The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akure

  • Eguaveon’s resignation a product of a corrupt system, say Odegbami, others

    Eguaveon’s resignation a product of a corrupt system, say Odegbami, others

    Football enthusiasts have blamed Austin Eguaveon’s resignation as the coach of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure on the corruption that has eaten deep into football.

    `Mathematical’ Segun Odegbami, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the situation was sad.

    “It’s a psychological thing, this has been an issue for a very long time and nothing has been done.

    “I don’t know if anything can be done in this regard because it seems nothing has been done to make our referees better.

    “It’s like corruption in this country it has eaten deep into the system, in fact that’s what is wrong with our football.

    ” It is the same set of people that have been there that are still there so you don’t expect much from them, ” he said.

    Dosu Joseph, a former Super Eagles number one goalkeeper said that it was quite unfortunate, that for Eguaveon to resign after two matches and spoke volumes of the state of football in the country.

    ” The truth is at times human error comes into play but when it becomes consistent it shows something is wrong.

    ” For him to resign after two matches to me shows that he knows what he is doing and since he saw that he could not cope he did the needful.

    “It takes guts for him to do that ; it’s unfortunate that he resigned Sunshine has lost a good coach, ” Joseph said.

    Also sharing same view was Nduka Ugbade, he told NAN that there could be more to it.

    “I’m yet to call him, but there is more to it, that’s my assumption, Austin is a coach that knows his worth.

    ” It’s so unfortunate that things ended like this for Sunshine, they really needed his experience, ” he said.

    However, Wahidi Akanni, a board member of the Lagos State Football Association, said Eguaveon’s resignation due to referee’s conduct was not enough reason for his resignation.

    “The truth is our referees need reorientation but the truth is, it’s not enough for Eguaveon to resign that’s my take.

    “He should present his evidence to the relevant authorities, this is not to justify anything but the truth is officiating in the NPFL needs serious upgrade,” he said.

    NAN reports that Eguavoen left his post as the Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars after the Week 23 match against Plateau United.

    Sunshine Stars played five games with the former Nigerian Coach in charge, winning two and losing three.

    The club defeated Rangers International of Enugu 2-0, lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars of Makurdi, defeated Enyimba International of Aba 1-0 and also lost 0-1 to 3SC of Ibadan and 1-2 to Plateau United of Jos. (NAN)

  • Ondo CJ in court over age falsification

    Ondo CJ in court over age falsification

    The Ondo state High court sitting in Akure has commenced hearing in the suit seeking the removal from office the state acting chief judge, Justice Temitayo Osoba for alleged overstaying in office and age falsification.

    The plaintiff and legal practitioner, Mr Femi Emodamori had told the court presided over by Justice Aderemi Adegoroye that the National Judicial Council, (NJC) and the Ondo state house of assembly had not confirmed the appointment of the acting chief judge.

    Emodamori therefore prayed the court to declare the position of the CJ vacant since three months required by the 1999 constitution for the confirmation of justice Osoba’s appointment had elapsed.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, counsel to the Acting CJ and the state government, Batife Philip withdrew his appearance for  Genevieve Okoye from Dayo Akinlaja chambers but it was countered by the prosecuting counsel.

    The presiding judge, Justice Aderemi Adegoroye adjourned the case to June 16 and ordered the prosecuting counsel to file an application countering the change of the defence counsels.

  • Breast cancer prevention dominates talks in Akure

    Women across the country converged on Akure, the Ondo State capital, for the inauguration of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) in the state.

    Wife of the Ondo State governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is the founder of the organisation.

    She urged the state governors to allocate, through the Ministry of Health, to prevent breast cancer.

    Mrs Akeredolu pointed out that the timely awareness and regular breasts check were major ways through which the disease could be prevented among women.

    The founder of BRECAN, who noted that breast cancer was more rampant among ladies between the ages of 18 and 20, maintained that the disease was not a death sentence as many people believed.

    She explained that as a survivor of the disease, women needed proper sensitisation and awareness to the control of breast cancer which prompted the formation of the association.

    Mrs Akeredolu pointed out that treatment of the disease was no longer expensive, especially in the early stage, but lamented that many hospitals in the country lacked specialists to handle the disease.

    The BRECAN initiator advocated the establishment of Cancer Treatment Centres (CTC)

    in each of the 36 states of the country, noting that medical facilities for the treatment of cancer were inadequate in various hospitals.

    The National President of the Association, Mrs Juliet Ogbuogu urged state governors to use his offices to sensitise the state assembly to the need to make legislation on the control of breast cancer in the state.

    Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu approved the establishment of Breast Cancer Prevention Centre in the state, adding that his administration would prevent breast cancer patients from untimely deaths.

    He promised that the state government would treat the disease passionately, noting that many patients were not lucky to survive the disease because of its deadly nature.

  • Climate change responsible for increased barren villages, erratic rainfall

    The Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jubril on Tuesday expressed worry over the increasing rate of barren villages and erratic rainfall in the northern part of the country.

    The minister, who attributed this development to climate change impacts, warned that the situation may persist except there are tentative efforts such as awareness creation and collective approach to reduce the scourge.

    He disclosed this during a meeting with a delegation from West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted land Use (WASCAL), led by its Executive Director, Prof. Jimmy Adegoke in Abuja.

    He added that the Lake Chad in Borno State had significantly reduced, causing water shortage compared with its state 50 years ago.

    Jubril acknowledged over 50 million euro expended by the German government to support Nigeria and other West African countries on research projects regarding climate change.

    His Words: “We thank the German government for this initiative and the support we got from the governing council and executive director of WASCAL. Believe it or not, climate change is not something you can wish away.

    I believe our brothers and sisters from Yobe will attest to it that when you come from areas in the north, where the sand dunes are real, there seem to be barren villages and limited water resources, you cannot deny climate change.

    “Again, in Maiduguri, you know the history of the Lake Chad, you know the former size but 50 years later, it is shrinking to one tenth from 22, 000 sq km to 2, 000 sq klm. I believe it is enough to tell you
    about climate change.

    “We are in May, if you notice, in the north central part of this country, the rains are still erratic. Noting can show you the manifestation of climate change more than this. If it were before perhaps 10 years back, the rain would have been stable.”

    WASCAL is sponsoring training programmes in Federal University of Technology, Minna and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) to increase capacity on climate change issues.

    Earlier, WASCAL executive director emphasised on negative impacts of climate change and need to increase capacity, research, and create sustainable solutions for better livelihood.

    He said there was no single solution to stop climate change but much of collective efforts.

    According to him, WASCAL is managing 10 post graduate schools which include six PhD schools and four Masters schools in the sub-region and they are all addressing climate change issues by sectors.

    Adegoke appealed to the federal government to hasten efforts to fulfil its 200, 000 euros counterpart of the project.

    He said: “Over 3m euros have been spent over five years to develop programmes to support understanding of climate change in the country.

    The country contribution is not a lot. We are so grateful that Nigeria outstanding contribution of 200, 000 euros will be addressed. It’s not much.”

    “Climate change is a global issue that has a particular interest in us in West Africa. Most impacted countries in terms of climate change are right here in West Africa. The Human Development Index (HDI) which shows vulnerable countries in the world has West Africa top the list.

    We have done very little to contribute to climate change and these countries unfortunately, are the least capable of addressing the problem.

    “The resources to address the challenges are limited here. Are we doing enough? No, are other global communities doing enough, No they are not,” he added.

  • Sexagenarian remanded in prison over N9m fraud

    A 64-year-old driver, Owoeye Tayo, was on Friday remanded in prison on the orders of an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged N9 million fraud.

    The accused, a resident of No. E29, Uja St., in Omuo Ekiti State, is facing a three-count of conspiracy,fraud and stealing.

    Chief Magistrate Victoria Bob-Emanuel ordered that the accused should remain in prison until May 23 for the consideration of his bail application.

    He urged the Nigeria Police to concluded their investigations on the case within two weeks.

    “Although it is a bailable offence but considering the accused person, who has no fixed address in Ondo State, it may hinder police investigation if he is released.

    “The accused should be remanded in prison until May 23 for bail consideration,”she said.

    Earlier, the Police Prosecutor Martins Olowofeso told the court that the accused fraudulently obtained N9 million from the complainant, Mrs Janet Mapayi on the pretext of helping to her convert the money to dollar.

    “The accused converted the money to personal use and used it to build a house at Ikota in Omuo.”

    According to him,  the accused committed the offences between December  2010 and January 2016 at Green Park, Oke-Aro, Akure.

    The offences contravened Sections 81, 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State 2006.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

    Mr Timileyin Oguntuwase, Counsel to the accused, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

    The case was adjourned until May 23.

  • Bestpotech matriculates 221 students

    Bestpotech matriculates 221 students

    About 212 new students were admitted into Best Solution Polytechnic, Akure during the 2016/2017 matriculation ceremony of the Institution held recently.

    Speaking at the event, the former Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Bisi Balogun admonished the matriculating students to demonstrate industry, enterprise and thrift as well as support and cooperation with the management in order to achieve lofty goals and aspirations for a better future.

    While congratulating the new students on their admission to the Polytechnic, the President, Dr. Mike Abiodun said: “It is indeed a pride to be admitted into BESTPOTECH where you will be expected to study very hard and be certified worthy in character and learning in order to build a successful and rewarding future for yourselves”.

    He stated that among the over 500 students who applied for admission to the Polytechnic, they were one of the selected few, enjoying the privilege of admission into BESTPOTECH after passing through a keenly competitive selection process of the Polytechnic.

    Dr Mike Abiodun reiterated that the Polytechnic requires synergy among stakeholders among whom students are an integral part.

    He urged them to key into the vision of the Institution, which is to provide multi-level technological, scientific and entrepreneurial training and research for elf reliance and National Development
    The Rector, Mrs Abiodun Adejoke stated that the students’ Matriculation Oath is sacred and must not be breached adding that all regulations must be complied with and constituted authorities respected at all times.

    She warned the students to shun acts inimical to peace on campus especially cultism urging them to be law abiding and to refrain from joining or associating with unlawful groups as management will not hesitate to deal with erring recalcitrant offenders within the ambit of the Polytechnic rules and regulations.

    High-point of the event was the administration of the matriculation oaths on the students by the Registrar, Mr. Bolanle Abiodun, with leaders of the academic community, parents and guardians in attendance.

  • Agro-business: College trains 7,500 entrepreneurs

    The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) has trained and empowered at least 7,500 entrepreneurs on profitable agro-business ventures from September 2008 till date.

    Thee provost of the institution, Dr. Samson Odedina, stated this  on Wednesday in Akure.

    Odedina said the college was able to achieve this feat based on the quality and  experience of its staff in practical agriculture.

    He said the college’s facilities and manpower were ranked among the best in Africa.

    The provost said that the college played a leading and pioneering role in the actualisation of the new value-chain curriculum in schools of agriculture across the country.

    The provost said, “Based on what we do in FECA, we got a support from the Government of Australia and some institutions and we introduced value- chain into the curricula of schools of agriculture in Nigeria.

    “By the end of last month, we got an approval from the Federal Government through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) that the curriculum should be used in all schools teaching agriculture.

    “This value-chain curriculum is the first of its kind in Nigeria; none had existed prior to this time.

    “This is as a result of value-chain activities of production processing, value-addition marketing and consumption at the college.”

    He said that the college’s case study was adapted for the development of the curriculum based on its past experience.

    “The joy of it is that FECA is playing a leading role and also practicalising it for everyone to see,” he said.

    He added that everything FECA had was a case study confirming that value-chain approach would be a success.

    According to him, the new curriculum will enable students teach farmers on how to maximise profits at every stage of production.

    He applauded Harvest Plus Nigeria for being a most rewarding and sustainable partner in track record of producing quality and self-employed graduates for the agricultural sector.

    “It is commendable that Harvest Plus Nigeria built, equipped and donated agro shops, bio-fortification restaurants and cassava processing and value addition centres for stakeholders in the sector.

    “The Harvest Plus Nigeria also sponsored the establishment and maintenance of 100 hectares of Vitamin A cassava varieties for farmers and entrepreneurs in Ondo State,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • Ondo: Akeredolu dissolves boards and parastatals

    Ondo: Akeredolu dissolves boards and parastatals

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has approved the dissolution of all Boards and Parastatals in the state.

    The Head of Service, Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, on Saturday in Akure, announced the immediate dissolution of the boards and parastatals.

    Akinkuotu, through a statement, urged all chairmen, political appointees and non-career employees in all boards and parastatals in the state to hand over all government properties in their custody to the accounting officers in their respective offices.

    He, however, said that statutory commissions whose tenure is specified in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution were exempted from the dissolution.

     

  • Husband to court: I beat my wife when she flouts my instructions

    Husband to court: I beat my wife when she flouts my instructions

    An estranged husband, Clifford Monday, on Wednesday admitted in an  Akure Customary Court that he only beat his wife, Bukola, whenever she flouted his instructions.

    Clifford made this known when he testified in a divorce petition filed by the wife.

    He told the the court that Bukola was the main cause of the misunderstanding they had in the union.

    He also admitted he destroyed his wife’s property, adding that his wife used tricks to extort money from him.

    Ealier, the petitioner, urged the court to dissolve the 11-year-old marriage for alleged constant beating, drunkenness, promiscuity and insensitivity to her.

    Bukola gave an instance when the respondent beat her during her second pregnancy to stupor and attempted to abort the pregnancy but her mother intervened.

    She said that the respondent always raised suspicion on all her movements, and had abandoned her and the three children of the marriage.

    The President of the court, Mr Ayodele Omotola, held that the evidences before the court showed there was no marriage between the two parties.

    Omotola noted that the court’s priority and consideration were on the products of the union.

    He, therefore, dissolved the union and ordered the respondent to pay N10,000 monthly to the court for the upkeep of the children.

    He further said that the respondent would be responsible for the education of the children.

    The president awarded custody of the children to the petitioner and gave the respondent unhindered access to the children.

    He said that both parties would be responsible for the medical and clothings of the kids. (NAN)

  • Policeman, four others killed in Akoko Community Bank robbery

    Policeman, four others killed in Akoko Community Bank robbery

    Ogbagi in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state was in mourning yesterday as five persons including a policeman died in a daylight bank robbery of a new generation bank in the town

    An eyewitness said granite explosives were used to destroy the security entrance.

    Sources said an undisclosed amount of money was carted away following sporadic gunshots which rented the air as people ran helter-skelter for their safety.

    The branch of the bank was relocated from Ogbagi to Ikare some years ago before it was returned to Ogbagi about a year ago.

    An Ogbagi Akoko community leader chief Eli Olorunsola called on the government to be more proactive on the security of lives and property as incessant bank robberies added more to an ailing economy in Akoko communities.

    Efforts to speak with Ogbagi Divisional Police Officer (DPO) failed.

    However the state police spokesman, Femi Joseph who confirmed the incident said the robbers numbering 13 went to the Bank on motorcycles and forced their ways inside the bank.

    According to him, one police officer, a private security guard and a blind man were among the victims of the robbery.

    Joseph added that the robbers destroyed the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the bank with dynamite and went with a huge sum of money.

    He said the police command had launched the investigation into the robbery incident, assuring that the culprits would not go scot free.

    Last year nearly all banks in Ikare Akoko were robbed in a daylight where more than 10 persons and six policemen were killed leading to bank closure for months in the four local government areas of Akokoland.

    An indigene, Pastor T.B Joshua consequently bought about 10 pickups van for police and army.

    He also repaired the vandalised police station.