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Tag: CDA

  • Council solicits CDA’s cooperation against street trading

    Council solicits CDA’s cooperation against street trading

    Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Idowu Senbanjo, has urged community leaders to desist from aiding residents in street trading.

    She said the role of community leaders is crucial in maintaining order and upholding government regulations.

    Senbanjo made this remark during a two-day Leadership Training for the leadership of Community Development Associations (CDAs) at the council secretariat.

    According to her, “street trading poses significant challenges to our community. It’s time for us to take action and clear our streets for the betterment of all.”

    The council boss also stressed the need for community leaders to report issues and cooperate with law enforcement agency.

    “You are the eyes and ears of our government, we must work together to ensure compliance with regulations,” she stated.

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    Senbanjo expressed concern over the persistence of street trading despite government’s directives.

    “We’ve seen the impact of street trading on our community’s safety and reputation, It’s time for us to enforce the law and protect our citizens,” she noted.

    She, however, urged community leaders to monitor ongoing projects and provide feedback to the government, while adding that there is need to keep a close watch on road construction and other developmental projects to address challenges and foster collective progress.

    “Let’s work together to make Apapa safer and more prosperous for all. Our collective efforts will lead to a brighter future for our community,” she added.

  • Our plan for Arepo’s growth, by CDA

    Residents of Arepo in Ogun State have unveiled plans to use technology to enhance security within estates in the community.

    Rising from a retreat, the Arepo Central Community Development Association (ACCDA) said it would liaise  with  the  Police  Community  Relations  Committee  (PCRC)  for  effective  security  arrangement  within the community.

    Among estates within the community is the Journalists’ Estate which came into being in 2004.

    A communique issued after the retreat by ACCDA President Mr Kehinde Adeyemo and General Secretary Mr. Jide Oke said there would be an alignment of activities of the component estates’ security units for an efficient networking.

    “ACCDA shall re-inaugurate a security committee that will comprise each component’s estate security team. The activities of okada riders shall be managed via rider registration and issuance of reflective jackets,” the statement said.

    The association, it said, shall collaborate more with law enforcement agencies to tighten security within and around the estates.

    To combat the perennial power problem, the association said it would work with the Ikeja Electric (IK) through electricity committee to facilitate the distribution of Pre-paid Meters (PPM) to residents, and follow up on replacement of faulty transformers in the community.

    “ACCDA shall support and encourage individual estates that may want to pursue Independent Power Project (IPP) in achieving their goals,” the statement said.

    It bemoaned the neglect of its road by the government, saying it would continue in its interaction with the government on the rehabilitation of the  road.

    “However, a structured plan geared towards palliative work on the road all-year round will be put  in  place, while  the  entrance  gatehouse  shall  be  given  a  facelift  to create  a welcoming view to visitors.

    “The retreat acknowledged the contributions of the erstwhile Road Project Committee on the project thus far, and decided that the committee shall be revived and strengthened to accelerate the association’s actions on the road going forward,” ACCDA said.

  • Kano partners with BUK to boost large-scale agriculture

    The Acting Governor of Kano state, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna on Tuesday, urged the Centre for Drylands Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano (BUK) to partner with relevant Ministries and agencies of the state government in order to boost food sufficiency through the expansion of large scale farming in the state.

    Dr. Gawuna who is also the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, in his remarks during the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Conference on Drylands organized by CDA in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, said that moving agriculture from subsistence to large-scale commercial enterprise should be taken seriously at this point of the nation’s history.

    He, however, noted that the theme of the Conference entitled, “Resource Constraints, Conflicts and Changing Climate in the Drylands: Options for Attaining SDGs,” remained timely considering the lingering conflicts between pastoralists and farmers, which has posed serious threat to the development of agriculture in some parts of the country.

    Describing Kano as one of the agricultural cornerstone of the country, Dr. Gawuna recalled the once booming groundnut pyramid in the ancient commercial city, but regretted that the coming of oil boom almost killed agriculture which was once the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the state government was committed, not only to regain the lost glory of agriculture, but to also ensure partnership with centres like the CDA and other development partners, so as to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Also speaking during the event, the Vice Chancellor, BUK, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, noted that the theme of the Conference, “hs in many ways, extended the themes of the two previous conferences on drylands held in 2014 and 2016.

    “I am particularly delighted that the theme for the 2018 conference stands out in the way it challenges speakers and presenters to seek solutions or give insights into understanding the serious challenges posed by climate change, competition for natural resources and conflicts in dryland areas.”

    The Vice Chancellor added that, “I have no doubt that universities have important roles to play in helping governments and other stakeholders to implement the noble objectives of the SDGs by sharing their knowledge and experiences.”

    In his welcome address, CDA Director, Prof. Jibrin M. Jibrin, decried what he described as serious shortage of skilled manpower in sub-Saharan Africa, saying that it has continued to retard the development of agricultural technology in the region.

    According to him, the biennial international conference on drylands is one of the programmes of the CDA that provides a platform for dissemination of research findings, networking and sharing of experiences between scientists, practitioners and other stakeholders.

    He said the theme of the Conference was timely, “because attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the drylands requires concerted efforts towards addressing myriads of problems related to climate change, high population pressure, and unsustainable land use practices. These are the underlining issues that lead to further degradation of land, low agricultural productivity, food and nutrition insecurity, severe poverty, conflicts and civil unrests.”

    The Speakers in the Conference include Dr. Peter Craufurd, Strategic Research Team Leader for Sustainable Intensification in Africa at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT); Bernard Vanlauwe, IITA, Kenya; Mr. Suffyan Koroma, FAO Representative to Nigeria; Raffaello Cervini, Lead Environmental Economist with the World Bank’s Environmental and Natural Resources Global Practice.

  • Court remands CDA treasurer in Kirikiri for ‘N9.5m theft’

    Court remands CDA treasurer in Kirikiri for ‘N9.5m theft’

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court yesterday remanded the treasurer of Omole Phase 2 Residential Community Development Association (CDA), Lekan Somorin, in prison custody for an alleged N9.5 million theft.

    The defendant will remain in Kirikiri Medium Security Prisons until he perfects his bail conditions.

    The police arraigned Somorin, 52, yesterday before Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi.

    Somorin, who lives at Omole Phase 2, Olowora, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of forgery and theft.

    Prosecuting Inspector Benson Emuerhi told the court that the defendant  stole the money and falsified the association’s account records.

    He said the defendant committed the offences between March 2016 and November 2017 at Omole Phase 2 Residential Association C.D.A office, Lagos.

    “When he was asked about the N9.5 million, he could not give any satisfactory explanation on how the money got missing.

    “All efforts made by the complainant to get the accused to refund the money proved abortive,” he said.

    The defendant  pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Osunsanmi granted him N1 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Somorin’s trial begins on May 31.

  • CDA inaugurates a 2.5km road

    The Elepe Royal Estate CDA, Aga Ikorodu inaugurated a 2.5km road project. The event which took place at the Estate has in attendance notable government officials and individuals. The Chairman of the CDA, Aare Banji Oreagba, in his remarks, said the successful completion of the road project was by the grace of God and the sheer determination of the CDA members. He further stated that the encouragement received particularly from the Ayangburen of Ikorodu land was a major push.

    The paramount ruler, HRM Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, commended the CDA on the laudable achievement and encouraged other CDA’S within and outside Ikorodu to emulate the Elepe Royal Estate CDA. He mentioned that total reliance on government for all projects should be a thing of the past.

    Also in attendance was Hon.S.O.B. Agunbiade (Majority leader LSHA).  He said he was highly impressed that a non arm of government could achieve this feat.

    Certificate and recognition were given to notable members of the CDA, among who was Hon. Nurudeen Agbaje for their contributions and support.

  • CDA to partner Ogun on security

    The newly elected Chairman, Ilupeju Iloye Community Development Association (IICDA), Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Mr Sanyaolu Oguntoyinbo, has assured the community that the new team would contribute to its growth and development.

    Oguntoyinbo and other members of the executive were elected to run the affairs of the community for four years. He took over from Mr Philip Olorunsola who led the association for six years.

    In his acceptance speech after the swearing-in at the community hall, Oguntoyinbo said the team would collaborate with the state government, police, electric company and other security agencies to enable the residents enjoy adequate protection and improve the economic well-being of the people.

    He appealed to the residents, immediate past executive and other stakeholders to support his team, adding that the executive can’t do it all alone.

    The chairman pointed out that the task ahead should be regarded as everybody’s affair. He, however, promised that the team would not disappoint them.

    Oguntoyinbo canvassed for regular monthly meetings and payment of dues to enable them to carry out tangible development projects.

    Former member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Akinyemi  Akinloye, urged the officials to adhere to the rules of the CDAs.

    He further advised them to collaborate with the government, police and other stakeholders to ensure the infrastructure problems facing the community were tackled.

    He warned the officials to avoid actions that are unconstitutional as such may not be in their interest or that of the community they were elected to serve.

    He urged the executive to speak with one voice and allow transparency and accountability to be their watchword in anything they do.

    The leader, O’odua People’s Congress (OPC), Ilupeju Iloye branch, Mr Kolawole Babalola, pledged the congress’s support for the team and other security agencies to fight cultists, land grabbers, touts, robbery gangs and other crime-related activities within the community.

    He advised the CDA officials to be law-abiding citizens and work for the progress of the community and Ogun State. He also advised the residents to increase their surveillance and raise the alarm on any illegal or criminal activities which they notice in the community.

  • Gowon Estate CDA sues Lagos council over election

    The Gowon North Community Development Association (CDA) in Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has instituted a suit against the council to stop it from conducting election into the association’s executive committee.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit was filed on behalf of the community by their counsel, Mr Ogidiagba Muobosa, at an Ikeja High Court.

    No date has been fixed for hearing.

    Joined in the suit are the council’s Executive Secretary, Head of Agriculture Department and the State Commissioner for Rural Development.

    The claimants are praying the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from conducting or supervising any election into the CDA’s executive committee scheduled for June 6.

    They want the status quo to be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

    In a 40-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr Dauda Oyebanji, the CDA’s Public Relations Officer, the claimants insisted that the CDA was a creation of the Lagos State Community Development Law 2008.

    Oyebanji averred that claimants had embarked on various self-help projects which included rehabilitation and maintaining of access roads within Gowon Estate in Egbeda.

    According to him, the only body empowered to conduct elections into the CDA is the Community Development Council.

    He said election into the executive committee was a biennial event (once in two years), adding that the tenure of the last executive expired in 2013.

    Oyebanji said there was no election into the offices because it was found out that most of the executive members were not eligible to run for elective positions, but only the current chairman was eligible.

    “A resolution was, therefore, passed on February 1, 2014 at the claimants’ monthly meeting that executive positions should be thrown open to all members, who indicated interest to run.

    “The election into the executive positions of the claimants was held on March 1, 2014 and officials were duly elected to fill the positions as advertised,” he averred.

    Oyebanji said it was, therefore, surprising that the second and third defendants issued a notice to the new executive indicating interest to conduct fresh elections on June 6.

    According to him, the defendants do not have the power or right to conduct the elections or dissolve the already elected executive.

    Oyebanji urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice to avoid a possible breakdown of law and order within the community.

  • Residents protest poor power supply

    Residents protest poor power supply

    Residents of Papa Ashafa and Alagba Community Development Association (CDA) in Agege, Lagos marched yesterday on the Dopemu Distribution Centre of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company over incessant power outage and outrageous billing.

    About 70 residents, mostly youths and elderly men, said their communities have been in darkness for a couple of months.

    The protesters were led by the Youth Alliance for Better Nigeria. They held placards bearing different messages such as: Say no to power failure, crazy bills electricity, electricity rotations, Ikeja electric dramatic liars and saboteurs etc.

    A mild drama played out at the company premises, when they demanded immediate restoration of electricity to the area and a reversal of the outrageous bills from the company.

    The staffs of the company were overwhelmed by the fury of the residents before the intervention of the Branch Team Leader, Mr Banji Ogunleye and the Marketing Manager, Mr Victor Amaraegbu to calm the protesters.

    Speaking with The Nation, the group’s coordinator, Mr Moruf Niniola, said several appeals made to the company to address the power failure in the area fell on deaf ears. He said the company have denied residents of the area their pre-paid metre, even upon several approached.

    According to him, the bills being paid in the area has even got higher than the amount paid for house rent.

    He said many house owners are ejecting their tenants because of the dangers of generating sets.

    “That a house of six rooms must have six generator sets is worrisome and danger to our health. Many lives have been lost due to generator fume,” he said.

    He said the residents are spending their income to buy generator, fuel it and at the end of the month, pay for electricity which they didn’t use.

    “All we are saying is, we can’t just remain like this, suffering and smiling must end. The cheating is too much,” he said.

    A letter submitted by the communities demanded among others “the outright cancellation, rotation or shedding of the areas’ light; that in the absent of the pre-paid metre, the company should ensure the old metres are perfectly working and reading appropriately to prevent electric fraud.”

    They also demanded quick revisit of crazy bills to guaranteed transparency.

    Imam of Ike Anobi Mosque, Alhaji AbdulGaniu Salawudeen demanded to know if the government is swindling their money through the electricity company.

    We don’t understand what is happening. That for four to six months, there was no electricity in this area. Surprisingly, our bills kept increasing monthly. How can we pay for electricity we didn’t consume? They are killing us silently,” he said.

    Alhaja Asiata Fasobo, said she wondered how the residents should be levied heavily when there was no electricity supply.

    According to her, the people are running at a loss for doing business with generator, yet “we are still paying for electricity at the end of the each month.”

    She presented her recent bill, which stated that he consumed 456kilowatts, with a bill of N25, 000.

    Mr Adenekan Adebakin said their sufferings dated back to the days of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    Adebakin told The Nation that electricity in the area does not last longer than two minutes.

    Amaraegbu, commended them for the peaceful conduct of the exercise. He said the present transition programme in the country also affect the activities of the electricity company.

    “We have generating section, transmission section before the distribution section. I want to assure you that the government is doing so much to improve the generation and it is when the generating section is well established that the transmission will transfer to the distribution unit. If you look around here, there is no where we are generating electricity”, he pleaded.

  • Lagos CDA rewards indigenes, groups

    Lagos CDA rewards indigenes, groups

    The Idowu Aso Community Development Association (CDA) in Isheri Osun, Igando Ikotun Local Council Government Area (LCDA, Lagos has held its maiden awards where it honoured some people and institutions for their services.

    The event was supposed to be the day of glory for former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Benjamin Olaiya. He might have looked forward to it. But when former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) was called, he did not answer. He had passed on the previous day in London, where he went to meet his children as he usually did. But some heard the news for the first time at the ceremony. Those who passed by his block of shops at the Junction  Bus Stop in Isheri Osun did not pay attention to the fact that they were shut; a tradition normally observed by tenants when their landlord dies.

    However, his death did not diminish the importance of the day. Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Jelili Olubodun praised the late Chief Olaiya for his contributions to the community. He listed some infrastructure he attracted to the area and his selfless service, adding that his kind are rare. A minute silence was observed for the Ekiti-born ex-cop.

    Olubodun urged everyone to serve, saying the late President Nnamdi Azikiwe and leader of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Pa Obafemi Awolowo were being remembered because of their services to the nation.  He asked: “What do we do for our people?”

    Specifically, he urged the executives of the association to be trustworthy and make selfless service their watchwords. Like a military commander, Olubodun, a former director, Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWNA), charged the executives to be star performers. He commended their association for being alive to its responsibilities, adding that during their tenure the CDA’s light must not go off.

    Beside Olaiya and Olubodun, other awardees were Chief Shamsudeen Amao Mojeed; the former CDA chairman, Alhaji Alaba Akinlagu; the Divisional Police  Officer, Superintendent of Police Keneth Egbo; and Director, Abiola Farm, Alhaji Aliu Babatunde. The institutions were Elim Providence Schools, M-Trend Schools and Hitech Construction Company, the firm handling construction of the Jakande Estate-Isheri Osun- Ijegun Road.

    The CDA’s Chairman, Otunba Segun Kolawole, sought the cooperation of residents of the area. He asked them to assist the CDA with quality advice on how to move the community forward. He recalled the words of the United Nations Secretary-General, Bank Ki Moon, saying: “No nation can be built without one first building the community”.

    On security, he said there was need for them to cooperate to tackle not only the menace but also others, such as child abuse, kidnapping, and the attacks by Boko Haram insurgents ravaging some parts of the country. He tasked them on the need to be vigilant and “try as much as possible to expose suspicious movements of people around us, and as landlords to be extra-vigilant and careful in admitting tenants to our houses as this may pose a great risk to our community’s peace and progress, which we are enjoying.

    Kolawole led the prayers for the release of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls held by the Boko Haram sect for over four months. He called for another minute silence in honour of Pa Olaiya, whom he described as an illustrious father.

    Praising Hitech for a good job, he pleaded with its management to speedily complete the road, noting that it is dear to the people. In the interim, he asked them to rehabilitate areas that are bad to ease movement.

    Two officials of Hitech, Ashton Davies and Theo Cilliers, told The Nation they would deliver the road on schedule, promising that, all things being equal, they would meet the April target. They lamented that the work was being slowed by passers-by and the rains. Against the backdrop of their colleague who was killed earlier, the engineers called on the CDA to keep the area safe.

    The representative of the DPO Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mrs Akinola as crime free and neat. She said this was because its residents are security conscious. She sought for their cooperation with the police.

    Also at the event were Chairman, CDC Igando/Ikotun CDA, Elder Ademola Osibeluwo and Supervisory Councillor Agriculture in the Council Mr Kaeem Amaoo.

  • Ogun community protests monarch’s alleged illegal conduct

    Ogun community protests monarch’s alleged illegal conduct

    •It’s not true, says ruler

    Christians and Muslims from Onigbedu in Ewekoro Local Government Area, Ogun State, protested yesterday over the alleged illegal conduct of their monarch, Oba Matthew Ajibulu.

    The residents, who protested under the aegis of Onigbedu Community Development Association (CDA), stormed the state House of Assembly and the Governor’s Office to see Governor Ibikunle Amosun on their grievances.

    The residents, who accused the monarch of trying to foist Oro cult worship on the community, also accused him of setting a cocoa farm in the community on fire.

    They added they traditional ruler was harassing companies operating the community as well as trying to turn Onigbedu community into a place where hoodlums and thugs thrive.

    The scores of villagers said they did not want any religious practice in Onigbedu that would take the community back to “the primitive age, restrict people’s freedom of movement and make blood sacrifice a common sight.”

    They appealed to the governor and the legislators to stop Oba Ajibulu’s plan to erect the shrine.

    The CDA Chairman, Mr. Adebari Kassim, said since former Governor Gbenga Daniel, in the twilight of his administration, foisted Oba Ajibulu on the community, development, peace and harmony became elusive.

    He noted that suspected hoodlums and thugs connected to the monarch routinely make life difficult for visitors and residents.

    The CDA chief said investigation carried out by the community revealed that Ajibulu was not an indigene of Onigbedu, adding that the monarch came from Imeko-Afon in Yewa Local Government Area.

    The residents urged the governor to remove him from office in the interest of peace.

    Kassim added that Ajibulu is a parallel monarch as the community still has Oba Yunusa Akinmade as their traditional ruler when Daniel imposed Ajibulu on them.

    But in a telephone interview, Oba Ajibulu said his accusers might say whatever they like, adding that it would turned out later to be falsehood.

    Ajibulu said: “They can say whatever they want to say, but what I can tell you is that whatever they say or tell you is not true.”

    But Amosun, who praised the villagers for the civilised manner of expressing their grievances, said Oba Ajibulu would be summoned to appear before the appropriate authority to enable the government gets his own side of the matter.

    The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, urged the residents to remain law abiding while government look into their complaints.

    He said:”On your grievance, which you have shown, be rest assured Oba Ajibulu will be called upon to the Governor’s office tomorrow (today) morning and we will also hear his own side of the story. And we assure you we will sort it out amicably.”