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Tag: Ojo

  • Ojo lifts 100 with ICT training

    Ojo lifts 100 with ICT training

    The Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Princess Muhibat Rufai, has presented certificates to graduands of the Intensive Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Skill Acquisition Training Programme organized by the council.

    Princess Rufai said the exercise provided opportunities for economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods for the beneficiaries.

    She emphasized that formal education alone is no longer sufficient in today’s economy, stressing the importance of practical, vocational, digital, and entrepreneurial skills for job creation and growth. She added that ICT now plays a central role in communication, business, and service delivery, making continuous learning and skill development essential.

    The chairman reaffirmed that skill acquisition remains a core focus of her WHACES Agenda. According to her, empowerment through skills is key to reducing unemployment, improving well-being, and enhancing community safety.

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    She said: “under Project Thank You Ojo, over 600 beneficiaries were trained in vocational skills, while more than 500 participants completed ICT training programmes, reflecting the administration’s commitment to youths and women empowerment.”

    She urged the graduands to see their certificates as tools for independence, encouraging them to apply their skills, remain innovative, and create opportunities for themselves.

    National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Lagos Chapter Chairman, Ibrahim Adigun, hailed the Chairman for her commitment to empowerment, noting that the training was practical and impactful for over 100 participants. He also presented ICT starter packs to the three most outstanding ICT trainees.

    Princess Gbemisola Ajitunmobi of the Speed Up Lagos Project, praised the chairman as “a woman of purpose” and stated that 715 participants benefited from the free skill acquisition programme under the initiative.

  • Ojo holds Christmas party for children

    Ojo holds Christmas party for children

    The Ojo Local Government (LGA) has held Christmas celebration for children in the community.

    Wife of the council Chairman, Alhaja Abimbola Idowu, said the event was designed to provide a platform for the government to connect with the community and demonstrate its commitment to their welfare.

    “We believe that as a government, it is our responsibility to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of our citizens. This initiative is a way through which we demonstrate our commitment to corporate social responsibility and our desire to make a difference in the lives of those we serve,” she said.

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    The event, which featured the distribution of gifts, games, dancing competitions, and other exciting activities, was attended by dignitaries, including the wife of Iba LCDA Chairman, Mrs. Folashade Yisa, and the Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Abiodun Salau.

    Mrs. Banjoko Modupe, a mother of one of the children, hailed the organizers, saying that the event was a welcome relief for her family.

    “It’s been a tough year, but this event has brought some much-needed joy to our lives,” she said.

  • Ojo hosts Teachers’ Leadership Conference

    Ojo hosts Teachers’ Leadership Conference

    • By Ebube Ojukwu

    The Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Rasulu Idowu has partnered with Wholistic Edu-Consult in hosting the 2024 Teachers Leadership Conference with with the theme: Empowering Educators: Strengthening Resilience and Building Sustainability.

     The event, he said, was to empower educators, strengthen resilience, and build sustainability.

    Idowu acknowledged teachers’ vital role in shaping future leaders while describing the conference as a platform for educators to share best practices, learn from each other and develop the leadership skills necessary to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead by fostering collaboration and professional growth.

    He said: “Your passion and commitment to education are the cornerstones of our society’s progress.”

    The council emphasised the importance of skilled educators in addressing global challenges and creating a brighter future and thereby commended the teachers for their dedication to the teaching profession.

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     “Your hard work and sacrifices make a significant difference in the lives of countless pupils and students. I am confident that this conference will be a valuable experience for all of us and will inspire us to continue our efforts to empower educators and create a brighter future for generations to come,” he said.

    The conference featured workshops, deliberations, and presentations, providing a platform for educators to share best practices and develop leadership skills.

    The Convener, Mrs. Olubunmi Odiaka commended Ojo LGA’s excellence in education, noting that the event is the second Teachers Leadership Conference.

    Chairman, National Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Tajudeen Oladipupo, praised the council boss achievements in education.

  • Ojo gives N5m bursary to 200 students

    Ojo gives N5m bursary to 200 students

    • By Elizabeth Ebiniyi

    The Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Rasulu Idowu, has disbursed N5m bursary to about 200 indigenes and students in the council.

    The chairman said the gesture was to demonstrate the council’s commitment to investing in education.

    According to him, education is the cornerstone of any society’s progress, adding that it is the key that unlocks doors and empowers individuals to reach their full potential.

    Recognising this, he said the council has taken upon itself the responsibility to support and uplift indigenes and resident students through the provision of bursary awards.

    “It is through such initiatives that we cultivate a culture of excellence in education, not only inspiring and motivating our students but also transforming their lives and the destiny of our Local Government,” he said.

    The council boss said the committee screened 210 students out of 243 applicants, with 193 qualifying for bursary awards.

    Idowu said the council remained dedicated to uplifting and inspiring the next generation of leaders, fostering a vision where every child’s needs are realised and the community strives for knowledge and wisdom.

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    He urged the awardees to continue striving for excellence, emphasising the transformative power of education.

    Idowu called for continued support for education and appealed to parents, guardians, and awardees themselves to discourage drug abuse and harmful activities.

    He said: “To the deserving students receiving these bursary awards, I urge you to seize this opportunity and continue to strive for excellence. Remember that education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world, and we have full confidence in your ability to make a lasting difference.

    “To the students who have worked tirelessly to achieve their academic accomplishments. Let us continue to join hands in supporting education, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education,” Idowu concluded.

    Together, let us work towards a future where every child’s dreams are realized, and our community thrives on the foundation of knowledge and wisdom. Through these bursary awards, we are sowing the seeds of a brighter tomorrow.”

    Idowu expressed confidence in the ability of the awardees to make a lasting difference, leaving a positive impact on society noting that the event served not only as a recognition of academic excellence but also as a call to sow the seeds of a brighter tomorrow through education.

    The Speaker elect, 34th LASUS, Students Paliamentary Council (SPC) Halima Hassan lauded the chairman on his achievements in education sector to “enhance the brighter future for the students who are the ambassadors of the local government”.

  • I never knew poverty until I married my ex-hubby – Iyabo Ojo

    I never knew poverty until I married my ex-hubby – Iyabo Ojo

    Actress Iyabo Ojo has claimed the only time she got exposed to poverty was when she married her ex-husband, Ademidun Ojo.

    The mother of two recounted living in affluence from childhood to early adulthood till she met her ex-partner.

    She also outlined some facts she learned about life of the poor when she started dating Ojo during an interview with Toke Makinwa.

    She said: “I went to my husband’s house for the first time when we were still dating. I didn’t even know there was something like ‘face me I slap you’.

    “See, sometimes, don’t blame the rich when they don’t understand the problems of the poor.

    “If I never went to National College, I don’t know how God prepared my life. I probably won’t understand what poverty is all about. I won’t understand why people are shouting every day.

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    “In my house in Obanikoro, number 2, Fawole Lane, we had an industrial generator. I never knew there was anything called ‘up NEPA and down NEPA’. Once the light goes off, it comes back on like in one second.

    “My granny was like one of the richest women in those days. I had a car to myself that took me to school and brought me back

    “The only time I experienced poverty was when I married my ex-husband. Initially it was fun. It was some sort of adventure.

    “You know, when I clocked 18, I had an account opened for me. Because my grandfather had done his will in a way whereby money was paid into our accounts as grandchildren. So, I had money.

    “You can imagine as at 1997/8, I had over a hundred and something thousand in my account.”

    Though she admitted to having enjoyed a life of wealth growing up, she noted she never received the attention she very much desired.

    “I mean I didn’t know what they called poverty. I was never broke. I just never had the attention I wanted. I never got the attention based on the kind of parents I had,” she added.

    Iyabo married Ademidun Ojo, a clearing and forwarding agent operating at Tincan Island, Lagos in 1999, when she was 21 and took a break from acting almost immediately.

    She welcomed a son, Felix and daughter, Priscilla in 1999 and 2001 respectively from the marriage.

  • Ojo partners trust funds for loans

    Ojo partners trust funds for loans

    •   By Nnenna Chukwunyere and Onyinye Okafor

    The Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Lagos, Rasulu Idowu, said the council will partner with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to give loans worth millions of Naira to the residents.

     This would make the beneficiaries grow their businesses and those with lofty business ideas would also benefit from the partnership, he said.

     Idowu made this known while distributing food items and cash to the residents. Over 21,000 bags of rice were distributed. He said the palliative programme was to reduce the hardship the people are facing.

    “We understand the situation of things and we are going to give out business loans and huge amount of money to the people and we will continue to support them until the situation of the country improves,” he said

    Idowu advised beneficiaries to make good use of the foodstuffs, encouraging them to have faith in the government.

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    Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Mrs. Abiodun Salam said the gesture was to support women, the needy and people that have no skill. The distribuwas done simultaneously in the five wards, she said.

    Head of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Department, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Taiwo, said the office of the council chairman wqs always open for the people to bring their requests.

     She said the department has been assisting widows in the council every month.

  • Lagos empowers 3000 women with free skills, startup equipment

    Lagos State government has empowered over 3000 women and youths with skills and startup equipment in four different locations namely: Victoria Island, Ebute-Meta, Apapa and Ojo local government areas in the state courtesy of the Ministry of Women and Poverty Alleviation.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony of the four-weeks short term skills acquisition training for faith based women and cultural organisations held at Imo Liason Office, Victoria Island and Answar-Ur-Deen, Ebute Meta respectively, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, pointed out that the objective of the empowerment programme is to train women, girls and men alike in various skills and vocations for the purpose of economic empowerment and lifting their status from the state of dependency to self-reliance.

    “There is dearth of ‘white collar’ jobs, it is in realisation of this economic reality that the Lagos State government established 17 functional skills acquisition centres around the state,” she said.

    “The present administration under the able leadership of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has taken women empowerment as one of its focal policies in order to mitigate the effects of poverty prevalent amongst women, we realise that when women are economically empowered, there is less tension in the home front and obvious reduction in domestic violence,” she said.

    In his goodwill message, the Liaison Officer, Imo State, Hon. Anthony Abili while commending Lagos State for empowering Imo women who resides in the state, enjoined the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity.

    While addressing the beneficiaries at Ansar-Ur-Deen, Ebute-Meta Centre, Chief Imam, Abdul-Jamiu urged them to put the training learnt into practice.

  • Three killed in robbers, police battle at Ojo

    Three persons, including two suspected robbers, were  killed on Tuesday when gunmen invaded a community in Ojo, Lagos.

    The gunmen invaded Gafaru Street, Imude in Ojo on motorcycles and robbed residents. They shot those who resisted them.

    Among those killed was  Obina Efenkandu, 32, of 124, Gafaru Street, Imude.

    Two other residents- Collins Ichu, 26, and Abdullah Niger, 40 – were injured.

    It was learnt that a distress call was made to the Ilemba-Hausa Police Division in Ojo, which called for reinforcement from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Metro Patrol Teams.

    In a statement yesterday, Lagos Command spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said two of the robbers were killed during a gun battle with the police, adding that two others were arrested.

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    He said: “On sighting the police, the robbers opened fire, but were subdued by the superior firepower of our gallant teams. Two suspects, Semiu Ibrahim, 24, and Francis Obi, 29, were arrested, while Chinozo Felix, 29, alias Power and Ifeanyi Uche died.

    “Three Berreta pistols with three live ammunition and three expended ammunition were recovered. One unregistered Bajaj Motorcycle was recovered from the scene.

    “The injured persons were taken to hospital.”

  • Alaba trader accused of destroying N2m gatehouse

    A trader at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, Chidi Chimezie, who allegedly destroyed a gatehouse valued at N2million, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Chimezie, 28, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate K. K. Awoyinka by the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (Force CIID), Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, wilful damage and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

    Prosecuting counsel Morufu Animashaun alleged that Chimezie and his accomplices, who are on the run, committed the offence at about 5:30pm, sometime in March last year.

    The court heard that they invaded  11, Chibuzor Street, Mosafejo-Ilufe, Ojo, Lagos and destroyed a security gatehouse belonging to Osita Ezeani.

    While destroying the fence, they allegedly breached the peace, forcing residents of the area to scamper for safety, Animashaun said.

    Chimezie pleaded not guilty.

    His counsel, Gani Oyeravuegbe, E. O. Amadi and T. Y. Okeke, made an oral application for his bail.

    But Animashaun objected, saying granting him bail could jeopardise effort to arrest other suspects.

    Chief Magistrate Awoyinka granted him N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.

  • ‘Ojo APC to work for victory’

    The Ojo, Lagos arm of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised to ensure it is victorious in the general elections.

    Its leader, Alhaji Rotimi Olorunfunmi, spoke at the inauguration of the Independent Campaign Group (YMC-ICG) in Ojo, which will lead the campaign of Prince Murisiku Durosinmi, a former chairman of Ojo Local Government, who is the APC candidate for the Ojo Federal Constituency.

    Olorunfunmi said: “Ojo Federal Constituency has over one million people who in the past three years have felt no quantum of good representation. All we have witnessed is the degradation of our values. This situation also makes us almost a loser in national politics.

    “This is the result you get when the people refuse to vote under a credible process, I mean a free and fair election. However, that will soon be a thing of the past.”

    He recalled the crisis that rocked the party’s  primary in Ojo Constituency last October,  imploring  party loyalists to sheath swords and work in harmony.

    “Yes, we had challenges which I considered normal. But I’m happy all that have been put behind us. We are now ready and united to claim what is duly ours.”

    Durosinmi thanked youths, students, party members and others for reposing so much confidence in his ability to deliver. He also appreciated them for standing by him when the going was tough. He thanked Olabode Makinde, who is the Director-General of  YMC-ICG,  for his tenacity and hard work, and urged members of the campaign to work with him.

    Durosinmi added: “Our campaign will be issue-based and we will maintain our responsible and responsive channel of communications with all members of the public.”

    He enumerated his agenda to include: forming a youth parliament; organising scholarships for students; as well as payment of stipend for the aged and widows.

    Others, according to him, include an empowering scheme for traders; reviving the moribund vocational centre for youths, an all-inclusive governance via bi-annual briefing, among several others.