The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ado-Ekiti

  • Fed Poly in Ado-Ekiti shut indefinitely

    The Federal Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, was shut indefinitely yesterday, following a violent protest by students over the death of two of their colleagues.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that trouble began on campus late Friday when the two students reportedly complained of malaria.

    They were said to have been rushed to the health centre for treatment, but their condition worsened and they died on Saturday.

    In a statement, the Registrar, Mrs. Sade Adediran, announced the closure of the school.

    She did not confirm if any student actually died at the polytechnic’s health centre, which was said to have trigger the protest.

    The statement warned that any student found on campus after the closure would be apprehended and made to face the consequences.

    NAN gathered from campus sources that the students, on learning that their colleagues had died, mobilised and burnt the health centre.

    Besides destroying property, students blocked roads leading to the institution and obstructed traffic.

    One of the students, who asked not to be mentioned, condemned the attitude of the polytechnic’s authorities on their welfare and well-being.

    He alleged that the only drug available at the health centre was paracetamol.

    According to him, paracetamol was also given to the two students, instead of effective malaria drugs or injection.

  • Man to die by hanging for murder, armed robbery in Ekiti

    Man to die by hanging for murder, armed robbery in Ekiti

    An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Friday has sentenced one Kolawole Oluwasola to death by hanging.

    Kolawole, a middle-aged man, bagged the sentence over robbery and murder case which was established that he committed on the April 13, 2016 at Sabo area, Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state.

    He was charged for stabbing one Yahaya Sumaila with a knife and also strangulated him to death.

    Kolawole was also docked for snatching the victim’s motorcycle after which he fled to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Nemesis however caught on him as the police interceded him on the suspicion of the motorcycle and arrested him.

    The Court said during investigation, the defendant made a confessional statement to the crime and took the team of policemen to the scene of the crime where the rotten body of Ismaila was found.

    The State Counsel, Mrs Bunmi Ajumobi called six witnesses to prove her case beyond reasonable doubt while the counsel for the defendant, Mrs Amina Baderinwa also called the defendant who gave evidence in his own case.

    The court held that the offence of Armed Robbery and Murder are both punishable with death upon conviction.

    Justice John Adeyeye said that the defendant will pay the supreme price prescribed for the commission of the offense of murder and armed robbery.

    The presiding Judge affirmed that the court had listened to the evidence of prosecution witnesses as well as evidence of the defendant.

    Justice Adeyeye held that State counsel has however proved the case of Murder and Armed Robbery beyond reasonable doubt.

    He therefore condemned Kolawole to death by hanging.

  • Ekiti Boundary Dispute:  Three murder suspects granted bail

    Ekiti Boundary Dispute:  Three murder suspects granted bail

    An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has granted bail to three suspects accused of murder during the riot that trailed the boundary dispute between Ayede and Itaji communities in Oye Local Government Area on January 31.

    The three suspects: Joshua Akanbi, Abiodun Ogundaisi and Segun Ogundaisi were alleged to have murdered one Seyi Oladipo during the battle between the two communities for the control of Orisunmibare farm settlement.

    At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, Justice Monisola Abodunde admitted the three suspects to bail in the sum of N500, 000 and one surety each.

    The application for bail for the accused persons was filed and moved by their counsel, Mr. Sule Longe.

    Each of the surety, the judge ruled, must be a community leader, a title holder who must deposit his Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

    She held that the suspects must sign an undertaking to maintain peace throughout the period of the trial stressing that the court will not hesitate to revoke the bail if they cause trouble again.

    Justice Abodunde said the court exercised the right to grant them accused bail because of the health condition of the first defendant (Akanbi) who is receiving treatment from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti on account of multiple injuries sustained during
    the communal clash.

    Before the ruling was delivered, prosecution counsel, Mr. Adebayo Arogundade, applied to amend the charge filed against the accused persons which was granted by the court.

    The accused persons are standing trial on two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

    Arogundade also told the court that of his readiness to call ten witnesses to give evidence in the case and prayed for a short date to assemble the witnesses.

    The court adjourned the case to 6th and 7th of November for definite hearing.

  • Man jailed 14 years for raping 12-year-old girl

    Man jailed 14 years for raping 12-year-old girl

    An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 35-year-old Olowo Ismaila to fourteen-year imprisonment for raping a 12-year old girl.

    Justice Bamidele Omotoso who slammed the verdict on the convict on Thursday held that the prosecution has proved the case against him beyond reasonable doubt.

    Omotoso held that evidence before the court including the medical report, statement volunteered by the convict to the police and the cloth worn by the victim on the day of the incident indicted Ismaila.

    The judge ruled that Ismaila’s sentence would start counting from 14th April, 2016 when he was first incarcerated for the offence.

    The convict committed the crime on 1st February, 2016 at Awolowo Street, Iluomoba-Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    The prosecution counsel, Mr. Akinola Abon, called witnesses and tendered evidence to secure Ismaila’s conviction while the convict testified in his own defence during trial.

    Abon commended the judgment which he said would send a strong signal against all forms of sexual violence in the state.

    Defence counsel, Mr. Babatunde Falade, said he would consult with his client on the possibility of appealing against the judgment.

  • Pupil Tax: Appeal court adjourns church case against Ekiti

    Pupil Tax: Appeal court adjourns church case against Ekiti

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday adjourned the suit between Incorporated Trustees of the Ekiti Diocese of Catholic Church and Ekiti State government on the imposition of education tax on pupils.

    The Catholic Church had on 22nd April 2016 approached the State High Court on the imposition of development levies on pupils and students of private schools by the state government.

    Dissatisfied with the judgment of the lower court which favoured the state government, the Catholic Mission approached the appellate court to appeal the judgment delivered on 13th October 2016.

    At the resume hearing of the case at the Ado-Ekiti Division of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, counsel to the Catholic Church, Chief Anthony Adeniyi told the panel expressed dismay with the filing of a motion for the amendment of government’s respondent brief.

    Adeniyi prayed the court to grant him adjournment to enable him study the fresh preliminary objection.

    The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kola Kolade, had earlier filed an application to amend the brief of the respondents.

    Presiding judge, Justice Olanrewaju Belgore, consequently adjourned the case till 16th October 2017 for definite hearing of the appeal.

  • US Consulate woos ABUAD faculty, students

    The United States of America’s Consulate in Lagos has urged academics and students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), in Ekiti State to take advantage of academic fellowships and fully-funded scholarship opportunities available in the United States.

    Mrs Dassi Sota, Public Affairs Officer of the U.S consulate, Southern Nigeria, who led a team of the consulate’s officials that included, Mr Clemson Ayegbusi, coordinator of the U.S Fullbright/Professional exchange programme, Mr. Austin Emenanua, coordinator of Mandela Washington Fellowship or Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI),  and Ms Tosin Ogundeji, Consulate’s media officer, told the ABUAD management that the U.S government had opened its gate wide open to Nigerians who are interested in pursuing research programmes in top U.S universities to develop themselves in leadership, professional, cultural,  educational areas among others.

    She said many of the programmes were fully funded by the U.S government.

    Urging them to key into the opportunities Mrs Sota said: “We have. Learnt a lot about the Afe Babalola University and we recognise the institutions as one of the best in Africa. This is why we are extending this opportunity to your institution as we have already done to more than 20 other Nigerian tertiary institutions. We have a lot to share and you have got a lot to benefit.

    “The U.S is currently throwing her gate wide open to scholars who are interested in educational programmes/research, professional programmes and cultural studies in top U.S universities. Do not worry yourself about getting the visa because it is now very easy and do not worry yourself about getting the funds for sponsorship because the U.S.  government is providing the funds.”

    Ayegbusi urged academics and professionals to explore the Fullbright Fellowship and others, Emenunua urged students of the university to tap into the YALI, which he was is available for youths who intend to take up leadership careers with sound training from the U.S top universities.

    Accepting the proposal from the U.S. representatives, the ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof Micheal Ajisafe, who said he was proud to be an alumnus of top U.S universities, said: “You have brought us good tidings from the most powerful country in the world and some of us who have benefitted from the U.S sound educational system can only advise our people to key into these wonderful opportunities. So we will tap very well into it as we have hitherto been doing with the country.”

  • Students kick as poly issues restriction order

    The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY) students have kicked against the management’s directive restricting movement in and out of the campus from 10pm. Students said the school’s decision was against their rights and would affect their wellbeing.

    The management’s directive also barred campus traders from opening their shops beyond the stipulated time. Besides, the school deployed cadet corps to Lagos Female Hostel to restrict boys from having access to the hall in the evening, following complaints of theft and immoral activities.

    Students have rejected the directive, describing it as a “draconian order”. They said it was abnormal for the authorities to try to restrict students’ movement on the campus, wondering whether the school was an army barracks.

    Students’ Union Government (SUG) Welfare Director Adewale Fatoyinbo said the directive had denied students the rights to free movement and livelihood, noting that the campus hads been turned to a ghost town.

    A student, Tonia Ajayi, said the polytechnic should not be turned to a secondary school, adding that the directive was issued in bad faith.

    She said: “A higher institution is supposed to be bubbling. But, the management wants to turn our campus to a grave yard. The decision needs to be reviewed, because the polytechnic may become a secondary school in the process.”

    Another student, who pleaded for anonymity, said campus was supposed to be lively at all times, regretting that her two years of study in this school had been boring.

    Since the directive was issued, CAMPUSLIFE observed that cadet corps regularly move around the female hostel at 7pm to send out boys visiting the hall. Occupants of the Lagos Female Hostel hadve lodged several complaints to the school Chief Security Officer about theft and burglary in the hostel.

    A recent case of theft had occupants’ mobile phones, laptops, jewelry, make-up kit and other personal effects carted away by a burglar. Also, there had been cases of rape and attempted rape in the Lagos Female Hostel.

    It was gathered that there had been regular disputes between the cadet corps and female students over visiting period for the boys. While the cadet corps said it was in the interest of the occupants of the hostel to send out visiting male students, the girls considered it displeasing to send their visitors away.

    Findings by CAMPUSLIFE showed that students did not adhere fully to the restriction order. Students called on the management to withdraw the order to allow them have free movement on the campus.

     

  • Don donates cash, materials to the poor

    A philanthropist and lecturer at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Olumide Oluwagbemi-Gabriel has urged individuals and corporate organisations to assist the less-privileged in the society, particularly the abused and abandoned children, widows and other physically-challenged people.

    He gave the advice while presenting cash, food and relief materials worth several thousands of Naira to children on admission at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure and Special Children Centre of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the Nigeria Police ‘A’ Division, Akure as part of activities to celebrate his 40th birthday.

    Oluwagbemi-Gabriel was accompanied to the centres by his friends, colleagues and members of his family to appreciate God for sparing his life to attain the age of 40.

    He said he opted for unorthodox way to celebrate his birthday when it dawned on him that if as a member of the middle-class he could feel the impact of the current recession in the country, the poor and vulnerable in the society must be worst off.

    According to him, he decided that the only way he would celebrate his 40th birthday was not to throw party, but by giving back to the society.

    This, he said, was to emulate the philanthropic gesture of one of his mentors, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the founder of ABUAD.

    The don, who tagged his gesture “Project 40”, revealed that 40 humanitarian projects spanning 40 persons and institutions are scheduled to be carried out in phases.

    The projects, he said, included donations of education materials to his alma mater, AUD Victoria Island, Lagos and Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos, payment of school fees of some selected indigent students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.

    Other areas of the project are empowerment for selected widows and physically-challenged cobblers as well as donation of relief materials and cash to hospitalised children and those at the Police Special Children Centre.

    Recipients of the celebrator’s gifts showered encomiums on him for coming to their assistance.

    The Head, Pediatric Ward, State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr A. Bello and the Officer in Charge, Police Special Children Centre, Yemi, praised the initiative of the don which they described as product of compassion, especially at this period of recession.

    The duo urged others; especially corporate bodies and individuals to come to the aid of the vulnerable in the society, stressing that government cannot do it alone.

    Oluwagbemi-Gabriel appreciated God, family members, colleagues and other supporters who supported his passion to give back to the society in commemoration of his birthday.

  • Fayose storms praying ground in Muslim regalia

    Fayose storms praying ground in Muslim regalia

    There was drama at the Eid Praying Ground at Olokemeji area of Odo Ado, Ado-Ekiti on Friday when Governor Ayo Fayose stormed the place in Muslim regalia with a turban to match.

    The governor observed the Eid-el-Kabir prayer with thousands of Muslim faithful and witnessed the slaughtering of the ram by the Grand Imam of Ekiti State who also doubles as the President of League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere
    Bello.

    The spiritual exercise soon turned political as the Muslims who were impressed with Fayose’s gesture urged him to consider supporting a Muslim to succeed him as governor when his tenure expires on October 15, 2018.

    The Imam who praised Fayose, who is a Christian, for dressing in an Islamic way said the governor was fulfilling the injunction of Allah by not discriminating against those who belong to other religions.

    Kewulere said: “This dressing shows that the governor is not discriminating against any religion. Your Excellency, your dressing is even in line with Biblical injunctions.

    “If you check the book of Zechariah 3:3, the Bible says: “We removed unclean clothes from Joshua, we washed him clean and he was dressed with a clean turban on his head and God’s angel stood by him.

    “Our governor, as you wore the Turban on your head, the angel of God is already with you and that is why you are succeeding in all that you do, against all odds.”

    Demanding a Muslim successor from Fayose, Kewulere said: “Ekiti is 20 years now and since this its creation; we don’t have a Muslim governor yet. We urge you sir, if any Muslim is interested in the governorship from your party, kindly support him to fulfil his ambition.”

    Fayose said he decided to dress like a sheikh on Sallah day because he belongs to everybody in the state irrespective of their religions adding that Muslims voted for him en masse at the last governorship poll.

    He said: “I represent everybody irrespective of religious differences. I got elected by everyone’s vote. Choice of religion is free.

    “As a leader, appearing in  Muslim regalia with a turban is to say that I must be part of everything they Muslims do and make then realise that we all one family. I will also ensure that all their demands today are met.”

    Promising to fulfil the desires of the Muslims in his best possible way, Fayose urged the Islamic clerics to always tell the leaders the truth and preach values of justice and equity.

    Fayose who said that religious leaders wield more influence on the people than government officials or political leaders, urged them to use such influence to reorientate the people towards maintain love, peace, justice and equity for all.

    He added: “Muslims are very peculiar people and Islam is not known for violence. I therefore urge all Muslims to abide by the doctrine of the religion and ensure that they live in harmony with everybody.

    “We have same blood flowing in our veins and are first all human beings before we chose our religion. So, God in us is more important than the religion. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

    “I therefore enjoin them to continue to live in peace for the collective growth of our land, our nation. We will continue to work together so that this country remains one, indivisible but founded on justice and equity.”

  • Cultural splendour at Udiroko Festival

    Cultural splendour at Udiroko Festival

    The Udiroko Festival holds annually to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the people of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. This year, the ceremony lived up to its billing throughout last week as indigenes and visitors savoured the excitement which the festival presented. The event attracted dignitaries from other parts of the country. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, and guests who came from far and near had something to cheer over the weekend when they trooped out in their thousands to celebrate this year’s Udiroko Festival.

    The week-long fiesta, which began on Monday, August 21 with prayers by clerics and press conference, reached its peak on Saturday, August 26 when a mammoth crowd gathered at the ultra-modern Palace Square to pay homage to the Ewi, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III.

    For the first time in the history of the festival since Oba Adejugbe ascended the throne of his forefathers in December 1990, two state governors in Nigeria were honoured with chieftaincy titles for their contributions to the development of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.

    They are Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State who received the title of Apesin Apogunpote of Ado-Ekiti and Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State who was honoured with the title of Akinmuagun of Ado-Ekiti. His wife, Hajia Ummi Adama received the traditional title of Yeye Akinmuagun.

    Member of the House of Representatives representing Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, was honoured with the title of Ajirosola of Ado-Ekiti while his wife, Mrs. Adenike Omolola Adebutu was honoured with the title of Yeye Ajirosola of Ado-Ekiti.

    A new ultramodern Palace Hall constructed by the Fayose administration was inaugurated during the festival, while a book on Ado-Ekiti History written by renowned historian, Prof. Isola Olomola was launched.

    The book was reviewed by Prof. Eddy Olanipekun.

    Fayose, Dankwambo and Adebutu launched the Ewi Palace Endowment Fund. Yoruba culture promoter, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, delivered a public lecture to mark the festival.

    Other activities used to mark this year’s Udiroko Festival included a Health Awareness Enlightenment programme, Ewi’s Football Cup Competition, visit to the sick and the aged by the chiefs, ayo olopon and draft game, Princes and Princess’ Night, Eredun and church thanksgiving service at First Baptist Church, Okeyinmi, Ado-Ekiti.

    Dignitaries who attended this year’s festival included former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; former Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam; Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola; founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola; former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George; among others.

    The event was attended by traditional rulers, political office holders and other prominent citizens of Ekiti and Gombe states.

    Fayose turned the event to a campaign ground by boasting that he would install a successor to continue his legacies in office.

    The Udiroko Festival emanated from Ajase Ewi, which was staged to celebrate Ewi’s supernatural power of conquest and also fell on the New Year day on the Ado-Ekiti traditional calendar.

    But the modern Udiroko Festival has transformed to Thanksgiving Day for Ewi and his subjects and planning for development projects to be executed either in the palace or in the kingdom for the benefit of the residents.

    The Ewi, Oba Adejugbe, has upped the ante of Udiroko by making it a national and international festival which attracts interest from within and outside the country.

    To the monarch and his subjects, Udiroko has become the New Year festival of the community.

    Ado-Ekiti was throbbing on the day of the grand finale of Udiroko (August 26). Musicians hired by some chiefs and other residents were dishing out music in many parts of the town while the quarter chiefs in their regalia danced round with their followers to the palace.

    By 12 noon, the terraces in the palace square were already filled to capacity with various cultural groups dancing to the delight of the audience.

    The emergence of the Ewi from the inner chambers of his palace at 2:25 p.m. sparked a staccato of gun shots from local hunters who continued their shooting till the end of the show.

    Fayose arrived at the venue with Dankwambo, Adebutu and other guests at 2:44 p.m. and moved round acknowledging cheers from the crowd some of who clutched placards announcing his presidential ambition for 2019.

    Delivering his speech, Oba Adejugbe advised indigenes and residents of his kingdom to go back to the farm in order to fight hunger and unemployment. Oba Adejugbe further explained that walnut and kolanut which were used to celebrate the Udiroko Festival in the past were products of the rich agricultural heritage of Ado people.

    The Ewi said: “Our society today is faced with the serious problems of unemployment and starvation. It is heart-rending to see thousands of our youths roaming the streets every day without any visible means of livelihood.

    “Many people starve while many others manage to keep body and soul together. The underlying reason is that our people have refused to face the reality of our environment.

    “We are mainly an agrarian community; as long as our people run away from farming, these problems are likely to endure. What an irony! Nature has been particularly kind to us in this part of the country, such much so that with little effort tilling the soil, we can feed well. Once again, I appeal to everybody to take to farming.

    “May I strongly advise that government at all levels should find a way of motivating our people to develop interest in agriculture which is the main occupation of our community.

    “Apart from solving the immediate food requirements of our teeming population, excess food produced from our farms can enhance the industrial take off of our community.”

    Oba Adejugbe also advocated constitutional roles from traditional rulers, saying: “what is in operation today is that whenever there is a crisis, we remember traditional rulers as acceptable leaders of the people whose appeal could pacify the aggrieved people and not the politicians.”

    The monarch said Fayose was honoured with the title because of the landmark projects he is executing in the town which have changed the face of the state capital. These include the flyover, Oba’s Market, new Governor’s Office, new High Court complex and township roads.

    He also said the Ado-Ekiti community was grateful to Fayose for what he called “unprecedented projects in the palace” which include the open arena, new ultramodern hall and palace extension.