The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Firm revamps Oyo community’s cassava processing cottage

    In continuation of its policy of investing in communities to positively impact the lives of smallholder farmers across Nigeria, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has rehabilitated the Cassava Processing Cottage at Ago-Are, in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. The facility was originally inaugurated and handed over to the community in December 2004.

    According to the Executive Director, BATNF, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ashade, the rehabilitation became necessary due to expansion of agricultural activities, especially the cassava value-chain enterprise. Besides, the Ago-Are agrarian community, last year, had requested of the foundation a facility expansion to increase cassava processing into various derivatives.

    She revealed that the rehabilitation of Ago-Are Cassava Processing Cottage signposts the foundation’s commitment to supporting efforts targeted at alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers.

    “Our work in supporting smallholder farmers in rural communities in Nigeria is our answer to the challenge of poverty and our approach to transforming the society to self-sufficient people who can feed themselves, earn an income from their farms through processing and feed the larger population.

    “So far, the foundation has established community development projects in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, some of which have resulted in wealth creation and food security,” Ashade said.

    While urging the smallholder farmers to take advantage of the initiative to enhance their livelihood, Ashade expressed optimism that with the handing over of the facilities, the foundation believes that the beneficiaries and the community at large, will put the equipment into proper use in order to increase their productivity and income, thereby making life more meaningful for the beneficiaries, their households and the socio-economic life of the community.

    Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented at the event by the Director of Rural Community Development in Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Pastor Yode Ayanlowo, said BATNF’s impressive agricultural interventions and development agenda have given indigenes of the state a renewed sense of hope. He reiterated government’s willingness to continue to partner with the foundation in its transformation drive by engendering an enabling environment.

    “Cassava plays a remarkable role in the agricultural development of Nigeria, especially in Oyo State, as it has transformed from a minor crop to a major crop. Importantly, Nigeria is believed to be the highest producer of cassava in the world, and by extension the highest consumer, leaving nearly nothing for export. This, however, requires a concerted effort to increase production of the commodity. We hereby assure BATNF of our continuous support and co-operation,” Ajimobi said.

    While inaugurating the Cassava Processing Cottage, the Aare of Ago-Are, His Royal Highness, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla II, commended the exemplary role of BATNF in alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers. He added that the foundation is reputed for its wealth creation agenda among smallholder farmers.

    “For the reason that agriculture is key to food security, it therefore becomes necessary to support and encourage smallholder farmers through periodic incentives that would enable them to earn a better living,” the monarch said, even as he acknowledged the BATNF’s giant strides in agricultural development in his community.

    He urged the organisation to also extend its interventionist schemes to the area of provision of potable water so as to enhance the livelihood of members of the community.

  • Delta community’s women protest N50 daily levy

    Hundreds of Otor-Udu market women in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday protested at Udu against the local government’s N50 daily revenue levy.

    The market women carried placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Kpoma, leave us alone”; “We are yet to benefit from your government”; “We will never pay N50, N100 and N200 daily leave”; “Okowa, this was not why we voted for you.”

    The protesters vowed to continue with their agitation until the local government reversed the levy.

    One of the women Mrs. Winnie Galaka said the protest followed the information the women got that those selling on tables would pay N100; hawkers N50 and store owners N200 daily.

    The women’s leader said they would not end the protest until the local government Chairman Solomon Kpomah dropped the levy.

    But Kpomah said he held several meetings, a few days ago, with leaders of the various markets in Udu on the daily levy.

    The local government chairman said the joint meeting concluded that market women – store owners, hawkers and others – should pay N50 each day and not N100 or N200, as the women claimed.

    He said the protest might have been the result of the wrong information the women got from their leaders, who he accused of indulging in illegal revenue collections.

    “They may be doing this to enable them continue with their illicit act,” he said.

  • Community exposes more suspects in Abia

    Community exposes more suspects in Abia

    After destroying petrol vandals’ camp and reservoirs in an Aba, Abia State forest, the police have arrested suspected beverage fakers, Indian hemp merchants and illegal gun makers, with the aid of locals. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    Things are looking up in the Abia State Police Command. Not long ago, its officers tracked down petrol vandals to a forest near Aba, setting their makeshift camp and reservoirs on fire. Now more suspects in diverse crime fields have been hauled in. The locals played a huge role in the operations leading to the destruction of the vandals’ base as well as the arrest of the latest suspects, some of whom held for faking beverages, trafficking in prohibited Indian hemp and making guns believed to be sold to robbers and kidnappers.

    When Mr Joshak Habila took office as Commissioner of Police in the state, he spoke of his intention to tackle crime through partnership with residents in various villages and local government areas of the state. He also toured the communities, meeting with traditional rulers and their subjects and harping on the need for synergy with the police and other security agencies.

    That pact has started yielding fruit and the people love it. Operatives of the anti-robbery unit of the Aba Area Command and their counterparts from the Inspector-General of Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have arrested people who allegedly specialised in brewing adulterated drinks including wines. They have also held a man with Indian hemp weighing about 50kg, as well as three other suspects in Ukwa West Local Government Area.

    Speaking at Obehie Police Divisional Headquarters where three suspected gun makers were paraded, Mr. Habila said the suspects identified as Ejiofor Kanu, Udo Nwanmuo Jacob and Allwell Anyanwu were indigenes of Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.

    Habila commended the SARS men for their prompt response and their ability to make good use of information available at their disposals.

    He said the SARS operatives moved in after a resident tipped them off about the gun manufacturing suspects.

    The CP said the operatives recovered such items as saws, a gas cylinder, an oxygen gas, pipes and hammers, among others, including already assembled guns ready to be shipped to their clients.

    It was also learnt that the suspects had been in the business for over 10 years, an occupation from which they funded their children’s education.

    The Abia police chief recalled how the area was noted for such crimes as kidnapping and armed robbery, among others, especially during the days of Osisikankwu, the abduction kingpin.

    Habila said residents would have been in grave danger had the suspects continued their business unhindered.

    He said the suspects would be prosecuted as soon as investigations were concluded, warning such criminals to look for legitimate work to make a living or face the consequence of their actions. He added that efforts were being made to trace some of the people who patronised the gun manufacturers.

    He reiterated the commitment of the police to ensuring that Abians and investors carry out their activities freely without fear of intimidation or harassment by any person or group of persons.

    The suspects in an interview accepted that they do not have the licence to manufacture guns. They, however, said that they only manufactured and sold dane guns to hunters in and outside the village and denied that their clients used the guns for robbery.

    Operatives of the anti-robbery squad, Aba Area Command, have also arrested a 27-year-old man identified as Mr. Tochukwu Nna with a substance suspected to be Indian hemp weighing 50kg.

    Nna, a native of Isiala Mbano, The Nation gathered, was arrested at Umuobikwa Village in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state, about 15 minutes drive off the commercial city of Aba.

    According to reports, the suspect was to deliver the banned substance to a yet to be identified facility where it would be sold to its consumers.

    A police source said the command had information that the substance came in from Benin, Edo State.

    The quick response of the anti-robbery squad paid off as the tricycle conveying the hemp broke down at Umuobiakwa village, causing the suspect to drop it in a nearby bush.

    The Nation learnt that while the suspect and the tricycle operator  were trying to repair their vehicle,  men of the anti-robbery stormed the area. The tricycle operator ran away while the suspected merchant was apprehended.

    The suspect also named his supplier.

    The state command’s public relations officer Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu confirmed Nna’s arrest,  adding that he has been handed over to the state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

    The anti-robbery unit also nabbed two persons suspected to be producers of adulterated drinks in Aba. The   police are equally in the hunt for   other members of the gang who fled the scene on sighting security operatives.

    Some of the drinks allegedly brewed by the suspects include Seaman’s Schnapps, St. Remy, Toma Red Grape, 501 and over 12 other brands of spirits and red wines which are in high demand at the market.

    It was gathered that the suspects were arrested after a tip-off.

    A source told our correspondent that the Area Commander, Peter Wagbara upon receiving intelligence about the act, directed his anti-robbery unit to act fast, leading to the success recorded during the operation.

     

     

  • Community seeks Amosun’s intervention over kingship tussle

    Community seeks Amosun’s intervention over kingship tussle

    Almost two years after the demise of its monarch, Oba Samuel Oludademu Tinuoso Joshua, Orile-Ifo, a town in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, is yet to crown a new monarch.

    This followed a crisis arising from the nomination of a king for the ancient town.

    They people are asking Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, to intervene in the matter before it degenerates into a clash between the contending parties and their supporters.

    Oba Joshua was from the Shogoroye Tinuoso ruling house and it was declared that the next king will come from Sobowale Afijaperi ruling house.

    The Sobowale Afijaperi ruling house unanimously nominated Prince Ekundayo Hafeez Tinuoso as its sole candidate at a meeting on November 20, 2014 which was presided over by Pa Jeremiah Odetunde, the head of the ruling house.

    The family, thereafter, informed the kingmakers of their choice through a letter addressed to the chairman, Chief M.A. Adeniji.

    The letter dated November 20, 2014 was copied to the Chairman, Ifo Local Government Council, the Alake of Egbaland and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    It was learnt that the matter assumed a new dimension when the kingmakers made a u-turn and allegedly declined to proceed with the installation of Hafeez Tinuoso as the next oba.

    The kingmakers, it was learnt, allegedly pitched tent with another person who does not belong to the two royal families.

    The Aare Erunbe Egbaland and Secretary, Council of Chiefs of Orile-Ifo, High Chief Olufela Akinwale Dipeolu, blamed the kingmakers for not honouring and respecting the choice of the Sobowale Afijaperi ruling house.

    He feared that “the action of the kingmakers might take the town back to the dark days unless something is done to prevent them from taking the action”.

    Dipeolu is, however, appealing for the intervention of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the Egba Traditional Council to come to their aid before the situation gets out of hand.

  • Community elects leaders

    The lagos branch of Alor Development Union (ADU) in Idemili South Local Government Area Anambra State has elected its officers. The election held at Alor Christian Centre in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos.

    The electoral committee was led by Ichie Sunday Omakagu consisted. Chief Emmanuel Ojukwu was voted chairman to serve for  three years.

    Other officers elected were Chief Chijioke Uzokwe (Vice Chairman); Mr. Damiona  Nwaogbo (Secretary General); Mr. Marcus Mbaekwe (Assistant Secretary); Mr. Chibuike Nwoye (Treasurer); Chief Mallison Ukatu (Financial Secretary); Mr Tochukwu Uzochukwu (Assistant Secretary); Mr. Emmanuel Udodinma  Social/Publicity Secretary); Mr. Azubuike Onyechi (Chief Provost) and Mr.  Chijioke Akubue (Provost).

    The other members of electoral Committee were Chief Nnaemeka Ngige (SAN) as Secretary, Ichie Godwin Nwaoye and Ichie Samuel Udoh members.

    The officers were also inaugurated.

    Chief Uzoma Igbonwa, a former President of Alor People’s Convention, and Chief John Obiekwe, among others, attended the event.

    Rendering his stewardship earlier, as the chairman of the union in the last three years, Chief Ojukwu appreciated the cooperation of elders and leaders of the community for their confidence on the team as they were able to play their role creditably.

  • Community decries neglect

    Community decries neglect

    Residents of Okeogun, a community of 10 local government areas in Oyo State, have cried out for attention. They are aggrieved over lack of state and Federal Government presence in the area, a situation that resulted in unsavoury circumstances. The residents said they lack good roads, potable water, electricity and other essential facilities that can make life worth living.

    Rising from its monthly development meeting held at Elekokan Town in Iwajowa Local Government Area, the President of Okeogun Liberation Movement, Alhaji Fatai Azeez said: “It is regrettable that the community is totally neglected in terms of infrastructural development. We are made up of 10 local government areas such as of Iseyin, Atisbo, Iwajowa, Kajola, Itesiwaju, Shaki West, Orelope, Irepodun, OgoOluwa and Shaki East. Tell me what infrastructure or modern facilities have government provided for inhabitants of these areas? This is a community of two million people, going by the 2006 Census figure.”

    He said the area is dotted with several abandoned projects among which are Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin that was designed to provide electricity and potable water for Ibadan and the teeming population of the community. According to him, this project has been abandoned since the administration of former President Shehu Shagari. Other facilities begging for attention include Iseyin –Okeho Road, Okeho-Ilero Bridge, Ibadan – Adeomu Road, Iseyin –Abeokuta Road. Adekola Bridge has been neglected for long and Elekokan town in Iwajowa Local Government Area has no water or light.

    A walk round Elekokan town bore testimony to the bumpy nature of the road that has been abandoned for several years.

    Alhaji  Azeez said in spite of the community’s role in the state’s socio-economic and political development of the state as the second largest in population, it is worrisome that politicians have refused to accord it what is due to it.

    He added: “Apart from Ibadan that is made up of 11 local government areas, the current administration received the highest number of votes from Okeogun during the last election.

    On the community’s contribution to agriculture, he said: “In terms of agriculture, we produce the best to feed the state but our efforts are hampered by bad roads because we cannot evacuate our cash crops such as cocoa, cassava and cashew to generate revenue.”

    Government should encourage us to produce more food through loan facilities, insecticides, trainings, seminars and commodity organisations that can facilitate good prices for our farm produce.

     

  • Help complete our road, community pleads

    Help complete our road, community pleads

    Adalemo, a community in Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State has called on the state government to assist them in the rehabilitation of drainage system on the community road.

    The road, which should be a major link to other communities, has been abandoned by motorists and motorcyclists because it is not in good condition during rainy seasons.

    While speaking to reporters, Mr Sanyaolu Oguntoyinbo, one of the landlords in the community described the road as death trap due to its bad condition.

    He said the road had become a major concern to the residents as many activities within the community have been negatively affected.

    Motorcycle operators charge abnormal fares because that is the only means of transportation in the area as some vehicle owners had abandoned them in their homes due to the bad state of the road.

    “Driving cars, especially small cars on this road is not encouraging. It is like punishing and damaging the car’’, even as he noted that this is affecting businesses in the area.

    Most amenities such as road, drainage systems and electricity which the residents enjoy currently were through self-help efforts of the Community Development Associations (CDAs).

    Most of the affected roads he said, are Oladiran Ojo Street, Church Street, Iloye Road under Ilupeju Iloye Community Development Association. He said the residents contribute money yearly to grade the road. Oguntoyinbo appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to come to their aid and construct drainage on both sides of the road before the rains come heavily.

    He said the community has sent representatives to government on several occasions, all to no avail.

    Mr Adekunle Akeem, a resident and an okada rider in the area said the road had been in a state of disrepair for many years, thus exposing people of the area to danger.

    “The road needs large drainage system on both sides and it will be difficult for the low income people living in the community to contribute money to do this. Definitely, we need government’s help”.

    He said riding okada in the road is not an easy task, saying they are just managing it since there is no other means of livelihood.

     

  • Community decries neglect

    Community decries neglect

    Residents of Okeogun, a community of 10 local government areas in Oyo State, have cried out for attention. They are aggrieved over lack of state and Federal Government presence in the area, a situation that resulted in unsavoury circumstances. The residents said they lack good roads, potable water, electricity and other essential facilities that can make life worth living.

    Rising from its monthly development meeting held at Elekokan Town in Iwajowa Local Government Area, the President of Okeogun Liberation Movement, Alhaji Fatai Azeez said: “It is regrettable that the community is totally neglected in terms of infrastructural development. We are made up of 10 local government areas such as of Iseyin, Atisbo, Iwajowa, Kajola, Itesiwaju, Shaki West, Orelope, Irepodun, OgoOluwa and Shaki East. Tell me what infrastructure or modern facilities have government provided for inhabitants of these areas? This is a community of two million people, going by the 2006 Census figure.”

    He said the area is dotted with several abandoned projects among which are Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin that was designed to provide electricity and potable water for Ibadan and the teeming population of the community. According to him, this project has been abandoned since the administration of former President Shehu Shagari. Other facilities begging for attention include Iseyin –Okeho Road, Okeho-Ilero Bridge, Ibadan – Adeomu Road, Iseyin –Abeokuta Road. Adekola Bridge has been neglected for long and Elekokan town in Iwajowa Local Government Area has no water or light.

    A walk round Elekokan town bore testimony to the bumpy nature of the road that has been abandoned for several years.

    Alhaji  Azeez said in spite of the community’s role in the state’s socio-economic and political development of the state as the second largest in population, it is worrisome that politicians have refused to accord it what is due to it.

    He added: “Apart from Ibadan that is made up of 11 local government areas, the current administration received the highest number of votes from Okeogun during the last election.

    On the community’s contribution to agriculture, he said: “In terms of agriculture, we produce the best to feed the state but our efforts are hampered by bad roads because we cannot evacuate our cash crops such as cocoa, cassava and cashew to generate revenue.”

    Government should encourage us to produce more food through loan facilities, insecticides, trainings, seminars and commodity organisations that can facilitate good prices for our farm produce.

     

  • A community’s many challenges

    A community’s many challenges

    Mass Communication students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) were in Ehandiagu-Eha-Alumuna, a community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State to sensitise residents on strategies for self-development. JAMES OJO, CHRISTIAN OKWOR, SUNDAY ELOM, STEPHEN OGBONNA AND SYLVESTER ORJI (300-Level Mass Communication) report.

    EhandiagU Ehaalumuna, an agricultural settlement in Nsukka Local Government of Enugu State, is known as a food basket, yet it is a community in denial. Despite its endowment in fertile land and resources, the riches do not reflect in its inhabitants’ life.

    The community’s development crisis informed the visit by 300-Level Mass Communication students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The visit was part of the requirements for their course in development journalism. The students were there to educate the residents on steps to take to attract development to their community.

    The residents relived their plight as the students, led by their lecturers, moved round the community. Elder John Nnaji, said: “The community is backward and we live in extreme poverty. Though, we are blessed with natural resources, we cannot pay for our children’s school fees.”

    The situation, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, has made many residents to leave the area for cities in search of greener pastures. Residents complained about lack of infrastructure, such as roads, pipe-borne water, electricity and health centres.

    A youth leader, Abgo Chika, said the community had the worst road in the state, saying the government had neglected the people.

    He said: “Our community has abundant bees that produce good honey. We have cashew seeds, which we sell at give-away prices, because they are wasting. We don’t have opportunity to attract business investment because of the bad roads. This is dragging the community back in terms of development.”

    Besides, the community is facing inadequate schools and lack of hospitals, which according to Mrs Rosemary Odo, a resident, has put lives of the populace in danger. “Expectant mothers die, because of lack of functional healthcare facilities,” she said.

    On the efforts made by the community leaders to address the situation, Nnaji said: “We contributed money to construct two bridges at Eme River. We have constructed a road through that bridge and it leads to Premier Junction. But, all these were achieved through the community members’ effort.”

    The community traditional ruler, Igwe Daniel Ugwuanyi, said the residents had intimated Governor Emeka Ugwuanyi about their challenges, expressing optimism that the governor would take action to solve the community challenges.

    The monarch urged the government to tap into the resources of the community, which, he said, has the potential to drive development in the state.

    He said: ‘’The cashew plantation we have on 1,500 acres of land can become a source of revenue generation for the government. It has huge employment opportunities for youths in the area. The resources in the community are enough to contribute to economic growth.”

    While addressing the community leaders on how to promote development of the community, a Mass Communication lecturer, Mrs Omah Ekwueme, urged the residents to think out of the box and harness their resources, stressing absolute depend on government to solve their problems may further compound the community’s woes.

    She said there must be a proper communication channel between the community and government. She also argued that proper packaging and processing of agricultural produce, such as cashew seeds and other cash crops, would enhance the  marketability of the crops and profits of the farmers.

     

  • Senator Tinubu donates boat to community

    Senator Tinubu donates boat to community

    To facilitate movement in the riverine areas, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has donated a boat to Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos.

    Boat mishap has been on the rise in riverine communities with attendant loss of lives. Senator Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, handed over the boat to the Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary Prince Abayomi Daramola at Tarzan Jetty on Victoria Island, Lagos, last Saturday.

    Accompanied by some leaders of the district, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Omoba Murphy Adetoro and Alhaji Mutiu Are, Senator Tinubu appealed to ministries handling constituency projects to ensure their completion.

    She said: “We owe our people back home the duty to make their communities habitable and improve their standard of living. When we have constituency projects, we appeal to them to finish it irrespective of party affiliation.

    “Most of the constituency projects are either not completed or abandoned and we don’t know the contractors. I believe that as Nigerians, if you get a contract, you should be able to do it. Though, I learnt the contractors complained that they didn’t give them enough mobilisation fees. If you give out contracts, give enough mobilisation fees so that they can be completed on time.”

    Senator Tinubu said she handed over the boat to the council for monitoring and upkeep, adding: “It is a new boat and I believe it will go a long way to serve the communities and ameliorate their sufferings.”

    Daramola thanked her for the gesture, saying: “The donation will no doubt assist us in reaching out to the people in the riverine areas especially in the delivery of adequate and prompt primary health care and educational services.”

    He urged other elected officers to emulate Senator Tinubu so that “we may together lift our people, communities and nation at large.

    “We have a lot of staff working in the riverine area; some of them work in our primary health centres and schools. Moving there twice daily has been cumbersome, but with this, it would ease their movement. Likewise, the community would use the boat in case of emergency and in other cases.”