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  • Ikogosi: Emerging tourists’ haven

    Ikogosi: Emerging tourists’ haven

    After nine years in the doldrums, the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts is back on track and full of life. Ekiti State government is investing about N1.258 billion to turn the site into a world-class tourists’ destination, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme

     

    Some metres away from the gate leading to Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts were hundreds of students. They lined both sides of the road in their school uniform.

    Also, on the sides of the road were beautifully dressed old women and men, some drumming as they walked happily towards the resorts, defying the increasing heat of the morning sun. That was the spectacle that preceded the arrival of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State to the Ikogosi Day celebration, last Saturday.

    Nine years after being moribund, the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts has received a fresh breath. It hosted the first-ever all-female international bata dancers, Obini Bata from Cuba, as well as performances by a cultural troupe, from Ekiti State. The Obinin Bata performed with their hourglass-shaped drums accompanying various Yoruba songs.

    From the Ekiti troupe, it was a drama presentation of Mich Yomi Longe’s Building Our Own House by a 23-man cast, which left no one in doubt of the mission and vision of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration. The message of the drama was clear and simple: Rebuilding time is now.

    The drama was also symbolic of a nation that is rich in resources yet remains in doldrums due to negative innate tendencies, which have grown into a monster that constantly impedes meaningful development. Building Our Own House is a tool for social change, especially, to promote attitudinal change and approach to issues of common good.

    The presentation was in celebration of Ikogosi Resorts Day, which was part of activities marking the second year in office of Governor Fayemi’s administration in Ekiti State. Building Our Own House centres on a group of people within a geographical location called Okiti land. The people of Okiti land unanimously accept Akinlabi to lead them to the promised land because of some exceptional leadership qualities they saw in him. In his acceptance speech, Akinlabi solicits for their support and enjoins all hands to be on deck, which, to him, is a panacea for Building Our Own House.

    However, hardly did they start the journey when the dreaded monster rears its head again. The people of Okiti land in their usual manner start condemning Akinlabi. At this point, Akinlabi seeks the face of the Lord and he was told to embark on cleansing rites among his people. The cleansing rites bring out the spirit of collectivity in the people, thus, helping them to cage the monster and its total derobing to the state of purity. The reconstruction of the House goes on uninterrupted because of attitudinal change and approach to issues of the people. They appreciate Akinlabi, while celebrating their victory as the journey continues.

    The Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts, which was allegedly looted and abandoned before the Fayemi-led administration was inaugurated in October 2010, is being repositioned to serve as a money-spinner and employment hub for Ekiti State.

    Fayemi said the first phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction has been completed at the resort, which would be fully opened in December while work is ongoing on the second phase.

    Fayemi, who noted that the resort once had a zoo, added that 10,000 hectares of land have been set aside in the host community for wild life while the resort will also get a golf course and apartments in the third phase.

    He said the vision of his administration for Ikogosi would turn the place to a destination of choice for local and international tourists, stating that the resort has all it takes to divert tourists from Obudu to Ikogosi.

    Fayemi said tourists visiting Ikogosi should worry about transportation hardship as the roads leading to the site are now motorable, from all gateways that lead to the state.

    He assured that Internet facilities for tourists to have access to their families and offices during their visit to the wonder hot and cold springs would be put in place. He added that the resort, on completion, will not only be a place for “leisure but also a cash-cow”. The governor stated that the resuscitation of the resort is a fulfilment of his promise, expressing optimism that the state was nearer to the new dawn he promised during his campaign.

    A walk round the awe-inspiring resort shows that Ekiti State is endowed by nature. Long stretch of green valleys, vast rain forest and colossal mountain range dot the landscape; Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort will take your breath away. The once abandoned tourists’ site is emerging into a choice destination for tourists given the massive construction at the resort.

    To give tourists and visitors a long-lasting experience, a well-landscaped 116-hectare resort is now the flagship of Ekiti tourism. It has one executive VIP chalet, three VIP villas, 12 western suites, 70-five standard rooms of various styles, themes and offerings and seven support staff quarters. All accommodation facilities are undergoing redevelopment to turn the place to an international standard resort. Other facilities are nature spa / beauty centre; gym/fitness shop; herbal shop for local medication; arts and crafts shops for souvenir items; 300-seat multi-purpose conference hall, 120-seat and 50-seat meeting and function rooms; variety/shopping mall; amphitheatre; double standard rooms for students on excursion and campers and 300-car parking space.

    Also on ground are brook walk lanes, waterways, relaxation spots, open green areas, external area beautification and gated exclusive areas for tourists.

    Its General Manager, Mr John Dixon said in December, the first phase of the development would witness the opening of a three-star hotel, among other facilities.

    “This is a tremendous investment by Ekiti State government. There are huge potential and it is about developing the market and making sure it is operational, staff deployment and training, marketing locally and worldwide and providing a wide range of services. We have a very strong marketing plan in place for all these. We are also very strong on standard and we do things right.

    “Every site, whether in South Africa or Europe, has its own challenges when you carry out development. Our job here is not as a developer but to do a technical review on behalf of the state, give advice on what can work and what cannot work,” Dixon said.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor (Bureau of Tourism Development), Mr Segun Ologunleko, said the first phase of development cost the state about N1.258 billion, which was raised from bonds at the capital market. According to him, five per cent of the funds raised at the capital market were dedicated to tourism development which is a catalyst to economic development of the state.

    “In fact, we have something different and we are serving it. Very soon, Ekiti will emerge as the melting pot of fun seekers,” he said.

    Ologunleko noted that the driving force of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts is economic emancipation because the state has abundant natural resources. “But how to translate them into wealth, dignity, employment and self-respect for the people is the fulcrum of the vision of Fayemi. This is to ensure that Ekiti tourism corridor, which is about 400 square kilometre, is developed. This comprises communities, such as Aramoko, Erijiyan, Iloro, Okemesi and Efon Alaye,” he said.

    According to him, in phase two, the government would allow private investors to have majority shares in the funding.

    “Government will sit back and will only own about 10 to 25 per cent of the equity. And there will be a special purpose vehicle, Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts Limited, to drive the project. This is the path to sustainability which is the plan of government,” he added, noting that the government has brought in Mantis from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to train workers in hospitality. He disclosed that private investors are approaching the state to build facilities, such as three-star hotel, golf course, and a games reserve.

    Already, art and crafts designers and marketers are showing strong presence at the new shopping centre at the resorts. Madam Oyebola Aderinsoye Adeboye, a farmer, arts and crafts designer and one of the occupants at the shopping centre, described the development as a boost to investors, especially, in tourism industry. She said beyond that, it would generate employment for the youth, adding that the resorts is a very serene location tucked in the heart of a rich forest.

    “The operators can in the future develop areas such as wild life. But I hope the services would be affordable to clients. More importantly, I hope there would be the basic amenities such as electricity and water,” she said.

    The traditional leader of Ikogosi, the Onikogosi of Ikogosi, Oba Deacon Abiodun Olorunisola and his subjects were full of appreciation to the Governor, but noted that the development of the site was long overdue.

    “The real development of the resorts as a tourists’ attraction is long overdue. The former military governor, Colonel Opaleye made efforts to develop the site but shortly after he left government the place was abandoned. We lost all the animals in the process. So it has been till the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi that turned the site around.

    “We thank Fayemi for this laudable initiative because Ikogosi spring meant a lot to us as a people. It is not only known to the nation but also to the world; and its development will rub off on the people in the environs as rent, small-scale business will receive a boost. In fact, it is economically useful to us than the state, and by extension, the country.

    “Ikogosi is a gift from God and we will be eternally grateful.

    “Apart from Ikogosi residents, communities such as Erijiyan are very enthusiastic about the tourism potential of the site. And we appealed to the government to construct the Ogotun to Ikogosi road to facilitate easy access from neighbouring communities,” he said.

    On the therapeutic benefits of the spring, he said the spring was worshipped in the pre-colonial days but was stopped by one of the early traditional rulers in Ikogosi, Oba Alagbogbo Danija following the coming of Christianity. That was around 1914 or earlier.

    “However, the water from the spring is medicinal as no one contacts cholera or other water borne diseases here in Ikogosi as a result of drinking the water from the spring.

    “Sometimes ago, a woman came here with a big duck as sacrifice to the spring. She said that was what she promised the spring if her prayers were answered,” the traditional ruler recalled.

    Ekiti west local government caretaker chairman, Barrister Tajudeen Akingbolu acknowledged the initiative of Governor Fayemi saying that at the completion of the project, the world would know that Ekiti State is the place to be. “After Mr. Governor is done with the project, the tourists site would be better than Obudu Cattle Ranch,” he noted.

     

     

  • Lawmaker helps constituency

    Lawmaker helps constituency

    The people of Idemili North and South Federal Coonstituency in Anambra State have received a boost as their representative in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chiwendu Odedo, gave them vehicles, motorcycles and other items.

    With songs of praise and thanksgiving, the beneficiaries of the scheme in their hundreds prayed for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker who they described as a God sent to liberate them from poverty.

    They acknowledged that Odedo has since 2007 that he joined the lower chamber of the National Assembly, embarked on poverty alleviation schemes, although none has been as massive as the current one as no fewer than 100 vehicles including L300 buses and Toyota Camry, as well as Daylong motorcycles, sewing and grinding machines among other gift items were given to the people for their financial independence.

    Odedo who said he dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) because of the poor leadership style, commended his people for entrusting confidence in him.

    He said: “I was motivated to embark on this poverty alleviation programme because of the role my people played during my election and re-election to the National Assembly. I promised to adequately represent your interest if elected into the Assembly and I will not relent in doing so.

    “I believe in human empowerment because it is more important than any

    other thing. If we as leaders give the people reasons to believe in this country by ensuring their financial independence, then a bulk of their security challenges we witness will drastically reduce.

    “Nigeria is decaying, the roads are bad, and the hospitals are not working fine. The most terrible thing to lose is the mind. So I believe that people should be empowered alongside with the development of the infrastructure, in terms of education, in terms of training them, helping them with jobs, assisting them with cash to expand their businesses and other means that would alleviate poverty in their lives.

    “I was assisting my people even before I joined politics and I always feel relief each time I notice that my small contribution has added life to the family that got it because by empowering that person, if he or she is diligent, then the multiplier effect will rob off on his or her relations.

    “So the benefit of human empowerment is what I have seen even before I joined politics and decided to stick with it. That is why I do empowerment programmes on yearly basis. I am happy that most of the people who have benefitted from the programme are feeding their families and even their extended families.”

    Odedo who attributed the lack of efficient power supply as the major cause of unemployment in the country said many people would have established small enterprises but for the lack of electricity.

    “That is why when I empower hair dressers, tailors, and even woman who grind food stuffs in the market, I usually include small generators for them. I support the view of most Nigerians that stable electricity was necessary for entrepreneurship to strive in the country.”

    While acknowledging that government alone cannot take Nigeria to the Promised Land, Odedo said the private sector has an enormous role to play to ensure that more Nigerians are engaged.

    “I think the government should concentrate effort in providing enabling environment for business to progress by so doing, the private sector will expand and more job opportunities will be created,” the Lawmaker said.

    A beneficiary, Mr. Okechukwu Nwoye, who got an L300 bus told The Nation that Odedo has been assisted the people since his return from the United States adding that the people insisted he must represent them when he indicated interest in politics.

    “He has been helping us, he gave our children scholarship, empowers the widows and the less privileged persons. Then, since 2008, Odedo every Christmas and New Year celebration distributes over 200 bags of rice, cartons of tomatoes and cash gifts.

    “Odedo promised to attract projects in all the 17 communities in Idemili North and South Federal

    Constituency before his election and today it has become a reality. He constructed classrooms with modern toilet at Akwa Ukwu and Awka Etiti. He also gave us 500KVA transformer and a skill acquisition centre at Nnobi, among other things.

    “What we are enjoying today is the reward of a good work. We stood for Odedo during his elections. We voted for him and ensured that our votes were not rigged because we knew he has our interest at heart. Odedo will continue to represent us.”

     

  • Oyo women address plight at seminar

    THe Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, has given women in the state the opportunity to speak on their challenges.

    The legislator organised an interactive forum for the women in all the 20 wards of both Oyo-East and Oyo-West local government areas.

    At the occasion held at the Durbar Stadium in Oyo town, women spoke one after the other on how they have been marginalised, neglected and persecuted in decision-making as well as in development.

    While eulogising Sunmonu for her concerted efforts in empowering and improving the status of women, they lamented some retrogressive forces said to be working against them.

    They told the Speaker: “We know your untiring commitment towards improving socio-economic status of women, but all these efforts are being thwarted and hijacked by those opposed to our well-being.

    “We need your support and assistance in order to cope with the biting economic situation in the country. We no longer want to be sidelined, discriminated or excluded in the scheme of things. It is our inalienable rights and must be given to us.”

    Responding, Hon. Sunmonu noted that women have continued to display great dynamism throughout the difficult period in the state. She said that they have displayed ingenuity and creativity in finding answers to any situation, individually at the household level, and collectively at the social level, thereby creating a conducive atmosphere for democracy and democratic governance to thrive.

    “They constitute a dynamic breeding ground within the framework of any perspective for change. The issue of women empowerment has become a matter of concern in the world, and particularly for the present administration in Oyo State. Considering their indispensable role in the society as mothers, custodians, and shapers of the society, the Ajimobi–led administration is of the conviction that empowering women is empowering the nation.”

    The Speaker assured the women that any activity that can improve their economic power would be encouraged, and that government would also encourage them to develop confidence in themselves, through exhibiting their potentials.

    Mrs. Sunmonu spoke further: “The woman exists for herself as well as for others. The seriously responsible duties she is called upon to perform in life require a cultivated head, as well as a sympathizing heart. Consequently, government would continue to provide an enabling environment for women, as well as intensify awareness campaigns among the rural dwellers for meaningful participation in the development process. This will go a long way in ensuring a bright and stable future.”

    The Speaker later donated 40 bags of rice to the women.

     

  • ‘Involve communities in pipeline protection’

    ‘Involve communities in pipeline protection’

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Prosperous Oil and Gas Company, Mr Isinkaye Abiodun, has stressed the need for those indigenous to communities through which oil pipelines passed to be involved in security of the pipelines to prevent vandals from tampering with them.

    He made this suggestion while commenting on the current scarcity of petroleum products across the country.

    He stated that if members of the host communities are engaged in the enlightenment of the people on the need to protect the pipelines, the rate at which vandals operate in the areas would be reduced.

    According to him, most oil marketers have been frustrated by the activities of the members of the communities, especially when their oil tankers tumbled.

    He lamented that the members of the communities usually rush to the scene where tankers fell to scoop fuel, thinking that it was a national cake.

    The people should be enlightened on the fact that the tankers as well as the content are owned by oil marketers who usually approached banks to access loans for the running of their businesses at high interest rates.

    He observed that most of the vandals and the members of the host communities are ignorant of the hazards inherent in the cutting of the pipelines.

    Commenting on the two-year-old administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Isinkaya urged the governor to pay more attention on physical projects.

    He suggested that investors should be encouraged to invest in the state through different enticing policies such as tax holiday, and reduction of tax and rates.

    The incentives, according to Isinkaya, would serve as baits to prospective investors who could pick interest in the state, adding that the potential which abound in the state had not been exploited.

    He disclosed that the influx of investors in the state would have spiral positive effect on the economy of the state, especially shoring up the internally-generated revenue (IGR) and reducing unemployment.

     

     

     

    The oil magnate observed that this would take pressure off the shoulders of the state government, noting that the activities of the investors would complement as well as solving most of the socio-economic problems in the state.

    Nevertheless, he commended the governor for some of the ongoing and completed projects in the state in the last two years of his administration.

     

  • Three injured in Ibadan market fire

    There was a fire outbreak on Monday at the Omi-Adio Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Three persons, two women and a man, sustained varying degrees of burns.

    They are on admission at the Emiloju Hospital.

    A portion of the motor park within the market was razed.

    Electronic beauty equipment and other valuables were destroyed.

    The fire, which started at about 4.30pm, gutted about seven shops.

    It was brought under control by residents before men of the state Fire Service arrived at about 6.20pm.

    When The Nation visited the victims on admission yesterday, they were not allowed to speak.

    The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

    One of those whose shops were razed, Mrs. Kemi Abideen, said: “We do not know how the fire started or the root cause. I was at home when someone came to inform me that my shop was on fire. I do not know what caused the fire.”

    She said she bought the goods in her shop with cooperative loan and urged the government to assist her.

     

  • Achebe: Between A Man of the People and There was a Country

    Achebe: Between A Man of the People and There was a Country

    Does Chinua Achebe’s new offering portend the augury of his 1966 book, A Man of the People? This must be the silent question niggling the mind of the more perceptive reader of the mint fresh “There was a Country.” The book could well have been eerily titled, There was a Nigeria. Is this the central message of this 82 year-old sage and national icon who has lived through it all? Unlike in 1966 when the publication of his A man of the People almost heralded the first coup in Nigeria which he had predicted in the book, will Nigeria’s grim history repeat itself?

    The book which has unfortunately welled up an ocean of controversy, having come to the world legs-first like an abnormal childbirth because of a mischievous excerpt published in a British newspaper, may have its vital message lost to a bickering that has degenerated to the age-old Igbo-Yoruba supremacy tussle. There is no doubt that had that particular portion of the book not been highlighted by The Guardian of London, not many Nigerians would have found, or for that matter, noticed that contentious characterisation of Chief Obafemi Awolowo which is tucked away near the end of the book.

    But in There was a Country, Achebe has written a strange little book that is at once his life story, his history of the Biafra War and Nigeria’s crises; a work of prose and a dash of poetry all skillfully meshed together. Shall we say that this is Achebe’s catharsis, a distillation of all that was good and all that was baleful for a man who was 30 years old, an established author and a senior civil servant under a colonial entity before the birth of Nigeria in 1960? By this tale, he has bequeathed to Nigeria a sprawling canvass of her once beautiful era, a political independence placed delicately on faulty pedestal like an accident designed to occur, the regression, the war and the eerie danger of an impending violent end.

    In a four-part book, he tells his story from the beginning: his early Christian convert father who embraced the Whiteman’s faith so very religiously and immersing his family unquestioningly into it. The seed of Achebe’s epic novel, Things Fall Apart was probably sown in these early days when in spite of early indoctrination inexorably found an undying fascination in the Igbo traditional religion practiced by many kinsmen of that era.

    Achebe also gives us a glimpse of his precocious childhood, his appetite for study and books; his plucky school days, especially at Government College, Umuahia, and the University College, Ibadan. From his St. Philips Primary School in his rural Ogidi, now in Anambra State, and a stint in Central School, Nekede, Owerri, Achebe (aka Dictionary as he was nicknamed then) had come out tops in the national common entrance to Government College, Umuahia, GCU, and earning a scholarship to boot. In like manner, he came out top graduating student at GCU too and again, winning what was called a “major” national scholarship to study medicine at the University College, Ibadan, in 1948.

    Hear him: “I grew up at a time when the colonial educational infrastructure celebrated hard work and high achievement and so did our families and communities. Government College, Umuahia, was so proud of my work that they put up a big sign announcing my performance in the national entrance examination. That notice stayed on the wall for years.”

    Achebe had great company in the pioneer set at the University College, Ibadan; the very best of young Nigerians from every corner of the country. A most remarkable group made up of the likes of Chike Momah, Flora Nwapa, Mabel Segun, Ben Obumselu, Emmanuel Obiechina, Kelsey Harrison, Gamaliel Onosode, Wande Abimbola, Iya Abubakar, Adiele Afigbo, Igwe Aja Nwachukwu, Theophilus Adeleke Akinyele, Grace Alele-Williams, Mohammed Bello, Elechi Amadi. This group was joined later by Wole Soyinka, J.P. Clark, Oluwakayo Oshuntokun, M.J.C. Echeruo, Christopher Okigbo, Ayo Bamgbose, Christine Okoli (his future wife), Chukwuemeka Ike, Abiola Irele, Zulu Sofola, and several others.

    With such an array of home grown intellectuals of Nigeria’s pre-independence era and a horde of foreign trained ones, how could the new country have gone awry and disintegrated almost soon as it was ‘founded’? Achebe asserts that the British compromised the country right from day one. Describing Nigeria’s immediate post-independence era, Achebe says: “Within six years of this tragic colonial manipulation Nigeria was a cesspool of corruption and misrule. Public servants helped themselves freely to the nation’s wealth. Elections were blatantly rigged, the subsequent national census was outrageously stage-managed; judges and magistrates were manipulated by politicians in power. The politicians themselves were pawns of foreign business interests.

    “The social malaise in the Nigerian society was political corruption. The structure of the country was such that there was inbuilt power struggle among the ethnic groups, and of course those who were in power wanted to stay in power…”

    If this was the situation in the 1950s and 1960s as Achebe observed, the situation has reached its nadir today, 52 years after, taking the country to a tipping point whence there may cease to be a country. To this chronic and nation-threatening condition, Achebe proffers solution thus: “Africa’s post-colonial disposition is the result of a people who have lost the habit of ruling themselves. We have also had difficulty running the new systems foisted upon us at the dawn of independence by our “colonial masters”. Because the West has had a long but uneven engagement with the continent, it is imperative that it understand what happened to Africa. It must also play a part in the solution. A meaningful solution will require the goodwill and concerted efforts on the part of all those who share the weight of Africa’s historical burden.

    There was a Country is a quaintly nice book which, had Achebe not written it, he would have done grave harm to the history of Nigeria, being a learned, enlightened witness and a participant to this peculiar history. Obviously tortured by his own story, he must have found some relieve in disgorging it. TOMORROW: THE POGROMS, THE ABURI ACCORD AND THE WAR BEGINS.

  • Aluu killings: Rep restates call for state police

    •’Their deaths could have been avoided’

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Mr. Dakuku Peterside, has condemned the killing of four students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Aluu, Rivers State.

    Dakuku, in a statement, said the killing showed that the country cannot continue to run away from state police.

    He said: “Whatever the reason, the truth is that the Uniport 4 represented hope and the future, not just for their respective families and communities, but for the entire country. So for whatever reason, these are needless deaths that could have been avoided and this sordid act should be condemned by all men of goodwill.

    “I understand Aluu and some neighbouring communities had been under siege for some time. In fact, the state of insecurity in the area had deteriorated so badly that the people had resorted to self-help. “Consequently, they formed vigilance groups with absolute powers and the death of these boys is a direct consequence of that ill-advised move. Therefore, to all intent and purposes, Aluu was actually a disaster waiting to happen. But should this brand of jungle justice be visited on the Uniport 4 in the first instance?

    “Again, are we such a depraved people? Where are the good men of Aluu? This is definitely not what I know of Aluu, a once peaceful neighbourhood. Did they just watch while evil was perpetrated or were they simply intimidated?

    “Security is at the centre of this latest national calamity and we must not pretend about it. The Aluu incident is clearly a failure of the state security apparatus to arrest a deteriorating security situation that prevailed in the town for several months, leading to frustration of the people, who resorted to self- help.

    “The police failed to rise up to the occasion, even though the crime under consideration lasted about two hours. This failure drew substantially from the police’s obsolete communication gadgets and their slow response.

    These are issues we had raised severally, but no one listened.

    “Quite expectedly, most of the eyewitness accounts alleged that while the murderous game was going on in Aluu, two police patrol vehicles were sighted around the scene, yet their presence did not make any difference. A source I do not doubt even claimed that the police pulled over and left without any attempt to save the embarrassing situation.

    “If what happened in Aluu could happen in Rivers, a model state in terms of security, then there is cause for alarm. This is a warning sign we cannot afford to ignore.

    “Those opposed to state police for some reasons are beginning to see the need for further dialogue. The Aluu killings would not have happened, if there was state police.

    “The arguments against state police usually dissolve in the face of logic. Police cannot be a platform for national integration and this must be emphasised. And around the world, there are not too many examples of successful policing in federal states.

    “Antagonists of state police are also quick to cite the concentration of power in one single man (the governor), discriminatory tendencies, interstate rivalry and even jungle justice like the macabre dance in Aluu as its disadvantages.

    “Strangely, the advantages of state police outweigh its disadvantages. The truth is that the federal police as constituted today lacks capacity and resources and is too bureaucratic. These explain why they are easily overwhelmed.

    “I think some Nigerians are beginning to appreciate the fact that state police would be well-funded. There is also the advantage of capacity-building. There will be enough manpower and this will engender healthy rivalry.

    “Adequate knowledge of the territory would prompt quick responses to distress calls because policemen would be indigenes of the state. I know that despite these advantages, abuse could still occur. That is why a mechanism of control should be instituted at the centre to subordinate to some extent, the activities of the state police.

    “If we achieve the clamour for state police, a measure of frustration will leave our governors, who will then truly act as chief security officers.”

     

  • Rotary hails vocational centre

    Rotary hails vocational centre

    The effort of the Rotary Club of Akute, Ogun State, in providing young people with skills and helping them to be economically independent has not gone unnoticed.

    The District Governor of the club, Kamoru Omotosho, who visited, spoke highly of the operators of the club’s vocational centre, urging them to move on continue the good work.

    The coordinator of the Rotary Club of Akute’s Vocational Center, Esther Lawal said: ‘’On behalf of my students at Vocational Centre here, we are saying a big thank you to you, to the Rotary Club of Akute. My students have been so wonderful in everything we have been teaching them. We started by November last year and we enrolled 15 students.

    “Out of those 15 students, by the grace of God, I have 10 to graduate and by the grace of God (with) the 10 we are able to sew (and) dye you this clothe and also bake you a beautiful cake. Also in our Catering Department we did little small chops for you to take home and taste how far we’ve been going.’’

    Reacting to the situation at the center and the products before him, the District Governor said: ‘’But one thing I just want to say is let this just be the beginning, the beginning of good things to come not only for you but for the Rotarians too.

    “When I look at the simple instruments with which you used to make this beautiful outfit I feel deeply touched and I feel so proud of you.

    The centre also takes has an adult literacy centerpresided over by OsoAbimbolaand from where graduates also emerged. Speaking to the graduates Kamoru said: ‘’Sometimes ago I know they may not be able to read and to write, now with their certificates, I may not have inspected their books (but), I know they can now read and write.’’

    Of the Akute Rotary Club members he said: ‘’When they started this programme I don’t think they anticipated it was going to come out fruitfully like this. But when they see what they have done there’s nobody who won’t feel proud of Rotary Club of Akute to please good round of applause.’’

    Charging the Akute club, he said: “No matter what impression you gave us today, I will still be waiting that Akute is just beginning. In another few years time we should be able to say Akute, one of the top ones in the District. Potential is nothing if there is no action. With what simple statement you have made today, I feel greatly impressed and hope you won’t just stop at that.’’

    On his part, the chief host, the Rotary Club of Akute, Showunmi Michael Adesina thanked the Governor for his visit, adding that the club will take earnest heed to his advises.

    He said: “We want to appreciate your coming sir and we have noted all your points as regards Vocational Center. I know you are not the one that will be coming as DG next year (but) I’m sure you might be interested to come and see what this place has transformed to next year. And we promise we’ll continue raising this place. And as you rightly advised us, we will take them to West African Fair Project as well.

    The team on leaving the centre went to the Light of Hope Orphanage, also in Akute, where they donated some cartons of noodles to that institution.

    Responding to their visit to the orphanage, the proprietor, Pastor Omotayo Samuel Atunde said: “It’s a mark of good omen. We have enjoyed so much of their support in the past and we do know that more and more of such will come.’’

    Earlier in the day, the entourage visited the palace of the Baale of Arifanla in Akute, Adeboye Adekunle with whom they inspected the community health centre being built by the club but which is yet to be completed.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap two school children in Calabar, demand N30m

    Gunmen kidnap two school children in Calabar, demand N30m

    Unknown gunmen yesterday morning kidnapped two school children along the Murtala Mohammed Highway in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    According to eyewitnesses, the three gunmen were masked; it was only the driver that did not cover his face.

    The incident, it was gathered, happened at about 7.30am as their mother, Mrs. Juliet Eko James, was taking them to school.

    Mr. Johnson Eko James, the father of the children, relived the matter on telephone: “my wife and our three children were driving out of our street into the highway and suddenly, some people in a Vento salon car accosted her, using their car to block my wife’s car. They came out pointing a gun at my wife and asked for her mobile telephone. When she handed over her phone, they then picked up our four-year-old daughter. The elder brother, Emmanuel, 10 years old, questioned why they were taking his sister away, they picked him up as well. It was at that point that our second child, a seven-year-old, ran out of the car heading back to the house.”

    Mr. James, a civil servant with Cross River State civil service said he reported the matter to the Police at the Federal Housing Estate Police division in Calabar.

    He said the kidnappers called at noon, demanding for N30million.

    He said all appeals from his wife to take their car, a Toyota Sienna, was rebuffed by the gunmen who took away their children.

    But Police spokesman John Umoh said he had not got report from the Divisional Police Officer of the police station.

    “I will get back to you as soon as I get the details,” he said. But he did not do so until press time.

     

  • Court jails bureau de change operator

    A  Kano State High Court has sentenced a bureau de change operator, Muktar Yusuf Gwadabe, to two and half years imprisonment with an option of N250, 000 fine.

    Gwadabe, who was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was convicted by Justice Dije Abdu Aboki for fraud, criminal breach of trust and issuance of a dishonoured cheque amounting to N70million.

    The judge ordered the accused to pay N76million to the complainant, Alhaji Nura Ammani and in default, to serve a prison term of five years.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said Gwadabe was arrested in February 2009, following a petition by Ammani, who allegedly gave him (Gwadabe) N152million for the supply of $1million.

    The statement said: “The convict supplied $500,000, (equivalent of N76million), but allegedly misappropriated and converted to his personal use, the balance.

    “The accused issued a cheque of N76 million to the complainant which when presented for payment was returned unpaid because of insufficient fund in the accused’s account.”

    The EFCC also said it has arraigned Bernard Nebani before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for alleged stealing and fraudulent conversion of N5.72million.

    According to the charge, “Bernard Nebani on or about June 13, 2008 at Lagos stole and fraudulently converted 57,200 litres of petroleum products valued at N5.72million property of Leadland Resources Limited.

    “Justice Abiru adjourned the case till October 24 for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded in Kirikiri prison.”