The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Iseyin

  • Davido thrills as Shina Peller honours late father

    Davido thrills as Shina Peller honours late father

    NIGERIAN superstar, Davido thrilled the audience at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo State last Tuesday.

    The singer performed alongside other popular acts like Sound Sultan, Base One, and Que Peller during the opening ceremony of Peller Unity Cup sponsored by Chairman Aquila Group of Companies, Shina Peller to mark the 20th remembrance of his late father, Africa’s foremost magician late Professor Moshood Abiola Peller.

    Davido, who made yet another impressive appearance on stage as usual, didn’t fail to keep the fans singing along with him.

    The excited crowd, obviously thrilled by performances from the If crooner, cheered on as he performed hit after hit at the event.

    Speaking with The Nation on the competition which has a total of 300 players from 20 teams in 10 Local Government Areas of the state competing for one trophy, the popular socialite and acclaimed King of night life, Shina Peller said his gesture is not politically motivated as he is only keen at bringing football development to the youths of Oyo State through the 20 year remembrance of his late father.

    “The main objective for this event is to promote unit among our diverse community because they say charity begins at home. I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity to be able to make something up for my people here and I can assure people of Oke-Ogun that they will be seeing me more because I am committed to this cause. It’s something I’ve been doing in Lagos and I’m doing it in Oke-Ogun and I don’t think that is bad,” said Peller, who presented free sport kits to all participating teams.

    The competition which ends on Thursday, August 3 will see winners going home with cash prizes.

  • Oke-Ogun youth meet in Iseyin

    The maiden edition of Oke Ogun Youth Summit tagged Iseyin 2017 holds from July 14-15.

    It is organised by Oke Ogun Youth Association, a group of young professionals from the area.

    The summit is to provide a platform for youths from the area to network, learn from successful people as well as share concerns about human development in their locality.

    Chairman of the planning committee, Bola Olalere, said the summit will be on human development.

    According to him: “We believe our community will develop when we have many successful individuals with high self-esteem, gut and visions.”

    He assured many successful individuals from the area have confirmed attendance at the summit.

  • Pharmacist Council seals 234 outlet in Oyo

    Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), has sealed off the outlet of 222 Patent and proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) and 12 pharmacy stores during their inspection and monitoring tour in Oyo State .

    The Director, Head of Inspection and Monitoring, PCN, Pharm Anthonia Aruya disclosed this while addressing journalist in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    She stated that the medicine outlets were sealed during the Council’s visit to Iseyin, Oyo, Saki and Eruwa/Igboora axis of Oyo State as a result of lack of licenced or expired licenses, adding that 11 facilities were also ‎given compliance directives.

    “Pharmacists and PPMVS are expected to undergo continuous training to keep them up to date in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services. The situation on ground is that a good number of these PPMVS do not want to submit to regulation, neigther do they appreciate the delicate natur of the critical services rendered by them that directly affects life.

    “A case in point is the death of 14 year old Amina who was treated by an illegal PPMV which resulted in her dea‎th. Our investigation as far show that the PPMV shop is illegal and stocking well above the approved drug list for which he had no ability to handle. In line with this mandate, the PCN inspects, approves, register and issues license to pharmaceutical prmises and shops to ensure that minimum standards are in place in terms of storage conditions, capability of personnel to handle the level of practice in each facility and the quality of pharceutical services rendered in the interest of public safety” PCN boss said

    Aruya said the law of the country clearly states clearly that every pharmacy or patent stores without license or renewed licensed should be sealed, noting that:” to register for a license with the council cost N16,500 annually and to renew the license subsequently cost N10,500″

    She ‎urged the general public to look for the license issued by the PCN in any outlet before sourcing their drug needs, adding that they should visit only PCN registered outlets for all their drugs.

  • Man to court: My wife is an unrepentant drunk, smoker

    Man to court: My wife is an unrepentant drunk, smoker

    A middle-aged man, Kunle Isalu, has urged a Grade “C” Customary Court in Iseyin, Oyo State to dissolve his 10-year-old marriage to his wife, Lara, over allegations of drunkenness and smoking.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the complainant, Isalu, made the allegations at the Court sitting in Iseyin Council Area of Oyo State.

    He told the court on Wednesday that the union, which had produced four children; ages eight, six, four and two, started having problems when Lara started keeping bad friends.

    “Lara has always been a very good wife until of recent when she started keeping a bad company of friends.

    “The first day I came home from a month’s journey was when I first noticed that her mouth smelled of alcohol and cigarette.

    “She has since grown to be an unrepentant smoker and drunk; she now drinks at will to the extent that they know her in all the beer parlours in Iseyin here.

    “She does not even have respect for her marital status or the integrity of our children; the situation has forced me to chase her out, but now I want the dissolution to be formalised.

    “All our children are still with me and I’m sure they don’t want to go with her. I really can’t explain what the problem is.

    “We have summoned various family meetings to make her change, but all was to no avail.

    “I want her to drop my name after this dissolution, my lord,” he prayed.

    Responding, the President of the court, Mr Raimi Oyegbenle, decried the absence of the respondent in spite of series of court summons.

    He, however, ordered a fresh summon to be served on Lara, compelling her to appear in court on the next adjourned date.

    Oyegbenle adjourned further hearing on the matter till Sept. 14.

  • Tuberculosis Centre brings relief to Iseyin

    Tuberculosis Centre brings relief to Iseyin

    Tuberculosis, a deadly and contagious disease that has been ravaging the people of Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State for years now may be eradicated soon following the setting up of a Standard Tuberculosis Centre (STC), by the council’s administration in partnership with a foreign foundation, OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

    For the people of Iseyin Local Government Area in Oyo State, their long wait for a cure for a strange disease that has been ravaging their community for years now is almost over.

    Not a few lives had been lost to this disease that had seemingly defied detection until recently when public health officers from the local government during a routine public health campaign found out that the strange ailment that had struck down a lot of people was indeed Tuberculosis.

    The health campaign which led to the detection of TB in the area was ordered by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Saheed Yusuf Alaran and the over 300, 000 residents of the agrarian community are excited and grateful to their chairman and his party the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    And following the discovery, the council has set up a Standard Tuberculosis Centre (STC) for the treatment o the disease, a development seen as a milestone in the lives of the people of Iseyin town and its environs.

    The setting up of the centre is in addition to the other modest achievements recorded by the Alaran’s administration in the council in the areas of health, infrastructural development, education, agriculture, sports and empowerment of the people

    Support for the centre is coming from Damien Foundation, the global organisation at the fore front of the fight against the deadly disease. The organisation was contacted by the council chairman for help immediately it was discovered that Tuberculosis was present in the community.  And the help has been coming in the form of support and needed motivation to ensure that the disease is completely eradicated in the community.

    The TB centre, which is seen as the pride of the community, is sitting on a two plots of land, with beds, and other hospital wares in place.

    According to Alaran, other major equipments which are to be installed are being expected from foundation which has given its nod  to uplift the clinic to a major resource centre in the country.

    A cross section of the community was ever grateful to the chairman for detecting the cause of illness and deaths and for constructing a Centre for the treatment of the contagious disease in the community.

    Though there is no data that could accurately give the number of those infected by the disease, but it was learnt that there was a staggering figure of victims in the community who suffer from the pangs of the disease.

    The elated Caretaker Chairman, who expressed optimism that the TB centre would be a turning point for residents of the area related how the disease was discovered “It was in the course of diagnosing that we discovered that a lot of people are going about with the disease, and we have as a result ascertained that that (TB) is what we are battling with.

    “So many people not only in Iseyin, are having the disease, but are unaware that they have Tuberculosis. But once with the help of our medical personnel we were able to discover the disease on time then we knew where to start the fight from.

    “You know Iseyin is made up of people that are permanently resident here and people who are here to do their business. The number of Fulani Bororo in our midst is high, there was a day I was at that clinic, I met ten Fulani with that disease.

    “They are all suffering from that disease and this is possible because they are all wanderers. They move from one place to another very often.

    “The fact that we discovered cases of Tuberculosis here, does not mean that Iseyin is a Tuberculosis infected Local Government, but  that our medical officers were able to detect this on time .

    “Tuberculosis is everywhere and what is dangerous is not being able to detect the disease on time. And that is why I said we decided to put up the centre because we are expecting a lot of other supporters, perhaps that will encourage the Damien Foundation to bring the state of the art equipment here from the global level and equip the place .

    “In fact, the clinic will become a resource centre not only for Iseyin, not only for Oyo State, but other states. Then, we are addressing an important health related issues.”

    Tuberculosis, according the local government boss, is a disease often difficult or impossible to cure without medical help, hence the need for experienced doctors and state of the art equipment to diagnose and cure the disease.

    While speaking glowingly  about his achievements in the last two and half years, in road construction, health, education, agriculture and skill acquisition, Alhaji Alaran expressed his determination to eradicate the deadly disease within a short time, adding that a healthy people is a wealthy people.

    “It is good we have people with insight put in position of authority,  that it will be good for the people. I want to say that we have been having local government administrators in the past, but this one will forever be remembered in the history of Iseyin Local Government because he went further to touch people’s lives, he saved lives by this modest achievement in the area of health,” a resident of Iseyin, Alhaji Isiaka Abdulfatai said.

    A medical expert, Dr. Areola Adekola, who spoke on the disease classified TB into different types, including TB of the lungs, skin or lymph nodes, describing Tuberculosis of the lungs as very contagious.

    “Tuberculosis of the lungs is a chronic, contagious disease that anyone can get. But it most often strikes people between 15 -35 years of age, especially those who are weak, poorly nourished or those who stay with someone who has the disease.

    “Most frequent symptom or signs of TB are chronic cough, especially just after getting up from the bed, and in serious or advanced cases, coughing up blood.  It comes with mild fever in the afternoon and sweating at night.

    “There may be pain in the chest or upper back, and chronic loss of weight and increasing weakness. Again, a person with black skin tends to become lighter in complexion,” Dr. Adekola said.

    While admitting that TB of the lungs can also affect any part of the body, the physician advised if any of the signs given above was noticed, “then take the person to the health centre specially designated for the disease at once for confirmation of the disease by tuberculin testing, sputum or chest X-ray.”

  • ‘Iseyin’s got talent’

    ‘Iseyin’s got talent’

    Scattered across the ancient town of Iseyin are talents. Aside being known for its mass production of the highly revered hand-woven material, Aso­-Oke, and its aluminium pot factory, the town has got lots of untapped talents. This was the surprise package when residents of the Ebedi Writers Residency held their literary feast, reports Evelyn Osagie.

    Located in the Northern part of Oyo State, the ancient town of Iseyin is laced with interesting tourist sites and untapped talents. This was the observation of guests at a creative feast held in the town.

    One of those talents was a 10-year-old bata drummer, Moshood Ayandiran, who thrilled guests with his drumming during the cultural and dramatic performances by children in the town. His drumming came as a welcome accompaniment to the energetic drumming of his elder brother, Saheed who played the Iya–Ilu bata drum. Moshood, who had been playing the Omele metadrums since the age of four, said he intends to make a profession off drumming when he grows up.

    Aside Moshood the ‘drummer’, the feast, which was organised by residents and management of the Ebedi International Writers Residency, also featured other talents, such as some young poets (Ibrahim Rasaq, Dorcas Adewunmi and Olusegun Deborah), who took turns to present their own poems to the audience.

    Indeed it was festival of talents as children treated their parents and visitors to several dances, musical, poetic and dramatic presentations. Whether it was songs, drama or poetry, the children had words of admonition and message for their guests and the nation at large.

    With the growing insurgency, the songs by the choral group came as a welcome flavouring in the feast as they called attention to the need for peace and unity in the polity, while urging the young to discover and use their talents positively.

    They sang: “We are the ones to make Nigeria a better place…when peace in our heart; there’ll be peace in our homes…peace in the nation and the world…”

    Sixteen year old multitalented Oluwadamila Grace’s inspirational song entitled, Leaning on God reminded the guests of the need to trust in the Divine strength no matter the odds.

    The highlight of the event was the dramatic presentations by the drama group of the Iseyin District Grammar School (IDGS) where the event took place. The group thrilled the audience to spirited cultural performances and two drama sketches that highlighted the importance of education (A comedy), home training and parents’ encouragements.

    Impressed by the presentations, Former Director, Ministry of Health, Dr Francis Ogundara, urged the children: “Never let anyone talk you down because you carry greatness inside of you. If you are unwavering, your dream will come true. It is good to develop your talent. You can achieve all you want through patience and determination.”

    Oyo State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Fatai Atanda, who is a native of the town, praised the show of talents by the children, while stating that the government has taken steps to boost development and tourism, especially through the on-going road construction in the town and across the state. “Barely a month ago, we had some visitors from abroad who would be partnering with government. They are working on developing the lake at Ado Awaye in Iseyin to an international standard,” he said.

    The display of talents witnessed at the event was linked to the activities of the Ebedi International Writers Residency established by former president of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Wale Okediran, which is popularly called the “White House” in Iseyin. It has become synonymous to a creative den for visitors and kids in the town, it was learnt.

    According to parents, many have often wondered why their wards were passionately attending the regular meetings. “My daughter, Zainab is always saying that she goes to the White House and spends the whole day there. At first, I didn’t feel comfortable with her going there; but as a teacher, who knows the importance of extra-moral activities and encourages the young to develop their talents by putting their energy on something constructive, I allowed her.

    “But on getting here today and seeing what she and her mates have done, I am happy and proud I allowed her. They have done me and their school proud. Engaging in creative and constructive extra-moral activities as they have usually help to expose and boost children’s confidence. Many, who were shy, are now bold. If they are allowed to develop their talents positively, they would be great in the future, especially if they start while they are young,” said IDGS and Vice Principal (Special Duties), Mrs Nimota Bimpe Atunwa, whose child was a participant.

    Like Mrs Atunwa, Ogundare Sarafat, mother of Zainab (one of the student-actress), said she was particularly impressed by the efforts of the students. “I didn’t know that my daughter can act until I got here. I am happy and impressed with what I saw. Their drama has taught me many things, especially on the negative effect of swearing on my children.”

    IDGS English teacher, Prince Femi Olalere praised the efforts of the organisers, saying: “It is good that parents can now see what their children have been going to the “White House” (as the residence is called) to do.”

    After spending six weeks working on their manuscripts and mentoring children in the town, the residents said they were impressed with the numerous talents in the place. They, however, lamented that it is “unfortunate that most of them remain untapped”. It was learnt that the three residents – Funmi Aluko, Gertrude Uzoh and Jumoke Verrisimmo have been involved with working with children before coming for the programme.

    Uzoh, who is also a musician and the brain behind the songs the children sang, said that aside offering her the space and time to finish her novel and a smaller book, six weeks in Ebedi gave her the opportunity to meet with other talented children.

    She said: “Aside Youth Service, this is another enriching experience. I was working on my album when the opportunity came and I left it to come here. As a writer, serenity is what we seek, and that is what Ebedihas has done for me. I’ve achieved here, what I couldn’t have in six weeks if I had not come. For offering the opportunity and joy of being able to impact the children, thank you Ebedi. No doubt, Iseyin has got great talents! I only hope they would tap the many talents they’ve got.”

    Aluko, who gave the children poetry and dram lessons, urged the government and corporate bodies to support the work of the founder of the residence, saying: “We want more of these across the country so that more people will benefit.