The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ibadan

  • Ajimobi orders butchers in Ibadan to relocate to new abattoir

    Following the official opening of the Ibadan Central Abattoir at Amosun village, Akinyele local government area of the state, the Oyo State Government on Friday gave a marching order to all butchers in different parts of the 11 local government areas and 14 local council development areas in Ibadanland to relocate to the new facility.

    The government said the order must take effect latest by Monday May 11.

    The order was issued to the butchers at a press conference addressed by the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Community Relations, Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade; Special Adviser to the governor on Bureau of Investment and Public Private Partnership, Mrs. Tolu Sadipe; and Chairman, Aare Latosa LCDA, Bashorun Adekunle Oladeji in Ibadan.

    The press conference was attended by the leadership of butchers’ associations, including Alhaji Ganiyu Olobo.

    At the event, the butchers expressed fear on why the new facility would not be conducive to them, but the government representatives allayed their fears and assured them of adequate security, urging them to cooperate with the government with a view to preventing zoonotic diseases being contracted by human beings from consumption of animal meat.

    Read Also: Ajimobi, Badaru: APC ‘ll hold peaceful convention

    In his address, the council boss, Oladeji, who spoke on behalf of the 25 local governments and LCDAs in Ibadanland, noted that the aim of relocating the butchers “is to ensure clean and hygienic environment for meat production and consumption. The state government meant well for all on this directive, which will be of immense benefits to the butchers in particular and residents in general.

    “The butchers’ association at Bodija Market should as a matter of urgency move to the Central Abattoir, which has been equipped for their use. The government under Government Abiola Ajimobi is making frantic efforts to take this state to an enviable height. In lieu of this, the best practices of cow slaughtering should be adopted.

    “The directive is devoid of bad intention. Therefore, the association should not allow itself to be pushed against the government in the state and Aare Latosa LCDA. All the needed facilities have been provided at the new Central Abattoir, which should be utilised, hence more patronage will be involved because of the neater and cleaner environment.

    “Transportation to and from the place will never be a problem because provision will be made for it. There is no cause for alarm on how the butchers will be carrying their meat from the abattoir to the city as provision has also been  made for this. Also, the distribution points in the city will still be as it was. After slaughtering of cows, the butchers will distribute or sell to their customers as normal.”

  • Protest rocks Ibadan over the killing of 12 year old boy

    Hundreds of youths in the sleeping town of Omi-Adio, Ibadan  in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State on Monday took to the streets in protest against the killing of a 12 year old boy by the state mass transit bus, Ajumose bus, on Saturday evening .

    It was learnt that the driver of the bus who was coming from Apata , lost control and rammed into the ditch , crushing the little to death.

    Angered with the death of the boy, youths who rushed to revive the boy , on learning of the death of the little, seized the driver and bus .

    The lifeless body of the boy was said to have been deposited in Adeoyo state Hospital .

    The bus with registration number OY 148860 Y was damaged beyond recognition, smashing the windscreen and side glasses.

    It was gathered that the driver of the ill-fated bus  who escaped death by the whiskers was rescued by policemen from the Omi-Adio Police station,  located few meters to the scene of the accident.

    Read Also: Mob attacks driver after crushing pupil in Ibadan

    The aggrieved youth who stormed major streets and  the ever  busy Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway carried clubs, sticks and iron rods as they rained abuses on the driver of the bus .

    There were fire on the expressway made from used tyres at different locations , preventing motorists from plying the road.

    Several traders and shop owners were said to have abandoned their wares and hurriedly locked their shops ,  in fear of attacks and looting.

    Some of the eyewitnesses who spoke with The Nation on Monday identified the boy as an apprentice in a rewire workshop near the scene of the accident .

    The skeleton of the state mass transit bus was sited  in front of the police station at Omi Adio on Monday .

    Last week , a similar accident occurred , involving the state mass transit bus , (Ajumose bus) where a teenage secondary school girl was crushed to death at Mokola area of Ibadan.

  • Children’s Day: Swell time with Maltina in Lagos, Ibadan

    As part of its social responsibility objectives, hundreds of children and their parents where, on Children’s Day treated to a swell time by Maltina brand.

    A family brand noted for Maltina Dance All reality show, the brand has continued its mission of nourishing precious family moments, one of which the Children’s Day celebration provides.

    “Being able to hang out with my kids away from the stress of work and all that is such a fantastic experience. I can’t remember the last time we did this as a family and I’m so glad I didn’t pass on this opportunity. This was indeed a wonderful experience and I can’t thank Maltina enough,” says an excited guest, Yemisi Adekola.

    It was an interesting moment as the families got to enjoy fun activities like face-painting, sack races, carousel rides, Tug of War, board games, puzzles, foosball, and lots of other exciting side attractions. They also got to hang out with the Maltina’s Happy the Mascot.

    Winners of some of these games got to walk away with amazing gifts like a laptop, giant teddy bear, Maltina goody bags, bicycles and other items.

  • Mob attacks driver after crushing pupil in Ibadan

    A teenage secondary school girl was Wednesday crushed to death by a driver of one of the Oyo State-owned mass transit buses, popularly known as Ajumose in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

    The incident which attracted scores of other students, led to a mob attack on the bus.

    All the windscreen, side mirror, and parts of the bus were smashed by angry mob who swooped on the driver of the bus.

    The driver of the bus, a middle aged man, however escaped death after sustaining severe injuries.

    The sad event which occurred around Mokola area of Ibadan on Wednesday saw many people running towards the bus parked in front of Lafia Hospital.

    The unidentified driver was said to have also injured some other pupils in the accident that happened after schools closed for the day.

    An eyewitness, Isaac Ajibade, said the bus was damaged by the mob, who seized the driver before he could escape from the scene.

    Read Also:Reps move to curb mob killings, jungle justice

    He said, “The traffic was light and there were many pupils who were going home. Suddenly, the bus appeared and hit the pupils, killing a secondary school girl immediately. Passengers in the bus quickly alighted but the driver was grabbed by the angry mob. He was beaten before the police came to rescue him from the mob.”

    The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, who confirmed the accident, said the driver was recovering at Police Hospital in Eleyele, Ibadan.

    He said, “The erring driver is in our custody. He has been taken to the Police Hospital, Eleyele for medical attention following attack on him by angry mob before the arrival of the police who eventually rescued him. The corpse of the schoolgirl had been deposited at Alafia Hospital morgue for autopsy. Meanwhile, discreet investigation has commenced in earnest.”

  • Nigeria needs cleansing, says Anglican Bishop

    The Diocesan, Diocese of Ibadan, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa has warned the Federal Government not to take the continued silence of the people over the worsening situation in the country for granted, saying such may be a sign of worse thing to come.

    The cleric who traced the history of a similar situation to Ghana noted that the revolution that it led to is also what is required in Nigeria if the country must come alive again.

    Bishop Akinfenwa spoke during a sermon at The Cathedral of St. James The Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan during a special service to commemorate the beginning of the church.

    He was outspoken in condemning the various injustices and inequality across the land and the “uncaring way with which the case of security is being handled by the security agencies, which has led to increasing loss of lives across various parts of the country.”

    He said it is time for the government to begin to make amends by going from mere talking to acting so that the people would have good reason to believe in their government again.

    Read Also:Onaiyekan preaches against hate speeches, disunity in Nigeria

    He also lamented the situation where other religions are giving priority at the expense of Christianity that has contributed so much to the development of the country, pointing out the efforts of the early missionaries who facilitated education and healthcare that has led to the present level of development across the country.

    He said, “Look at the joblessness in the society, I pity our youths. Some of them had to go and be doing somethings they will not do ordinarily even with higher qualifications. Ordinary salaries are not forthcoming, what is our offence as citizens in this country?

    “But, they (the government) should take note; it has happened in other countries, it resulted into revolution. Let’s go back into history and see what happened in Ghana. The cleansing that happened in Ghana we need such cleansing in Nigeria and that is the solution. Let there be cleansing so that this Nigeria will come alive better.

    “What we are saying on this day of Pentecost is that it is time for the government to begin to make amends, cheating and marginalization is getting too much in this country. Wickedness is on the increase, people are dying, there is hunger in the land and the youths have no job to do, what is the government doing about it? We keep hearing of huge sum of money but it is not going down nor getting to the people. We need to know what government is doing about it, what is happening in the land is more than what happened in some other places that led to a crisis.

    “Let us remember what happened in Ghana when the people got tired, there was a revolution and they took the bull by the horn but we are praying and still praying so that God will touch the heart of our leaders and for them to do the needful.

    “When a government suddenly begins to show bias, it calls for suspicion. Bias in the sense that what is good for the goose is not good for the gander. It is such that, we expect that you treat all the religions, if not equally but identify with them and that was the reason I discussed the issues of school auditing forms going around that even Christianity is not among the schools.

    “Christian schools are not included and what has the Christian schools done wrong. If you go through history well, you will see that most of the things that we are enjoying today are by the grace of God and through Christian organisations and missionaries who came with hospitals, schools and this is what we are relishing in today and so why must you relegate that institution as if it is not there.

    “We are not asking that we are placed highest but at least we are asking that we be given our due recognition and to show that we appreciate all that this great institution has done in the development of our nation, it boils down into politics.

    “Look at the nation today, there is no balance there and when we come to look at the way the citizenry are being treated, people are suffering, people are dying daily. Within the last three years, calculate the number of souls that have been lost in this country whether through kidnapping, insurgency, persecution or whatever, it is saddening, we are moving down faster than we think and this is why we must hold the ears of our leaders to warn them to arrest the situation today.

    “That the citizenry are not talking but keeping quiet is dangerous, because things like this have happened before in other countries and it only resulted in revolution. So, we must arise. Look at the issue of Leah Sheribu that is still in captive, nobody is saying anything about it again. It is a shame. The situation is getting worse and worsening every day.”

  • Court dissolves 18-year-old marriage over abandonment

    An Idi-Ogungun Customary Court, Agodi, in Ibadan, on Friday dissolved the 18-year-old marriage between one Fatimo Taiwo, 35, and her husband, Lukman, on ground of abandonment.

    The President of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, said the court was left with no option than to dissolve the marriage since the defendant had urged the court to uphold the divorce request of his wife.

    Balogun said that failure of the husband to defend the allegations brought before the court further proved that he had made up his mind to end the union.

    He, therefore, dissolved the marriage and gave custody of the only child of the union to the plaintiff.

    The president ordered the defendant to pay N4,000 monthly allowance for the upkeep of the child.

    Read Also: Court dissolves 24 year-old marriage

    Fatimo had prayed the court to order her husband to be responsible for the upkeep of the only child of the union.

    In her testimony before the court on Friday, the plaintiff alleged that her husband was insensitive to her welfare.

    “He preferred spending his money on other women so, I urge the court to separate us and direct him to perform his role as a father of the only child between us,” the plaintiff pleaded.

    Responding, Lukman, 39, said he would not say anything regarding the allegations leveled against him, but urged the court to uphold the request of his wife.

  • Standard Gauge: Work begins on Lagos corridor, June – Amaechi

    In order to meet the December delivery deadline for the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge, work will begin on the Lagos corridor by June, the Minister for Transportation Mr Rotimi Amaechi said today.
    He also acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State government in finding lasting solutions to the challenges inhibiting the pace of work.
    Amaechi spoke, after the project inspection meeting of the project at Papalanto, in Ogun State.
    He listed gas and petroleum pipeline, water and sewage removal as well as other structures as among the challenges besetting the project.
    Assessing the pace of work, Amaechi concluded that work has moved speedily from Ijoko, to Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
    “We have made appreciable speed between Papalanto and Ibadan and in order not to affect our deadline, we need to resume work in Lagos,” Amaechi said
    He said the contractor has not only made appreciable progress in the kilometre of tracks laid, but has commenced the laying of beams of two bridges at Papalanto.
    Though he could not confirm how many kilometres of tracks have. been laid, Amaechi disclosed that 17 bridges are to be constructed between Papalanto and Ibadan, while two would be coming up in Lagos.
    Before the meeting, Amaechi had hinted of the Federal Government’s readiness to go ahead with the project if Lagos continues to pose a challenge.

    Read More: Amaechi remains leader of APC in Rivers, says Peterside

    “We agreed a long time ago that while we (Federal Government) would take care of the gas and petroleum pipelines, Lagos would taken care of the replacement of the water and sewage removal.
    “If Lagos refuses to come up with their solutions, we would be left with no choice but to use our old, narrow gauge alignment, which can accommodate what we wanted to do and leave Lagos to look for another alignment when they are ready to commence their Red Line light rail project.”
    But after the meeting Amaechi admitted much grounds has been covered and Lagos has come up with a workable solution.
    “We have agreed that Lagos State should come back to the meeting  within  the next two weeks with their solutions so that work can resume as scheduled on the Lagos corridor by June, Amaechi stated.
     Speaking on the threat posed by the rainy season, Amaechi said the engineers have assured the project team that work would continue regardless of the natural elements.
    He said the CCECC has assured that it would keep to terms and deliver the project by December.

  • Family of murdered teenage girl seeks justice in Ibadan

    …police detain killer suspect

     

    The parents of a teenage girl , Lateefat Kofoworola Abubakar who was hit by a bullet and died few minutes later during last Saturday’s local government congress fracas in Oyo state have demanded justice.

    The 18-year-old Lateefat Kofoworola Abubakar, who was shot in the head by an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) last weekend.

    Reeling from the pains of the unfortunately loss, the families of the girl have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, the state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to assist in ensuring that justice prevails in the gruesome murder of their daughter.

    The deceased was killed by the NSCDC personnel at Idi-Oro, Dugbe area of Ibadan while on her way to get drugs at the pharmacy store.

    It was gathered that the late Kofoworola who wrote her last WAEC papers three days before her sudden death, had earlier complain of headache at about 12noon on the fateful Saturday.

    It was further gathered that a fracas had ensued between two factions of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area, during the conduct of the May 13th local government elections in the state and NSCDC men who were supposed to control the situation started shooting sporadically from the vehicle on getting to the scene.

    Her elder sibling, Gbemisola, who address newsmen in Ibadan yesterday said what they want is justice since the NSCDC personnel lied he lost his foothold while he was coming down from their vehicle and his gun triggered off by itself “we pray to Allah to grant my sister Aljanah Firdaus. But all we seek for is justice,” Gbemisola noted.

    Gbemisola refuted the NSCDC personnel’s statement when her family visited him in police custody.
    According to her, ‘’what he (the suspect) told us is pure lie, how can a security person who have common sense said gun triggered itself while he was coming down from the vehicle.

    Read Also: Alleged torture: Motorcyclist committed suicide, says NSCDC

    In his reaction father of the victim, Kolawole Abubakar, debunked reports making the rounds that the governor has visited to commiserate with the family.

    Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu in his reply to journalists over the weekend said the suspect, an NSCDC personnel, is in police custody.

    According to Ajisebutu the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Odude, has directed the State Investigation and Intelligence Department, Iyaganku to carry out diligent investigation into the incident.

  • NBC trains 700 youths in Ibadan

    The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has kicked off the latest edition of ‘Youth empowered’, a training workshop designed for youths with Life and Business skills for their personal development to  help them transition to meaningful employment.

    The workshop, is the first in the series of Youth empowered workshops for the year, held in Ibadan.

    Speaking on the importance NBC attached to the programme, Managing Director of the Company, Mr. George Polymenakos, said the initiative was part of the company’s intervention programmes for the youth geared towards discovering their potential and providing them with the right skills for work environment.

    He noted that it was imperative for the youth to take advantage of this unique opportunity by engaging business leaders and mentors who will be present to offer them essential business skills that would help them succeed in contemporary business, environment.

    “As a business we remain committed to providing platforms that would assist the youth in channelling their energy and talents towards a productive cause, hence the introduction of this initiative. We believe this programme would go a long way to help the youth and young entrepreneurs sharpen their business skills and expertise in different profession. Furthermore, the initiative would help tackle the alarming rate of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria as learnings from the training will get the youths better prepared to create jobs for themselves,” he added.

    Praising the initiative, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Abayomi Oke said it would  improve the skill set of the youth and make them more employable while also inspiring them to become entrepreneurs.

    He said it was in line with Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s youth centric leadership, urging participants to take advantage of the opportunities for learning and networking.

    Highpoint of the event was the introduction of the ‘Business ideas competition’. Winners will undergo another specialised training using the UNIDO/HP LIFE curriculum and  get funding to actualise their ideas.

    The NBC Youth empowered will also hold for three days in Benin, Kaduna and Enugu.

     

  • FRSC blames construction companies for road accidents

    The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has expressed worry over the high rate of accidents at road construction sites in the country.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Oyeyemi said that most of the accidents were caused by lack of traffic signs at diversion points in construction areas.

    “We have been having problems with the construction companies, and we have taken this up with the Minister ( Power, Works and Housing ).

    “The major problem is at diversions; we lost 22 people on the Lagos-Ibadan road just two days and 25 people recently.

    “The crash that happened between Bauchi and Kano on Feb. 13, in which school children died, was also at a diversion point in a construction area.

    “I will step up my meeting with the minister to ensure that these construction companies comply with the statutory mandate of ensuring appropriate signage in construction areas,’’ he said.

    However, Oyeyemi said that the Corps had recorded about 70 per cent compliance by commercial vehicle owners with installation of speed limiting device, whose enforcement started on Feb. 1, 2017.

    According to him, most of the local assembly plants had complied with the policy by installing the device in vehicles being produced at the factory.

    He commended the National Automotive Design and Development Council and the Dangote Group for complying with the policy.

    He said, “The only thing remaining now is to get the full buy-in of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and we are almost at the last stage.

    “The essence of this is to cut down the rate of crashes. Notwithstanding, we have made provision in our budget this year to buy more radar guns and focus on private vehicles.’’

    Read Also: FRSC advises passengers to caution reckless drivers

    Oyeyemi stated that although accidents involving commercial vehicles had dropped, their fatality rates had remained “a bit high’’ due to the large number of people involved.

    “We are having more problems now with the private vehicles than commercial ones. The assault level is more with the private vehicles.

    “That is why we have so many court cases now; we have taken them to court, and will continue to do that.

    “We currently have about 201 mobile courts, but I am writing to the Chief Judges of the states; we want to increase it to about 300 by the end of the year so that mobile courts can be sitting every day.

    “We are not a revenue-generating agency; our aim is to deter. So, if we prosecute you now, and you are jailed for one week, it is enough for me.

    “The fine is not the issue but the attitudinal change for it to be useful to the country,’’ he added.

    NAN