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Tag: Oyo state

  • Gunmen kidnap woman in Oyo

    Some gunmen on Monday evening abducted a woman identified as Foluke in Eruwa, the headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo state.

    It was gathered on Tuesday that Foluke and three of her colleagues, who were coming from Temidire Market, were accosted by the gunmen on the Old Ibadan-Eruwa Road around 6.30pm.

    The abduction of Foluke, a provision seller at Owode, according to a source, is coming less than two weeks after the abduction of a canteen owner, Mrs. Folakemi Olufunmilayo in Igbo-Ora, in the same local government area.

    A source said the gunmen, numbering about four, accosted Foluke, who drove the car and the three other passengers, seized their mobile phones, parked the car on the road and whisked her away.

    He said the abductors released the three passengers after collecting their phones.

    Read Also: Oyo is technically bankrupt, says Makinde

    The source said: “I can tell you that another woman, Foluke has been kidnapped in Eruwa on Monday. Foluke and three other people were coming from Temidire Market when she was abducted around 6.30pm. The market is in Eruwa. There are four people in the car. She was the one that drove the car.

    “Out of the four persons, she is the only one that they kidnapped because she was the one that drove the car. They seized their phones so that they will not contact anybody until they get to the town. They took her away and left the car at the spot.

    “I know her; she sells provision at Owode in Aborerin. The case has been reported at Eruwa Divisional Headquarters. I learnt that the vigilante group and the hunters have been hunting for them.”

    Police spokesman Olugbenga Fadeyi said officers have been hunting for the abductors to ensure the release of the victim.

    Fadeyi said: “Yes, it is true. It was a case of abduction. The command is working to get the detail of the incident. The command is seriously working hard to get the abductors. The command is aware of the incident and working hard to ensure release of the victim.”

  • Oyo UBEC orders contractors back to site

    Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) Dr. Nureni Adeniran has ordered the contractor handling abandoned building projects on the premises of St. Paul’s Anglican School 1&2, Yanbule, Bashorun, Ibadan, and Bamolaid Multi Business Services to return back to site with immediate effect.

    Adeniran gave the order on Monday while inspecting school construction projects across Ibadan, the state capital.

    Adeniran noted that pupils in primary schools, must be given necessary supports and morale that would endear them to their studies, one of which is having a good roof over their heads while studying.

    He promised an immediate offset of backlog of arrears owed the contractor by the previous government, noting that the decongestion of the little space on the school premises is key.

    The chairman expressed his dissatisfaction at the slow pace at which the project was executed, while expressing optimism that there would be a quick return to normalcy and prompt completion of the project before the incumbent administration’s 100 days in office.

    In another development, the chairman also declared immediate distribution of instructional materials to schools across the 33 local government areas without further delay.

    The instructional materials include science kits, Math sets, charts and other necessary education materials for Junior Secondary Schools.

  • Makinde raises panel to probe local govts, LCDAs accounts

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has inaugurated a seven-man committee to investigate the accounts and finances of the state’s 33 local governments (LGs) and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    The committee, which was given six weeks to submit its report, has the mandate to look into the council accounts from January 2018 to May 2019. It is to be chaired by retired Justice S. L. Popoola.

    Also inaugurated alongside the committee at an event, which held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, were two separate visitation panels to Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa and another visitation panel to The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki.

    The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan; the governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; the Head of Service, Mrs. Amidat Agboola; Chairman, State Advisory Council Senator Hosea Agboola; Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matter Mr. Babatunde Oduyoye and the PDP state Chairman, Alhaja Kunmi Mustapha, among other dignitaries.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Makinde explained that the committee was not set up to go after the past administration, but a way of setting the stage for his government to take off and deliver dividends of democracy to Oyo State residents.

    He said: “The committee constituted to look into the accounts of the LGs and LCDAs from January 2018 to May 2019. This is highly needed at this time when there is paucity of funds and also the need to re-strategise and device means to fund activities of the government.

    “Let me reassure you that this government is not in any way going after the past administration, we are only setting the stage for our government to take off and deliver dividends of democracy to the entire citizenry.

    “In fact, I must say that the committee we are inaugurating today is pursuant to the Public Property and Funds Investigation and Recovery Panel law Cap 138 Vol 4 of the Oyo State Law, 2000 Section 3 of the law states thus: ‘Whenever it shall appear to the government of the state that any person or body of persons in the custody of any property belonging to the government or any company in which the state government has any interest, however, arising or is accountable to the government for any contract, entered into or purported to have entered into between him and the government or monies in which he may have collected on behalf or for the purpose of the government, the governor may set up a panel to investigate or ascertain the identity and the extent of such property or funds and make an order for recovery of such property or fund’.”

    According to Makinde, the seven-man committee is expected to investigate any dealings with the funds of the LGs and LCDAs and other matters as they affect the local government and retrieve all monies traceable to any individual and impound any equipment traceable to any individual.

    Read Also: Makinde to probe LGs, LCDAs accounts

    He added: “Let me at this junction, admonish the members of the committee to carry out this task efficiently and effectively. The task ahead is not that of the governor, but that given to them by the entire citizens of Oyo State.

    “You are all on this committee to serve the people of Oyo State. The LG is the government at the grassroots level and they are the closest to the people. It is, therefore, important to take into consideration all matters that affect our people as we have promised them, a sound service agenda.

    “Let me promise straightaway, our unquantified support in this assignment as we are determined to get to the root of any form of mismanagement that the Councils have been subjected to this past years.

    “We, therefore, give this committee six weeks to complete their assignment. On this note, I appreciate all members of the committee for accepting to serve in this capacity and I wish you all success in these endeavours.”

    Inaugurating the first female Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, the governor said he made a lot of introspection in making a decision to pick the new SSG out of the very eminently qualified personalities he had before him.

    He said “In taking the decision to pick her out of the very eminently qualified personalities I had before me, I did a lot of introspection. There is this usual divide between politicians and technocrats.

    “Some people would argue that the best person for the job is a politician, who understands the terrain as they put it. Others would say the engine room of government must be manned by a technocrat, who knows his or her onions.

    “But I must say we need a focused government, which will deliver on its terms. We need capacity and lots of efficiencies and we need a packed personality who in a way, encapsulates all of that.”

    He urged the new SSG to live up to expectation, saying many men are lurking by the corner, adding that the appointment was not based on sentiment, feminism or other undue sentiments.

  • My commissioners’ list ’ll be ready in 10 days, says Makinde

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has hinted that his list of commissioners will be ready within 10 days from now.

    He gave the hint while featuring on a television programme to mark his first 30 days in office at the weekend.

    Makinde said he would have constituted his cabinet had the outgone administration cooperated with his team for a smooth transition after he won the March 9 election.

    According to him, his efforts to achieve a smooth transition were frustrated by the alleged attitude of the last administration.

    He said his administration would have hit the ground running after his swearing-in if he got the cooperation he sought.

    He, however, assured that his list of commissioners will be ready within 10 days, stressing that efforts on it were being finalised.

    He said: “Within the next 10 to 14 days, we should have the cabinet formed and other things in place.”

    Makinde also explained that the need for balancing and inclusiveness informed his decision to appoint a female technocrat, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). She is the first female SSG in the state.

    Until her appointment, Mrs. Adeosun was the Country Implementation Lead of the Shell Business Operations (SBO), Nigeria.

    Read Also: Makinde: We inherited N150b debt, threatens to expose Ajimobi

    The governor explained that the move was simply meant to balance his cabinet along with gender and religious considerations aside her eminent qualification.

    His words: “While I was campaigning, I promised to ensure that my cabinet is balanced when it comes to gender and religion and zonal consideration. I, the governor, am male and Christian; the deputy governor is a male and Muslim. The Chief of Staff is male and Muslim. So, we felt that the Secretary to State Government, which is a very important position in the executive, should automatically be a woman and a Christian.”

    He assured of continuous balancing in his appointments in line with his firm belief in inclusiveness and diversity in government.

    Makinde also added that it is a thing of pride that both the current Head of Service (HoS) and the SSG in the state are women.

    Adeosun’s appointment had shocked politicians, especially members of the alliance that worked for Makinde’s victory in the election. They expected that the governor would appoint one of them since all professionals are found among politicians.

  • Makinde: commissioners list will be ready in ten days

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has hinted that his list of commissioners will be ready within 10 days from now.

    He gave the hint while featuring on a television programme to mark his first 30 days in office at the weekend.

    Makinde said he would have constituted his cabinet had the outgone administration cooperated with his team for a smooth transition after he won the March 9 election. According to him, his efforts to achieve a smooth transition was frustrated by the alleged negative attitude of the last administration. He said his administration would have hit the ground running after his swearing-in if he got the cooperation he sought.

    He, however, assured that his list of commissioners will be ready within 10 days, stressing that efforts on it were being finalized.

    He said: “Within the next 10-14 days we should have the cabinet formed and other things in place.”

    Makinde also explained that the need for balancing and inclusiveness informed his decision to appoint a female technocrat, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). She is the first female SSG in the state.

    Read Also: Makinde tasks Yoruba on unity

    Until her appointment, Mrs Adeosun was the Country Implementation Lead of the Shell Business Operations (SBO), Nigeria.

    The governor explained that the move was simply meant to balance his cabinet along gender and religious considerations aside her eminent qualification.

    His words: “While I was campaigning, I promised to ensure that my cabinet is balanced when it comes to gender and religion and zonal consideration. I, the governor, am male and Christian; the Deputy Governor is a male and Muslim. The Chief of Staff is male and Muslim. So, we felt that the Secretary to State Government, which is a very important position in the Executive, should automatically be a woman and a Christian.”

    He assured of continuous balancing in his appointments in line with his firm belief in inclusiveness and diversity in government.

    Makinde also added that it is a thing of pride that the both the current Head of Service (HoS) and the SSG in the state are women.

    Adeosun’s appointment had shocked politicians, especially members of the alliance that worked for Makinde’s victory in the election. They expected that the governor would appoint one of them since all professionals are found among politicians.

     

  • Makinde tasks Yoruba on unity

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has implored the Yoruba to be more united to ensure the development of the race.

    Makinde stated this in Ibadan at the launch of a book entitled ”Autobiography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book of the late sage and late Premier of Western Region was translated into Yoruba by Mr Alao Adedayo, the Publisher of Alaroye Newspaper.

    Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, decried the security challenges in the Yoruba speaking states and the nation in general.

    According to him, collaboration and exchange of ideas among the South West States will enhance efforts geared toward tackling insecurity.

    He also urged the Yoruba to remain united, adding that the forces of darkness attempting to overwhelm the region would be defeated by speaking with one voice.

    Read Also: Challenges before Makinde

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, said that vices such as kidnapping, harassment by criminal herdsmen and other crimes were now rife in Yoruba land.

    “What is worrisome is that most of the herdsmen perpetrating these criminal activities are alleged to be non-Nigerians, but migrants from some West African countries.

    “The Yoruba are proud of their harmonious relationship with indigenous Fulani,” he said.

    The monarch also stated that the solution to the current security challenges lies in restructuring of the federal system, noting that the central government was too powerful.

    In his remarks at the event, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, said that the Yoruba were against Federal Government’s proposed cattle ranches in the South West and other Yoruba-speaking towns and villages in Kogi and Kwara.

    He also cautioned governors of the South West states against ceding any portion of their land for the purpose of cattle ranch, adding that everyone must close ranks to tackle insecurity.

    Some of the dignitaries at the event include the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Prof. Bamiji Akintoye, who represented the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Chief Kessington Adebutu, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria, PLC, Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu.

    NAN

  • Oyo APC to PDP: name those in possession of govt’s vehicles

    Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to either make public the identity of anyone in illegal possession of government’s property among the officials who served during the Abiola Ajimobi administration or “stop spending available resources on cheap blackmail”.

    Governor Seyi Makinde has been accusing some of those, who served with Ajimobi of having taken away government’s vehicles with them.

    But, Oyo APC said in a statement by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, yesterday  that the noise about the issue of vehicles allegedly taken away by unnamed persons was a clear indication that the PDP was not prepared for the serious business of governance.

    The statement reads: “They were desperate for power and now that they have it, they do not know what to do with it. How can a serious party be comfortable with the fact that a governor it sponsored into power cannot role out a significant action plan or blueprint, but chose to dwell on mundane issues four weeks after inauguration and without any sign of promise to deliver?

    “As concerned stakeholders, we have done our investigation and found out that none of our members went away with official vehicles or any government’s property illegally as Governor Makinde and his party want the public to believe. Therefore, we challenge the present administration or any of its sympathizers to name all those they have established to be in possession of the said items and initiate appropriate measures to recoveries same from them.

    “But if all the present administration and the PDP would prefer to do while its span runs out is to wage war against the persons of Senator Ajimobi and other who served the state meritoriously between 2011 and 2019 under the banner of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN)/APC, we wish them good luck.”

    The  party said it was regrettable that governance has since gone on holiday in Oyo State.

    Read Also: We have uncovered plots to rubbish Ajimobi’s legacies, says Oyo APC

    The APC advised Makinde “to resist every instinct or pressure capable of causing unrest in the state, especially as it concerned sponsorship of anarchy and confusion at the local government tier”.

    It warned that the Pacesetter State should not be in the news for any wrong reason because a governor must satisfy himself or his party men.

    “The current officials at the local council are a product of legitimacy and since the governor has agreed to edge them out through after his first self-help attempt failed, he should submit himself wholly to the court process without any overt or covert effort to circumvent democracy and the rule of law.

    “We say no to intimidation of elected council chairmen and councillors by the governor or any of his men who are desperate to feast on the resources of local government councils as done in the past.

    “The Appeal Court has picked July 5, 2019 for hearing of the case brought before  it by the governor with a caveat that the status quo must be maintained.

    “What this means is that elected officials should not be prevented from functioning in their capacities and we expect the PDP government to be aware of this,” Adejumo said.

    The APC, in another statement by its spokesperson, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olatunde, advised Makinde and PDP to have a rethink on its plans to inaugurate caretaker committee government in the councils  in defiance of court order.

    The APC advised the PDP led government to halt the plan in the interest of the masses to avoid needlessly inflicting untold suffering on the people at the grassroots.

    The state APC accused the PDP government of executive recklessness, especially in its recent decisions to thwart the legacies of the immediate past APC government .

    According to the party, the governor has taken on the toga of impunity by  sacking  elected council chairmen and  the perfection of the  government’s  plan to inaugurate caretaker committee despite a subsisting court order.

  • Kidnappers demand N20m ransom from Oyo caterer

    Again, kidnappers on Sunday struck in Igbo Ora, Ibarapa Central local government area of Oyo state, making away with a popular caterer and joint operator.

    The woman popularly known and addressed with her business name ‘Hosanna’ located around Igbo-Ora-Abeokuta expressway, was said to have been whisked away around 10:30pm.

    It was gathered the incident occurred when unsuspected kidnappers swooped on the area, few minutes after closing for the day’s business.

    But the police said the case was not that of kidnapping but abduction by close and regular customer of the woman, who she might have had certain unconfirmed business with.

    Sources privy to the incident explained that the kidnappers only announced their arrival and presence in the area with sporadic gunshot, which led to the injury of four people trying to scamper for safety.

    No one could confirm the number of kidnappers who carried out the operation nor the type of vehicle used to convey the woman.

    “While being whisked away, the victim was overhead shouting ‘don’t kill me, don’t kill me’ as she was being scooped into a car, as the abductors fled the scene,” the source added.

    It was further learnt her family immediately reported the case at the nearby police station while the area became deserted immediately the news filtered into town.

    By Monday morning, it was gathered that, the incident had become the talk in the city as residents contacted one another to be security alert while movements within the town was observed to be at a low ebb.

    Read Also: Kidnappers’ hideouts, arms discovered in Niger

    However, unconfirmed sources within the town informed the family had been contacted and that the kidnappers are currently demanding N20million ransom before her release.

    It was also gathered the family is yet to make any arrangement as to how to pay the money because the ransom was said to be far beyond what the family can afford.

    When contacted, the Commissioner of Police Shina Olukolu, while confirming the incident said it was a case of abduction of a woman who is a food seller.

    He added she might have had a deal with somebody or people leading to the incident.

    According to the CP, the suspected abductors were her regular customers who might have scores to settle with her.

    He said: “There was not a case of kidnapping at all but an abduction of a woman who is a food seller. It is like she has a deal with somebody leading to the incident

    “If it is to be kidnapping, the kidnappers would have demanded for ransom but no ransom has been demanded. We are working on some information and we will soon rescue the woman.”

    He assured that the police would do all within its power to ensure the safe release of the abducted woman.

  • Name those who went away with govt. vehicles, Oyo APC dares PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has challenged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to either make public the identity of anyone in illegal possession of government property among the officials who served during the immediate past administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi or stop spending available resources on cheap blackmail and shameful propaganda.

    The administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde has been accusing some of those who served with Ajimobi of taking away government vehicles with them.

    But Oyo APC said in a statement by its assistant publicity secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, on Monday said that the noise about the issue of vehicles allegedly taken away by unnamed persons was a clear indication that the PDP was not prepared for the serious business of governance in the state.

    “They were desperate for power and now that they have it, they do not know what to do with it. How can a serious party be comfortable with the fact that a governor it sponsored into power cannot rule out a significant action plan or blueprint but chose to dwell on mundane issues four weeks after inauguration and without any sign of promise to deliver?

    “As concerned stakeholders, we have done our investigation and found out that none of our members went away with official vehicles or any government property illegally as Gov. Makinde and his party want the public to believe. Therefore, we challenge the present administration or any of its sympathizers to name all those they have established to be in possession of the said items and initiate appropriate measures to recoveries same from them.

    Read Also: Court adjourns Oyo, sacked council chairmen case till July 30

    “But if all the present administration and the PDP would prefer to do while its span runs out is to wage war against the persons of Sen. Ajimobi and other who served the state meritoriously between 2011 and 2019 under the banner of the ACN/APC, we wish them good luck. The whole has seen how governance has since gone on holiday in Oyo State and this is regrettable”. The statement said.

    In the same vein, Oyo APC has advised Gov. Makinde “to resist every instinct or pressure capable of causing unrest in the state especially as it concerned sponsorship of anarchy and confusion at the local government tier. Again, the Pacesetter State should not be in the news for any wrong reason because a governor must satisfy himself or his party men.

    “The current officials at the local council are a product of legitimacy and since the governor has agreed to edge them out through after his first self-help attempt failed, he should submit himself wholly to the court process without any overt or covert effort to circumvent democracy and the rule of law.

    “We say no to intimidation of elected council chairmen and councillors by the governor or any of his men who are desperate to feast on the resources of local government councils as done in the past. The Appeal Court has picked July 5, 2019 for hearing of the case brought before it by the governor with a Caveat that the Status Quo must be maintained. What this means is that elected officials should not be prevented from functioning in their capacities and we expect the PDP government to be aware of this.” Adejumo concluded.

     

  • Barbarians in the House

    In the days of the Owu chief, a stink was inaugurated. He endorsed a kangaroo act in the Plateau State House of Assembly in which six out of 24 members of the House impeached a governor. By that farce, the Obasanjo PDP had sanctified a rogue process.

    It told Nigerians a legislative monster of that sort could pass muster. Lawmakers took notice. It signalled the end of a governor and the genesis of turbulence in Plateau State that has taken the coming of Governor Simon Lalong to quell.

    But the stink has already pervaded our politics. We saw it in Anambra State, and Oyo State, ever turbulent, embossed its own signature of impunity before Ajimobi’s era. The trend went national, though. The APC members of betrayal teamed with the minority party to overthrow the party process and worked with the clerk to elect Bukola “Eleyinmi” Saraki as Senate president. The rot continued.

    Like effluent in the sewer, it has remained in our legislative unconscious. Fast forward to June 2019. First in Edo State, the drama of the absurd. Governor Godwin Obaseki canonised a House where nine, some say 11, members out of 24 met and elected a speaker and his deputy.  So absurd was it that one of them came sartorially unprepared in a pair of shorts. A hurried impunity.

    A few days later, Bauchi State caught the contagion. In the case of Edo State, the party was divided against itself. The Bauchi episode replayed the Saraki script. Eight PDP members colluded with two APC men and the sole member of the New Nigeria People’s Party to elect an APC man as speaker and a PDP man as deputy, just as Saraki and Ekweremadu paired in that dawn of Abuja conspiracy. APC in words, PDP indeed. Just like Obaseki, Governor Bala Mohammed inaugurated a house of barbarians.

    The Edo drama has pitched the state governor Obaseki against his anointer and national chairman Adams Oshiomhole. Adams said what happened in Edo ran counter to republican principles. I agree. The Governor defended himself by an appeal to state party supremacy. Speaking through his spokesman, Obaseki said Adams countervailed the principle of natural justice. I laughed at such grandiloquent appeal to high ideals to support a gangster act.

    If Obaseki yielded to party supremacy, he was kowtowing to a hierarchy of miscreants. Was he telling the country and the good citizens of Edo State that democracy is a Hobbesian enclave? He is supping with the devil of tyranny. Has he forgotten that as governor, he is the leader of the party? Why is he hiding under party supremacy of barbarians? Does he not know that he makes himself into a political jellyfish by inaugurating an illegality and hiding under the cover of the people, a raft of party apparatchiks who bow and tremble before him every day because he controls the state’s mammon of unrighteousness? Is he hoodwinking us? Obaseki cannot even have the boldness, however shameless, to take responsibility for his action.

    He has had a lacklustre tenure so far, but if he wants theatre, it better entertain and ennoble us rather than appeal to what theorist of drama call the absurd. Shakespeare, Rotimi, Soyinka have quite a few of them. Bringing such alawada acts into governance does not enshrine republican ideals. It holds it up to mockery.

    Even during the days of Adams as governor in 2014, the Jonathan men split the House because Adams was not playing fool to the mavens of the PDP in Edo State. I called it “presidential meddlesomeness” on Channels Television’s Sunrise show. Today, it is gubernatorial meddlesomeness in Edo. The guilty man is Godwin Obaseki.

    The Bauchi story is a case of a minority governor who wants to use a strong arm to impose his will. Governor Mohammed ought to be careful. He has less than 10 men in the house who want him. He is flirting with impeachment Damocles. He may not know it. The people who made it possible for him to mount the throne cannot stop the legislators from coming down on him. But more importantly, the Bauchi story is about an APC flirting with political self-immolation. The APC, especially kingpins in the centre, did not like the former governor. In plotting his fall, they may have lit the tinder of party implosion. It will be interesting to see how events will unfold in the coming months.

    In Edo and Bauchi, we are witnessing the sore wounds of political malice. And none of it has to do with the high calling of democracy. They are the sort of problems that come from planting the wrong seed. Its contagion is what we have today. In his novel, The Plague, the French writer Albert Camus shows how rottenness can overtake a society that allows the wrong ideas and attitudes  to fester. In Central London in the 1850’s, what became known as the Great Stink overwhelmed the city. The sewer was clogged with human waste and industrial effluent and the tranquil and blue beauty of the River Thames we know today was a miasma of waste that discharged smell and gave the people cholera. The famous scientist Michael Faraday described in a letter to the The Times thus: “”Near the bridges the feculence rolled up in clouds so dense that they were visible at the surface, even in water of this kind. … The smell was very bad, and common to the whole of the water; it was the same as that which now comes up from the gully-holes in the streets; the whole river was for the time a real sewer.”

    That is the sort of problem that city bore. The parliament was forced to act when the odour choked them in session. The great legislative stink did not start today. In Poland of the Middle Ages, a writer called the parliamentary rabble, “a divinely ordained confusion.”

    A parliament is the church of democracy. It should not become cult of mayhem.

     

    Drones for drones

    AS we contemplate the fire and fury of banditry in the country, an opportunity has presented itself with the election of Simon Lalong as chair of the Northern Governors Forum. He set up a formula for peace in his state that his peers copied. His colleagues will do well to encase it into the battle plan against the hoodlums of gore in the region.

    No plan is perfect, but if he was able to turn it for most part to the good, it calls for optimism. Yet, he needs the centre to help with resources, especially in the area of technology. Technology is the great counterfoil to evil in this age. It is a weapon we can deploy either for war or for peace. Ekiti and Ondo States now use drones to comb the forests. In Ogun State alone, Imoke Forest is as vast as the city of Ibadan, and the Opara forest is three times as big. We cannot flush the brigands out the old way. Yet the forests in the north are more numerous, sometimes vaster and more lethal. So, Gov. Lalong will need modern drones, of the sort that Iran shot down to dare Trump. It will combat the drones of the forests, lazy men hiding under faith and tribe to commit murder. With Lalong’s strategy and Federal-sponsored technology, the brigands will be yesterday’s wound. It is drones against the drones.