The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ilorin

  • Health workers in Ilorin to begin warning strike

    Health workers in Ilorin to begin warning strike

    •Plans to disrupt health minister’s visit

    Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) yesterday marched against unpleasant working conditions.

    The union is planning a seven-day warning strike tomorrow.

    It accused the outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, of insensitivity to workers’ plight.

    The placard-carrying protesters told the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who is to visit the hospital on Saturday, not to come.

    JOHESU’s Chairman in UITH Comrade Olatunde Oluwawumi lamented workers’ ordeal, and vowed that to shut down the hospital.

    He said: “We wrote to him about our demands two weeks ago, giving him an ultimatum. We also listed our demands and asked him to attend to lack of drugs, consumables and equipment in the hospital; payment of 2009 and 2011 promotion arrears; payment of skipping arrears.

    “But now we want the Federal Government to start to audit the accounts of teaching hospitals in the country. We don’t want the government to choose a Minister of Health from teaching hospital. During Prof. Eyitayo Lambo’s administration, there were no strikes because he is not a medical doctor and so was fair to all.

    “So long as the government chooses a medical doctor as minister, problems in the health sector will continue. If there is no response, we will wait for directives from the headquarters.

    “We pray and hope that God will give us the one who has the interest of members of staff at heart; who will have mercy on us and not deny us our rights and emoluments.

    “There is no water in the hospital, no electricity supply; the hospital has obsolete equipment. What we have discovered is that Prof. Olatinwo does not have the interest of the hospital at heart.

    “Instead of purchasing drugs and equipment, he prefers to build unwanted structures. They are building houses because of the 10 per cent they will get from contractors. The CMD is bringing the Minister of Health to inaugurate irrelevant structures. The man is leaving the hospital worse than he met it.

    “Based on all these issues, we are doing our befitting send forth for the CMD by this protest and planned strike which starts tomorrow.

    “We had a meeting with the man yesterday but he was adamant and gave us approval to go on with the strike. It shows the insensitivity of the chief executive.

    “We will meet the minister with our placards on Saturday so he will know the situation in the hospital.”

    The Director of Administration, Mr. D. Odaibo, said the management was aware of the issues raised. He added that the workers would be addressed when revenue improves and when approval is received from the Ministry of Health.

  • 2019: Be wary of desperate politicians, lawyer cautions youth

    2019: Be wary of desperate politicians, lawyer cautions youth

    An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Tope Abolaji, on Thursday cautioned youth in the country to be wary of desperate politicians as 2019 Election draws closer.

    In an interview with our reporter Ilorin, Abolaji observed that most politicians appeared to be desperate and could do anything to protect their selfish interest.

    ” The year 2019 is around the corner; some politicians will use money to attract youth to work for them as thugs, just to get what they want.

    Read Also: Of politicians  and serial killers

    ” Youth must stand firm and reject to any offer; your future should be your priority.

    ” Youth must value their life; you can also become a leader one day; do not serve as thugs for ungrateful people,” he advised.

    The legal practitioner also called on journalists, religious leaders and parents, to join in the fight against political thuggery.

    NAN

     

  • 16 held in Ilorin as butchers, drivers clash

    16 held in Ilorin as butchers, drivers clash

    About 16 persons were arrested yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, following a clash between truck drivers and butchers.

    The crisis happened at the popular Mandate Market around Adewole area.

    Two Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers were injured.

    Sources within the market claimed that the clash started following a protest by some butchers against indiscriminate parking by the truck drivers. They claimed it obstructed their customers from accessing them.

    In the ensuing fracas, the drivers allegedly attacked a butcher with a knife and his associates rose to his defence.

    There were also fears the fight might degenerate into an ethnic crisis as most of the truck drivers are from the north while the butchers are mainly Yoruba.

    Though initial reports said only one person died, security sources later denied the report. Stalls and shops were hurriedly closed during the mayhem and motorists stayed back until normalcy was returned.

    The situation was brought under control by men of the NSCDC, who shot into the air to scare the warring groups.

    They were said to have helped several women to escape and it was in the process that two of them were injured.

    Spokesperson of the corps Henry Bilesanmi confirmed the incident.

    “As I speak now, I have just returned from the promsied that the corps would continue to work for the peace and stability of the state.

  • Impeachment plot against Saraki will fail, says Baraje

    Impeachment plot against Saraki will fail, says Baraje

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member of the party’s board of trustees (BoT), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje yesterday said the alleged plot to impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki will not stand.

    He asked those hatching the plot to be wary of their machination as it may boomerang.

    Baraje, a one-time acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke with reporters inc, the Kwara state capital at the sideline of a prayer session to commemorate his 67th Birthday.

    The politician said he was aware of the ongoing gimmicks by certain forces but warned that those behind the impeachment plot should tarry because of the dire consequences.

    He stated that the Saraki’s camp would be watching to know the length with which the plotters would go to achieve their target.

    The political associate of Senator Saraki added that the former governor of the state has had a firm grip of the upper chamber of the National Assembly like never before, insisting that he cannot be intimidated owing to the fact that he enjoys the confidence of his colleagues.

    He recalled that a group within the Senate, who vehemently resisted Saraki leadership at inception, had aligned and stood solidly behind him.

    He maintained that the President of the Senate was brilliant and full of hope and dream for Nigeria, warning that such lofty hope should not be destroyed on the altar of politics.

    Read Also: Separation of powers key to survival of democracy – Saraki

    Said he: “Many of us helped to build APC. I’m one of them, he (Saraki) was and still one of them. We are still building the party. I think the party has not made a statement about the so called threat to impeach him. We only learnt from the news that we read and from hearsays. And I think very sincerely, there must be ground before you impeach somebody like him, and they (Senators) have their own rules and regulations and we all have constitutions that guide impeachment.

    “If the Senate President is seen to have violated such rules, why not? But sincerely as of today and to the best of my knowledge, I don’t think any Senate President in the past, in the immediate-past or long past, has held the Senate like Bukola Saraki has been holding it. He has been seeing to be a team player, he has been seeing to be leader that carries the Senate along and he has been seeing to be somebody, who can endure, give and sacrifice for this nation.

    “Remember that he got to that position like a war, as if he was fighting a war. Today, even those people, who opposed him, are the most fanatical people, who are his supporters today. So, what reason do you want to say you have to want to impeach such a person.

    “I’m aware there is lot of gimmicks, but the worst one that would boomerang against anybody who is planning anything, is to say they want to impeach Bukola Saraki. That Senate is solid as I have never seen. I believe it would keep bouncing. There are other ways that the gimmicks are going, let us all keep watching. We can only wish Nigeria well.

    “But I only hope and pray that Nigerians will not be destroyers of their hope. Bukola Saraki is young that is what I mean by hope; he has age on his side; he is brilliant; he knows Nigeria; he has dream for Nigeria. If today, we now stand to say we want to destroy such people, then that is why I said I hope and pray that Nigeria will not destroy its own future.”

  • Residents groan as water scarcity hits Ilorin

    Residents groan as water scarcity hits Ilorin

    Residents of Ilorin and its environs are apparently groaning following perennial water scarcity which has resurfaced in the city.

    The residents of Ilorin town would have to walk a distance to fetch water for drinking and for other domestic use.

    Many residents are sourcing water from motorized borehole drilled by the privileged individuals in their areas.

    Some residents at Emir’s road, Balogun Fulani, Taiwo road, Okelele, Gambari and Baboko among others said that the pitiable situation had become a recurring decimal in the Kwara capital.

    They asserted that the state government was doing little to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

    Read also: LWC urges Lagosians to use water wisely

    “No sooner that dry season sets in; we begin to experience water scarcity in earnest.

    “It has become a perennial experience that government will need to urgently address with short and long term measures”, Ronke Asekunlowo said.

    Dr Oba La’aro, a staff of the University of Ilorin, decried situation where water supply in the capital was receding into a village size supply.

    According to him, substantial number of the residents would have to troop out in search of water every morning and evening.

    Mr Abdulrazaq Akorede, the state Commissioner for Water Resource while reacting, said the problem of water shortage in Ilorin would soon be resolved once the ongoing water reticulation project is completed.

    He expressed optimism that with the level of works done so far, saying that the project would be completed in the next four to five months.

    The Commissioner, however, lamented that some facilities of the water project were being destroyed by some vandals, which he said was affecting the progress of the project.

    He explained that both the state and the Federal Governments had carried out interventions on some water projects in the state.

    According to him, there was an ongoing expansion of Malete waterworks and Agba Dam waterworks, which is almost completed.

    The construction of the Malete waterworks, he said was facilitated by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and would be completed soon and inaugurated.

    He added that the state government would also work on the Oyun waterworks.

    He said that the government appreciated the patience of people of the state while the project lasts.

    NAN

  • Stay away from drug abuse, NAFDAC warns women

    Stay away from drug abuse, NAFDAC warns women

    The National Food and Drugs Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) has warned women against drug abuse.

    Mrs Roseline Ajayi, the Deputy Director and Kwara State Coordinator of NAFDAC gave the warnings while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Ilorin.

    According to her, the abuse of drugs is becoming prevalence among women.

    “I have heard the story that drug abuse is quite prevalence among ladies and I think it is about the environment where they live.

    Read also: Why hard drugs, crimes ravage Nigeria

    “In an environment where alcohol is consumed freely, where you have frustration, joblessness and pressure in the home-front, people tend to take solace in something and they go after doing something that will make them forget about their sorrow,’’ she said.

    The coordinator said that the agency discovered that soft drinks were being laced with drugs such as tramadol and codeine cough syrup before being taken.

    “Because of the stigma that women might face if they come out openly that they take drugs, they do it clandestinely by lacing soft drinks with hard drugs to prevent people from suspecting them,’’ he said.

    Ajayi said the agency had stepped up its awareness campaign against drug abuse and misuse through enlightenment on dangers and consequences of drugs abuse.

    According to her, the agency is ready to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) to effectively combat drug-related offences.

    She urged Nigerians to uphold family ties and values, adding that parents should watch and relate well with their children while giving them the needed support.

    Ajayi also spoke on the need for government to step up effort to stem the rate of unemployment so that the rate of drug
    abuse could reduce.

    “When youths are gainfully engaged, they will be busy; their minds will not go into illicit drugs consumption,’’ she said.

    NAN

  • Lecturer advises govt. to prioritise road projects

    Lecturer advises govt. to prioritise road projects

    Mr Babatunde Abdulkareem, the Head of Political Science Department ( HOD ), Kwara State College of Education, Oro, has advised all tiers of government to prioritise road projects in order to reduce avoidable road crashes.

    Abdulkareem gave this advice on Monday in Ilorin in an interview.

    He said that Nigeria roads needed urgent attention, adding that many innocent Nigerians had lost their lives due to the terrible condition of the roads in the country.

    According to him, Nigeria leaders show nonchalant  attitudes to the bad state of the roads and this causes pains to many Nigerians.

    “Government authorities should prioritise road projects by investing heavily in roads to save the lives of Nigerians. Nigeria has lost many people, including productive youths to accidents due to bad roads.

    Read also: MAPOLY lecturers suspend strike

    “Nigeria roads are now death traps, as there are many potholes everywhere on the roads .

    “I don’t know why the representatives of the people in both the National and State Assemblies turn deaf ears to the plight of the masses.

    “It is worrisome; government should know the importance of good transport system in a country as Nigeria.

    “Bad roads affect the economic system, as there can’t be free flow of goods and services from the factories to the markets or from the farms to the markets.

    “Our leaders must start to show concern for the lives of innocent Nigerians; they need to emulate the western world by making roads passable and safe for transportation,’’ he said.

    The HOD, however, advised the public and private individuals to support governments in the best possible way to move the country forward.

    NAN

  • Kwara committee orders cut in Poly tuition fees

    Kwara committee orders cut in Poly tuition fees

    Kwara state Joint Executive-Legislative Committee on alleged hike in the tuition fees of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has recommended a reduction in fees.
    The new fees will affect both indigene and non indigene students of the institution.

    Addressing reporters on Thursday in Ilorin, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, said that the decision to reduce the tuition fees was based on need to reflect policy of the state government on making education affordable to students.

    The students of the institution had staged several protests against authority of the polytechnic and the government over the hike in the tuition fees, just as the state government announced a reduction of N5,000 on the fees as a way to address the situation.

    However, the state government had to form a joint committee of both the executive and legislative arms to find a lasting solution to persistent protests by the students.

    The Speaker, who said that the joint committee had directed the school to revert to schedule of fees as approved by the committee for the 2017/2018 academic session, added that the fees were much lower than what the management was to charge and what indigene students paid during 2016/2017 session.

    “Thus, some students will now pay as much as N19,000 less than what they would have paid”, he said.

    He also said that all students that had paid over and above the 2017/2018 fees, as just approved, shall be refunded by the school, adding that the decision superseded all earlier decisions on the subject matter.

    Read Also: Kwara poly fee hike: Saraki wades in

    The speaker, however, said that students had up till the end of January 2018 to fully pay their newly approved tuition fees, adding that the council and representatives of students should be carried along and all due process followed before any future increase in tuition fees.

    The joint committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, said that it was reminded of the state policy by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on December 4, 2017, ” when he bemoaned the increase as beyond the reach of ordinary parents.

    Said he: “Nothing shows the commitment of Kwara state to this age long policy than the constitution of this joint committee itself. A joint committee of two arms is not common, indeed it is impossible in some presidential systems. But the major consideration of all officials is the finding of a lasting solution to the fee increase saga dictated this extreme scenario.”

  • Mixed grill in Lagos, Abuja, Ilorin, Makurdi, Aba

    Mixed grill in Lagos, Abuja, Ilorin, Makurdi, Aba

    The petrol availability across the country yesterday recorded a mixed grill.

    In Lagos, petrol supply eased off in most filling stations. People bought petrol freely in many areas of the metropolis.

    At the NNPC station in Omole on Ojodu road among other areas, queues were short. However, many independent and major marketers did not sell products.

    At the Mobil Filling station in Agidingbi, some vehicles remained parked in front of the station yet petrol was not being sold.

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) sealed off some stations in Lagos

    In Kaduna, the petrol situation was critical.

    Our correspondent Abdulgafar Alabelewe, who queued up at the Mobil Filling Station on Waff Road, Muhammadu Buhari Way at 11am could not get petrol to buy many hours after. There were over 100 vehicles in front of his car as at 9pm.

    In Ibadan, the queue was yesterday easing off. There were many stations with petrol and less pressure although it was being sold at above N145 per litre

    In Abuja,  the situation remained critical yesterday. All the petrol stations along Kubwa expressway, Airport Road and inside the city centre had kilometres-long queues of motorists waiting to buy petrol

    The NNPC petrol station along Airport Road by Sabon Lugbe did not dispense fuel throughout yesterday because its supply of fuel had not arrived. Others that sold along the Airport Road axis had at least two rows of vehicles queuing to buy fuel with the usual undisciplined crowd breaching the orderliness to petrol stations through the exit gates.

    Inside the city centre, the story was not different as long queues of vehicles besieged the filling stations.

    In Aba, Independent oil marketers started lifting petrol from the Osisioma Depot yesterday.

    Seventeen trucks billed for Imo, Abia loaded PMS and headed for their destinations

    Marketers were yesterday still selling between N245-N250 per litre.

    Some of the marketers who pleaded anonymity said they were selling at the old price because they had the old stock in their tanks.

    In Ilorin, there was no improvement in the situation yesterday. Many filing stations were yet to begin dispensing fuel as they remained under lock and key.

    Only the NNPC mega station and retail outlet along Asa Dam road, are in the last three days were attending to motorists. Bovas Filing Stations along Fate and Offa Garage Roads were also selling products. Queues were long in all these places.

    Transportation fares within and outside the metropolis were increased.

    Prices of  commuting within the metropolis have skyrocketed. A drop per taxi cab which used to be between N60 and N70 is now between N100 and N150.

    Black marketers were having a field day. Five litres now sell between N18000 and N2200 in the Ilorin township.

    The scarcity is acute in Benue State and a litre of petrol is being sold at N260 per litre at petrol stations in Makurdi, the state capital.

    In Gboko town a litre is sold at N280 a litre at the pump

    Most motorists spend long hours at NNPC mega station located on Makurdi- Enugu road in search of the product .

    In Port Harcout, the fuel situation eased off yesterday. People bought petrol without much problems. While the NNPC stations sold at normal price, many independent stations sold for prices above N200 per litre.

    In Warri, Delta State, most fuel stations were without product yesterday.

    The Matrix Energy’s fuel stations, which are the only ones still with steady supply selling at N143 per litre, the scanty number of other stations, which manage to sell at irregular intervals do so at exorbitant rates. At any other station or black markets, a litre of PMS is sold for between N250, N300.

    To buy at the stations that are available, customers stay on endless queues all round the clock.

  • DPR seals off six fuel stations in Kwara

    DPR seals off six fuel stations in Kwara

    The Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR ) on Friday sealed six filling stations in Ilorin, the state capital for hoarding fuel.

    The DPR also sealed off another one in Ajase- Ipo, Irepodun local government area of the state

    The affected petrol stations are Golden Mother, Agbabiaka, Korrect Petroleum, Agbabiaka, Haflum Baboko, Lakeside Filling Station, Lagos Road and NNPC Retail station, Okoolowo all in Ilorin.

    DPR also sealed off Alhaji M. Oyetunji Filling station, Ajase-Ipo.

    Read Also: DPR seals 16 filling stations in Akwa Ibom

    State head of operations, Oyedele Ibitayo, an engineer said the stations were found culpable for various infractions ranging from diversion of fuel, overpricing, under dispensing to hoarding of petroleum products.

    Ibitayo, though admitted that fuel supply to the state had reduced drastically in the past two weeks,insisted that whatever comes in must be properly dispensed by the marketers.

    He explained that the state which received 39 trucks of petroleum products daily now receives between 12 and 19 trucks daily.

    He maintained that the erringg stations would be made to pay penalties and sign undertaking.

    Ibitayo promised continued monitoring of the situation and deal with erring filling stations in the state.