There was fear in Kwara communities of Omu-Aran, Ilofa, Irepodun and Oke-Ero local government areas of the state after scores of parents withdrew their wards.
The parents action was based on the fear of deadly vaccination in the communities.
The parents in Omu-Aran, had besieged both private and public schools in the area as early as 9:00 am following the wild spread rumour of the presence of the said vaccine injection team allegedly accompanied by soldiers in the town.
Some of the parents, mostly traders and commercial motorcyclists had to abandon their businesses in a bid to withdraw their wards from schools to prevent them from being injected with the alleged vaccines.
The Nation gathered that some schools put their gates in lock and key to prevent the parents from gaining entrance.
Some schools were also forced to engage the service of security personnel when the development degenerated into confrontation between the parents and school authorities.
However, most of the schools had to succumb to the pressure from the parents by releasing the students as the schools are now deserted as at the time of writing this report.
But the state government denied the rumours.
In a statement the Special Adviser to Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Security, Alhaji Amusa Bello advised members of the public to ignore the rumour as neither the Nigerian army nor any other security agency is currently undertaking a vaccination exercise or any other health campaign in any part of the state.
The state government also called on parents not to panic and to refrain from withdrawing their wards from schools based on this ‘unfounded rumour’.
An Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre has taken off in the hinterlands of Kwara State, proving that modern forms of information dissemination are no longer the exclusive preserve of city dwellers.
A Community Development Association (CDA) in conjunction with indigenes of Imode in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State launched the first ICT facility in the community, the Digital Literacy Centre or DiLiCe seeking to drive individual growth alongside community development.
One of the uniqueness of the digital centre is that it is powered by solar technology, the initiative the project facilitators said, was designed to make the ancient township to be digital smart and hub of ICT in the state.
Major towns in Oke Ero are Idofin, Odo-Owa, Ekan Nla, Ayedun, Ilale, Erin Mope, others are Egosi, Imode, Idofin Odo-Ase to metion but few, but none of this ancient towns has a Digital Learning Centre for resident youths.
Speaking at the presentation of the project, President, Imode Development Association (IDA), Pastor Joseph Babatunde said that the modern IT centre was to assist students in the community to imbibe Information Technology culture as the world has gone digital.
He explained that being ICT compliant is now essential for academic excellence and economic prosperity of any developing nation.
Babatunde said, “I recall with joy that the idea of the provision of a modern IT Centre came to me a couple of years ago when one of my children did the post-JAMB exam in University of Ilorin (Unilorin). The students were all given computers to do the exams. While she breezed through the exams, most of the other children were just staring at the device until the time was over. I felt challenged there and then to give every child that needed opportunity.
“Imode Development Association provided this ICT facility alongside a big school bus which has been made accessible to all students as we look forward to see the impact through improved performances in all the exams of our students/pupils in the community.”
According to the Vice President, Reverend Sunday Folayan, there is need for indigenes abroad to stay connected to their root and this can seamlessly be made possible through Information Communication Technology.
Moreso, the community leverages the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Policy which focuses on sustainable and empowerment of the Nigerian youths through Information Technology to deliver on the project.
“A significant number of indigenes will continue to live outside the community or the country, and their needs and requirements to stay connected to their roots will continue to inform the community’s development policies. This digitally smart community project is achieved through the impact of ICT in some of the Nigerian smart states.
“Most aspects of the community engagement activities will be conducted electronically towards widening access and participation especially with its citizens in the diaspora, using appropriate technologies. Also, members of the community will come to accept a high standard of up-to-date facilities, ease-of-use and reliability.”
, richness of information, integrated services and excellent support”, he explained.
According to the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative (PI) and content partners on the project, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said the initiative will birth huge impact if it is well utilized.
Represented by Program Manager Mr. Tosin Abolaji, said, “The facility is primarily setup for the youth in the community and we believe they won’t be denied the use of it. We will encourage the Association (IDA) to have a committee that will look into the management of the facility, design a program that will ensure that the youth are regularly/constantly trained, even use the facility as a source of generating fund by making it a resource centre.
Lions Clubs International District 404 B2 Nigeria in conjunction with an American based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mercy International Medical Missions has provided three days medical services to no fewer than 3,000 people in Kwara State.
Beneficiaries of the free medicare were tested on high blood pressure, diabetes, vision and dental care. Those diagnosed of one ailment or the other were provided with three months of free drugs, it was gathered.
Declaring the event open, Lions Clubs Dirstrict Governor Samuel Ayobola solicited for donations from members of the public, inviting members of the public “join us so that we can have more hands and resources to continue to serve the less privileged.”
He said, “For many years, we have devoted a lot of time and resources to eyes screening, treatment, surgery and distribution of free eyeglasses to the needy; but this is the first time that we are integrating diabetes and dental care on a large scale like this to our activities.”
President, Mercy International Medical Missions Dr. Anu Esuola urged government at all levels in the country upgrade health services.
“There should be more health outreaches like in India and China. I hope the president gets to hear this, there should be a ministry for Community Outreach so that people in Diaspora can assist.
“If more budgetary allocation for the health is to get more resources, I will say yes, it is badly needed. The nation will be served well when the people and citizens are happy and they spend less on health.
Let us do preventive health care. Let us be proactive than retroactive. Health education is important.”
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed represented by Health Commissioner Suleiman Alege hailed the president of the US-based NGO for her uncommon patriotism through partnership with the Lions Club.
Governor Ahmed added that his administration is totally committed to the wellbeing of the state, “particularly their improved health.”
He appreciated the kind gesture of the Lions Clubs and “to extend our hands of fellowship to other philanthropic organisations and well-meaning individuals to support our efforts and determination to make life worth living for the masses.”
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Thursday decried the deteriorating state of primary and junior secondary school teachers in Kwara state.
The union added that teachers in that category are being owed three months salaries since 2016.
Kwara state chair of NUT said this in Ilorin, the state capital, Musa Abubakar at this year world teachers day.
Comrade Abubakar added that primary school teachers “received salary on percentages for the past one year.”
Said he: “Payment of salaries to primary and junior secondary teachers under the management of Universal Basic Education Board has become a thing of conversation to all lovers of education.
“This abysmal situation has raised a lot of fundamental questions as to the fate of education in this country. Despite the intervention by the Federal Government using various financial windows, yet the problems still persist.
“Despite the several calls to the government there is no ray of hope that this problem will be solved, because allocation to local government where primary school teachers is drawn is overloaded and consistently dwindling.
“I therefore call on the state government to please come to our aide by looking for alternative source of paying primary school teachers full salary and other entitlements. Local governments do not have capacity to pay primary school teachers’ salaries.”
Rape cases are rising in Kwara State, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), SAAB Foundation, has claimed.
“In fact, in 2016, the state recorded no fewer than 1000 cases of rape,” the foundation said. Quoting the Ministry of Women Affairs, the foundation said: “There are very many high cases of rape in Kwara State. Last year, the ministry recorded at least 1,000 rape cases. This year by the end of December we are going to have the statistics of the cases put out on our website.”
The foundation campaigns against rape, domestic violence, abuse, molestation, mutilation and women empowerment.
Founder, SAAB Foundation, Sa’adat Bibire told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, when her NGO was staging a rally against rape and domestic violence.
She urged the Federal Government, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to put in place strigent punishment for rapits to serve as a deterrent to others.
Miss Bibire said, “I am calling on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to do something to amend the laws in favour of rape victims. The victims could be their wives, their sisters, mothers and friends. People don’t take things seriously until it happens to them. Don’t wait until it happens to you.
“I would want the president and governors’ wives to step up their efforts in making sure that cases of rape are nipped in the bud in the country. Together we can make our voices heard. One person can only make a difference if that one person had 10,000 with her/him.
“There is a lot govAernment can do to stem this tide of rising incidents of rape in the society. Government can start by reviewing the laws against rape. Those laws i can say are too strict and rigid.
“I can say they are in favour of the rapists. You have a law saying that there has to be somebody that witnessed the penetration. How possible is that? If these things keep going on there will be actually nobody to punish.
“I see rapists as people that have psychological and spiritual issues, because a person in his right senses will not think of hurting another person. How can you have a-93 year old man raping a three-year-old girl. It does not add up.
“ There is general saying that men are attracted by what they see. If that is the case what does a-93-year-old man see in a three-year-old girl. That singular action knocks off the saying.”
She added that the rally is to sensitise the public about domestic and gender based violence.
“We are out to call awareness to gender based violence with this walkout. We are staging the walk to actually make people know that these things are real; that people are not just cooking up the story on the internet. So are staging this rally to make them know that if it happens to them, God forbid anyway, they can walk up to us and we will take the case up for them,” she said.
“My message for rape victims is that they should not end up blaming or hating themselves. Some end up committing suicide. It is not their fault. You can’t hate yourself because of what ‘an animal’ did to you.
It is not your fault that you are being violently abused; what you can do to help yourself and us is for you to actually speak up,” she urged.
Imode Community in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State now has a Digital Literacy Center (DiLiCe) which students and youths in the community can now make use of.
The centre which is solar-technology powered was initiated toward making Imode a digital smart community in Kwara State.
The Community Development Association, leveraged the National Information Technology (NITDA) Policy-which aim to nurture and empower Nigerian youth through information technology- to deliver on the capacity project.
Speaking at the public presentation of the Digital Literacy Center (DiLiCe), President, Imode Development Association (IDA), Pastor Joseph Babatunde, said that the projects: a modern IT centre was to assist students in the ancient community to imbibe Information Technology culture as the world has gone digital.
He explained that the ICT centre which is the first of its kind in the community will go along way to make dwellers, especially the youths, become Information Technology complaint and ‘netizens’ which is very essential for academic execellence and economic prosperity.
Babatunde said, “I recall with joy that the idea of the provision of a modern IT Centre came to me a couple of years ago when one of my children did the post-JAMB exam in University of Ilorin (Unilorin). The students were all given computers to do the exams. While she breezed through the exams, most of the other children were just starring at the device until the time was over. I felt challenged there and then, to give every child that needed opportunity.
“Imode Development Association provided this ICT facility alongside a big school bus which has been made accessible to all studdents as we look forward to see the impact through improved performances in all the exams of our students/pupils in the community.”
According to IDA’s Vice President, Reverend Sunday Folayan, there is need for indigines abroad to stay connected to their root and this can seamlessly be made possible through Information Communication Technology.
“A significant number of indigenes will continue to live outside the community or the country, and their needs and requirements to stay connected to their roots will continue to inform the community’s development policies. This digitally Smart Community project is achived through the impact of ICT in some of the Nigerian smart states.
IDA’s Vice President, Reverend Sunday Folayan; Program Manager at Paradigm Initiative (PI), Mr. Tosin Abolaji; Onimode of Imode, Oba Joseph Dada; IDA\’s President, Pastor Joseph Babatunde; Chairman, IDA’s Education Committee, Professor Mike Abiodun, Principal, Community Secondary School (Senior), Imode, Mr. Raheem Adebiyi. Standing are students of the Community Senior Secondary School, during the official commissioning of the Digital Literacy Centre donated by Imode Development Association to the Community’s Schools, Oke-Ero L.G.A, Kwara State recently.
“Most aspects of the Community engagement activities will be conducted electronically towards widening access and participation especially with its citizens in the diaspora, using appropriate technologies. Also, members of the community will come to accept a high standard of up-to-date facilities, ease-of-use and reliability, richness of information, integrated services and excellent support”, he explained.
According to the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative (PI) and content partners on the project, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said the initiative will birth huge impact if it is well utilized.
Represented by Program Manager Mr. Tosin Abolaji, said, “The facility is primarily setup for the youth in the community and we believe they won’t be denied the use of it. We will encourage the Association (IDA) to have a committee that will look into the management of the facility, design a program that will ensure that the youth are regularly/constantly trained, even use the facility as a source of generating fund by making it a resource centre.
“Neighboring communities can subscribe to the usage of the facility and pay stipends. The list of possibilities goes on and on but what is very important is a strong management.”
Chairman, IDA’s Education Committee, Professor Mike Abiodun, said, “Let’s agree that that the community has done a very good job, by setting up an ICT Centre and it’s important to understand that education is a collaborative venture.
“The government cannot do it alone; the same thing applies to the schools and parents. It has to be collaborative between the government, the community and parents. “We are in the ICT age; if you are not computer literate it will be difficult to contribute effectively. So, the community thinks that if their children must go higher in life, then it becomes necessary. With the calibre of persons that we have that will handle the kids; we believe that the students will take full advantage of it.
The solar-powered DiLiCe fully equipped with 40 laptops, printer, internet connectivity, and other facilities, was presented to the Community’s Primary and Secondary Schools with the representatives of the State and local governments, lawmakers, educational bodies and the traditional ruler, the Onimode of Imode, Oba Joseph Dada, among other dignitaries.
The ancient city of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has hosted the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi and his chiefs.
Oba Akanbi was in the city to seek the support of Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari in strengthening religious, economic and political ties between Iwo and Ilorin.
The meeting, which took place at the Emir‘s palace, had 10 traditional rulers and 20 chiefs on the entourage of the Oluwo.
While the Oluwo was envious of the recognition Ilorin had earned in the politics of Nigeria, the Emir said Iwo nurtured and produced the best Islamic scholars in the country.
The Oluwo described Sulu-Gambari as an astute leader and true father, who sees to the well-being of his subjects and promotes their political will through relevance in administering Nigeria.
Oba Akanbi said the ties between the two cities were severed some years ago, adding that the severance cost them opportunities.
He said Iwo and Ilorin were one as demonstrated by the renowned Islamic scholars from the two Islamic states.
He said, “Our ancestors were well versed and connected in Islamic knowledge. They were intimate brothers in Islam, kindness and knowledge. To attest to their affinity, Iwo is called Geri Malami while Ilorin is Geri Alimi. But the interaction between the duo is not as cordial as it used to be, hence one of the primary reasons for my visitation.
“Iwo should be seen as Ilorin while I will address Ilorin as Iwo from today. We are both bastions of Islamic knowledge and culture and that shall continue to be sustained as laid down by the early scholars of the two states.
Oluwo said the two Islamic communities have many identical features extending to names starting with the letter I which stands for Islam, Iwo and Ilorin.
“Iwo and Ilorin are brothers in Islam. In the whole of southwestern Nigeria, only Iwo is addressed as Geri Malami because of what they have in common with Ilorin. The first sharia court was situated in Iwo.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari eulogised Oluwo for his sense of history and understanding, promising more interaction with Iwo.
The Emir affirmed Iwo as a twin home to Ilorin, the closest and well connected to each other on Islamic knowledge and teachings in the whole western region. He said he and the Ilorin Emirate are ready for a bilateral relationship with the Oluwo and urged citizens of the two cities to close ranks.
The emir said, ”While Oluwo said he is envious of Ilorin, I am also envious of Iwo in one thing. That is, Iwo has many Islamic scholars well respected overseas especially in Saudi for their wealth of knowledge. Those scholars are making Iwo proud. Iwo is the most recognised Islamic city in the southwestern Nigeria. And that is one of the best of all assets.”
Authorities of the Al Hikmah University (AL HIKMAH) in Ilorin, Kwara State, have congratulated the Vice Chancellor (VC)-designate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Sulaiman Abdulkareem, describing his appointment as a “reward for hard work and professionalism”.
A statement by the AL HIKMAH Director of Information, Dr. Lateef Oladimeji, quoted the founder of the faith-based varsity, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji, as saying: “Abdulkareem’s choice as the UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor is a round peg in a round hole”.
Prof Abdulkareem was a former VC of Al Hikmah University.
The statement reads: “On behalf of the Pro-chancellor, Governing Council, and management, and the founder of Al Hikmah University, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji, I wish to express his joy and happiness over the appointment of Prof Abdulkareem, AL HIKMAH’s third Vice-Chancellor, as the Vice-Chancellor-designate of the University of Ilorin.
“His choice was divine and we consider him worthy of the appointment. His experience at Al Hikmah University remained a good reference point and it would hopefully prepare him to take UNILORIN to higher levels.”
Oladimeji urged Prof Abdulkareem to be focused in his new assignment and expand the frontiers of opportunities to attract more supports for the university in the area of research and community development.
National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has gone round major markets and motor parks in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, sensitising traders and transporters on Lassa fever.
The seadogs were at Ipata and Mandate markets, Maraba Motor Park and others distributing fliers and creating awareness on the devastating effect of the disease.
Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the state chair of the confraternity’s medial unit, Tunde Dairo said in the last three months no fewer than 11 lives were lost to the disease across the country.
Dairo said, “We want to create awareness on Lassa fever in Kwara State. We are sensitising the public on the need to cultivate a clean and environmental friendly habit to nip cases of lassa fever in the bud. In Nigeria as a whole we have recorded about eleven deaths from lassa fever. Three cases were discovered in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and the state government claimed that one case was recorded.
“Cases of the disease were prevalent in Southsouth and Southwest regions of the country. The preventive measures that we know include avoidance of rodents which is the primary source of infection; wearing of protective materials when caring for infected persons and sensitisation on the public on how to store their foodstuff in their houses.
“There is little government can do, but we on our part, because we mingle with the people, are carrying out this sensitisation campaigns to the Mandate Market, Maraba, Ipata Market and other public places in Ilorin metropolis.
“This campaign by our association will be done in major towns and cities of Nigeria just to create awareness on the menace of the disease.”
The Board of Regents (BoR) of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, has appointed a professor of Agricultural Mechanisation, Adeniyi Olayanju, as the third Vice-Chancellor of the university.
His appointment took effect from Tuesday, August 1.
Until his appointment, Olayanju was the immediate past Dean, Student Affairs, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), where he rose to the zenith of his academic career with enviable professional accolades.
The development followed the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past VC Prof Aize Obayan by the proprietor of LMU- Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Also, the BoR appointed Dr Azubuike Ezenwoke as Registrar, who succeeds Dr John Izebere, whose appointment has expired.
According to a statement made available by the university, the information was disclosed by the Secretary to the board, Temidayo Eseyin, during the institution’s fourth convocation.
Eseyin, a lawyer, noted that Olayanju emerged via a credible process that certified his competence with proofs in line with the agrarian mandate of the university.
In her short address, Obayan who won many awards as VC, and was instrumental to a series of MoU with notable institutions and bodies, appreciated God and the Chancellor Dr David Oyedepo for the privilege offered her to serve. She also appreciated the support of the management team andeveryone who worked hard to make her tenure a success.
Obayan sought support for Olayanju, whom she described him as a prolific and an individual who would validate the strategic plan and research agenda of the university.
Olayanju lauded the agrarian revolution of the university, noting its Africa’s dignity reclamation agenda. According to him, the university is occupying a significant position on the global education road map because food security is a global concern.
Olayanju had forays into institutions and bodies, such as: the Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE); Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE); Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST); and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), among many others.
