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Tag: Ilorin

  • VCN inducts UNILORIN 17 vet. graduates

    The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN)on Wednesday inducted the first set graduates of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of University of
    Ilorin ( UNILORIN ) into the veterinary profession.

    At the induction, 17 new baked veterinary medical doctors took oath of office.

    Registrar, VCN Josiah Kantiyok performed the oath taking ceremony on the inductees.

    Dr Kantiyok urged the inductees to abide by the oath and regard vet medicine as a noble profession.

    Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Sulyman Abdulkareem said that the philosophy that underpinned the establishment of the faculty in 2009 was to produce veterinary surgeons ‘who are capable of taking veterinary practice into the 21st century and well beyond.’

    He added that “it was our desire that the veterinarians we would be producing would be ‘highly competent and motivated to enjoy practicing
    veterinary medicine with the required skills that will enhance livestock production, promote public health and preventive medicine.’

    “There is no doubt today that the inductees are the gratifying evidence of the full realization of our objectives. So, we all deserve the honour today.

    Read Also: US envoy for UNILORIN’s 34th convocation lecture

    “The inductees of today, representing the first set of the tangible outcome of our commitment, indeed, deserve the honour and recognition
    we are formally bestowing on them because the VCN had examined the standards of knowledge and skills we had offered you in this university.”

    On the inductees, Prof Abdulkareem said “to our lucky inductees of today, I am happy to celebrate with you and your parents on this
    accomplishment. Today’s ceremony is a formal and dignified celebration of your certification as a professional doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).

    “It is therefore, a great honour that you are being inducted into a noble profession with this ceremony. With this ceremony today, you are being granted membership of veterinary profession in Nigeria.

    “There is no doubt, therefore, that today’s ceremony is going to mark a significant and memorable milestone in your career as vet doctors.”

  • Saraki, Kwara guber aspirants meet in Ilorin

    Governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state have held a crucial meeting with Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Details of the meeting, which took place on Monday night, are still sketchy.

    It was learnt that the national leader of the PDP enjoined the aspirants to conduct their campaigns in the builds up to the primary election in orderly manner.

    The meeting, held behind closed doors at Saraki’s private residence in Ilorin, the state capital, started about 10.20pm.

    It lasted till about 11.02pm with nine aspirants present.

    Former Deputy Governor of the state Chief Joel Ogundeji ,the party’s state chairman, Alhaji Kola Shittu as well as Secretary, Alhaji Rasaq Lawal joined few minutes to the close of the meeting.

    The aspirants who attended the meeting include Dr Ali Ahmad, Honestly Razak Atunwa, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi,Senator Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, Hon. Ahman Pategi, Alhaji Saka Isau (SAN), Prof Sulaiman Abubakar and Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia. The only aspirant absent at the meeting was Hon. Zakari Mohammed.

    Addressing reporters at the end of the meeting, Senator Sha’aba Lafiagi said it was convened to ensure peace as a family group, adding that contestants agreed to ensure a transparent race during the primaries.

    The former governor said there was no discussion on consensus but that there was no written undertaking among them since it is all within the same political family.

    Read Also: Fayemi ‘ll do well for Ekiti, says Ogboni Chief

    “The meeting was all about bringing the family together. It is only normal that at a time like this the leader of the family meets with us to keep peace and ensure that all went well.

    “We agree to respect the outcome of the primaries, to ensure that we remain friends after and ensure peace. We will surely accept whoever emerges. The intention is that the contest should be free, fair as much as possible. Whoever emerges we will all line up behind him and we will remain members of the family.

    “I don’t know about consensus, time will tell but for now everyone is preparing to enter the contest but I don’t rule out possibilities of consensus arrangement. Along the line we may consider that as a family. We don’t need to sign an undertaking because as I told you we are members of the same family.”

  • Kwara PDP screens NASS aspirants Thursday

    Ahead of its primary elections, the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the screening of its senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants will take place on Thursday.

    In a statement by its Spokesperson in the state Tunde Ashaolu said that the screening exercise for National Assembly aspirants will hold at the Party’s Secretariat by Flower Garden, Ilorin by 10 am.

    Ashaolu said that the screening committee from the national headquarters of the party would be on ground for the exercise on Thursday, stressing that the process would be free, fair and transparent.

    Read Also: Fayemi raises 37-member inauguration committee

    He also announced that screening for governorship aspirants of the party will hold on Saturday, 22 September, 2018 at the PDP North Central Zonal Secretariat in Lafia, Nasarrawa State.

  • Cleric wants govt. to check indecent dressing

    Pastor Amos Olugbenga of Christ Kingdom Church, Ilorin, has called on government at all levels to enact a law to check indecent dressing in the country.

    Olugbenga made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Tuesday.

    He observed that indecent dressing had become a way of life among young ones in the country, saying that this was eroding the nation’s rich culture and value from the hearts of the present generation.

    The clergy expressed regret that indecent dressing was gradually turning the society to ‘free style’ society, where you could dress anyhow without taking cognizance of the country’s mores and values.

    ‘‘It is getting out of hand as youths, old ones are dressing anyhow parading the streets without any consequence.

    ‘‘Indecent dressing has continue to corrupt the society. Go to Nigerian universities’ campuses and see what students turned themselves to in the name of dressing.

    ‘‘Government and concerned authorities must intervene in order to rescue the upcoming generation from the social evil before it get worse.

    ‘‘Parents must stop buying clothes that will expose body of their children to the world.

    ‘‘Africa rich culture has been thrown into dustbin.

    ‘‘We have borrowed western way of life, which is not helping the young ones. Government at all levels must wake up from their slumber and act fast,’’ he said.

    The cleric, however, called on government, parents, religious leaders and journalists to campaign against indecent dressing in order to curb the obnoxious act.

  • NiMet predicts nationwide thunderstorms, rains for Saturday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted that thunderstorms and rainfalls would prevail over most parts of the country on Saturday.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Friday, predicted prospects of thunderstorm and moderate rains over the central states in the morning hours.

    It also predicted scattered thunderstorm over Abuja, Lafia, Jos, Minna, Bida, Ilorin and Lokoja during afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 25 to 30 and 16 to 24 degrees Celsius.

    The agency predicted thunderstorms over the northern cities with cloudy morning over Maiduguri, Dutse, Nguru, Potiskum and Adamawa axis.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Wednesday

    It further predicted that northwestern cities would be cloudy while thunderstorm was envisaged over the northeastern part with day and night temperatures of 27 to 32 and 20 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, thunderstorms and moderate rains over the southern region in the morning with light rains over southwest inland.

    “Thunderstorms are envisaged over southeast inland and moderate rains over the coastal cities in the afternoon and evening hours with day and Night temperatures of 27 to 31 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively,” NiMet predicted.

  • Exposing children to social media dangerous – Lawyer

    An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Kolawole Alabi, has warned parents against exposing their children to social media, saying it could ruin their future.

    Alabi gave the warning in Ilorin on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said early exposure of children to social media often lead to inundating them with undue influences at an impressionable age.

    Alabi said many parents often allow their children free access to their phones and sometimes handle their Facebook, Twitter,WhatsApp accounts.

    ” What do you expect from a child that has access to nude pictures right from nine years of age?

    “ They will like to copy and dress exactly the way it is on their mother’s phone because they think it is right.

    ” Children are not mature enough to handle this. They have impressionable minds and like to practise what they see.

    ” Social media is a destructive tool for children and must be kept far away from them.

    “ You parents must not allow them access to your password talk less of accessing your accounts.

    ” The future of children should be the priority of any parent .

    “ It is better to deny them things that can have negative effects on their future right from childhood,” he said.

  • Ex-PDP Kwara governorship aspirant, others defect to APC

    . Says he cannot cohabit with Saraki

    Two terms governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Sunday Babalola and supporters on Tuesday announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress in Kwara state.

    Babalola, an engineer, said he cannot be in the same political party with Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, Babalola said “I have defected with over 20,000 supporters who belong to several groups across Kwara State. I am involved in partisan politics because I believe that politics is about service to the people.

    “With the defection of Saraki and many of his loyalists, who have led the state and its people into penury, poverty, anguish, hunger, oppression and retrogression, from APC to the PDP, which he laboured very hard to destroy as a result of his inordinate ambition, it is very clear that I have to move with all my supporters to a political party that is more focused on people development.

    “I find it very difficult to be in the same political party with them major actor or principal, who many people, including I, believe hasmplunged Kwara state into abysmal condition. As a past aspirant and an electorate, I have decided to pitch my tent with the All Progressives Congress.”

    Said he: “Our dear state, as it is now, needs urgent liberation from the over 45 years of deceit, oppression and primordial politics of ‘stomach infrastructure’ so that the people can be delivered from a people that has held them hostage and put them in the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment for so long.

    “I believe that government plays significant role in advancing the well-being of the citizens, through the provision of infrastructure and amenities, human capital development and by engendering an environment that is conducive for business growth and expansion.

    Read Also: APC: Girei tackles Bindow over support for indirect primaries

    “The improper management of state resources by the ruling elite, especially the oligarchy of Senator Bukola Saraki, who ruled the state for eight years and still pilots the affairs of the state, through cronies, has to be brought to an end. The level of poverty and infrastructure decay in spite of the volume of the revenues that had accrued to the State over the years, both from the federation allocations and internally generated revenue, is what every well-meaning person should rise up and fight against.

    “I will continue to offer my services and resources for the emancipation of my people and for societal development. I do not believe that the return of Saraki and his loyalists to the PDP, after his several actions and utterances, intended to debase, strangulate, ridicule and public opprobrium, that the party would be able to offer anything good for Kwara indigenes and residents.

    “Those who have been accused to have held the state in the jugular, tried to suffocate and strangle it cannot metamorphose to be saviours and liberators of the state, their bombastic claims and promises notwithstanding.”

  • We are behind Saraki, says Kwara community

    Disowns son on comments against Saraki

     

    Leaders of Ajikobi/Agbaji ward in Ilorin, Kwara state on Saturday said they are solidly behind Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Saraki hails from Agbaji, Ilorin West local government area of the state.

    The people added that Saraki’s leadership of the state had brought phenomenal development to the area.

    The leaders dismissed claims by one of their sons that the community had purportedly rejected Senator Saraki.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin,  the community leaders said not only do they recognise and accept Saraki’s leadership they are also in support of his presidential aspiration.

    A member of the community and an avid critic of Saraki, Alhaji Omar Ayelabegan, had reportedly claimed that the community was no longer comfortable with Saraki, alleging that his leadership had not brought tangible development to his community.

    Spokesman for the Ajikobi/Agbaji ward, Alhaji Tayo Moyosore said Omar Ayelabegan was not a significant voice in the politics of the area but was merely being used by those who have been trying in vain to remove Saraki as Senate President.

    The community leader said contrary to the picture painted by Ayelabegan, the Senate President had instituted developmental projects that have very positive effects on the socio- economic development of the state  as well being of the people of the state.

    Said he: “To start with, Omar Yusuf Ayelabegan is not a force to be reckoned with, either as a politician or community leader in Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward of Ilorin West local government area in Kwara Central senatorial district. Therefore, he lacks the pedigree to speak for or on behalf of the learned and well respected people of Agbaji/Ajikobi ward. He was at best doing the bidding of his paymasters who have tried in vain to unseat the best Senate President Nigeria had ever produced.

    “While we, the authentic representatives of Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward want to put a lie to all the claims of Ayelabegan in his statement. We make bold to say that Saraki’s leadership of our the state had brought relief to the greatest number of the people of Kwara state.

    “We want to unequivocally declare that the entire people of Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward are solidly behind our great son, the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON and we shall never cease supporting him. We are indeed very proud of Dr Bukola Saraki’s achievements both as a former governor of Kwara state and as the President of the performing 8th Senate.

    “We also received the news of his declaration to run for the presidential election next year with great excitement. We have no doubt in our minds that given the chance to rule Nigeria, Saraki will deliver the good because he has all it takes to provide good leadership for the country at the presidency level.

    “We, therefore, urge Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnic and political affiliations to support our son, Saraki, to clinch the presidency come February next year so that we can achieve the country of our dream. Our experience in the past three years had shown that Nigeria really need a brilliant, energetic and youthful political leader like Saraki to move the nation forward.

    Read Also: PDP holds solidarity rally for Saraki in Kwara

    “Saraki’s records of achievements as two- term governor of the state are too physical on the ground even for a blind to see or feel.  And as the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, as a true son of the soil and purposeful leader, has used his good offices to attract monumental infrastructure projects to the state.

    “The ongoing construction of the Federal Medical Centre at Foma/Okoolowo axis of Ilorin suffice here as a good example. Not only this, our God sent leader has also executed numerous constituency projects in education and health sector as well road construction and erosion control. He has also used his vintage position to secure federal job opportunities for numerous youths in the state.

    “This is aside from his scholarship schemes for students across secondary and tertiary education levels as well as training of the youths in skills acquisition. Currently 700 Kwara youths are undergoing training programme on installation and maintenance of solar energy at the instance of the Senate President. He has also promised to equip the training after the completion of their training.

    “We, therefore, want to use this forum to urge members of the public to disregard the incoherent rantings of Omar Yusuf Ayelabegan. He’s not the spokesman of our community and nobody mandated him to speak on behalf of the Agbaji/ Ajikobi ward.

    Also speaking at the event, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leader, Ajikobi Ward, Alhaji  Yunus  Abolakale,  equally dismissed the claims by Ayelabegan saying on the contrary  youths and other groups in the community have accepted the leadership of Saraki and would continue to back him.

    He enumerated several projects undertaken by Saraki at Agbaji /Ajikobi ward saying the Senate President remains a true and committed indigenes of the community.

  • Educate children on moral, lawyer advises parents

    An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Kolawole Usman, has advised parents and guardians to teach their children and wards morals, to enable them to become responsible citizens in the society.

    Usman gave the advice on Thursday in an interview in Ilorin.

    According to him, most parents expect school teachers to instill morals in their children, thus exposing them to cultivate bad behavior from their peers in school.

    He urged parents to give their children and wards moral discipline at home, and allow their teachers to improve on such foundation while in school.

    Usman blamed the moral decadence in the society on the failure of parents to properly bring up their children, leaving such responsibility solely to the teachers.

    Read Also:Aregbesola has done well in education sector, says NUC chief Rasheed

    According to him, charity begins at home. So, parents has a lot to do in the life of their children.

    “Parents are expected to be the best teachers, as everything starts under their supervision right from home.

    “Teach your children how to dress decently, how to eat and how to approach people they come across.

    “Teach them manner and how to respect their elders, as required in our rich African culture.

    “Everything starts with you as a parent. It is expected of you to understand your children better than any teacher.

    “Try and guide your children right and stop relying on teachers to shape their lives for you.

    “Mind you, teachers are not robots that can do everything; start first, and let them complete the task for you,” he advised.

    The lawyer, however, urged parents to be an exemplary role model to their children by behaving well.

  • 500 horse riders for Ilorin durbar

    This year’s durbar festival in Ilorin promises to be memorable. No fewer than 500 dignitaries are expected to mount their horses and gallop around in that familiar atmosphere with a large crowd cheering them on.

    The durbar is a hugely popular festival in the North, attracting guests from far places.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki donated N20 million for the celebration.

    The event aimed at commemorating 2018 Eid el-Kabir, will take place at the palace of Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

    Alhaji Gambari will lead the fiesta.

    The Director General of ABS Constituency Office, Ilorin, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi said Saraki sent his goodwill message to the organisers of the event, urging  residents, the horse riders and spectators to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner before, during and after the Eid el Kabir and durbar celebrations.

    About 500 dignitaries are expected to ride on 500 beautifully decorated horses in the durbar

    The chairman of the durbar committee, Yahaya Alapansanpa, an engineer, told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, that unlike in the past, this year’s durbar will be extended beyond the emir, and royalty.

    “Durbar is the unique ceremonial display and cultural processions of well decorated and garrisoned horses usually and beautifully mounted by the royals, chiefs, princes and some other eminent citizens of a given emirate to celebrate an important cultural epoch or religious event or , sometimes ,the presence or visit of an August dignitaries. Thus ,the forthcoming durbar cultural festival has no any political intention’,’ he said.

    Alapansanpa said the event was being organised to promote the rich cultural heritage of Ilorin emirate and guard against cultural imperialism that was fast eroding the cultural values of the people.

    “Durbar is to prepare the entire Ilorin emirate community against the deep danger inherent in unguarded Cultural dynamism of our contemporary time and the threat of growing cultural imperialism which if left unchecked may destroy the fabrics, essence and organic foundation of our basis as a unique people within the context of the Nigerian nation.”

    “The organisation of durbar will also discourage the penetration of foreign culture into the psyche and consciousness of our often impressionistic younger ones who opened and often exposed to “attractive “but destructive cultural products of the western world and their allies. With the continuous future and regular organisation and their participation in one way or the other by our growing population they will surely develop affinity for what it is ours and do away with what is detestable”.

    “Durbar will also douse the acrimonious tension and socio-cultural apathy the perennial haphazard staging of baseless, meaningless and pernicious social carnivals by some restive, and poorly guarded youthful groups across the emirate and halt the appalling tendencies of promoting cultural illicitness, drug addiction, thuggery and sexual misdeamour that come with it and among participants and which are sometimes visited on innocuous, helpless and innocent young members of our community ,” he said.

    According to the committee chairman, “on that day, the emir will ride on his decorated horse through Isale -oja to General hospital along Baboko through Taiwo Oke to Taiwo Isale, Emir’ s road and to the palace where he will be welcomed by all and sundry.”