The Nation Newspaper

Tag: marks

  • Credit Direct marks customer service week

    Credit Direct Limited has joined the global community to mark this year’s Customer Service Week from October 1st to 5th. The company impacted several communities across the country through several initiatives designed to celebrate its customers.

    Drawing from the theme of this year’s celebration “Excellence Happens Here” the company provided free health checks and drugs to over 2, 000 beneficiaries in five states. These free health services were provided simultaneously to teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Kwara States where health professionals gave free consultation, tests, drugs, eye glasses and crutches.

    While celebrating their customers, Credit Direct Limited also executed different projects aimed at improving the educational sector ranging from the painting of public schools, construction of bus terminals for schools to rehabilitating dilapidated restrooms, equipping laboratories and libraries as well as providing writing materials to students and generators for small businesses. Over 124, 560 students in 10 states benefited from these projects. The company further trained 100 civil servants on “Entrepreneurial Skills and Financial Management”. The idea behind these initiatives is to actively show commitment to the welfare of customers by giving back in such a way as to develop their abilities to create wealth while also making their work environment more conducive for them.

    The Managing Director, Credit Direct Limited,. Akinwande Ademosu also made phone calls to several customers of the company to personally appreciate their patronage over the years. Speaking with staff of the company to mark the occasion Ademosu also stressed the importance of excellent customer service as the purpose of the annual celebration. He said “We are glad to enjoy another year with our numerous customers across the country and have decided to give back in celebration of their loyal patronage. Internally, we are proud of our staff and the quality service they render to our customers – This is why we are here”.

    The Credit Direct brand also celebrated its staff as it gave out prizes and organized several events including a costume day where staff dressed in attires representing their favorite alternative professions.

  • Ecobank marks Customer Service Week

    The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has restated the bank’s commitment to excellent service delivery to meet the needs and aspirations of its customers at all times. Flagging off the 2018 Customer Service Week at the Ikorodu branch of the bank yesterday.

    He said the week is a huge opportunity to say thank you and to celebrate customers of the bank. He assured that the bank will  remain committed to excellence in products and services delivery at all its touch points.

    “This is another moment to celebrate you. We will always celebrate you. You are the reason why we are in business. Excellent customer service is a vital part of our promise as a bank. For us, this is more than just providing answers. It’s helping customers even when they don’t know they need help. It’s teaching them how to do more with our products. It starts with a smile and a friendly word, and finishes with sharing our expertise, even when it has nothing at all to do with our products. We are committed to bringing you superior customer service, whenever, wherever, and however you need it. Thank you for choosing Ecobank.” He noted

    Akinwuntan , who was a “Bank Teller” today at the Ikorodu Branch used the opportunity to showcase some of the digital and innovative self-service options offered by Ecobank.

  • PDP: Anger in Mark’s, Jang’s camps over Saraki’s consensus bid

    •Ex-Senate President cautions against ‘imposition of candidates’

    Former Senate President  David Mark and ex-Plateau State Governor David Jang  and their supporters are kicking over alleged moves  by  Senate President Bukola Saraki to  engineer the selection of a consensus presidential candidate for  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Northcentral zone.

    All three are seeking the party’s ticket for the 2019 presidential election.

    A report at the weekend, from Saraki’s camp, suggested that stakeholders from the zone had opted to pick a consensus aspirant from the zone to contest with similar aspirants from the Northwest and Northeast.

    But loyalists of Mark and Jang are not amused by the report.

    Mark’s camp, in particular, warned PDP against imposition of candidates.

    The supporters said the consensus agenda was a plot to ambush their principals to forego their presidential aspirations for Saraki.

    Mark’s loyalists, The Nation gathered, were uncomfortable that a private session organized by Saraki was turned into a consensus forum.

    “What happened on Wednesday was not a meeting of Northcentral leaders per se. It was Saraki who conveyed the session to brief some leaders from our zone on his presidential aspiration.  The former President of the Senate, Chief David Mark was not even there,” a source in Mark’s camp said.

    “There was no communiqué agreeing on consensus. The leaders only advised the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PDP, Sen. Walid Jibril to set up a committee to consult with the three aspirants from North-Central and come out with something.

    “They asked the committee to liaise with the aspirants from the zone. No one is talking of a consensus candidate at all.

    “The session was more of a personal agenda by Saraki because at the end of the day, a statement from the gathering was signed by the Director-General, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Campaign Organization, Wakil Mohammed.

    “With such a sensitive decision on consensus, should the statement come from Saraki’s Campaign DG or stakeholders in Northcentral? Shouldn’t there be a communiqué?

    “Why must only a party be the one to sign and issue a statement? We are suspicious of the session; it was a ploy to outsmart other aspirants in the zone.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The former President of the Senate has not been consulted on consensus option; he is going ahead with his aspiration and plans for primaries.”

    A reliable source in Jang’s camp said: “The meeting was called by the Northcentral zone of the PDP at the request of Saraki. It was chaired by the Zonal Chairman,  Theophillus Dakas Shan,  himself.

    “Saraki wanted to brief the zone about his ambition. It was not a Middle Belt meeting but Northcentral and consensus was not up for discussion.

    “Actually, it was ex-Governor Babangida Aliyu who urged the meeting to set up a small committee to encourage the three aspirants from the Northcentral to discuss among themselves.

    “Going by our plans, Jang will on Monday submit his presidential nomination form.”

    When contacted, the Zonal Chairman, Shan said: “We didn’t reach any agreement on consensus.

    “We resolved to allow our elders in PDP in Northcentral to talk to all the aspirants. If there is a possibility, we will bring one candidate and if it is impossible, they will go for the primaries. Whatever we are going to do, the three aspirants must reach an agreement.”

    Asked if the PDP in the zone had raised a committee on consensus by the three aspirants, Shan said: “We are not going to set up any committee; our elders will talk to the aspirants.”

    He admitted that Saraki came around to brief Northcentral PDP on his presidential aspiration.

    He added: “We are expecting Mark and Jang to come and brief us on their presidential aspiration too.”

    A former governor in one of the Northcentral states said: “I think the DG of Saraki Campaign Organization misrepresented the meeting. There was a suggestion by the President of the Senate for the adoption a consensus candidate by PDP Northcentral which does not amount to automatic recommendation.”

    In an address at the session on Wednesday, Saraki said: “Leaders from the North Central need to work together to ensure that a PDP candidate emerges from the zone.

    “It is clear that the only way to achieve unity in the country is when you have a leader who can manage the differences and galvanize our energy towards achieving development.

    “It is not about where you come from, but it is about what you can do for our country. If there is anybody who can do better than those of us in the North Central Zone, let them stand up.

    “It is important that in October, our delegates from the Northcentral should work to ensure that a Northcentral candidate emerges – and they should work together with delegates from across the country to ensure that a Northcentral candidate emerges. We request your support.”

    Mark cautions PDP against imposition of candidates

    In a statement in Abuja, Senator Mark cautioned PDP leaders against imposition of candidates.

    He urged all members of the party to conduct themselves peacefully with a view to ensuring respect for law and order.

    “As we converge to elect delegates to the Congresses beginning from Saturday, we must be guided by democratic tenets and observe the principle of fairness and justice,” Mark said in the statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Paul Mumeh.

    He added: “We must demonstrate to fellow country men and women that we are truly democratic.

    “I am sure that our members nationwide will showcase our reformed and rebranded party as the preferred choice for the people.”

    Senator Mark said he joined the presidential race because “I believe I can make a positive difference in Nigeria.”

    Continuing, he said: “nobody can shy away from the fact that Nigeria is currently faced with intractable security, economic and socio-political challenges that unarguably threatens the corporality of the country.

    “Rarely has our country been faced with such a state of uncertainty, despair, suspicion and division.

    “The time has come for all men and women who care and have the requisite experiences and courage to stand up, retrieve it from the brink and lead our nation into prosperity.”

    Senator Mark expressed optimism that his roadmap to economic recovery and prosperity tagged ‘730 model’ will turn around the economy of the nation within two years of his administration if he is elected President.

    He said he has assembled a team of young professionals who can hit the ground running and facilitate the economic recovery.

    He also pledged to give education top priority as the bedrock for development.

    His words:”We will focus on education and create a pool of highly trained citizens with excellent IT skills who will be employable as well as create jobs.”

    “We will support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as a matter of priority with interest free cooperative loans and appropriate technology, which will be the main driver of the economy with attendant rate of huge employment opportunities.”

  • Sex for marks: Victim volunteers to appear before panel

    • Denies invitation by OAU

    A female post graduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Ms Monica Osagie, who is allegedly involved in a “sex for marks” scandal with a senior lecturer, Prof. Richard Akindele, has volunteered to appear before the university’s probe panel.

    She denied that she was invited over the issue and refused to appear before any investigative panel as claimed by the school authorities through a press statement from the university’s spokesperson, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju.

    The victim’s advocate, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, who is a human rights attorney and gender activist, in a statement, said she was in contact with Ms. Osagie and has her instructions to inform the management of her willingness to appear before any school panel if and when duly invited.

    Calling on the school to ensure due diligence in this case, the rights activist expressed concern about sexual exploitation which she said has reached pandemic proportions in “our universities because institutions have failed to put in place appropriate mechanisms for complaint and redress relating to sexual harassment.”

    She lamented that because the perpetrators of sexual misconducts enjoy impunity they always go unpunished.

    According to her, in this case Ms Osagie made efforts to inform senior members of the Faculty about her predicament but no one was able or willing to intervene leaving her to resort to self- help in documenting her evidence.

    “While commending the University for issuing the press release on the audio recording, I call on the school management to do everything within the law and to act to ensure that justice is done and that institutional and academic ethics are rebuilt and restored in the university.

    “As an alumnus of the Obafemi Awolowo University like many prominent Nigerians, I would like to see the institution take back its former reputation of being one of the best and leading universities in Nigeria.”

     

  • MUSON marks 20 years of musical heritage

    MUSON marks 20 years of musical heritage

    After last year’s successful celebration of Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) 20th anniversary, how to ensure its sustainability, particularly under the current economic climate in Nigeria, became its challenge, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gboyega Banjo, has said.

    But despite the challenge Banjo assured that the society would continue to do all it could to earn the continued support of its old partners, while exploring opportunities for recruiting new ones who share the ‘passion for promoting the arts in Nigeria’.

    “We will also continue to open the Festival to other stakeholders in the Nigerian arts industry, who may wish to partner us by contributing their funded events to our annual Festival programmes,”Banjo said.

    He expressed the society’s gratitude to its partners and supporters for this years’ festival, adding that without their consistent and generous support the society would not have been able to sustain the festival over the past 20 years.

    Chairman, Muson Festival Planning Committee, Mr. Kitoyi Ibare-Akinsan, who spoke in the same vein, said this year’s MUSON Festival of the Arts will begin on October 18, with music quest/youth concert. “It is an annual competition that provides a platform for self-expression for the young budding artistes. The society’s unique personality programme, My Kind of Music, will hold on October 19  featuring four distinguished guests on a musical journey through their memories, experiences and life philosophies.

    “They include German Consul-General Mr Ingo Herbert, CEO Bestman Games; former banker, Mrs Opunimi Akinkugbe, lawyer and CEO BAP Productions, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters and Managing Partner SIAO and Pastor-in Charge, Trinity House Pastor Ituah Ighodalo,” Akinsan said.

    He continued: “Sefi Atta’s The Engagement is the play for this year’s Chevron Festival Drama.  It is about “a family at odds on the day of their daughter’s traditional engagement ceremony”. It will be staged at the Agip Recital Hallon Saturday October 21 by the Jos Repertory Theatre, directed by Dr. Patrick-Jude Oteh. The Chevron Festival Drama has been sponsored since 2001 by Chevron Nigeria Limited.”

     The TOTAL Festival Gala Concert, he said, will hold on Sunday, October 22, featuring the MUSON Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the virtuoso visiting conductor, Walter-Michael Vollhardt and the MUSON Choir, conducted by its veteran conductor, Sir Emeka Nwokedi in a combined performance that promises to live up to the reputation of the TOTAL Festival Gala Concerts.

    “But this year’s MUSON Day, which is a special members’ day set aside to mark the founding of the society, will hold on October 25. The celebration, featuring a concert followed by cocktails, will also serve as an interactive forum for members, their friends and families. For the first time, the programme will feature a special ceremony during which new members will be formally welcomed into the Society.”

    Unlike the previous editions, Akinsan said this year’s jazz event,  holding on Friday, October 27, will take the form of a party organised in collaboration with the Winehouse Jazz Family. “It will be an evening of Jazz music and partying to the music of the Winehouse Band, the MUSON School Jazz Band and guest artistes. This year’s festival will round off on Sunday, October 29 with an enthralling performance of the Opera: La fille du Regimentby Donizetti, directed by Nigeria’s ace Opera singer, teacher and director, Joseph Oparamanuike,” he said.

  • Admission: Federal University Gusau sets 170 as cut-off marks

    Admission: Federal University Gusau sets 170 as cut-off marks

    The Federal University Gusau (FUGUS) has announced 170 as minimum mark for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut-off marks for admission into the University for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The Information Officer of the University, Malam Umar Usman disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Saturday.

    Usman said that the university management had arrived at the decision to set 170 as minimum cut-off marks after getting statistics on the candidates who applied for admission into the institution.

    The Information Officer added that the 170 was arrived at after getting a statistic that most of the candidates who applied for admission into the University scored 120 and above in their JAMB exams.

    He said the university was only given a quota to admit 1,500 students through JAMB and Direct Entry for the coming academic session.

    According to him, over 5,000 applicants applied for admission into the University.

    “If we will stick to the 120 minimum cut off marks given by the JAMB, majority of applicants who are going to attend the University’s aptitude test for the admission will not get it.

    “We decided to minimize the difficulty by raising our points to 170 so that most of those that will pay for post UTME in the university will get the admission,” he said.

    He noted that the University also run Pre-degree programme in Science, Art and Social Science based courses which would also be considered in the admission to make up the 1, 500 required students for the session.

    Usman said the university is soliciting more assistance from well-to-do individuals and private organisations to provide more infrastructure that would make JAMB increase the quota given to the institution.

    He said that for the admission quota to be increased there must be adequate structures and facilities in place.

    NAN reports that JAMB had on Tuesday announced 120 as cut-off marks for admission into Nigerian Universities for the 2017/2018 session while 100 marks was for Colleges of Education and Polytechnics. (NAN)

  • Youth fellowship marks 30th anniversary

    Youth fellowship marks 30th anniversary

    It was a day of honour for District Chairman and General Leader, C&S Movement Church Surulere District, Special Apostle Prophet, Dr.  Sunday Funsho Korode as the Youth Fellowship of the church rolled out the drums to celebrate his life and time as a man of God.

    The event tagged: God In My Life series  held penultimate Sunday at the church headquarters in Lagos was the 30th Youth Fellowship anniversary and second year investiture anniversary of the leadership of Prophet Korode.

    In his lecture, Dr. Korode who drew inferences from the Holy Bible(John 15v5), urged the youth to run away from quick wealth syndrome, adding that as a pathfinder of growth and value orientation, ‘’without God you cannot achieve anything’’. Life in God, he said, is a source of joy.

    “Be a change you want to be in life, brand yourself differently from others. Always acknowledge God in all that you do in life, let excellence be your watch-word.An inspired and visionary leader, both spirit filled and materially, live exemplary and transformational life,” he added.

    On sex education, Korode stated that each family should engage and be open to their children on the danger of sex. ”In our fourth year of our marriage, it is not about us, but it is all about Jesus,” he recalled.

    Continuing, he said: “I am the Vine ye are the branches.He that abideth in me, and I in him,the same brought forth much fruits,for without me ye cannot do nothing.”

    According to him, ‘’the difference now is where you are now and where you ought to be. As a scholar we understand there is life in God. If God needs you, you can never run away from him.’’

    Deputy Shepherd, Youth Fellowship of the church, Most Senior, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo said  the idea to have a God in my life series received its inspiration from the scripture and was conceived,packaged and birthed by the leadership of the  youth fellowship.

    He said: “The aim and objects is simple–to create a forum and platform primarily for our youths, but not excluding our adults, to receive first-hand mentorship and to spotlight the impact of God’s benevolent and amazing grace in the lives of distinguished persons who would be role models to all whose faith are in him through Christ Jesus.

    ‘’In the past, we have had two episodes of this evangelical series, which featured our  dear  late father, Special Apostle Prophet G.O. Fakeye and also our mother, Special  Prophet Lara Oyeyemi.

    “We are fortunate and highly honoured to have as our guest speaker,a man of  many caps, today’s celebration is one important way to showcase the Special Apostle  Prophet Dr Sunday Funsho Korode.”

    Korode is an alumnus of the University of Lagos.He is a member several professional bodies. He is a professional banker, seasoned Human Resource Management expert, who is currently the chairman Board of Governors College of Divinity of the church. He has authored three publications: C& S Legacies, Where Do you Fellowship and Believers’ Heritage and Availing Prayers.

  • Grandeur as monarch marks coronation anniversary

    Grandeur as monarch marks coronation anniversary

    Ilawe-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was agog for the fifth coronation anniversary of the Alawe, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports that the presence of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, added colour to the event. 

    All roads led to Ilawe-Ekiti, one of the major towns in Ekiti State as the residents celebrated their monarch, the Alawe, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, who marked his fifth coronation anniversary.

    He was crowned the Alawe and received his staff of office on April 27, 2012 from the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and succeeded the late Oba Adeyemi Ademileka.

    Before ascending the throne, Oba Alabi was a career diplomat who served in many Nigerian embassies and high commissions in many parts of the world.

    Since his enthronement, the community had witnessed social, economic and infrastructural development with the monarch using his local and international connections to attract development to his kingdom.

    The week-long activities featured football competition and free medical mission in which over 500 residents of Ilawe were treated of their ailments free. The medical mission was personally sponsored by the Oba.

    A massive crowd thronged the sports field of Corpus Christi College, Ilawe; venue of the coronation anniversary, with the rich cultural heritage of the town on display.

    A long queue of cars parked along Ilawe Road because the owners could not find parking space inside the Corpus Christi College. It was an indication to passers-by that something unique was going on in the town.

    Security agents had a hectic time controlling the surging crowd that trooped to the venue from within and outside the town.

    Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) who was the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee was on top of his game to ensure that things went on smoothly.

    Some eminent personalities who witnessed the event included the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Asiwaju Oyedeji Olajubu, who was chairman

    of the day; traditional rulers, politicians and community leaders.

    The event featured cultural dances by various groups in the community. Chiefs, women, youths and non-indigenes resident in Ilawe paid homage to their king.

    It was also an occasion for those who are indigenous to the town to take stock of the development of the town and also envisage better things to offer their homeland.

    The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, advocated unity in Yoruba land to facilitate the development of communities, towns and states in the region.

    He said traditional rulers should play pivotal role in the development of their communities by using their positions to attract social and economic development to their domains.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke in his capacity as the royal father of the day, emphasised that unity and peace are needed for sustainable development. He urged the Yoruba to co-operate with their monarchs in order to realise the dream.

    He said: “I want to appeal to all Yoruba wherever they are to be united and I want them to always embrace peace because nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis.

    “We need peace to ensure development and when we join hands together, we are going to achieve many things. It shall be well with us in Yoruba land and it shall be well with us in Nigeria.”

    Two natives of the town, popular musician, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz and a medical doctor, Lamide Orekunrin, were honoured with Award of Excellence.

    A Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) was among the personalities who bagged chieftaincy titles at the coronation anniversary. Adedipe was honoured with the title of Otunba Gbaweluyi.

    Others who received chieftaincy titles included Prof. Idowu Odeyemi (Atunluse), his wife, Prof. Sola Odeyemi (Yeye Atunluse), Engr. Akin Abereowo (Otun Bobasua), his wife, Modupe (Yeye Bobasua), Captain Jacob Ajao (Fiwagboye), Mrs Aduke Asaolu (Iyalaje) and Mr. Ndubuisi Okemini (Kajewolu).

    The Alawe, Oba Alabi paid tributes to his predecessors for their heroism which made Ilawe to be a reputable town that was jealously defended from invaders.

    The incident, according to Oba Alabi, occurred in 1925 during the reign of Oba Afinbiokin who fought back colonial overlords who wanted to turn Ilawe people to slaves in their homeland.

    According to him, Oba Afinbiokin was sent on compulsory exile by the colonial warlords that year and he remained there till his death four year later To Oba Alabi, that tragedy was Oba Afinbiokin’s legacy as a freedom fighter for the Ilawe people and a sterling contribution to the emancipation/liberation struggle for the people. He also paid tribute to another Alawe, Oba Adefolalu.

    He also recalled an incident in which some people burnt down his house in the town in 1995 while he was out of the country on a diplomatic service as a result of the revelation by the Ifa divination that he would be an Alawe in the future.

    Oba Alabi explained: “It happened on April 28, 1995, and was a most unfortunate. I just returned from Cameroun where I was serving on foreign mission then. It was my first big money and my wife had planned to use the money to build a nice house along Igede-Ilawe Road instead of squandering it on frivolities.

    “You know there is always this phobia for royalty. We wanted to be removed from such acrimony. In fact, I refused to use any of the lands belonging to our royal family. I was not even around from the beginning of the contraction till its completion.

    “I only came around when the house was completed, but the house had become the talk of the town. It was a small but classic structure.

    But then, just three months after its completion, some people razed the building down.

    “The incident gave me and my family serious trauma and was a major setback for me. My family and I had to relocate to Abuja after the incident. I had all my things in that house when it was razed.

    “A lot of investigations went into the incident and it was discovered that it had much to do with what I would become later in the future. Some people had found out through Ifa that the owner of the house would one day sit on the throne of the Alawe and were angry with that.”

    Speaking further about what distinguishes Ilawe among other communities in Ekiti, Oba Alabi said, apart from the town’s rich cultivation of huge and nutritious bananas; there are traditional

    festivals that have great significance for the survival of the people of the town.

    Of the several festivals usually organised by the people to celebrate their deities, Ajagbo, Orinlase and Olofin are most significant.

    Ajagbo Festival, according to Oba Alabi reveals secrets of people who have perpetrated evil deeds and thus helps the community to checkmate activities of such wicked people.

    The royal father said: “With Orinlase, a deity that protects the people of Ilawe from robbers, no robber or thief that intrudes into Ilawe would escape from the town without being caught, especially if he kills a native of the community.”

    Speaking on the Olosin Festival, Oba Alabi said: “It is the most unifying festival of the town. It is the Oba’s festival, celebrated every June, July and August of the year, according to what time it falls in the calendar.

    “The Oba, during the festival, is expected to come to the public, dance round certain culturally significant spots in the town, changing his regalia. In the past, it used to be for seven times, now

    we have reduced this to only three times.

    “ It is such an elaborate ceremony that many people are invited and masquerades display in various ways.”

    Oba Alabi expressed delight at the achievements recorded during his reign, even as he also highlighted some of the challenges the community experiences.

    He said: “We have recorded several achievements in the past five years. We are getting more united as we have been navigating through disputes, some of which predated my ascension to the throne, and we are settling them. Several of our sons and daughters have excelled in their careers. We are proud of them.

    “In terms of physical developments, we can see the contraction of modern and beautiful edifice and structure springing up at every nook and cranny of the town. Some of these include the Lakeview Resort along Igbara-Odo Road, Provincial Headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, along Igede Road and the Federal Government College along Ikere Road.

    “We now have internet facilities courtesy of my efforts on ascension to the throne, and our Youth Empowerment Fund which I instituted has seen some of our indigent young scholars through their education.

    “We equally have better school facilities as recorded by the administration of former Governor Fayemi and the incumbent Governor Fayose is building a dual carriage way as part of the township roads.

    “We also have given the palace a new, more befitting modern outlook by rebuilding it to taste. We wish to appeal to Governor Fayose not to forget the promise to construct the Ilawe-Ikere Road which is very dear to us.”

  • Unilever marks Oral Health Day with health ministry, dental association

    Unilever marks Oral Health Day with health ministry, dental association

    Unilever, maker of the popular Pepsodent brand of toothpaste, has joined the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Dental Association in celebrating this year’s World Oral Health Day.

    The event, which took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, was meant to raise awareness of the importance of brushing the teeth morning and night with a fluoride toothpaste like Pepsodent to avoid dental decay.

    Guests at the occasion included schoolchildren, parents, caregivers and and representatives of Unilever, who all gathered to pledge their commitment to brushing their teeth day and night every day.

    “We know that building good brushing habits in children sets them up for better oral health in the future, which in turn leads to better overall health outcomes,” Global Vice President, Oral Care , Unilever, Severine Vauleon said.

    Pepsodent is on a mission to reach 10 million Nigerian schoolchildren with face-to-face engagement through its school oral health programmes by 2020, teaching when and how best to brush teeth for optimal oral health, today and later in life.

    ”Children are powerful behaviour change advocates in their homes, often driving conversation and action with parents around issues like this.

    “We are confident that kids will love the stories and characters and this will drive their interest and excitement to brush day and night,” Vauleon added.

    This year, Pepsodent and the FDI are celebrating 10 years of partnership. Pepsodent also partners with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Dental Association on its oral health school programme.

    The President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe, said: “We need to empower people to take control of their oral health – throughout life – so they can enjoy a healthy, functional mouth from childhood into old age.

    “Maintaining optimal oral health into old age ensures you live not only a longer life, but also one free from the physical pain and often emotional suffering caused by oral disease.

    “It is wonderful to see so many people from all walks of life coming together today to share the message of brushing day and night on World Oral Health Day.”

    Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health, represented the Minister for Health at the event.

  • Traditional ruler marks 10th anniversary

    Traditional ruler marks 10th anniversary

    Dignitaries have converged on Idi-Ape area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Alhaji Aremu Zubair’s reign as the Mogaji Aare of Ilorin. Special prayers were offered at the event.

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari bestowed the title on the ruler whose progenitors were some of the earlier settlers at Idi-Ape in the metropolis.

    Some dignitaries at the event include doyen of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the state, Alhaji Alarape Salman, former secretaries to the state government (SSGs), Alhaji Shehu Gafar, Alhaji Saka Isau (SAN), Mudi Gold, Architect Mahmud J. Faworaja and Chairman, Ilorin West local government, Alhaji Sulu Oloje.

    Others are Aremo of Idi-Ape, Saadu Suleiman, Kwara state Surveyor-General, Musa Eletu, Secretary, the state Ministry of Lands, Tunde Suleiman, a controller at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FGBN), Wale Abatan etc.

    Alhaji Zubair while speaking with The Nation hailed the Emir of Ilorin for counting him worth of the chieftaincy title.

    He lamented the high rate of youth joblessness in his domain, adding that fixing jobless youths in his domain had been his greatest challenge since he assumed the stool of his forefather a decade ago.

    He, however, said that despite the challenge and with the cooperation of the community, youth restiveness has been curtailed in his domain.

    He hailed the state government for creating jobs for the people of the state but stressed that government alone cannot do it.

    “The challenges are many but as a human being one has to absorbed it, one of them is how do you place your people, how do you cater for them more so those who have not gotten employment, particularly the youth ,how do you cater for them. I thanked God one by one God is helping .Sometimes the civil service in the state is also helping, I thank God. But my main problem is how do I get job for this boys,” the Magaji Aare said.

    The traditional ruler however expressed delight that despite the challenge, youth restiveness in the area has been curbed through the cooperation of members of the community.

    Aremu charged members of the community particularly the youths to cooperate with the government.

    “They should not emulate the roughness that some of the youth in other areas are doing, they want to work with the government and we want the government to assist us and we want the governor to know that we are not violent”, he said.

    In his lecture,a renowned Islamic cleric, Sheik Sulyman Faruk Onikijipa said the reign of the Magaji Aare has been peaceful.

    The cleric said the Magaji Aare had achieved a feat that no one thought was achievable in the community.

    Also in his lecture, Sheik Buhari Musa said the Idi-Ape community had carved a niche for itself that the history of Ilorin can never be complete without a mentioning of the area.

    He admonished those in position of authorities to be sensitive to the plight of the masses and always have their interests at heart.