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Tag: Ilorin

  • Ex-minister dies at 71 in Kwara

    Ex-minister dies at 71 in Kwara

    Former Minister of State for foreign affairs, Alhaji Saidu Isa is dead. He was aged 71.

    The deceased who hailed from Lafiagi, Edu local government area of Kwara state was said to have died in the early hours of Wednesday in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Until his death, the deceased was the Chairman Governing Council, Kwara State University, Malete, and occupied the same position at the Federal College of Education Osi-Ile, Abeokuta in Ogun State.

    Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, has described the death one time Secretary to the State Government as a big loss to the state and the country as a whole.

    In a statement Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba said the deceased made outstanding contributions and selfless services to humanity and his fatherland.

    “My heart goes out to the families, friends and well wishers of the former ambassador and Pro Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete. Indeed, this death is shocking”, Governor Ahmed said.

    The governor said the deceased was a community leader and technocrat par excellence whose wealth of experience would be missed by all.

    The governor prayed Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, grant him Aljanatul firdaus and give his families solace and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Read Also:Court dismisses PDP suit to stop Kwara council elections

  • Unilorin best student dies days before graduation

    Unilorin best student dies days before graduation

    The Best graduating engineering student in this week 33rd convocation ceremonies of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Taofiqah Oloriegbe has died.

    It was gathered that the deceased was billed to be honoured as the best graduating student at the faculty of engineering of the university before the incident happened.

    It was also gathered that the news of her untimely death broke out via a Facebook wall page account of a family friend of the deceased.

    The Facebook wall page account which was obtained by journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday had read: “Subhanallah: What a sudden and untimely death of a rare gem!

    Taofiqah Oloriegbe - Best Graduating Student of Unilorin
    Taofiqah Oloriegbe – Best graduating engineering student in this week 33rd convocation ceremonies

     

    “She’s Taofeeqah Oloriegbe, a sister of my friend Dammy Oloriegbe. Being the best yet-to-be-announced graduating student of engineering and a few days to her convocation, she left this sinful world after a brief illness.

    “May Allah grant her eternal rest with His pious servants and grant the families the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    A visit to the family house of the deceased at Alore area of the state capital also showed that relations and family members were mourning mood

    Residents of the area were also seen in groups discussing the untimely death of the young, brilliant and promising student.

    They prayed God to grant the deceased perfect peace and Aljanah Firdaos.

    Spokesperson of the university, Kunle Akogun, confirmed the incident, saying that the management of the university was yet to know the “cause of death of the best graduating student, Miss Taofiqah Oloriegbe”.

    “As soon as the management has the details of what led to the untimely death of the student, it will be made available to the members of the public”, he said.

  • That peace may reign

    That peace may reign

    The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria has organised a symposium in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to promote peace and justice in the country. The event was held to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace. AZEEM OLOGUNTERE (500-Level Law, University of Ilorin) reports.

    The need for the youth to promote peace in their communities was a subject of discussion at a Peace Summit held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to commemorate the United Nations (UN) International Day of Peace tagged: Together for peace: Respect, safety and dignity for all.

    Organised by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, under its Peace is possible campaign, the event with the theme: Identifying the barriers and pathways to peace in Nigeria was attended by participants from diverse backgrounds, including businessmen, students, representatives of civil society organisations, security agencies and government officials.

    The summit featured keynote speeches, panels of discussion and interactive discussions, which were geared towards equipping the participants with skills to engender peace in their communities.

    In his keynote speech titled: Shaping language to achieve peace, Prof Tunde Ajiboye of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) described peace as “an atmosphere of tranquility, neutrality, faith and inner positive disposition.”

    He emphasised the importance of the appropriate use of language as a pathway to sustainable peace in Nigeria.

    The panel of discussion featured a journalist, Femi Okunlola, founder of Passion for Peace Initiative, Jimoh Olalekan, founder, Hope for Girls and Women Foundation, Sukurat Adelodun, and an agricultural entrepreneur, Rotimi Olawale, who spoke on how the youth could engage themselves to promote peace.

    The second panel was preceded by comments and questions by the participants and guests, after which a Mandela Washington Fellow, Adewale Badejoko, an advocate against gender-based violence, Sa’adat Bibire, and a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate, Abideen Olasupo, explained the roles of young people in building lasting peace.

    At an interactive session with the JCI President Babajide Ojowherein, participants shared their thoughts on the solutions to ethno-religious conflicts bedevilling the country, including Boko Haram insurgency, Biafra agitation, farmers and herdsmen clashes, among others.

    The convener of the summit and Peace is possible campaign Director, Paul Akingbola, said: “Peace is not just the absence of war, but the prevalence of justice is. Young people, being the most vulnerable tool for the perpetration of violence, have the power to enthrone peace in their communities. It is high time young people showed commitment and take positive actions towards building the peaceful country of our dream.

    “Since the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 emphasises the importance of peace, justice, and strong institutions to development locally and globally, we need to think about the cost of violence and conflicts in our daily life.”

    A South African and Let’s do it world ambassador, Mariette Hopley, said it was important to live in peace, noting that the world would be a better place if peace became the watchword of the people. According to her, the quest for a peaceful and just society begins with everyone living in the society.

    In 1981, the UN set aside September 21 as the International Day of Peace to galvanise global actions against organised violence and conflicts and to demonstrate the indispensability of peace to global development.

    In preparation for this year’s Peace Day, JCI International with support from the government of Sarawak, a Malaysian State on Borneo, held an International Summit on Peace in Kuching from September 6 to 8.

    Paul was Nigeria’s delegate to the summit, where more than 600 young people from 125 countries, gathered to discuss peace.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, and MSNBC News anchor Richard Lui, delivered keynote speeches at the summit.

  • World Teachers’ Day: Kwara residents advocate better welfare for teachers

    World Teachers’ Day: Kwara residents advocate better welfare for teachers

    Residents of Ilorin on Thursday called for better welfare for teachers as the World Teachers’ Day is celebrated in the country.

    Some of the residents said a teacher forms the bedrock of any society and should be well catered for.

    Mr Lucky Adesanya, a resident, said teachers were being taken for granted in the country.

    “Teachers are the set of people we should be supported and encouraged, but our belief that their reward is in heaven has made us to leave them impoverished.

    “Their welfare should be paramount to both government and individuals, if we really want to appreciate the role they play in the society,” Adesanya said.

    Mrs Adijat Adeosun said that their salary structure should be the best, however, lamented that it was the other way round.

    “The salary of teachers should be the best going by their importance in our society; but it is a pity that they are among the worst paid.

    “They are not well regarded especially in this state, so there is nothing to celebrate about teachers,” Adeosun said.

    Another resident, Mr Blessing Yusuf  argued that teachers should be given better treatment than they were currently getting.

    “The regulatory bodies should ensure that only qualified staffs are employed.

    “Although teachers should be well taken care of, but I am sorry to say this, some are not worthy to be called one.

    “Some of them lack the qualification to even pass knowledge to other people, so how can they impart knowledge?

    “So, it is important for the regulatory body to ensure that they are sound enough to teach, so that they don’t do our children more harm than good because you can’t give what you don’t have,” Yusuf said.

    NAN

  • Alleged N5m bribe: ICPC arraigns dropped board nominee in court

    Alleged N5m bribe: ICPC arraigns dropped board nominee in court

    Barely two months after being dropped as a nominee into the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a former Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Dr. Saadu Ayinla Alanamu, has been charged for allegedly collecting  N5million bribe from a contractor.

    Alanamu was arraigned with the Chief Executive Director of Namylas Nig. Ltd, Salman Sulaiman.

    The two suspects are facing eight -count charge before Justice Mahmud Abdul Gafar of the Kwara State High Court 7, Ilorin.

    A statement by the Spokesperson for ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said the charge sheet indicated that Alanamu, who was also the Chairman of the Kwara State Polytechnic Tenders Board, allegedly collected N5million bribe from a contractor Salman Sulaiman as kickback for the award of a contract.

    The statement said: “The counsel to ICPC, Sunny Ezeana, told the court that Dr. Alanamu received the bribe money through his First Bank account on 11th February, 2015 from Namylas Nig. Ltd, a company owned by Sulaiman who is also his friend.

    ”The court heard that Alanamu ensured that the contract for the construction and furnishing of an auditorium in Kwara State Polytechnic, at the cost of N182, 369, 625.00, was awarded to Namylas Nig. Ltd, even when it was found that the company was not qualified to execute the contract.

    ”ICPC’s investigation into the petition revealed strong evidence of collusion, bid rigging and corrupt practices against Namylas Nig Ltd in the bid process.

    “The company used falsified, forged and doctored PENCOM Compliance Certificate, Tax Clearance Certificate and ITF Certificate of Compliance to submit its bid during the bidding process.

    ”Sulaiman on his part, was accused of bribing a government official when he paid N5 million through a Guarantee Trust Bank account to Alanamu, as a reward for the award of contract to his company, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 9(1) (a) and punishable under Section 9(1) (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    ”Their offences are also in violation of Sections 8 (1) (a), 10(a) (i), 18 (b), 19 and 22(1) (a) (i) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the aforementioned sections.

    ”The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

    “The trial judge, Justice Abdul Gafar then granted them bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum each; and that one of the sureties for each of them must have a landed property in Ilorin.

    ”The matter was then adjourned to 12th October, 2017 for pre-trial hearing in line with Section 3 of the Kwara State High Court Practice Direction, 2013, after which a new date for trial would be set.”

    Following petitions, the presidency had on August 6 dropped Alanamu and Maimuna Aliyu as board members of ICPC.

    A tweet by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande said: “We are stepping down two of the new ICPC board nominees who have ongoing investigation issues with the commission as this presents a conflict.

    “While existence of allegations or petitions against someone shouldn’t necessarily disqualify them from considerations for appointments, this case presents a peculiarity as we have confirmed that the agency in which they are to serve is indeed investigating the two of them.

    “A basic check showed no court convictions against them; but when weighty petitions come up, this administration will always do the right thing.”

  • Partly cloudy, thunderstorms, rains expected on Tuesday

    Partly cloudy, thunderstorms, rains expected on Tuesday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy weather conditions with isolated thunderstorms in the central states’ cities of Makurdi, Abuja, Jos, Lafia, Mambila and Yola on Tuesday morning.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Monday in Abuja also predicted thunderstorms over Yelwa, Jos, Abuja, Kaduna, Ilorin, Minna and Lokoja in the afternoon and evening hours.

    It added that the central states would experience day and night temperatures in the range of 28 to 32 and 17 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    The agency predicted that southern states would experience chances of morning thunderstorms and rains with localised thunderstorms and in the afternoon and evening hours.

    It states that the southern states would have day and night temperatures in the range of 28 to 31 and 20 to 28 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, northern states will experience partly cloud-to-cloudy conditions in the morning hours with sunny to partly cloudy conditions later in the day.

    “The region will experience chances of thundery activities with rains over Jalingo, Bauchi, Gombe, Gusau and Yelwa with day and night temperatures of 31 to 35 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “We expect cloudy and partly cloudy conditions in the northern cities while thunderstorms and rain showers are likely over most places around the central cites and southern states in the next 24 hours,” NiMet said.

  • Don’t treat IPOB, MASSOB, others with kid gloves – Islamic leaders

    Don’t treat IPOB, MASSOB, others with kid gloves – Islamic leaders

    Islamic leaders in the country have warned the Federal Government not to treat the current agitations by the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra ( MASSOB ) with levity.

    The Islamic leaders also urged the President Muhammadu Buhari government to tackle other security problems in the country headlong.

    They spoke this at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at this commemoration of this year new Islamic calendar (Hijra).

    Pioneer Grand Khadi, Kwara state Sha’aria Court of Appeal Justice Abdulkadir Orire (rtd) said “the issues of IPOB and MASSOB in the South East must be seriously attended to before they degenerated to undesirable and uncontrollerable levels.

    “Insecurity is the greatest impediment to industrialisation and growth of other investments which have contributed greatly to unemployment of our youths. To ameliorate the situation, there is the need to swiftly confront the Boko Haram insurgents headlong, bring back the remaining Chibok girls and others from captivity. Likewise, the Niger Delta militants and kidnappers should not treated with kid gloves.

    “The military and para-military forces should be fortified and motivated to enhance adequate security of the lives and property of all Nigerians and others resident in Nigeria.”

    The former grand khadi who is also the Sarkin Malamai of Ilorin decried the rampant incidents of ritual killings in many parts of the country.

    Justice Orire added that “the menace of killing, selling and buying of human beings for ritual purposes are very rampant nowadays. This act is highly ungodly, un-Islamic, barbaric and sinful.”

    Corroborating him, current Grand Khadi of the state, Justice Muhammad Abdulkadir frowned at the growing cases of cultism and other anti-social behaviours in Ilorin and its environs.

    Justice Abdulkadir urged Islamic preachers and teachers to preach against “these obnoxious acts to ensure peace and harmony that the Ilorin community is known for.

    Said he: “Our children are involved in series of nefarious activities such as cultism, killing of innocent people and kidnapping among other. Some scholars are engaged in using human beings for ritual purposes all in attempt to get riches by all means. All these are seriously against the teachings of Islam and what Ilorin and its environs are known for.

    “We also call on government to set necessary machinery in motion for the protection of lives through regular surveillance of the community particularly at night to ward off the night marauders, who hide under the cloak of darkness to perpetrate evil acts.”

  • UNILORIN promises NYG participants admission

    UNILORIN promises NYG participants admission

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN ), Prof. Abdul Ganiyu Ambali, has promised admission to participants of the National Youth Games ( NYG ) who wish to enter the institution in the 2017/2018 academic session.

    According to the University’s bulletin on Tuesday, the ( UNILORIN ) VC who gave the assurance while addressing athletes at the just concluded 3rd NYG, said if they meet the participant would be offered admission once they meet the University requirements.

    The NYG was hosted by the University between Sept. 9 and Sept. 16, 2017 which was the second consecutive hosting.

    He described the games as an opportunity to give the youths the chance to showcase their potentials.

    “It is the responsibility of all of us to impact our youths positively, wherever we can,” Ambali added.

  • Sulu-Gambari, Osun monarch seek stronger ties

    Sulu-Gambari, Osun monarch seek stronger ties

    The ancient city of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has hosted the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi and his chiefs.

    Oba Akanbi was in the city to seek the support of Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari in strengthening religious, economic and political ties between Iwo and Ilorin.

    The meeting, which took place at the Emir‘s palace, had 10 traditional rulers and 20 chiefs on the entourage of the Oluwo.

    While the Oluwo was envious of the recognition Ilorin had earned in the politics of Nigeria, the Emir said Iwo nurtured and produced the best Islamic scholars in the country.

    The Oluwo described Sulu-Gambari as an astute leader and true father, who sees to the well-being of his subjects and promotes their political will through relevance in administering Nigeria.

    Oba Akanbi said the ties between the two cities were severed some years ago, adding that the severance cost them opportunities.

    He said Iwo and Ilorin were one as demonstrated by the renowned Islamic scholars from the two Islamic states.

    He said, “Our ancestors were well versed and connected in Islamic knowledge. They were intimate brothers in Islam, kindness and knowledge. To attest to their affinity, Iwo is called Geri Malami while Ilorin is Geri Alimi. But the interaction between the duo is not as cordial as it used to be, hence one of the primary reasons for my visitation.

    “Iwo should be seen as Ilorin while I will address Ilorin as Iwo from today. We are both bastions of Islamic knowledge and culture and that shall continue to be sustained as laid down by the early scholars of the two states.

    Oluwo said the two Islamic communities have many identical features extending to names starting with the letter I which stands for Islam, Iwo and Ilorin.

    “Iwo and Ilorin are brothers in Islam. In the whole of southwestern Nigeria, only Iwo is addressed as Geri Malami because of what they have in common with Ilorin. The first sharia court was situated in Iwo.

    Alhaji Sulu-Gambari eulogised Oluwo for his sense of history and understanding, promising more interaction with Iwo.

    The Emir affirmed Iwo as a twin home to Ilorin, the closest and well connected to each other on Islamic knowledge and teachings in the whole western region. He said he and the Ilorin Emirate are ready for a bilateral relationship with the Oluwo and urged citizens of the two cities to close ranks.

    The emir said, ”While Oluwo said he is envious of Ilorin, I am also envious of Iwo in one thing. That is, Iwo has many Islamic scholars well respected overseas especially in Saudi for their wealth of knowledge. Those scholars are making Iwo proud. Iwo is the most recognised Islamic city in the southwestern Nigeria. And that is one of the best of all assets.”

  • Al Hikmah varsity greets UNILORIN VC-designate

    Authorities of the Al Hikmah University (AL HIKMAH) in Ilorin, Kwara State, have congratulated the Vice Chancellor (VC)-designate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Sulaiman Abdulkareem, describing his appointment as a “reward for hard work and professionalism”.

    A statement by the AL HIKMAH Director of Information, Dr. Lateef Oladimeji, quoted the founder of the faith-based varsity, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji, as saying: “Abdulkareem’s choice as the UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor is a round peg in a round hole”.

    Prof Abdulkareem was a former VC of Al Hikmah University.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of the Pro-chancellor, Governing Council, and management, and the founder of Al Hikmah University, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji, I wish to express his joy and happiness over the appointment of Prof Abdulkareem, AL HIKMAH’s third Vice-Chancellor, as the Vice-Chancellor-designate of the University of Ilorin.

    “His choice was divine and we consider him worthy of the appointment. His experience at Al Hikmah University remained a good reference point and it would hopefully prepare him to take UNILORIN to higher levels.”

    Oladimeji urged Prof Abdulkareem to be focused in his new assignment and expand the frontiers of opportunities to attract more supports for the university in the area of research and community development.