The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kwara

  • Kwara inaugurates committee on LCDAs

    Kwara inaugurates committee on LCDAs

    Again, the stage is set for the creation of local government council development areas (LCDAs) in Kwara State.

    Former governors of the state, the late Adamu Attah and the late Mohammed Lawal, created local councils during their administrations which were later scrapped.

    To bring government closer to the people, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has inaugurated a 14-man committee on the creation of LCDAs.

    The committee is headed by former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and current member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, while Alhaji A. A Yusuf is the secretary.

    Inaugurating the committee in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Ahmed said the committee had eight weeks to submit its report.

    Other members of the committee are Alhaji Saidu Issa, Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji, Mr. Tunde Umar, AbdulWahab Issa, Mr. Joshua Ogunlowo and Alhaji Rasaq Umar. Others are Prof. Halidu Abubakar, Chief Wole Oke, Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmed, Alhaji Muhammad Toyin Sanusi, Dr Abubakar Ishola and Alhaji AbdulKadir Oba Salihu.

    The committee’s terms of reference are to: identify all basic parameters necessary for the creation of local council development areas, using variables peculiar to the Kwara environment while borrowing relevant experiences from other states that have similar structures; consider all factors related to viability (internally-generated revenue, population and land area, among others) in suggesting an area for LCDA status; identify suitable communities as headquarters, taking due cognisance of precedence in administrative responsibility in arriving at the choice; consider other relevant factors that will ensure uniformity, equity, fairness and greater sense of belonging. Others are to: assess the possibility of converting existing districts into development area councils with little adjustment where necessary and review the reports of similar exercises carried out in the past and any other considerations the committee finds pertinent for the successful completion of the crucial assignment.

    The governor said: “Since the creation of the state over four-and-a-half decades ago, the 1976 local government reforms remain a watershed in local government administration in the state in particular and the nation in general. Since then, the system has undergone several transformations resulting in the present 16 local government area structure.”However, as currently constituted, the local government structure remains largely inadequate, considering our population, land mass and other demographic features. For instance, Asa, Moro and Ifelodun local government areas, which were created by the 1976 reforms, have maintained their structures to date, while several other local government councils have been created out of the others.

    “Consequently, the said local government councils remain unnecessarily large, resulting in avoidable administrative bottlenecks. Even the 13 local governments that have transformed over the years still require to be sub-divided into more local government areas to make purposeful.

    “Furthermore, our people’s clamour for more local government areas remains unfulfilled due to the stringent and time-consuming constitutional process required for the creation of new local government councils.

    “Consequently, we have received requests from across the three Senatorial Districts and the 16 local government areas for the creation of local council development areas (LCDAs).”In response, therefore, I am pleased to inaugurate this 14-man committee on the creation of LCDAs in Kwara State.

    The creation of new LCDAs is expected to bring government closer to the people, and assist the people in bringing their aspirations to fruition. LCDAs will also help our people to realise their socio-economic goals and expand access to basic amenities that will accelerate development in these areas.”

    Responding, Baraje said: “The assignment is taxing. But Yoruba has a saying that no matter how weighty a word is, you will not cut with cutlass. You will only use mouth to discuss it. So, we intend to follow certain procedures. It is something that has a lot to do with the grassroots. We will go back to them and make consultations with them. “It is an activity that has to do with traditional institutions. We will have to do a lot of consultations with our traditional institutions.

    Thirdly, it is the request of the people, so we have to ask people to tell us what they want. It is the collation and conglomeration of the people’s wish, request, traditional institutions and grassroots people’s inputs that we are going to use. “Incidentally, members of the committee are erudite administrators. They are people who have deep experiences; they still have contact with the grassroots. We intend to make use of their experiences to carry out this herculean task.We urge you journalists to co-operate with us, as this is the time we need your assistance most; this is the time we need to work with you most. “This is a very sensitive job. It has to do with the sentiments and sensibilities of the people.

    “Therefore, we need you to report us honestly, appropriately and adequately. We, therefore, solicit your support.”

  • Women farmers in Kwara get attention

    Women farmers in Kwara get attention

    How to bring succour to small and subsistence women farmers took the centre stage in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The event, which attracted participants from the state House of Assembly, Ministry of Agriculture and women farmers from three local government areas, was organised by the Centre for Community  Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    After the event, the participants concluded that women farmers are in good stead to ensure the much-clamoured food sufficiency in Nigeria.

    At one of the interactive sessions, Chief Executive Officer, CCEPE Alhaji Abdulkareem Sulaiman, said the forum aimed at bringing the right holders and the duty bearers together.

    He said the right holders are the government while the duty bearers are the farmers.

    He said: “We just brought them together so that the government and other stakeholders that are in charge of these women farmers can be abreast of their problems and challenges and how to assist them so that they could produce more than what they are doing now.

    “We know they are the people feeding the cities and they are in the rural areas. They have a lot of problems such as bad roads, lack of basic necessities of life and inputs to their agriculture work such as fertilizers and tractors. They even had not seen extension workers around here. The extension workers would advise them on what to do and how to take their cases to the government.

    “That is why we brought these two parties together: the famers and the people representing the government from the House of Assembly and the Ministry of Agriculture, so that they will have direct contacts and direct discussion with one another and from there they can move forward.

    “Women farmers are the producers of what we eat in the cities. If you go to those communities, you will see that women are better farmers than many men. That is why we focus our attention on small holder farmers. They are small holder farmers because they do not have access to huge resources to go into mechanised farming. They are very fundamental and relevant to food security in the country.”

    Contributing, Senior Programme Officer of the NGO, Ayuba Akindele urged the state government to always factor in the women farmers in its annual budgets.

    “Women should be given special priority and the government should create enabling environment.  We need women budgeting, gender sensitive budgeting, budget that will take care of the concern and challenges of women farmers. Women farmers feed the nation,” he said.

    A member of the House Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources, Mrs. Segilola Abdulkadri expressed her happiness over the interactive session

    Mrs. Abdulkadir, who represents Ilorin Central in the House said: “I am happy that this group exists. They have been on their own for a very long time without anybody coordinating them. Now that they have an organisation coordinating them, at least they will have access to all helps that the government is putting in place in the budget for them.”

    She expressed her optimism that women farmers could serve as vehicles that would ensure food security and sufficiency in the country.

    She said: “You heard all of them introducing themselves as farmers. They produce so many food stuffs. They are not limited to little products such as pepper and tomatoes; they said they produce cassava, soya bean and others.  Who else are potential beneficiaries?

    “I think they have started now. I believe that by next year, they will have more voice to talk and more people will get to know them. I have solicited from the ministry that they should add some money in the next budget. The same will apply to the Federal Government. By the time the state starts, I am sure that the Federal Government and even the local governments will have some packages for them.”

    Director, Agriculture and Engineering Services, the state’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Oyedele Abifarin said the state plans to make every farmer a mini-commercial farmer.

    He said: “The N250 million loan that was granted to the farmers this year has already been disbursed to 172 farmers.

    “If these people are willing to pay, the governor had promised that he will expand it from the pilot scheme to a full blown one where everybody will become mini-commercial farmers, because the determination of what you are going to grow will be from the beginning, knowing your off-taker and knowing where you are selling.

    “This year’s loan facility is already gone but by the time they register, we will know them and we will be able to plan for next year. The ministry has been assisting women in their agricultural development activities. But it can never be enough.

    “We will continue to strive to develop our women because they are the other arm of men. Women are very useful to the family.

    Since women are in agriculture, we know that our family will be properly fed. As a result of this, we will continue to empower them.

    “We have advised them to form co-operative societies; because it is through the society that they can access loans. Government, as a facilitator, will continue to provide grants in order to develop agriculture and to ensure that they get what is required for them to develop our agriculture.

    “If they are in co-operatives, the banks will be able to listen to them. With government’s off-taker-driven agriculture, this allows the producers which are the farmers, to be able to determine and know what to produce even before they start.

    “From there, if they articulate it very well, they would have known the person to buy their product, who is the off-taker and the price to sell to be able to determine their gains. This will develop our agriculture very well and there would be no wastage.

    “The era of when you produce and you do not have somebody to buy the produce is gone. We are to determine who will buy it before the farmer produces. That is what Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is doing.”

     

  • ‘PDP can’t beat APC in Kwara’

    ‘PDP can’t beat APC in Kwara’

     Kwara South All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant Anu Ibiwoye, in this interview with ADEKUNLE JIMOH, speaks about the Ahmed Administration and why the governor deserves a second term.  

    Why are you contesting for the Senate?

    All of us are political beings and we look at what goes on in our environment. I have developed interest in politics when I was a banker and when I was Special Assistant to the Minister of Women Affairs and Youth Development. From that platform, I have become interested in what is going on in my community. I have realised that we do not have the kind of representation that we should have, particularly in the Kwara South. And when you look at the politicians on the field, I felt we needed to come out boldly to say we can improve on the quality of representation and we came into politics as a direct response to the gap that was obvious in our representation in Kwara South.

    I also believe there is the need to provide mentorship for our youths; young people that we can identify with, young people who can identify with us and who we could correct and channel their energies into constructive use. We felt that gap was there and they needed somebody who will be committed to the people in getting result.

    Do you think you have the wherewithal to delve into the murky waters of politics?

    I may not have the kind of money that people throw around in politics, but I have been able to achieve everything I needed to do. I am not playing money politics. I am not buying people. Of course, you need money to run your programmes, and projects, but I am not buying the people’s conscience.

    I am using the little that I have to project my message and appeal to the people. So far, God has been able to meet my needs. I have not borrowed or done any launching. I have not been begging. I have people who have supported me with their resources. I have people supporting me with their time and energy.

    There are different categories of people. There are people who are out to do a contract. We are going to pay them for the services they are rendering. There are other people who see themselves as partners in this project; that this thing we are doing belongs to all of us. It is not about monetary gains, but a commitment to what we want to achieve. Politics is not about money. Some people have money and they are throwing it around. But, you also find out that it is not how much you spend that determines what you get; it is about how well you are able to connect to the people.

    Politics in Nigeria has been monetised because of poverty and  deprivation. We hope we can get more people to do empowerment programmes to alleviate poverty in addition to what government is doing. So, it is something that we all must collectively to move this country forward.

    What is the assurance that you will emerge as the senatorial candidate at the primaries?

    I am happy that the party has said there is no automatic ticket for anybody. It means everybody will go to the electorate to canvass for votes. That is a right step in the right direction. At least, it is a departure from imposition. In 2011, I also had the opportunity to do what I am trying to do now and you will also see that we are course. We ran election in 2011 and even, when we did not win, we did not leave Kwara.

    We didn’t leave the people. We have continued on the course and  we have metamorphosed into the APC. We have been building the party; working with leadership and government to ensure that the dividends of democracy are delivered to the people. You find out that government is now more responsive, more proactive and it is more committed to delivering dividends of democracy to the people. So, this for me, is not only about position, but it is about getting a better society for our people through representation.

    You are from the South. What is your view on the second term ambition of Governor Ahmed?

    Naturally, the South should be allowed to have a second shot at the governorship. I think more importantly, I would support the governor for a second term. This is necessary to ensure stability and enable him complete his programmes. The governor has done well and he has good intention for the people, particularly people of the South. I have interacted with him personally and I was with him while on tour of project sites in Kwara South. We saw rural electrification and roads under construction and more importantly, he had an opportunity to get a feedback from the people.

    I am a committed supporter of his second term because I believe that that will afford him the opportunity to complete those projects he has started.

     Is Kwara better under the APC administration?

    Certainly, Kwara will fare better under the APC. One of the problems we are facing is that the Federal Government has not been accountable to the people. They have always relied on the federal might. Now, you have a government that is in the opposition at the national and state levels. We have seen in Nigeria today that it is possible for an incumbent to lose an election. We saw that in Ekiti. We have also seen in Osun that it is possible for an incumbent to retain power, if he is in touch with the people at the grassroots and delivering dividends of democracy.  There is no federal might that can displace you. Now, more than ever before, the people have become the centre of the activities of government. So, there is change and it is clear.

    PDP is banking on the federal might to wrest power from the APC in Kwara. What is your view?

    They should go and learn from Osun. The federal might will not deliver anything to the PDP. It is a misplaced priority and I think they should go and work to get popular votes from the electorate. The federal might will not deliver anything to anybody in Kwara. This government is with the people. The people have decided to stay with the APC and there is no federal might that canh change anything in Kwara. We have made our choice and the APC is our choice.

    What is your reaction to Saraki’s defection to the APC

    My interpretation of what had happened is that it has become very clear that Nigeria needs a rescue mission and Saraki is a very influential politician. He has been a major supporter of government; a major stabiliser. He was the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum for almost four years and that forum brought stability to governance. And, at a critical point, when late President Yar’Adua died, the forum brought stability in a transition.

    Some governors insisted that the Federal Government should do the right thing and when they refused to do that, a few of them took a decision to join the progressives to salvage the country. His defection to the APC was a bold step at rescuing Nigeria from the crutches of people who currently run the country; who have no will to rescue Nigeria from the myriad of problems confronting the country. These problems include insecurity, corruption, unemployment and power outage. This is the time when like-minded people should come together to rescue the country so that we can move forward. And I believe that Senator Bukola Saraki is leading that group of people to chart a new political course for this country.

    What is your advice to Kwara youths?

    The future belongs to the young people and, as long as they do not brace up for the challenge, things that are important will continue to elude them. There are opportunities for many young people in Nigeria. Dr Bukola Saraki was a governor as a youth and it is very clear that he has laid the foundation for greatness in Kwara. A generation of young people is running this country. We must get our young people prepared to take responsibilities because, if theydo not focus and channel their energies to constructive use, these opportunities will continue to elude them. I am a young man and I have come this far by dint of hard work and commitment and I believe we should harness the potentials of our youths and channel their energies to constructive use so that they can truly be the leaders of tomorrow.

  • Kwara 2015: Ahmed’s battle for second term

    Kwara 2015: Ahmed’s battle for second term

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has been endorsed for second term by many stakeholders. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the succession battle in the Northcentral state between the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ahead of next year’s general elections, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s second term ambition has been endorsed by no fewer than 15 groups and associations. They include students’ bodies, women groups, the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW), and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Also, musicians, artisans, traditional rulers and influential political leaders from the three senatorial districts are backing him. To many observers, these are core stakeholders who can mobilise for his victory at the poll.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried the gale of endorsements, saying that it will not work. The party said that it will not brighten the chance of the governor in the election.

    Few weeks ago, the Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum, the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS), and the Ilorin Emirate Students Union also promised to support his candidature, if Ahmed emerges as the flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Giving reasons for supporting the governor’s bid, the students said that his people-oriented policies and programmes are worthy of commendation. Their leadern Ajadi Muyideen, lauded what he described as Ahmed’s selfless service to the people. He expressed gratitude to the goverment for the payment of bursary to tertiary students. He said the move wsas a relief to parents.

    “As a body that always fights for students, we want to personally salute the courage of our dear governor for his good works and we assure him of our unalloyed support at all times,” he said.

    Also, the Ilorin Emirate Students Union, in its statement signed by its President, Alaburo Sherifideen, described the governor’s achievements in education as unprecedented. Sherifideen noted that the governor had been sensitive to public yearnings, pointing out that the reduction of tuition fees at the Kwara State University, Malete, by 50 per cent has reduced dropouts rate among tertiary students. He also praised the governor for making primary and post-primary education tuition free. He said the renovation and construction of classrooms had enhanced a conducive atmosphere for learning in schools.

    The Coordinator of Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum, Ibrahim Kutan Muhammed, said Ahmed has success stories to tell in  health, agriculture, energy, works and transport, education and youth development. “In view of his doggedness, the Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum is in full support of the governor for a second term in 2015 so that he can continue the good work,” he added.

    However, despite the gale of endorsements, Ahmed has other hurdles to cross. Kwara Central District, like the South, is agitating for power shift, although the zone had enjoyed the slot for 12 years. There are other calculations. The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) may zone its governorship to the Central, which is more populous and has a history of bloc votes. The propaganda of the opposition party is strong. Ahmed has been painted as the product of Saraki Dynasty at a time some elements are pushing for a shift in political alliance.

    However, the governor may have done his calculations very well, ahead of the electioneering. For three and half years that he has ruled the state, he has not stirred any controversy. Also, no politician has come between him and his political leader, Senator Bukola Saraki. Unlike other states, where crises between predecessors and their successors have reached the peak, there is a cordial relationship between the former governor and Ahmed. His leader and the entire political camp are proud of his achievements. There appears to be an understanding that, since Saraki spent two terms of eight years, that precedent should be followed.

    However, as the succession battle gathers momentum, the second term battle will not be a walkover for the governor. Ahmed has to work harder to secure a second term.

    Following Saraki’s defection to the APC, some calculations were altered. There are new permutations. There is a debate on which senatorial district is likely to guarantee victory for the party, especially when the PDP is working to snatch victory from it. Since last year, some people have said that the defection may cost the governor the second term ticket. Although there is no consensus yet on succession in the APC, some party chieftains believe that Ahmed’s political future hangs in the balance, despite the fact that he has performed. However, those against his ambition allude to political expediency, claiming that since the PDP is likely to pick its flag bearer from Kwara Central, the ruling party should not be indifferent to its implications for the election. This latter group feels that another a stronger aspirant would be a better option.

    Kwara Central has the highest number of voters. Therefore, it is the target of the PDP.  The  aspirants in the zone include Dele Belgore (SAN) and Prof. Oba Abdurahaman. But, the zone cannot solely install the governor. Therefore, the opposition party is also mobilising support in the  South, where the governor comes from, and the North, to pull the rug of the feet of the APC.

    In spite of the permutation, the APC is still believed to have an edge over the PDP. The ruling party is popular across the three districts. Not only has it been able to overcome the regression to ethnic division by the PDP, but, unlike the PDP, which lacks an arrowhead, the APC is forging ahead under the leadership of Saraki, ably supported by his lieutenant, Ahmed.

    But, the uneasiness in the APC, which was triggered by the strategic decision of the PDP to pick its candidate from the Central, has not fizzled out. Since the zone is regarded as a huge electoral asset, given the fact that it boasts of the highest number of registered voters, the anxiety in the APC and among the governor’s is not unfounded.

    If the PDP eventually picks its candidate from the zone, as being speculated, the South, where the governor hails from, would be up for grabs. Sources said that the North could go either way. But, the endorsements may altered the conjecture, as the APC and its supporters are not sleeping on guard. In fact, the endorsements are part of the strategies to convince the anti-second term ambition that people are pushing for continuity because Ahmed is popular.

    A strong message was sent to the governor’s critics when he was endorsed by stakeholders from the North District. The Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Kawu Haliru, has thrown his weight behind his second term bid. The endorsement ceremony was witnessed by former Governor Shaaba Lafiagi, who is representing the district in the Senate, House of Representatives member Aman Pategi, many public office holders, community leaders, representatives of professional groups, youths, women, artisans and peasants. Speakers at the event highlighted developmental projects and  empowerment schemes across the districts. Urging the APC to field him in next year’s poll, they maintained that the governor has lived up to expectation.

    Emir Haliru, a highly respected leader, is believed to have spoken the minds of his people. Analysts believe that his blessings also came as a relieve to the governor’s camp, as it meant that the zone’s agitation for power shift, may not affect APC’s chances at the polls.

    The endorsement by stakeholders from the North is also significant for another reason. It may weaken the alleged one term pact between the governor and his leader. In 2011, the feeling was that Ahmed will spend one term and handover to a governor from the North. But, since the endorsement of the governor, there has not been any contrary view.

    Also, the North, like the Central, has the advantage of a bloc vote. Although there are some PDP governorship aspirants from the zone, they are paper weight actors.

    The South, where the governor hails from, is solidly behind the him. Many analysts believe that the endorsement and the mobilisation of indigenes appear to have properly positioned the governor for the final endorsement by the party. In fact, his kinsmen have embarked on an aggressive mobilisation for his ambition. During the voter’s registration, they trooped out for the exercise. Now, the calculation is that the combined forces of Saraki in the Central and Ahmed’s foot soldiers in the South should forge a working alliance with compatriots in the North to ensure the push for continuity next year.

    However, the PDP is of the opinion that the APC’s calculations would hit the rock. According to its leaders, this agenda may not work.  The PDP believes that endorsements do not translate into electoral victory, adding that the royal father who has endorsed Ahmed lacked the mandate of the voting public.

    The PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary, Femi Yusuf, doubted the validity of the endorsements, saying that it is unreliable.  He said the next election would be a battle of supremacy between the APC and the PDP. Faulting the endorsements, he said they were instigated by the government.

    “We see the endorsement as a mere figment of the imagination of the APC. It does not provide the party with any leverage when the election comes.

    “That aside, the traditional ruler is a civil servant, who collects salary from the state government monthly. So, what do you expect? When they are endorsing him for a second term, what would warrant the endorsement? What have they done for the area  for them to say he should continue in office?

    “You can only deserve endorsement, if you have surpassed the previous administrations. But, the past 12 years have shown that the people of the North District have been neglected. Go to Baruten or Kayama, Lafiagi and Patigi to see for yourself.”

    However, the Special Adviser to the governor on Communication Strategy, Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, disagreed with the PDP spokesman. He said:”The governor, through his ‘Shared Prosperity Agenda’, has sustained the impactful developmental momentum of his predecessor and he actually deserves the support of well-meaning people to continue his people-oriented projects.

    “He has successfully consolidated on the projects of the former governor and opened up new ones, which have direct bearing on the people and that simply explains why the people are clamouring for continuity.”

  • Kwara, Ondo direct schools to open Monday

    Kwara, Ondo direct schools to open Monday

    he Kwara State government has directed primary and secondary schools to resume on Monday.

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had directed itsmembers not to resume, until their demands on the control of the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) were met.

    The Commissioner for Education, Saka Onimago, asked all schools to provide basic hygiene materials, such as washing bowls, soap and towels.

    Onimago, in a statement, directed two teachers from each school to undergo training on Ebola prevention, adding that the programme would begin as soon as the federal ministries of Health and Education provide the necessary facilities.

    He said the new school fees of N750 per term had been fixed for senior secondary schools, N500 for junior secondary and N250 for primary schools.

    Also, the Ondo State government has directed all public and private schools to resume on Monday.

    Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade, in a statement, said the government has made provision for the safe return of pupils to their schools.

    He said the state has lined up activities to sensitise the public, headteachers and teachers on how to prevent the disease.

    The statement said scanners would be distributed to schools for early detection of contagious diseases.

    The statement said meeting and sensitisation are on-going among education and health officials as well as stakeholders in the primary and secondary education system.

     Akinmade said government has also brought in a disinfection expert from the United Kingdom to train in the prevention of the disease.

    But in Niger State, the government has fixed October 10 for the resumption for all schools.

    The government said the new date was informed by the Eid-el-Kabir festival expected to hold in the first week of October.

    The new date was announced when Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu received a delegation of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) in his office yesterday.

    Aliyu said mostpupils would want to celebrate the festival with their parents, hence the September 22 date will not work.

    “Most of the children will want to witness the slaughtering of rams and participate in other post-Sallah festivities,” Aliyu said.

    He said fixing the resumption date for Friday would enable pupils in boarding schools to tidy their surroundings for classes to begin on Monday.

  • Kwara, Ondo direct schools to open Monday

    Kwara, Ondo direct schools to open Monday

    The Kwara State government has directed primary and secondary schools to resume on Monday.

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had directed itsmembers not to resume, until their demands on the control of the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) were met.

    The Commissioner for Education, Saka Onimago, asked all schools to provide basic hygiene materials, such as washing bowls, soap and towels.

    Onimago, in a statement, directed two teachers from each school to undergo training on Ebola prevention, adding that the programme would begin as soon as the federal ministries of Health and Education provide the necessary facilities.

    He said the new school fees of N750 per term had been fixed for senior secondary schools, N500 for junior secondary and N250 for primary schools.

    Also, the Ondo State government has directed all public and private schools to resume on Monday.

    Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade, in a statement, said the government has made provision for the safe return of pupils to their schools.

    He said the state has lined up activities to sensitise the public, headteachers and teachers on how to prevent the disease.

    The statement said scanners would be distributed to schools for early detection of contagious diseases.

    The statement said meeting and sensitisation are on-going among education and health officials as well as stakeholders in the primary and secondary education system.

     Akinmade said government has also brought in a disinfection expert from the United Kingdom to train in the prevention of the disease.

    But in Niger State, the government has fixed October 10 for the resumption for all schools.

    The government said the new date was informed by the Eid-el-Kabir festival expected to hold in the first week of October.

    The new date was announced when Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu received a delegation of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) in his office yesterday.

    Aliyu said mostpupils would want to celebrate the festival with their parents, hence the September 22 date will not work.

    “Most of the children will want to witness the slaughtering of rams and participate in other post-Sallah festivities,” Aliyu said.

    He said fixing the resumption date for Friday would enable pupils in boarding schools to tidy their surroundings for classes to begin on Monday.

  • Ebola: Kwara Polytechnic to screen workers, students

    Authorities of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin in Kwara State have completed plans to subject both fresh and returning students of the institution to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) screening exercise when the school resumes for the 2014/2015 session.

    The Rector of the polytechnic, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, disclosed this in Ilorin, the state capital, during a sensitisation training on the control of EVD organised by the school management for workers.

    Apart from the various sensitisation programmes lined up, workers would also undergo EVD screening exercise.

    To achieve this, Elelu said a committee has been put in place “to liaise with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on how to bring in some of those screening equipment before the school resumes.

    “And when the students come, we will screen them and give them proper lecture to sensitise them on the Ebola Virus Disease. We have a proper plan to screen all students including workers as soon as we get the equipment. And if we cannot lay our hands on the equipment, we will hire from those that have the screening equipment,” he said.

    He added: “Though the Federal Government has assured us of safety on the issue of Ebola Virus, we still believe prevention is better than cure. We have decided to bring all information about the deadly disease closer to our staff and our community in order to prevent ourselves from it.”

    Earlier, Consultant and Infections Disease Physician from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr. Abayomi Fadeyi, said EVD was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan in 1976.

    He described Ebola as the deadliest among the viral hemorrhagic fevers with no cure and preventive vaccine yet.

    Abayomi said Ebola can be contracted through, body fluids of the affected animals, handshake, kissing, hugging and breast feeding.

  • Bacita: Kwara’s forgotten industrial town

    Bacita: Kwara’s forgotten industrial town

    The mention of Bacita immediately evokes memories of the now comatose Nigeria Sugar Company. The image of the defunct firm still lies in the town which used to be a commercial hub in Kwara State.

    But today, the town is a shadow of itself, with the once-known industrial town lacking in development.

    The absence of good roads may have contributed to the deplorable nature of the town. The collapse of the sugar company and Nigeria Yeast and Alcohol Manufacturing Company has made life in the town unattractive.

    Located in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Bacita used to be the envy of Nigeria because of the presence of the Nigerian Sugar Company and others.

    But the situation has changed drastically as the town can no longer boast of any development. For example, because of the status of the Nigeria Sugar Company, the staff school, which residents said, used to be the joy of students and parents has become an eyesore.

    The buildings and classrooms are in a deplorable condition. As evidence of the decay of the school, the signpost no longer bears the name of the school as years of neglect seem to have taken toll on it. The name has been erased and replaced with an inscription which reads: “No King as God”, written in a handwriting that depicts that of an idle child trying to master the craft of handwriting.

    A few meters from the gate stood a huge book-like sculpture with the inscription, “Education is the bedrock of any development, allow your children to be educated”, an indication of why the school was set up.

    Our correspondent gathered that apart from the overgrown grasses, there was nothing to suggest that this was a place that was once a centre of academic excellence. The classrooms had been converted to some kind of store by farmers and other people who see some industrious use of the classrooms.

    They dry their shear butter seeds, cassava and other farm produce. Result sheets, text books and receipt booklets were seen scattered in what used to be the headmaster’s office and other offices.

    Ironically, the condition of the school can be likened to the state of the community whose growth has stunted over the years. Many people have, however, relocated from the community and many more are said to be on their way out due to lack of development.

    They have, however, cried out; alleging that the government, both at the federal and state levels, has abandoned them. Some of the residents of the community expressed sadness that government has decided not to remember them.

    Our correspondent also discovered that out of the two roads leading to the community, visitors prefer to use the Old Jebba Road known to many as the Tsaragi/Share Road because of the deplorable condition of the major road, the Mokwa/Jebba Road.

    It was further gathered that visitors to Bacita have abandoned the 18-kilometre road because, instead of spending about 20 minutes to get to the community, travellers spend almost one hour because of its bad nature. The alternative route which is the Share/Tsaragi Road, which most people prefer is peculiar with the plain landscape.

    The road is tarred, which explains the preference. Some of the villages on the road are Patidzuru, Kpankorogi, Manfu, Emigbadzi, Mamu and Emiworogi. Heaps of firewood, which might never be sold are displayed in most of the villages. With about one kilometre separating the villages, our correspondent observed that villages, which appear to be smaller than Bacita enjoy good road network and constant power supply, even though they lack schools, markets, banks and hospitals. In view of that, they have to travel always to Bacita to access these facilities.

    Ironically, the good road enjoyed by smaller villages on the way to Bacita are not present in Bacita as the roads in Bacita still maintain that natural state, with erosion eating into parts of them.

    Motorcycles appear to be the major means of transport in the community where roadblocks and bumps are made with firewood. Unfortunately, the usual bustling that characterised the once-popular industrial town in the Old Kwara State is gone. Walking round the town, it was discovered that most people just move around with little activities going on. Tattered attires of farmers returning from farm also speak about life in the community, with only a few of them with the opportunity to own old bicycles and motorcycles that are better placed off the road. Residents are not happy about the seeming pathetic situation in Bacita. Even with the state of lack of development, worship places adorn the town with only one functioning hospital, few private schools and thick green grasses.

    A view from afar gives you hope because of the company structure which stands out, but on approaching, the hope is dashed as the structure stands among bushes. The community has one government secondary school and one mini-fuel station called Green Space Nigeria Limited.

    Investigation revealed that the major source of water in the community is well water while their major occupations remain farming and petty trades because of the collapse of the companies.

    Dominated by the Nupe, the women have mastered the art of using the abundant groundnuts in the community for commercial purpose. With the groundnut, they make and sell ‘kuli-kuli,’ a local snack and also extract oil which they sell to those who like organic food.

    Residents told our correspondent that “Bacita used to be tourism and excursion centre for students and visitors who came to the state. It really assisted the economy of the country then because of the Sugar firm and NIYAMCO  that were functioning. But now, the moribund nature of the companies has led to the collapse of most activities in the community.”

    Some of them regretted that the “government has forgotten us completely but we will not be surprised if we start hearing that they will come to pay us a visit soon just the way they usually do when general elections approach.

    As election period draws near, they will find their way into the town with blaring siren and party flags for campaign. They act very honest and promise heaven on earth but after the election, they completely turn their backs on us. That is why the community remains the same or worse than what it used to be.”

    A resident, who lives in an estate popularly called Housing Estate,  said: “If the politicians don’t remember us by putting something significant such as good road, potable water and probably help restore what is dying in this village, I doubt if this town will exist for long.’.

     

  • Jani: Power should shift to Kwara South

    Jani: Power should shift to Kwara South

    Prominent businessman and former National President of Alumni Association of the National Institute Alhaji Jani Ibrahim is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Kwara State.  He spoke with ADEKUNLE JIMOH in Ilorin, the state capital, on his ambition, zoning and chances of the PDP at the polls. 

    Why do you want to become  the governor of Kwara State?

    I see a state with abundant potentials that have not been fully utilised. People say the state is poor, but, I see untapped potential. In Lubcon we have been able to accomplish extra-ordinary things with ordinary people; our products have accomplished international certification without a single expatriate staff. I believe that the same feat can be accomplished in Kwara State. Taking the state from “good” to “great”. I look at the hoards of unemployed youths, and the potentials lying waste; I look at poor rural dwellers surrounded by uncultivated land as far as the eyes can see, and I see untapped potentials for turning their lives and the economy of the state around. I have worked hard to build a successful business and I intend to deploy the wealth of experience that I have garnered in business to help shape the lives and fortunes of our youths and our children. I have been trying to do that in my business through grants, scholarships, youth empowerment initiatives and direct support to young entrepreneurs as well as employment opportunities but that is not enough. I know I can do more because you can never be comfortable in the midst of poverty as it is today in Kwara. So, to improve the living conditions of our people is enough motivation for me.

    What is the chance of President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s election?

    The country is experiencing a seven per cent growth rate, which is one of the highest in the world. Foreign investors, after careful assessment of the economic prospects of the country, are coming into the country despite the negative image that some are wont to present of the country. The Transformation Agenda and other programmes such as the power sector reforms are beginning to bear fruit, despite all the troubling security challenges that the country is faced with. Nigerians just need to be a little bit patient to see the full results, as the benefits of these initiatives do not become apparent overnight. The recent rebasing of our GDP, the first ever, is a commendable exercise that has helped to shed  light on the true structure of the economy and contribution of various sectors to the GDP. This is an invaluable tool in correct policy formulation. Yes, there are challenges facing the nation; but the response of everyone of us should be joining hands and working together to take on the challenges; every nation that is great today, passed through some rough patches in its history. We cannot afford to let Nigeria fail; there is no place in the world where 170 million people can run to – failure is not an option. The President, despite the security and other challenges facing the country, has continued to forge ahead; and we should give him our unwavering support and back him with our prayers; “you don’t change a coach in the middle of a match”.

    What is your reaction to the agitation for power shift to Kwara South, where you comes from?

    My party will conduct a delegate election to decide who is the best person for the job. Yes, you are right that our people from the South are insisting that equity demands that the zone be allowed another four years in power. I am not aware of any binding agreement to that effect in our party.; But, don’t forget that we have eminently qualified candidates from all the zones. We are consulting with our brothers and sisters from both the central and the North, if our zone wants to keep it for another fouryears, they have to work hard and convince the other zones. What remains important is for the best candidate that can deliver the state to emerge. The problems of the state -poverty, unemployment, underdevelopment-cannot be zoned. They are all over.

    What is your vision for Kwara State?

     I was raised from a very humble beginnings and I would like to see a Kwara State in which people that can aspire and attain to great height no matter their background; a state where every child rises to the fullest of their potentials. A state where kwarans can participate in the political process without fear of retribution and where our votes will be counted.

    Without going into too much details, our programmes revolve round the acronym of my name. JANI; J – job creation, A – agriculture development, N – natural resources exploitation and I – infrastructure development.

    On the job front, in addition to the various programmes we will be putting in place, we will work at making Kwara State the choice destination for foreign businesses coming into the country. As you aware, Africa is the next big thing in global business, and Nigeria is the prime location for the foreign businesses that are coming into the continent. SMEs will be a major tool for job creation.

    How are you going to achieve these programmes?

    With the abundant arable land, excellent land and air connection and the hard working people that the state is blessed with, we will be leveraging on the programmes and incentives that the Federal Government has put into place under its Agriculture Transformation Agenda, to position the state as the foremost agriculture and agro business region in the country. With well articulated policy in place, rural farmers in the state could easily meet 10 per cent of the country’s annual rice needs and earning themselves N30 billion annually in the process; mind you, that is just slightly lower than what the state receives annually from the Federal Allocation. Such initiatives help address the inclusive growth concerns that is bothering development professional around the globe.

    We will also enter into partnership with local and foreign firms to exploit and very importantly, processing the mineral resources that exist in the state. Thailand and India though not big time mineral producing countries, have very vibrant precious stone cutting and polishing industries. We intend to make Kwara State the centre for a similar operation, catering for the needs of the precious stones mined in the mineral rich belt that extends from Nasarawa/Plateau state, down to Kogi/Kwara State.

    On the infrastructure front, we will be opening up every part of the state by construction of good roads, upgrading of schools and hospitals, extension of grid and off grid electricity and the provision of water and sanitation.

    I’m always sad when I hear that a child cannot read, because the doors of opportunity had been closed on that child.

    Our youths know that government alone cannot solve all their problems. But they believe that by reducing the cost of governance, practising tight fiscal management and a radical change in Government’s priorities, every Kwaran will have a chance to a decent good life. We will embrace transparency, and will be reaching out to Kwarans at home and abroad, as well as bilateral and multilateral development agencies to join hands with us in birthing the Kwara of our dream.

  • Tackling rising insecurity in Kwara

    Tackling rising insecurity in Kwara

    Piqued by the increasing wave of political violence and criminal activities, especially among the youth in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, prominent sons and daughters of the emirate under the aegis of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), has organised a one-day security summit ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Explaining the rationale behind the summit, the group noted that peace and harmony of the town are gradually being eroded by modernity and political sophistication.

    Speaker after speaker at the summit blamed the malaise on institutional inertia, drug abuse, corruption in both high and low places, bad governance and public distrust.

    Declaring the summit open, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed blamed politicians whom he said use the youth to achieve their selfish ambitions.

    He, therefore, urged politicians to provide jobs and not guns for the youth.

    He said: “Our youths need jobs and a secure future. What they do not need and therefore do not deserve are guns and machetes whose only outcome is to blight their lives and abridge their future.

    “I also add my voice to the need for the security agencies to form a greater synergy and avoid needless rivalry. We can only surmount the hidden and obvious security threats confronting our state through working together. To us the people, it does not matter who offers the best protection and security.

    “What counts is that our lives are safe and our properties secure.”

    Ahmed also advised Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies through the appropriate channels that offer anonymity and safety.

    He maintained that the most reliable and actionable intelligence comes from neighbourhood where crime is hatched and committed.

    He further said policies and programmes of his administration are borne out of the realisation of the social, economic and security imperative of ensuring that youths are productively engaged to prevent youth restiveness.

    Contributing, the National President of IEDPU, Alhaji AbdulHamid Adi said the summit was designed to check crime and criminalities in Ilorin due to the increase in the city’s population.

    Also contributing top security personnel who pleaded anonymity said: “Security agents alone cannot ensure crime-free society. Combating crime requires the support of all. Members of the public should endeavour to volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of criminal elements in the society.

    “If I make any arrest, I urge members of the public not to intervene by asking for their release. Crimes persist in the society because members of the public intervene when a criminal is arrested. It is better to allow alleged criminals charged to court. If they are convicted and jailed, the society can then be peaceful.”

    In a paper entitled “Primary Crime Control in Addressing the Problems of Insecurity in Ilorin Emirate,” Ambassador Abdulazeez Sheikh-Usman said criminal activities in the metropolis tend to assume crisis proportion, “thereby engendering a depressing feeling of helplessness among the general populace.”

    Ambassador Sheikh-Usman said: “The distortion to the harmonious co-existence therefore, has created the impression that government is incapable of fulfilling one of its cardinal responsibilities of ensuring public safety.

    “Amidst all these, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the principal organ charged with maintenance of law and order, appear bogged down by institutional inertia, derived from long years of neglect, corruption, poor morale and public mistrust, despite the range of assistance from some state governments. Hence, hitherto unknown criminals, who operate primarily in certain localities in the country, have become notorious within the emirate.

    “It is established that for most criminal activities, the underlying factor is the element of cheating, which has been allowed to permeate every fabric of our society and lives. From that market woman who dents her measure to the robber who dispossesses one of one’s personal belongings, the thugs and cult members who destroy people’s property, the law enforcement officer that takes money to cover up a criminal for breaking the law, the importer of fake drugs, the civil servant who cut corners, the politician who makes invisible beings to vote for him are all attitudinal problems and products of polluted mind.

    “It is cheating that breeds injustice, fear, derailing of value system and prejudice, among others which, together with poverty and unemployment, among others, that the emirate and indeed the state must set out to combat.

    “Overtime, government’s approach in promoting harmony through the security agents has the benefit of deterrence, apprehension, punishment and treatment of offenders, but there appears to be no corresponding effectiveness in crime control. Experience has shown that this formal system of controlling crime across the country contains inherent limitations and therefore requires other options that will be complementary.

    “Basically, therefore, crime prevention will rely more on the culture, education and societal cohesion to be effective.”

    Proffering suggestions towards eradicating or reducing crime and criminality in the society, he said: “Government at the centre must do the right thing to curtail and reverse the state of insecurity in the country. Given the enormous resources at the disposal of some perpetrators, government needs to properly address the causes of the challenges and adequately deploy the right and appropriate resources to stem the downward trend of the security situation.

    “Most importantly, the Federal Government should address the problem of weak judicial system that encourages frivolous injunctions and different sanctions on the same offences. Efforts should also be made to make the security services functional and effective. Corruption, injustices and the culture of impunity must be addressed.

    “Crime prevention only needs to be integrated in our broader social policies while making sure that certain values are not compromised. Hence, combining prevention with enforcement shall ensure a near crime-free community.”