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Tag: kwara

  • INEC swears in seven new RECs

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has sworn in seven new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) bringing the total number of serving RECs in the commission to 33.

    Performing the ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed confidence that the new RECs would contribute to the commission’s determination to make 2019 general elections the best in the country.

    He said “with the track records of service in the academia, public service and private sector, it is gratifying to note that the new RECs made positive contributions to the society in various ways.

    “I am equally delighted to note that some of you have managed elections at national level as RECs.

    “I am confident that you will bring to bear on your new assignments, the experience of the recent past that will contribute to our determination to make the 2019 general elections our best elections in Nigeria.”

    Yakubu advised the new commissioners to maintain openness and consultations, as well as be firm and courageous in carrying out their new assignments.

    The chairman disclosed that in addition to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, the commission would be conducting four bye-elections this year to fill vacancies.

    These, according to him, include Takum state constituency in Taraba, Lokoja/Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency in c, Bauchi South Senatorial District, and Kastina North Senatorial District in Kastina State.

    The INEC boss reassured newly registered voters in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) of getting their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) before the 2019 general elections.

    He added that “we have consistently reassured the public that for those who registered in 2017, their PVCs would be available for collection in the first week of May 2018.

    “Those who registered in the first quarter of this year, that is between January and March, as well as those who are registering right now in the second quarter of this year, would collect their cards thereafter.”

    Yakubu also reassured the public and those who applied for replacement of their PVCs that their cards would be available for collection before the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Wanted: An ‘independent’ INEC

    “For those who registered in Ekiti and Osun in 2017 and 2018, priority attention was given to the production of their PVCs, such that all the cards would be available ahead of the July 14 and Sept. 22 governorship elections,’’ he said.

    Responding on behalf of the new RECs, Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Ekiti State, pledged the new commissioner’s readiness to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    He said “by the grace of God, we shall finish well.”

    He expressed confidence in the leadership of Yakubu, saying “with your style of leadership, we would
    not be surprised if 2019 elections turned out to be the best elections in the country.”

    The new RECs are: Mr Baba Yusuf and Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Borno and Ekiti states for second term.

    Others are Dr Uthman Ajidagba, Kwara;  Yahaya Bello, Nasarawa State; Dr Emmanuel Hart, Rivers; Mohammed Ibrahim, Gombe and Dr Cyril Omorogbe, Edo.

    NAN

  • 2019: Multiple headaches for Saraki in Kwara

    As the 2019 elections draw closer, Senate President Bukola Saraki is fighting many political battles both at the centre and in his state, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    For Senate President Bukola Saraki, these are indeed troubled times. From his ongoing trial for corruption by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for corruption, to his name being mentioned in the Panama papers, coupled with recent allegations that he may be working with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to undermine the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration led by his fellow party man, President Muhammadu Buhari, it has been from one troubling news to the other for Saraki.

    And on top of all these pressures, the Kwara state born politician is battling with mounting efforts to unseat him as the political leader of his home state amidst growing opposition to his leadership within and outside the ruling APC in the state. Reliable sources within the party in the state told The Nation that Saraki’s political family may not find winning the next general election in the state as easy as it was for them in 2015, due to a number of issues now generating tension within the ruling party.

    “I think the happenings in Abuja are gradually taking their tolls on the politics of Kwara State. Many of our people who before now lived in awe of the Saraki political dynasty are breaking loose. The opposition to Saraki’s hold on the politics of Kwara State is growing by the day. Even within his own party, the ruling APC, he is facing more antagonism from people who feel he is not providing the right leadership required to move the state forward.

    “In fairness to the Senate President, he has tried very hard to carry everybody along since the formation of the APC in the state, but due to some age-long differences between his political family and some people, as well as what some people described as his discriminatory patronages, it has been difficult for him to please some sectors within the party and the state. And this is affecting the politics of our state very seriously,” a party source told The Nation.

    Checks by The Nation revealed that the Senate President is currently working round the clock alongside the leadership of his political family to resolve some pressing issues raised by certain political development back home. One of these is the threat of fictionalisation of the ruling APC following the decision of some prominent party leaders to severe relationship with the state executive committee of the party. “The leader (Saraki) is very worried that some people want to break the APC in Kwara into two,” a close aide said on Friday.

    Also of current concern to the Senate President is the battle for the APC senatorial ticket in the southern senatorial district of the state. If feelers emanating from the party are anything to go by, three leading chieftains of the party are currently locked in what appears a showdown in their quest to pick the ticket. That Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is one of the three makes the matter worse. Similarly, fresh indication that Senator Gbemi Saraki may have renewed her interest in the governorship seat of the state is reportedly giving her elder brother sleepless nights.

    Cracks in his wall

    The Nation gathered that the aggrieved APC group, now operating under the name Caucus for Progressive Change (CPC), made up of most of the leading chieftains of the legacy parties that metamorphosed into the APC in 2014, has been at loggerheads with the Ishola Balogun Fulani-led state leadership long before now. The frosty relationship between the two groups, sources said, had on several occasions led to verbal and physical confrontations among party members in various parts of the state.

    “Party leaders, including the Senate President himself, had on several occasions tried to make peace between the two groups all to no avail. The situation today has deteriorated so much that it is being reported that APC has two factions in Kwara State,” a party chieftain lamented. But leaders of the aggrieved group say Saraki is part of the problem because the Senate President and his associates have breached all agreements reached when the legacy parties were joined by the then nPDP to form the APC.

    According to the state chairman of the CPC, Alhaji Samari Abdullahi, they will never leave the APC for Saraki and his group as they are determined to ensure that internal democracy is allowed to thrive in the state chapter of the ruling party. He said unless the national leadership of the party promptly intervenes the situation may further deteriorate ahead of the 2019 elections.

    “We are here so that internal democracy can be engendered in Kwara State chapter of APC. As you are aware, the merger of tendencies within the APC was consummated by what was called the New PDP (nPDP) and legacy parties namely the defunct ACN, ANPP and CPC. It is regrettable that the nPDP family in our marriage has not only behaved as a superior partner but have done so with impunity,” Abdullahi said.

    But sources close to the Senate President say it is unfair to say he is part of the crisis as he has been doing so much to end the split. “Just this week, he made frantic efforts to reach out to the leaders of the aggrieved group. He made calls and visited some of them over this same issue. I can tell you he spoke with a member of the House of Assembly who is with them and he visited one of their senatorial leaders,” an aide of Saraki’s told The Nation.

    Kwara South

    Ongoing political maneuverings in the Kwara South Senatorial District, which many pundits say are not unconnected with the alleged plan by Governor Ahmed to seek election into the senate after the completion of his two terms of eight years as governor in 2019, is another source of worry for Senator Saraki as we speak. Reliable sources say the Senate President appears not to be favorably disposed to the governor’s senatorial quest.

    “Yes, the governor is interested in picking the APC ticket to represent Kwara South, but the leader (Saraki) and most people in Kwara APC feel Senator Rafiu Ibrahim should be allowed to seek a second term. This is not going down well with Ahmed and his people and it is a source of worry today. But you can be rest assured that it will be resolved the same way we have resolved several of such developments,” our source explained.

    But leaders of APC in the district recently pre-empted such settlement as they announced their support for the re-election bid of Senator Ibrahim. Speaking at a press conference in Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun Local Government Council, the senatorial chairman of APC, Alhaji Jimoh Balogun, said their support for Ibrahim was based on his performance since he was elected into the upper house.

    The Nation gathered that the move has further aggravated the situation as supporters of the governor are accusing the leadership of the APC in the state of tactically backing the senator against the governor.

    Also on the platform of the ruling APC, another possible candidate is Hon. Saheed Popoola, a member of Kwara State House of Assembly. A grassroots politician of note, he was the only local government chairman elected on the platform of the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2007. His political camp are of the opinion that with his popularity across the district, he stand a good chance of wrestling the APC ticket from both Governor Ahmed and the incumbent Senator.

    Gbemi Saraki

    Although she is yet to announce her intention to vie for the office in 2019, there are fresh indications that the former gubernatorial candidate under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in Kwara State, Senator Gbemisola Saraki may contest the 2019 gubernatorial race in the state. Gbemi is the younger sister to Senate President Saraki and feelers have it that he is not supportive of her rumored ambition and has been doing everything to dissuade her from rocking political boats in the state by seeking the APC guber ticket in 2019.

    But sources within the party confirmed to The Nation that the female politician is consulting party leaders just as her political associates impress it upon her to seek the ticket contrary to her brother’s admonitions. It is still unclear if she will go all the way and dare Saraki once again by contesting the governorship. “She wants to run but her brother and many party leaders are urging her not to. If she does, the crisis in the party will be made more complex,” a state official of the APC told The Nation.

    Already, some billboards with Gbemi Saraki’s name and picture boldly emblazoned on them now dot some parts of the state. “Meetings are now regularly held at her house in Adewole area of Ilorin and other places,” a source claimed.

    And to compound her brother’s lingering headaches, there are talks that should she fail to get the endorsement of the Senate President this time again, Senator Gbemi Saraki may be lured back to the PDP by her numerous supporters still hibernating in the opposition party.

    Feelers suggest that Saraki is currently considering some party chieftains from the northern and central senatorial district for the plum job of the governor in 2019. This perhaps explains why he is not disposed to Gbemi’s rumored aspiration. “For now, the Hon. Baago Patigi, a member of the House of Representatives, Bolaji Abdulai, the spokesman of the APC and Rt. Hon. Ahmad Ali, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly are being considered by the leader,” a source claimed.

  • Offa robbery: ACF calls for proper equipping of Police

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said on Friday that it was shocked by the recent armed robbery attacks on banks in Offa, Kwara, and called on the Federal Government to equip the police to carry out its responsibilities more effectively.

    A statement issued by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, said however that the quick response of the police in arresting some of the suspects was commendable.

    “ACF is shocked and grieved by the callous and dastardly attacks on some Banks in Offa town in Kwara state by some armed and vicious robbers last week.

    “It was most unfortunate that innocent persons and security personnel were killed by the armed robbers while some persons sustained injuries.

    “ACF was, however, heartened by the prompt action of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in deploying Units of Mobile Police which led to arrest of some of the perpetrators of this heinous crime and the following restoration of normalcy in Offa town.

    “We, therefore, commend the action of the Police Command and urge the officers not to be deterred by the cowardly act of the criminals.

    Read Also: Offa killings: APC caucus decries carnage

    “While ACF urges the Security Agencies to always be proactive by constantly reviewing their security and intelligence gathering strategy to avert such ugly incidence, we equally appeal to the Federal Government to provide the Nigerian Police Force with adequate trained police personnel, equipment and motivation in order to enhance their performance.

    “The communities should also play their role by providing useful information on suspected persons to the Security Agencies in order to help track down perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    “ ACF extends its condolences to the bereaved families of victims, the Government and people of Kwara State over this unfortunate robbery and killings of innocent souls.’’

  • NYSC sanctions eight corps members in Kwara with service extension

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), in Kwara, has sanctioned eight corps members serving in the state for various offences they committed during the service year. 

    NYSC State Coordinator,  Mr Amafuele Remigius, made this known on Thursday in Ilorin during the Passing Out parade ( POP ) of the 2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 of the scheme at the Metropolitan Square. 

    He said a total of 1, 790 corps members passed out after a year national service to the nation, adding that eight corps members would serve an extension for various offences.

    The coordinator said three corps members received the prestigious ‘NYSC State Honors Award.’

    “On a sad note, we lost one of the outgoing corps members while on national service,” the coordinator said.

    The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, speaking at the passing out parade, enjoined the outgoing corps members to make use of the skill they had acquired during the service year.

    The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, commended the corps members for the successful completion of the compulsory national service. 

    Ahmed advised the corps members to look inward and bring to use all the various skills they were taught with the aim of becoming employers of labour, rather than seeking white collar jobs that were not available.

    He wished them success in their future endeavours and extended the appreciation of the host communities where they did their primary assignments.

    The governor’s representative later presented awards to the three corps members nominated for NYSC State Award.

    NAN

  • Relieved: Police recover 57 illegal arms in Kwara

    The Police Command in Kwara on Thursday said it had recovered 57 illegal weapons across the state.

    The Spokesman of the command, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, disclosed this at a public lecture on security sensitization campaign against political thuggery, kidnapping and drug addiction.

    Our reporter reports that the programme was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state.

    Okasanmi, who spoke on security of lives and property of the residents, disclosed that the weapons were recovered during the  command’s month-long operations.

    “As the 2019 elections draw nearer, the command will intensify more on the recovery of illegal arms to allow trouble-free election to hold in the state,’’ he said.

    Okasanmi, said police alone could not provide security  and that other stakeholders  needed to cooperate and support the force.

    An official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Ango Mohammed-Tukur, lamented how some youths indulged in drug abuse.

    Mohammed-Tukur said that a number of them were in the habit of using Tramadol, Hemp and codeine.

    The official, therefore, solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders in the state to get rid of drug addiction.

    The Ohoro of Shao in Moro Local Government Area, Oba Bamidele Adegbite, advised security agencies to be on top of their responsibilities.

    The NOA state Director, Mr Segun Adeyemi, called for the support of all stakeholders to make the society free of social vices.

    NAN

  • FIFA appoints Nigerian medical doctor Doping Control Officer

    A former medical doctor in the Nigerian U-17 football team, Dr Ayodeji Olarinoye, has been appointed Doping Control Officer ( DCO ) by the world soccer governing body, FIFA.

    Olarinoye, who graduated from the University of Ilorin, is now the country’s first FIFA doping control officer, the university’s weekly bulletin said on Tuesday.

    According to the publication, Olarinoye is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine.

    The publication said the medical doctor would join the network of FIFA medical officers, responsible for ensuring safe and healthy participation in football after attending several anti-doping training.

    Read Also: W/cup Tickets: FIFA warn fans on security features

    The bulletin recalled that the 38-year-old was nicknamed NFA ( Nigeria Football Association ) during his undergraduate years due to his love for football.

    “The 38-year-old Ayodeji is the son of a retired civil servant and former Head of the International Department of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) in the 1990s, Dr Steve Olarinoye.

    “Dr Olarinoye was honoured in 2015 by the Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA ) for his dedication to duty and special interest in the field of Sports Medicine.

    “He is currently running a programme in Sports and Exercise Medicine in Cardiff, U.K., the bulletin said of the doctor who hails from Omupo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

    NAN

  • Robbers kill four policemen, six others in Kwara

    Robbers bearing sophisticated weapons invaded Kwara State town of Offa yesterday, killing no fewer than 10 people including four policemen and raided five banks in a commando-like manner.

    Gaining access to the town from Ijagbo in the western end, the robbers shot sporadically, killing four policemen at a police station in the entrance to town, and six others, including passers-by. A commercial motorcyclist was among the dead, according to eyewitnesses.

    They reportedly used dynamite to break the vaults of the commercial houses made up of three new generation and two old generation banks.

    Eyewitnesses who recalled the deadly incident told our reporter on the telephone that “The robbers carted away substantial amount of money from the banks’ vaults. They blew open the security of the banks with dynamite.  Many passers-by were hit by stray bullets. A commercial motorcyclist was among those killed.”

    It was gathered that the bandits, numbering about 15, came in about four vehicles. They blocked access to the town from Ilorin and Osogbo. They operated for about one hour from around 4:30pm.

    They reportedly escaped from the town with their loot through Igosun area.

    Bodies were seen in some parts of the town where the policemen operated after their departure.

    The injured were taken to the Offa Genera Hospital.

    Kwara State police Spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi who confirmed the raid, said victims included policeman and other individuals.

    He promised to make details available after full investigation.

  • Kwara urges residents to go for free TB screening

    The Kwara Government has urged residents of the state to avail themselves of the free Tuberculosis ( TB ) screening and treatment offered by it.

    The Permanent Secretary, Kwara Ministry of Health, Mr Olaitan Adefila, made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin at a workshop organised by the ministry on the dangers of the disease.

    Adefila said that with adequate measures taken by government and its partners against TB, it was expected that nobody should die of the disease again in the state.

    He reminded the people that TB could be detected and treated free if they got screened.

    According to him, any death resulting from TB in the state would be assumed a “self-inflicted suicide,” since adequate care had been taken to prevent such death in the state.

    “If anybody dies of the disease today in Kwara, we will presume it is a suicide and believe that the condition in the state does not warrant committing suicide.

    “So, our people should leverage on the opportunity given by government and its supporters to ensure that they are TB free,” he said.

    Read Also: Kwara communities agree on peace

    Earlier, the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, described TB as a chronic disease that had no respect for anybody or status.

    Fakayode called on the people of the state to undergo the free test to ensure early detection and treatment.

    The state TB and Leprosy Control Official, Dr Muhammad Oyeniyi, said that people could get free test and treatment for TB across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    He listed the hospitals and health centres where the residents could receive free TB services to include General Hospital Ilorin, Sobi Specialist Hospital and Civil Service Hospital.

    Others are General Hospital Kaiama, Jebba Specialist Hospital, General Hospital Omu-aran, General Hospital Offa, General Hospital Erinle and General Hospital Patigi, among others.

    NAN

  • Kwara communities agree on peace

    About 14 communities in Offa and Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State have agreed to live in peace.

    The communities, under the Ibolo Kingdom of old Oyo Empire, include Offa, Erin-Ile, Ijagbo, Ipee, Ira, Igboidun, Aohgbada, Igosun and Ilemona.

    Others are Ojoku, Igbana, Igbotele and Ikotun-Ile.

    These communities have been fighting over land.

    At their maiden peace parley in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun council, the communities pledged to keep to the agreement reached.

    The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mohammed Mufutau Gbadamosi, said the meeting was a milestone to develop Ibolo kingdom.

    The monarch, who was represented by Funsho Oladipo, said: “We know that with the gathering of great minds, great things come out. We have come to let you know that we love peace.

    “With all humility and strength of mind, we tender our unreserved apologies for all our real and imagined wrongs. I must say that we have lost a great deal of human and material resources and to pursue peace, we have to let old and new wounds heal.

    “By this, we of Offa will pursue peace with all our hearts. Offa is willing and ready to do it. Therefore, we are advocating a borderless Ibolo land; we believe that our joint economies will blossom with that.”

    The Onipe of Ipee, Oba Muftau Adebayo Lawal, who was represented by Sunday Ogunwuyi, said: “We are gathered here today because we want peace in Ibolo land. We can only have peaceful co-existence through open-mindedness and complete forgiveness.

    “This is a forum that I believe God has ordained for Ibolo land, and we should use this avenue to tell ourselves some bitter truth with open mind and genuine love for one another.”

    The keynote speaker and ex-Afenifere Secretary-General, Ayo Opadokun, attributed the disunity in Ibolo land to its contact with imperialist powers.

    He said: “The disharmony in Ibolo Kingdom over the years was caused by fifth columnists, who want to feed from where they did not sow. There has been no time when Offa was the aggressor; we are contented with what God has given to us.

    “Our concern is that our progress should not be a thing that will be condemned by those with whom we have been destined to live together. None of us can decide to relocate; we are here already and God has destined that we live together.

    “As Offa is the largest community in this area, any progress that happens to Offa will certainly percolate and extend to the surrounding communities. Therefore, there is no need for us to create dissention.”

  • Mother of five delivers triplets in Kwara

    A 38-year-old trader, Mrs Deborah Ogunsola, was at the weekend delivered of triplets at the General Hospital, Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government area of Kwara State.

    Mother and the babies were in good condition yesterday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The triplets, two boys and a girl, were said to have been delivered within minutes after the first baby was delivered at 12:11 a.m. through caesarean section.

    Mr Joel Adeyemi, the Director (Nursing Services) at the hospital, described the condition of the mother and the babies as clinically perfect.

    “The mother and the babies are in the normal ward and doing fine,” he said.

    “Although, the babies were delivered through surgery, the babies’ weights and condition, health wise, are perfect.”

    Adeyemi said the hospital had witnessed more than 10 deliveries of twins in the last one month.

    Ogunsola, the mother of the triplet, who is a pepper seller, said she was excited and had no sleepless night over the birth of the babies, saying they were gifts from God.

    “The Almighty God that gave them to me will surely provide for their upkeeps,” she said.

    Mr Abiodun Ogunsola, an electrician and father of the triplet said he has no regret or fear over their birth.

    He, however, said that the family would wholeheartedly welcome assistance from any individual or group as regard the medical bill and upkeep of the babies.

    “Our God is awesome and kind; I know He will surely stand by the family,” he said.