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Tag: Ekiti

  • CSOs: build public toilets in Ekiti

    Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ekiti State have called on the Ayo Fayose administration to build toilets and make water available in public places to reduce open defecation and outbreak of diseases.

    They also canvassed for laws to punish any landlord who builds a house without a toilet.

    The laws, they stated, should also compel existing landlords to face similar punishment if their houses were not provided with toilets within a given period.

    These were parts of resolutions reached in a communique at the end of a two-day capacity building workshop for CSOs organised by the European Union Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme in collaboration with Ministry of Public Utilities held at the weekend in Ilupeju-Ekiti.

    The CSOs called for the rehabilitation of toilets in public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, ministries.

    This followed the recent report that Ekiti has the highest rate of open defecation in the Southwest.

  • Ekiti PDP wins 16 local govt seats

    The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) yesterday released names of winners of Saturday’s local government election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Chairman of EKSIEC, Justice Kayode Bamisile, said candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won all the 16 local government seats and the 177 wards.

    All the winners are to be presented with certificates of return today.

    Those who won the chairmanship seats are Mr Dapo Olagunju (Ifelodun/Irepodun), Mr Deji Ogunsakin (Ado Ekiti), Mrs Sade Akinrinmola (Gbonyin), Mr Bola Alonge, (Ikere), Mr Lanrewaju Omolase (Ekiti South West).

    Also Mr Olumide Falade, (Ise/Orun) and Mr Kolawole Omotunde (Ekiti West), Mr Bolaji Jeje (Efon), Mr Samuel Adeniyi, (Ekiti East), Chief Ayodeji Arogbodo, (Ido/Osi), Mr Tayo Ogundare (Oye) and Mr Taiwo Oguntunase, (Emure) were among the winners.

    Others are Mr Adesola Adeyanju, (Ikole), Mr Ganiyu Bakare, (Ilejemeje), Mr Abiodun Dada (Ijero) and Mr Adeniyi Adebayo (Moba).

  • Ekiti workers angry over planned ‘N20m trip’

    Ekiti workers angry over planned ‘N20m trip’

    •NLC boss: nothing of such

    Civil servants in Ekiti State are kicking against alleged plans by the government to sponsor labour leaders to a capacity-building trip in Ghana.

    The trip, which they described as “another reward for their blind loyalty to the Ayo Fayose administration”, will cost the government N20 million.

    Under the aegis of Enlightened Workers Forum (EWF), the workers wondered why leaders of the state Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) were planning a N20 million trip to Ghana, when workers are groaning under unpaid salary and entitlements.

    They claimed their investigation showed that labour leaders made not less than N52 million since the inception of the Fayose administration.

    They warned them not to collect what they called “blood money” from the government, threatening to protest.

    In a statement yesterday by EWF Coordinator Mike Bamidele, the workers lamented that “it is disheartening and highly disturbing that labour leaders have abdicated their roles and have joined the governor’s no-money chorus group when they are supposed to fight for our interest”.

    The EWF condemned the union leaders for following Governor Fayose to the 16 local government areas “to make excuses” for their unpaid salaries and allowances.

    But the state NLC Chairman Raymond Ade-Adesanmi denied the alleged plan, saying the ‘rumour’ was being sponsored by those he referred to as disgruntled elements in the labour movement.

    Reacting to the alleged silence of labour on the arrears owed, Ade-Adesanmi said union leaders and government agreed to combine allocations for two months to pay one month owing to a reduction of receipts from the Federation Account.

    Defending labour leaders’ appearance at Fayose’s local government tour, Ade-Adesanmi said: “Our responsibility as labour leaders is to defend and protect our workers. The governor is meeting workers and it is our right to be there to defend their interest.

  • Ekiti: A taste of history

    Ekiti: A taste of history

    Of course, the path of honour doesn’t lie down in flat miles. It’s in the imagination with which you perceive this world and the gestures with which you raise your banner that the honour finds its domicile”.

     

    Preamble

    Saturday, November 21, 2015 was a day of honour in Ekiti State. For two days before that Saturday, Ado Ekiti, the capital of the state, had come alive with a memorable history. The people of the state trooped out in their thousands to take a glimpse of a rare guest on a rare occasion. The guest was no other personality than His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for (NSCIA). He was there as the first Sultan ever to visit Ekiti State.

    The occasion was for the installation of an indigene of the state and a gentleman of honour as the President of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yoruba Land.  He is Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello who incidentally is also the Grand Imam of Ekiti State. It was a special day of joy on the part of Ekiti people as it was on the part of the Sultan.

    Two days earlier (Thursday, November 19, 2015, His Eminence had travelled down to Ado-Ekiti from Ibadan where he had been installed as the new Chancellor of the University of Ibadan on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. The day of Imam’s installation in Ado Ekiti was his sixth day in Southwest Nigeria. Shortly after his arrival in Ado Ekiti, penultimate Thursday, His Eminence paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi 111, CON, JP, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti (at his palace) who hosted him and his entourage including yours sincerely with the grandeur of royalty.

     

    Observance of Jum’at Prayer

    On Friday, November 20, 2015, His Eminence commissioned the newly renovated city’s Central Mosque after paying a courtesy visit to the State Governor in his office. The Jum’at prayer observed in that Mosque was led by the Rector of the Centre for Arabic and Islamic Culture, (Markaz) Agege, Sheikh Habibullah Adam Abdllah Al-Ilory. In his sermon, Sheikh Al-Ilory laid emphasis on the duties of an Imam and the importance of Mosques in Islam. He counseled the new President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas on the challenges ahead of him and how he could surmount those challenges. While admonishing the Muslim Ummah against hearsay and tutored them on the need for cooperation with their leaders for the purpose of   unity.

     

    Dignitaries

    Among the dignitaries that observed the Jum’at prayers were His Eminence, the Sultan, His Royal Majesty, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti (though a Christian) who regarded joining His Eminence in the Mosque as part of hospitality. Others were His Royal Majesty, Oba Akadiri Momoh the Olukare of Ikare; His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Sakariyau Olayiwola (S. O.) Babalola, OON, DSC, President of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) who made the highest single monetary donation to the installation day; the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, OFR, FNAL,  the Head of Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, Dr. Kamil Koyejo Oloso and all the chiefs and senior Imams of the six states of the Southwest as well as those of Edo and Delta states.

    Some of those dignitaries included Chief S. O. Babalola; the Magajin Rafi and Galadima of Sokoto; Professor T. G. Gbadamosi; Dr. Abdullah Jibril Oyekan; members of MUSWEN’s Secretariat Task Force as well as a retinue of other Muslim dignitaries from various states had been parts of the entourage of His Eminence since his arrival in the Southwest the previous Monday. The Vice Chairman of the Task Force, Alhaji Murziq Bidemi Siyanbade’s role in this was particularly distinct as he virtually relocated to Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, where His Eminence was officially hosted and was shuttling between that place and the University of Ibadan to ensure that the protocol was properly maintained.

     

    Grand Finale

    At the grand finale held at the Ado-Ekiti pavilion, a galaxy of traditional rulers, Imams and Alfas as well as representatives of various Islamic Organisations were present in their joyful mood, an indication that the long awaited unity of the Southwest Ummah had come at last.  Governor Ayodele Fayose was represented by his wife, Feyisara; Delegates of Hausa communities from various states and representatives of some emirs who came from the North were also there to grace the occasion.

    The Chairman of the occasion was Alhaji Khamis Tunde Badmus of Osun State who was ably represented by Senator Adebayo Salami and made a very handsome monetary donation.

    The President-General designate was presented to His Eminence, the Sultan and the public for turbanning by the Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe who also gave the welcome address. And the installation lecture was delivered by Sheikh Habibullah Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory, the Rector of MARKAZ, Agege, who is well renowned for apt oration and electrifying delivery power. In the lecture, he spelt out duties and responsibilities of an Imam globally and locally. He emphasised the fact that the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas would now have more time for his office than for his office. The President of MUSWEN, Chief (Dr.) Babalola also gave a goodwill message.

     

    Profile

    The 63-year-old  President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the South West, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Muhammad Jamiu Kewulere Bello, was born on January 2, 1952. After his primary education at Ansar-ud-Deen, Ajilosun, Ekiti, he attended the famous Arabic/Islamic Institute (Zumratu Diyau Salihin) and later became a student at Aabic Training Centre, established by Sheikh Mahally Badrudeen, Ami of Iwo in Osun State. He was also a student of Sheikh Agbarigidoma of Ilorin in Kwara State and a number of other renowned scholars were his teachers.

    Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello briefly dabbled into transportation business before he was persuaded to become the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti in 1985. He was turbaned by the then Chief Imam Yusuf Olatunji Ogunlayi of Ikole Ekiti. When Ekiti State was created from the old Ondo State in 1996, the Muslim leadership in Ekiti State unanimously appointed him as the Grand Imam of Ekiti State.

     

    Appointment

    On June 4, 2015, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello was unanimously appointed as President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the South West, Edo and Delta at a meeting of the League thereby becoming the 5th Imam to occupy that post. After his installation by His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, the new President-General thanked everybody who played a role in his emergence and in making the occasion a success. He then promised to strengthen the Unity of the South West Muslim Ummah on the one hand and that of the latter and the Northern Muslim Ummah on the other.

     

    Acceptance Speech

    In his word Sheikh J. K. Bello said: “At this juncture, I wish to say with humblest humility and spirit of devotion to Allah (SWT) that I accept this responsibility that you have all placed on my shoulders via my appointment as President-General, League of Imams and Alfas, South Western, Edo and Delta states. As you are all aware, the responsibility of the office is enormous. However, with the special grace and assistance of Allah (SWT) coupled with the cooperation of all and sundry, I hope to contribute my quota to move forward the entire Muslim Ummah in all states of my jurisdiction in particular and the nation in general……”

    The new President-General also said: “Essentially, I would be ready to work with all Islamic organisations, groups, sects and associations to further the frontiers of Islamic religion towards achieving greater peace, progress, unity and development in our midst and in the nation at large. Good initiatives towards achieving peaceful co-existence and societal peace among various other faiths shall be supported…….”

     

    Chronology

    Among his predecessors in that office were the late Chief Imam Muili Basunu of Ibadan, Oyo State; the late Chief Imam Armiyau Parakoyi of Ijebu Ode, Ogunm State; Chief Imam Yayi Akorede of Akure, Ondo State and Chief Imam Mustapha Olayiwola Ajisafe of Osogbo, Osun State.

     

    History

    The League of Imam and Alfas was established in 1967 at the instance of Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory of the great Institute of Arabic and Islamic Culture (MARKAZ) Agege who served as its first Secretary-General. Other Secretaries-General who served after him include Sheikh Sadrudin Biobaku of Gbagura, Abeokuta, Ogun State and the current Chief Imam Ahmad Aladesawe of Owo, Ondo State.

     

    Comment

    The establishment of the League of Imams and Alfas of Southwest, Edo and Delta was a turning point in the unity of the Southwest Muslim Ummah especially in speaking with one voice on matters of common interest and in fighting for the rights of the Muslims in the region. With the establishment of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, that unity became formidably strengthened as both bodies began to work together like a pair of scissors. Today, Yoruba Muslims and their Edo and Delta brothers and sisters are one and the same. Their spiritual union has created a strong synergy between the Northern and Southern Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.

     

    Central Planning Committee

    Members of the planning committee for the installation were selected from the states that constitute the League. They included the following: Imam Ahmad Aladesawe (Secretary-General), Owo, Ondo State; Alhaji Morufu Olawale Isola and Imam Rabiu Salahudeen, Osun State; Dr. M. T. A. Alayinde, Imam Wasiu Nuru, (markaz) and Alhaji Saadullah Bello, Lagos State. Others were Imam S. S. Bamgbola, Ogun State, Grand Mufti Batuta, Ondo State; Alhaji Fatai Muili Alaga, Oyo State; Alhaji Abdul Fattah Enabulele, Edo State and Chief Imam of Delta State.

     

    Local Organising Committee

    Some of the Local Organising Committee members included the following: Alhaji Barrister Yakubu O. Sanni (Chairman); His Excellency, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, former Deputy Governor and Chairman, Finance Committee; Aare Sulaiman Afolabi Ogunlayi, Chairman Programme and Publicity Committee;Alhaji Jimoh Dayo Ajayi, Chairman, Security Committee; Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade, Chairman, Welfare and Entertainment Committee; Dr. Ibraheem Azees, Chairman, Medical Committee; Alhaji Ganiyu Ibrahim, Secretary, LOC and Alhaji Jamiu Babalola, Assistant Secretary, LOC and a host of others. Some members of the LOC were also members of the Central Planning Committee.

     

    The Role of MUSWEN

    Since its inception in 2008, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), being one of the two main pair organs of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in partnership with Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) of the North has been playing a very vital role in solidifying the unity of the Muslim Ummah in the South West Nigeria. For instance, the former Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, the late Sheikh Sadrudeen Biobaku was a member of the Board of Trustees of MUSWEN until his demise. Also, the late President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, Imam Mustapha Olayiwola Ajisafe was Vice-President of MUSWEN. And in furtherance of of that unity, the newly installed President-General of the League Sheikh J. K. Bello as well as the current Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe have been officially invited to be members of the Central Working Committee of MUSWEN.

    Besides, a special team from MUSWEN, led by its President, Chief (Dr.) S. O. Babalola paid a courtesy visit to Ekiti Muslim Community in the residence of the President-General designate of the League last August in the spirit of unity and cooperation. These and many other gestures are pointers to the fact that MUSWEN’s hand of fellowship is always out for the League to grab with love. Also, last month, another MUSWEN team led by its Executive Secretary, Prof. D. O. S. Noibi paid a courtesy visit to Ondo Muslim community and even observed the monthly meeting of that Community. If all these efforts by MUSWEN are adequately reciprocated and complimented by other stake holders in the Southwest, any tendency for fanaticism and consequent terrorism may be easy to nip in the bud.

     

    Observation

    This is an era of religious uncertainty. What we call religion these days is nothing more than a fraudulent cloak for fraudulent activists. The more we claim to be religious the deeper we sink into the quagmire of iniquities. Some people who claim to be men of God are nothing more than men of evil. There is hardly any crime in the world today that is not aided or even generated by people who masquerade day and night in the cloak of religion. The modern day generation has turned religion into a capitalist mercantile. It is the duty of and responsibility of both MUSWEN and the League of Imams and Alfas to stem any spate of such ugly trend and return sanity to Islam in the region. Meanwhile, ‘The Message’ hereby joins MUSWEN in congratulating both the League of Imams and Alfas and its newly installed President-General. CONGRATULATION!

  • ‘APC ’ll sack PDP from Ekiti’

    ‘APC ’ll sack PDP from Ekiti’

    ll Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State Femi Bamisile has said the party would not relent, until the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is sacked from power in 2018.

    He said the party would not be carried away by its victory in the last general elections, adding that it would work assiduously to save the state from misrule.

    Bamisile spoke while distributing free petrol to commercial motorcyclists in Igede Ekiti, the headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area. He also met with party leaders and members led by the APC chairman, Femi Alagbada.

    The former Speaker of the House of Assembly said the hardship being inflicted on Ekiti by the PDP government has given the APC a hope of staging a quick comeback to power.

    Bamisile condemned the imposition of higher taxes, which he said, has impoverished the people and proved that the immediate past APC government was more humane.

    He promised to give micro-credit finance to women and unemployed youths, stressing that is better than the ‘stomach infrastructure’ of the Fayose administration.

    Bamisile said: “That President Buhari wins the presidency is not enough for our people here in Ekiti. We need to win Ekiti so that our members and the entire Ekiti people can have unfettered access to good governance.

    “How many of our people can gain access  to Buhari  in Abuja? Though, the man has been doing well with the way he manages the country.  We will work hard and ensure that we remove the PDP from the government house in Ekiti.

    “This is one of the reasons why I start campaigning now. Winning an incumbent is not easy, but now that Fayose’s government has derailed and has started alienating the people, then it will be easy for us to remove the PDP.

    “We have to start a process of rebuilding and rejigging our party . We have done our findings and we had known the reason why we lost the June 21 governorship poll. We lost because we did not connect the way we are expected to connect with the people despite Dr Kayode Fayemi’s good performance.

  • ‘APC ’ll sack PDP from Ekiti’

    ‘APC ’ll sack PDP from Ekiti’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State Femi Bamisile has said the party would not relent, until the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is sacked from power in 2018.

    He said the party would not be carried away by its victory in the last general elections, adding that it would work assiduously to save the state from misrule.

    Bamisile spoke while distributing free petrol to commercial motorcyclists in Igede Ekiti, the headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area. He also met with party leaders and members led by the APC chairman, Femi Alagbada.

    The former Speaker of the House of Assembly said the hardship being inflicted on Ekiti by the PDP government has given the APC a hope of staging a quick comeback to power.

    Bamisile condemned the imposition of higher taxes, which he said, has impoverished the people and proved that the immediate past APC government was more humane.

    He promised to give micro-credit finance to women and unemployed youths, stressing that is better than the ‘stomach infrastructure’ of the Fayose administration.

    Bamisile said: “That President Buhari wins the presidency is not enough for our people here in Ekiti. We need to win Ekiti so that our members and the entire Ekiti people can have unfettered access to good governance.

    “How many of our people can gain access  to Buhari  in Abuja? Though, the man has been doing well with the way he manages the country.  We will work hard and ensure that we remove the PDP from the government house in Ekiti.

    “This is one of the reasons why I start campaigning now. Winning an incumbent is not easy, but now that Fayose’s government has derailed and has started alienating the people, then it will be easy for us to remove the PDP.

    “We have to start a process of rebuilding and rejigging our party . We have done our findings and we had known the reason why we lost the June 21 governorship poll. We lost because we did not connect the way we are expected to connect with the people despite Dr Kayode Fayemi’s good performance.

     

  • Ekiti residents lace land with juju

    Ekiti residents lace land with juju

    An attempt by the Ikewo Community on the outskirts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, to take over a piece of land belonging to the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti has sparked tension between the two parties.

    It is believed that the community plans to build a shanty market on the land.

    Individuals believed to be members of the Ikewo community, which borders the polytechnic, laced the land with charms and other fetish objects.

    The community claims that the land, which lies between the polytechnic  and Ado-Ijan Road, belongs to its ancestors.

    Many students are living in fear, following the tension generated by the alleged land grab.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday, the Rector, Dr. Taiwo Akande, urged the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, to intervene in the crisis.

    Mrs. Akande said the intervention would prevent a breach of the peace.

    She wondered why the Olu of Ikewo, Chief Adewumi Aladesanmi, in collaboration with the Ado Ekiti Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Dauda Ajise, were trespassing on the land.

    The rector said the land had been in the government gazette over 30 years ago.

    According to her, the erection of shanties around the polytechnic has constituted a security threat.

    “He (the Olu of Ikewo) should go to court if he feels he has a genuine case or appeal to the Federal Government.

    “Toeing the line of the peace by vacating the land is necessary.

    “This is to avert clash between the students and the community. We know the steps we have taken to calm  the restive students.

    “Miscreants are using the  shanties to commit crimes. There is the need to discourage this.”

     

  • Despair as diarrhoea hits Unity School in Ekiti

    Despair as diarrhoea hits Unity School in Ekiti

    There was disquiet at Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State penultimate week where about 300 students were reportedly suffered from diarrhoea. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports that the outbreak caused panic in the community and created anxiety in the minds of parents and guardians.

    For parents and guardians whose children and wards are students of Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, there were moments of pandemonium and despair. First, there were rumours that some of the students had fallen ill. The news spread like wildfire but there was no specific information with regard to what the ailment was. The nature of the ‘epidemic’ was shrouded in mystery. Parents became so anxious to know their children’s health status.

    The incident could no longer be kept secret as scores of school girls were taken to the hospital.

    What was first suspected was cholera, but after officials of the state Ministry of Health visited the school, it was discovered that the students were down with diarrhoea after some of the victims were subjected to medical scrutiny.

    •One of the sources of water at the college
    •One of the sources of water at the college

    Cholera or diarrhoea, no parent wants his/her ward to be afflicted with any of the two. After series of tests were carried out on the students, food and water facilities at the school,  it became clearer and the situation was brought under control.

    This was the scenario at the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Efon Alaaye in Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti State where normalcy has since returned after many of its students suffered bouts of diarrhoea.

    As the news spread, some parents stormed the school to ascertain the health status of their children. Others who couldn’t appear physically were monitoring the development on the telephone.

    It was not only the parents that were worried, the school authorities led by the Principal, Mrs. Grace Ogunyomi, could not sleep until the last victim was discharged from the hospital.

    Besides the management, the leadership of the school’s Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) were also inundated with phone calls by concerned parents and guardians.

    Doctors, nurses and other workers at the General Hospital, Efon Alaaye, were stretched to their limits and they worked round the clock to ensure that the embattled school girls regained their health.

    The traditional ruler of the town, the Obalufon Alayemore of Efon Kingdom, Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, also visited the hospital to know how the students were faring.

    That became understandable because the school was an important mark of federal presence in the community.

    Teachers, non-teaching staff and students of the school which has a population of over 700 students are still wondering how diarrhoea crept into the school.

    Throughout the period the diarrhoea scourge lasted, confusion loomed large at the college established in 1999 following claims in some quarters that as much as 300 of the students were hospitalised for exhibiting symptoms such as stooling, vomiting and weakness of the body, among other symptoms.

    Sources at the school confided in Southwest Report that some students began exhibiting signs of the illness on October 10 by vomiting and stooling uncontrollably.

    As the matter became worse, the Principal, Mrs Ogunyomi, was said to have reported the case to the Ekiti State government on Wednesday, October 21, through the Ministry of Health for prompt action.

    The source revealed that the students were not infected at the same time, but were taken to the hospital in batches for medication.

     

  • Foundation plans N10m auditorium for Ekiti College

    Foundation plans N10m auditorium for Ekiti College

    An education-focused non-profit foundation, Dr Florence Bola Ala Foundation, has unveiled plans to build a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art auditorium, initially valued at N10 million, for the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    The Foundation was set up in memory of late Dr Florence Bola Ala, the first woman Dean of the College.

    The foundation announced the plan to donate the N10 million auditorium at the 22nd convocation of the college while also presenting cash prize awards to deserving graduating students.

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, praised the initiative and urged other individuals and organisations to emulate the foundation.

    Fayose who is the visitor to the college, noted the need for support of well-meaning individuals and organisations for the development of education, while reiterating the commitment of his government to providing necessary resources to sustain the reputation of the state as a fountain of knowledge.

    Handing over cash prize award of N20, 000 and book each to three students of the School of Education and Early childhood Care Education, Mr Abayomi Adeyeri, a member, board of trustees of the foundation, and chief marketing officer of Flobal Trust Limited, said the foundation was committed to partnering with the college in achieving its mandates.

    Adeyeri said the foundation will sustain and build on the initial cash prize awards and further undertake significant special projects of value to the college, including the proposed auditorium to immortalise the late Dr Ala, who was his mother.

    Registrar of the college, Mr Gbenga Ojo, wo received the prizes, appreciated the gesture and expressed the institution’s readiness to partner with the foundation.

    Other dignitaries at the convocation were Chief Afe Babalola, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, who was awarded a fellowship, the newly installed Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adu, and two members of board of trustees of the foundation, Mrs Omoefe Siakpere and Mr Olusoji Fagbemi.

    Florence Bola Ala Foundation supports individuals in need, especially in the area of education.

    Late Dr Ala started teaching at the tertiary level as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Ibadan in 1981.  She also taught at the Oyo State College of Education (1982- 1983) and the Ondo State University (1984-1987). She joined the services of Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti between 1987 and 1990 and she was the first woman Dean there. She thereafter went to the University of Maiduguri in July 1990, where she was a Reader/Associate Professor, until her death.

    The late Ala published more than 10 articles in reputable journals within and outside the country and has about 20 published books that she wrote or co-authored. Her numerous Nursery books published by Evans easily come to mind.

  • Free surgeries for tumour patients in Ekiti

    Succour has come the way of 10 patients in Ekiti State who are suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate and benign jaw tumour as they have received free surgeries in a mission organised by Health, Work and Shelter Foundation (HEWS) in conjunction with Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

    The latest round of surgeries was the third that would be carried out at EKSUTH and it was sponsored by the oil and gas giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

    The beneficiaries, who were operated upon were full of gratitude to the partners for medical intervention which has reconstructed their anatomical composition and restored beauty to their lives.

    A cleft lip contains an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose. The opening may be on one side, both sides or in the middle.

    A cleft palate is when the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose.

    These disorders can result in speech problems, feeding problems and frequent ear infections.

    Benign tumour, on the other hand, is a mass of cells that lacks the ability to invade the neighbouring tissues.

    Although most benign tumours are not life-threatening, many types of benign tumours have the potential to become cancerous through a process known as tumour progression.

    Benign tumours are typically surrounded by an outer surface made up of fibrous sheath of connective tissues. Common examples of benign tumours include moles, jaw and uterine fibroids.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the health mission, the General Manager, External Relations of SPDC, Mr. Igo Weli, said the mission was to restore a smiling face to the beneficiaries, for the third time in Ekiti State.

    Weli added that the gesture by his company was “to continue to invest in social projects and programmes to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians and to improve health care services in many communities in Nigeria.”

    The founder and President of HEWS Foundation, Mr. Remi Adeseun, in his address, urged people to refrain from self-medication, which he said was “very dangerous to their health.”

    Adeseun advised pregnant women not to use medicine that were not recommended to them during pregnancy.

    He called on well-meaning Nigerians to assist the less-privileged persons by donations and financial assistance to support the people in tackling their health challenges such cleft lip/palate/ benign jaw tumours.

    He said: “Many of us in this country who God has blessed and who have the resources, should help the less-privileged who are suffering needlessly.”

    In his speech, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo, who was represented by Dr. Adetoye Olusanya, said the state government was passionate about the health issues of the people and is putting up programmes to help the indigent people.

    Dr. Ojo called on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to emulate the gesture of SPDC and HEWS Foundation by giving a helping hand to the less-privileged in the society.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of EKSUTH, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, said the foundation and the partners were supporting the vision of Ekiti State Government to make health care affordable to the people.

    Ogundipe added that the team comprised mainly of doctors from EKSUTH, for the third time, is giving support to indigent patients.

    Dr. Obimakinde Obitade Sunday, who is the team leader, noted that ignorance and lack of education was responsible for this kind of disease that is treatable with little fund.

    Obimakinde said they are reaching out to the local governments for the people to know that the treatment is available.

    He said: “Even if you don’t have money, we have an organisation that we can easily call on to bail us out.”

    A beneficiary, Tope Ajidahun, said he had resigned to fate that he would live with the condition of cleft palate for the rest of his life until the opportunity of free surgery came.