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  • APC chieftain empowers 400 in Ibadan

    APC chieftain empowers 400 in Ibadan

    chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Mr Deji Aboderin, last week empowered 400 men and women in Ibadan South East Local Government of the state.

    Aboderin, who decamped from Accord to the APC last year, distributed items such as grinding machines, sewing machines, generators, hair driers, freezers and hair clippers, among others to the needy across the local government. He was an aspirant to the House of Representatives for the Ibadan South East/North East Constituency before decamping to the APC.

    He said the empowerment had become a regular exercise for him because he was born into a family of givers.

    “In my family, we are givers. I inherited this from my parents, uncles and others whom I grew up to know as givers, empowering the poor. So, it is in my blood. I believe that these little things will help the beneficiaries.

    “Again, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has done a lot of empowerment projects. So I moved over to a family of like minds.”

    The beneficiaries, who were mostly women and artisans, expressed gratitude to Aboderin for the gesture and promised to utilize the items to improve their well-being.

    One of them, Mrs Rasheedat Adetunji, who is a hair dresser, said: “I appreciate that Mr Aboderin is helping and empowering people. If beneficiaries work hard to multiply the items, I believe we will earn a better living. Some people have completed their apprenticeship but cannot afford to buy equipment to start up. There is no doubt that this will reduce poverty among us. It will boost our business.”

    At the empowerment programme were party leaders in the local government including the Chairman, Chief Kayode Arowolo, Alhaji. Mufutau Adisa, Mrs Abigail Olufunlola and Alhaji. Yunus Adeogun.

     

  • Land grabbers take over public schools’ land in Ibadan

    Land grabbers take over public schools’ land in Ibadan

    Many public schools in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have lost part of their premises to land grabbers who have erected private properties, including factories, on what used to be school farmlands and football pitches. BISI OLADELE and OSEHEYE OKWUOFU report that many of the school have shrunk in size. Besides, the cries of the authorities and old students to halt the invasion and reverse the trend seem to have gone

    Eyinni High School, Methodist High School, Christ High School, Abbey Technical School and Liberty Commercial Secondary Academy are popular public secondary schools in the Orita Challenge area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Apart from their locations in the same axis of the ancient city, the schools which boast of rivalries in both academic and sporting fields spanning over five decades, share many things in common, including the sheer size of their premises, dating back to the 1960s when they were established by either the Church or private businessmen.

    Each located on large expanse of land measuring several hectres, their very large premises, housing many blocks of classrooms, hostels and sporting arenas, which were major attractions to parents and students in the past as they offered opportunities for both physical and academic development are gradually giving way to private properties leaving the schools a mere shadow of their glorious past.

    The private properties have sprang up on the schools’ premises in the last two decades or so due to the activities of land grabbers who in the absence of any serious challenge from government have encroached on the schools’ land and sold them off to private developers.

    This development is causing sleepless night for the authorities at the Oyo State Ministry of Education who are sweating to address the threat posed by these land grabbers to premises of public schools, not only in Ibadan but in other major towns in the state.

    Equally concerned are members of the old students association of these schools who have risen to the challenge posed to their amalmata by these land grabbers who are daily feasting on the unused portions of land of the schools as properties add value yearly.

    But they seem helpless because law enforcement by the government seems weak. And they are not being helped by the bureaucratic bottleneck that slows down decision-making within the government.  Besides, principals of public schools are unable to handle land grabbers given their position as mere civil servants who are not expected to be directly involved in some matters outside their official duties.

    Encouraged by these complexities, land grabbers, particularly children of the families who originally owned the land on which the schools were built, are prowling on large portions of unused school land without let or hindrance. This has gone unchallenged for several years.

    The result is that many of such schools have shrank in size over the years, and are now surrounded by residential buildings standing tall, sometimes forming a ring around the schools.  Such buildings also include factories, poultry farms and cottage industries. Some of the schools have been forced to adopt the option of erecting a fence to protect the remaining small portion as well as their students.

    However, the serene school environment originally created when they were established has been lost as residences form a ring-like structure around them.

    For some, the land grabbers have taken over their farmlands where students were taught practical farming, while some are unable to further expand through addition of more buildings because there are no more spaces for such. Yet, some are unable to offer sporting activities needed for the physical and psychological growth of children and adolescents having lost part of their sporting fields to land grabbers.

    At Eyinni High School, after over five acres of its land had been grabbed in the last 30 years, graders were rolled into the school compound a fortnight ago, clearing another large portion of land beside its football field.  When accosted, the suspected grabbers stood their ground, explaining to their challengers that the land belonged to their family.

    “How can this land in a school compound belong to an individual?” The challengers asked. The man, simply identified as Mr Olofe, replied that the portion of land was not part of the piece sold to Chief Jonathan Odebiyi, who established the school in 1966. The school was taken over by Oyo State Government in 1976.

    The graders worked there for days, clearing and leveling the land in preparation for sale to interested buyers. Local sources said the grabbers have approached them for purchase of the land if they were interested.

    According to old students, the foundation of the school was laid in 1968 with a total land mass of 14.79 acres. But today, Eyinni High School’s compound has been reduced to only about five acres, with residential houses and a factory surrounding it. The old students disclosed that the houses within about 500-metre radius to the north and eastern areas of the school stand on the school’s land. The buildings include a poultry farm, which they said was among the first to encroach on the land.

    One of the old students said: “Most of the houses between the old Toll Gate on the Ibadan end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the school compound belong to the school.”

    Asked if any family has ever come forward to claim the land since inception of the school, he said: “No family has come up to claim any portion of the land till date. So, no portion has been ceded to anyone or any family by reason of court judgments. Nobody has also applied to use any part of the land officially. The land grabbers just jumped on the land and erected buildings of their choice without the school’s approval.”

    But the source recalled that old students once challenged the owner of the poultry farm when he wanted to expand further, forcing him to stop the illegal action.

    According to him, the old students association wrote a petition to the Ministry of Education in 2013 officially bringing the encroachment to government’s notice but that the letter attracted no response. He said government only visited the school after an open letter by the association was published in a national daily. Even after the commissioner’s visit, no action had since been taken.

    As at now, no fewer than 20 buildings stand on the school land.

    The association is demanding a reclaim of all the plots taken over by grabbers and stoppage of further encroachment. Its National Secretary, Pastor Bayo Olugbemi, also confirmed the claims in a telephone interaction with The Nation.

    The situation is worse at Liberty Secondary Commercial Academy, Kolomi area of the city. The school, which was established in 1961, initially sat on a 10-acre land but which has diminished by about 40 per cent. Its former hostel, which was converted to Community Primary School, also recently has a large portion of its land taken over by a businessman who is currently fencing it for construction of a hotel, a source said.

    At Christ High School, Oleyo, about half of the original land has fallen into the hands of a family through a court judgment. The development forced the school to confine itself to the remaining portion though it affected their farmland for practical Agriculture. The school was established in 1966.

    Abbey Technical School also at Kolomi, was also established in 1961. A reliable source disclosed that the school started on a land spreading over 16 hectres. But today, residential buildings have virtually taken over about 70 per cent of the land, confining the school to a small portion.

    At the Methodist High School, at the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the case of encroachment is not different. A large expanse of the school’s farmland totaling over eight acres has been encroached. A close neighbour, owners of a privately owned tertiary institution, was accused of taking over the school farmland since 2004. According to a source close to the school, the principal had written several letters to the state Ministry of Education for a redress and eventual return of the land.

    “It was a big problem we have been having here. We realized that we have been facing some very powerful individuals in the society. The very day we confronted them, I mean the day they were about erecting fence over the land in question, the officials of the school went with them, but we were shocked to hear from one of the high officials of the university that none of us could stop them from erecting the fence. As am talking to you, the school has no land to be called farmland for practical agriculture”, the source said.

    However, investigation by The Nation revealed that after several efforts by the school authorities to salvage the land failed, the initial owners of the school, the Methodist Church of Nigeria have waded into the matter.

    “The church has done all the necessary talking with the authorities of the university to persuade them to reason on the evidences tendered by the church on the true ownership of the land but it seems that they are not yielding,” the source added.

    Also, the Old Boys Association of the school was said to have intervened in the tussle with a view to retrieving their parcel of land where many of them had their agric practical decades ago The National President of the association. Dr Joseph Fadeyemi Akinrinmade, admitted that at a point, the association took up the fight over the encroached land but later had to withdraw when the Methodist Church of Nigeria stepped in.

    The Church, it was gathered later took the institution to court over the alleged encroachment, praying for an order for the university to vacate the land.

    “The case is already in court and I have withdrawn as the representative of the Old Boys. So, the case is now between the Methodist Church of Nigeria and the university. So, I can no longer comment on it because the case is already in court, “Dr Akinrinmade said.

    When contacted, the Oyo State Government admitted that it got reports from many schools in the state whose land was encroached. It was learnt that virtually all the schools in state is battling with the problem of encroachment.

    The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu, said necessary action was being taken to redress the challenge as the ministry is abreast of the situation.

    Speaking with The Nation Olaniyonu said on the Eyinni High School , the authorities of the school have been charged to remain alert pending the erecting of pillars by the Surveyor General’s Office and subsequent construction of a fence by the government to put a permanent boundary on the school’s land.

    “This is the second time they would be there. Avian Poultry was there last year. Another set of people are there again. So our Ministry of Lands, Surveyor General Office and the Urban and Regional Development Unit are already coming there to fix our pillars so that we will be able to ward off intruders.

    “So, we have written those concerned. They are the ones who will help us fix the pillars so that we can now look for assistance in erecting a fence around whichever one is our own portion of land of the school there”.

     

    unheeded.

  • Ibadan council boss renders account of stewardship

    The appointment of Mr Ladi Oluokun in May 2014, as the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State by Governor Abiola Ajimobi was indeed a blessing to the people of the area, as he has turned the council around within a very short time in office.

    Rendering account of his stewardship to journalists recently, Oluokun said he was not deterred by the herculean task before him, adding that he confronted the challenges headlong, with the financial and moral support he received from the governor.

    He listed some of his achievements over the last six months as:” construction of drains, earthwork asphaltic paving of Idera street Yidi/Agugu, Akerele layout, Idi-Orogbo/Omo wunmi, and Ayo Craig road. Construction of pedestrian bridge at Labiran area of phase 1 and 2, sinking of solar system borehole at Labiran area. Construction of a double cell box culvert at Ajegede and Onipasan areas”

    The council boss also stated that he has impacted positively on the lives of the people of the council through people-oriented empowerment programs.

    He said his administration will continue to carry out a robust and all involving empowerment programme for the people of the council.

    While admitting that he might not be able to do everything, the council boss called on all the people in the council area to vote for Governor Ajimobi for a second term in order to ensure continuity in governance. He promised that he would build on what he has done and provide more dividends of democracy for the people in each of the wards that make up the council.

    Commenting on why Ajimobi deserves a second term, Oluokun said:”The governor is a performer. I am not new in politics. I have been around since the Second Republic. I know the meaning of good governance and performance. I’ve compared notes and I’m now satisfied that Ajimobi has performed and I believe that, judging by his performance, Ajimobi is a successful governor. In Oyo State, if they know that somebody is playing tricks on them, by siphoning their funds, they will vote them out. That is why there is no serious candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party and the Labour Party”

    According to him, the people of Oyo State appreciate him (Ajimobi), even those in the Diaspora, when they come to Ibadan, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, they saw that things are improving and they are eager to come home now to set up businesses.

    He went further that:”quite a number of industries and companies are springing up as a result of the conducive environment that Ajimobi has provided. More than 10 industries have been established and nobody will come and invest where he will not make profit. That has led to massive employment for the people and all those that are engaged in thuggery have shunned the unruly behaviour because they are engaged. So, there is peace, there is work, there is clean environment, there is infrastructural development and mass transit now operates. So, I don’t see why Ajimobi will not continue as the governor of Oyo State after the election”

  • Ibadan stands still as Ajimobi flags off second term campaign

    Ibadan stands still as Ajimobi flags off second term campaign

    The people of Ibadan and environs defied harsh weather conditions and literally poured into Mapo Hall last Saturday in their thousands to be part of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s second term campaign flag-off for the February 28 gubernatorial election. BISI OLADELE was there.

    It was expected to be another usual political campaign. And Mapo Hall in the heart of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the historic political campaign headquarters in the Southwest, was the venue. But residents of the ancient city and even politicians got more than they expected when crowds of party faithful, supporters and even ordinary folks began pouring into the venue in their hundreds last Saturday and within a short time the gathering reached an unprecedented height as Mapo Hall was filled to capacity a clear three hours ahead of the scheduled time for the commencement of the rally.

    For more than eight hours that the event lasted, the crowd endured traffic snarl, the scorching sun and threatening stampede to listen to, and hail Ajimobi and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Southwest states who came to drum up support for another term for the Oyo State governor.

    Ajimobi had been criticized continuously by opposition within and outside the party, leaving residents and political watchers to expect only a scanty crowd made up of a handful party supporters and few that would want to witness what some critic had predicted would be his ‘disgrace’ at Mapo. But the governor pulled a great surprise with the surging crowd of people who defied all odds, including a harsh weather to be counted among those showing their love for him.

    Though the programme was slated for 10:00 am, all roads leading to the venue were under heavy traffic from 8:30 am as Ajimobi’s supporters poured in from all directions. By 10:00 am, Mapo Hill, on top of which the historic hall is located, was already playing host to a population that dwarfed the crowd which attended the campaign rally of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin, barely one week earlier.

    From Oje, Yemetu, Idi-Arere to Agbeni and other routes to the venue, traffic gridlock held down many motorists and commuters as vehicular movements became increased by the minute.

    Without road blockade by security agencies, roads within 3,000 metres radius to Mapo Hall were blocked with traffic, and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Ajimobi had to alight from their vehicles and trekked to the venue, leaving their drivers to sort themselves out.  Ordinary motorists spent pretty long time navigating through the thick traffic.

    By 9:00 am, groups, associations, market women, traders, musicians, professionals, commercial drivers, itinerary drummers and ordinary folks had occupied the hilltop venue waiting to receive their leader. The association of market women and other traders had declared the day work-free as they closed their shops in solidarity with a governor they said “recognizes and transforms” their business.

    The first set of dignitaries to arrive were APC leaders in Oyo State including Dr Busari Adebisi, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, commissioners, special advisers and other political appointees as well as candidates for the February 14 and 28 elections.  Next were Ajimobi’s wife, Florence; wives of Osun State Governor, Alh. Serifat Aregbesola; her Ogun State counterpart, Mrs Funso Amosun; wife of the immediate past Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi and former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu.

    Dressed in the customized Ankara uniform glittering in the yellow and maroon official colours of the state, the appearance of supporters gave a colourful view of the celebrants and the crowd.

    The chorus of: “Continuity in Oyo State,” “Change Jonathan” rent the air each time the Master of Ceremony, Babatunde Olaniyi (Ti o common), shouted APC! For Ti o common, there are only two parties contesting in the February elections in the state: peace and brigandage. He said while Ajimobi represents peace the opposition represents brigandage and cluelessness.

    Party supporters and residents also sometimes giggled and at other times gyrated where they stood in response to the danceable tunes dished out by the Ibadan-based popular fuji musician, Alh. Rashidi Ayinde (Fuji Merenge). He thrilled the audience continuously.

    The presence of popular Yoruba Nollywood actors and actresses led by Saidi Balogun, also added glamour to the rally with some of them addressing the mammoth crowd, urging them to vote for Ajimobi to continue his good works.

    Leaders of the Igbo and Hausa communities residing in the state also made the gathering and officially declared their support for the second term ambition of the governor. By 2:00 pm, the crowd had spread to Beere, Oja’ba, Agbeni and adjourning areas.

    The President of the Association of Market Men and Women in the state, Alh. Adisa Oladapo said members of the association were supporting Ajimobi because of the peace he had enthroned in the state. He added that the governor was working hard for the progress and development of the state without looking back, stressing: ‘One good turn deserves another.’

    According to him, no governor has treated traders well like Ajimobi in the state. He disclosed that his administration constructed modern neighbourhood markets, gave them shops free-of-charge and added N20 million trading capital to traders at Scout Camp Market alone.

    He also lauded Ajimobi’s administration on cleanliness of the environment and the urban renewal project, saying they rid the state of epidemics. “My people and the entire people of Oyo State don’t be ungrateful. Let us all vote for Ajimobi.” He said.

    The physically challenged also spoke of how Ajimobi’s administration accommodated them by employing and empowering them throughout the 33 local government areas in the state. So were representatives of the 20,000 youths employed under the state’s Youth Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State dubbed “YES-O.” They asked the jubilating crowd to imagine the joy which the jobs brought to 20,000 homes, urging voters to return Ajimobi to power on February, 28.

    So were representatives of students, motor dealers, teachers, and popular musician, Abolore Akande (aka (9ce) who also performed at the gathering.

    Wives of Aregbeseola, Fayemi and Ajimobi took time to address the rally. They all emphasized the need to give Ajimobi chance for a second term.

    At exactly 2:25 pm, Ajimobi and the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, rode into Mapo Hall premises in an open-roof blue Ford bus. While Ajimobi appeared on the front opening, Tinubu stood tall behind him in another opening. Their arrival threw the rally into a session of a terrific ecstasy. The crowd hailed the governor and Tinubu uncontrollably. They screamed, jumped and jubilated at their leaders. In return, Ajimobi and Tinubu gyrated with joy on the podium to acknowledge the cheers.

    Following them were National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Eng. Segun Oni; former interimNational Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Osun and Ekiti State governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Kayode Fayemi. They all decked the yellow and maroon colour Agbada uniform with matching cap.

    By 2:45, Aregbesola rode into the compound in another blue Ford bus, acknowledging cheers from the crowd from Oje to Mapo.

    His arrival changed the tempo again. The crowd hailed the Osun State governor continuously. Rashidi Ayinde praised him with thrilling songs which kept people dancing for minutes. The governor, in his characteristic manner, responded with quick dance steps to and from across the stage. They hailed his success in the August, last year governorship election.

    Fayemi opened the floor. He told the crowd that he was born and bred in Ibadan, stressing that he has always known how Ibadan looked like. He urged residents to repay Ajimobi’s giant strides with massive votes in next month’s election, saying Oyo State has never had it this good.

    Oni spoke next. He said Yoruba never lagged behind but that the PDP has done everything to put the Yoruba nation at the back burner in spite of the huge support the party received in Yoruba land in 2011. The former Ekiti State governor urged voters to return Ajimobi and vote for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the coming election.

    Oyinlola also took his turn, describing the PDP as a party of deceit. He said God has already wrested power from Jonathan. He emphasized the need for the people of the state to vote for Ajimobi to enable him complete his projects.

    In his own speech, Chief Akande recalled that some people were criticizing them when they were establishing the APC last year. He said they wondered why they were working with the Hausa, Ibo and other ethnic groups, believing that it would be an effort in futility. But today, he said, everybody sees what they were not seeing before. “All Nigerians can now see that it is the best party.” He said.

    He also highlighted Ajimobi’s achievements and urged the people of Oyo State to vote for continuity.

    He said: “Ajimobi has transformed Ibadan and other towns in the state. Some people are angry with this. Abiola is our son. When we were here in Ibadan administering the state, Ajimobi was abroad seeing good things. That is what he is doing here. For those who do not like these developmental projects, go and appeal to them. He will still do more if re-elected.”

    When he took his turn, Aregbesola said the PDP is always seeking power to oppress Nigerians. He said hard work and commitment helped APC survive.

    “It is painful that Ekiti went back into servitude. Fayemi tried and they know that they cheated us. Can you compare Osun State of today with the Osun State of the past? Is the Ibadan of 2010 the same city we are seeing now? So are Ogun and Lagos states.”

    He described this year’s election as a fight for freedom.

    Aregbesola accused the PDP of using proceeds from fraudulent deals on sale of kerosene to fund President Jonathan’s campaign and to enrich their cronies through the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN).

    According to him, the Federal Government deliberately sells a liter of kerosene to cronies at N40:90 while they in turn sell to marketers at N95 per litre. The huge difference, the governor said, is one of the sources of PDP’s stupendous wealth.

    He challenged the PDP to sue him to court over the fact. “Let’s chase them out with our votes on February 14 and 28.” He urged the crowd.

    Tinubu, who spoke next, highlighted the reason Nigerians must vote for the APC next month, listing the continuous stealing of 400,000 barrels of oil daily and poor performance as among the major reasons.

    The former Lagos State Governor accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of spreading poverty through its poor performance and corrupt practices, saying the only solution is for Nigerians to reject all its candidates in the coming election and vote for the APC’s instead.

    He urged Oyo State voters to allow their conscience to guide them in determining the best candidates that deserve their votes. According to him, the great feat of the Ajimobi administration, the APC governorship candidate, is unparalleled in the state.

    He listed the rebuilding of Agodi Gardens, dualization of roads, massive infrastructural development and welfare packages for the people as among the reasons Ajimobi deserves their votes.

    The former Lagos State governor accused the Federal Government of diverting 400,000 barrels of oil per day and President Jonathan, who claimed to be in firm control of the country, feigned ignorance of what he called serious economic sabotage.

    “They steal 400,000 barrels of oil every day. Yet, President Goodluck Jonathan said he could not see this and he claims he is still in charge. He is no longer fit to rule this country. Let us send them packing on February 14 by voting for APC at the national level and for Ajimobi on February 28,’’ he said.

    He described Ajimobi as sensible, reliable, focused, visionary and consistent, judging by what he termed the governor’s unprecedented achievements in the last three and a half years.

    “Governor Ajimobi has demonstrated that he has vision, capacity and capability to make people the cornerstone of his administration. This is what Ajimobi represents in Oyo State and he has been consistent with it.

    “Today, when you drive through Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, you see beautiful scenery, clean environment, good road network, new flyover, Asejire Waterworks, Agodi Gardens, new markets, you will be proud of having somebody like him in the saddle. Indeed, Oyo is now a huge construction site,’’ he said.

    Tinubu said it was regrettable that in spite of all entreaties to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to team up with Ajimobi to develop Oyo State, he (Ladoja) insisted on floating a party that lacked regional or national spread.

    Describing the Accord Party governorship candidate as an ingrate, he said that he had nothing to offer the people of the state, having demonstrated gross incompetence during his tenure as governor.

    On mounting the podium, Ajomobi pooh-poohed criticism of his administration, saying he has outperformed his predecessors, two of who are also in the February 28, 2015 race.

    Ajimobi listed six major projects undertaken by his administration, which he said were unprecedented. He also pointed out that no fewer than eight big companies have opened shops in the state due to the investor-friendly nature of his administration’s policies.

    These include the largest cooking oil factory, largest bread factory, largest Shoprite store, 100,000 production capacity chicks producing factory and Nigeria’s largest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) service providing firm.

    Besides, Ajimobi listed his achievements to include recruitment of 20,000 youths, construction of modern markets for traders with provision of interest-free trading capital, free buses for civil servants and students as well as improved welfare package for workers and restorers.

    Governor Ajimobi said that it was during his administration that citizens now sleep with two eyes closed because of the pervading peace and security which had attracted at least the industrial giants to the state.

    He also added that the construction of the first flyover by any civilian administration at Mokola in Ibadan was undertaken by his administration.

    Ajimobi also noted that his administration was the first to implement and pay the 142 per cent increase pension arrears, coupled with mass employment of teachers.

    If re-elected, he promised to deliver more dividends of democracy, one of which would be the employment 40,000 youths and widening the scope of the ongoing social and infrastructural revolution in the state.

    He challenged his predecessors to show their own score cards.

    By the time Ajimobi wrapped up his speech, at 6:10 pm, the crowd was still on their feet savouring the joy of listening to their leaders.

     

  • SDP‘s mega rally today in Ibadan

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) will today hold a mega rally at the Mapo Hill, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to unveil its governorship candidate, Oluseyi Makinde and his running mate, Suleiman Adediran, a.k.a Santana.

    A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity for the Seyi Makinde Campaign Group, Wale Adele, said the event will be attended by all national leaders of the party, including Chief Olu Falae, former Governor Segun Osoba, among others.

    The event will also unveil other contestants for various offices, including House of Assembly seats and the National Assembly seats.

    The statement enjoined all party faithful and the public to be rest assured of adequate security arrangement for them and their property.

  • Protest in Ibadan as REC resumes

    There was another protest in Ibadan yesterday against the posting of Mr. Rufus Akeju as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State.

    Hundreds of protesters from various parties and non-governmental organisations marched on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, rejecting Akeju’s posting.

    They appealed to INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega to re-post Akeju to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, alleging that he would be partial in the conduct of elections.

    Akeju replaces Nasir Ayilara, who has been transferred to Niger State.

    The protesters, who were drawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Accord, market associations, youth groups and other non-governmental organisations, carried various placards with inscriptions against the REC.

    Their spokesman, Isiaka Kehinde, said the protest was to register their displeasure on the posting of Akeju to the state.

    He alleged that there was a court ruling against Akeju based on an allegation that he might be sympathetic to the cause of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Head of Voter Education Department of INEC, Ayodele Folami, told reporters that Akeju resumed on Tuesday.

    “Handing and taking over have taken place. But right now, he’s out of the state on an official assignment.

    “This would be the second round of protests. They came on Monday and they are here again. We addressed protesters with the divisional police officer in attendance.

    “For them to protest peacefully is legal. So, they have the right to protest. But if you are protesting, you should not prevent other citizens from carrying out their duties as well.

    “We have reported the first protest to our headquarters in Abuja. I am sure the headquarters is taking some steps on the protest. So, we told the protesters to be patient and should not allow miscreants to hijack the protest.”

  • ‘Why the opposition celebrated Ibadan violence’

    ‘Why the opposition celebrated Ibadan violence’

    Violence erupted in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during which a policeman was killed. Scores were wounded, houses burnt and vehicles vandalised. In this interview with BISI OLADELE, government’s spokesman Festus Adedayo blamed the civil disturbance on gangsters and the opposition. Excerpts: 

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has been accusing other parties of sponsoring the pockets of violence in Ibadan. Though they have washed their hands of the various incidents of violence, as government’s spokesman, what is your position on the blame game?

    One fundamental issue that members of the opposition party have come to acknowledge about this administration is that, in the past three-and-a-half years that we have been in government, there has been a substantial difference between what used to be and what obtains now.

    One lived here in the eight years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s reign. I am referring to the tenure of Governor Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala. We remember what this state used to be, and what this state used to be was violence, blood-letting and a lot of unforgettable activities that happened.

    Do not forget that was the time the former Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Salako (aka Elewe omo) and his band of thugs invaded the State House of Assembly. This was the House of Assembly where the revered Chief Obafemi Awolowo presented his policies to the lawmakers then.

    That was the same Parliament Elewe Omo and his thugs invaded. We all know what happened. Gunshots boomed here and there-some legislators were shoved off the roof. One of them, until he died, had a dislocated leg. He nursed that injury till his death.  The state was then regarded as a state of violence.

    Do not also forget that when Alao-Akala was governor, the same Elewe Omo was shot dead in cold blood. There was no state of harmony which we have now in Oyo State until May 29, 2011 and Governor Abiola Ajimobi said he was coming in with a pedigree of peace.

    What he did was to distance himself from the people of violence in Oyo State. He told the leaders of NURTW that he was not interested in their business, even as he urged them to elect who was going to lead them because the government had no business in that.

    His government was not interested in listening to anybody as a political thug. That period, we had people smoking Indian hemp and harassing people that came to do their legitimate business at the Governor’s Office and state secretariat. The last three-and-a-half years have been that of a government that believes it has no business with violence and everywhere, the governor has been preaching peace.

    Governor Ajimobi drew a pyramid of what he had come to do in Oyo State and placed security of lives and property on top of the pyramid. This is because it is like the super structure upon which he will develop the economy of the state and what he is saying in essence is that nobody will want to come and invest in a volatile economy, a state where security is not guaranteed, where there will be violence today and tomorrow.

    It has worked like magic in the last three-and-a-half years. We have had investors trooping in to the state almost on a daily basis as a result of the peaceful atmosphere we have in Oyo State.

    For example, the governor recently inaugurated the largest vegetable oil factory in Africa in a location in Ibadan. The Minister of Agriculture was there.  The largest agriculture conserve is also in Oyo State. We also have a foremost bread-making factory, sited in Oyo state.

    A visit to Ring Road area also shows a large number of night clubs. We can call it intangible but it shows the state of peace we are enjoying in Oyo State.  Nobody will risk his or her life to go out of his house at night to a club in the eight years of the PDP reign.

    So, you now have a government that sees peace as its greatest achievement, its flagship.

    I can give you a background to this chaos that happened recently. Of course, we know the governor established the crime fighting outfit, Operation Burst, and significantly there have been praises everywhere as the crime-fighting outfit has successfully curtailed crime.

    At a time, a former governor of the state wrote a petition to the then President, claiming that Operation Burst was being used to deal with political opponents. He copied the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Ibadan.

    They sent their investigators and they discovered that Senator Ladoja was allegedly playing politics with the security of the state.

    Indeed, there is peace in Oyo State. Forget the infrastructure we did that the world is celebrating; a potent reason to celebrate in Oyo State is the peace we have enjoyed overtime.

    We were going to Ibadan South West Local Government, which is the governor’s local government, when words came that a policeman had been killed in Oke-Ado. The governor became destabilised and that led to the abrupt end of the tour to South West Local Government. What I am saying is that it could not have been a

    happenstance; it could not have happened on its own. It was orchestrated.

    How would you establish that?

    First, I am a student of logic. It is illogical for a government that sees peace as its own flagship to wish to soil that same flagship.

    Second, if you see the sense of victory, the way that Senator Rashidi Ladoja and some PDP allegedly celebrated the puncturing of peace in Oyo State, you will know that there is more to it than meets the eye. Each statement that Senator Ladoja makes since that violence has a refrain that this is happening in a government which claims to be a peaceful one.

     

  • New vista for Ibadan zoological garden

    New vista for Ibadan zoological garden

    The Zoological Garden of the University of Ibadan has found its spark again after about two decades of inactivity, reports BISI OLADELE

    The fire is back to the zoo. So is the fun and happiness experienced by tourists to theZoological Garden of the University of Ibadan.

    It was the first zoological garden in the city of Ibadan. Tucked within the enclave of the University College, which later transformed to the University of Ibadan (UI), The UI Zoo, as it is fondly called, was popular among, not only members of the university community, but also among residents of the city and visitors.

    Established as a unit in the Department of Zoology of the university in 1948, the garden became a fully-fledged zoological garden in 1974.

    In the 80s, anyone on a long visit to Ibadan dreamt of the UI Zoo as a not-to-miss tourist centre. With wide range of animals kept in their near natural habitats, good maintenance of the animals and other facilities in the garden, trained tour guides and interesting animals, visits to the UI Zoo left fond memories for tourists.

    It was a zoological garden per excellence in all ramifications, at least, going by the standards of that period. It was then managed by an expert, Mr Bob Golden, a Briton.

    From the mid-70s to the late 80s, the UI Zoo held ace as the foremost garden in Ibadan and, perhaps, the entire Southwest region.

    The interesting lifestyle of two gorillas–Haruna and Imade–was a major attraction for crowds of tourists at the time. The animals provided enough fun for visitors with the way they related. The two animals were viewed as a thrilling couple by regular visitors.

    The Director of the zoo, Dr Morenikeji Olajumoke, said of the two gorillas: “Haruna was our very lovely gorilla. So also was Imade. They were brought into the zoo by Mr Bob Golden, the first director of UI Zoo. He has since returned to the United Kingdom (UK).

    “He was here in the 60s and 70s. The gorillas were cute but they grew old and died. Haruna died in 1995 while Imade died in 2006.

    The two animals had a great impact on the zoo because Bob Golden had trained them. They swam and did many things together. They were so lively. These made them attract so much attention. They were very interesting animals to watch. So, many people came to watch them.

    “The two have undergone taxidermy (embalming) and are displayed at the Educational Unit of the zoo.”

    But the tide changed for the garden in the 1990s as poor maintenance and failure to upgrade the animals and facilities made it slide into oblivion. Haruna and Imade had died, the elephant was no more and facilities became outmoded, overused and dilapidated.

    However, the garden’s fortunes have, again been turned around for good. Things are better now than even the starting period.

    With over 100 species of animals, double the number of staff, partnership with agencies, individuals and increasing investments, UI Zoological Garden has succeeded in restoring its glory. It is currently charting the way forward in the industry.

    On the journey to the present stage, Dr Olajumoke explained that the transformation was a product of the determination of the university to do things right and restore the glory of the garden in line with the institution’s position as a premier university in Nigeria.

    According to her, Golden did his very best and left a good legacy. The onus to sustain his team’s achievements and build on the successes was taken by the current management, a development that has been buoyed by philanthropists, corporate organisations and employment of more experts to manage the garden.

    Her words: “Our patronage has increased three times in the last three to four years. That is because of the tremendous transformation of the zoo. Considering its state five years ago, you will be surprised at what the zoo looks like now. It has now been blown open, totally changed. Since inception, we have never had it this good.

    “Structurally, we have three times the number of animal enclosures. All the enclosures are enriched. We make them simulate (make it look like the natural habitat).

    “We have enriched the cages; make them look like educational units that are providing a lot of information about the animals. Children can stay in the reptile house now and spend hours.

    “We have also the audio programme where everything about each reptile is explained in audible voice in four native languages and English. You are educated about the reptiles and other species all over the world.

    “We now have a children zoo where we keep little animals like rabbits, pocines and civet cats. We were not able to keep the cats before this transformation. But they can now survive. The habitat is suitable for them now. They are doing so well.

    “Apart from that, we have upgraded our ape enclosure. It is enriched. Chimpanzees now have swings, toys and food plates, among other things. They are for the education of the animals.

    “We also have a new administrative block. It houses the education unit and the library. So many researchers have been visiting the zoo and the library. We have all information and the animals on the computer. All these bring more students and researchers to us from all over the country and other parts of the world.

    “We have also upgraded our bird line and aviary. We have more exotic birds such as the white peacocks, budgerigar birds, several parrots, including vulture. Some of the birds are now laying eggs and hatching because of the natural habitat. The conservation of animals is being enhanced by the transformation.

    “We also have the carnivorous animals, including spotted and striped hyena, jackals and lions. We have herbivorous animals that include giraffes and antelopes. We are proud of about 100 species of animals even though we are not yet where we aim to be.”

     

    How it happened

    “I am the most excited person about what is going on. When I assumed duty, my vision was to upgrade it to international standards. It was like the driving force for me. I met people, contacted companies, preaching the need for this upgrading. Fortunately, everyone I spoke to responded. We conceived painting. I spoke with Seven Up Bottling Company which did painting for us.

    “Coca-Cola and Seven Up Bottling Company helped in the setting up of the buttery to cater for refreshment of people.

    “Nigerian Breweries PLC has been donating feed for our animals monthly.

    One of my major donors is Pastor Enoch Adeboye. He sent N5 million and we started the education aspect and the transformation.

    “When he came again, I told him about a new architectural design for the zoo.

    He, again, gave N20 million for the architecture.

    The third time he came, he gave another N20 million. He is not just a man of God, he loves animals and children. We need to leave something for the children unborn.

    “People also donated animals. Some of our animals in Africa are endangered.

    I’m so grateful to God for the positive ways people are responding.

    We did fencing, created ramp walkways, especially for disabled people to make it workable. We also made another gate to bring in big animals. I’m very happy with the project now.

    “We have programmes for Children’s Day celebration, have Valentine’s Day, games; quiz competition, drawing competition and so on among schools. It is a lot of hard work.

    “Staff number has doubled, including graduates. We now have four graduate curators looking after the zoo. The last four years have been transformational.

    “Apart from those, we now have a wildlife clinic/laboratory where the animals are treated.”

     

    Plan for the future

    “The zoo is already expanding. We are bringing in more animals and we are also working on more collaboration with other zoos abroad. We are also looking forward to a very robust conservation programme which we have already started.

    Patronage is increasing and I believe that the zoo will be able to sustain itself.

  • Panel on Ibadan violence

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said a commission of inquiry will be set up to investigate the violence  in some parts of Ibadan.

    He spoke when he visited Popoyemoja and Born Photo areas of the state capital.

    The governor said the panel would be responsible for finding the perpetrators and recommending appropriate punishment.

    “This administration is known for peace and security, a legacy which he said had been preserved, using government apparatus.

    “We have established institutions to ensure peace. That is Operation Burst. We have been supporting it financially to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.

    “Now, we know that election is approaching. We believe that some of our opponents are behind these moves. We will not allow them.”

  • The ABC of Ibadan violence

    SIR: For the residents of Oke-Ado in the heart of Ibadan, Oyo State, as well as those living in the Born Photo-Popoyemeja-Idi Arere axis of the ancient city, Friday, November 21 and Sunday, November 23, are days they would never forget in a hurry. On those two days, hell was let loose and the peace which had been reigning in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, since the advent of the Abiola Ajimobi administration, was shattered.

    At Oke-Ado, what was supposed to be a peaceful rally by the All Progressives Congress (APC) party to be addressed by the governor as part of his tour of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state was hijacked by hoodlums.  Governor Ajimobi, who had gone round 32 local government areas in the state, was billed to visit the last council area on Friday, November 21 to round off the tour. As it had been done in other local governments, APC leaders, party faithful, various organizations and ordinary members of the public had converged on Liberty Road Junction and amidst singing and dancing, were waiting for the governor who had earlier on that day visited Ido Local Government Area.

    Suddenly, gunshots started booming from a part of the rally venue; hoodlums went on the prowl and the music came to an abrupt end as everybody started running for dear lives. By the time the dust settled, a police inspector, who was among the policemen deployed to maintain law and order at the rally venue, had been shot dead while another one and scores of other people sustained varying degrees of injuries and were quickly rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

    As if that was not enough, the city also witnessed violence again at the Born Photo-Popoyemeja-Idi Arere community early on Sunday, November 23, leaving many people injured and property worth millions of Naira destroyed. The area boys, according to reports, arrived the area in the wee hours of that day, shooting sporadically and forcing their way into people’s houses, robbing them of their valuables. They were said to have destroyed any property on sight, including cars and tricycles parked on the street.

    Since the incidents occurred, there have been accusations and counter-accusations, with APC pointing fingers at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party (AP) as the masterminds of the crises while the two parties have been fighting tooth and nail to distance themselves from the ugly development. APC has even gone a step further by calling on the state police command to carry out thorough investigations to unravel those behind the mayhem.

    Whoever could have been the masterminds, the fact still remains that thuggery, violence and brigandage, which used to characterize the Ibadan metropolis before the restoration of peace by the Ajimobi administration, are gradually creeping back into the ancient city. The fact is that the agents of violence, who had been in limbo since 2011, have cashed in on the race for the 2015 general elections to renew their violence.

    If for anything, one thing that the present administration in Oyo State is identified with is peace and tranquility which Governor Ajimobi has on several occasions described as the bedrock of the unprecedented development that the state has witnessed in recent time. As a result of the peaceful atmosphere, several local and foreign investors have berthed in the state to partner the government in bring development. The resultant effect is the springing up of firms in all the nooks and crannies of the state, while government itself has also not wavered in the execution of people-oriented projects across the state.

    It therefore, behoves on the people of Oyo State to rise up collectively and say no to violence in whatever form. They should, without any hesitation, tell the agents of darkness and enemies of progress who are sworn to do everything they could to truncate the current peace, to steer clear of the state. Never again should the people of Oyo State allow the power mongers to hijack the state and return it to the path of retrogression. The police should also not shirk their responsibilities of going on the trail of the brigands and their godfathers. It is only by doing these that the state can continue to witness more development in an atmosphere devoid of violence and brigandage.

    • Sola Animasahun

    Ibadan, Oyo State.