The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Community praises council chief

    Members of  Kpaduma community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have praised the Chairman of  the council, Hon. Micah Jiba, for evolving policies and programmes that affect positively the lives of people.

    Hon. Bala Iyah, a former councillor that represented Garki in the council and a citizen of the Kpaduma community revealed this on behalf of members in a briefing tagged: “The State of Abuja and the way forward for FCT Citizens.”

    He said: “It is now obvious that the council is moving forward to greater height. The positive movement started from the administration of  Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, who worked for six years as AMAC chairman to improve the lives of the people and later decided to give FCT citizens improved and better leadership by representing them at the House of Representatives.”

    Iyah advised residents of AMAC and the entire FCT to support the present governments at all levels, to enable them to further improve the lives of  the people, saying that only governments with good intention can work towards enhancing the well-being of the people they are leading, adding that they deserve commendation from the people.

    “We the citizens of Kpaduma communities are very grateful to the government of AMAC led by Hon. Micah Jiba for not neglecting our communities.

    Jiba has really done well for the people of AMAC. When we had no electricity, we cried to him and he embarked on rural electrification and even pipe borne water. The same thing he did for other communities in the council.

    “We cannot stop commending all our leaders, because they have never let us down. Although, there are still much for improvement, mostly on the issue of our ancestral land and I believe that God will continue to give them the grace and strength to work for the people they are leading,” he said.

    Iyah appealed to residents of the community and the entire FCT to adhere to the instruction of the Federal Government to maintain healthy environment and cultivate the attitude of cleanliness, as the fight against the spread of  the deadly Ebola disease continues.

  • Community faults minister on demolition

    Community faults minister on demolition

    Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have faulted the decision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, to the effect that his administration would no longer demolish houses in the territory without proper alternatives.

    The leader of Dagbalo community in Apo District, Rev. Danjuma Dara, who spoke on behalf of natives of Dagbalo, told reporters in Abuja that the decision of the FCT Administration was coming too late after his people had been driven out forcibly from their ancestral homes.

    Recalling that on July 30, last year, the FCDA officials, accompanied by armed soldiers conveyed in two pick-up vans stormed his community and demolished their houses, destroyed their farms and economic trees within five days.

    “The case was reported to Apo Divisional Police Station and we also filed a case at Jabi High Court. We are hoping to see justice prevail because we do not have any other home and our children are growing up fast.

    “Two years ago, a 22-year-old lady was shot and killed by the FCDA Police in Akpajenya Village when a wealthy woman came with allocation paper and accompanied by armed soldiers, claiming ownership of the land in total disregard of the original inhabitants of the community.

    “Since the vast land now known as FCT was taken over by the Federal Government in 1976, those indigenous to the FCT have literally been under constant intimidation and harassment by government officials and private land grabbers who use the military and police personnel to dispossess them of farmlands and homesteads with neither compensation nor resettlement,” he said.

    He said they wrote several letters to the FCDA, as they wanted to have a dialogue with them, but they refused, adding that they are no longer begging to see them. He also said they demand that he must see the people or he will not be comfortable with their next action.

    “We want to advise the government to stay away from our lands and our ancestral homes, because we do not have anywhere to go. We have made enough sacrifice for this country and the minister seems not to be aware of it. He will always pay us back by sending armed soldiers to bring down our houses.  Enough is enough. The government has pushed us to the wall.

    “That we are peace-loving people does not mean that we do not know our rights,” he said.

  • Water: A community’s huge challenge

    Water: A community’s huge challenge

    Sabon-Gurufata community is in Ibwa Ward in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Its greatest challenge is lack of clean water as the only source of water supply in the community is a polluted stream. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports that there may be an outbreak of cholera if potable water is not provided for the residents. 

    Gabon-Gurufata is a community where nothing works. It lacks almost everything, including water which is one of the basic necessities of life. It is 15 kilometers away from Gwagwalada town. Members of the community settled in Gwagwalada after migrating from Suleja in Niger State in 1945.

    A visit by our correspondent revealed that they have been suffering from complete neglect from successive administrations. Politicians know they exist only when they want to get their votes during elections. They make promises of how they (politicians) will improve the people’s living conditions. But immediately they are voted into office, all promises are forgotten.

    Water boreholes, rural electrification, primary healthcare centres and other basic social amenities to make lives comfortable for the people living in rural communities are lacking as they are not provided as promised by politicians.

    It is obvious that the people are currently at the mercy of an impending outbreak of cholera because of absence of potable water supply in the community. As a result, the people resorted to sourcing water from a dirty stream for survival.

    It was gathered that members of the community are not happy probably because the council chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin-Giri, has not provided them with any meaningful community project since his assumption of office.

    Chief Haruna Tatobwa, the Chief of Sabon-Gurufata explained that members of the community are going through serious challenges due to the absence of basic social amenities in the community.

    “Our major problem here is potable water supply. We do not have a single borehole in this community. As a result, we lack clean and hygienic water to drink and cook. If I take you inside my house now to show you the water we fetched and stored for domestic use, you will not use it to wash your hands, because of how dirty it is.

    “That is the reason I am very happy that my people have registered for the community-based health insurance scheme. The water we are using in this community is a disease; diseases come from bad water, disease such as cholera and others. When they did not register, we were suffering. We believe that government will come and help us.

    “We have had several cases of outbreak of cholera in this village. Last year, about five children died of cholera disease in this community. Also, six pregnant women lost their lives when they went to the health centre in the other community. They started bleeding and died instantly,” he said.

    According to Tatobwa, potable water and primary healthcare centre are the major needs of his people, even as he regretted that having existed for a very long time in the community, they have not benefited anything from the council, saying that the only thing they had benefit from was the borehole which Senator Phillip Aduda constructed for them and which is completely malfunctioned.

    “I would like the council chairman, Alhaji Jibrin-Giri to assist us with primary healthcare centre and potable water supply. The only road to this community from Gwagwalada town is very bad. During rainy season, you will not be able to go through the road. We are truly suffering here,” he said.

    Mr. Aliyu Jeremiah, the Secretary of the Chief of Sabon-Gurufata also revealed that the only primary healthcare centre in Old Gurufata community, which is the closest healthcare centre to the community, has no medical doctor to take care of patients in the communities. The situation has made life so difficult for the people.

    “We lack everything in this community; we have never benefited anything from the government.  We do not have any borehole in this community; this made us to depend on water from the stream for domestic use. The most painful thing is that the stream is a stagnant one and it is very dirty. We have no choice than to manage it that way.

    “The stream water has caused cholera and other sicknesses to natives of this community, and some people have died through it. In the aspect of electricity, that is a no go area, because since there is no access road to this community, why should we expect electricity?

    “We do not have any government project in this community and I feel very bad to see that we are neglected by the government which we pay tax to.

    “Whenever there is election, they will come here to campaign and solicit for our votes. After voting for them, the elected chairman and councillors will regard this place as too far for them to come and fulfill their electoral promises made to us.

    “Every eligible voter in this community has his or her voter’s card and they all go out to vote during elections. Whenever a chairmanship and councillorship candidate comes here to campaign, they will promise to give us electricity, potable water, health centre and other things that we lack.

    “But, since they continued to make these promises for a very long time, nothing has been provided for members of this community. We do not know how it is to enjoy the dividends of democracy. We have written endless letters to former council chairmen without positive response.

    “We have also written to this present chairman, Alhaji Jibrin-Giri and he said by the grace of God, he will come and sink borehole in the community. But we are yet to see any borehole since then.

    “The truth is that we are not happy with the way we are treated by successive administrations of this council. We voted for them and we expect that we should also get the benefits of democracy as other communities receive. There is nothing like dividends of democracy or government’s presence in the community. It is not right. The present leadership of Gwagwalada Area Council should come to our aid and save us from persistent suffering,” he said.

    The people look on to the Gwagwalada Area Council to lessen their pain by providing them with some basic amenities to make their lives comfortable.

     

  • Unilever kicks off Sunlight Community Wash campaign

    Unilever Plc has taken its Sunlight Community Wash Campaign to the grassroots, promising consumers a clean and fresh wash experience with its two-in-one Sunlight Detergent.

    The Community Wash Train started at Ehanlen community in Uhele-Ekpoma, Edo State, moved to Udoko community, Ondo Town, Ondo State; Oba-Oke communty in Olorunda, Osun State;  Okeho community, Kajola  Oyo State and, and stopped at Owu Community in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The residents came out in large numbers to have a feel of the detergent. The event was attended by key personalities from the communities. They acknowledged Sunlight detergent’s attribute of sensational cleaning and all-day fragrance.

    In Udoko community, Ondo South West Local Government Area(LGA), the playground of Saint Peters Primary School hosted many residents who participated in the wash. The residents, who defied the early morning rain, joyfully took part in the various activities that made up the show.

    The Market Women’s leader in the area, Mrs Adeyemi Christiana, praised Unilever for its quality products, especially the Sunlight Detergent. She said: “We appreciate Sunlight Detergent because, as market women, we are prone to dirt and sunlight detergent is readily available to help us with its two-in-one cleaning and freshening ability.  This is why we called on all our women to be part of the community wash and they were so excited about it.”

    The traditional ruler of Oba-Oke, Oba Adam Iyiola Bamidele Yusuff,  said: “My people have really embraced the product and vowed to henceforth use Sunlight Detergent for all their household washing.”

    Also, pleased with how the community wash ignited and united his community, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeetan II, the Onjo of Okeho, in Kajola LGA of Oyo State, thanked Unilever for introducing the product to the people in his community.

    Others, who spoke on the quality of the product, said it foams quickly and leaves lasting fragrance on clothes.

    Mrs. Folashade Olaoluwa, a retailer, said: “It is a nice detergent because it foams well, removes dirt and doesn’t make clothes fade. I really fancy its fragrance. All my children use Sunlight Detergent in washing because of its qualities.”

    Mr. Oluwale Olarenwaju, a Man-O-War member, said: “I am excited to see Sunlight Detergent in Osun because that is what I use in Lagos. If you check my khaki uniform that I just washed in this community wash, you will feel that it is brand new.”

  • Community gives generator to school

    The Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, has received a donation of a 350KVA power generator from indigenes of Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    The gesture, which was from a group, the Ikole University Development Forum, was meant for the school’s Faculty of Engineering. The group’s membership cuts across 23 communities that make up the local government.

    Speaking at the university’s Faculty of Engineering, venue of the presentation, Chairman of the group’s Fund Raising Implementation Committee, Otunba Ben Oguntuase, said the gesture was aimed at complimenting the school’s efforts at securing accreditation for the faculty.

    Otunba Oguntuase said the forum’s choice of power generator arose during one of the interfaces between the forum and the university management.

    A member of the forum, Emeritus Prof Peter Adeniyi, said the nine-member Fund Raising Implementation Committee worked for over eight months to mobilise funds to get the generator.

    He said as at last July 31, about N10,215,290 had been realised. This, he considered, was quite distant from the expected 185 million target.

    According to him, prior to the visit of the university’s Accreditation Visitation panel, the Fund Raising Committee met with representatives of the university on how best to support it in readiness for the visitation. “It was agreed that a generator would be ideal, hence the choice of a power-generating set,” he said.

    While thanking all who contributed to the project, Prof Adeniyi implored those yet to align with the vision to hasten their contributions. He reminded them that the university campus at Ikole is a major socio-economic project that will have significant impact on the fortunes of their communities.

    He said all over the world communities have risen to support academic institutions by way of endowments and contributing towards their developments.

    The paramount ruler of the Ikole Kingdom, Oba Ajibade A. Fasiku,  expressed delight that the contributions yielded results, pledging his community’s readiness to support the university.

    The school’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Uzoma Asuzu, said he was impressed with the level of interest Ikole community has shown towards the development of the university. He applauded the peaceful environment created by the community for staff and students of the university, expressing optimism that the Engineering Faculty would receive the nod of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria – COREN.

    He said: “The challenge now is to prepare for the accreditation proper from both the National Universities Commission (NUC), and COREN next year. The Faculty of Engineering needed N1.8billion to equip the 40 engineering laboratories and workshops.”

    The vice chancellor pledged his team readiness to work in making the institution one of the best in the country.

  • Students unite for community

    It was fun when a group of students under the aegis of Seed of wisdom gathered last weekend in Oko, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State to chart the way forward for the community.

    The Students, who had been separated for many years, due to academic engagements, all grew up in the same community. The group has been described as veritable tool to promote education in the community.

    The Acting Coordinator of the group and a graduate of Public Administration from The Polytechnic Ibadan, Olaoye Shuaib, said: ‘‘The Forum is set up to educate, interact and relate with one another just as we do before leaving this land. Though we are starting this forum with childhood friends and relatives who are interested in the growth of this community, but we will soon extend membership to external persons who are ready to contribute to the service of humanity.”

    Shuaib urged members to cooperate with one another to realize the objectives of the group.

    Speaking on discipline and moral behaviour, Adeleke Kohuanm, a student of Applied Physics, University of Abuja, said a disciplined man would always command respect in the society.

    Taofeek Lawal, 200-Level Political Science, University of Ilorin, said he was delighted to be part of the team, adding that the forum would promote peace and unity to drive community development.

    In his remark, Gbadmus Akeem, Kwara State Polytechnic, noted that team-spirit was essential to the development of every organization, imploring fellow members to be their brother’s keeper.

  • Community seizes Chevron’s facility

    Community seizes Chevron’s facility

    Koluama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State barricaded yesterday an oil facility belonging to Chevron.

    It was gathered that youths and elders relocated to the facility in the morning, demanding compensation for the January 16, 2012 explosion of KS Endeavour, a gas rig operated by Chevron.

    The incident led to the death of some of the company’s workers and caused gas leak.

    A member of Chevron cluster group, the KEFFES Board, Seleipre Matthew, said the community took over the facility in the morning.

    He said the action was taken after the community waited in vain for Chevron to compensate them for the explosion.

    Seleipre said the facility seized by the protesters is located offshore Koluama, 30 metres from the exploded oil rig.

  • Two persons shot in Edo community clash

    THE Edo State Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee has condemned the shooting of two youths in Oka-bere Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, recently.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Chief Eduwu Ekhator while speaking with journalists in his office in Benin City, yesterday, noted that his committee had no knowledge of what transpired in the community, however assured that investigation has commenced to ensure peaceful resolution of the crisis.

    Ekhator advised those responsible for the attack to surrender themselves to the police instead of being evasive as they should not expect to escape justice after committing such atrocious crime.

  • Erosion wreaks havoc in Abia community

    A new erosion site at Amaekpu Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State has destroyed the house of a single albino woman, Mrs. Grace Dike and many economic trees.

    Speaking when he visited the erosion site, the council chairman, Ulu Udensi Ekea described the site as disastrous, adding that if nothing is done urgently to address the menace and it would affect other houses and disrupt economic activities in the area.

    Ekea said the state government will do something to alleviate her suffering. He also promised to involve the Federal Government so that they could direct the ecological fund to stop the erosion from doing more damage.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), would also come to her aid.

    He, however, thanked God that no life was lost in the incident. He called on the people to be conscious of their environments at all times so as to identify such problems on time.

    The council chairman said the magnitude of the erosion measures about 2, 000, stressing that it calls for national emergency. He later donated the sum of N50, 000 to Mrs. Dike.

    While presenting the cheque to the woman, Ekea said he was in government to put smiles on the faces of his people, “especially during their moment of pain. Other occupants of the affected building should look for alternative shelter to avoid loss of lives.”

    He urged Mrs. Dike to use the money judiciously to procure minor relief materials, adding that the council is ready to come to the aid of people who are affected by natural disasters.

    Alao speaking, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ohafia Local Government Area, Kingsley Imaga assured the people of government’s readiness to overcome such natural disasters like erosion, even as he thanked the council chairman for coming to the aid of Mrs Dike.

     

  • Water spill sacks Ondo community

    Water spill sacks Ondo community

    Indigenes of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State are pleading with government at all levels and oil companies to come to their aid following a tidewater spill from two rivers in the area which had destroyed no fewer than 200 houses and property worth millions of naira. LEKE AKEREDOLU reports.

    For one month running now, residents of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State have been battling with a natural disaster that has rendered over 1000 people homeless following a spill of tidewater from Oluwa and Ofala Rivers which surrounds the riverside community.

    The water had submerged several houses, including the palace of the community’s monarch, Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, and that of the State Commissioner of Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseni. Others houses affected include those of the Caretaker Chairman of Ilaje local government, Hon, Soji Ayenuro, Chief Olusola Oke mother’s house, houses of former NDDC Commissioner, Dr, Ibukun Omotehinse and Hon, Tunde Ayemo.

    Already, Ilaje people, who are naturally living on water have adapted to the disaster as some of them now paddle canoes to their various homes. Children could be seen swimming inside the water  when  The Nation went to the area.

    About 15 quarters have so far been affected. They include Ebiseni Avenue, GRA, Kofawe, Orikiti, Ilu-Church, Up Market, Larada, Kugbene among others.

    It was observed that those who could not withstand the disaster have  relocated to neighbouring communities.

    The river‘s surge has been described by residents as a recurring disaster that happens every 10 to 15 years in the community.

    But, this year’s experience has been described as the worst since the existence of the community.

    According to the Council Chairman, Ayenuro and the Commissioner for Environment, Ebiseni, they have provided accommodation at Holy Trinity Secondary School and Igbokoda High School for those whose homes have been submerged in water.

    Ebiseni, who spoke with The Nation on phone, said the disaster was caused by climate change that normally occurs in the community.

    He noted that Igbokoda was a confluence town between Oluwa and Ofala Rivers, describing the situation as unfortunate.

    He added that his ministry and the council have immediately responded to the disaster by providing accommodation for the victims at Holy Trinity Secondary School and Igbokoda High School.

    Ayenuro, said the community has been taken over by flood due to the fact that all the water channels have been  blocked, adding that with the assistance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, all that could change.

    The Council boss lamented the attitude of his people who normally empty their wastes and sand into the gutters, thereby preventing free flow of water.

    Ayenuro warned that the natural disaster must not be linked to government neglect of the community, stressing that Mimiko’s administration has impacted a lot on the riverside areas in the state.

    He affirmed that there was no irrigation in the age-long road of Igbokoda which he said could have helped in diverting the water from entering various homes.

    “As you know, Igbokoda is a metropolitan area in Ilaje local government area. More than 80 percent of the habitants of this local government have been affected by the flood.

    “The Olugbo of Ugbo land, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan was here few hours ago to sympathize with me but the reason why I am happy is that when we were appointed, Mr. Governor told us to reside with our people so that the caring heart programme of the state government could be extended to the grassroots.

    “Having been a partaker of this disaster now, I am always happy anytime they call on me that ‘Chairman come and check at my own building,’ I will also tell them to come to my own house and see what the water has destroyed in my place. This is telling you that our government is above all this capitalist agenda.

    “For the past few weeks now, I have been trying my best to make relief materials available for those who have no place to stay. I have created a particular building for them in the council so that they will continue to manage the place. I have seen a man who has seven family members now managing a kiosk. This is really unfortunate.

    “We are calling on government at Federal and State levels, Oil Companies, NDDC and OSOPADEC to come to our aid, and bring us out of this mess. My people are suffering and we are appealing that these people should quickly intervene and save us” Ayenuro said.