The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Erosion: We’re afraid of sending our kids to school

    Achina, Onneh, Agbudu, Umuomaku, Ogboji and Enugwu-Umuonyia are communities under Amaiyi of Old Aguata Region of Anambra State, with serious gully erosion threats. Like many other communities in the state, the erosion menace in the area gradually assumed a frightening dimension rendering most roads in the area impassable. The affected communities, regrettably are mainly agrarian, producing majorly cassava, yam, rice and other food items.

    Predominantly peasant farmers, the locals lamented the difficulty they face exporting proceeds from the farms following the deplorable condition of the road. Some of the markets in the area are now ghost zones as gully erosion has sacked traders from their shops.

    Schools and churches are not left out of the scourge as roads leading to the schools have become death traps with pupils finding it difficult attending schools. Church attendance has also drastically dropped. Locals construct makeshift bridges to navigate the roads, including the ones leading to Ekwuluobia through Peter University, Achina and other adjoining communities, which have been torn by deep gully at different portions.

    The drainage constructed by past governments has been washed off, rendering some buildings along the road under serious threat, even as sand bags were used to protect the remaining portions of the road. Apparently fed up with the menace, members of the six communities, led by their youth leadership, took to the streets with placards to register their unpleasant experiences and displeasure with the government. They made a passionate appeal to the state government to come to their rescue, with particular reference to completing the construction of Achina-Onneh-Ogboji Road.

    According to them, the 7.3 km Achina-Onneh-Ogboji Road was awarded in 2014 by the present government. Those who spoke with The Nation, blamed the ugly development to the abandonment and uncompletion of road projects in the area. One of the residents, Mrs Christiana Okparanyim expressed disappointment over government’s neglect to the area despite the massive votes it got from the community.

    She said parents were always apprehensive that something unpleasant would happen to their children anytime it rained. She said, “Once it rains, we’re afraid allowing our children to go to school. Even those of us courageous enough to release theirs will be anxious until they return.

    ”You see some parents wait patiently at the erosion spots to ensure they cross their children over the gully with the assistance of the makeshift bridges.”

    According to the woman, residents have lost their property to the ravaging flood on several occasions, adding that it nearly swept away a little boy if not for intervention of passerby.”Once it’s election time, politians will start flooding this place, with bogus promises, asking for our votes. Once the elections are over, you won’t see them again.”

    A trader at Nkwo Ogbeh market Nkwelle Otu, Mrs Helen Ezechukwu, regretted that sales have drastically dropped, as people from neighboring communities no longer patronize them. Traders from Oye market used to come to Nkwo market to trade with us and we returned the gesture on Oye day. But since this road became bad,  the market has turned to ghost area as they have stopped coming,” she added.

    Another resident, Mrs. Chinelo Igwe, whose residence was along the eroding road, lamented the difficulty her children experienced in driving in and out of their residence ocassioned by the road’s deplorable condition.

  • 200 benefit from skills acquisition programme

    Over 200 Ijaw youths gathered at the Izon House in Yenagoa recently. They comprised mostly women who were there to begin a training programme organised by the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Central Zone, led by Mr. Kennedy Olorogun.

    They considered the gesture by the IYC as unique, as it was the first time in the history of the IYC, its leadership had undertaken what they described as a life-changing cause. Olorogun, who recently emerged the chairman of the zonal IYC, shot himself into the limelight when he led the youth to picket telecommunication companies operating in Bayelsa State over unresolved issues bordering on empowerment and lack of inclusion of those indigenous to the Bayelsa for contract awards.

    He further led his executive members to the office of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHDC) following the perpetual darkness in the state and warned the firm against incurring the wrath of the youth. His intervention has led to improved electricity supply, especially to the state capital.

    Residents view the recent initiation of skill acquisition by the IYC as a demonstration of the new leadership’s desire to change the negative narrative against the council. Olorogun said the 200 youths would undergo training in five skills during the first phase of the programme, adding that the second phase would take off immediately.

    Olorogun further said the training was initiated to correct an impression that Ijaw youths were lazy and unwilling to earn a living through hard work. But he said the youth had so far proved that they were not lazy but were simply victims of lack of opportunities.

    Olorogun said: “Our people have been blackmailed. They always say we are very lazy and that we only beg money. They say we don’t want to learn anything at all. But since my emergence as the Chairman of IYC, I have seen the passion of our youths to learn skills.

    “People came to me and told me they were willing to learn something. So, I met with my executive officers and we decided to float skills acquisition programme. We decided to start with the training of 200 people.

    “The first day we made our intention public and invited people to apply, we thought we won’t get up to 100 people. But over 500 people besieged the Ijaw House to collect forms. Right now we are under pressure to increase the number to more than 200. That is why I said we would come up with the second phase.”

    Olorogun noted that the initiative was part of his leadership’s efforts to engage the youth meaningfully and divert their attention from crimes and prostitution. He argued that crimes were on the increase because many youths in the state were idle.

    “Most criminal activities are committed by idle minds. We are going to engage the 200 people selected for this programme for three months and within the three months; you will see that they will redirect their thinking and energy to positive things. Imagine that we are able to complete phases two and three, it will help in reducing crimes drastically in our society”, he said.

    Olorogun said his leadership was still making public appeals for funding. He said they decided to contribute money to start the programme. He added that most of his executive members made financial contributions from their personal purses to actualise the dreams of the programme.

    Nevertheless, he called on multinationals, telecommunication companies, philanthropists and others to support the programme. He said projects that would empower the youth and create employment opportunities should attract the attention of responsible firms and wealthy individuals.

    He said: “We have been blackmailed that our people are not ready to be trained. But with what we have done, we have demonstrated that our people are ready for it. So, we are calling on the companies and individuals to come to the aid of the IYC. We want to actualise the objectives of this programme and we want to do more to empower our youths. So, we need all the supports we can get”.

    Olorogun said the IYC engaged five trainers and facilitators to teach the youth all the five areas of skills selected by the IYC. But he said the number of skills would be increased to include making of perfume, soap, shoes and hairdressing.

    He said: “The beneficiaries should know we are doing this through pains. We taxed ourselves to do this. So, we don’t expect them to let us down. We will be monitoring them because I have already set up a committee to monitor their seriousness towards the various programmes they applied for. We won’t tolerate laziness and lack of seriousness”.

    Some of the beneficiaries, who applied to be trained in catering and decoration, tying of gele and computer commended the IYC for the initiative and confirmed that the training was free. They also promised to make good use of the opportunity.

    One of the beneficiaries, Ogadi Abraham said: “I got the information through the social media, I got interested and I decided to apply. It is free. So, I came and they gave me the form and today I’m here for orientation.

    “I want to thank the central zone IYC and the team entirely for giving us this opportunity. I have been involved with IYC activities, but this one is so peculiar and special I want to thank them for giving us, the less-privileged, who have no opportunity for white collar jobs, this platform to acquire skills so that we can do things for ourselves. That’s the reason I’m here.

    “I believe that this will help to tackle crime because crimes result from unemployment, lack of skills, service and IYC has come up with this kind of opportunity involving many youths and women.

    “I’m here to learn computer. If I acquire the knowledge, I will not be waiting for the next person to give me money. I can design posters for politicians during elections. I can design website and do programming for which they will pay me and I will use the proceeds to sustain myself and my family.”

  • NEMA: Anambra communities reluctant to heed flood warnings

    National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has expressed worry over adamant disposition of victims of flood disaster in Anambra State to relocate to safe and higher ground to avert impending disaster.

    The agency attributed most erosion flood cases in Nigeria to refusal of people living in riverine communities to heed warnings from relevant agencies in disaster management.

    Speaking after assessing the level of flood at Odekpe and Atani communities in Ogbaru council area, Acting Director General of the Agency, Air Commodore Akugbe Iyamu wondered why flood victims would insist on safeguarding their homes rather than fleeing for their lives.

    He maintained that it was only the living that could claim possession of abode.

    He said, “How will someone say it’s my ancestral home and wants to die there? This is not a time to defend whether the area is your ancestral home or not. To be able to push the narrative, you need to come out first and get saved before defending whether it’s your ancestral home or not.”

    According to Iyamu, the visit to the area was at the instance of the state government following predictions by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    “The agency has been following and closely monitoring the NIHSA predictions and having seen the level of the flood disaster, will take immediate actions,” he added.

    The acting DG described flood as a highly unpredictable natural phenomenon which is not peculiar to Nigeria, assuring victims of quick deployment of food and non-food items.

    “The US, since 1926, through its army engineers, have been managing flood and I don’t think it has gotten solution. The Mississippi is still a challenge to them.

    “The federal government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that those affected by flood are given adequate attention,” Iyamu posited.

    Also speaking, Chairman of the Red Cross Society in the state, Prof. Peter Katchy, lauded the collaboration of the body with NEMA and other relevant agencies in times of emergency.

    Katchy, who presented an award of Commander of Humanity to the NEMA boss, commended the agency for supporting the body during emergencies.

    He pledged the organisation preparedness to work hard to combat situations that could lead to loss of lives, expressing hope of soon reception of relief materials.

    Earlier, Transition Committee Chairman for Ogbaru Council Area, Mr. Arinze Awogu, went down memory lane on challenges they faced annually during rainy seasons.

    He described the area as the worst hit by the disaster, regretting that twelve lives were lost last year to the flood.

    He said, “Last year, we recorded 12 deaths with over 11,280 IDPs in the flood that lasted more than two months.

    “We are always excited when we see government presence because we are sure of succour.”

    Awogu disclosed that the three holding centers created in the 16 communities in the area were all ravaged by the flood, appealing for additional centers.

    He commended Governor Willie Obiano for his prompt response to emergencies but requested for more holding centers in the area to accommodate the number of people affected.

    He also stressed the need to prepare the centres for human habitation, just as he appealed for medics as several children were suffering from various health challenges.

  • Lawmaker seeks reconstruction of Warri-Sapele-Benin Expressway

    The Federal Government has been urged to direct the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to reconstruct failed sections of the Warri-Sapele-Benin Expressway in Delta State.

    The lawmaker representing Sapele, Okpe and Uvwie Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Efe Afe, made the call on Sunday while he was stuck in the traffic jam caused by the deplorable state of the Adeje community section of the highway.

    He emphasised that hoodlums have seized the opportunity to attack unsuspecting road users at the bad spots.

    The lawmaker particularly stated that the road should not be patched, but reconstructed urgently.

    He explained that the road needed a total overhaul because of the heavy-duty trucks which ply it on daily basis, adding that Delta, an oil-bearing state which connects the Southsouth states to other regions of Nigeria, does not deserve such dilapidated road.

    He said: “Patching the failed portion of the Warri-Sapele-Benin Expressway would not help matters as diesel, petrol and other petroleum products-laden heavy trucks regularly pass through the busy road.”

    He further revealed that the poor state of the road has crippled economic activities of his constituents.

    “People travelling from Lagos to Warri and its environs spend more time on the road; motorists spend more money to buy fuel due to the deplorable conditions of the road. The Federal Government needs to intervene to alleviate the sufferings of motorists and commuters,” Afe said.

    He, however, expressed gratitude to the Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his administration’s efforts to rehabilitate the expressway in the past.

  • Furore over demolished mosque in Rivers

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the Muslim faithful are at daggers drawn over the demolition of a mosque in Port Harcourt, reports Southsouth Bureau Chief, BISI OLANIYI.

    The demolition of a Central Mosque in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has drawn the ire of the Muslim faithful against Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. The Muslim faithful described the act as a premeditated one which smacked of religious intolerance.

    The Imam of the demolished mosque Alhaji Haroon Muhammed revealed that, on August 20 this year, officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning came to the site accompanied by policemen and pulled down the structures. He added that the officials gave non-compliance to Rivers State government’s approved building plan as reason for the demolition of the mosque.

    In the circumstances, the Muslims in Rivers State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter. They also called on members of the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders to condemn the demolition of the mosque.

    The demolished mosque was said to have the capacity for 10,000 worshippers, even as the Muslim faithful maintain that the demolition of the mosque has presented a difficult situation for the worshippers who are handicapped in terms of having alternative worship centre.

    The Imam of the mosque said: “In the whole of Port Harcourt, this is the most populated mosque. Muslims all over the world can see what has happened to a mosque that was duly approved by the Rivers State government.

    “The government of Rivers State had harassed us three times without any formal notice. First was on July 29, 2019; again on August 16 and lastly on August 20.

    “Today, we are denied a place of worship. We do not want to foment any trouble with the officials of Rivers State government. We want the whole world to help us beg the Governor of Rivers State to have a change of heart for us to have a place of worship, because the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque is the only mosque serving the whole of Trans-Amadi.

    “Members of all the armed forces, the agencies, the police, army, members of staff of oil companies and government officials who are Muslims have only the demolished mosque to worship in. We acquired the place. We did not encroach on the land, neither did we grab it. We bought the land and it was duly approved by the Rivers State government. But today, we do not know what has happened.

    “We are begging Governor Wike in the name of Allah, the Lord of the universe, who made him the governor to please leave the small place for us to worship in.”

    Imam Muhammed also revealed that the plight of Muslims worshipping at the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque began 10 years ago, when the building was first demolished during the administration of Wike’s predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister for Transportation.

    Imam Muhammed further stated that the earlier demolition led to a lawsuit, in which the worshippers became victorious six years ago, stressing that armed with the court judgment, the Muslims returned to the site, thereby committing huge sums of money to the project.

    While also speaking on the demolished mosque, the Chief Imam of Mile One, Diobu Central Mosque in Port Harcourt, Murtala Sulaiman Abdulsalam, who is also the Khalifah Tijaniyah Rivers State, called for dialogue, urging the Muslims to remain calm and peaceful.

    Governor Wike, however, described as unfortunate, the alleged false information being circulated that his administration demolished a mosque in Port Harcourt, claiming that the false report was planted by mischief makers to create disaffection.

    Addressing some reporters at the mosque’s location on Biambo Street, off School Road by Mami Market Junction, near Rainbow Estate on August 26, Governor Wike claimed that there was no mosque at the site, insisting that nothing was demolished.

    Wike said: “I received calls from many prominent Nigerians on the fake news being circulated online. I have come here with reporters and you can see there was no mosque here.

    “It is most unfortunate that fickle-minded people will claim that a mosque was demolished at this place, when no mosque existed here. The story was concocted by mischief makers to score cheap points.”

    He also stated that some people started erecting illegal foundation on the disputed land, claiming that they had no approval to embark on any construction work.

    He said: “They came here to erect illegal structure. There was no approval from the Rivers State government for any structure to be erected here.

    “The people who began the foundation had already dragged the Rivers State government to court on the disputed land.  The Rivers State government won the case. What they attempted to do was to start the illegal construction, to tie the hands of the Rivers State government.”

    Wike also admonished members of the Muslim community in Rivers State not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to peddle false stories against his administration.

    He stated that many mosques constructed on the approval of the state government exist across Port Harcourt and other major towns in Rivers State, without his administration demolishing them.

    He said: “The Rivers State government gave them (Muslims) notice not to do anything on the land, but they went ahead with the illegal foundation and the relevant agency stopped them.

    “Why would we want to bring down any mosque, when there are other mosques across Rivers State? What is the special interest on this one?”

    The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called on Muslims in Rivers State to remain calm and embrace peace over their demolished mosque.

    He also urged members of the Muslim community in Rivers State to seek all avenues to resolve contending issues with the Wike’s administration.

    Peterside noted that Rivers State is open and free for all religions, tribe, and background.

    The NIMASA chief stated that Rivers State has always been home to all Nigerians and it is not surprising that there has never been any religious crisis in the history of the state.

    Peterside said: “I want to plead with my Muslim brothers and sisters to explore all options for a peaceful resolution. Rivers people are very accommodating, loving and caring. We have many Rivers people who are also Muslims.

    “I want to plead that we do not fan the embers of discord. I have many Muslim friends in Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria. We will continue to remain friends. We should not allow religion to divide us at any point. Rivers is home for all.”

    The NIMASA chief also called on Governor Wike to immediately open channel of dialogue with the Muslim community in Rivers State in order to resolve all grey areas.

    The Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje declared that his administration would drag Wike to court over the said demolition.

    Ganduje, through his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, described the mosque demolition as shocking, vowing to contest the demolition with appropriate authorities for redress.

    Ganduje said: “Kano State is known for peaceful co-existence among Muslims and Christians. We should therefore improve on that and remain calm and peaceful. People should live peacefully with one another.”

    Wike’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, however, stated that it beats his imagination that Kano Ganduje didn’t verify issues before issuing a statement.

    The warring parties should embrace dialogue and give peace a chance in the Niger Delta state.

  • Delta community protests ‘abandoned’ road project

    Those indigenous to Asaba-Ase community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State have staged a peaceful protest over the alleged abandonment of the 7km Asaba-Ase/Abari Road linking Ndokwa East, Isoko South and Patani local government areas.

    Ase is a coastal community on the shores of the Ase River, off River Niger in Ndokwa North.

    Ase River derives its name from Ase Town.

    Ase is an idyllic countryside with a spectacular and breathtaking natural beach, evergreen rain-forest vegetation rich in flora and fauna which overhangs the Ase Creek.

    It shares common boundaries with Ibedeni, Onyah, Aviara, Uzere, Patani (all in Delta State) and Trofani (in Bayelsa State).

    During the colonial era, Ase served as the commercial and administrative headquarters for the colonial administrators. Relics of colonial presence still dot the landscape. John Holt and the United African Company (UAC) are some of the companies that had trade offices and warehouses in Ase.

    The town is made up of descendants from Ndokwa speakers who have inter-married with the Isoko and Ijaw over the years.

    The protesters alleged that the road project (a major artery) had been abandoned for over one year ago.

    The scene was charged as women, youths and the elderly, singing solidarity songs trooped out to demand a return of the contractor to site.

    Many placards-carrying protesters decried the neglect and disruption of social life occasioned by the bad road.

    Placards with inscriptions such as “Asaba-Ase is suffering for lack of road”, ‘The Road Master come to our aid” “Our road have been abandoned” and “Senator Nwaboshi, Ossai, Osanebi, Okowa, Buhari, please come and help us Asaba -Ase people’’, dotted huge crowd of protesting residents.

    The residents lamented that farm produce could not get to the cities due to the deplorable nature of the road.

    Speaking during the protest, President-General of the community, Anabogu Nosike Godfrey said: “My people in Asaba-Ase community have been suffering because of the bad road. We have had this problem before 2012 and subsequent government has been coming to say they have been doing this road but thank God Ekuweme (Governor Okowa) you came to office. You awarded contract for this road three times to people but the unfortunate part of it is, the contract was awarded to people without names, signpost or whatever and when they came, the drainage we were managing before, they crushed it and the internal roads were destroyed.”

    Continuing, he said: “Since the award of contract for the 7km Asaba-Ase/Abari Road by you over a year ago, nothing has been done. We are begging you Ekuweme to come to our aid. We dropped our written letter with the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works in Asaba about this road and nobody has come to verify our complaint.

    “The road from Uzere in Isoko South Local Government Area to Asaba-Ase was destroyed by the 2012 floods. When the community cried out, by the special grace of God, intervention came through the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) which worked on it.

    But last year’s flood disaster destroyed the road and nothing has been done since despite our cries and series of written letters to the concerned authorities.”

    He further added: “Governor Okowa, we know what you can do. Kindly help us and call FERMA on the Uzere /Asaba-Ase Road and prevail on the contractor handling the Asaba-Ase/ Abari Road back to site to resume construction on the abandoned road in the area to give us a sense of belonging.

    “We are also experiencing ecological problem here; erosion is affecting us seriously and if urgent measures are not taken, Asaba-Ase will be wiped out from the face of the earth. We need help or else Asaba-Ase which is the gateway to other coastal communities in Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra and other states, will be cut off from the state.”

    Mr. Anagbogu said the road constructed in the late 1980s during General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, was annually washed off by flood.

    Anagbogu expressed sadness that residents’ commitment to President Buhari’s call to agriculture had been defeated by their inability to move their produce out for higher economic gain, thereby rendering the local farmers hopeless and helpless.

    According to him, the President advised Nigerians to go back to farming which we complied with. But the state of the road has rendered us helpless.

    His words: “The condition we are experiencing is terrible because the place is extremely bad and any moment from now, as the flood is coming, we will not know the state we belong to; Delta, Bayelsa or Rivers.

    “Our only occupation is farming and if there are no roads to market our goods, then we are in danger. We are part of Delta State and we also want to feel the presence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Ossai Ossai and Friday Osanebi and government in Asaba-Ase. We are peace-loving people hence this peaceful protest. We are begging government to come to our aid,” he said.

    Mrs. Queen Obodoagu lamented the poor patronage of their farm produce because of the bad nature of the roads.

    She said: “Customers are no longer coming to buy our goods because of the bad nature of Asaba-Ase Road and for that reason our goods from the farm are getting bad on daily basis because nobody is coming to buy or trade market with us.”

    But, in a swift reaction, Delta State Commissioner of Works, James Augoye debunked the insinuation that the road project has been abandoned. He said this while briefing reporters in Asaba, the state capital.

    His words: “We appeal to the community, especially the demonstrators, to bear with us as the contractor will mobilise fully to site as soon as the rains subside.”

  • 100 days: It’s multi-sectoral approach in Ogun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary Kunle Somorin examines the achievments and constraints of his boss in his first 100 days in office.

    After the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, 10 new first-term governors emerged, including the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The emergence of Prince Abiodun, first as flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and later as the duly elected governor of the Gateway State, is well documented.

    Partly because the people of Ogun State had a forgettable eight years preceding Prince Abiodun, it became telling that the new governor must immediately swing into action to address deficits in welfare, infrastructure, inclusiveness and result-oriented and policy-based leadership. The governor himself, upon taking the oath of office, set a lofty height of target for himself and his team for the rapid fulfillment of his electoral promises.

    Prince Abioduns vision for Ogun is to give the state’s focused and qualitative governance and to create the enabling environment for a public private sector partnership, which is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun. He aims to achieve the above by improving citizens confidence and trust in government through transparent and accountable leadership. He also wants to develop and enhance the value chain for the abundant resources for the purpose of galvanising economic and social development of the citizens of Ogun State.

    Prince Abiodun also promised to improve the development of the human capital of Ogun State, through greater investment in qualitative education, skills acquisition as well as entrepreneurship.

    As a private sector player keen on good governance before heeding the call to serve his people in his present capacity, Prince Abiodun promised that: We shall, through prudent, transparent and accountable leadership, ensure that public resources and opportunities are made available to all our citisens to ensure they have a fulfilling livelihood.

    While the electoral mandate of four years cannot and should not be evaluated within the first 100 days, one of the most simplistic yet effective ways of measuring progress in governance is to appraise the relationship between word and action. Thus, we should take a cursory look at Ogun, 100 days after Prince Abiodun took office, to see if his actions match the promises made earlier.

    Provision of Infrastructure:

    At more events than one, Prince Abiodun had decried the inability of previous administrations to take advantage of Ogun States status as the gateway to entering Lagos, Nigerias commercial capital and gateway to exiting it. His vision is to open up the state by providing infrastructure for private sector-led investment and one area that has received unprecedented attention within the last 100 days is the rehabilitation of roads across the state.

    During his post-inauguration tour of the state, Prince Abiodun was appalled by the poor state of Ogun roads and immediately raised a team of experts to address the situation.  Work on the abandoned 32km Sango-Ojodu-Abiodun Road has received fresh breath of life.  Prince Abiodun has also decided to intervene in the rehabilitation of three federal roads of strategic importance to the state. They are: the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Epe-Ijebu-Ode Road and Ikorodu-Sagamu Road.

    We have identified other roads like the Agbara-Atan-Ota, Ewekoro-Ifo, Sagamu Interchange and the Ilaro-Ibese roads which are in bad shape and working to put them in good condition, Prince Abiodun told a meeting of organised private sector executives.

    Rural roads are also a priority to the Abiodun administration. The Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act 2019 has empowered the agency to intervene in fixing deplorable rural roads. In fact, there is a road project ongoing in every local government of Ogun State since May 2019.

    Prioritising Human Capital Development:

    Early in the life of the Abiodun administration, the governor admitted that there were gaps in the education sector of the state. Agreed, we have the largest number of tertiary institutions in this state. However, the performances of our students are not encouraging and we have to change that so we may be declaring a state of emergency in the education sector, he said, promising to bring the education sector up to standard.

    The governor has since set up visitation panels on state-owned tertiary institutions to investigate issues affecting the quality of education offered and received in those institutions. Recently, the panel of the Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu, submitted its report and the reports of both the Moshood Abiola University of Technology and the Ogun State Polytechnic are being awaited. Also recently, the committee set up to look into the situation at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) has submitted its findings and implementation of its recommendations has started in earnest.

    We are going to repair and refurbish one school per ward across the state. We are also looking at vocational centres and turning some schools to technology hubs, and create a job portal to warehouse skilled youths for employers, the governor has promised.

    Affordable Healthcare Delivery:

    One of the first official functions performed by Price Abiodun as governor was to visit the OOUTH, where he lamented the state of the tertiary hospitals facilities. An 8-man committee, chaired by Dr Yemi Onabowale of Reddington Hospital, was set up to assess the modes of operation and state of facilities at the OOUTH, with a view to reinventing the institution into a world-class facility providing world-class services.

    In the course of 100 days, the governor has also met with the management team of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), where he shared his administrations resolve to rejuvenate the delivery of primary healthcare to the citizens of Ogun State.

    Health facilities across the state are in shambles and we are going to restore them to life-saving facilities. We are focusing on primary healthcare centres because they are the closest to the people and it will reduce the pressure on secondary health facilities. We will ensure that a befitting primary healthcare centre is made closer to the people. Only cases that cannot be treated at PHC can be referred to secondary health institutions, Prince Abiodun promised.

    At the flagging off of the Free Medical Services at Ilisan, Ikenne Local Government, Prince Abiodun reiterated the importance of affordable healthcare for the Ogun public.

    Agriculture and Sustainable Job Creation

    To Governor Abiodun, there is a direct correlation between job creation and tapping the abundant agricultural potentials of Ogun State. The state is poised to collaborate with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on its Anchor Borrowers Scheme to set up modern farmers with knowledge, tools, land and seedlings for the cultivation of food and cash crops. The Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has also met with the African Development Bank (AfDB), on the possibility of raising an ambitious 10,000 smart farmers.

    To ease the bottleneck of starting a business in the state, a bill to establish the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency, a one-stop-shop for investment, is before the State House of Assembly. This is in addition to the establishment of the State Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) to strengthen Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and boost their capacities.

    Proactive Stance on Security and Safety:

    As earlier promised at a security and intelligence meeting, Prince Abiodun recently inaugurated the committee to oversee the now-amended Ogun State Security Trust Fund, in response to the recent security situation in the state. It is a demonstration of our governments unreserved commitment towards ensuring that the people have a good life and pursue their legitimate business in a secured environment, Prince Abiodun said.

    The governor’s proactive disposition to issues of security was demonstrated during the recent kidnappings experienced in parts of the state. Providing leadership when there is a crisis is a mark of commitment and a vital note of assurance to the public that the governor understands the situation and is working to address it. Also, considering the strategic location and positioning of the state, a sense of insecurity in the state would have a ripple effect on the security of other states, especially Lagos which shares its only internal boundary with Ogun. As a seasoned administrator and private sector executive, it is unsurprising how Governor Abiodun responded to the challenge insecurity poses to the development of the state.

  • Rotary Onigbogbo donates to health centre

    Rotary Club, Onigbogbo has donated some items to the health centre in Onigbogbo, Lagos State. Items donated included mosquito nets, vaccines, fridge, plastic chairs, pillow cases and a scale for weighing.

    Making the presentation, the club’s President, Olajide Ajayi, said the aim was to augment what the government allocates to the health centre, adding that it would help boost its service delivery.

    Rotary International District 9110 Governor, Dr. Jide Akeredolu, said the materials were donated by the club members who tasked themselves. He said before such presentations, the club would have done needs assessment to enable it know what a particular community  needs. He thanked the club for focusing on one of the major areas of Rotary, which is healthcare provision.

    He advised nursing mothers to ensure that their children were immunised, warning them that some physically challenged have the problem because they were not immunised when they were babies, which exposed them to polio. Dr. Akeredolu announced that Nigeria had been declared free of polio, a deadly disease that Rotary has been fighting to eradicate over the years, advising all mothers to continue to embrace immunisation to avoid a recurrence.

    In her response, Mrs. Abioye Ayodele, a staff nurse/midwife, who represented the head of the health centre, Dr. Folashade Tawak, thanked Rotary Club for its gesture.

    also during a visit by the Rotary team to the regent of Onigbogbo, High Chief Tajudeen Ajao Irawo, the monarch praised the club for its humanitarian efforts.  “All Rotary clubs are good, but that of Onigbogbo is very good,” he said.

  • Cultural splendour at Cross River community Yam Festival

    The rich cultural heritage of the Mbube community in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State was on display on August 31 as members of the community celebrated this year’s New Yam Festival. NICHOLAS KALU was there.

    For several hours on Saturday, August31, guests from far and near joined the people of Mbube community in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State to celebrate this year’s Yam Festival.

    Ojerim Village in Mbube, venue of the event was literally shut as huge crowd made their way to the roomy arena to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.

    There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breath-taking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests who had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries.

    It was all glamour and show of opulence, as an estimated crowd of 5,000 that included friends, well-wishers and other prominent indigenes of Cross River State participated in the celebration of the long-standing cultural carnival for which members of Mbube community are known. The weather was clement as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.

    As early as noon that day, the spacious Mbube community square that usually hosts the event had begun to witness massive influx of spectators.

    The capacious square was largely suffused with beautifully coloured masquerades and traditional dancers who entertained the people. Gaily dressed Cross River State women known for their panache and active social lifestyle were a marvel to behold. The men equally in their beautiful Southsouth attire swirled to the suiting rhythm of drums and other musical instruments in that somewhat balmy afternoon. It was a gathering of who is who in Mbube land.

    It was a colourful union that had the message of love, peace and unity among the people for growth and development of the community.

    The Ojerim Village in Mbube witnessed the coming together of the people in their colourful native attires to showcase their cultural heritage as they celebrated the king of crops.

    Commenting on the significance of the day and the place of yam in the culture and tradition of the people, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Chief Patrick Agida, who described the festival as a platform for reunion among those indigenous to the area, noted that the festival was aimed at promoting the unity and development of the area, even as he added that the community had to connect with their history, culture and economy. This, he said, was also meant to promote local content and improve agricultural produce from the area.

    According to him, the festival was not all about drinking and dancing, but also to promote the rich cultural heritage of the Mbube people and improve farming activities in the area.

    “Today, we will witness yam competition for male and female, best palm wine tapper and best dance group. Basically, some of us here were trained by farmers and we believe that it is in the right place to promote farming activities.

    “The star prize of all the competitions is a new car for the beauty pageant and two motorcycles for the best farmers in the male and female category. We hope that as we grow, we will be able to present the best farmer with a truck to help in conveying the farm produce to the market.

    “In Mbube, we pride ourselves as the god of palm wine because the best palm in the world can be gotten from Mbube. That is why we are celebrating our local content to promote our culture and heritage,’’ he said.

    The President-General of Liluom E’mbe Worldwide, a socio-cultural group in Mbube, Brig. Gen. Mannix Nyiam (rtd), said the festival afforded them the opportunity to celebrate and sustain their common heritage and moral values and the responsibility to uphold and transit to future generations.

    Nyiam explained that without their cultural heritage, the knowledge, which gives their people a sense of rootedness, would not be boldly defined and properly anchored.

    “This occasion, therefore, offers us the platform for the promotion of our culture and unity as well as the projection of our image as a dynamic, progressive and peace-loving people.

    “Our cultural heritage matters as much as the needed pride and confidence in oneness even in pursuit of happiness. I, therefore, implore our brothers to renew their commitment to this Mbube Bitchong Ifife Festival.

    “My brothers and sisters, let us stop agonising that things are not working well generally, let’s rather start organising our lives in order to ensure that we have a society that represents our wishes,’’ he said.

    The Chairman of Mbube Traditional Rulers’ Council, His Royal Highness (HRH), Oti Mathias Abue, said the need to foster unity and solidarity through the projection of their culture was important.

    He said the Mbube Yam Festival was to promote massive and quality participation capable of stimulating and developing their cultural heritage.

    The member of the Cross River State House of Assembly representing Ogoja State Constituency, Hon Peter Odey, said the bountiful harvest heralds a period of sober reflection, a period of rededicating themselves to the norms and values of their tradition with a view to further deepen their oneness and unity.

    Odey announced that he was setting up the Oturukan Foundation to provide education support for students, assistance to widows and other less privileged people and young individuals willing to develop themselves in meaningful ventures.

    James Francis Abang emerged the best yam farmer in the male category. The second was Godwin Nyiam, while Ayim Ogar took the third position.

    In the female category, Alice Joseph Okangbe emerged as the best yam farmer. The second best farmer was Maria Odoh Arikpang while Madonna Ojie Obi was third.

    In the assessment of the best palm wine tapper, Agbor Ogon came first while Okam Pius and Abang Abuo came second and third respectively.

    Miss Angela Onigar Agbo won the car for the Miss Mbube pageant.

  • Tribunal upholds lawmaker’s victory

    The National and State Houses of Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja has struck out the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Tajudeen Agoro, challenging the victory of a member House of Representatives, Jide Jimoh of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Lagos Mainland Constituency.

    The election was held on February 23.

    The PDP candidate alleged unlawful declaration of Jimoh as winner. He also alleged that the poll was marred with rigging, multiple thumb printing and non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

    In a unanimous judgment read by Justice Olamide, the tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of malpractices.

    At the press briefing held at the APC Secretariat, Yaba, Jimoh praised the judiciary, describing it as the greatest defender of democracy.

    He said: “Today is a joyous day in the history of democracy, and in particular, Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency. We have accepted the verdict in totality. We witnessed the verdict and the judges upheld our results as the winner of the election. I thank the three judges for a job well done for the justice delivered judiciously, in line with the constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act as amended.

    “I thank the Almighty God, the ruler of heavens and the earth, who has given us all the supports where necessary financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Our lawyer stood vehemently on this case for three months and victory has come. Today’s judgement is a victory for democracy, APC and Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency.”

    The defence counsel, Wahab Shittu, said the tribunal’s verdict was a victory for constitutional democracy and sanctity to the electoral process.

    He added: “Today is a victory for constitutional democracy and Sanctity to the electoral process. Above all, its a victory for Hon Jide Jimoh who has been confirmed as duly elected representative of the Lagos Mainland federal constituency. Today is also a mark for celebration and there’s no law against celebration. We fought that battle and we won that’s why I give gratitude to the Almighty Allah and the supporters of the lawmaker who stood by him throughout the proceedings, he said

    “Interestingly, the tribunal has delivered the verdicts and all the three members of the  tribunal delivered a unanimous verdict. The tribunal confirmed that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the electoral acts. The tribunal also confirmed that there was no case of over voting, multiple thumb printing, forgery, no case of falsification of results, that everything was conducted within the provisions of the electoral acts and the winner is Hon Jide Jimoh.