The Nation Newspaper

Tag: review

  • Elumelu advises Buhari to review DisCos’ ownership structure

    Elumelu advises Buhari to review DisCos’ ownership structure

    The Chairman of Heirs Holding and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Mr. Tony Elumelu has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider the ownership structure of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) with a view to taking over controlling shares of the firms.

    He spaoke on the sidelines of ongoing 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit holding in Abuja.

    Mr. Elumelu noted that “in as much as some existing investors might like the idea, the Federal Government could not continue to allow the DisCos hold the nation down with inefficient power distribution.”

    His solution to the epileptic  power supply in the country is the “recapitalisation of the DisCos and then increase its stake from the current 49 per cent to 51 per cent and sell the controlling stakes to new investors, as the current operators have become obstacles to the realisation of the nation’s power capacity goal.”

    According to him, “our people are very enterprising and they want to succeed. But they need the right environment to succeed. I appreciate what the government is doing for electricity but we need to do more.  I empathise with the government on its efforts in that sector. But Mr. Vice President, I think there is a lot we can do to correct the ownership of that sector without affecting the property rights of the investors.  That sector must be dealt with it for us to have power to do business.”

  • Wage structure needs review, says Obi of Onitsha

    Wage structure needs review, says Obi of Onitsha

    The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has said workers’ wage and salary structure should be reviewed to stop professionals from leaving the country.

    Achebe  said it was a tragedy for members of the political elite to determine their wage structure, while workers in the country cannot.

    He said this at the 36th convocation of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), which held in Ijanikin, Lagos.

    According to him, Nigerian doctors. after getting their training locally, become expatriates in various countries, which reveals the shortcoming of wages and infrastructural systems in the country.

    “Doctors should be well rewarded as they are special due to what they do and it was this realisation that stopped me from studying medicine, though I was admitted to study it, but I went for chemistry,”he said.

    He said though traditional rulers voices were getting smaller, he would do something about the situation by talking to the authorities.

    The college President, Prof. Ademola Olaitan, said though doctors going abroad was pathetic, there was nothing that could be done as they (doctors) have to feed themselves and work in conducive environments.

    He said: “Part of the mandate of the college is to prevent human capital flight in the medical sector, which we have succeeded in doing by convoking 387 fellows this year, aside those convoked in previous years and saving the nation, millions of dollars.”

    He said it was a shame that industrial action is the only language government listens to.

    “Industrial actions are not encouraged as it disrupts work and placements by doctors into various teaching hospitals which does not allow for fulfillment of the prescribed minimum period of clinical placements and rotations that qualified them for examinations,” he said.

    Olaitan urged the government to reconstitute the Board of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) as the body had operated without a council for the past two years when the board was dissolved. He noted that reconstitution will allow the council to perform its statutory functions, which are crucial to the smooth running of medical services.

    The guest speaker, Prof Obiora Onuba, who spoke on the theme: “Medical Management of Terrorist Bombing of Nigerian Civilians;” Lessons to Learn”,  said doctors must have training in treating victims of terrorist acts as only a few doctors have experience in a true mass casualty attack.

  • Mogajis back Olubadan chieftaincy law review

    The Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogaji has expressed support for the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy system by the Oyo State government.

    The government reviewed the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration last month and elevated baale and high chiefs to oba while the Olubadan of Ibadan became an imperial majesty.

    But some mogaji (family heads) have gone to court, challenging the propriety of the review because the review elevated baale above them.

    But the Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogaji issued a communique at the end of its meeting at the weekend at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital, saying the review was done in good faith.

    They noted that it elevated the throne of the Olubadan.

    The communique signed by its Chairman, Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariyori, and the Secretary, Mogaji Isiaka Raji Elegbaowo, reads: “There are no other recognised mogajis than the Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogajis. We found out that some faceless people are using the misunderstanding on the Ibadan chieftaincy reform as an opportunity to portray themselves as the authentic mogajis and thereby causing distraction.

    “We are not part of any rancour; neither are we interested in any crisis in Ibadan or a divided Ibadan. We want a united Ibadan and we are interested in the development of Ibadan land as well as that of our leaders.

    “We resolved that the chieftaincy reform was done in good faith and it brought elevation to our father, the Olubadan of Ibadan, the Olubadan-in-Council, the baales and the people of Ibadan.

    “We want to assure the people of Ibadan that the reform was done in a right way. We solemnly support the governor. We are telling the government that it has our backing on the recent elevation of our father, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and our former high chiefs. We are interested in the elevation of our leaders but if the government engages in activities that belittle our leaders, we will not support the government.

    “We are not interested in anything that will destroy the peace in Ibadan. We are happy with what Governor Abiola Ajimobi has done and we want to assure our people that nothing has changed in the ascendancy structure of the Olubadan throne.

    “We want understanding of the people and we do not want the four dissidents, the so-called mogajis, to destabilise the peace in Ibadan as well as misinform the people. Anybody who is a traditional Mogaji-in-Ibadan will be among us. We do not want a crisis in Ibadan and we are appealing to the four mogajis, who are calling themselves authentic mogajis to desist from activities that can cause disharmony in the city.

    “We are not politicians; we are traditional chiefs of the city. They (the four mogajis) are politicians and that is why they cannot be with us. We wonder why four people will be more than us?

    “We, therefore, implore the government, our father, Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadan, the newly created Obas-in-Council and elders in Ibadan to come together for the progress and development of Ibadan.”

  • Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees, says Ajimobi

    Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees, says Ajimobi

    The Oyo State government has promised to review tuition fees at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, in a bid to make it self-sustaining.

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, announced this yesterday in Ibadan, while featuring on a programme tagged “Saturday Special’ aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), LAUTECH which is co-owned by both Oyo and Osun state governments, had in recent times been enmeshed in crisis over the default of the owners to pay subvention and staff salaries.

    Ajimobi said his administration had since assumption of office in 2011, paid N22 billion to the institution.

    He described the amount being paid as tuition fees in LAUTECH as `abysmal,’ adding that it would be reviewed for the institution to be self-sustaining.

    “The default in the payment of subvention and salaries was as a result of economic downturn. When we came on board, we reduced the tuition fees to N65, 000.

    “There are secondary schools that charges from N150,000 to N200,000, while some universities charge from N500,000 to two million naira.

    “Till date, we have subsidised LAUTECH heavily and we are still giving them. Imagine, the institution has 99 accounts and some could not be traced,” he said.

    The governor said that government had taken steps to resolve the crisis in the university, among which was the auditing of its account to determine its viability to be self-sustaining like other institutions.

    He said that staff of the institution had initially refused the auditing firm access but had promised to allow them recently.

    Ajimobi said that government had constituted the institution’s governing council which was expected to submit its report after the current holiday.

    He promised that the crisis in the university would soon be over and the institution would be given take-off grant for three months.

    Commenting on Oyo State Technical University, Ajimobi said that the institution, which would take-off in October, was a specialized institution, adding it was not a university for all.

    He said that his administration had evolved several initiatives to reform education in the state, particularly public schools.

    He added that the efforts had started to yield the desired fruits.

     

  • Review of Maleek Berry’s Been Calling

    Review of Maleek Berry’s Been Calling

    It seems Maleek Berry’s foray as a music producer with his favourite “Berry pon this” remark on other artistes songs have not been enough for the Eko Miami crooner this year.

    The music producer has now joined the long cast of music singing producers with hits to his name and this year has been no different. Haven proven his credibility with numerous hits of songs from Eko Miami, down to popularly acclaimed Kontrol, Bend it, 4 me and recently, “Been calling.”

    Maleek Berry has gradually registered himself as a musician and producer that must be reckoned with on Nigerian scene.

    For music lovers that like the feel good house music with light felt instrumentals and decent lyrics, this is the song for you. Whether you are having a summer time on the beach or you are stuck in traffic listening to cool vibing on repeat.

    The song which is a desperate call for a lady that has been avoiding her lover is a perfection of the best vocals and instrumentals with no noise at all in background. Unlike the usual trend of lousy lyrics and heavy mixture of beats that are usually characterized by Nigerian music jams.

    The video clearly illustrates the desperation theme that the song echoes. And the use of virtual reality to signify desire, warmth, affection definitely perfect Been Calling as the perfect on screen visuals.

    I will rate Maleek Berry’s “Been Calling” a 10/10 for one sole reason. Been Calling is a cool bar with no imperfections. The video as well as the audio was perfectly put together as a dose of good music, no obscenities, perfectly worded, cool and calmly collected.

    Maleek should know that this a sign, a good sign to embrace the music aspect of his career and not stop at just producing beats for other artistes alone. The hardwork and patience has finally paid off. He should start making those beats for himself and release that album, now.

    Maleek Berry should know that the future can’t wait.

  • Why Nigeria should review stance on EPA

    •As EU douses tension of unfair rivalry

    The European Union (EU) has again urged the country to review its opposing stance on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), stating that the opportunities of trade interaction were more than conceived apprehensions.

    Head of Trade and Economics Section, Delegation of EU to Nigeria, Mr. Filippo Amato, who spoke at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Stakeholders Forum, said the agreement would not threaten domestic products but expand export windows.

    According to him, the pursuance of infrastructural development, capacity expansion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and stability of interest rates should simultaneously run with achieving long- term stability in attracting foreign direct investment in, for instance, the  agricultural or textile value chain.

    On the sensitivity to domestic production, Amato said the agreement also respected protectionism of locally manufactured products, such that unhealthy competition would be deterred by exclusion.

    “This is an agreement not all about trade but development. It is a device to compliment the development corporation activities which EU has been carrying out in Nigeria by adding trade as tool to get our sectors on board to thrive development, growth and industrialisation of the region. It is in a way that Europe will open completely its market to any good coming from West Africa in terms of duties. On the other hand West Africa will remove duties only on the imports machinery, capital goods which are necessary to the local industry. We are leaving protection on the goods which local industries are able to produce. So basically all the agribusiness industry is going to be protected”.

    He reiterated the flexibility in the agreement noting in the event that something was not protected, there is a possibility to still protect the local industry and there is a review clause every five years that makes it possible to review everything.

    However, while the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) admitted that protectionism might hamper the quest to achieve a sustainable economy, the President Iyalode Alaba Lawson, insisted that certain sectors of the economy may be scuttled by global competition.

    Represented by a NACCIMA executive, Uzor Nwaije, she said: “Challenges facing the real sector such as poor infrastructure, high interest rates and a devalued currency make it difficult for the real sector to take full advantage of the EPA. It is therefore in view of the Association that the country’s infrastructure deficit challenge needs to be improved considerably as this will enhance productive capacity of the Organised Private sector.”

    The ECOWAS Commissioner, Laouali Chaibou said its main concern is to help manufacturers in the  region improve their production competitiveness while ensuring a greater influx of private investment into the ECOWAS union.

    He said: “These advantages offered by the EPA tend to make our region production the center for export to Europe. The integration of ECOWAS and Nigeria in the global value chains therefore involves the ability of this country to attract investments from all walks of life either to transform local raw materials or to semi-finished products elsewhere and the EPA is one of the ways to achieve this.”

    Meanwhile, Director General, LCCI Mr. Muda Yusuf believes that with proper assessment of the options, the country come to considerable conclusion that there are opportunities in other sectors besides manufacturing.

    “It is a very contentious matter particularly from the supply perspective. But I think it’s something that we need to discuss, to see if we can find a middle ground to be able to also allay the fears of the manufacturers. Those who are in non oil sector are also seeking opportunities in Europe but unfortunately it is weak for now.   There are strong arguments from both sides whether to sign or not.”

     

  • How religious, ethnic interests marred review of Constitution

    How religious, ethnic interests marred review of Constitution

    Proponents of devolution of power, Land Use Act, state creation, boundary adjustment, indigenship and affirmative action in the ongoing constitution review have to wait for another opportunity. Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR, who followed the process from the outset, writes on what informed the senators’ voting pattern on core issues during the amendment.

    It is no longer news that core proposals slated for amendment in the ongoing constitution review were rejected by the National Assembly. What baffled many was the motive behind the lawmakers’ action.

    The lawmakers have come under scathing criticism for being selective with the amendment, which stakeholders described as self-serving and not in the general interest.

    The Nation learnt that overarching regional interest guided the amendments.

    Right from the conception of the idea for the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution, primordial interest wrapped around suspicion, mistrust and even pessimism about the whole process ran riot.

    It was a battle of wits from the outset. It was also obvious that some senators merely played along and waited for the auspicious time to frustrate the process.

    The voting pattern, especially on vital proposals poignantly depicted the true character of the National Assembly.

    All the items northern senators, led by senators Adamu Aliero and Danjuma Goje, kicked against during the clause by clause debate of the proposals, failed to pass the amendment tests.

    Aliero, a one-time governor of Kebbi State, did not hide his disdain for the proposed devolution of power to the states.

    The Kebbi Central Zone senator bellied his disapproval for the devolution of power in his insistence that devolution of power without first tinkering with the revenue allocation in favour of the states would be meaningless.

    Underneath his argument for allocation of more resources to the states was the fear of the unknown.

    The former Kebbi governor, it was discovered, was actually anxious not to endorse restructuring of the country under any other guise. It was ploy to buy time since reworking the revenue allocation formula was not on the card.

    Also, the northern senators opposed the removal of Land Use Act from the Constitution to free land for massive development including agriculture. The proposal crashed because the senators (from the north) felt that delisting Land Use Act from the constitution could be another way of endorsing resource control.

    The proposal for the devolution of power to the states that would have paved the way to rework the country for greater efficiency was opposed by the senators.

    State creation and boundary adjustments proposed to make for equity, equality and give a sense of belonging to the federating units also failed to scale the amendment hurdle as the clause was shot down by the northern senators.

    The indigeneship proposal to allow married women to choose either their state of birth or state of marriage for the purpose of appointment or election was rejected by the senators.

    They also opposed the proposal to institutionalise 35 per cent affirmative action for women aimed at creating more opportunities for women in appointments and elective positions.

    But less than a week after the contentious amendments, details of who did what have started unfolding.

    The leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives have invested a lot of hope in the nearly-aborted amendment.  Both chambers had promised to deliver a clean copy of the constitution long before the commencement of electioneering activities for the 2019 general elections.

    That promise informed why the constitution amendment formed a key issue in the legislative agenda of the Eight National Assembly.

    To achieve this, the leadership of Senate and House of Representatives were periodically briefing by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Yussuff Lasun on the progress made.

    An insider gave an account of how northern senators perfected their plot to ambush the process.

    The account said: “Last Monday, when all seemed set for the debate and voting for the 33 items on the agenda, a meeting of the joint leadership of the federal legislature held in the Maitama home of the chairman of the National Assembly, Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    “The meeting, which went on till past midnight was for the purpose of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. At the meeting, it was agreed that the debate on the 33 items would hold on Tuesday while the voting would be done on Wednesday so that the process could be completed before the legislators commenced their annual recess which began at the weekend.

    “However, it dawned on the legislative leadership that early Tuesday morning when they were supposed to commence the debate on the floor, the Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker and Deputy Speaker were all expected to attend the 16th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers’ Conference at the ECOWAS secretariat in Abuja.

    “This would mean that nobody would preside at the plenary. The matter was resolved that the Senate President and Speaker would attend while their deputies should preside at the plenary. It was also agreed that since Nigerian parliamentarians are the organisers, they should ensure the event began on schedule by 9am and end within two hours.

    “Eventually, the need to get the conference opened by the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo delayed the commencement of the event till 10.30am. However, by 11.30am, the opening was done with. Speaker Dogara, who was the presiding officer at the conference, had to stay back while the Senate President returned to the National Assembly complex.

    “However, on getting there, the Senate President met a tensed atmosphere. The northern senators having observed that their southern colleagues were enthusiastic about the constitution amendment voting process scheduled to begin that day were suspicious that something against the interest of the region might have been inserted into the constitution.

    “They further calculated that since Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a southerner with 11 years’ experience in the position with two previous experiences in constitution amendments, it was possible for him to sneak in a few things not in their interest.

    “Led by Senator Goje, the northern senators at an executive session of the Senate had requested for time to consult with their constituents. That was a delay tactic. Knowing that the Senate was due for recess in the next forty-eight hours, any further delay would put the amendment on hold till after the recess and by that time, the enthusiasm about constitution amendment would have died down.

    “Immediately the Senate President came in and was briefed about what transpired at the executive session in which the Senate seems divided on regional basis (North pitted against South), he immediately started persuading the northern senators that voting would be transparent. He also assured them that the rest of the country was waiting for the amendment as a way of dousing tension and agitations across the country. With his assurances to both sides, he moved from his holding office in the White House wing to the plenary to take charge of the proceedings from his deputy.

    “The controversial issues that created the division along regional lines are the removal of the Land Use Act from the constitution, the affirmative action in which at least 35 per cent of people in the executive council of states and Federal Government would be women and the devolution of more powers to the states.

    “The northerners see devolution of powers as indirect way of importing restructuring into the constitution and turning Nigeria into a confederal state with strong confederating states and a weak centre.

    “The Senate President assured all of them that the process would be transparent and give every lawmaker to fully himself. He then presented the various items as bills so that the issues can be voted upon separately. In that case, the rejection of one issue will not lead to the failure of all the issues as it had happened in the past when the issues were lumped together.

    “That was why voting were done separately on issues to be removed from the constitution, even though such issues came under the same bill. Thus, votes were taken separately on the issue of whether to remove the National Youth Service (NYSC) Decree, Public Complaints Commission and Land Use Act Decree from the constitution. While the first two passed, the latter one failed. And so, the former two would be passed.

    “Still in the early hours of Wednesday, the Northern Senators refused to go into the chamber without having a caucus meeting to articulate their positions on key issues.  They refused to allow northern senators who are members of the leadership to attend the meeting. Thus, Saraki, Ahmed Lawan and Bala Ibn N’Allah, were excluded from the meeting.

    “Eventually, the voting on the controversial issues like the devolution of powers to states, removal of Land Use Act from the constitution, Bills for women to claim either their state of origin or state of origin of their husband, 35 per cent affirmative action in the and federal and state’s executive councils reflected the division in Nigeria – the North versus the South.

    “The sharp division reflects the state of the country. The agitations for resource control in the Southsouth, the Biafran secession threat in the Southeast, the restructuring and true federalism campaign in the Southwest as well as the Fulani herdsmen/farmers clash in the Northcentral seem to have tainted the debate.

    “There is serious level of suspicion, mistrust, and pessimism about the purpose of the contentious issues. “It may be correct to say that the Senate President and other members of the leadership of the Senate were able to get the process through due to their political sagacity, maturity, confidence building ability, consensus building efforts and expanding the middle ground while rejecting extreme measures or positions.

    “In dealing with the issue, the Senate President recognised the need to allow members to express the wishes of their constituents. It is believed that no member could force the other to accept the positions that are contrary to the viewpoints of his or her constituent.”

    “Another factor that worked for the Senate in driving the constitution amendment process is the unity among members on the non-controversial issues and the huge respect for Saraki’s leadership”, the insider source said.

    But the hope of many Nigerians for a restructured may have been sacrificed on the altar ethno-religious interest. Some have described the failure of the National Assembly to pass the critical proposals as insensitivity to the aspiration of greater number of Nigerian.

    Nigerians, who desired and clamoured for true federalism are not the only the losers. The Eight National Assembly, which had an opportunity to writte its name in gold, is also a loser.

    It is obvious that even northern senators who blocked devolution of power to states know that over centralisation of virtually everything, including policing, education and health services, has not served the interest of the country well.

    However, constitution making is a work in progress as Saraki spoke of the possibility of the senators to revisit devolution of power.

    It is not over until it is over. The ayes can still have their way when the two chambers resume in September.

  • Olubadan Declaration Review a political, says Oyo govt

    Olubadan Declaration Review a political, says Oyo govt

    The Oyo State government has said the massive attendance and responses by various stakeholders to the current Olubadan Declaration Review panel vindicated its action on the review of the chieftaincy law.

    It noted that 91 of the 118 memoranda received during the open sessions requested for additional beaded crowns while the remaining 27 called for a review of ascendancy into the Olubadan stool.

    The government restated its position that the proposed review was not targeted at any individual or group of people.

    It said it is meant for the development, modernisation as well as growth of the traditional council of Ibadan city, Ibadan land and other parts of the state.

    It said change is the only constant in life, adding that all parties would be convinced of the sincerity of government’s proposition.

    The state government said its action was within the ambit of the law of Olubadan Declaration of 1957.

    It assured the stakeholders and other residents that it would be just and fair in examining the recommendations of the Justice Boade’s panel and align with the wishes of Ibadan residents.

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Mr. Toye Arulogun said the action of the government had precedence and was in tandem with the aspirations of the people.

    The statement reads: “It is high time we reiterated  our earlier position and put issues in proper  perspective. The action of the government is  backed by law; there are precedents. The governor  has the power to review the declaration and, most importantly, the government is fulfilling the  yearnings of the people.

    “We are not being political with this issue and not targeting any individual. The purpose is to elevate the status of the Olubadan title and pave the way for the development and modernisation of Ibadan chieftaincy and Ibadan towns and city. We are running an all-inclusive government and our government believes in collective responsibility in the Ajumose spirit.

    “Our decision to review the Olubadan Declaration of 1957 was a response to several calls by stakeholders and we will follow the principles of openness, fairness and justice.”

    Arologun said members of the Olubadan-in-Council, many high chiefs in Ibadan as well as stakeholders, including Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Ibadan Elders Forum, Ibadan Progressive Union, Association of Recognised Mogajis, the warlords’ families in Ibadan and eminent individuals attended the sitting of the panel for three weeks.

    The commissioner said the panel received 118 memoranda during its sitting.

    He added that the panel concluded its sitting on June 23 and requested for four weeks extension.

  • Firm advises NBC to review business model

    Firm advises NBC to review business model

    The General Manager of Integrated Television Services (ITS), one of the signal distribution companies for the Digital Switch Over (DSO) and handlers of the Ilorin switch over project, Mr. Musbau Rotimi Salami, has called for the review of the business model put in place by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    Salami, who spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, during the visit of the National Assembly Ad-Hoc committee on DSO to inspect the progress of digital installation work on the NTA premises, said the review of the existing business model was imperative to allow for equitable benefits for operators and stakeholders.

    He said: “Already the Minister of Information and Culture has called for a review of it. We are eagerly awaiting the review as this will discourage the current situation where those who operate at the fringes and contribute minimally from reaping so much at the detriment of the major stakeholders.”

    The ITS boss added that the equipment used at the Ilorin centre was not substandard. He said such complaints were misplaced and a lack of understanding of the technology behind the equipment used. “Everything used for the Ilorin switch over installation have met standard as specified by Digiteam / NBC for dvbt2,” he said, adding that technology  in the broadcast industry is dynamic.

    Salam appealled to Nigerians to put the nation first in every aspect of business relationship. “We must ensure that national interests come first above personal and parochial interests. Integrated Television Services is conscious of the history behind it and will work to protect the interest of the Nigerian television consumers and the entire broadcasting industry in Nigeria”.

    The Kaduna State-born and trained transmitter installation and maintenance engineer expressed confidence that the Ad-Hoc Committee‘s visit to Ilorin would shape the future of digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

    Speaking further on the digital revolution happening in Ilorin through the launch, Salami said the launch would herald a new era of television viewing experience.

    “The Integrated Television Services welcomes the people of Kwara to this digital television service for all. The excitement is just beginning.  It is expected that in the near future, other value added services would commence and we will all be fully integrated to the new world.

    “One of the advantages of digital broadcasting is that it opens up the terrain. You will observe that in Ilorin presently there are only two players available yet for the six places earmarked for local broadcasters.  The onus is now on interested local players with adequate content and pedigree to step up the plate.  The opportunity is there for the taking,”’ he said.

    When fully operational, the ITS will have on its platform over 30 channels on its Free TV bouquet, thus delivering unbeatable state of the art quality television experience and pocket friendly plan to the people of kwara state.

  • Chief withdraws from Olubadan chieftaincy law review case

    Senator Lekan Balogun, one of the two Ibadan high chiefs who sued Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for reviewing the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration laws has withdrawn from the case.

    Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and Balogun sued Ajimobi to stop the review of the laws.

    Yesterday, Balogun explained that he joined Ladoja to challenge Ajimobi’s actions  in court because of what he called “communication gap”.

    Balogun is the Otun Olubadan, was among high chiefs (excluding Ladoja) who accompanied the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, to visit Ajimobi yesterday when they endorsed the governor’s  move to review the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration laws.

    The governor had, on May 19, inaugurated a seven-man judicial commission of inquiry, headed by a retired High Court judge, Justice Akintunde Boade, to review the existing chieftaincy declaration and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland.

    High Chief Lekan Balogun who was silent on the stand of his counterpart (High Chief Ladoja) said the exercise was aimed at modernizing the methods of ascension to the Olubadan throne.

    Balogun said: “Change is the only constant thing in life. There is nothing that is above change. All the furore which had resulted from government’s move was due to communication gap but that has been resolved now.

    “Life is dialectical; things must be changing and we must all be growing with it. The government is quite right to have set up machinery to look into the law and see how it can be made better.

    “We believe it is a welcome development, especially with the kind of governor we have who is keenly interested in the growth and development of Ibadan land.”

    The high chief said that the benefits inherent in the review were many, noting that the Olubadan would henceforth enjoy the company of beaded crown chiefs whenever he had any outing.

    This, he said, would raise the status of Ibadan as one of the most important cities in Yoruba land.

    He added: “The benefits to be derived from the review are enormous. Even if we don’t want to pre-empt the future, we will wait till things are resolved fundamentally. But, we know that Olubadan will no longer be moving alone any longer.

    “Of course, there will be high chiefs with the nomenclature of Obas, the Olubadan won’t be on his own anymore. When royal majesties (in other cities) go out, they are always in company with beaded crown Obas.”

    The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, while speaking at the end of the meeting held with the governor at the Governor’s Office, said he and all his chiefs were in full support of the exercise, saying it would bring development to the ancient city.

    Olubadan said: “Our visit (to the governor) today, as you can see, is to put paid to the rumours and misgivings about the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy declaration.

    “We have come to show our sincere support to the governor and to let him know that we are on the same page with him as the review is for the progress of Ibadan and its people.”

    Other members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the meeting were the Otun-Balogun, High Chief Olufemi Olaifa; Ashipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; and Ekaarun Olubadan, High Chief Amidu Ajibade,.

    Others included, Ashipa Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi; Ekaarun Balogun, High Chief Kola Adegbola; and Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi.