Tag: Ile –Ife

  • Femi Branch: My face has been the canvas of many creative ideas

    Cross-Over actor Femi Branch, who posted series of his pictures on different work says, in about three decades of working as an actor, his face and body have been the canvas on which many creative ideas have found expression.

    “They may look like me but they are not,” he wrote.

    “In almost 30 years, with Over 200 Movies, Scripts, Directors, Executive Producers, Producers, ADs, Continuity, Production Managers, Production Coordinators, Production Designers, Cameramen, Focus Pullers, Gaffers, Soundmen, Camera, Light & Sound Assistants, Wardrobe Managers, Set Designers, Props Managers, Makeup Artistes, Hair Stylist, Editors, Colorists, Special Effects, Welfare Managers, Location Managers, Cast Chaperons, PAs, Generator men, Location Drivers, thousands of lines, over a thousand costumes, my face and body have been the canvas on which many creative ideas have found expression!

    “And we never even start! Isn’t God faithful!”

    Femi Babafemi Branch known as Femi Branch is an actor, director, and producer. He became famous after playing the role of Oscar in a soap opera titled ‘Domino’

    He began his career at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in 1991, the same year he featured in a Yoruba stage play titled ‘Eniyan’. He later featured in a movie titled ‘Orisun’ (meaning: Origin) produced by members of staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, but his first appearance on television was in 2003 in an MTN Group television commercial titled “Dance with me”.

  • Maye of Yoruba warns illegal gold miners

    The Maye of Yoruba land, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, has warned illegal gold miners to desist from the act.

    He spoke against the backdrop of widespread kidnapping and insecurity allegedly caused by the incursion of illegal gold miners in the Southwest and particularly in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    Adedoyin, who spoke during a meeting of Royal Brothers’ Club of Ife, told illegal gold miners to leave Ife, and by extension Osun State, saying he would not mind personally arresting the perpetrators and hand them to law enforcement agents.

    Read Also: Training for 150 miners in Osun

    He noted that the gold being illegally mined in Ife and Ijesa land belonged to the people and as such should be used for the good of all rather than by few illegal miners and their godfathers.

    The Maye urged the Ife Development Board to be alive to its responsibilities, and wondered why the board had kept silent for so long on the matter. According to him, revenue generated from the sale of gold could be used to develop Ife.

    Adedoyin noted that no single individual, be it a king or ’emese’ is bigger than the people. He enjoined Ife citizens, whose land had been taken over by illegal miners, to write their petitions to the Office of the President, Royal Brothers’ Club of Ife.

  • Medical officer advises youths to donate blood to reduce stress, heart diseases

    Mr Awe Adegoke, a  medical officer  from the Department of  Dermatology , Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU) , Ile Ife, Osun, has advised youths  in particular and the general public to always  donate blood to save lives.

    Adegoke  said that blood donation was voluntary in a press statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.

    The medical personnel added,  “If you donate blood, you are giving life to someone in need of it. There is no substitute for human blood as scientists are yet to discover that.”

    The statement said that he spoke at a programme tagged  ” Walk for Life” organised by the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria ( CYON) from Ile- Ife.

    It was organised   to sensitise the public on the dangers inherent in  social vices  such as  committing suicide, abortion, drug abuse,and  premarital sex.

     

     

    Adegoke said  ” Adults between the ages of 18years and  65 years  and anyone who weighs at least 50kg and is in good health can give blood.

    “The only exception to this are  pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.”

    He  said that  by donating blood, the donor would be reducing stress , improving their  emotional well-being and also helped them to  reduce heart diseases.

    “Donors may experience dizziness, nausea and pain after the exercise. Donors need to drink more water,   eat healthy foods and avoid strenuous activities.”

    NAN also  reports that the walk  by the youth  started from SS Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-cathedral,  Lagere , and ended at SS John & Paul Catholic Church,  Oranfe.

    They displayed cardboards with such inscriptions  as : “Life is Precious!”,  “We are Pro-lifers! “, “Say no to Suicide! Say No to Abortion!”, ” Stay Alive! Live! Say No to Drug Abuse!”, ” Say No to Premarital Sex!” while walking around the community.

    The Parish Priest of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-cathedral, Rev Fr Paul Akinyode,  said that not everyone would take heed to their campaign but all that mattered was  the teachings and the stand of church.

    “When you walk for life, you truly stand for life. Things happening in our world today are disheartening, the use of drugs is rampant to the extent that when a person is taking soft drink, , you can’t really be sure that its an ordinary drink.

    “What we are saying with our mouths,  let us live with our lives. We can’t say we believe in life and keep working against life,” Akinyode said.

    He advised that young people should be brought back to God, and enlightened youths on the  need to use their mobile phones to always spread the truth.

    Also  the Parish Priest of SS John & Paul Catholic Church,  Oranfe and the Parish Pastoral Council chairman ,  Rev Fr David Olaniyi and Sir Sam Umukoro ,  who welcomed the youth to the parish.

    Fr Olaniyi  advised them not to do things that were against the purpose of God in their lives..

    Olaniyi admonished the youth to always think about the spiritual aspect of everything they did and not just the physical.

  • OAU students protest alleged proscription of unionism

    Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on Tuesday took to the street to protest against the alleged proscription of the students’ union by the management of the institution.

    The students under the aegis of Action Committee of the Great Ife Students’ Union said they are challenging the power of the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede to proscribe a “democratic union of the institution.”

    The protest affected free flow of traffic for about an hour at Olaiya Junction, where the aggrieved students gathered to sensitize members of the public about their plight.

    After the protest, the students led by Comrade Dunsin Olowolafe addressed a press conference at the Osun State chapter of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

    Olowolafe alleged that the university proscribed the students union of the body’s resistance of the “unfavorable accommodation policy which tried to increase the tuition fees at the Faculty of Health Sciences to N85, 000.”

    He accused the university management of selecting some new Hall executives to impose the “unfavorable accommodation policy” on the students.

    He said: “The accommodation policy was a wicked response to the crisis of congestion on the university campus. The residential hostels which accommodated about 70 percent of the students were decongested by driving majority of the students to town/off campus, a situation which degenerated into a transportation crisis on the campus.”

    Read Also: UNILAG students charged with attempted rape

    Olowolafe said the students who are now living in town are facing untold hardship of hike in house rent and exposed to series of crimes and attacks.

    Demanding a probe of the Vice Chancellor and recovery of funds meant for the construction of four new affordable halls of residences, he called for “inauguration of a democratically elected students’ union, an end to ban on the freedom of students to associate freely, end to brutality by porters, school security and the police.”

    Other demands by the students include “sufficient and quality lecture theaters and residential hostels, proper funding of education sector with at least 26 percent of the country’s budget, public probe of all released to the institution, payment of all owed wages and allowances of education workers and the implementation of new minimum wage.”

    In a reaction, the university said the decision to suspend the central students union was taken in the overall interest of the majority of students.

    In a telephone chat, the university spokesperson, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, said the protesters were only exhibiting “undue youthful exuberance,” saying the unionism in the university was never proscribed but suspended “because of infighting among the students over union dues and this could result in loss of lives and property if not checked promptly.”

    He said the university management was more concerned about peaceful conduct and protection for serious students, who were determined to be focused on their academic pursuit.

    According to him: “They are exhibiting undue youthful exuberance. They are always fighting over union dues and if this was not attended promptly to could claim lives and loss of property. The university only suspended the central union not at the departmental, faculty and halls of residence.

    “On the accommodation, we have 6,750 freshers in need of where to stay and we have only space for 6,000 against the over 33,000 students’ population. This is the reason the management is calling on well-meaning Nigerians to come and build hostels in support of the school. Also, about their demands for adequate funding of education, they know appropriate quarter to direct their demand.”

  • Associations provide free health care for 1000 in Ile-Ife

    No fewer than 1,000 people are expected to benefit free medical treatment organised by a United States-based group, the National Council of Nigeria Muslim Organisations (NCNMO) between April 13 and 16.

    The medical mission is in collaboration with Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA).

    A statement by Abdulfattah Olanlege of UNIFEMGA and Dr Musodiq Bello of NCNMO, stated that the programme has commenced on March 30 with eye screening for over 220 patients in preparation for 45 cataract surgeries during the period.

    The duo said five-member NCNMO specialists led by Dr Fatai Ilupeju, an anesthesiologist in Westwood, Massachusetts affiliated with Boston Medical Centre will work alongside UNIFEMGA team led by Dr Fatimat Akinlusi,  a Consultant Gynaecologist and other volunteers to provide free medical services to people in Ile- Ife and its environs.

    The mission will be declared open at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Health Centre by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Eyitayo Ogunbodede, with additional speeches by UNIFEMGA National President Alhaji Waheed Odeyimka and Imam of OAU Mosque Prof. Abubakar Sanusi.

    Other expected guests include Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, UNIFEMGA Board of Trustee (BoT) Chairman Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, among others.

    Other highlights of the programme include health talks, cataract surgeries, dental clinics and general medical check-ups.

  • Plateau gets new Controller of Prisons

    Mr Samuel Aguda has been appointed as the Controller in-charge of Plateau Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS).

    DSP Luka Ayedoo, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), announced this in a statement on Saturday in Jos.

    Aguda replaces Mr Daniel Odharo, who has been deployed to the Zone ‘E’ Headquarters of the Service, Owerri.

    According to PRO, Odharo, erstwhile controller, served in the command for 13 months

    Aguda who hails from Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Bsc) in Psychology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife.

    Until his deployment to Plateau, Aguda was controller in-charge of Administration at its Zone ‘F’ Headquarters, Ibadan.

    He said the new controller had also served as head of Sagamu,Wamba and Mubi Prisons in Ogun, Nasarawa and Adamawa states.

    Read Also: Police dismiss Plateau ‘Jihad’ rumour

    He added that Aguda was one time in-charge of Operations and Administration in the FCT and Ekiti State Commands.

    Aguda has since assumed duty at the command.

    NAN

  • OAUTHC carries out 67 open heart surgeries, says CMD

    No fewer than 67 successful paediatric open heart surgeries were carried out at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, between 2016 and March 2019.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof.  Victor Adetiloye, broke the news yesterday at the on-going open heart surgery routine programme of the tertiary health institution.

    He attributed the success of the exercise to God, competent surgeons at the facility as well as the Federal Government’s efforts to boost facilities at the hospital.

    Adetiloye, who frowned at “unnecessary” travels abroad for medical reasons, said many routine surgeries had been carried out at the hospital.

    “We have competent surgeons that perform open heart surgeries successfully here, but we just decided this time around to invite our partners from Israel to support us.

    “OAUTHC is the only general hospital that has the highest statistics of 67 open heart surgeries in Nigeria as well as the first in Africa.

    “We are doing the heart surgery here for charity sake because if we are to charge normally, they cannot pay less than N10 million per patient,’’ he said.

    Adetiloye said the cardiac ultra-modern centre at the hospital was at 80 per cent completion stage.

    He appealed to public spirited Nigerians to partner with OAUTHC by setting up foundations for paediatric congenital diseases, because, according to him, the government could not   do it alone.

    Also speaking, Dr Uvie Onapkoya, the cardiothoracic   team leader, said Nigerians who   travel to India for open heart surgery spend between N15 million and  N20 million.

    He said OAUTHC, however, attends to patients who have between N2 million and N2.5 million.

    Onapkoya appealed to patients to first visit OAUTHC for proper diagnosis of their ailment before considering travelling abroad.

    Mr Eze-Obi Innocent, the father of a 14-month-old baby, who was successfully operated on, attributed the feat to God and the surgeons at the facility.

    He appealed to wealthy Nigerians to partner with OAUTHC in the provision of facilities at the hospital.

  • Hoodlums burn INEC office in Osun

    PDP candidate, declared winner of Oriade/Obokun federal constituency

     

     

    Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ijebu-Jesa at Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State was burnt down by hoodlums.

    An INEC official, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that the office attacked at about 3am on Sunday.

    The hoodlums were said to have besieged the office, shooting and destroying property within the premises.

    Two generating sets, ballot papers and boxes were among items they destroyed.

    Read Also: Fear in Osun communities over political attacks

    Meanwhile, the INEC has declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Oriade/Obokun federal constituency, Hon. Oluwole Oke, winner of the Saturday National Assembly election.

    The returning officer for the federal constituency,  Prof. Rasaki Adebayo of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who declared the result said Oke won with over 25 thousand votes against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Siji Olamiju, who polled over 19 thousand votes.

  • 2019: Ooni warns politicians against violence

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has warned politicians against all forms of violence in the forthcoming general elections.

    Oba Ogunwusi gave the warning at the Grand-finale of New Year Prayer Service organised by Christian Association of Nigeria, Ile- Ife Chapter, at Afenworo Park, Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife, on Saturday.

    According to Ooni, there is no gain in the shedding of blood, trouble and violence and anyone that died cannot come back to be useful to the society again.

    He charged all and sundry to maintain peace and orderliness in the forthcoming elections, saying it is only God that enthrones and put his choice on the throne.

    The Royal Father admonished politicians to give peace a chance and allow peaceful coexistence in all ramifications; if truly they want to serve humanity. He advised politicians to desist from do-or-die affairs.

    Read Also: Ooni, Falana, others for anti-corruption confab

    The traditional ruler urged youths to work for their future and run away from politicians who want to misuse them for political violence and selfish interest.

    Ooni, however, acknowledged God for His mercy that endures forever over all and sundry.

    While congratulating the Christians, he said that their being alive is neither by their power nor by their might, but by the grace of God.

    Ooni encouraged Christians to ensure that they are devoted to God by serving Him wholeheartedly and in holiness this year.

    He called on Christians to love each other and surrender everything to God, for He alone can do all things.

    NAN

  • Court grants teenager N500,000 bail over theft, malicious damage

    An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun on Friday granted bail in the sum of N500,000 to a teenager (name withheld) charged with breaking into a carpenter’s workshop to steal some items.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Adejumoke Ademola-Olowolagba, also ordered that the 14-year-old should produce two sureties in like sum, also as a condition for the bail.

    Ademola-Olowolagba directed that the sureties should reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be civil servants of grade level 08 and above.

    The teenager is standing trial on a five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, break-in, malicious damage and possessing goods without receipt.

    Read Also: Court remands fake Army officer in Ilorin

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    According to the prosecutor, Inspector Emmanuel Abdullahi, the teenager stole one Qlink stabiliser, a Top Bond glue, a pair of school sandals and upholstery leather.

    He said that the accused was also found with one Panasonic television without a purchasing receipt.

    Abdullahi submitted that the accused committed the offences on Nov. 29, at 12:30a.m. at the Taxi Driver Area of Modakeke-Ife.

    The alleged offences contravene Sections 383, 390 (9), 430 and 508 of the Criminal Law of Osun, 2003.

    The case has been adjourned until December 17 for mention.

    NAN