The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kwara

  • 1,000 people benefit from free healthcare services in Kwara

    1,000 people benefit from free healthcare services in Kwara

    No fewer than 1,000 people have benefited from free healthcare services, including eye examination and care and other different eye ailments in Omu-Aran, Kwara.

    Reports say that the two-day free healthcare services, being the fifth in the series since its inception in 2013, was organised by an NGO, Aro Bamgbose Empowerment Foundation.

    Its Coordinator, Dr Musa Bello, said that it was a programme set up to coincide with the Sallah, Christmas and New Year periods in order to cover large number of beneficiaries.

    Bello said that the programme also attracted residents from the three wards of Omu-Aran and other neighbouring communities of Ajase, Oko, Oke-Onigbin, Oro, Ipetu, Aran-Orin, among others.

    According to him, apart from free diagnosis, treatment and drugs, beneficiaries were also offered basic tips and rudiments on fire safety and prevention.

    He said that the beneficiaries also received detailed counselling on A to Z of Lassa Fever and similar diseases in order to guide against unwarranted infections.

    Read also: Aisha Buhari provides free medical services for 3,000 patients in Zamfara

    Bello said that most of the beneficiaries received free medical test, treatment and drugs for diseases like malaria, typhoid fever, hypertension, arthritis and diabetes, among others.

    He said that the programme was basically targeted at bringing healthcare delivery closer to people in the rural communities, especially the less privileged.

    “The free healthcare services are designed to complement the government’s efforts geared toward improving the health status of people, especially in the rural areas.

    Bello said that the foundation was in the process of making a comprehensive documentation and analysis of its medical findings over the years as a reference point for improving healthcare delivery.

    “It is our hope that this documentary will, in no small measures, assist the governments and other relevant health institutions to strategise and plan ahead.

    “We were able to discover that malaria, arthritis and hypertension are more prevalence among the people.

    “Many of the beneficiaries, especially those from remote villages and communities, are ignorant of their health conditions.

    “This is why the foundation organised this programme as part of its support to ensure unhindered access to improved healthcare delivery to people at the grassroots,” he said.

    In his remarks, Chief Adekunle Oyinloye, the foundation chairman, said that the programme was his way of contributing to the development of the society.

    Oyinloye, who is also the Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank, Abuja, urged Nigerians to always avail themselves of the benefit of free healthcare services being provided nationwide.

    “I got to know that many people, as a result of financial challenge, have turned away from the hospitals in seeking medical assistance.

    “Many of them have become bed-ridden and lost hope, even over an ailment that could not cost more than N1, 000 to treat and manage.

    “So, it is our hope that if we can assist to bear their medical needs to some extent, they can then channel their resources to other things as education and welfare of their wards,” he added.

    NAN

  • Group demands recall of Kwara senator

    Group demands recall of Kwara senator

    A group, the Kwara South Unity Forum,  has instituted a recall process against the senator representing Kwara South  District, Rafiu Ibrahim.

    The group said it has dispatched letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly on the recall.

    The forum said its decision was due to the under performance and poor representation of the Kwara South senatorial district under Senator Ibrahim.

    Addressing reporters in Ijagbo,  Oyun local government area,  its President Comrade John Adegboye said: “The current system of representation we are experiencing under Senator Ibrahim is archaic, demeaning, dehumanizing  and also unacceptable. We are no longer under the precolonial dispensation where there is indirect rule.

    “We the proof Kwara South are appalled by the fact that a man whom we unanimously elected as a senator to represent us in the 8th Assembly, has now openly declared that he has ‘boss’ other than we the good people of Kwara  South, that he takes directives from us.

    “We make bold to call your attention to the physical implications of this show of subservience. In almost three years, where are the federal projects the senator has attracted to the district?”

    Adegboye said the senator has continued to dismiss “our elders and insult our common patrimony by telling that he must consult with his boss.

    “It is therefore, under these circus that the good people of the Kwara South today decide to intimate the generality of Nigerians about our intention to recall him.”

    Reacting to the group’s intention, the National Association of Students, the state branch,  National Association of Kwara state students (NAKSS) passed confidence vote on the senator.

    Also speaking with reporters in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun locally government area, NANS leader, Comrade Abdulkadir Aliyu said the senator is a man of the people and father of Nigerian students in the constituency.

    Aliyu said that his leadership qualities and open door policy had endeared him to the students.

    He said this can be attested to by the construction of relaxation centre to University of Ilorin students,  students empowerment scheme, renovation of Offa Township Hall,  free SSCE and JAMB registration. Others are sponsorship of students programmes, scholarships, free vocational training.

    “Without iota of doubt, we are convinced that his leadership deserves a great applause,” he added.

    In his reaction, former transition implementation chair,  Irepodun local government Kashim Adekeye described the plan recall as a cheap talk.

    Adekeye added that “anybody can decide to say what he likes.

  • Kwara monarch, commissioner support retention of SARS

    Kwara monarch, commissioner support retention of SARS

    Kwara state Police Commissioner Lawan Ado and Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar yesterday joined the league of those clamouring for the retention of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) outfit of the Nigeria Police Force.

    They both supported the reorganisation of the outfit as directed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris Kpotum.
    Mr. Ado and Alhaji Abubakar spoke this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital during an interactive session between the police and eminent people’s forum.

    Specifically, the commissioner said: “Recently, this issue of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) must be disbanded has occupied public domain. But some members of the public are supporting the SARS must-stay chorus.

    The country cannot operate without an outfit that is combat ready and waiting to go and fight in case of any distress call. “That is why SARS is very good. We are all aware that the Inspector General of Police has directed the reorganisation of that outfit.

    All steps will be taken to ensure that all the bad eggs there are uprooted and members of the outfit will continue to work professionally for us to achieve out set out goals.”

    Represented by Mutawali of Patigi, Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed, the Etsu Patigi “I am personally of the opinion that SARS should stay and be encouraged. I therefore suggest regular training and refresher courses for the police especially the junior officers.”

    Speaking on the motive behind the meeting, which he said would be quarterly from 2018, the commissioner said that “we believe that police is working for the people, so that is why we opened all channels of communications with members of the public. We equally identified the major problems bedevilling us in the state.

    Then we made efforts and strategies on how to solve them collectively. “The most important thing now is the issue of collaboration and cooperation. The often say, police is your friend if you are a law-abiding person and you are concerned with the issue of security.”

    The commissioner of police sued for cooperation and collaboration of members of the vigilance group and the police in the state. Said he: “Recently, I read in the news that the Bill for Vigilance Group of Nigeria has been passed, but we are still waiting for the finishing touches. That is why i cherish this issue of the group, as
    we know that our number is very limited. As we normally recommend vigilance group is to work with the security agencies, they cannot work alone. They have to work in collaboration and in synergy with the police.

    “In fact, we have done a good number of assignments and achieved a lot of successes with members of the vigilance group. About a month ago some suspected kidnappers were arrested around Kwara South in collaboration with some members of vigilance group. I think that effort is highly commendable. We pray and hope that all members of the group in the various communities will come to our aide, because they know the terrain better than the policemen in the areas.

    They are indigenes on their various communities.” In his remark, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari represented by the Mogaji Aare of Ilorin, Alhaji Zubir Aremu hailed the police for the peace and tranquillity that is reigning in Ilorin and Kwara state at large The emir said “I thank all the District Police officers (DPOs) that have served in Ilorin and especially, Idi-Ape, the most volatile area of Ilorin metropolis. Thank God there is peace and tranquillity Ilorin and Kwara state as a whole.

    “The trouble makers in Ilorin and especially in Idi-Ape have been caged due to the cooperation and collaboration between the police and members of the community. Many of them cannot come out even in the night, while some are still languishing in prison custody. “I urge those community leaders present yet to have police-community relations to go and establish one in your area for effective policing. This will check the excesses of these bad ‘boys’ as police alone cannot do the job.”

  • Oyedepo calls for peaceful succession to Olomu throne in Kwara

    Oyedepo calls for peaceful succession to Olomu throne in Kwara

    Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel ) has called for peaceful succession to the throne of Olomu of Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

    Oyedepo, an indigene of Omu-Aran, made the call on Tuesday during an annual general meeting of Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA) held at Omu-Aran City Complex.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the throne became vacant following the death of 64-year-old Oba Charles Ibitoye on Dec. 1 during an illness.

    Oyedepo urged the Olomu-in-council and the ODA leadership to ensure transparency in the selection of the next king.

    “I think we are capable of handling our domestic affairs successfully by ourselves.

    “We should not give room for external influence or rancour in choosing our leader or leaders.

    “We have people of proven integrity and immense wisdom including professors, permanent secretaries, industrialists and the likes in our midst,” he said.

    The cleric said that the death of some kingmakers within the year called for more prayers by the community.

    The ODA President, Chief Bisi Adeyemi, said that the association had embraced peace, unity, education, security and infrastructure maintenance as catalysts for socio-economic development of the community.

    He said that the association had given attention to the town’s waterworks, Agbaa River bridge and some road projects.

    Adeyemi called for donations toward the rehabilitation of the Omu-Aran City Complex to enable it to continue to serve the purpose for which it was built.

    “The community is lucky to have three 500 KVA and 300 KVA transformers to boost power supply,’’ remarked.

    Chief Festus Awoniyi, the Peru Tayero of Omu-Aran, who led the Olomu-in-council, urged the people to remain united and peaceful.

    He said that the council was working tirelessly to ensure that the death of Ibitoye would not create unnecessary vacuum in the administration of the community.

    The Chief Imam of Omu-Aran, Alhaji Sodiq Afolayan, urged the community members to use dialogue rather than confrontation to resolve disputes.

    Chief Jide Adebayo, the Chairman of Omu-Aran Festival of Clubs 2017, announced the postponement of the festival scheduled for Dec. 30.

    Adebayo, a former NAN Director, said that the postponement was in honour of the late Ibitoye.

  • DPR seals off six fuel stations in Kwara

    DPR seals off six fuel stations in Kwara

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

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

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

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

    Read Also: DPR seals 16 filling stations in Akwa Ibom

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kwara Assembly suspends debate on 2018 budget

    Kwara Assembly suspends debate on 2018 budget

    Kwara House of Assembly on Wednesday announced the suspension of further consideration of the 2018 Appropriation Bill following non implementation of its directive on school fees in the state polytechnic.

    The lawmakers had on December 13, in a resolution advised the state government to compel the management of the polytechnic to revert to old school fees.

    The House, in its resolution after adopting the report of its Committee on Education, said that the measure was in view of the current economic hardship in the country.

    The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, while reading the House’s resolution at the end of the committee’s meeting, wondered why the polytechnic management should refuse to accept the old school fees from the students.

    Read also: Kwara to reduce youth unemployment through SMEs

    Ahmad said that N300 million had already been provided and approved in the 2018 budget for the institution to cater for the shortfall in the fund to be realised from school fees.

    The speaker, while suspending further consideration of the budget, summoned the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Aminat Hammed, the Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold and Special Adviser on Tertiary Institutions.

    He said that they should appear before it on Wednesday by 4.00 p.m for clarification on the 2018 budget for the polytechnic.

    The speaker said that the officers were also expected to explain why the polytechnic should ignore the lawmakers’ directive on school fees payment.

    NAN

  • ‘Kwara salary crisis will end soon’  

    ‘Kwara salary crisis will end soon’  

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has assured residents that the salary crisis in the 16 councils will soon be over.

    The governor, who spoke on a radio programme: ‘The Governor Explains’, said the government is working to end “the unfortunate situation”.

    Ahmed said he met with the chairmen to identify their problems and fashion out solutions.

    According to him, the government is working with the Kwara Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) on ways to improve councils’ revenue.

    He said: “What we are doing is to find a permanent solution to the problem. Giving them funds to clear salary backlogs is not the solution, but finding ways of improving their revenue base because of the continued drop in the federal allocation”.

    On the Paris Club refund, Ahmed said the state accessed 50 per cent, explaining that the refund is for states that took the loan years back, but repayment was arbitrarily deducted.

    The governor added that the latest refund was captured in the 2018 budget, part of which has been used to pay salaries and subvention.

    Ahmed hinted that the government is considering merging salaries of Junior Secondary School teachers under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) with the State Teaching Service Commission for prompt payment.

  • Kwara to reduce youth unemployment through SMEs

    Kwara to reduce youth unemployment through SMEs

    The Kwara Government says it is determined  to reduce youth unemployment by engaging them in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises ( SMEs ).

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor  on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Zakariyau Babatunde, gave the assurance on Monday in Ilorin.

    According to him, more youth-oriented programmes will commence next year.

    He said much attention would be focused on SMEs and agriculture, describing these as crucial to  the agenda of the present administration in the state.

    Babatunde also disclosed that the state government through his office would begin the registration of unemployed youths in order  to establish  a reliable data bank.

    Read also: Kwara 2019: APC, PDP in battle for the south

    This, he said, would assist the government in creating a reliable platform for  identifying the different categories of youths  that are  unemployed and  areas to engage them.

    He assured the people of the state that government would roll out different programmes next year that would have direct impact on  youths.

    NAN

  • Kwara councils to get N2b loan for Nov salary

    The 16 council chairmen in Kwara State have decided to obtain a N2.1 billion loan from commercial banks to pay November salary and settle other needs.

    According to them, this followed the delay in November allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development Haruna Tanbiri Muhammad spoke in Ilorin after the emergency Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC).

    He said the chairmen applied for the loan in anticipation of November allocation, noting that the delay in disbursement from FAAC had aggravated workers’ suffering.

    He explained that the salary of State Universal Education Board (SUBEB) teachers stand at N900 million, and pensions N278.9.

    Muhammad maintained that the statutory allocation is N2.1 million, as against N1.6 million in October, and 10 per cent IGR is N37.3 million.

    The commissioner said N280 million was deducted at source as repayment for the N4.8 billion loan councils obtained in 2015 to pay salary, adding that they shared N676.8 million in November.

    “The Kwara State government has not received its November allocation from the federation account and the council chairmen felt getting a loan became necessary to alleviate workers’ plight,” he added.

  • APC mourns Kwara monarch, industrialist

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has mourned the Olomu of Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Charles Ibitoye.

    The monarch died last Saturday at 65.

    A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said: “The death of the monarch, who was an exemplary leader of no mean repute, came as a shock to us at a time like this when his presence is mostly needed.

    “Oba Ibitoye’s reign brought development to the ancient town, with classical coordination of sons and daughters of Omu-Aran in Diaspora.

    “The love and peace that traversed the town during his reign is known and appreciated by all. It is our opinion that his reign stood tall among others in the historical record of the town, with unassuming respect, humility and love, with which he rallied everyone together for the progress of Omu-Aran.

    “We, therefore, urge the people to immortalise the deceased and improve on the legacy he left behind.”

    The party also condoledwith the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Esuwoye, and the people, on the death of Chief Emmanuel Adesoye.

    The party described Adesoye’s death as a great loss.

    Abdullahi described the late industrialist as an epitome of knowledge, saying he used his intellect to add value to the economic and industrial growth of the country.