The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ibadan

  • Retired major buried in Ibadan

    After a well attended funeral service at the Christ Apotolic Church (CAC) Eleyele, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the remains of the late Major Samuel Moronfolu Abiodun (rtd.) were interred last Saturday at his Mercy Land Estate home in Ibadan, with full military honor conducted by men and officers of the Nigerian Army.

    The late Major Abiodun died on May 6 at the Unity Hospital, Ibadan, after a brief illness.

    He was 69.

    The late Major Abiodun was born on December 26, 1944, to the late Pa James Abiodun and the late Madam Mabel Ekundayo Abiodun in Owo, Ondo State.

    In a statement in Ibadan by Mr. Joseph Abiodun, the deceased’s younger brother, the late Major Abiodun had his primary education at St Michael’s African Church Primary School, Owo.

    He attended L.A Secondary Modern School, where he obtained modern 3 certificates.

    He proceeded to the Yaba College of Technology in 1962 and obtained a Technological Certificate in Automobile Engineering in 1964 .

    He joined the Army in 1967 and was posted to the Nigeria Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corp Technical Group (NAEME), Yaba, Lagos in 1972.

    He attended Royal School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Bordon Hants, England, from 1977–1979. There, he obtained the British Artificer Certificate and Higher Technician Diploma.

    Major Abiodun was baptised by the Bishop of Canterbury, England in 1978.

    He returned to Nigeria in 1979 and proceeded to the National Technical Teachers College, Akoka, Lagos, where he obtained the National Technical Teachers Certificate in 1982.

    He was inaugurated as 2nd lieutenant in 1983 and promoted to full lieutenant in 1984.

    He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1987 and became a Major in 1993.

    He retired in 2000. During his military career, he attended military courses such as: Young Technical Military Course (YOTC-5), Advanced Mechanical & Engineering Course, Engineering Inspections Ford Motors (America), Workshop Commanders Course and Junior Staff Duties Course (command & staff college Jaji).

     

     

     

     

  • Confusion as pipeline explodes in Ibadan community

    There was pandemonium yesterday at Olorunkemi/Alaakia village along Elebu Ibadan in Ido Local Government of Oyo state when a deafening explosion occurred at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline located in the area.

    The fire, which according to sources started around 9.00 am, was allegedly caused by desperate pipeline vandals who stormed the area around midnight to scoop fuel.

    Residents of the community, who spoke with reporters yesterday, lamented, that the activities of pipeline vandals have increased lately.

    Many of the residents ran helter-skelter on sighting billows of fire from the pipeline.

    One of them, Mrs. Oladele Funmilayo, said that she was inside her room when suddenly she heard a very loud explosion, which sparked off the fire.

    “I had to rush out of the room with my children. We were so scared that we didn’t know what next to do except to run away,” she stated

    A woman, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Innocent, said many of them thought it was a bomb explosion.

    Director of the State Fire Service, Mr. Kareem Gafar, who led his men to the scene, also said the explosion was caused by suspected vandals.

    He added that the firemen could not easily assess the scene of the explosion due to the muddy nature of the road.

    “We had to pass the pipe supplying water along the bush to ensure the fire is put off,” he lamented.

    He said the fire service and NNPC officials combined to put the fire off.

    The Chairman of Ido Local Government, Professor Joseph Olowofela, said: “Though I have not confirmed the cause of the fire, I am sure it must have happened due to the activities of pipeline vandals.

    He called on security agencies to nip the activities of the suspected vandals in the bud.

     

  • Ibadan residents get free kerosene, eggs

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday distributed 50,000 litres of kerosene and eggs to Ibadan residents to mark this year’s Democracy Day and his second year in office.

    Over 1,000 people benefited from the gesture, which was sponsored by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing, Mr. Abiodun Gbolagade.

    The distribution took place at Fema Golden Heritage Petrol Station along Abbey Technical School road, Ibadan.

    Ajimobi said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the people’s suffering.

    The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Solid Minerals, Mr. Matthew Oyedojun, said his administration was determined to make life easier for the people.

    He said: “Kerosene is quite expensive now and many people cannot afford it? These are hard times for them and with each of them collecting four litres of kerosene and half a crate of eggs, these will go a long way in feeding their families.”

    The governor hailed Gbolagade for putting smiles on the faces of the people in Oluyole council and urged other politicians to emulate him.

    He said there was need to continue to reach out to the masses through similar initiatives, so that they would feel the government’s presence.

    Gbolagade said the gesture was to complement the governor’s efforts to alleviate poverty.

    He said: “Ajimobi has, in the last two years, been delighting the people. He has improved infrastructure and ensured peace in the state, which makes every other thing possible.”

  • Govt College, Ibadan alumni seek ownership of alma mater

    Only Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the administration of Government College, Ibadan (GCI) will revive the fortunes of the school, old boys of the school have said.

    They are appealing to the Oyo State government to allow them partner in the funding and management of the school that has produced many prominent Nigerians.

    During the yearly luncheon and merit award of the GCI Old Boys Association in Lagos, Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Oladipo Akinkugbe, former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, and a former Chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellors, Dr. Wale Babalakin argued that the only option for government is to return public schools to private bodies to raise the fallen standards.

    While delivering his keynote address entitled: Secondary education as second fiddle – A bewildering paradox, Akinkugbe lamented the low morale of teachers, poor salaries, overcrowded classes and understaffing.

    He observed that pass rate in secondary schools has nose-dived to less than 10 per cent. He also decried the state of the age-old GCI where a teacher now handles 300 students.

    He added: “The incursion of government into the area of ownership of schools has further complicated an already parlous state of affairs. Voluntary agencies had been the fore-runners of secondary education for over a century and the extent of government participation had been limited to regulating and monitoring through inspectorate divisions or ministries.

    “The best option is joint ownership by government and old boys in the spirit of public private partnership.”

    Babalakin, who is the Chairman of the GCI Old Boys Association (Lagos Branch), praised the state government for its efforts, adding that the college needed far more assistance to get back to shape.

    He said: “The old boys continue to strive valiantly to uphold the school and its ideals 35 years after the unfortunate exercise by various governments that led to the down grading of many secondary schools including our great school.

    “The policy of the government in 1979 which turned the exclusive territory of Government College, Ibadan to the domain of other secondary schools, including Apata Ganga High School and the near eradication of merit as a criterion for entry into the school was an unpardonable assault on quality education in Nigeria. “

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Ex-Oyo governors insincere’

    The General Overseer of the Save and Serve Christ Family Church in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Bishop Jide Orire, yesterday said Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s performance in two years has “exposed past governors as insincere”.

    He said they should be probed.

    Bishop Orire said many people were surprised to witness the dualisation of major roads, construction of bridges and beautification of the city within a short time.

    He spoke in Ibadan during the consecration of Rev. Columba Niboro as a Bishop.

    The cleric hailed Ajimobi on road projects, saying they have eased traffic.

    He said: “If Ajimobi can embark on projects that cost billions of naira, then he is a focused leader. He has the people’s interest at heart. The people should begin to ask past governors what they did with the state’s fund.”

    Bishop Orire wondered where Ajimobi got the billions of naira he is spending on projects, saying: “So our previous leaders had been depriving the masses of good infrastructure, which we ought to have been enjoying since.”

    On the declaration of a state of emergency in three states to curb the activities of the Boko Haram sect, he said emergency rule was not the solution to insecurity.

    Bishop Orire there was nothing like Boko Haram. He said we are our own enemies, adding that some of our leaders are behind most of the crises in the nation.

    The cleric said: “Our leaders are greedy and not interested in the welfare of the populace. They are only interested in themselves and their family. They have forgotten that the money they are spending is tax-payer’s money, which is meant for everybody.”

    He said though declaring a state of emergency at this time is good, more needs to be done.

    Bishop Orire said until corruption and unemployment are addressed, the country will not know peace.

    He said: “The country produces hundred of thousands of graduates yearly and the unemployment rate is on the increase. If these youths are engaged, they would not have time for frivolous things.

    “They say an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. Let the governme nt find a solution to this and see what happens. I see a better Nigeria.”

     

  • Still on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    SIR: Last year, when the Federal Government terminated the May 2009, concessionary agreement it entered with Bi-Courtney Limited for the redevelopment and modernisation of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the general consensus across the land was that it was a welcome development in view of the concessionaire’s foot dragging on the project.

    The Federal government subsequently went ahead to appoint two reputable construction firms namely Julius Berger plc and RCC to do some palliative works on the road in order to reduce the stress of motorists along the road.

    The palliative works did to a large extent, lessen the trauma of motorists along the road, especially during the December 2012 festive period. However, the understanding then was that by 2013, real work geared towards the commencement of the redevelopment and upgrading of the road would begin in earnest. However, till date, there is nothing concrete on ground to suggest that government is about to start work on the road. The result is that the road is gradually returning to its hitherto distressing and frustrating state. In particular, the portion of the road from Sagamu intersection to Lagos is worst hit. This is quite understandable as this is the busiest section of the expressway consisting of a vast business and residential hub made up of emerging communities such as Mowe, Arepo, Magboro, Ibafo, Asese, Olowotedo, Pakuro among others.

    For all our efforts at attracting foreign investments into the country, if we cannot take care of minute details such as improving a major highway that could enhance such investments, then we had better forget it. Being the main expressway, providing the primary link between Lagos and other parts of Nigeria and hence, a road of primary economic and social importance to the nation, it is imperative that the Federal Government take urgent steps to ensure that the situation of the road improves.

    To put the Nigerian economy on the lane to speedy recovery and growth, Federal Government would have to immediately commit itself to a result-driven programme that would make the road a driver’s delight. There must be a time-frame known and acceptable to Nigerians for the completion of this road. While the federal government is fine tuning efforts to redevelop and modernize the road, one would like to implore the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to as a matter of necessity mobilise its men and resources to address the failed portions of the road in order to avert imminent disaster, reduce travelling time as well as lessen every trouble associated with travelling on the road.

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi

    Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Ibadan stands still as Ajimobi, wife get chieftaincy titles

    Ibadan stands still as Ajimobi, wife get chieftaincy titles

    IBADAN, the Oyo State capital, practically stood still yesterday for Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife Florence as they were conferred with the traditional title of the Aare and Yeye Aare Atunluse ofIbadan land by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana (Odugade 1).

    Governors, party leaders, captains of industry, royal fathers, family and friends also gathered at the palace of the Olubadan at Monatan area, Iwo Road and the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) to celebrate the honourees.

    The couple was installed at about 12 noon with the monarch declaring that the Ajimobis were honoured because of their outstanding contributions to the state within two years of the current administration.

    The eldest son of the monarch, Prof. Femi Lana, performed the installation on behalf of his father.

    The city was set agog with several official cars lining the road in a convoy from the Agodi Government House through Iwo Road to Monatan.

    The National Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande and several top politicians including Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Olusegun Osoba were at the event.

    Others included, Chief Tom Ikimi; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu; Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Adegboyega Osunbade; former governor of Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao; Senator Ayoade Adeseun; Wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu while the governors of Kano, Niger, Cross Rivers, Plateau and Ogun States were represented.

    Heads of military and para-military formations in Oyo State also graced the occasion.

    Ajimobi said he accepted the honour in view of the monarch’s objective assessment of his performance as governor in the last two years.

    He described the Olubadan as a highly revered and principled traditional ruler who would not dole out chieftaincy title to anybody who does not deserve it, no matter the person’s status in the society.

    He pointed out he had been offered several chieftaincy titles which he had turned down.

    The new Aare Atunluse said:” I have no choice than to accept this honour, coming from the highly revered royal father as the Olubadan.

    “I know that he doesn’t just dole out chieftaincy titles anyhow. He is a man of no mean achievement and he is highly principled.

    “He has done the sons and daughters of Ibadanland proud. I am, therefore, very pleased with this title.”

    In her own remark, the new Yeye Aare Atunluse, Chief Florence Ajimobi, noted that the recognition will make her and his husband work harder.

    She said:” I and my husband deserve this honour because he works tirelessly day and night for the development of this state.

    “I really appreciate the Olubadan of Ibadanland for honouring us.”

    Evangelist Ebenezer Fabiyi (Obey) and fuji Maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde ,mounted the band stand, dishing out thrilling songs to entertain guests.

    Several important personalities, who spoke to reporters at the event, commended Ajimobi for the giant strides he has made to change the face of Oyo State in the last two years.

  • Indian National Defence Academic Corps visits Nigerian Army

    Indian National Defence Academic Corps visits Nigerian Army

  • Heartland shock 3SC in Ibadan

    Cash-strapped Heartland of Owerri produced the result of the Week 12 duels of the Nigeria Professional Football League after the Naze Millionaires shocked 3SC 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan Wednesday.

    Two goals from Jolly Osas and Ebere Odiche in the 3rd and 68th minutes confined the Oluyole Warriors to their first home loss one which came barely three days after the club secured their first away point of the season in Port Harcourt against Sharks.

    Heartland’s Team Manager, Promise Nwachukwu in a chat with SportingLife praised the display of sportsmanship showed by the 3SC supporters before, during and after the game and he urged fans and supporters of other clubs to emulate the gesture showed in Ibadan where the home fans did not display any act inimical to the growth of sports development in the country.

    He said Heartland would go back to the drawing board and would not be carried away by the away win since they now know that they would be the cynosure of all eyes according to their latest feat.

    Heartland jumped to second on the log with 19 points by virtue of their away win from 12 games while 3SC are still on 16 points from the same number of matches.

    In Katsina Ala, Warri Wolves went down 0-1 to Lobi Stars through the goal of John Kollins in the 27th minute but the away team’s media officer, Moses Etu said after the match that the officials that handled their game especially the centre referee Henry Ogunyimode from Ondo State was a kill joy and that people like him should be flushed out from officiating games in the elite division because their calls could bring the game into disrepute.

    He charged the League Management Company to send match secret assessors to match venues so as to ascertain the integrity of the games played.

    “It was a total display of shame from centre referee Henry Ogunyimode from Ondo State. If people like him are allowed to continue to refer matches in the league it will in no time breed corruption. He did all what he could to frustrate our game plan but we shall come back in our subsequent games,” Etu said.

    At the Pantami Stadium, Gombe the home team, kept their 100 percent winning record intact after a second half goal from Bishop Onyeudo separated Gombe United from struggling Kwara United. It was Onyeudo legitimate 7th goal of the season and he has levelled with Beach Eagles star, Akor Isah Umoru who netted his 7th goal of the current campaign for Heartland last Sunday against Akwa United.

    Akwa United nicked a precious 1-0 win over Enugu Rangers at the Uyo Township Stadium while ABS and Sharks played out a goalless draw in their tango in Ilorin.

    Both clubs have drawn their last two games after the Blue Angels and the Saraki Boys had last Sunday fired blank against 3SC and Sunshine Stars respectively.

    At the El-kanemi Stadium, Maiduguri, El Kanemi defied the state of emergency declared on the State by the President of the country, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to beat the Sunshine Stars 1-0 to steer a little clear of relegation zone.

  • Relief for Ibadan fire victims

    Relief for Ibadan fire victims

    Lawmaker gives cash, building materials

    Years of joy ran down their cheeks. Some who lost their houses got building materials. Some whose businesses were were burnt up got cash to start all over again. The April 26 fire wreaked havoc in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, but thanks to Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, the victims are smiling once more.

    Even those unaffected by the fire also came in large numbers to rejoice with the victims as help came.

    All of them were full of praises for theie helper, Senator Lanlehin, the lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District. Lanlehin hails from Ward 08, Ibadan North West Local government of Oyo state where the fire occurred.

    Many of the onlookers became emotional when they listened to the pathetic stories narrated by some of the victims.

    Scores of people in the densely populated area lost their belongings to the inferno caused by a tanker laden with fuel which skidded off the road at the Mokola-Inalende-Orita-Merin Road junction. The vehicle caught fire, destroying buildings, shops, vehicles and other valuables in the area. Over 20 buildings and 45 shops were burnt, including three vehicles and a mosque.

    Hundreds of victims trooped out to receive the relief materials with words of gratitude to the lawmaker who was moved by the plight of the people affected by the incident.

    The Senator said sending relief became imperative because of the scale of damage caused by the fire and the resultant suffering it brought on the victims.

    The lawmaker explained that the materials would help the victims to return to their normal lives after the sudden loss they experienced.

    Various relief materials ranging from roofing sheet, cement, sewing machines, planks, and cash were distributed to the victims including landlords, tenants and shop owners whose properties were consumed by the fire.

    The relief materials included 20 bundles of corrugated iron roofing sheets, 100 bags of cement, planks of different sizes, 20 Sewing Machines, four units of computer sets, two photocopy machines, eight hair-dryers, eight clippers and cash donations of various sums.

    Addressing the crowd of victims at the scene of fire, Lanlehin who was accompanied by leaders of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the District, said the total cost of the relief materials and cash donation was over N10m.

    The only mosque among the buildings burnt by the fire, Arowodana Mosque, has virtually all the materials needed for its resuscitation supplied by the lawmaker.

    Speaking further, Senator Lanlehin said: “The extent of damage was very large and very painful as well. It destroyed a lot of property but we thank God that no life was lost. I had to come down from Abuja very early in the morning after the incident and what I saw was very shocking.

    “It saddened me, it pained me. This is part of my constituency and it is an area I am very familiar with. Apart from that, I believe I have a duty to do whatever I can to ameliorate and reduce the pain of what happened. To that extent, I have made arrangement to distribute in my own way to lessen the suffering of my people of Omitowoju affected by the fire incident. There is nothing we can do that will erase the pains and trauma but we are only trying to give as much as possible to contribute towards rebuilding the burnt houses that were damaged.

    “We also intend to give the victims whose shops and whose means of livelihood were affected some capital. We intend to get them back to their trade by having some instruments and tools procured and distributed to them together with some start-up capital.

    “We also intend to take care of tenants there because there were so many tenants who live in those houses, whose properties were lost. We intend to give them some money to at least cushion the effect of the terrible loss. We only hope and pray that it won’t happen again. We can never rule out this kind of incident, we can only pray to Almighty God to make the happening as minimal as possible.

    “Also, the authorities in charge of attending to these incidents, particularly fire incidents, occuring all over the place that we should as much as possible try to upgrade our fire service equipment. The National Assembly as a federal institution, the third arm of government, the legislature does not have provision for emergency or misfortune like this. At the federal level, the agency that has jurisdiction in respect of such misfortunes or emergencies is the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which is an arm of the executive.

    “I have contacted them and I’m confident they will do something. They have promised me that they will certainly do something and I have no doubt whatsoever that they will do something.

    “It is their duty; it is their responsibility and I believe that they will do all they can to help. What I am doing is my personal effort, out of my own personal resources, my own personal renumeration because all the people in the nine local governments of Oyo South Senatorial District are my brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers and I have a duty to come to their assistance when needed”.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Olalekan Ayodele, a fashion designer who lost all his sewing machines and embroidery equipment, was given a new set of sewing machine at the event.

    He said: “We thank God for the life of Senator Lanlehin, and may God continue to grant him long life and good health because he is using his life to assist the needy and we won’t disappoint him when it is our turn to show appreciation for what he has done in our life today. “

    Mrs Victoria Odejayi who lost her two vegetable shops situated along Omitowoju Junction where the fuel-laden tanker fell, was also full of praises as she expressed her gratitude to the donor for his generosity and kindness to the people.

    She narrated how the fire which caught her unawares claimed all her goods including bags of rice and gallons of vegetable oil.

    Odejayi who recieved the sum of N60,000 as donation, said: “I want to thank Senator Lanlehin, a true representative of his people. May God Almighty guide and protect him in all his ways.”

    She particularly thanked God for sparing her life in the incident, saying that “once there is life there is hope and we are happy that Senator Lanlehin today gave us hope. He has helped us to know that not all is lost, we still have hope since we are still alive.“