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Tag: Kwara community

  • PARADOX OF JEBBA: Kwara community thirsts despite hosting River Niger

    PARADOX OF JEBBA: Kwara community thirsts despite hosting River Niger

    •Residents’ hope rises as Governor AbdulRazak steps in

    The River Niger cris-crosses the railway town of Jebba in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State. But residents of the community have lacked potable water for decades. It is a question of water, water everywhere, but not enough to drink.

    The town, which hosted the residence of colonial rulers and one of the first paper mills (the defunct Nigeria Papper Mill) has not fared well as far as drinking water is concerned.

    Successive governments have not spared a thought for provision of water for the community.

    Consequently, residents are compelled to trek long distances to fetch raw water from River Niger for drinking, bathing and other domestic chores.

    It was gathered that the administration of a former Kwara State governor, Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, attempted to solve the problem before the rude intervention of the military in governance made nonsense of the effort.

    So, when the current administration of Mallam Abdulraman AbdulRazaq commissioned the Jebba Water Works in May, the joy of the residents knew no bounds. Today, water is flowing from designated fetching points for between two and four hours daily. This, it was gathered, is contingent on the availability of electricity supply.

    “Given the historical significance of Jebba, a home to one of Nigeria’s hydro dams, the community does not deserve this unsavory fate,” a prince of the community, Olatunji Ibrahim Adebara, told our correspondent.

    Prince Adebara, the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the Oba of Jebba Kingdom, hailed Governor AbdulRazaq for demonstrating strong political will to build the water works after decades ofbneglect.

    He however described the gesture as tokenism and too little too late. Before this intervention residents suffered a lot and had to trek long distances to fetch water directly from the River Niger.

    Prince Adebara added: “It is unfortunate that Jebba, a famous town that has significant history in the Nigerian annals, was bereft of portable water supply for decades.

    “This is an ancient town that has a lot of important landmarks in Nigeria, like the River Niger; the wreckage of Mungo Park’s boat; the Jebba Railway Station and the railway line that led to the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914; the Modern Jebba railway bridge; the modern Jebba Bridge that links the northern part; the Jebba hydro dam with turbines in the river, which fell in Kwara territory.

    “Also, Jebba town was where the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) was established. The soldiers were formed as a result of National Tobacco Company (NTC) to protect their trades on the seas and the hiinterland as a result of the first and second world wars.

    “Despite all this, Jebba community lacked water since the inception of all the governments in Kwara State.

    “The colonial government did the only pipe that ran from the river and it was treated for their own use. The same method was adopted by the defunct Nigeria Paper Mill which inherited the colony area in Jebba, for the use of their senior staff.

    “They extended and improved the capacity for their staff only while the main town where majority of the people reside was left out, leaving residents to suffer from water scarcity for decades.

    “At a time, a former civilian governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, tried his best to provide Jebba town with pipe-borne water.

    “He awarded the contract, the contractor began the water works office, but the dream was disrupted as a result of military intervention.

    “The current governor, Mallam Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq, however held the bull by the horn by breaking the jinx through provision of pipe-borne water. The water work was approved and construction was made and completed.

    “The capacity is too small for adequate water supply to a whole community.

    The capacity is not adequate with the land mass of Jebba town, not to talk of the surrounding villages.

    The capacity can not go far even with the limited areas that are covered. The storage is too small.”

    He also complained about burst pipes and leakages as a result of low quality of the materials used to convey water to the overhead tank from the water works.

    He recommended total replacement of low quality water borne pipes to the overhead to avoid leakages and ensure continuous flow of water to the designated areas in the town.

    He said: “I urge government to ensure strict monitoring of projects for compliance as this will help mitigate against frequent repairs.

    “There should be a timeline for test-running under the supervision of government, not the contractor, to ascertain the work done, and give feedback on possible areas of improvement.

    “The people should take responsibility for the ownership of the project by always keeping cognizance of monitoring and protecting the facility from deliberate vandals, which might cause the community not to have access to the water anymore.”

    During a recent tour of the facility, residents of the town were excited on the availability of potable water.

    The water works currently produces about 200,000 litres of water daily, supplying 150,000 litres to the overhead tank for distribution across the community.

    An indigene of the town, Sulaiman Abdulwaheed, told reporters during a media tour that residents now have access to clean drinking water for at least four hours on a daily basis.

    Abdulwaheed, a casual operator of the water facility, explained that the plant sources its water from the River Niger, which passes through several purification stages before reaching consumers.

    “We get the water from the River Niger to the pressure house where all sediments are removed, then to the filter where the water becomes about 70 per cent clean,” Abdulwaheed said.

    He added that the water is later transferred to another tank where chlorine and alum are added and left for between 15 and 30 hours before releasing it to the overhead tank for public use.

    According to him, the community could enjoy up to 12 hours of daily water supply if the mainline pipe, overhead tank, and power support systems are upgraded.

    “We currently pump water for about two to three hours daily because the mainline pipe cannot withstand higher pressure,” he said.

    “With a larger pipeline, an increased overhead tank capacity, and a standby generator to tackle power challenges, the community can have up to 12 hours of steady water supply.”

    Abdulwaheed commended the state government for easing the community’s long struggle with water scarcity but appealed for further intervention to ensure sustainability.

    “The governor has truly relieved us of many years of hardship without water,” he said.

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    “We only ask that the government help increase the tank capacity from 200,000 litres to 300,000 litres and provide a standby generator so our people can have regular access to clean water.”

    A former resident of the community, Muyyideen Aliyu, also recounted his experience to The Nation.

    Aliyu said: “The situation in Jebba community in the past was harrowing, as we had to trek more than two kilometres to fetch water.

    “We would trek from Garika area down to the site of the new water works to fetch water.

    “We normally bathed once in a week, because the little water we got was rationed for family use.

    “Sometimes, my late uncle who worked at the Nigerian Paper Mill would take us to the factory to wash clothes and fetch water for domestic use

    “Any time he travelled out of jebba on official assignment, we were faced with the challenge of trekking the distance to get water.

    “Sometimes, l would escape to llorin  and would not return on time, giving flimsy excuses just to avoid the pains of searching for water in Jebba for family use

    “The situation became even more challenging during the dry season as residents faced lots of hardship to survive.

    “Truck pushers selling water in jerry-cans would increase the price of 25 litres of water to between N20 and N30 as opposed to N10 then.

    “Past administrations abandoned the water works project due to one reason or the other. And the community was just unfortunate because when they come for political campaigns they would promise to put the water works in place only to renege .

    “When I got to Jebba last weekend, it was a dream come true, and residents will ever be grateful to the state government for solving the age long problems facing the people and the entire jebba community.”



  • Kwara community ends 40-year water scarcity

    Kwara community ends 40-year water scarcity

    Residents of Jebba in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State are excited over the availability of potable water in the community.

    The community, surrounded by water, River Niger, has suffered water scarcity for over three decades.

    But with the launch of Jebba Water Works in May last year, water now flows in the taps of residents of the riverine community.

    The water works currently produces about 200,000 litres of water daily, supplying 150,000 litres to the overhead tank for distribution across the community.

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    An indigene of the community, Sulaiman Abdulwaheed, told reporters during a media tour, that residents now have access to clean, drinking water for at least four hours on a daily basis.

    Abdulwaheed, a causal operator of the water facility, said the plant sourced its water from River Niger, which passed through purification stages before reaching consumers.

    “We get the water from River Niger to the pressure house where sediments are removed, then to the filter where the water becomes about 70 per cent clean,” he said.

    He says the water is later transferred to another tank where chlorine and alum are added and left for between 15 and 30 hours before being released to the overhead tank for public use.

    Abdulwaheed said the community could enjoy up to 12 hours of daily water supply if the mainline pipe, overhead tank and power support systems were upgraded.

    “We currently pump water for about two to three hours daily because the mainline pipe cannot withstand higher pressure.

    “With a larger pipeline, an increased overhead tank capacity, and a standby generator to tackle power challenges, the community can have up to 12 hours of steady water supply.”

    Abdulwaheed hailed the state government for easing the community’s long struggle with water scarcity. He, however, appealed for further intervention to ensure sustainability.

    “The governor has truly relieved us of many years of hardship without water,” he said.

    He added: “We only ask that the government help increase the tank capacity from 200,000 litres to 300,000 litres and provide a standby generator, so our people can have regular access to clean water.”

  • Rainstorm destroys schools, mosques, others in Kwara community

    Rainstorm destroys schools, mosques, others in Kwara community

    Rainstorm has destroyed some public and residential buildings in Ogele, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The storm also rendered scores of residents homeless

    The incident, which occurred in the night of Eid- el- Fitr celebration, affected schools, mosques and other buildings.They included the Ansarul Islam Primary School,  Community Secondary School, health centre and Mosques

    Other were concrete poles and high tension wires supplying electricity to Ogele, Afon and other communities.

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    Some victims of the rainstorm said they were still counting their losses.

    They appealed to the government, individuals and organisations for help.

    Aare Ogele, Alhaji Abubakar Akanbi, whose residence was also affected, called for government’s aid for the victims, including the Mufti of the community.

    Chairman, Ogele Descendants Progressive Union (ODPU), Alhaji Issa Akanbi-Oniyo, said the   incident had left many residents homeless.

  • Kwara community sues for peace among members

    ORO Descendants Union (ODU), Oloro of Oro Kingdom Oba Abdurafiu Ajiboye Oyelaran and the Oloro-in-Council in Irepodun local Government Area of Kwara State yesterday sued for peace among members of the ancient community.

    The community was reacting to a media publication by some people, who allegedly distorted the history of the ancient town pertaining to a recent judgment by the Supreme Court.

    Other towns that make up the kingdom include Ijomu Oro, Iludun Oro, Okeola Oro, Agbeola Oro, Iddo Oro, Affin Oro, Irebode Oro, Okerimi Oro, Sie Oro and Olorunsogo Oro.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, ODU National President Uthman Balogun urged the people of the community “to be patient and refuse to be provoked by this publication or any others that any misguided or evil-minded people may publish”.

    The Oloro of Oro insisted that every citizen of the kingdom should be calm despite any provocation.

    “Contrary to the publication, Oro Kingdom existed from time immemorial and that the kingdom has always been under the paramountcy of the Oloro. It is a kingdom recognised by our custom and tradition. No amount of falsehood or malicious and irresponsible publications can change the truth of the history and custom of Oro Kingdom – the menace of a separatist few notwithstanding.

    “The said publication, in its design and timing, amounts to a deliberate act of provocation capable of triggering public disturbances, among other criminal offences. We are sure the relevant authorities will look into this.

    “The Supreme Court judgment of January 18, 2019 referred to in the publication never pronounced on the name Otun-Oro or Oro as mischievously and maliciously said. Only unrepentant liars will quote the highest court of the land wrongly,” the monarch said.

  • Kwara community, church seek more varsities in Nigeria

    A first class traditional ruler in Kwara state, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti,  and Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide, have decried the low number of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

    Oba Adeoti, who is the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara state added that the number of tertiary institutions especially universities does not match the exponential growth in the country’s population.

    He therefore urged religious organisations and well-to-do individuals to complement government’s effort by investing in the education sector.

    The monarch said this in Omu-Aran at foundation laying of the proposed Moses Orimolade University (MOU).

    Cherubim and Seraphim Church worldwide is establishing the university.

    Oba Adeoti urged the owners of the institution to make it a specialized university for ease acquisition of license from the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    He said: “Though C&S members are happy today, but the entire community of Omu-Aran is happier.  We are happy that this is happening in our own time. There is no doubt that the existing number of universities in the country cannot match with the explosion in Nigerian population.

    “I promise you all here that my chiefs and I will continue to monitor the progress of work for speedy completion of the project. We are laying this building on Jesus Christ who is our solid rock. I believe he who started the good work will complete it.”

    Spiritual father of the church, Most Rev Samuel Abidoye said the church would commit all the resources at its disposal for accelerated completion of the project.

    He added that the project of a college building is expected to gulp a sum of N300 million, adding the construction of the college would last for 18 months.

    He said that all the church leaders “have committed to a minimum personal contribution, urging other church members to donate minimum of N1,000 each towards the construction.

    In his remark, Chairman, Planning Committee, MOU, Thomas Fakile agreed that Nigeria needed more universities that would offer quality training.

    “There are limited spaces for students in the Nigerians universities. Apart from this, the quality of education in the country has dropped drastically.  We have a situation that some of the products from the Nigerians universities cannot compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

    “Another issue is that in the next 15 years the population of Nigeria is likely to double according to the United Nations statistics. If the universities do not grow correspondingly with the population, it means we have educational problem.

    “Even what the C&S is doing currently is like a drop in the ocean. As a matter of fact, this should be the church’s second or third university. If anyone is interested in assisting the institution, we will welcome it. But I must tell you we do have an educational crisis in our hands in the country,” said Fakile, an engineer.

    Fakile said the church is desirous of seeing the project come to fruition in record time, adding that “we are committed to the speedy take off of the university. Other faith realized that gap in our tertiary education close to 20 years ago, C$S church realized this belatedly. The church is just waking up and because of that we are in a hurry to catch up in recouping our losses.”

  • Four feared dead in Kwara community

    Four feared dead in Kwara community

    Four members of a vigilance group have reportedly died after gunmen invaded Kaiama, Kiana Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    Many were injured.

    Council Chairman Abdullahi Abubakar said the gunmen mounted a camp at the National Park and were moving round communities.

    The affected villages are Tunga Maje, Nukku and Woro.

    The National Park covers about 50 kilometres of land between Kaiama council in Kwara and Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State.

    Abubakar added that the hoodlums would enter the villages, rob residents of their foodstuff, cows and goats, and return to camp.

    He said the council responded to complaints by residents and deployed the local vigilance group to the place.

    His words: “Unfortunately, when they approached their camp, there was an exchange of fire, and one of the vigilantes was killed. The remaining three are missing.

    “We don’t know their whereabouts for now and nobody can go into the bush to search for their bodies.”

    Abubakar, however, said the government had taken control as about 50 soldiers from the 222 Battalion have been deployed to comb the bush.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, said mobile policemen have also been deployed  and investigations have begun.

    He, however, said only one died; with three missing.

  • Kwara community protests leader’s severe rule

    There is tension at Kanbi in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The Hausa settlement is accusing the Seriki Hausa, Muhammadu Dan-ango, of introducing draconian laws in administering the community.

    Malam Dan-ango, who was head of a vigilance group in the community, was accused of running a private ‘detention camp.’

    But he denied the allegation, saying his detractors were behind the rumour.

    Speaking with The Nation, the patron of Kanbi Vigilance Group, Suleiman Chindo, said the Seriki’s antecedent did not qualify him to be Seriki Hausa.

    He said: “The community knows him well because he has been at Kanbi for a long time. Nobody will want him to be the leader.

    “He once led the vigilance group. He operated a cell. Because of his atrocities, people did not want to elect him as their leader.

    “After his inauguration/imposition, he continued his atrocities.

    To worsen the situation, he made a law that under-age Hausa girls should not use phone. According to him, it will corrupt them and make them to commit fornication.

    “People don’t like this law. It nearly caused crisis in the community. We had to appeal to parents, whose daughters’ phones were seized, not to take the law into their hands.

    “Over 15 phones have been seized. The Emir of Ilorin is aware of this. He advised him to repeal the law, but he refused.

    “Only God has been saving this community from the man. He operates a cell where he tortures people. People are fed up with him and are ready to protest or do anything so that he will be removed.

    “We have reported the matter to the area command and SIB headquarters. They have instructed him to stop torturing people. Even the Emir warned him, but he refused. He arrests,   beats, detains and extorts money from people. He is from Sokoto.”

    Dan-ango denied operating a private ‘detention camp’ when he was head of the vigilance group.

    He said he and others formed the group when criminals attacked the community.

    “During my time as the leader of the group, we handed over people apprehended for crime to the police in Kanbi and Ilorin. The arrests we made were done with the consent of the police,” Dan-ango said.

    On the seizure of phones of under-age girls, he said: “When we realised that our girls were being influenced negatively by phones, the community agreed that phones of under-age girls should be seized by their parents. I never on my own seized the phones of under-age girls.

    “I know the accusation is the handiwork of a man who wants to become the leader of the vigilance group. My deputy should become the leader, but this man, who did not live at Kanbi and came from Zango in Ilorin, wanted to lead the group. Because we did not allow him, he went about telling lies against us.”

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said he had not been briefed.

    He said the command would investigate the matter.

  • Boost for Kwara community health insurance scheme

    Boost for Kwara community health insurance scheme

    The Kwara State Government has restated its commitment towards providing quality health care for rural dwellers. In the circumstances, the government has re-signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dutch Health Insurance Fund in a bid to establish health insurance fund.

    Already, about 120,000 rural dwellers have enrolled into the state’s Community Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) which is a partnership among Hygeia, PharmAccess and Health Insurance Fund.

    The government, it was gathered, plans to increase the number of beneficiaries of the scheme, which began in 2007, to 600,000.

    At the signing ceremony, the Chairman, Dutch Health Insurance Fund, Mr. Kees Storm, who signed on behalf of Dutch Government, said the Kwara State Health Insurance Fund would pool resources from the state government, Federal Government, communities, development partners and the private sector to ensure a successful future of the programme.

    Mr. Storm pledged that the state would receive financial support to the tune of 1.5 million dollars if it meets the conditions for Health Insurance Fund grant.

    He also promised that the Health Insurance Fund and Hygeia would focus on technical assistance for the implementation of the programme in January, next year.

    He commended the state government for the success of CHIS, even as he called on other states to emulate Kwara State Health Insurance model in order to improve people’s access to health care delivery.

    He said: “Kwara State is making history with the signing of this agreement which will lead to the setting up of the first independent state health insurance fund in Nigeria by the end of this year. The sustainability of the Kwara programme lay in strong local ownership. The strong leadership of the state government is critical to the future functioning of the programme.

    “The scheme will pool resources from the state government, Federal Government, communities, development partners and the private sector to ensure a successful future of the Kwara programme.

    “Already, PharmAccess and Hygeia have collaborated with the state in developing a funding proposal for the Federal Ministry of Health/World Bank’s Saving One Million Lives Initiative. We are glad to hear that the proposal has been approved for a $2 million grant for next year.

    “For the effective implementation of the fund, an initial capitalisation of $5 million is needed. We are committed to helping the state to capitalise its health insurance fund with an amount of $1.25 million on the condition that the state and its partners provide $3.75 million.

    “If Kwara State meets this condition, the health insurance fund will, in principle, make an additional contribution of $2.6 million to the fund.”

    In a remark, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said the agreement would ensure the sustainability of the state’s Community Health Insurance Scheme.

    Governor Ahmed assured the Dutch partners that his administration would continue to strengthen partnership with all stakeholders in setting up the fund and provide health infrastructure for the people of the state.

  • Security boost by Kwara community

    Security boost by Kwara community

    For some time now, Offa the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State has been under siege. The frequent armed robbery in the ancient town has become a source of worry to the residents.

    For instance, between 2011 and 2013, the community recorded no fewer than four armed robbery cases which resulted in loss of lives and property.

    The December 19, 2013 robbery attacks on three commercial banks and police post claimed seven policemen and three others.

    Ever since, all commercial banks in the community have closed down. The management of the affected banks vowed not to resume business in the area until security improved.

    In order to ensure that normalcy returned to the area and to encourage the banks to resume operation, the community has presented three Toyota Hillux patrol vans to security personnel in the ancient town.

    Besides, the state government has finalised arrangement to construct two more police stations in the town.

    Speaking during the presentation of the patrol vans, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said the state government was disturbed with the recent bank robbery in the town.

    He said in order to curb the situation government has finalised arrangement to construct two more police stations in the town in order to bring back normal banking operations in the town.

    Ahmed, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Isiaka Gold, added that “with the procurement of three security vans by the people of the town and Offa Local Government Area, it is a clear indication that Offa community and Offa Local Government Area are responsive to the needs, yearnings and aspirations of the people.”

    Ahmed urged security agencies in the town to make judicious use of the facilities so as to curb the menace of armed robbery for which the vehicles were provided, even as he urged the banks to reciprocate the gesture of the community, local and state governments by resuming commercial activities in the town.

    He said: “We are particularly disturbed by the reported cases of armed robbery in Offa and Omu-Aran, and the debilitating effects on socio-economic life of the people.

    “Therefore, the state government will facilitate the establishment of two additional police posts here in Offa to enhance the current security situation in the town. I, therefore, urge commercial banks in Offa and Omu-Aran to reciprocate this gesture by restoring normal banking services in both towns in view of the enhanced security provided by the state government.

    “It is in this light that I congratulate and commend the good people of Offa community, who, in collaboration with the Offa Local Government Area, have deemed it fit to complement the state government’s efforts.

    “I commend your ingenuity and commitment to check crime in your area. I assure you of continued government’s support to restore lasting peace to this area. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the security agents in this area for checking the menace of criminals.”

    He urged other communities to borrow a leaf from the Offa example, saying: “Offa has shown the way. It has indeed demonstrated how communities should collaborate with government to ensure peace in the society.”

    Earlier, the Amuludun of Offa, Chief Yunus Oyeyemi condemned the frequency of armed robbery attacks on the town which he said has paralysed commercial activities in the area.

    Chief Oyeyemi, who spoke on behalf of the community, also said: “This event to which we are invited resulted from the unprovoked, barbaric and criminal invasion of Offa by dare-devil armed robbers on December 19, 2013.

    “The dastardly act was so sudden that it rendered Offa community numb, speechless; clueless and forlorn. Everybody ran helter skelter to seek refuge from the ceaseless and reckless shooting by the robbers.

    “There is no gainsaying the fact that the attacks on some commercial banks in the town, the invasion of the police central office and the accompanying loss of lives threw the community into mourning while the economy of the town suffered indescribable setback which it is yet to fully recover from.

    “It is in appreciation of the steps taken by the state government and the state police command to bolster security arrangements in the community that the community is donating three equipped Hillux pick-up security vans, one to the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, the Mobile Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps respectively.

    “Offa today remains the home to several post-primary and tertiary institutions and a city that is witnessing rapid growth.

    “I plead with the area offices of the commercial banks which have remained shut since the unfortunate incident to re-open so as to alleviate the hardship being experienced by their customers within and outside Offa.

    “We, as a community, are working hard to strengthen the security arrangements on ground so as to enhance their operations.

    “We are convinced that when there is security there will be peace and tranquillity which are preconditions for progress.”

    In a remark, the chairman of the council Prince Abdulwaheed Olanipekun bemoaned the deteriorating security situation of the town.

    Olanipekun added that “the issue of inadequate security has become very challenging to our people to the extent that Offa’s political and socio-economic life is already near paralysis. The Owode Business District has become an endangered zone and our four days market day cycle is depleting in merchandising activities.

    “Our internally-generated revenue (IGR) is already largely affected. In this connection, our community will appreciate the state’s greater patronage in securing our local government area and the borders of Osun, Ekiti and Kogi states.

    “I salute and acknowledge the immense contributions of our community leaders, the Offa traditional council and patriotic citizens of the town who have resolutely risen to fight the menace of security challenge in the council.”