The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kwara

  • Kwara begins sensitisation at hospitals, LGAs

    Kwara begins sensitisation at hospitals, LGAs

    The Kwara Ministry of Health says it has commenced sensitisation at health facilities and the local government areas across the state on the monkeypox disease.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Sulaiman Alege, told journalists on Monday in Ilorin, that the education unit of the ministry has swung into action.

    ”We have commenced sensitisation through our education units, both at health facilities and the local government areas.

    ”This is to make people aware of the virus because some people haven’t heard about it before.

    ”We also want them to be aware of the symptoms to watch out for to prevent any outbreak of the virus in the state,” Alege said.

     Early last week, there was an outbreak of monkeypox disease in Bayelsa.

    The source of the infection is having contact with animals, such as monkey.
    The disease was first identified in laboratory monkeys, hence its name, but in its natural state, it seems to infect rodents more often than primates.

    NAN

  • Gov. Ahmed urges Eagles to start early preparations

    Gov. Ahmed urges Eagles to start early preparations

    Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has called on the Super Eagles to commence preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup scheduled for June in Russia in earnest.

    A statement by Ahmed’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, disclosed that the governor on Sunday in Ilorin also congratulated the Super Eagles for qualifying for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    According to it, Ahmed said Eagles’ qualification has once more demonstrated the nation’s strength in football, which made Nigeria the first African country to qualify for the tournament in Russia.

    The Super Eagles qualified for their 6th World Cup appearance with a match to spare after beating Zambia 1-0 in Uyo on Saturday.

    Gov. Ahmed commended the players for their doggedness and determination to fly Nigeria’s flag at the competition.

    “The Super Eagles should commence preparations for the World Cup immediately, so that Nigeria won’t just make up the number at the biggest football fiesta, but further make Africa proud,” he added.

    The governor however urged the Federal Government to monitor strictly the team’s preparation for the World Cup because of the unity sports generally brings to Nigerians.

    He also promised to further make the state enabling for sports development.

    Ahmed pledged to renovate the state’s indoor sports hall to world standard before the end of his tenure.

    NAN

  • Tension in Kwara communities over alleged demolition

    There is tension in Offa and Erin-Ile communities of Kwara State following the alleged demolition of two buildings belonging to Offa indigenes.

    It was gathered that the buildings, at Oloruntedo community in Egunkara, on Igosun Road, were demolished last Wednesday.

    The sister communities had, in the last 20 years, engaged in violent clashes resulting in loss of lives and property.

    Offa has accused some indigenes of Erin-Ile of causing the current incident.

    Secretary-General of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU) Wosilat Macharthy, who addressed reporters on the incident, said the association petitioned the inspector general of Police (IGP), state government, Police commissioner and Emir of Ilorin.

    “Information within our reach shows that the crime was perpetrated by yet-to-be indentified Erin-Ile indigenes. Our conviction is borne out of the series of intimidation and harassment that have been meted out to indigenes of Offa living in the area.

    “Their actions and conduct, if not checked, could degenerate into lawlessness. There is no gainsaying the fact that Offa is known to be law-abiding and peaceful, and it will not do anything to jeopardise the relative peace currently existing between it and neighbouring communities.

    “Offa people have handled disputes with Erin-Ile in the most matured and civilised way. There has never been a time Offa was found wanting for taking laws into its hands, with respect to the subject-matter.”

    But Vice President of the Erin-Ile Progressive Union (EPU) Raji Jimoh described the allegation as baseless.

    His words: “As far as I know, no Erin-Ile indigene has damaged any property belonging to Offa indigenes.

    ‘’There is a boundary between the two communities (Unity Road), built by the government, and we have not encroached into Offa territory as demarcated.”

  • First Lady of Kwara meets ‘Diamond in the Sky’ cast

    First Lady of Kwara meets ‘Diamond in the Sky’ cast

    Notable actor and Kwara State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Femi Adebayo, who is currently working on a movie, Diamond in the Sky, has expressed his gratitude to the First Lady of Kwara State, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed for her support.

    The First Lady recently paid a visit to the set of the movie, where she met with the cast and crew. Adebayo described the visit as a morale booster.

    “It was an honour to have her Excellency, The First Lady of Kwara State and CEO @leahfoundation, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed, pay us a visit on set. Your visit serves as a morale booster for the cast and crew,” he stated.

    The movie features the likes of Toyin Abraham, Teju Babyface, Yvonne Jegede, Bimbo Akintola, and Omowunmi Dada, among others.

    Adebayo revealed that the cast and crew of the movie had a nice time with her Excellency, evidenced in clips they posted on Instagram.

    The movie which is being directed by CEO of Golden Effects Pictures, Kunle Afolayan aims to tackle social issues in the society.

     

  • Kwara gets N3.5bn as September allocation

    Kwara gets N3.5bn as September allocation

     Kwara Government received N3.5 billion as its share of the federal allocation for September.

    The state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Ilorin, said the amount was an increase over the N2.5 billion it got in August.

    Banu gave the breakdown as N2.7 billion being statutory allocation and Value Added Tax ( VAT ) of N813 million, totaling N3.5 billion.

    The commissioner said that the 16 local governments in the state received a combined allocation of N2.5 billion for September, against N1.8 billion they got in August.

    He noted that the amount was made up of a statutory allocation of N2 billion and Value Added Tax ( VAT ) of N461 million.

    NAN

  • Police assure of tight security, panic-free celebration in Kwara

    Police assure of tight security, panic-free celebration in Kwara

    The Police Command in Kwara says it will provide watertight security to the residents before, during and after the forthcoming celebration of Nigeria’s 57th Independence Day.

    The Spokesman for the command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Police Headquarters in Ilorin on Thursday.

    He said that measures had been put in place by the police to ensure public safety, while marking the 57th anniversary of the country.

    “There is no  security threat in Kwara. Everything is intact as we are at alert to ensure panic-free celebration.

    “Our traffic patrol unit, security dogs, bomb disposal unit will be unleashed for security on Independence Day.

    “We want to assure the people of Kwara to come out en-masse to grace the celebration.

    “We want the public to enjoy lively atmosphere on that day,” he said.

  • ‘Kwara ‘ll promote merit, equity’

    ‘Kwara ‘ll promote merit, equity’

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised the people that his administration will promote merit and equity.

    Speaking at a dinner in honour of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, on his elevation to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin, the governor said recognition of merit and hard work were ways to guarantee service to the people.

    He said: “The celebration is also in line with keeping the tradition of recognising and rewarding dedication and loyalty to the cause of the state.

    “Ajibade (SAN) has proved beyond any doubt that he is a competent legal officer. As the chief law officer, our new SAN has ensured that Kwara State government is guided in legal issues. It is now a rare occurrence for the government to lose a case on technical grounds.”

    Ajibade thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the state and pledged to do more for the benefit of the state and humanity.

  • ‘Excess light, heat can damage eyes’

    ‘Excess light, heat can damage eyes’

    Dr Ayodeji Alade, an Ophthalmologist at the General Hospital, Omuaran, Kwara, has warned people against getting exposed to excess light and heat to avoid damage to cornea of the eyes resulting in blindness.

    Alade gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran on Friday.

    He explained that exposure to excessive light and heat could lead to the growth, pterygium, an infection of the eye caused by dust, heat, smoke, pollen and wind.

    He said the disease occurred more often in people who lived in warm climates and spent a lot of time outdoors in sunny or windy environments.

    The expert further explained that symptoms of pterygium include redness, blurred vision, eye irritation and burning sensation or itches.

    According to Alade, other eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, trachoma and presbyopia can be as a result of lifestyle, age, sickness or dirty environment.

    He advised people to maintain high level of hygiene and wear protective gears around their eyes during high risk jobs or harsh weather.

  • Civil servant killed by lightening

    Civil servant killed by lightening

    A 47-year-old civil servant, Salami Adekunle, was on Thursday  struck to death by lightening  in Oro, Kwara, the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports.

    NAN gathered that the deceased was until his demise a staff of the Registry Department of the College of Education, Oro,  Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

    The deceased was said to be leaving the institution’s examination office for the Registry Department  at  about 10 a.m.  when the lightening struck during a downpour.

    The lifeless body of the deceased, who hailed from Ilesa in Osun  was sighted  lying at the spot of the incident preparatory to spiritual cleansing.

    Mr  Adesola Adewoye, the institution’s Public Relation Officer, who confirmed the incident, said that all  efforts   to rescue the deceased  proved abortive.

    “The staff and management swung into action immediately the deceased was struck, but all our efforts to resuscitate him proved abortive,’’ he said.

    He described the deceased as an easy going, loyal and dedicated staff who will stop at nothing to impress his employer.

    “Our prayer is for God to give the family, friends and associate the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.

    A NAN correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident,  reports that staff of the institution were seen in group discussing the development.

    Some traditional religion worshippers were said to have later  performed  some rites  on the corpse of the  deceased before it was taken away for burial.

  • Kwara South unites ahead of 2019

    Kwara South unites ahead of 2019

    Stakeholders from the Kwara South Senatorial District recently converged on the ancient city of Esie, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State to discuss the way forward for the district.

    Tagged ‘Kwara South Emancipation,’ speakers at the event lamented the political and infrastructural under-development of the district.

    They attributed the problems to disunity among the indigenes.

    They also put the blame on the footsteps of irreconcilable political differences and selfishness of some politicians from the area.

    The event was sponsored by an American-based aerospace engineer, Nurudeen Adeyemi.  Adeyemi in the initiator of Igbomina mobile clinic.

    An elder statesman, Chief James Sogo, blamed the backwardness of the district on over-dependence of get-rich-quick syndrome.

    He said: “We want the long-suffering Kwara South to move forward.  I urge you all to help solve this problem. I also pray that come 2019 one of us we occupy the Kwara state Government House.”

    The former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, said Kwara South has many challenges.

    This according to him “is because our yesterday was better than our today. Any community that celebrates its yesterday over today is undergoing decay.

    “The wisdom in this gathering is great. I must concede that we have problems in Kwara South. This is because our yesterday was better than today. Yesterday truth was commonplace. These days hard work is a scarce commodity as people are looking for short cut to success. Politicians of today are not interested in wooing people to their camp. They even win elections without the people voting for them.

    “From 1999 till date, Kwara South politics has diametrically changed as money bags have hijacked our politics. As a result many people have lost confidence in the system. There is no principled politicians.

    “We also have problem religious discrimination. People use religion as a ladder to get offices. Money politics is significantly Kwara state made’s contribution to Nigerian politics.”

    Oyedepo said that the district is  divided on the basis of communal interest.

    He said: “We need to sensitise one another. That is why the PDP is taking the lead in radio sensitisation.

    “The best way to bring one another together is for all of us to know that we are collectively being trampled underfoot.

    “The unity of Kwara South will Herald the unity of the state and it will ensure the freedom of the state. Even though, we are poor in resources, we are richer in population.”

    Earlier, Adeyemi who is also President, Igbomina Community, North America said “the reason for today’s gathering is to reappraise the floundering unity amongst the old Igbomina-Ekiti.

    “Our brotherhood in the entire Kwara South used to be very strong but over the years we have fractured and broken away from one another. The gathering is to enable us reconnect to one another and bury our differences. Lack of development and progress is a source of problem for all of us regardless of our differences.

    “But some of us that are coming from behind we cannot come here to lecture our elders that had been on this struggle.