The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akure

  • Ade-Ojo, others urge Yorubas to embrace culture, entrepreneurship

    The need to promote the Yoruba culture took the centre stage at the second edition of the Yoruba Heritage Annual Lecture and Awards held recently in Akure, Ondo State.

    Tagged “Economic Integration: Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Raising Business Leaders for Sustainable Development of Yoruba Land,” the event was graced by dignitaries such as the Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, the Chairman, Toyota Nigeria, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo; President, Africa Dialogue Mission, Barister Adewole Adebayo; President, La Campagne Tropicana, Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, among others.

    In his welcome speech, the convener of the Yoruba Heritage Group, Omo’ba Segun Adesemoye, stressed the importance of cultural rebirth and value reorientation among the Yoruba people.

    “The only way to economic independence and prosperity is for young people to engage in entrepreneurial activities and shift their focus from short routes that lead them to engage in criminal activities and later destruction,” he said.

    Also, Ambassador Akinboboye advised the Yoruba people to embrace their culture and explore the huge opportunities in tourism. He said, “We must take advantage of our advantage so that we can have an advantage.”

    The event was chaired by Ade-Ojo, who also admonished the Yorubas to embrace their culture and entrepreneurship.
    Dr Rhoda Makinde, the wife of Hon Abiola Makinde, was awarded the Ondo State Woman of the year. This is in recognition of her philanthropic achievement with DROMI, a foundation where she is said to have empowered thousands of women.

     

  • Buhari mourns Senator Waku

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passing of former Senator Joseph Kennedy Waku.

    Commiserating with the family of the senator, who represented Benue North-West (1999-2003) and the government and people of Benue State, the President recalled Waku’s contributions to the growth of education when he served as Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

    He urged the children, friends and political associates of the late elder statesman to keep alive his commitment to the unity, peace and stability of not only Benue State, but also the entire country.

    The President prayed Almighty God to comfort the family and all those who mourn the septuagenarian and grant his soul eternal rest.

  • Why Akure should support Buhari’s re-election

    Residents of Akure, the Ondo state capital have been urged to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in order to benefit from various projects already mapped out for the community especially the proposed teaching hospital to be funded by the federal government.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Tunji Light Ariyomo made the appeal while addressing people of Gbogi and Isinkan areas in Akure metropolis yesterday during a door-to-door mobilisation campaign for Buhari, Osinbajo and other APC candidates.

    Ariyomo, an engineer and cabinet member of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration who led the campaign team to ward 2 of Akure South local government, said the APC administration at federal and state levels meant well for Akure and its environs.

    The Special Adviser to Akeredolu on Public Utilities commended the executive members of the party in the Ward for standing firm.

    He highlighted various achievements Akeredolu’s led administration in the state and some of the achievements of President Buhari in the last three and a half years in office, especially the infrastructural facilities as well as the fight against corruption.

    While emphasising the presence of the Buhari-led government in their domain, Ariyomo noted that the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on May 4, 2018 flagged off the pilot project of Special Intervention in Energising Markets as Productive Clusters right there at Isinkan Market, Akure.

    According to him, the federal project was powered by the National Rural Electrification Agency and Ondo State Government’s Office of Public Utilities.

    Ariyomo charged the people to re-elect Buhari and other APC candidates to prevent the nation from being plunged back into the era of wanton profligacy.

    The Akeredolu’s aide who until his recent appointment as Adviser was the Chief Executive of EVIS Limited promised to empower no fewer than 570 residents of the local government in a phased empowerment programme that would include interest-free loans for start-ups and small businesses as well as scholarship programmes for hundreds of indigent students.

    Ariyomo said “I want to plead with you to rise up as Akure sons and daughters and vote for Buhari, Osinbajo, Alasoadura, Olowookere and other APC candidates in the coming general elections. Let us also deliver all seats in the House of Assembly for the APC.

    “We have obtained assurances from the highest quarters possible in the APC federal government for the functional establishment of our teaching hospital in Akure kingdom which is very dear to the heart of our people.

    “Let us re-elect Buhari and Osinbajo so that the corrupt people who had in the past looted our patrimony would not find their way back in the saddle again,”

    The APC stalwart also promised the people his personal empowerment programme, saying “I want to state categorically that at least 36 people from this Ward will partake in my 2019 empowerment scheme and a total of 570 people in all Akure towns in the central senatorial district. The party executives would get theirs separately.

    He pledged that women and men would benefit from the empowerment programme equally.

    The APC Ward 2 Chairman, Boluwaji Jose appreciated the Special Adviser for his care and support for party members and supporters.

    He assured that the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party in the coming elections was not negotiable.

    Other members of the party executive including Vice Chairman, Dare Ogunsuyi, Secretary, Oluwole Fadeyi, Assistant Secretary, David Monehin, PRO, Rufus Akingbola, Auditor Tope Jesse were at the event.

  • Ondo workers join protest over minimum wage

    Workers in Ondo state like their counterparts across the country on Tuesday protested over a new national minimum wage.

    The organised labour unions who converged on the Cultural Centre went to Governor’s office Alagbaka where they demanded that President, Muhammadu Buhari submit a bill to the parliament for the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage for workers.

    The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, while addressing workers in Akure, said the protest became imperative in order to ensure that the minimum wage bill processes for the transmission would be completed.

    A letter by the labour unions to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu reads: “Your Excellency will recall the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage, comprising the government, organised private sector and organised labour has concluded its work and submitted the report with a draft bill to President Muhammadu Buhari on 6th November, 2018.

    “It is also noteworthy that six governors were members of the committee that worked out the new National minimum wage. Therefore, it stands to reason that the report and draft bill were the collective efforts of the broadest spectrum of all concerned parties and should thus commend the support of every governor.

    “Therefore, the organised labour would wish to obtain from your Excellency a commitment to the speedy implementation of the new national minimum wage of N30,000 when enacted into law.

    Read Also: Ambode apprehends motorists for driving against traffic

    “While counting on your excellency to make the best endeavor to express agreement with thus patriotic, convey our polite gesture to your colleagues the enlightened public, generally and advance the cause of the new national minimum wage, we advise that: the political behaviour of Nigeria workers is contingent upon the commitment to the expeditious enactment of the new national minimum wage by the legislature before the polls.

    “Nigerian workers as voters will indeed take their eventual fate to the polling stations and indicate in the ballot their views on the faithful implementation of new minimum wage by the executive before the polls.

    “Nigerian workers and family will not and cause friends and allies not to vote for any candidate in the forthcoming elections who hesitate or refuse to commit to the national minimum wage.

    “For the avoidance of any iota of doubt, the fate of the new national minimum wage will largely determine the electoral preference of Nigerian workers in 2019”.

    Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde who addressed the labour unions on behalf of the governor however said the welfare of the workers in the state was paramount to the government.

  • NASFAT calls for peaceful polls

    The President, Nasrul-l-Faith (NASFAT) of NASFAT worldwide, Kamil Bolariwa has urged politicians across the country to conduct themselves in a good manner to facilitate peaceful elections next month.

    He spoke during the 2018 International conference of the society held in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

    Over 200 missioners attended the conference with over 350 branches worldwide.

    Bolariwa said it was imperative for all politicians to allow peace to reign and ensure peaceful conduct of 2019 elections for the betterment of the country.

    He said “Our politicians need to understand that there is no position anybody holds, if not given by Allah it cannot be giving to anybody. Therefore, if you get there it means it pleases Allah that you are there.

    “You must also know that Allah will ask you what you do with that position because you are given in trust to hold it over the people, Allah will ask you what you do with that position and people will also ask.

    He admonished politicians to provide succor for the people by making them happy and try as much as possible to remove poverty and make them comfortable.

    Bolariwa, who noted that one of the aims of the conference was to ensure oneness among member and uniformity said missioners should see the society as their own and ensure that it grows for the betterment of Muslims community and humankind.

    Read Also: NASFAT trains Muslims on good inter-faith relations

    The Chief Missioner of NASFAT, Imam Onike-Morufu Abdul Azeez said the conference was to educate the missioners on the changes in the world and how to address the challenges facing Islam.

    He tasked missioners to explore various economic empowerment opportunties so that they would be financially independent and not leave ‘beggarly’ lives.

    The Zonal Chairman of NASFAT in Ondo State, Alhaji Abdukfatai Amodu appreciated the society for holding the conference in the state.

    He noted that it was an opportunity for self appraisal and improvement for spiritual and secular growth.

    Guest speaker, Sheik Nuruddeen Lemu,Director Research and Training, Dawah Institute of Nigeria in Minna said that Islam had not changed but people were derail from searching for knowledge and could not followed objectives that Quran preaches.

    Lemu, who talked on the theme “Strengthening NASFAT Missionaries for Contemporary Da’wah(Islamic Propagatiin)Challenges” called on Muslims leaders  to be objective in their reasonings and submissions so that the coming generation would not live in confusion.

    He encouraged Muslim leaders to search for new innovation and knowledge, stressing that people are living in a society where development are moving faster than laws to regulate them.

  • Be creative, Nigerian youths urged

    The Secretary General of the National Youth Council of Nigeria,(NYCN), Adebowale Akinlosotu has challenged the Nigerian Youth to be creative and focus on the task ahead rather than complaining of Government inability to provide all  amenities for the nation .

    He said no government however benevolent could provide all necessary things, stressing that the youth as an individual can however create an empire for himself, if he is creative.

    Akinlosotu who spoke at the Forum of Young Professionals in Akure during the Christmas celebration tasked them to use the festivities to reflect on the past and start planning on how to develop themselves for the nation to move forward.

    He reiterated that the youth were the drivers of the best economy in the world saying “They rely more on the creativity and strength of their young generation to grow their economy.”

    The NYCN scribe urged the youth to shun act of thuggerry, electoral violence and drug abuse ahead of 2019 election.

    He said “The youth are the strength of any nation, you have all what he takes to decide in the next two months who will lead you and lead the nation into progress. We also believe that at the appropriate time, the leadership of the Nigerian Youth will communicate you on the next journey to progress.”

  • Minimum Wage: Lawyer threatens massive protest

    An Akure lawyer, Morakinyo Ogele has given a seven-day ultimatum to Governors across the federation, who are not ready to pay the N30,000 minimum wage to workers to resign or face mass protest of workers.

    The rights activist threatened to lead a massive protest against what he called oppression of  poor masses,alleging that office of the governor’s first ladies was a waste of funds.

    According to him, governors spend one-third of the state allocation which was supposed to take care of urgent need of the people on the office of the first lady.

    In a statement in Akure, Ogele insisted that the state governors have the capacity to pay the said N30,000.

    Based on this, Ogele however called for the immediate scrapping  of  office of the first ladies ,saying the office was unconstitutional.

    The statement said” There is no section in 1999 constitution recognising the office of first lady,governors should engage their wives at government house attending to domestic demands of their husbands.

    “This office is draining the state treasuries,some of the first ladies are operating parallel offices with the governors having their own pool of vehicles, and personal assistants”.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Another perspective

    Ogele also advised the state governors to reduce the number of their aides and cutting other forms of wastages to reduce the cost of infrastructure.

    He advised governors to reorder their priorities in reducing wastage and restrain themselves from spending  what is not beneficial to their citizenry.

  • Ooni picks new queen, a Prophetess

    Several months after the crash of his marriage to Benin princess, Zainab Otiti Obanor, the  Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi picks New Queen
    He announced the cheering news on his Instagram few hours after his 44th birthday.
    “I waited patiently upon the Almighty,the King of kings,
    He eventually did it amidst trials.  Oluwaseyi Naomi the greatest arsenal you can apply on this revered throne  with many rules and regulations and undiluted tradition, heritage and culture is the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom. You are welcome home my beautiful adorable queen.”
    The bride, Naomi, 25 is a prophetess and founder EN-HERALD  prophetic and interdenominational ministry based in Akure, Ondo State.

    She started public ministry at the age of eighteen and became a full time evangelist in October 2011.

  • ‘We may not vote for male candidates’

    Women in Ondo state on Wednesday demanded for equal gender representation in democracy, stressing that they are marginalised in politics.

    Addressing reporters in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the Coordinators, Women For Women, Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood and Women Alert groups, Mrs Olamide Falana, Mrs Olabisi Omolona and Mrs Kehinde Adewole-Alli respectively vowed not to mobilize women to cast their votes for any political party if something was not done before the general elections.

    The pressure groups maintained that women have what it takes to rule, stressing that they should be allowed to contest favourably in any post in the forthcoming election.

    Falana, Omolona and Adewole-Alli therefore demanded 35 percent female representation in all socio-political and economic sectors.

    They said”Political party should give us the opportunity to participate in the general elections, we are now cries out of our 35 percent right across the political board for us to be liberated. We have been marginalized across the political party.

    Read Also: 700m people unable to meet basic daily needs – UN

    “Ondo state government should also consider us in appointment, we are also good in various offices not only in the kitchen or bedroom, we are not happy with the situation, government must do something now.

    “Ondo women are united in order to move the state forward, we want political empowerment for our young ones and widows”.

    The groups however explained that women in the state were prepared to participate fully in all political activities if given the opportunity.

  • ‘My husband attacks me with deadly weapon’

    A housewife, Sylvia Ekejelape, 38, on Tuesday pleaded with a Badagry Customary Court to dissolve her 13-year-old marriage alleging that her husband, Stanley, always attacked her with dangerous weapon when fighting.

    Sylvia, a businesswoman and a mother of three, who now resides at No1, Oja Tuntun, Akure, Ondo State, also told the court that she could no longer tolerate his adulterous behavior, adding that there was no more love in the marriage.

    “I met my husband in 2004 at Alaba International Market, Lagos; he proposed to me and i agreed.

    “We did introduction; he married and paid my dowry in May 7, 2006.

    “But eight months after our wedding, he started maltreating me like a slave.

    “He always beat me and throw my belongings out of the house in the middle of the night, telling me to go anywhere I like.

    “The reason for the beating was that my husband is a womanizer and he used to bring them home without any regard for me and my children.

    “Anytime we are fighting, he used to attack me with deadly weapon like bottle, knife and iron rod.

    Read Also: Rain in Ado-Ekiti ahead of Fayemi’s inauguration

    “He is a very dangerous man, who has no respect for me, he has publicly disgraced me on many occasions, I am through with his womanizing attitude,” she said.

    The respondent, Stanley, however, denied all the allegations against him by her wife, Sylvia.

    Stanley, 40, an electrical contractor, who lives at No 8, Muriana Str., Ajangbadi, Lagos, said that he was not against the divorce suit filed by the wife.

    The court President, Mr Sakirudeen Adekola, adjourned the case until Nov. 8 for judgment.