme would be a continuous one.

    Addressing reporters later, the lawmaker said the empowerment programme was specifically designed to empower the people of the constituency, adding that there was a difference between needs and wants.

    He explained that there are various empowerment programmes in the country, but that some people don’t ask the beneficiaries what they want, saying that he gives the people what they want each time he organised such a programme.

    He said: “A situation where people beg for money is not okay by me. If you are earning N3, 000 a day, then it would be better for you rather than begging for money from other people.

    “This is a continuous exercise. I will not rest until my people are satisfied because I want my constituency to be better. I want people to know Mushin for better things rather than for fighting. I want the people of Mushin to work and earn money. I want them to be hard working and for us to attract better development to our constituency,” he said.

    The lawmaker maintained that he had been empowering people right from his days as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and that he travels from Abuja to Lagos every Friday to identify with his people in Mushin.

    He revealed that the purpose of the constant visit was to listen to his people so that he could feel their pulse, and that a lot of them don’t know their rights.

    BYA emphasised that if anybody cheats someone or does anything the person doesn’t like, the fellow ought to write a petition against the cheat, while promising to spring another surprise as a representative of the people in the next  two or three months, adding that “you have not seen anything yet. I will not rest until my better becomes best.”

    The lawmaker called on Nigerians in positions of authority as well as wealthy individuals to assist the less-privileged so that there can be a better society.

    On how the beneficiaries were selected, the lawmaker said he told his constituents that anyone that needs anything should go to his constituency office and write his or her name, ward and telephone number along with what he or she needs on a register.

    He revealed that he goes through the register regularly and calls the recipients to ask them about what they want. He advised the beneficiaries not to sell the items as he would not entertain any request for money from them in the nearest future.

    “If you say you need N10, 000, but you have N5, 000, I would balance it up rather than for someone to come to me for everything he or she needs. I spent over N27m on the whole empowerment programme,” he said.

    Ayinla also advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to improve their standard of living, disclosing that, “a monitoring team has been inaugurated by my constituency to monitor the effective use of these implements by the beneficiaries”.

  • Local govt chief inspects projects

    The Sole Administrator of Lagos Island East Local Development Area Mr Bashir Abiola Are has inspected some bad areas in order to improve their situation.

    He said the inspection was borne out of the need to ensure that residents live in clean and healthy environment. He also inspected some roads being constructed by the council.

    The council chief said he is committed to ensuring that residents enjoy decent environment that will improve their well-being promising to construct drainage system in most areas of the council in order to reduce the effects of flooding.

    Mr Are stated this during his inspection tour to some of the dirty areas and blocked drainage systems; especially that beside Adeniji Adele Police Station. He expressed disgust over residents’ nonchalant attitude towards the environment, saying that indiscriminate dumping of garbage in the drainage has constituted huge problem of erosion.

    He warned that the council would arrest and prosecute anybody caught dumping garbage in the drainage systems.

    He used the event as a showcase to enlighten the residents on the dangers of flooding which could result from the blockage of water channels with garbage and other particles such as used sachet and table water plastic. He emphasised that as the rainy season is getting to its peak, prevention is better than cure.

    Mr Are also urged the residents to always patronise Private Support Partnership (PSP) operators in order to dispose properly their domestic wastes.

    Contributing, Chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Olatunji Sanyan promised to double effort in ensuring that residents are committed to keeping their surroundings clean. He urged the government to intensify its efforts in enlightening the people on sanitation and environmental laws, even as he said the people need to be sensitised to the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of garbage in drainage systems; an action he said is harmful to the environment.

    Responding, one of residents, Mr. Awere Owolabi thanked the council chief for taking the development of the area seriously and opening the waterways to ensure free flow of water, which he said would have spelt doom for them.

    To ameliorate the suffering of road users, the council has taken some steps in fixing some the drainage systems that are in bad shape. It has also begun reconstruction work on Thomas, Odunfa, Evans, Koilo and Olushi streets.

    While inspecting the level of work done, the council chief expressed his displeasure over the quality of work so far done by the contractor handling the projects. He revealed that the council will invite the contractor for a discussion, even as he pleaded with residents to bear the pains resulting from the reconstruction work, adding that it is for the benefit of us all.

  • ‘How Osun farmers can access agric loans’

    In a bid to boost food production in Osun State and reduce the hardship that farmers go through in accessing agricultural credit facilities, the Osun Ajo Se Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in partnership with Association of Grain Processors and Allied Produce Farmers of Nigeria (AGPAPFN), organised a seminar in Oshogbo, to educate farmers on how to take advantage of agricultural credit facilities.

    The state Chairman of AGPAPFN, Agboluaje Mudasiru, said farmers, who should be the beneficiaries of agricultural credit facilities were either unaware of existing loan services or do not have information on the terms of loans. He gave such terms as loan requirements, interest rates, loanable amount and mode of repayment.

    Sterling Bank Plc’s Southwest Agric Officer, Latona Olabode Felix, who represented the Group Head, Agric Finance, revealed that the bank is a major financier of agriculture in Nigeria and is ever ready to partner with major stakeholders–both private and public in the sector to bring about agricultural development in Nigeria.

    Olabode highlighted the various Sterling Bank Plc Agric Credit Schemes and how farmers can access them. He, however, advised them to always ensure that they have their farm records ready, adding that farm records are not only useful in managing farm budgets but will also be needed to determine if farms are performing well, as required when applying for agric loans.

    The Chairman of Osun Ajo Se Foundation, Mr. Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, who commended Sterling Bank for its contribution to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria, said agriculture still remains a mainstay of the state’s economy, adding that if well developed, will provide the majority of the populace with employment, income and food. He said Osun Ajo Se Foundation is keen to ensure that farmers in Osun State are empowered.

    Over 2, 000 farmers have registered with AGPAPFN.

    Osun Ajo Se Foundation is a non-political organisation established by some indigenes of Osun State for the unity and economic development of Osun indigenes worldwide.

    Olugboyega Alabi, Chairman of Osun Ajo Se Foundation is an indigene of Ikire in Osun State. He was the  Group President and Chief Executive Officer of Eliezer Group, the companies he started from nothing to be leader in facility management industry in Africa before leaving to pursue his interest in agriculture and empowerment of people through Osun Ajo Se Foundation

  • Council gets revenue mobilisation team

    The Sole Administrator Mushin Local Government Area, Olayinka Kazeem has inaugurated a new revenue mobilisation team to improve the council’s revenue base for the residents’ benefits.

    Inaugurating the team, Kazeem enjoined its members to be diligent in their duties. He also solicited the support of the residents to pay their rates, levies and dues promptly in order to sustain ongoing development.

    He announced that the team will be headed by the Council Treasurer, Mrs. Babs-Ogunleye who will be assisted by the council’s Internal Auditor and the Head of Budget Department.

    He said the team is required to incorporate all revenue units and points of the local government in order to make total success of the exercise. He further stressed that the new team will be monitored by his office and the Head of Administration.

    Kazeem said part of the policy and the official instruction of the Lagos State Government currently is that all franchised revenue bodies working on behalf of the council stipulates the use of statutory members of staff of the local government to mobilise, monitor and draw all revenues, rates, dues and levies into the coffers of the council.

    Head of Administration of the council, Prince Adegbola Olujobi said the new policy directive by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode indicates that the new team must live up to expectation in order to trust them.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected”, he said.

    Olujobi implored members of staff and residents of Mushin to co-operate with the Kazeem-led administration in order to enjoy dividends of democracy.

  • Education, health dominate Badagry town hall meeting

    Education, health dominate Badagry town hall meeting

    Governor Ambode has held the second quarter of this year’s town hall meeting at Muslim Community Playground, General Hospital Road Badagry Lagos where he reeled off his achievements in the first quarter and intimated the people about his plans to make their lives better. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was in Badagry for the fourth in the series of the quarterly town hall meeting where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to an inclusive government.

    The town hall meeting, which had previously held in Iyana-Ipaja (Lagos West), City Hall (Lagos Central), and Ikorodu (Lagos East), took place at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry, where the Governor, for the first time in the history of the meeting, spent more than four hours interacting with various groups and individuals, including corporate organisations, religious leaders, youths, physically challenged, market men and women, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), political leaders and the general public.

    The Badagry town hall meeting was organised in a unique manner where Governor Ambode met with all the groups in four different sessions, as against the previous meetings where he met with all the groups at once. The format not only afforded the Governor the opportunity to interact with many groups, it also served as a platform that provided instantaneous answers to pressing needs by Lagosians.

    Reeling off his achievements in the last quarter, Governor Ambode revealed said his administration is committed to make life comfortable for the people, saying his administration had procured and donated additional equipment to security agencies. Such agencies included the Nigerian Police Force, Customs, Immigration Services, the Army, Air Force, Navy, Directorate of State Security (DSS), AIG Zone 2, Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Task Force and the Nigeria Prison Services.

    He said the government also inaugurated the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) Rescue Unit facility with a specially designed dispatch centre to respond to emergency cases.

    On infrastructure, Governor Ambode recalled that within the quarter under review, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of the 38km Fourth Mainland Bridge was signed and it’s expected that the bridge which will connect Ikorodu with Ajah, will be executed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and would be delivered within the next three years.

    Ambode said: “The Iyana-Oworo Bus Park project embarked upon by our administration to decongest traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge is nearing completion.

    “Work has commenced on the modern Oshodi Interchange in line with our vision to transform Oshodi into a world-class transport hub. Several road projects were completed in the last quarter while others are at various stages of completion.

    “Significant among the projects include Ajara/Agelasho/Poka/Erekiti Road in Badagry Local Government Area, construction of Aradagun-Iworo Ajido Phase I Bridge in Badagry Local Government Area, the construction of flyover at Ajah roundabout along the Lekki Expressway and Abule-Egba Junction along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and construction of pedestrian bridge at Ojodu-Berger.”

    The Governor also said the Oko-Oba Housing Scheme comprising a total of 108 units located on a land area of 15, 785.632 sq m was completed and offered for sale, while the government has also commenced the process of completing the Ibereko Housing project in Badagry.

    On job creation, the Governor said government has signed an MoU for the Lagos Smart City with the operators of the Dubai Smart City, while the agreement is expected to bring multi-billion dollar investments to the state, create employment opportunities and transform the Ibeju-Lekki axis and the entire Lagos State.

    He also revealed that another MoU was signed for the Lagos State Medical Park, adding that the initiative would bring more investment which, in turn, will create jobs and make Lagos a destination for medical tourism.

    In the area of social welfare and rule of law, the Governor said in line with provisions of Section 12 of the Special People’s Law, his administration launched the Lagos State Persons Living with Disability Fund with N500 million.

    He further said that in response to the disturbing menace of land grabbing, his administration set up a Special Task Force to curb the excesses of land grabbers under the office of the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice. He also said government is committed to its zero- tolerance for issues relating to domestic violence and child abuse.

    He said his administration has concluded plans to revamp the health sector. To achieve this, he said, the sum of N10 billion has been earmarked to upgrade health facilities across the state.

    Governor Ambode assured that government would invest massively in capacity building of the medical staff, in a bid to provide world-class health care for the citizens.

    “We have commenced action on the rehabilitation and upgrading of facilities in all our hospitals. Modern equipment will be procured to facilitate treatment and we will invest in capacity building of our medical staff. We intend to spend over N10 billion on our hospitals before December this year.

    “We will recruit and train medical professionals in areas of rare specialisation and special needs,” Ambode said.

    On 2016 Budget, Governor Ambode said its overall performance stood at 70 per cent, which according to him, was an improvement over last year’s when the performance stood at 63 per cent.

    He said: “Revenue recorded 73% performance for the half-year 2016 despite the challenging economic environment. Your Government spent a total of N115.624 billion on capital projects during the half-year 2016, leading to the capital/recurrent ratio of 50:50 with the plan to improve the ratio to 58:42 provided for in 2016 Appropriation Law in the remaining half of the year.”

    Governor Ambode said the Employment Trust Fund would commence disbursement of funds to various artisans, entrepreneurs and unemployed youths to make life better for all.

    For instance, on education, the Governor said his administration would establish a Technical and Vocational School in Badagry before September this year, while government would also embark on upgrade of the infrastructure in all public schools beginning from this month.

    He said: “All our primary and secondary schools will be upgraded to create environment conducive to teaching and learning teachers and students. Another N10 billion has been earmarked for this facelift of our secondary and primary schools.”

    Governor Ambode pledged his administration’s readiness to pay greater attention to the elderly persons, by establishing three elderly care centres.

    “We will sponsor bills to the House of Assembly which will seek to make specific provisions for the elderly in our society and create a framework for care for the aged. Our priority is to commence the provision of three elderly care centres across the three Senatorial Zones. We urge the private sector to support and collaborate with government on this cause,” he said.

    While responding to some questions on neglect of Badagry over the years, the Governor revealed his plans to revive the tourism potential of Badagry, saying the long-term plan includes the establishment of university of hospitality in the ancient town.

    He also said his administration would build the economy of the state beyond oil, adding that “the future of Lagos is about tourism and services.”

    The governor said aside the N500 million disability funds which aimed at advancing the cause of persons living with disabilities, his administration would decentralise the Lagos State Office of Disability (LASODA) and absolve 200 physically-challenged persons to manage their affairs in all the local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs).

    “I implore you to take ownership of all government properties located in your area because they are our common wealth. Remember to pay your taxes as and when due in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

    “On our part, we will continue to ensure judicious use of resources of the state by executing projects that will outlive us and affirm our position as a Centre of Excellence,” Governor Ambode said.

     

  • Council chief distributes foodstuffs to the needy

    Council chief distributes foodstuffs to the needy

    Worried by the level of poverty which residents of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area are experiencing, the Sole Administrator of the local government Lagos State, Mr. Adedoyin Rojaiye has distributed various food items to the needy at the grassroots.

    The distribution was carried out through the Chairmen of various Community Development Areas (CDAs).

    A total of nine CDAs benefitted from the N4 million worth of rice and beans for each CDA and wards in the local government.

    Mr. Rojaiye said the empowerment programme was borne out of the need to identify with the people, share their pains and give them hope, even in the midst of the dwindling economy.

    This, he added, will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the people in their daily living. He assured non-beneficiaries of the scheme that they would benefit in the next programme, as the administration will not relent in impacting positively on their lives.

    He stated that in future, market women, youths and the physically-challenged will enjoy periodic free health care check-ups in various health centres, family counseling and other incentives.

  • NGO provides free medicare for residents

    Residents of Adalemo in Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State were excited when a foundation, Charity Tour with Ay4God offered free medical services to them.

    The non-governmental organisation (NGO), also donated foods, clothes and shoes, among other materials to children .

    According to the Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Ayodele Abadariki, the event whose theme was “Greatest Love” was to give back to the community.

    He said it is not until one has the whole world before one could show love to others, adding that nothing is small or big to assist the needy.

    He challenged religious and political leaders to assist the less-privilege persons.

    He said: “Most churches nowadays are only after offerings and tithes without minding how the members live and eat and whether or not their children attend schools. He also said majority of the schools owned by churches charge higher school fees, thereby making it difficult for the member’s children to attend.”

    This, he said, does not portray a good society.

    Mr Abadariki urged government to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

    “I am convinced that the rich have an obligation to give back to the society,” Mr Abadarigi said.

     

  • Residents urged to keep their surroundings clean

    Residents urged to keep their surroundings clean

    The Sole Administrator of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Mr. Adekunle Julius has urged stakeholders within the LCDA to support the government’s efforts towards ensuring safe and healthy environment through planting of trees.

    Adekunle, who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at this year’s tree planting campaign held at Sura Mogaji Playing ground, Odi-Olowo stated that planting of trees is very important for environment because trees provide oxygen, cool the atmosphere, help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save our children from ultra-violet rays, provide food and brings diverse groups together as we are doing today. The state government is solidly behind this year’s theme:” Lend a Hand to Save Trees.”

    He added that residents must plant trees to replace those removed from vast acres of land so that we reduce the rate of ocean surge and erosion with its attendant problem of displacement of homes and communities.

    He revealed that Lagos State has become a positive reference point in Nigeria about creating a Green Environment, saying “we remain committed to this cause and will vigorously pursue the state greening policy of total regeneration of degraded sites as part of our pact with Lagosians.”

  • Ekiti community in crisis over chieftaincy stool

    Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State has been engulfed in crisis over the Olomodulawe chieftaincy stool. Two indigenes of the town, Bakare Agbaje and Agbaje Saliu each representing their families, are laying claims to the chieftaincy stool. As a result, they have sued the Alawe, Oba Ajibade Alabi to an Ikere-Ekiti High Court.

    The two plaintiffs, who sued for themselves and on behalf of their families, are praying the court to remove Idowu Ibiowotosi, the first defendant, as the Olomodulawe.

    They also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Ibiowotosi from parading himself as the Olomodulawe of Oke Emo Quarters, Ilawe-Ekiti.

    Also joined in the suit are Chief Gbenga Agbona, Kayode Balogun and Joseph Akiri who are second to fourth defendants.

    The claimants averred that the process for the nomination and installation of Ibiowotosi contravened the native law, the custom and the applicable chiefs’ law.

    In a second further amended statement of claim, the claimants averred that Olomodulawe chieftaincy title exclusively belonged to three branches namely Gbadamosi, Fatimehin and Fajemisin.

    They averred that prior to the purported installation and appointment of the first defendant; the last two Olomodulawes were from Gbadamosi and Fatimehin branches.

    They claimed it was “the turn of Fajemisin branch of claimants’ family to produce a candidate to fill the stool.”

    The claimants also averred that Ibiowotosi “is not a member of their family and as such not eligible for the chieftaincy title.

    “The first defendant wrongfully and illegally held himself out to be appointed as Olomodulawe without ensuring that the prior written approval of the prescribed authority had been obtained before his purported appointment.”

    The claimants prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Ibiowotosi from parading himself as the Olomodulawe of Oke Emo Quarters, Ilawe-Ekiti.

    But the defendants, in their amended statement of defence, averred that Oba Alabi was substituted by the order of the court made on January 22, 2013 to replace the late Oba Adeyemi Ademileka II, who died during the pendency of the suit.

    Contrary to claims by the claimants, the defendants said the Olomodulawe family was made up of eight branches namely Ibiowotisi, Faje, Apelona, Saribi, Fajemisin, Fatimehin, Gbadamosi and Ola.

    The defendants maintained that the stool was not rotated among the branches of the family.

    “Any male descendant from the aforesaid eight branches of the family is entitled to contest for and fill the Olomodulawe Chieftaincy whenever it is vacant. This was confirmed by the first claimant and other members of the family at various times.

    “Chief Gbadamosi Olomodulawe and Chief Zaccheaus Fatimehin were not installed and appointed as Olomodulawes on the basis of rotation among the branches of the family; rather they were both installed and appointed as Olomodulawe on the basis of being male children and contesting for the said chieftaincy stool.”

  • ‘Embrace clean environment’

    The Sole Administrator Mushin Local Government Area, Olayinka Kazeem has said clean environment engenders healthy living for the people.

    He stated that regular environmental hygiene will reduce high cost spent on diseases, ailments and other health issues.

    While monitoring the sanitation exercise in the local government area, the Sole Administrator observed that collapsed drains and pot-holes would also be given high priority in order to minimise flooding so as to make the streets and roads motorable.

    Kazeem also enjoined the residents to desist from dumping garbage in the drains, even as he admonished them by paying their rates and taxes in order to assist the council to fulfil its statutory obligations and responsibilities to the people.

    Dignitaries present at the event were the Head of Environmental Department, Mrs Adebimpe Adedipe, other heads of departments, top politicians, community development leaders and para-military agencies, among others.