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  • Ambode unveils score card at town hall meeting

    Ambode unveils score card at town hall meeting

    To many, the other name of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State is Tinubu country. It is so-called because of the support the area has given former Lagos State GovernorAsiwaju Bola Tinubu over the years. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode held a town-hall meeting there last week. WALE ADEPOJU reports that it was a moment of revelations for the people and their governor.

    Alhaji Femi Olowolagba, a popular resident of Ipaja/Ayobo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has a dream. His dream is for millennium schools to spring up on the outskirts of Lagos. Like Owolagba, Pastor Okere Boniface also has a dream. He wants Abaranje, a community in Alimosho,  to have public schools of note and good roads. His day will be made when pupils no longer have to trek long distances to  school and vehicles no longer have to hit the pothole-riddled roads that dot his environ.

    The concerns of Alhaji Adeleke Okunnowo, who is the Secretary-General, Okooba Mosque, Orile-Agege, and Mr. Gift Oriseke are quite different. Okunnowo seeks a situation where the law prohibiting mosques and other places of worship from using external speakers become extinct. Oriseke’s dream is about how members of the Mosan Community Farmers’ Association will receive assistance from government for fish farming and others.

    Tuesday last week provided Olowolagba and others the opportunity to dialogue with their governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on their aspirations. The venue was the inaugural edition of his quarterly town-hall meeting at the premises of the Abesan Primary and Secondary schools.

    Speaking at the meeting, Comrade Kabir Olusola, Secretary, Majiyagbe Community Development Association (CDA), urged the governor to make jobs available to the poor. He said nowadays children of common people hardly find jobs.

    “Before you get a job, the employers and human resource executives would ask you to bring a letter from a top politician or a wealthy individual in the society and at the end of the day, it is the children of the rich that will get the job,” he said.

    The Iyaloja-general of Ikeja, Alhaja Adiat Apena urged the governor to rehabilitate the major roads in Ikeja, adding that they were in deplorable conditions. She said something should be done on the street lights as virtually all major streets in the area are unlit.

    For Hon. Bisi Yusuf, Alimosho Local Government Area and its environs deserve special treatment from the governor because the people gave him “101 per cent support during his election”. He added that upgrading the infrastructure in the area would be a good way to start.

    Hon. Yusuf, who described Alimosho as the Tinubu country, said the governor should urgently construct a flyover at cement bus stop, before Dopemu under bridge to make things easy for people going to Egbeda, Ikotun and Igando from Oshodi and Lagos Island.

    According to him, those going to Egbeda, Idimu and Ikotun do not have any reason using the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway beyond Dopemu.

    He also urged the governor to widen the Dopemu and Iyana-Ipaja bridges to ensure speedy vehicular movement and de-congestion. All these, he said, will ensure there is total decongestion of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

    Hon. Yusuf also urged the governor to construct the Isheri-Oshun Road. He advised the governor to work on the waterways in the area, as alternative means of transportation.

    “People from Igando up to Ojo and other parts of Lagos and Ogun states can benefit from it,” he said.

    Comrade Fisayo Makinde, a representative of people with disability, urged the governor to assist them. He said they were marginalised and urged the governor to include some physically-challenged people on the commissioners’ list.

    While the people were talking, the governor, who was flanked by his deputy, Dr. Aderanti Adebule, Oba Akiolu of Lagos, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, and Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Chief Henry Ajomale, was taking notes. After they all poured out their heart, the governor responded.

    Ambode acknowledged that people of Alimosho gave him 100 per cent support, adding that that was why he chose the area for his first town-hall meeting.

    “I will look positively in providing some secondary schools next year,” he said.

    He said the state would also provide schools in Abaranje and its environs. The governor also promised to look into the roads linking Abaranje to Ijegun, Igando and their environs.

    “We will send the ministry of works to look at the roads,” he said.

    On the issue of noise pollution, he said people must respect the law. “Let us curb the noise we make. People should learn to obey the law. So, let us not use the instruments, loud speakers to disturb others,” Ambode said frankly.

    On agriculture, he said he would exploit the possibility of partnership to boost the sector. On employment, he assured that employment trust fund would be inaugurated to ensure cheap finance for people to create jobs for themselves.

    Responding to the question on bad roads in Ikeja, he said he would solve it, adding that the state would fix the street lights.

    On the Isheri-Oshun Road, he said it would be completed next year. He added that the jetty will be worked on.

    “I am still committed to the mini-stadium in Abesan and I will finish it next year too,” he promised.

    Ambode said the state had always made provision for slots in the government for the physically-challenged persons, adding that he would do same under his administration.

    “This may not be in the cabinet but i won’t forget you,” he said.

    On employment, he said: “we will be setting up zonal offices so that youths can have access to job opportunities.”

    Ambode appealed to the people on two major subjects: security and the environment. He urged them to take community security seriously.

    “Let us know our neighbours. This should be taken seriously. We don’t want any bad thing to happen to you,” he added.

    The governor was presented with some gifts by the six executive secretaries in the LCDAs under Alimosho.

    The meeting also afforded the governor the opportunity to speak on how far he has taken the state in the first quarter. The first quarter, said the governor, has witnessed the stabilisation of the finances.

    He said: “I am determined to be accountable for every revenue and expenditure of the state. One of our first key tasks was to stabilise the finances of the state. We embarked on a financial re-engineering and reviewed the revenue and expenditure framework of the state. These efforts, coupled with the realignment of ministries, departments and agencies, have saved the government almost n3 billion every month. This has provided us with more funds to inject into capital projects and the initial funds to establish the employment trust fund which we promised our youths.

    “Today, a major landmark of our administration is the reduction in the cost of governance. We want a lean government with quality service delivery.

    “Lagos State government is proud to declare that it has consistently met its obligations, especially prompt payment of workers’ salaries without seeking any bailout from the federal government

    “In August, this administration approved the release of N11 billion for the payment of arrears of pensions owed to pensioners since 2010. We have, on monthly basis, consistently been presenting retirees on the contributory pension scheme their bond certificates and have also approved the appointment of four additional pension fund administrators to further boost the processes and accord staff a wider range of options.

    “We are currently reviewing our loans with our bankers with a view to restructuring them in order to free up funds for further infrastructural development.”

     

    Civil service reforms

    The governor also told the people about the reforms happening in the civil service.

    “At the onset, we promised to offer a government of continuity with improvement. With my knowledge of the civil service as the engine room of any government, we chose to commence this journey by repositioning the state civil service in order to make it more efficient and cost-effective, with a vision of delivering better service to the citizens. We are building a civil service that is well structured with officials who have the right attitude, skills and are well-motivated to deliver the goals of this administration.

    “In the course of the reporting period, 20 new permanent secretaries were appointed following their track record of excellent performances. This is to create opportunity for upward movement of career civil servants and also reward diligence, dedication and hard work. I am happy to inform you that the permanent secretaries have held the fort and kept the wheel of governance at a steady pace in the absence of commissioners and special advisers. I thank them for doing so.”

     

    Security

    Despite the enormity of the security challenges in the state, steps have also been taken to improve on what he inherited on May 29.

    Ambode said: “We promised you a safer lagos. We have reviewed the security infrastructure and have put in motion plans to address the lapses.

    “We are aware of pockets of violence and robberies that have occurred in different parts of the state. We are investigating these occurrences and our security agencies have swung into action to curb further incidents.

    “We have established an integrated security and emergency control platform, all of which are aimed at strengthening the security apparatus in the state.

    “The safety and security of every resident of Lagos is non-negotiable. We will leave no stone unturned in our drive to ensure a crime-free state.

    “Equipment and vehicles of various needs were donated to all our security agencies to boost their efforts in combating crime.

    “As we tackle violent crime, we are also tackling domestic violence and other gender-related crimes. We have intensified our awareness campaigns on domestic violence through the domestic and sexual violence response team. Our traditional rulers and market leaders have associated with this resolve to put the unwholesome practice in check.

    “Recently, 190 officials of the state emergency command and control centre were trained on how to receive reports of sexual and gender-based violence, especially with the approval to use the 112 toll-free lines to report cases of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, maltreatment and other sexual assaults.

    “Let me use this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to members of the organised private sector (OPS) for their support, collaboration and donations towards the state security trust fund. The recent fund-raising of almost n1billion from the organised private sector is a strong indication of your confidence in our administration to tackle security in the state.”

     

    Health

    Realising that a healthy Lagos is a wealthy Lagos, the administration, according to the governor, has provided 20 mobile intensive care unit ambulances at the cost of n145.240 million. They have been deployed in all ambulance points in the state. With the new acquisition, the governor said the state now has 36 mobile intensive care unit ambulances.

    “We have also provided additional 26 transport ambulances at the cost of n257.4 million. They have also been deployed across all our general hospitals. We have created ambulance points across the state to enable our people to have easy access to them. The ambulance service can be reached by calling the toll-free line 112.

    “Our administration, in the last three months, has installed 22 power generating sets ranging from 350 – 500 KVA as additional back-up sets across all our general hospitals at the cost of N270 million to ensure 24-hour power supply. In addition, 26 mobile x-ray machines which the state procured at the cost N519.656 million are being installed at all our general hospitals.

    “Similarly, we have granted approval for the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical co-ordinators to ensure 24-hour service in our health facilities.”

    One area which the governor touched on that pleased the people is the Ayinke House, which used to be the Mecca for expectant mothers.

    “The abandoned Ayinke House project which is more or less our baby factory for pregnant women has been re-awarded and the contractor is on site to finish and deliver this project within the next 3-6 months,” the governor said.

     

    Education

    Education has not been neglected in the last four months, the governor noted, adding that “there is work to be done” because of the enormity of the challenges in the sector.

    He said: “The governing councils of our tertiary institutions were inaugurated with prominent selfless Lagosians offering their hands of fellowship to rescue these institutions. We are on course.

    “The recruitment of 1,300 primary school teachers is ongoing to fill the gap in key subject areas that we have identified.

    “The government is concerned about the disparity in quality between public and private schools. We have decided to pay attention to all children, irrespective of where they go to school. The gap in quality must be bridged.

    “Desks, chairs and other needs have been approved for procurement immediately. The security of schools is also receiving attention.”

     

    Transport

    Ambode identified transportation as one of the biggest challenges facing lagosians.

    He said: “In recent weeks, the menace of trucks on our roads has caused us untold hardships and loss of man hours and revenue. This administration will stop at nothing to find a lasting solution to this challenge and ensure our people can move from one part of the state to another with less traffic impediment.

    “The Apapa traffic gridlock is the most worrying. Today, this traffic is affecting other parts of the state and slowing down businesses. We have met with various stakeholders to find solutions to this problem. We have also appealed to the federal government to mobilise the contractor awarded the construction of Apapa Trailer Park and road networks to immediately return to site.”

    He went on: “We are looking at long-term solutions to traffic challenges that our people face daily. We have identified some of the causes of the traffic among which are poor design of junctions, bad location of bus stops, movement of heavy vehicles, bad roads and bad driving behaviours. We have started implementing solutions already. In the meantime, we want to inform the tanker drivers and other road users that the Lagos State traffic law is still in force and would be applied on any offender.”

     

    Road infrastructure

    Lagos roads should be in good condition, the governor admitted, adding that “we must all remember that the appropriation law for 2015 – the approved budget – does not include most of the roads we met in bad condition and this is a major limiting factor in execution.”

    He added that the Ejigbo–Ikotun Road, Okota-Cele Road, Metalbox Road and Acme Road in Ikeja are being rehabilitated, while work has started on Brown Street, Oshodi, Ladipo Street as well as Mushin Road.

    He added that 181 roads across the state, touching every local government, including federal roads, have been maintained. They include Agege Motor Road, Herbert Macauley Way, Yaba, Murtala Mohammed Way, Isolo, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island and several others. The state has had to cough out N1.386 billion for this construction and rehabilitation.

     

    What will tomorrow bring?

    Ambode said there would be better tales to tell in the next quarter.

    His words:  “You cannot run a 4-year marathon at top speed from the onset. Like any other well-bred CEO, I have put in place all the ingredients needed to run a successful race.

    “We will continue to woo investors to Lagos. We are assisting businesses and creating environment conducive to these investors to start business and employ our people.”

    The people will certainly be waiting and watching.

     

  • Town planners to residents: honour master-plan

    Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been asked to respect the Abuja master-plan in order to prevent flooding in the capital city.

    Garba Kwamkur, chairman of the FCT chapter of Nigeria Institute of Town Planers (NITP) who made this known at the FCT 2015 Town Planners Week, said that residents tend to forget that Abuja is the only city in the country that was carved out, planned and built under the law.

    Kwamkur said residents of the FCT are expected to have a change of heart, so that they can build an Abuja of their dream that is comparable to any city in the world.

    “Abuja residents have to respect the master plan because it is something everyone can see online, or you go to AGIS to enquire the purpose of a particular land to know  if it is a green area,  residential or business area. Abuja is a different city, unlike Lagos and other cities,  that is why we must all stick to the details of the master plan. With that we can avoid any flood in the city and people will live happily.

    “We expect residents, both in the urban and rural area to key into the project of change by abiding with the rules and regulations of the master-plan. You have to seek the planning approval, start drawing before you start building your house,  instead of doing what some people do, having offer-letters  or even going to the Gbagyi chiefs to buy land and build.

    “So that we can have something like all these mass transit, the rail system and bus system. Everybody does not have to drive a car to the city. There are other ways and during this event,  we are trying to put it on the table,  so that the government will now know about this modern innovation and try to put them in place,” he said.

    The Chairman, Organising Committee, Mukhtar Galadima, also expressed the need to involve the stakeholders in all their activities during the planning process,  from the conception,  surveys,  decisions and implementation,  saying that this could be done through workshops,  charades and seminars to get the Peoples view.

    “Then, when that is done, you carry on with your surveys on the people again, make your findings about their needs and desires. Then you draw up your plans and bring it to the people again to know if they are okay with it and they will give you their opinion.

    “If you carry the people along in everything you are planning with them, it will make your planning very successful, because they are part of the process. As a professional, you should not assume that you know everything,” he said.

  • Kwara Assembly summons Town planning authority

    The Kwara State House of Assembly has summoned the state management of the Town Planning and Development Authority over non-enforcement of town planning regulations in towns and cities in the state.

    This is part of resolutions of the House of Assembly after considering a motion titled: “Conversion of residential buildings to hotels, club houses and beer parlours.” The motion was moved by a member representing Ilorin Central Constituency, Hajia Segilola AbdulKadir. The Speaker Dr Ali Ahmad while reading the resolutions of the House said that the  non-enforcement of the town planning regulations had led to disorderliness of towns and cities in the state. The House equally charged the Town Planning Authority to be alive to its responsibility by ensuring that residential buildings are not inappropriately converted to event centres without necessary approvals and taking into consideration the public nuisance and security implications that such places would pose to residents.

    Hajia Abdul Kadir had observed in her motion that the town planning and development Authority was charged with the responsibility of controlling, regulating and maintaining all laws guiding the physical planning of the state to ensure healthy development of settlements and communities. She however expressed worries that the indiscriminate conversion and distortion of environmental planning as well as the master plan of cities in the state had resulted into security and social problems for other residents in the affected areas.

    Others, who contributed on the motion, said the authority had over stretched the patience of the people, and as such, had caused numerous problems for government and the people of the dtate to content with.

  • Nightmare on the other side of town

    Nightmare on the other side of town

    Driving is pleasurable in the swanky parts of the territory, dreadful in less graceful areas. Blame the bad roads, reports GRACE OBIKE

    When the roads are free in the glitzy districts of the nation’s capital, you could cruise in your car. In several outlying parts, though, driving is hellish no matter the hour of the day or season. In the rainy season, it is sheer agony in those less celebrated areas.

    Such parts as Maitama and Asokoro where the rich and powerful live are the stuff of dreams but in the wet season, parts of Durumi, especially Durumi II, for instance, are a nightmare for motorists. To get to the area, one will have to cross a small stream. In the rainy season, the stream overflows its banks and residents have to wade through its murky waters or pay some muscled youths to ferry them across on their backs.

    Roads in Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi and environs are bad. Even the main expressway that leads into Abuja from Nasarawa State is not in such great shape with patterns of potholes on it. The streets are worse.

    Mr John Bishop, a resident of Karu, said 90 per cent of the road is in complete decay and that it has become worse this rainy season.

    “I will honestly tell you that 90 per cent of the roads around Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Orozo and the rest are really terrible. Virtually all the roads are terrible, car owners like myself have to wash our cars everyday and even with that, people always ask us if we are coming from the farm with our cars; when it rains heavily, motorcycle operators refuse to ply some parts because they can get stuck in the road and some of the roads are so slippery that even vehicles get stuck in them.

    Papei, directly behind the famous Maitama, fares rather badly too. The road leading into it is awful in the dry season; in the rainy period it is worse. It hardly has any drainage. This leaves the area flooded.

    Galadima, near the popular Gwarimpa, has little drainage but it is not enough to de-flood the area. The road is very bad. Its wet orange clay soil makes driving a choking exercise. Garbage lines the road. Houses are built so close to one another and very close to the major road.

    Dutse also has its share of bad roads. Some residents claim that they have become tired of waiting for the government of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Area Councils which are supposed to be closer to the masses to do what they are meant to do. Kubwa is an area where only major roads are good; those leading into streets are very dilapidated and in some areas eroded my minor erosions.

    Pipeline is one of such areas. Although the area is directly behind the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ýcamp, the road leading into the area is really bad. Surprisingly, the area boasts lovely private houses and the residents ride lovely vehicles. The problem is driving to their homes. The road is so bad that sometimes residents have to fill the road with sand, which is quickly washed off again.

    Uzodinma Oko, a resident of Pipeline, told Abuja Review that they were all required to contribute money to repair the road but nothing came out of it.

    •Another bad road in Kubwa
    •Another bad road in Kubwa

    She said, “This road is so terrible, everyday, people pack out of this vicinity because of the road, the houses here are actually nice and affordable but the road will not allow people to stay. The area association made each house in every compound contribute N9,000 and even car owners were asked to pay again differently for the rehabilitation of the road, because everyone is tired of the suffering; we all paid but that was since last year. When we asked, we were told that the man who collected the money from everyone had embezzled everything, he did not even think of doing the road even a little, recently they returned with another demand for money but no one will pay because our job is not to provide them with money that they can embezzle”.

    Byahzine, another popular part of Kubwa, has the most dilapidated roads. At night, people pay motorcycle operators double the normal fare to take them to their homes.

    The FCT administration is known to give the six Area Councils their due allocations at all times and in most cases, it is the job of these area council chairmen to provide simple amenities like roads.

    Bwari Area Council roads are awful right up to its secretariat.

    Esther Isah, a resident of Dutse, described how she and the motorcyclist ferrying her fell on a slippery dirt road.

    “I had gone to Bwari and I was still on the motorcycle in the market when the bike man lost control because of how slippery the road was and we fell. It was so embarrassing and as people pitied me and said sorry because not only was my dress ruined but most of the products that I had purchased in the market were all over the road I wanted to be angry at the bike man but I realised that it was not his fault. The road is slippery since our government has refused to repair it. These bad roads are really dangerous and cause a lot of accidents. The government honestly have to come to the aid of the masses and provide the necessary amenities.”

     

  • The new sheriff in town

    SIR: The arrival of the new Sheriff in town is sending shivers down the spines of the conglomeration of thieves who sucked the nation’s treasury dry and left the nation’s economy in tatters.

    The ruination was as a result of the legacy of profligacy of previous permissive governments and many of those involved in such malfeasance are on their high way to public odium.

    The new Sheriff, Muhammadu Buhari, a reputed anti-corruption crusader has over the years remained resolute in his vision and mission to stamp out corruption. The first time he gave a shot at the seat of power was over 30 years ago through the smoke of a gun powder. Before he could achieve the feat, he was deposed as military head of state, the same way he came in.

    Even out of power, he remained resolute, his untainted integrity and his extra-ordinary insights and accomplishments over the years increased his personality cult and after many attempts at the seat of power as a repentant democrat, his ability to inspire people to key into his vision paid off on March 28. He became the first Nigerian to defeat an incumbent president in our nation’s history.

    Before the 2015 general polls, the Sheriff, President Buhari had urged every Nigerian to give him their mandate. Seeing he was the only one qualified to come cleanse the Augean stables which over the years had been incubated by thieves, majority Nigerians confidently gave him their votes at the polls.

    The Sheriff has resumed and the national thieves – the “Ali babas” who in the past were law unto themselves, have all been clipped of their wings and like a vulture beaten by the rain, they have taken different directions to hibernate pending when their files would be opened.

    In their dormant state, sleep has eluded them, they have been making concessions, some have allegedly surreptitiously returned some of their loot, while others have agreed to return what ever that is left of theirs.

    Even the past “ogas at the top”, who were not too long ago described as the next best thing ever to happen to our democracy have all been abandoned on their lonely road to infamy.

    Investigations are on going and the Sheriff has assured the international community that there won’t be any sacred cow among those who in their bulimic accumulation of unwanted wealth left our nation in ruins – members of the governing party, APC inclusive!

     

    • Joe Onwukeme,

     Enugu

     

     

  • Strange prophet comes to town

    Strange prophet comes to town

    •Eye witnesses narrate how he heals the sick and revives the near dead

    He came to Nigeria from Libreville in 2013 and has been wearing same clothes; going without a bath since March 2014; living on the streets and generally raising concerns about his state of mind. But he claims he is on a divine mission and following God’s instruction. Curiously, witnesses also testify to the efficacy of his prayers and how the high and mighty throng to him for miracles. Taiwo Abiodun reports.

    His appearance raises questions. His clothes are torn, hair and beard overgrown and unkempt, like that of a Rastafarian, and his fingernails unusually long. He also has not had a bath for one year; so he proudly announced, and does not possess any kind of belonging, save his Bible, ECOWAS passport and cell phone. For his strange ways, the police have arrested him several times and released him, after he was able to prove himself to be a man of God and of sound mind.

    For a good part of last year, residents and commuters in the Ikotun area, where he has pitched his tent, also took him for a mad man as he roamed the streets. Some expressed grave suspicion at his appearance, which they thought deceptive and that he could be out to execute some sinister plans.

    However, many of those who nursed this fear last year are now singing a new song, calling him Baba, Pastor, prophet, man of God and going to him for prayers.

    They also now jealously guard and protect him, as this reporter found out in the process of this interview. Unknown to him, the people at his BRT Bust terminus abode in Ikotun were watching his interaction with the ‘man of God’ with  suspicion and promptly accosted him with a “Where are you taking our father?

    One of them explained after this reporter had introduced himself and mission that “we thought you are a police officer who wanted to arrest our Papa. He is our spiritual father.”

    Settling down to answer questions from the reporter, the strange prophet said “I arrived Nigeria two years ago; this month will make it exactly one year since I’ve been wearing these same clothes , same underwear without having my bath, and without brushing my mouth or cutting my fingernails, as directed by God.”

    He also said he would not do anything about his appearance or hygiene until he hears instruction from God.

    This indeed is the world of Gbadamosi Idris Wasiu, a Nigerian by birth, who arrived from Libreville, Gabon on a mission purportedly ordained by God.

    One of his ‘neighbours’, a woman, confirmed to The Nation that they “initially suspected him to be one of those criminals that disguise as lunatics, and despised and maltreated him; not knowing that he is a man of God. Now we call him Daddy.”

    His story

    According to the self-proclaimed Man of God, “My name is Gbadamosi Idris Wasiu but I have changed it to Elijah Akorede Oluwole. I am a native of Ejigbo-Ode Ibarapa in Osun state. I had my primary and secondary education in Ibadan. I was living in Libreville before coming here, but my wife, children and mother live in Lome. I lost my father several years ago.”

    Back in Libreville, he said he got inspired while watching a pastor (name withheld) on TV. At about that time, a friend of his, Henry Obilo returned from Nigeria with some spiritual water from his church, out of which he drank, washed his face and slept off. In his sleep, he saw himself in the church, and God asked him go to the church in Nigeria and that he would be a prophet.

    He thus obtained a visa, boarded a plane and landed in Nigeria on the 30th March 2013.

    Continuing, he said “I went to the Church where I stayed for sometime in the guest house. When I could no longer pay the bill after incurring 21,000 naira, I was sent away by the man in charge of the guest house. Since then I have been staying in public places; while at night, I sleep in the church’s premises. I am not going back to the guest house again, as a voice keeps telling me to remain in the public place, calling people and praying for them.”

    Wonder shall not cease

    At Ikotun BRT Bus terminus, where he stays from morning till evening, Elijah revives visitors who come to him for prayer. On one of his visits, the reporter witnessed the self-acclaimed pastor in gross discussion with three of his ‘clients,’ after which he prayed for them.

    According to some of the BRT staff, who volunteered to speak with The Nation, the man (Elijah) is not mad. One of them said ”he has prayed for many people here and solved problems brought to him. Be it early in the morning or in the dead of the night, high calibre people come to him for prayers. If you tarry for a while, you’re likely to witness high profile people like chiefs, big people, prophets, men of God, market women, women in purdah and even kings, coming to beg him to pray for them. However, only very few who are bold enough come out publicly during the day.”

    Reject gifts

    Curiously, the self-acclaimed ‘Man of God’ does not collect money from anyone, even when offered. He claims that is not his mission. This was attested to by some of his clients on ground during this interview, one of whom said somebody even promised to build him a church, which he also turned down.

    Elijah explained that he is under God’s authority and not man’s. “I was at First Square Church and people always come to me to pray for them. The Lord sent me to be here in the public under His authority; others may be sent into the forest, the mountain and so on ….”

    Testimonies

    A man who called himself Pastor Prince Adeyemo said of the man in question, “He (Elijah) used to pray for people and heal them, but his appearance is terrible. But that no longer surprises me.”

    Engr. Peter Étugbe described Elijah as strange but said he is convinced that he is a man of God. “Most times when I’m going to my office at Ikotun bus stop, I always noticed how a lot of people cluster around him. Later, I was able to find out why. He said he has been sent by God to be like that, so I said the best I could do is to call the press to interview him. If he is God sent or fake, we will get to know soon.”

    Etugbe spoke of a particular LAMATA staff who said she may never be able to repay or thank him enough for what he did for her. So the first thing she does on resuming everyday now is to go to him for prayer, adding that the said lady now calls him daddy.

    Another woman – Ayo Akande (38) said, “I have been seeing him at the BRT pavilion since last year, but we did not know he’s a servant of God until a sick boy was brought to him half-dead and he prayed for him and the boy came alive. I am also a Messenger of God; I worship at Christ Apostolic Church. It was when I went spiritual that I realised that the man is serving punishment for refusing the call of God about four years ago. In fact I have given him my water to pray on when I arrived this morning.”

    Akande also said she has always met people at the pavilion early in the morning, who have come for prayer. “Even this morning, I met four people here who came for prayer.”

    Asked how sure she is of his prayer’s efficacy, she replied confidently that “He gave me a prayer point and asked me to bring water, which he prayed on, and after using it, my problem was solved. Meanwhile I had spent money on the same case only to discover that it had been taken to the pit of Devil. But they could not withstand this man of God. When I told my colleagues in the office, they were shocked. Even my boss brought some people here for prayer this morning. I can tell you that even the BRT pilots come to him for prayers. Another miracle he performed was when a young girl fainted and was brought to him. He prayed for her right in our presence and she came back to life.

    Another witness, a woman said “He prayed for me and my sick child that used to faint, and she has not been sick, let alone faint since then. I’ve known him since last year March. Many people and servants of God do come here in the early hours; they say they don’t want to be seen. Even kings, chiefs and police officers do come here.”

    She revealed that two women in veil only just left before this reporter’s arrival. “I wish you could come here between 5 am to 6 am and you will see a lot of people coming to him for prayer. He would tell you everything about yourself? My sister in Mowe said she has never seen this kind of thing before; that the prayer water I gave to her really worked, as her husband bought her a Jeep and her son who had been very sick was healed.”

    Yet another woman, who had been listening to this conversations also volunteered that “All these market women you are seeing go to him for prayer,” while another said her son who was on medication has stopped taking medicine and is now well on account of his prayer.

    Asked how long he would continue wearing the filthy clothes and going about unkempt, Elijah said “When God says it is time. It could be one week, one month; whenever He feels.”

    In the mean time, the question remains, When will God release him?’

  • Once upon an illustrious town

    It is still a puzzle that the community, from which came some of the country’s brightest minds, lies in ruins, forgotten by almost every government.

    That is the story of  Arondizuogu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, one of the few communities that are yet to reap the dividends of democracy.

    The collapsed roads and dilapidated infrastructure tell tales of long years of neglect and abandonment by successive administrations at the state and federal level.

    The community is reputed to have produced some of the eminent Nigerians who fought for the nation’s independence including the late Mbonu Ojike, Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe and W. C. Onwenu, among others.

    Many expected brighter fortunes, not the sorry picture before the eyes, considering the number of its successful people in strategic positions in government.

    From one end of the community to the other, one can hardly point to any project either completed or ongoing. The Federal Government road that passed through the community linking Onitsha the commercial hub of Anambra State and Enugu State, has been abandoned and in a terrible state of disrepair.

    To tackle these challenges, eminent sons and daughters of Arondizuogu, led by Chief Osita Okereke, the Director General of the National Taskforce on Illegal Importation of Small Arms and Light Weapons formed the Arondizuogu Political Forum, as a platform to promote the interest of the community.

    Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Forum, Okereke, who is also the pioneer President General of the group, said that, “after a brainstorming session and reappraisal of our town we unanimously concluded that our Arondizuogu which produced illustrious sons that assisted other patriotic Nigerians to fight for independence, has remained static and politically demobilised without any meaningful progress”.

    He said, “When you look around the whole of Arondizuogu you will hardly find any state or Federal Government presence. The only Federal Government road that connects Arondizuogu with Onitsha and Okigwe has been allowed to decay without any attempt from government to repair the road.

    “Arondizuogu is one of the very few towns in Nigeria that is balkanized into three Local Government Areas of Ideato North, Okigwe and Onuimo without any of the headquarters in Arondizuogu, resulting in total marginalization of the community”.

    He continued that, “after the meeting, we concluded that Arondizuogu lacks the political leadership and the only way forward is to rediscover ourselves and come together under one united platform to aggressively tackle the underdevelopment confronting our people.

    “Politics in Arondizuogu will no longer be business as usual and whoever thinks that he can undermine the power and influence of the of the APF does so at his own peril”.

    He disclosed that the Forum was founded “to provide political leadership to our people with a view to ensuring that we claim our rights and attract meaningful considerations from government. To liaise with the Federal Government if need be in order to protect the interest of our town and attract Federal projects and infrastructure to our communities.

    “To fight and promote the interest of any Arondizuogu person anywhere in the world provided the course we are fighting is a legal course. To identify Arondizuogu sons and daughters seeking elective positions and support them with our resources and extract commitment that would protect the interest of Arondizuogu”.Also speaking the Vice President, Arc Chidi Okoli, described the current state of the community as totally unacceptable, and adding that, “despite the community decides who governs the state, it has not been given its fair share of the dividends of democracy. Arondizuogu has been neglected and this cannot continue. We are going to be partisan and support any candidate that will develop the community”.

     

  • Counterfeit as toast of the town

    A few years ago, Maureen was faced with a hard choice. Two gentlemen had asked for her hand in marriage and she had to make a selection. It wasn’t really an easy task but the vain part of her heart took over. One was very handsome while the other wasn’t so good looking at all. At a glance, Henry the handsome guy who was also the toast of the town should come uppermost on the emotional scale. Deep down, she had her reservations about this guy.

    Reason: “His heart was not as handsome as he looked. Even though he was really nice to her at that point, she observed from his interactions with others that he was shrewd and callous. On the other hand, Remi was a kind heart, very generous and had a wonderful personal relationship with almost everyone around him.”

    Then another voice painted images of a handsome husband on the wedding day and a good looking man by her side. Shouldn’t this be what she should aspire for?

    Is it better to wake up in the arms of Mr. handsome every day of her married life? Well, she voted emotionally for the handsome dude and a few months after they tied the knot.

    Now, it is barely a year and the emotional signs are not too good. Mr. handsome simply grew from bad to worse without any apologies. The writing on her emotional wall brings tears and somehow she wished she could change the hands of time as well as cancel this emotional arrangement that has become a torture. Too late, our dear friend is stuck and it feels worse stepping out of this incompatible circle.

    It is inevitable that in every relationship, there are going to be differences, and everyone has days when their emotions can get the better of them.

    The problem is not that we have differences in our relationship, the problem lies in the way we handle those differences. When our ego gets in the way, we can easily say or do things that threaten the peace of our relationship and increase the level of relationship stress.

    Instead of putting the peace of your relationship on the line when there’s a problem, it is better to develop the life skills needed to resolve problems with consideration, awareness and respect.

    One basic truth for lovebirds is that we need to chose wisely and not get carried away by the outward things that glitter. We must also resist the temptation to misrepresent ourselves when making friends, just to impress the other person. The objective of making friends is to get to know the other person, not to mislead them into liking you. Are friendships that aren’t based on honesty really worth having? If the other party cannot accept honest communication, then they are not much of a friend!

    Friendship should never require that you both agree on everything. So, when making friends, don’t be afraid to have your own views and opinions. Any friend worth having will respect you for being honest about how you feel, and what you like and don’t like. Of course, you need to be tactful and willing to respect their views and opinions also.

    Some friendships last a lifetime, some only for a little while. Some friendships are very close and personal; others are limited in their scope. People and situations change, that’s just how life works. Accepting these realities will put you at ease when making friends because you won’t form unrealistic expectations.

    Regardless of whether you have lots of really close friends, or just a few, the important thing is to value these special relationships.  Always be grateful for the special connection you’ve made with these special friends, and be willing to work at keeping the friendship strong, because a true friendship can bring so much value into the life of both people.

    Stress has an insidious way of undermining every aspect of our health and happiness. Nowhere is this more obvious then in our closest and most valued relationships. Have the anxieties and pressures of daily life or a constricting economy begun to seep into your home life?

    When we are feeling the effects of stress, we need to feel that our home is a safe haven where we can find relief and comfort. A happy relationship can make all the difference during challenging times. Sadly, more and more couples are experiencing the divisive influence of outside stress in their relationship with their mate.

    Are there steps we can take to protect the happiness of our relationship during times of stress? When the pressure rises, is there some way for couples to actually draw closer rather than allowing their relationship to be torn apart?

    Handled correctly, challenging experiences can actually bring couples closer together. This is not to say that they will be immune to the stress. What it means is that working together and facing their challenges as a unified partnership can deepen their bond and add new depth to their relationship.

  • Bacita: Kwara’s forgotten industrial town

    Bacita: Kwara’s forgotten industrial town

    The mention of Bacita immediately evokes memories of the now comatose Nigeria Sugar Company. The image of the defunct firm still lies in the town which used to be a commercial hub in Kwara State.

    But today, the town is a shadow of itself, with the once-known industrial town lacking in development.

    The absence of good roads may have contributed to the deplorable nature of the town. The collapse of the sugar company and Nigeria Yeast and Alcohol Manufacturing Company has made life in the town unattractive.

    Located in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Bacita used to be the envy of Nigeria because of the presence of the Nigerian Sugar Company and others.

    But the situation has changed drastically as the town can no longer boast of any development. For example, because of the status of the Nigeria Sugar Company, the staff school, which residents said, used to be the joy of students and parents has become an eyesore.

    The buildings and classrooms are in a deplorable condition. As evidence of the decay of the school, the signpost no longer bears the name of the school as years of neglect seem to have taken toll on it. The name has been erased and replaced with an inscription which reads: “No King as God”, written in a handwriting that depicts that of an idle child trying to master the craft of handwriting.

    A few meters from the gate stood a huge book-like sculpture with the inscription, “Education is the bedrock of any development, allow your children to be educated”, an indication of why the school was set up.

    Our correspondent gathered that apart from the overgrown grasses, there was nothing to suggest that this was a place that was once a centre of academic excellence. The classrooms had been converted to some kind of store by farmers and other people who see some industrious use of the classrooms.

    They dry their shear butter seeds, cassava and other farm produce. Result sheets, text books and receipt booklets were seen scattered in what used to be the headmaster’s office and other offices.

    Ironically, the condition of the school can be likened to the state of the community whose growth has stunted over the years. Many people have, however, relocated from the community and many more are said to be on their way out due to lack of development.

    They have, however, cried out; alleging that the government, both at the federal and state levels, has abandoned them. Some of the residents of the community expressed sadness that government has decided not to remember them.

    Our correspondent also discovered that out of the two roads leading to the community, visitors prefer to use the Old Jebba Road known to many as the Tsaragi/Share Road because of the deplorable condition of the major road, the Mokwa/Jebba Road.

    It was further gathered that visitors to Bacita have abandoned the 18-kilometre road because, instead of spending about 20 minutes to get to the community, travellers spend almost one hour because of its bad nature. The alternative route which is the Share/Tsaragi Road, which most people prefer is peculiar with the plain landscape.

    The road is tarred, which explains the preference. Some of the villages on the road are Patidzuru, Kpankorogi, Manfu, Emigbadzi, Mamu and Emiworogi. Heaps of firewood, which might never be sold are displayed in most of the villages. With about one kilometre separating the villages, our correspondent observed that villages, which appear to be smaller than Bacita enjoy good road network and constant power supply, even though they lack schools, markets, banks and hospitals. In view of that, they have to travel always to Bacita to access these facilities.

    Ironically, the good road enjoyed by smaller villages on the way to Bacita are not present in Bacita as the roads in Bacita still maintain that natural state, with erosion eating into parts of them.

    Motorcycles appear to be the major means of transport in the community where roadblocks and bumps are made with firewood. Unfortunately, the usual bustling that characterised the once-popular industrial town in the Old Kwara State is gone. Walking round the town, it was discovered that most people just move around with little activities going on. Tattered attires of farmers returning from farm also speak about life in the community, with only a few of them with the opportunity to own old bicycles and motorcycles that are better placed off the road. Residents are not happy about the seeming pathetic situation in Bacita. Even with the state of lack of development, worship places adorn the town with only one functioning hospital, few private schools and thick green grasses.

    A view from afar gives you hope because of the company structure which stands out, but on approaching, the hope is dashed as the structure stands among bushes. The community has one government secondary school and one mini-fuel station called Green Space Nigeria Limited.

    Investigation revealed that the major source of water in the community is well water while their major occupations remain farming and petty trades because of the collapse of the companies.

    Dominated by the Nupe, the women have mastered the art of using the abundant groundnuts in the community for commercial purpose. With the groundnut, they make and sell ‘kuli-kuli,’ a local snack and also extract oil which they sell to those who like organic food.

    Residents told our correspondent that “Bacita used to be tourism and excursion centre for students and visitors who came to the state. It really assisted the economy of the country then because of the Sugar firm and NIYAMCO  that were functioning. But now, the moribund nature of the companies has led to the collapse of most activities in the community.”

    Some of them regretted that the “government has forgotten us completely but we will not be surprised if we start hearing that they will come to pay us a visit soon just the way they usually do when general elections approach.

    As election period draws near, they will find their way into the town with blaring siren and party flags for campaign. They act very honest and promise heaven on earth but after the election, they completely turn their backs on us. That is why the community remains the same or worse than what it used to be.”

    A resident, who lives in an estate popularly called Housing Estate,  said: “If the politicians don’t remember us by putting something significant such as good road, potable water and probably help restore what is dying in this village, I doubt if this town will exist for long.’.

     

  • Town planners meet in Abuja

    Town planners meet in Abuja

    Town planners will meet in Abuja today to discuss the spate of insecurity in the Federal Capital city.

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Urban and Regional Department in the FCT, organisers of the event, Mrs Felicia Anthony, said town planners in public and private sectors are expected to contribute to the meeting.

    She said the event is an annual meeting of town planers, where contemporary issues in the built environment are discussed.

    The theme for this year’s edition is: The Role of Physical Planning in the Context of Emerging Security Challenges in Nigeria.

    The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin; Dr Adamu Ahmed, of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and Mr Yemi Omidji, of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are the resource persons.

    Also, other professionals in the allied sectors, like architects, builders and engineers will attend the event.

    The event will end on Friday.