The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Community buries diplomat

    Community buries diplomat

    The sleepy town of  Ovu-Ojima, Umuojima, Isiala  Ngwa in Abia State knows what the late former Nigerian Ambassador  to China Victor N. Chibundu meant to it. From yesterday to today, the residents planned a befitting set of activities for the diplomat’s final passage. His remains were scheduled to be buried today at St. Mary Catholic Church, Umuojima, Isala Ngwa.

    Aside a book launch in his memory, the Council of Traditional Chiefs to the Eze was billed to pay homage to Chibundu at the palace of Eze Iheukwunmere.

    The Chinese Community in Nigeria in recognition of his contributions to the strengthening of closer ties with Nigeria-China bilateral relations and his initiatives for founding Nigeria Friendship Association (NICAF), on July 15 at the China town , Ojota, Lagos celebrated his life and times.

    In a beautiful but emotionally laden atmosphere, the Chinese Community in Nigeria led by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Deputy Consul General Mr. Lin Yong, trooped in to pay tribute.

    “On behalf of the Chinese community in Nigeria, we feel the pain and vacuum, but we want to openly commend his selfless efforts. We will never forget him as a link to the good friendship between China and Nigeria which both countries are enjoying today,” Mr. Lin Yong said.

    The President of the Chinese Aids Center, Mr. Sun Guoping contributed to the event.

    Also contributing were the Chairman of China Industrial & Commercial Enterprises association; Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos; Chinese Associations in Nigeria; Wood Association; Wig Association; Women’s Federation’ China Fujian Association; the Secretary of West Africa –Chinese and Chinese Overseas Federation, Mr. Xue Xiaoming, Mr. Liu Chang, Head of the Chinese Community in Nigeria, Mr. Sun Ping, Mr. Lu Lu Jackson and a host of other Chinese nationals across Nigeria.

    Chibundu’s large family both at home and abroad were fully in attendance at the event that was well attended by many Nigerians and other Nationals who have felt the impact of Ambassador Chibundu, especially in the areas of promotion of Peace, Community and international relations and Education.

    Ambassador Oluwole Coker who was also a former Ambassador to China  and Ivory Coast said,  Chibundu “excelled both at home and abroad. After retiring from the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1990, He still went ahead to improve the ties between Nigeria and China and founded the NICAF in 1994, which is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries. He also wrote four books on the development of Nigeria- China ties.

    The books he wrote have become important reference books for researchers on the Nigerian-China ties,” Coker revealed.

    Kate, his widow, said, ”I appreciate the kind gesture of the China community in organising this event, but I am yet to believe that he is truly dead. He was truly a bridge builder and a man of honour. As he wished good for his own family, same good he extended to anyone that came across him. We will sorely miss him.”

    His younger brother and a close confidant, M.A.E Chibundu  who was still in shock, said that it is good to be good.

    “Coming here today is not just to celebrate the contributions of my brother to the Chinese Community both at home and abroad, but for all to know that whatever we do in life has a result. When my brother diligently served the Nigeria and became a good Ambassador in his official abode, he never knew he will be rewarded like this one day. May be he was just being a good Nigerian, a truly son of his father and a worthy representative of the Nigerian government; What honour is more than this ? For a man to be honoured at home and at abroad in his own land by the Foreigners? This is rare. I feel great and I am proud to be a Nigerian and I am proud to share same umbilical cord with Amb. Victor Chibundu”.

    Mrs. Edith Udeagu, his eldest child who was a retired Central bank Deputy Director and currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Nigeria Internet Registrant Association, NIRA, the impact of what his father did was what many are enjoying today. “My father was a detribaliased man. He didn’t believe that people are different. His major concern is how to add positive value to life and to individual’s that ever come across him. I could remember many good things he has done, and he will always stressed the fact that we need to do our best and make positive impact no matter how small.”

    Mrs. Dorothy Johnson, his second child who is a multi-linguist and Head of Human Resources at Huawei-Nigeria office, the need to be a total Nigerian was one of her father’s attributes.

    “He never believed in division. I could remember even when we were still very small, whatever countries he was posted to, he will make sure we remember home. He will tell us to draw Nigerian map and put at least key major capitals and states in it. He was a meticulous man. Rather than building houses all over Nigeria or amassing wealth, he has only one house in Lagos and one in our village.”

     

  • Community accuses oil firms of neglect

    A Community in Satellite Town Lagos, is up in arms with some oil firms operating on its land.

    It wants the firms to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with it and fulfil their promises of impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    If they fail to do so, the community warned that all their tank farms may be destroyed.

    Ibasa-Ijegun Egba Youth Movement President Adewale Kareem accused the firms of neglecting the community despite an agreement on implementing critical development projects signed in January.

    He said the pact signed with management of Ijegun Egba Tank Farm Depot, at the Directorate of State Service (DSS) Command Headquarters in Shangisha, encompassed addressing demands such as drainages, healthcare facilities, roads, schools. The parties, he added, also agreed to meet to harmonise mutually beneficial realistic and acceptable limits.

    According to him, the community has abided with the Command’s directive to maintain peace pending the resolution of the issues.

    The land in question, he said, belonged to the royal families of Agbojojoye and Alagbo, adding that the Omo-Olokos have stepped aside because they are not part of the stakeholders.

    Kareem accused the DSS coordinator for Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Mr Frank, of interference. He alleged that Frank influenced the inclusion of a family who had no stake in the matter.

    “When Agbojojoye and Alagbo families initially consulted the DSS for advice, we found it difficult setting up a committee and we went to seek Mr Frank’s advice on the way forward, he told us the DSS will not intervene in family issues but will only mediate in issues relating with the oil depots.

    “When we succeeded with the constitution of a six-man committee, and revisited the DSS Command for inauguration, to our dismay, suddenly, the community secretary, Modiu Tolani received a call from Frank asking if the Chairman of the Omo-Olokos, Alhaji Abdulahi Alebiosu is a chief in the community. He answered in the affirmative and Frank told him to tell the regent to use him as the principal representative of Agbojojoye family, which we all objected instantly because he has already said the DSS will not interfere.”

    He accused the DSS coordinator of instigating a segment of the community against the other.

    Kareem said the community’s request for Frank’s replacement failed, adding: “We sent a petition against Frank to the DSS in May, to call him to order but to serve as an unbiased umpire but there was no reply.

    “We are peace loving people, we want to bring to the notice of the whole public once again that the oil depots and the DSS are not cooperating with the youths and the elders within the community.”

    An elder in the community, Alhaja Bilikisu Kareem complained that her people’s predominant occupation of fishing and mat-weaving has been adversely affected because of the arrival of the oil depots.”

    “They have not helped our community to grow at all and they make a lot of money from here. It is right for them to help us and make us happy. Our water has become polluted and can no longer breed fishes. We don’t have good hospitals except we go offshore; we have no schools. Our women are no longer employed,” she said.

    Contacted, Frank declined comment because he is a public servant.

    At the Shangisha office of DSS, The Nation was told to send a letter on its request for information.

    But some of the oil depots said they were not fighting with their host community.

    They said in fulfilment of their CSR, they have provided roads and transformers for the community and also employed some indigenes.

    Mr. Michael, an official at Emadeb Energy Oil, said the there was problem because there are many factions demanding entitlement.

    He said: “The matter has been taken over by the DSS. They have told us to hands off because there are too many factions coming from the community for settlement. We have been settling them in the past but we can’t continue that way anymore. The point we are now is for them to select bonafide representatives once and for all.”

    The Chief Security Officer at the Stallonaire Oil Depot, Michael, said the firm was not aware of the allegations because it has no agreement with the community.

    He said: “So far, we have been enjoying peace with them. Recently each depot contributed N3million for road building. We also have some of the indigenes working here. So we have not heard of such.”

  • Ekiti community in crisis over chieftaincy stool

    Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State has been engulfed in crisis over the Olomodulawe chieftaincy stool. Two indigenes of the town, Bakare Agbaje and Agbaje Saliu each representing their families, are laying claims to the chieftaincy stool. As a result, they have sued the Alawe, Oba Ajibade Alabi to an Ikere-Ekiti High Court.

    The two plaintiffs, who sued for themselves and on behalf of their families, are praying the court to remove Idowu Ibiowotosi, the first defendant, as the Olomodulawe.

    They also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Ibiowotosi from parading himself as the Olomodulawe of Oke Emo Quarters, Ilawe-Ekiti.

    Also joined in the suit are Chief Gbenga Agbona, Kayode Balogun and Joseph Akiri who are second to fourth defendants.

    The claimants averred that the process for the nomination and installation of Ibiowotosi contravened the native law, the custom and the applicable chiefs’ law.

    In a second further amended statement of claim, the claimants averred that Olomodulawe chieftaincy title exclusively belonged to three branches namely Gbadamosi, Fatimehin and Fajemisin.

    They averred that prior to the purported installation and appointment of the first defendant; the last two Olomodulawes were from Gbadamosi and Fatimehin branches.

    They claimed it was “the turn of Fajemisin branch of claimants’ family to produce a candidate to fill the stool.”

    The claimants also averred that Ibiowotosi “is not a member of their family and as such not eligible for the chieftaincy title.

    “The first defendant wrongfully and illegally held himself out to be appointed as Olomodulawe without ensuring that the prior written approval of the prescribed authority had been obtained before his purported appointment.”

    The claimants prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Ibiowotosi from parading himself as the Olomodulawe of Oke Emo Quarters, Ilawe-Ekiti.

    But the defendants, in their amended statement of defence, averred that Oba Alabi was substituted by the order of the court made on January 22, 2013 to replace the late Oba Adeyemi Ademileka II, who died during the pendency of the suit.

    Contrary to claims by the claimants, the defendants said the Olomodulawe family was made up of eight branches namely Ibiowotisi, Faje, Apelona, Saribi, Fajemisin, Fatimehin, Gbadamosi and Ola.

    The defendants maintained that the stool was not rotated among the branches of the family.

    “Any male descendant from the aforesaid eight branches of the family is entitled to contest for and fill the Olomodulawe Chieftaincy whenever it is vacant. This was confirmed by the first claimant and other members of the family at various times.

    “Chief Gbadamosi Olomodulawe and Chief Zaccheaus Fatimehin were not installed and appointed as Olomodulawes on the basis of rotation among the branches of the family; rather they were both installed and appointed as Olomodulawe on the basis of being male children and contesting for the said chieftaincy stool.”

  • Sports facility for Lagos community

    Residents of Omi Tuntun community in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, especially the youth, were excited when the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 37 handed over a multi-purpose sports court constructed for the community to them.

    Facilities at the sports  court include basket ball, volley ball and badminton courts.

    Presenting the N1.3 million worth sports facility to the Commissioner for Sports and Social Development, Hon. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Idowu Ademosu, Pastor Adewole Ajayeoba of RCCG Lagos Province 37,  said the project was part of the church’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects which were aimed at giving back to the society.

    He stressed that the CSR programme was the vision of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who believes that the church must impart positively on the environment where it operates.

    Pastor Ajayeoba said he believed that with the provision of the sporting facility, the youth of Omi Tuntun community would have more recreational sites where they could put their youthful strength to positive use rather than engage in anti-social activities.

    Also speaking, Pastor Paul Olukunga of Elim Zone under RCCG LP 37 said the church decided to construct the multi-purpose sports court to provide more sporting facilities that would complement the football field in existence in the community.

    He noted that it was the responsibility of the church and other well-meaning individuals and organisations to ensure that they complement government’s efforts in engaging the youth positively in activities that would impact positively on the society.

    Pastor Olukunga urged the community to make judicious use of the facility and maintain it for generations unborn.

    Thanking the church for the gesture, Akinbile-Yusuf said the Lagos State government appreciates the church for its numerous CSR projects in the community.

    Secretary of the Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Akeem Ogunleye added that the provision of the sports court was a welcome development as the community had tried to put such facility in place over the years which had been impossible due to lack of funds.

    Afterwards, youths of the community played volleyball and basket ball matches on the new facility.

  • Community urges Ooni to ensure unity

    Community urges Ooni to ensure unity

    The Alahun of Ahun in Efon, Ekiti State, Oba Jacob Adelowo, has urged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to ensure the continued socio-political and cultural well-being of the Yoruba.

    He made the call during a courtesy visit to the Ife monarch recently. He added that the development of Yoruba land should be embraced by well-meaning Nigerians from the Southwest geo-political zone.

    Oba Adelowo explained that Yoruba land looks forward to the Ife traditional institution to ensure peace and progress for the people. He said Yoruba people are among the sophisticated ethnic groups in the world.

    Oba Adelowo said the people of Ahun who came from Ife centuries ago, hold tenaciously to the strong belief that Ife is the cradle of civilisation, stressing that Ahun and other Yoruba people will continue to seek the blessings of Ife for better life.

    He said when Alahun Moka-Moye took members of the Ogbooru Adimula-Ilare Royal House from Ile-Ife to settle at Efon in Ekiti, the historical sojourn led to a well-established cultural tie among the people.

    Presenting a book entitled A Brief History of Ahun Efon to the Ooni, Adelowo said: “Alahun gave Efon its present name ‘Efon’ because the people were catching buffalos alive.

    “The buffalos usually prevented people from settling on the land and embark on their means of subsistence. Alahun Mokamoya was able to suppress the threat from the rampaging buffalos. In view of this exploit, the place became known as Efon land.”

    He added that the socio-cultural and religious links between Ife and Ahun were so enormous that, it will be a disservice to generations yet unborn if the history is not documented for posterity.

    “In fact, the Alahun moved from Ife to Ahun with all the monarchical paraphernalia. They are still replete in the Ahun traditional institution in the present circumstance.

    “I must say we thank your imperial Majesty for granting this delegation audience. We pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding for you to play your fatherly role in the Yoruba nation.”

    Responding, Ooni Ogunwusi said the visit was timely, adding that he would always respond to whatever would lead to the unity and progress of the entire Yoruba land.

    He commended Adelowo, his wife Olori Olayinka who presented the book and other members, noting that the visit was a home-coming visit.

    He added that the people should feel free to make their proposals because the unity of the entire Yoruba land could not be superseded by any narrow interest.

  • Community seeks harmony after clash

    There were gunshots. A house was burnt down. Other structures were damaged, roofing sheets knocked down, windows smashed. There were even claims that a few people were shot, though none died.

    But in ones and twos, residents who fled in the heat of the clash have started coming back home, as some calm returned to Inyi, a riverside community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, after two of its four quarters, Obecha and Umuinyagbo, fell out bitterly at a sanitation exercise. The community leaders have been meeting to foster peace and harmony between the feuding quarters. All the destruction took place in Obecha.

    It was a needless clash, veteran journalist and community leader Mr. Mike Nwabueze told The Nation on the telephone.

    “Can you imagine that the violence started over a mere guava tree,” Nwabueze, of Umuinyagbo quarter, said.

    In the course of a sanitation exercise by the community’s youths, one of them from Umuinyagbo threatened to cut down a guava tree on the Obecha side of the border. An Obecha youth dared him to fell the tree. He did, and was hit by the Obecha youth. A fight ensued. An assault rifle went off somewhere in Obecha, The Nation was told.

    The Okpala-Ukwu, who holds the revered office of the oldest man in the four-quarter community, weighed in. He summoned the feuding quarters, blamed and fined Umuinyagbo for cutting down the guava tree. Umuinyagbo youths were said to have felt that the Okpala-Ukwu did not quite do justice to the matter, and that he glossed over an alleged belligerent attitude of Obecha people, including the initial gunshot, which Umuinyagbo youths interpreted as an intention of war.

    What happened next was horror never seen in the community, which is united in every imaginable way and separated only by the names of its four quarters: Obecha, Umuinyagbo, Isiolu and Umuagwuyam.

    Most residents fled their homes, some as far as Asaba, the state capital, and Benin City, the Edo State capital. Some ran to Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state, or just about anywhere they could find peace.

    The violence has subsided, thanks to the efforts of the community leaders who notified the local council leadership. Acting chairman of the council Hon Dickson Okonta led a delegation to Inyi to calm tensions. The Inyi Improvement Union, an umbrella body of the community, has also been meeting, mostly at Ashaka near Kwale, and sending peace delegations home.

    These efforts are paying off. Some who fled their homes have started returning, including some of Nwabueze’s relatives.

    Dr. Anene Nwafili, of Obecha extraction, who teaches at University of Port Harcourt, was stunned at the level of destruction in a community united by marriage, culture and tradition. His family lost a house to the clash.

    Nwabueze pointed out the foolishness in the violence, saying there is hardly any family in any of the quarters that is not tied through marriage to the next quarter. The Nwafilis, for instance, married two women from Umuinyagbo.

    The veteran journalist also told The Nation that the community leadership will concern itself to mopping up illicit weapons in the hands of Inyi residents.

  • Army cleans up community, provides health services

    Army cleans up community, provides health services

    The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu has endeared itself to its host community by ridding it of garbage and treating ailing residents, reports CHRIS OJI

    Things are looking much better in army-host community relationship. In Enugu, the 82 Division of the army has not only cleared garbage at a market and the railway corporation premises but also its medical corps treated ailing residents for free. The people loved it and expressed their gratitude. This helps to foster a cosy relationship between professional combatants and their civilian hosts.

    The medical exercise was tagged ‘Know your Blood Pressure: Avoid Silent Killers’. The beneficiaries were communities around the Enugu metropolis, and it was to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru said the exercise was for all categories of people.

    He said, “The exercise is in line with the Nigerian Army compassion for offering humanitarian services in the health sector to communities around its barracks and its environ. The main event which is scheduled to hold on 6th July 2016 motivated the sanitation exercise, free medical outreach among series of other activities earmarked for the occasion.”

    General Attahiru explained that the activities would provide the usual platform to further strengthen the longstanding civil military relations between 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and its host communities.

    The sanitation exercise took place at the Old Artisan Market and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Enugu North local Government Area while the medical outreach was held at Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Ugwu Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

    The beneficiaries described the gesture as most outstanding.

    General Attahiru who moved around the Old Artisan Market, encouraged the shop owners to always keep their environment clean to avoid infectious diseases and as well ensure total neatness of their environment to maintain and improve on healthy living.

    The free medical outreach was also accepted by all as it witnessed a massive turnout of the residents who seized the opportunity to get free medical care.

    The traditional ruler, Umuatugbuoma Autonomous Community, Igwe Okechukwu Nwobodo told journalists he was happy that the army came to his community with the free medical outreach.

    A community resident, Mr. Nnamchi John Ogbodo who came with Igwe Ifeakandu to witness the exercise and also to take part in the free medical care described the exercise as a marvelous one, saying, “It is what the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be doing to the rural areas like ours. Sometimes, we don’t have access to medications because of some certain limitations of life but this army team brought it to us, to our door step. It is a marvelous thing. We appreciate. It’s worthy of emulation by other organizations and we appreciate the move without reservations”.

    The leader, Medical Team, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Colonel Olufunke Omoyemi Kayode told journalists that their choice of selecting the community by the team was based on the fact that no medical center is very close to them. In her words, “by the grace of God, we’ve really achieved a lot. So far, we have identified a lot of cases both medical and surgical cases and we have treated a lot of them”.

    She added that the team is divided into sections like dental care, eye care, general medical care as well as HIV testing and counseling unit.

    In her words, “we are really making progress. We have seen cases that have stayed for a very long period which ought to have been reported to the hospital but maybe because of health centre not being closer to them and we have identified some of them.

    “We have also identified about two cases we cannot handle here and we’ve given them appointment to come to the hospital on Monday,” she added.

    She used the medium to appeal to other agencies and NGOs to come to communities like this because many people who do not have access to medical care maybe because of financial constraints are suffering.

    She asked NGOs and agencies to go round communities to solve their health problems.

  • Father of five killed as land grabbers attack community

    Father of five killed as land grabbers attack community

    Barely six months after a strange disease ravaged the community, leaving no fewer than 25 children dead, Otodo Gbame, one of the ancestral homes of the Egun, is yet again under siege.

    Otodo Gbame is located in Ikate near Elegushi Estate, Lagos.

    The community is facing attacks  from an alleged land grabber, Mr Wale Adebanjo  and the Sand Sellers Association, Lekki Zone 8, allegedly spearheaded by his brother, Wasiu.

    The feud over sand dredging activities between Sand Sellers Association, Lekki Zone 6, Otodo-Gbame community and Sand Sellers Association, Lekki Zone 8 resulted in the death of one of Otodo Gbame Community youth, Isaiah Aiforji, The Nation learnt.

    The late Aiforji, a fisherman, was a father of five.

    He was reportedly shot by some uniform gunmen that came with Wale three weeks ago.

    According to eyewitnesses, the deceased was going about his normal routine when some policemen came with Wale in a speed boat to the shores of the community to arrest some people.

    Some residents approached them while they were about to arrest Aiforji, the armed men allegedly shot him (Aiforji) in the leg as they were leaving.

    An eyewitness simply identified herself as Esther said: “We were seating here in the afternoon around 2pm when they came in a speed boat. They were four men and one woman. When they came out of the boat, they saw the man (Aiforji) there. They dipped their hands into his pocket and started rough handling him, dragging him. Some guys around then began to salute the officers as a show of respect but they did not heed. They pleaded with them not to take him away but they eventually dragged him to the boat and shot him. We don’t know who they are.”

    She lamented that it wasn’t clear to her why the people in the community were perceived inferior to own land at the axis. She urged the government to intervene, saying “the same way they are land-owners; we are equally land-owners.”

    A bricklayer Hunukon told The Nation that the killing was a calculated plan to terrorise them in order to flee the land. He said efforts to save the victim proved futile as he bled to death on the way to the hospital.

    He said: “That day, I was working when I saw policemen approaching. As they got to the shore, they approached the deceased, grabbed his cloth and wanted to take him away but their action caught peoples’ attention. So everyone moved closer, wondering what happened. Then the policemen began shooting in the air to scare people; but a man called Habeeb still went near them, asking why they wanted to take him away. They didn’t fight the policemen but when they realised the crowd was increasing, they left the man, started their speed boat and shot him in the leg. His leg bone was dislocated and the bullet tore his flesh. He died while being rushed to the hospital.  And it’s basically because of sand dredging issue.”

    A fellow fisherman said: “Every day, the Itedo community people, where Wale does land agent business, come with uniform men to terrorise the people in our community, Otodo Gbame. There was a day they came and threatened to burn all the houses in the community. But now, they come with Agbero people (hoodlums) very often to disrupt our fishing activities. Whenever they come and they see people going on their own, they attack them.

    But the land in question is not Itedo’s land; it belongs to Otodo Gbame. Their own land is far off. They have been disturbing us for about two years but the threat was intensified from the beginning of this year. When they came, they were led by Wale, a land agent. We don’t go fishing again; we just stay back. Leaving our wives and children at home is even a risk we take because we are worried they can come anytime and attack the community, kill our children and burn our houses.”

    According to Jonathan Zosu, reports made to the nearest police station were treated as inconsequential on several instances.

    Zosu said: “We have reported the case to the nearest police station at Ilasan in Ikate severally but they don’t respond. What they do is to transfer our case to Panti in Yaba, Lagos Mainland. There is no form of protection here. 95 per cent of our people here are fishermen. We want the governor to look into this issue. Our lives are not safe.”

    The community chairman, Hennu Solomon told The Nation that the community had sought several ways to resolve their differences with their neighbour but was unsuccessful.

    “We wrote our the Itedos that we don’t want the incident that happened between us and the Eleguishi’s to repeat itself. They were invited to the office of the public defender, they refuse to come the first, second and third time. Then, we had to write them for a peaceful resolution, but they refused to turn up until this year when they came, bringing one Wale. He doesn’t live in Otodo Gbame neither does he live in Ikate. He comes from outside, all the way from Ibeju. Then he came and told us there was a woman who bought land from the Itedos and that he was the one that fought for the woman to get the land. Initially, he said two plots of land, later they came back to tell us it was twelve plots of land. They came and sold a part of our land to somebody claiming that the Itedo people’s land extended here, but their land did not extend here by any means. They are tenants of the Eleguishis and that is how they have been selling their land and ours,” he said.

    He further noted that it was incorrect for people to assume that the Egun were not qualified as Lagosians, saying “The community has been existing for over 300 years with our own tradition. We have our structures, ethics and deities here. We are Ogu by tribe and Ogu people are from Badagry. As you know Badagry is one of the earliest divisions in Lagos State. We have the Ogus, the Ekos, the Ikejas, the Epes and the Ikorodus. And that is what constituted the state today. And from the history of Lagos State, nobody will say an Ogu person is not a Lagos Indigene. They are rewriting our history.”

    “When the land was N500, N1,000, nobody thought of pursuing the people. When the land was in mud and bushy, nobody came but now that the land is open, they want to lay the poor fishermen off and sell the land to the big men in millions,” he added.

    He appealed to government to intervene and salvage their belongings.

    “We want the government to wave into the matter. Let justice prevail. Let proper investigation be carried out in fairness,” he said.

    The deceased’s uncle Abel Aiforji, said his brother’s children are additional burden for him.

    He said he needed help to cater for them.

    The deceased’s son, Amos, a junior secondary school pupil said:  “I was inside my aunt’s shop when a man ran here to tell us. I just started weeping. My dad was a good man. Whenever he came, he normally gave us money. I really wish he is here. You know God is the one to judge everything. I pray He judges the perpetrators. We need help. My uncle can’t afford everything for his children and us as well.”

    One of the accused, Mr Wasiu Adebanjo, debunked masterminding the murder of Aiforji.

    Wasiu said: “I don’t have anything to do with them and I am not the person that sent anybody to kill anyone. If you see me, you will know I don’t have the wherewithal to acquire land in Ikate.

    “What happen was they stole someone’s land and the person has been at loggerheads with them. It was when the police went to the community to arrest the person involved that they started dragging with them. That was how one of them got shot. It was not me. I am a sand seller just like others. The case is already in Panti station.”

    The accused land agent, Wale was not reached as he didn’t pick his call.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent (SP) said the command was not aware of the case but will investigate it.

  • Abia community laments poor roads

    Members of the Nzuko Arochukwu town in Abia State have decried the state of the Okobo Arochukwu -Abam Road that connects the area with other parts of the state.

    Worried by the huge economic, social and other losses the community has suffered because of the  deplorable state of  the road, the Lagos branch of the group gathered last week at NENIV Events and Conference Centre, Airport Road, Lagos, to proffer solution to the state of the road which they said has turned  them to outcasts in their fatherland.

    They moved to raise N5million to give a face lift to the road to alleviate the sufferings of their kinsmen.

    Bemoaning the plight of their people, the Second Vice President, Mazi Nwosu Nwaka said: “Anybody who knows our location knows very well that it is an abandoned community. The government of today, the government of yesterday have actually abandoned us. Since after the war, Arochukwu has not had any road constructed into that town. As we speak right now, the town has been totally cut off  and that is why we have decided to take the bulls by the horn.  Since the government cannot help us we want to help ourselves. We believe that maybe when the government sees what we are doing they may probably know that they have actually failed us in terms of infrastructure and come to our aid. We are endangered species when it comes to infrastructure in Abia State.

    The First Vice President General, Sir Dozie Udensi said: “What we are trying to do is is to save our people from being cut off entirely from the rest of Abia state and Nigeria. We are not trying to build government road but we trying to put some palliative measures so that our people  can have access to our ancestral home. The government of the day, both at the state and federal level has made us to understand that the economy has dwindled and the implementation of budget very slow. We cannot wait indefinitely for them especially now that the rains are coming heavily. As the newly elected executives, we think it incumbent on us to give palliative measures to the road.

    “We are only trying to cover those bad sides of the road with laterite to make it motor able so that people can pass easily. People have already been cut off entirely from umuahia ohafia and so on. We are looking at completing the project by the end of June or July we will be ready. By June ending the people should to be able to pass through the road. We are setting September deadline because it is when our people will be massively going home to celebrate the new yam festival. We are already making plans to reach out to all our people both at home and in diaspora for their support. One thing that is certain is that we are going to make judicious use of every money we get.”

    He added: “We are also trying to create avenue for our youths to have employment. We are putting in place various skills acquisition programmes for them to remove their mind from unproductive ventures. We are creating a database to be able to know those that who are qualified for one thing or the other. Those who have not gone to school we will be able to provide some skill acquisition so that they can be gainfully employed.”

  • Philanthropist builds school for Edo community

    Managing Director Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Chief Patrick Anegbe, has donated a four classroom block to Efandion Secondary School, in Uromi, headquarters of Esan Northeast Local Government Area.

    The block includes a staff room and and principal’s office that was richly furnished.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the school, Anegbe said his humble beginning moved him to ensure that children in his community get good education.

    He emphasised that his gesture has no political interpretations, but a way of saying thank you to the community that showed him care and love.

    “My belief is that you may give silver and gold, these have temporary sustainability, but if you give a child good education you have given that child enduring and sustainable foundation in life. My humble self is a good testimony of this fact,” he said.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by his Commissioner for Budget, Planning and Development, Hon. Lawrence Aghedo, said the gesture complements efforts by the state to provide quality education for its children.

    He urged the pupils to use the facility with care and appealed to other individuals to help develop education or health in their communities.

    The school’s Principal, Mr. F. A. Eyieyie, also said the school needs computers, library, laboratory and security guards, and connection to the national grid.