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  • Sponsor students to private varsities, proprietor urges govt

    Oduduwa University founder,  Chief Ramon Adedoyin, has advised the Federal Government to invest in the education of brilliant but indigent students by paying their school fees in private universities.

    To him, this would ensure that more candidates are admitted into our universities yearly. The university is located in Ipetumodu, Osun State.

    Adedoyin, spoke on the Unified  Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which begins today, lamented what he called space constraints in many higher institutions.

    However, he said while most public tertiary institutions, especially federal-owned institutions were bursting at the seams, none of the private universities was able to admit up to its carrying capacity because of high school fees.  He  noted that most parents could not afford the average of N400,000 charged by many private universities.

    Adedoyin noted that some of those not admitted by public institutions were forced to patronise sub-standard universities in Cotonou, Republic of Benin or illegal universities in Nigeria.

    The NUC recently listed almost 100 illegal varsities in Nigeria and Cotonou, Republic of Benin, where many Nigerian students are studying.

    To address this problem, Adedoyin advised the government to provide access by sponsoring poor students in private institutions rather than approve more private universities.

    Read also: Govt advised to sponsor indigent students in varsities

    He said the government need not give cash directly to private institutions for such sponsorships, but channel the funds into building laboratories, libraries, hostels as well as other facilities, which will be equivalent to the school fees charged by the private universities.

    “Private schools pay heavily on salaries and provision of facilities,” he said.

    The educationist also advised the government to consider that approval of new universities was putting pressure on insufficient manpower needed to run them.

    The minimum qualification to lecture in the university, he said , is a doctoral degree.  With insufficient number of PhDs holders, Adedoyin said many of the existing universities are understaffed.

    “As a university proprietor outside Nigeria, I am able to compare and contrast ways universities are approved in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. New universities outside come first as colleges of well-established universities,” he said.

  • In search of the ‘strong’ president (II)

    The battle for the soul of the legislature rages on. And whether an anointed Ahmed Lawan or a rebellious Ali Ndume wins in the end, is immaterial to the conclusion of this two-part series on the need for a ‘strong’ presidential initiative at the legislative arena. Whether the National Assembly (NASS) is headed by obedient friends or by belligerent enemies, President Buhari will still have to rise to do the needful. He has to come off his novitiate approach to the democratic ways of doing things and learn not only to go to the legislative marketplace with the right shopping list, but when it comes to bargain, also to cavil at the hundredth part of a hair.

    Since splitting hairs, not the atom, has become the hallmark of executive-legislature relations, Buhari must initiate, this time, the right kind of presidential approach which should be due even to an executive-friendly legislature. Else the 9th assembly –just like the 8th- will pose challenges that will be distinctly déjà vu.

    Buhari and APC must remember always, that the legislature, no matter how lamely amenable it may be to executive concerns, it’ll not be the executive’s proverbial ‘computer’, taking in ‘garbage’ and regurgitating ‘garbage’. The 9th assembly, as with all previous assemblies, will keep its reputation as the legislative ‘machine’ into which executive requests would go through as wholesome ‘pigs’ and will always come out as ‘sausages’. The president must initiate an executive approach that targets the fangs of the legislative machine and not combat the selfish mind of the operators of the machine. Because unlike the head of the executive arms, leaders at the legislature do not run the affairs of parliament as John Austin’s theoretical ‘un-commanded commanders’. They do so merely as first among equals. Legislative heads, just like judicial ones, have no fiat to command or forbid their peers on matters of legislation. They have only persuasion to mobilize esprit de corps for public or special interests. And notwithstanding their partisan differences, legislators -especially in our own part of the world- are always united by ‘special interests’. They speak always as one concerning their special interests and they chatter as the proverbial Babel of discordant tongues on the interest of the public.

    And this character will not fade merely because either of Lawan or Ndume heads the NASS. It can only be ameliorated by the fact that the right conventional approach to dealing with this sensitive arm of government is properly established. The president -as Theodore J. Lowi and Randell B. Ripley wrote in their book ‘Legislative Politics’-”is the agenda-setter for the congress and the chief continuing initiator of subject matter.” And as agenda setter, it is thus incumbent on a wise president to take the lead role in executive-legislature relations, keeping parliament always busy, lest it becomes idle and assumes the devil’s workshop. And to keep parliament busy –besides indulging it with executive requests- the president must command his cabinet officials to double as foot soldiers of sort, availing the legislature always, their time, attention and information both at trying moments of frosty executive-legislature relations and even in halcyon periods of mutual camaraderie. The tab over the legislature that theorists require smart presidents to keep always, often lies in the surfeit of constant and quality engagement of parliament by the president’s men. Strong presidents can and often do establish healthy executive dominance over the legislature. And although this is not a necessity in the mutually beneficial relationship between these two arms, executive dominance –or influence- over the legislature, where it is not borne of inordinate or malevolent motive, is not entirely an enemy of the democratic process. In fact where such dominance or influence is used to beneficial effect, it adds value to democratic good governance. It is not always true that a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislature necessarily shortchanges the electorate. Where both parties are motivated by altruistic intentions, the electorate can only be the better for it. And yes, a harmonious working relationship between the two arms may sometimes lead to unsavory outcomes, but not any less than a mutually dis-harmonious relationship also can. Because truth is: executive and legislative powers, as much as they can unite to do wrong, they can also unite, so that, as someone rightly said, ‘whatever is ‘powerful’ may be made ‘just’ and whatever ‘just’ may be made ‘powerful’.

    The importance of the legislative process is such that presidents establish a special office to handle this vital activity. In Nigeria it is the office of Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters; which is rooted administratively in the bureaucratic nomenclature of ‘Department for Legislative Liaison’. Its equivalent in the United States is the office of ‘Senior Advisor to the President and Director for Legislative Affairs’. This office is hardly different from other political offices –to the extent only that it is established to discharge a political or administrative duty. But to effectively function to meet presidential objectives, this office –unlike many others- requires the right peg in the right hole. And although commonplace political savvy, academic qualifications or legislative antecedent adds depth to the running of this channel of executive-legislature communication, possessing the right temperament for ‘advocacy’ and ‘diplomacy’ is key. Any person, no matter his political experience or his academic credentials –or maybe even the lack thereof- must bring to bear on this channel a measure of sagacity, tenacity, gumption and then guts. This was what Obasanjo’s Senator Ita-Giwa brought to this office in his second term. Plus she knew when to stoop –and when even to grandstand- to conquer. In fact it is in knowing when it is auspicious to grandstand from when it is to stoop, that the touch of the consummate undertaker on this turf stands out from foolish gladiators who only line up enemies for the president. And this was what happened to President Obasanjo during his first term. He had quite un-calculatedly appointed a Special Presidential Adviser on Legislative Matters in the person of Aminu Bashir Wali, and two other Presidential Liaison Officers, PLOs (for Senate and House of Representatives, respectively) in the persons of Kashim Imam and Esther Oduehi. These three appointees were equally on the same status with ‘Ministers of State’. Obasanjo neither designated a primus inter pares among them nor did he create an administrative instrument to command their mutual collaboration as they interfaced with parliament. The result was that the arena became a legislative milieu of sort, where discordant voices representing the president, left the channel of executive-legislature communication hedgy and uncoordinated.

    Obasanjo became victim of his own chaotic approach to the legislative process, with the result that his first term -like Buhari’s- was marked by executive-legislature mudslinging. Even cabinet members like El-Rufai who should double as the president’s last buffer of rapprochement, was describing lawmakers as ‘fools at forty’’. The Senate in fact, at some point in PLO Kashim’s excessive grandstanding and over-gladiation had to issue the Obasanjo an ultimatum to replace him or risk their non-cooperation. The House was even less diplomatic; it simply banned Oduehi from its chamber, shutting down the entire channel of communication. Obasanjo himself would escape impeachment by the whiskers, with the intervention of respected statesmen like Gowon and the late Shagari. It took this baptism of fire for Obasanjo to realize his weak initiative in the legislative process and to proceed, in his second term, to create (with Senator Ita-Giwa at the helms) a coordinated, one-channel executive approach. And it was this rapprochement -and not the rumored existence then of a ‘rubber stamp’ assembly- that was responsible for the smooth passage of executive bills under the Obasanjo administration. Ideally the new approach had the adviser and six subordinated former rep-members as the eyes and ears of Mr. President on the legislative arena. Together they constituted Mr. President’s foot soldiers, covertly and overtly monitoring all Senate and House committees, and where necessary they were to preemptively engage to inform them on, or to defend, executive concerns. The objective was to keep always, an executive tab on the legislature with a view to consolidating Mr. President agenda-setting role to parliament.

    This period was the executive’s golden era since 1999 in the all important task of executive-legislature liaison. A certain dose of inertia has since crept into that arena and President Buhari in this second term, needs to revive this golden era.

  • Don honours Adeboye with maths prize

    The first occupier of the Pastor E. A. Adeboye Outstanding Professor of Mathematics, (Endowed Professorial Chair), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Samuel Okoya, has endowed a prize for the best Postgraduate Student in Differential Equations I & II.

    The Adeboye/Okoya prize, which is worth N35,000 was presented for the first time during the 50th convocation of the university last Thursday to Yusuf Azeez Olaoluwa, a Master’s Degree graduate.

    Okoya said he instituted the prize to contribute to the development of new crop of experts in mathematics and as a reminder of Pastor Adeboye’s magnanimity in endowing the professorial chair.

    “It makes room for healthy competition among the students.  It will help them strive for the prize.  I want to continue to publicise the owner of the Professorial Chair, Pastor Adeboye.  He has invested N50 million for the professorial chair.  We want to continue to appreciate his love for mathematics. He instituted the chair in four universities, UNILAG, OAU, UI and UNN.  That is almost N200million.  We need to encourage him to do more,” Okoya said.

    Okoya added that the field of Differential Equation was critical to human living.

    “I am using the Award to inspire an interest in the knowledge of Differential Equation because it is among the very critical knowledge that is used to understand, project and condition either or both of natural and man-made factors operating in the environment in order to device better values for anticipated human benefits. These skills are so much needed in the 21st century where we talk of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Young Africans need to be competitive to be relevant in today’s technological environment even to commence their own Local Technological Enterprise,” he said.

  • Lonadek, Chevron partner to train 12 drilling engineers

    For six months, Lonadek Oil and Gas will be training 12 drilling and completion engineers to boost local expertise in that field of endeavour.

    The training tagged, ‘’The Human Capital Development Initiative (HCDI) in Drilling and Completions’’ is being supported by Chevron Nigeria Limited under its Joint Venture Partnership with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

    At the opening ceremony of the training held at Lonadek’s Office in Yaba last week, Principal Consultant, Lonadek, Dr Ibilola Amao, said the trainees would be upskilled in the area of well and drilling services such that they would be able to take on jobs that would otherwise have gone to expatriates.

    Dr Amao, said the purpose of the programme was not to compete with expatriates but to boost improve the performance of local professionals.

    She said the firm, in collaboration with various stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, developed an internationally-acceptable curriculum for the programme.

    She said the trainees, who are early-mid career well engineers with at least five to eight years of experience, would be able to find Nigerian role models, mentors and coaches online, who will support them throughout their six month training and the five-year certification programme that would follow.

    Beyond the training, Dr Amao said the HCDI participants would continue to enjoy a lot of mentoring as they rise in their jobs.

    Ultimately, Amao said the aim of the HCDI is to foster a relationship between town and gown that would lead to the development of robust industry-fit training in tertiary institutions.

    “The programme would also bridge the gap between industry and academia, as it sets to strike top-notch centers of excellence to upgrade designing curriculums and industry interventions to improve the quality of graduates.

    “It would also promote lecturers skills to provide improved lectures, laboratories, courses and research development and facilitate meaningful durations of equipment sort as materials by higher learning institutions,” she said.

    In her remarks, General Manager, Nigeria Content Development, Chevron Nigeria, Anike Odunlami, expressed hope that by the time they are done with the training, the participants would be world class drilling and completions professionals in well planning and design, management of well operations, and project management.

    “This recent development and initiative is actually in compliance with the requirements of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act, which was passed into law in 2010 and reflects Chevron Nigeria’s commitment to Nigeria content development.

    “Chevron in partnership with the Nigerian Content and Human Capital Development (NCHCD) division of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has continued to train and equip Nigerians to deliver value in the oil and gas industry through exposure to executive and management trainings, and professional skills trainings during project executions,” she said.

    She congratulated NCDMB on its contribution to the Nigeria content development, especially in developing and harnessing in-country capabilities.

    Mrs Odunlami counselled the trainees to be active participants in all the trainings and make use of all opportunities it provides to enhance their skills.

  • Politics of penkelemesi

    The participation of Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the last gubernatorial election in Oyo State enlivened the contest, as the campaigns in the election brought out fond memories of the politics of his grandfather, the late Alhaji Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu popularly known in his political days as ‘Penkelemesi’. The late Adelabu, who died at the peak of his political life in 1958, was an enigma and a political colossus who because of his hold on the politics of the old Western Nigeria was known as the ‘Lion of the West’.

    First of all, it is instructive to look into how he got the appellation ‘Penkelemesi’ which is the Yoruba adulteration of the English phrase ‘Peculiar mess’. One source believed that he was given the name ‘peculiar mess’ by one of his teachers at the Government College Ibadan.  It was alleged that the name stuck even after leaving the college and when he entered politics later in life, his adoring numerous fans who were mostly illiterate people yorubalised the nickname to ‘Penkelemesi’. The second source said he got the appellation after addressing a campaign rally at Ibadan where he described the Action Group programmes as peculiar mess which the illiterate supporters and drummers at campaign rally turned to ‘ penkelemesi’. Whatever source is correct, the late Adelabu got stuck with the appellation throughout his political life and because of the popularity of the appellation, his grandson in the last election cultivated and used the appellation in his campaigns.

    Adelabu was not an ordinary politician. Although diminutive, he was restless, very energetic and cerebral with admirable eloquence in Yoruba and English languages. His record in Government College would ever remain unbeaten. According to his classmate the late Chief AyoRosiji, Adelabu spent three years for a six-year course at the secondary school where he was the head boy in his last year.  After his secondary school education, he went to Yaba Higher College on scholarship. He spent only six months in this college and left to take up a job with UAC whose manager was very impressed with his brilliance. He later became assistant manager with the company which he left in 1937 to form his own business which failed and this made him to return again to UAC as a manager. He finally left the UAC as a manager in 1945 to be involved in Ibadan local politics.

    Adelabu’s main foray into party politics started with his membership of Ibadan People’s Party (IPP) which was a party formed by a group of young and middle-aged Ibadan citizens  in opposition to Ibadan Citizens Council (ICC). Other members of IPP were  A.M.A. Akinloye  the then  dashing young lawyer who served as the president, Moyosore Aboderin, Chief D.T. Akinbiyi, S.O. Lanlehin, and S. A. Akinyemi. Adelabu served as the secretary of the IPP. All these people contested the 1951 Western Nigeria Regional Assembly under the platform of IPP and won. All of them except Adelabu pitched their tents with the Action Group party led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo while Adelabu pitched his political tent with the NCNC led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. This singular act of Akinloye and his group enabled the Action Group under Chief Awolowo to form the first regional government at Ibadan. From this time on, the battle line was drawn. Adelabu became a thorn in the flesh of Chief Awolowo and the Action Group party.

    At the 1954 federal elections, Adelabu campaigned vigorously for his party in Yoruba speaking part of Western Nigeria.  In his campaign rallies, he criticized vehemently the free education and free health schemes of the Action Group government which were to be financed by the capitation tax of 10 shillings levied on every taxable adult in the region. He and his party, the NCNC convinced the electorates that the tax was an unnecessary burden. In his campaigns, he also capitalized on the then age-long enmity between the Ibadan people and the Ijebu people with the aim of preventing Ibadan people from voting for the Action Group led by Awolowo, an Ijebu man. His tactics worked as the NCNC won the 1954 federal elections in Western Region with 23 seats to Action Group 19 seats.

    After the federal elections, Adegoke Adelabu was made the Federal Minister of Social Services in Lagos and at the same time he was the chairman of Ibadan District Council. He held these powerful posts from January 1955 till January 1956. He became a very influential member of his party the NCNC, as he was elected as the first national vice-president, a post next only to that of the president of the party, Dr. Azikiwe.  This was the high point of Adelabu’s political career.

    As far back as 1952, he has shown his brilliant political thought and cerebral prowess through a book titled ‘Africa in Ebullition ‘ with a foreword by his party leader, Dr.Azikiwe.  However, after the report of the administrative inquiry set up by the Action Group government into the corruption allegations in the Ibadan District Council headed by Adelabu came out and he was found guilty, Adelabu was forced to resign as a federal minister and chairman of Ibadan District Council.  He was replaced by the flamboyant Chief J. M. Johnson who was then another member of the House of Representatives from Ibadan.

    The inquiry which damned the integrity of Adelabu did not put him down as it did not make any dent on his popularity among the people, instead he became more popular. His fame spread among the people in all the towns and villages in the old Western Region as he faced many court cases brought against him by the government as a result of his political antics which in some cases were not conducted in lawful manners.  He won these cases with the help of a renowned British lawyer called Dingle Foot who was hired for him by his party. By 1956, he was not holding any political office and he used his time to mobilize not only the Ibadan people but also the people of the present Oyo and Osun states for the 1956 regional assembly elections which he confidently thought he would win and take over from Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the Premier of Western Region. This was not to be as the Action Group won the elections by winning 48 seats to NCNC 32 seats. The Action Group victory was made possible by its winning of all the seven seats in Osun division and all the five seats in Ekiti division. This electoral feat in Osun was due to the political influence of the late Chief S. L. Akintola the then deputy leader of the party, while the victory in Ekiti division could be attributed to the influence of the late ChiefOduola Osuntokun of Oke Imesi and that of Chief Babatola of Ado Ekiti.

    The election was a disappointment to Adelabu. He was expecting to be the premier, but instead he became the leader of the opposition in the new House of Assembly. However, he led a formidable opposition in the house which was the strongest not only in Nigeria but in the whole of West Africa sub region. Unfortunately, the sun set for the this promising and brilliant politician on March 25, 1958 when he died in a motor accident at Ode Remo in the present Ogun State on his way from Lagos in the company of a Syrian business man Younan who curiously did not die in the accident.

    At the last gubernatorial election in Oyo State, his grandson Adebayo Adelabu of APC was defeated by Seyi Makinde of the PDP. He got 357,182 votes while Makinde got 515, 621 votes. Why is it that Bayo Adelabu could not use his grandfather’s name for political advantage in Oyo State where his grandfather was lionized in the fifties? To me the simple answer is that the political scenes have changed from what we had in the fifties when Adelabu operated. Also,  the close political lieutenants  of the late Adelabu like Mojeed Agbaje, Adeoye Adisa, Lekan  Salami, Ade  Bello  and J. M. Johnson  when they were alive did little or nothing to sustain his political legacy and so the legacy unfortunately faded in the memory of the people with time. It is gratifying to note that nowadays, annual lectures are occasionally being organized in his memory. I remember attending the first one given in his honour by the former Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Victor Olunloyo and the second one by the literary guru, the late Professor Akinwunmi Isola. There is also now an Adegoke Adelabu Foundation which one hopes would sustain his legacy. May the soul of Alhaji Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu alias ‘Penkelemesi’ rest in perfect peace. We do not have his type in the present political firmament of our country.

     

    • Professor Lucas writes from Old Bodija, Ibadan.

  • Long years pay off for UNILAG workers

    It was not a day for academic talk but soft music, good food, and red carpet dressing last Friday when the University of Lagos (UNILAG) rolled out the drums in celebration of its workers who had put in long years of work at the institution.

    The multi-purpose Hall A of the University was draped in celebratory colours for the event that had in attendance all the principal officers and academic and non-academic staff of all cadres enjoying the step-down event of a busy 50th Convocation week together.

    A total of 136 workers made up of 25 academics and 111 non-teaching members of staff were rewarded at the event.

    Among those honoured were former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, who was in his 48th year at the university; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Duro Oni (42 years); former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Babajide Alo (40 years), Registrar of Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB), Prof Duro Ajeyalemi (42 years); and former Deputy Registrar, Information Unit, Mr Toyin Adebule (35 years).

    In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said it was a fitting opportunity for the university to celebrate its own.

    “I always refer to Prof (Jelili) Omotola. I remember when Prof Adeyemi was appointed Minster of Health how Prof Omotola would hold a reception for those who got awards, or government appointment.  He would say ‘if we don’t celebrate our own, who will?’

    “Today, we are celebrating our colleagues who have spent a better part of their lives in UNILAG.  We are celebrating you.  We hope ou grow to see your children’s children,” he said.

    Chairman of the occasion, who the VC referred to as the Jagaban of UNILAG, Prof Francis Ogunye, a retired professor of Chemical Engineering, described the university as a great institution. He said he was allowed to thrive there even at a young age.

    He urged the management to continue the award so as to keep motivating people.

    “We are celebrating you.  When you are celebrated, when you celebrate your people, they give it back to you in different folds,” he said.

    Responding to the award, Prof Ibidapo-Obe who retires July 5 said he never knew his admission in 1968 would eventually lead to a long and fulfling career in the academia.  He dedicated the award to Ogunye for being a godfather to him and many others, ensuring their success. He said Ogunye laid a good example when he studied at the University of Waterloo, Canada, which eventually hosted nine others who taught at UNILAG.

    “When we got back (from Waterloo), I was not interested in university job; I had an offer from Shell.  But Prof was the one who wont let you rest. Prof Ogunye will tell you to do your work – to publish or perish. He did so much to touch other people’s lives,” he said.

    In an interview, Prof Oni described his career at UNILAG as wonderful.  The Professor of Theatre Arts, who served as the first head of the university’s Creative Arts Department, said: “I joined the university just before I clocked 24 years. I have served in various positions both in the university and outside.  I searved as HOD, Creative Arts; Dean, Faculty of Arts, DVC (2013-2017). I was Special Adviser to the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports (1990-1992) and CEO, Centre for Black African Arts and Culture (2000-2006). So, I have had a very fulfilled life in UNILAG.”

    On his part, Prof Ajeyalemi, who is on loan as Registrar/CEO, JUPEB, said he had spent more than half of his life at UNILAG. He urged those coming behind to work hard and be determined.

    “You can become whoever you want if you work hard,” he said.

  • SON sensitises public on standardisation

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is holding market surveillance on product standardisation, quality assurance, and metrology in different parts of the country.

    The Director-General, Osita Aboloma, who was represented by the Regional Coordinator for North Central, Charles Nwagbara at the seminar in Ilorin, Kwara State, said the seminar is expected to teach participants a strategic, preventive and intelligent investigation to identify and deal with fake, adulterated and substandard products, and allow the genuine MANCAP/SONCAP certified products to compete in the market.

    Read also: Man remanded in prison for alleged fraud

    He said: “It is my expectation that this seminar will expose the participants to a more effective and efficient knowledge and skills that impact our market surveillance activity products compliance to standard quality and regulatory requirements.

    “Your commitment, competence and team work are paramount to effectively and efficiently achieve the market surveillance targets/ milestones. You are expected to actively communicate and offer technical support and training to other workers who could not join this seminar on your return to your respective state offices,”

    He urged the public to purchase standard and certified products.

  • Ondo to provide succour for rainstorm victims

    Ondo State government has pledged its determination to provide immediate relief to victims of the rainstorm in Akoko communities.

    Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi visited the affected area and symphatised with the affected people in Supare and Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast Local Government.

    The rainstorm wreaked havoc on about 500 buildings in Supare and Ikare Akoko communities.

    Ajayi said he received the news of the destruction with sadness, describing it as a clear case of a natural disaster.

    The deputy governor added that the state officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were already in the affected communities to ascertain the damage caused by the rainstorm to ameliorate the plights of the victims.

    Read also: Ondo to provide succour for rainstorm victims

    He assured that the state government would provide immediate response to cushion the effects of the incident.

    Ajayi stressed the need for the residents to be vigilant and conscious of the fact that the rainy season has just begun and more attention should be geared towards adequate protection of lives and property.

    The deputy governor, however, urged the citizenry to desist from dumping refuse and other irrelevant items that could hinder the easy flow of water.

  • Two killed, many injured in Fadeyi gang war

    THE police have confirmed that two persons were killed yesterday in a gang war in Fadeyi, Lagos, which locked down the area for hours.

    Scores were injured in the fight, which started around 11am. Its cause was unknown.

    In a statement last night, police spokesman Bala Elkana, a deputy superintendent (DSP), said 33 persons were arrested in connection with the clash.

    The Nation learnt that those killed were a despatch rider, who was hit by a stray bullet, and an unidentified man.

    The bodies have been deposited at a mortuary.

    Sources said the fight started before noon, with sporadic shootings, adding that people ran for their lives. Fadeyi is notorious for cult clashes.

    They said the Fadeyi portion of Ikorodu Road was closed for hours as the fighting raged

    An eyewitness said: “The crisis is not a small matter. Immediately the shootings started, the police ran away because those boys were heavily armed.

    “They were not carrying pistols. I don’t know how to describe their guns. The arms and ammunition they carried were more sophisticated than those of the police.

    “It was after the crisis subsided that the police returned to the scene.”

    Police vans and armoured personnel carriers have been stationed in the area.

    Broken bottles, blood stains, stones, sticks and other weapons littered the scene.

    The Nation gathered that the injured are receiving treatments.

    Residents said they were afraid of a reprisal because of the man killed.

    A resident, who preferred anonymity, said a similar incident occurred last year, adding that the hoodlums stole belongings, including six motorcycles.

  • School celebrates UNILAG’s best

    A private school, S-TEE Schools, FESTAC Town, Lagos has congratulated its former pupil, Ogechi Joedicta Ekeh, on her feat as one of the three overall best graduating students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    Ogechi graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96 in Pharmacy during the university’s 50th convocation last week.

    In an interview, Ogechi credited the school for giving her a strong foundation to build on.

    “My journey to academic excellence started from my secondary school – S-TEE Schools, Festac, Lagos. She played a key role in building a solid academic foundation for me. S-TEE School laid the solid foundation through life transforming academic programmes. I actually got the consciousness of CGPA from S-TEE school through a bi-weekly test scores announcement then and regular talks to students during what was called Life Building Skill (LBS) session every week.  All these helped to leave a mark on me, and that played a major role in my achievement today at UNILAG as one of the overall best graduating student,” she said.

    In a statement on her Instagram Page, founder of the school, Madam S.T. Lawal, noted that Ogechi excelled as their pupil and graduated as the best in Science in 2013.

    She said the school has stayed true with its mission in its 40 years of existence to raise global leaders.

    “Super proud of you darling.  It is at times and moments like this that our job as teachers seems worthwhile and rewarding.

    “Our mission for 40 years at STEE Schools has been to raise global leaders with high academic and moral standards and a high sense of integrity and a spirit of excellence,” she said.