Oyo APC, in a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, said that Governor Makinde did not need to waste resources on mobilization of footsoldiers to defend the plan which according to the party was “dead on arrival since the governor could not sound convincing on what exactly he wanted to do and how he came about a contract sum without any record of due diligence.

“The modern Oyo State as evolved by the immediate past APC administration is a work-in-progress and there is no point for us as a progressive party to oppose any development stride of the PDP government provided that it is genuine, realistic and reasonable. But in the case of this eight billion naira Interchange reconstruction as well as the projects tied to the N17.6b loans secured so far, we demand a probe for the sake of the masses.

“It does not bother us whether Governor Makinde runs to Rivers State to get a fake project prototype or he mobilizes footsoldiers to attack us for asking salient questions over the way he spends government money at his disposal, we would not watch or fold our arms as he continues to govern the people of the Pacesetter State with only the words of mouth and little or no action.

“We would continue to ask Governor Makinde about the availability of any engineering or structural designs of the planned project, advertisements of Tender as required by law, any communication with the Federal Government or the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing which had included the same Interchange reconstruction in two different ongoing road projects as well as any evidence of project conceptualization and valuation before arriving at the contract sum.

“The Makinde administration has earned itself a popularity for putting the cart before the horse in all cases. It announced the full implementation of free education policy before determining what goes with it. The same government made public how he would build its local economy around maize export before determining what volume of perennial harvest it could get while few days ago, it stated its readiness to increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue base to N20b in few months even without any concrete plan to achieve it.

“Apart from the fact that Oyo State is too big for experimental governance, we urge the governor to do away with the urge to grow his political influence beyond his base at all cost by playing a Father Christmas with the state resources. The premature ambition to be the leader of the PDP in the South West as well as the resolve to bankroll the electioneering of the candidate of his party in Kogi State in the next month gubernatorial poll should not be at the expense of the masses of Oyo State.” Adejumo added.

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Until recently that the states called Yorubaland begin to experience wanton killings of innocent farmers by herdsmen, the usual reports and experience that time were pockets of conflicts and inescapable feuds between one farmer and another herdsman. That time, it was difficult to describe the experience as social problem calling for urgent and collective action.

The farmers -herdsmen problem has taken a new dimension giving the rate of escalation and sophistication of arms and ammunition being deployed in the perpetration of the heinous crimes of kidnapping and communal strife.

As the situation is now in Yoruba speaking states, the spate of the organized crime of kidnapping has raised the tempo of ethnic nationalism. A good manifestation and prevalence of ethnic feelings was the recent proclamation and riot act read by Aare Iba Gani Adams, the leader of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) and Generalissimo of Yorubaland through which he has sent a signal to the whole world that Yoruba as an ethnic nationality is posed to wage war against the murderous herdsmen and kidnappers who have turned many people to aliens on their own lands.

The message he has tried to echo was that Yorubas are gradually becoming subjugated by armed invaders. Before now, South West is a safe haven for investors and business men from other geo-political zones.

From the media statements and body language of Aare Iba Gani Adams, incessant activities of the kidnappers in the south west has spun off ethnic sentiments and raised other national questions. With the kind of braveness which the leadership of Pan Yoruba Cultural Group (OPC) has mustered up, I am sure the invaders under whatever guises would have no other option than to retreat and look else where to thrive.

I must acknowledge that kidnappers who appeared to have completely taken over South West now live among us even if they are from neighbouring countries. And of course, the identity of these marauders may not be properly understood except our assessment and judgment are devoid of stereotype, prejudice and egocentrism.

We need to unravel the psychology and the mind sets of the kidnappers as a factor for consideration to actually understand the prevailing culture of ‘anything for money’ or quick money syndrome that has become a normative in the current social order. Through the narration by the victims of their ordeals in the hands of the kidnappers, how they usually get police and army uniforms remain a puzzle.

I share the pains and agonizing effects of kidnapping when I watched the video clip released by Hon. Bisi Ogungbemi, the Ondo State Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC). The video presentation is an eye opener to evil machination and sophistication of the kidnappers and armed bandits currently operating in major Yoruba Cities like Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States.

Unarguably, the spate of the menace is now a source of nightmare to Yoruba leaders, for one can no longer sleep with the two eyes closed. And passing through our highways nowadays could result into uncontrollable perspiration and increase in ones blood pressure.

In a similar circumstance, Dayo Adewole, the son of the former Minister for Health was recently held in captivity by the suspected kidnappers at a gun point in Iroko, near Fiditi, in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State. Before Adewole could regain his freedom 24 hours after he was kidnapped,  the parents and family have to pay huge ransom according to reports.

A dimension to this kidnapping brouhaha which is comical were those ones conceived, planned and executed by the supposedly held captives themselves. Some of the reported cases we have heard in the recent past ended as cases of self -kidnapping by the victims themselves.

One particular case that could best be described as heart break news was the report of a Pastor of an orthodox church in Ekiti, Pastor Adegoke Adewuyi, that lodged himself in an hotel to draw ransom of three millions naira from his church members. Whoever watch the video clip of the arrest and self confession by the culprit, one will cry for this country.

If the advocacy by the OPC doesn’t receive the support of the traditional rulers, particularly in the South West,the zone will remain endanger, unsafe and haven of the kidnappers and bandits. Truly we have sufficient laws and with budgetary provision for security architecture annually, the success so far recorded by the security agencies in combating the menace of insecurity in the country is below public expectation.

Given the efforts which the nation’s security agencies have so far made to halt the spate of banditry and kidnapping in the country,nothing suggests that the culprits have seen the reasons to change and give peace a chance. Also,the war cannot be successfully waged and won using only legal instrument and moral control, we must equally pay attention to education, counselling, rehabilitation and value re -orientation.

Besides,each community must improve on security consciousness and awareness. There should be cooperation and synergy among the various social community to guarantee for us an effective social security devoid of devilish activities of the kidnappers and bandits.

Rahaman Onike, writes from Oyo town, Oyo state, a public affairs analyst

 (c) Mega Icon Magazine

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Also, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), as gathered had earlier initiated plans to resolve the age-long rift between them in order to strengthen Yoruba’s grip of South West.

The group’s Vice President, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi disclosed the plan at the APC’s Lagos State gubernatorial candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu campaign office, in Ikeja, where he led thousands of members to endorse the party.

According to Afolabi, “we are fully ready to ensure APC win through our votes. Aside voting, we will ensure that no one disrupt the electoral process across the states”.

The move, as further learnt was launched by late founder of the Socio-Cultural group, Dr Fredrick Fasheun, before his demise, after realising that the Yoruba race were persistently short-changed in Nigeria’s political activities.

Afolabi added that the official declaration would have happened before his death as well, but efforts to actualise it broke down due to miscommunication.

“Let it be known that in the formation of OPC, the APC leadership played a role in bringing the dream of our founding father Dr, Fredrick Fasheun Iseotan, to reality towards the formation of OPC, so we are glad to be back home as a progressive people.

“It is a thing of joy and great achievement for OPC that our late founding founder Dr. Fasheun has resolved to put their differences aside with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and work together for the common interest of the Yoruba race and the whole South West. It is sad that Baba passed away when we were about to solidify the final agreement with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Be it that it may, we are resolute to continue from where he stopped and his dying wish was that wherever Asiwaju take us is where we shall go,and it has been decided that we OPC members should ensure victory for APC  in the entire south west and so shall it be”, the Vice President assured.

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Oyo state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela stated this on Thursday in Ibadan at the official commissioning of renovated and equipped physics laboratory; a project executed by the old girls (1968-1972 set) of St. Anne’s School, Molete.

The Commissioner said, “I am happy to tell you today that the School Governing Board (SGB) has been accepted by DAWN commission. All schools in the Southwest will adopt SGB as their educational policy”.

He added that the School Governing Boards (SGBs) in the past one year has expended no fewer than N2b on school infrastructure throughout the state.

It would be recalled that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State inaugurated the School Governing Boards, (SGBs) in all the 628 Public Secondary Schools in the state. Having realized that no government can shoulder the responsibilities of education alone, the Board which has enjoyed the commitment and cooperation of old students, parents, philanthropists aims at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector.

Also, the commissioner further disclosed that Oyo state has been identified as the only state in the Southwest by World Bank to benefit from a grant of $578m which has been set aside for the next five years to tackle issue of out of school children.

Highlighting the efforts of the state government, Olowofela stressed, ” just last week, Oyo state government
awarded a contract of N3.7b for infrastructural development in all the primary schools and has also awarded a month ago a contract to renovate 100 secondary schools up to a tune of N2b. When you see all these developments you will see that the paradigm will change for good”.

Earlier in her welcome address, the school principal who commended the old girls averred that their passion for high standard education coupled with loyalty to their alma mater has produced a better template for teaching and learning in the school in terms of provision of facilities, renovations of the old buildings, introduction of various programmes and initiatives such as scholarship among others.

According to her, “as a major stakeholder in education, your collaborative efforts with other stakeholders – the parents, the community, the church are in line with the laudable programmes and policy of Oyo state government towards raising the standard of education to an enviable position among states in this nation”.

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The Governors – Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day quarterly meeting held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, also ratified a document allowing Lagos to acquire land in their respective states for massive rice cultivation and production.

Specifically, all the Governors resolved to embark on a Rice Accelerated Program for Integrated Development (Western RAPID) to further consolidate actions on food security and job creation in the region, while a Regional Agriculture Summit to be sponsored by Lagos State, was agreed to be held in Ibadan in May 2018.

The forum, which is being coordinated through the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, also signified interest in the concession of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Reading the communiqué to journalists, Director General of DAWN Commission, Mr Oluseye Oyeleye said: “The States of the Region as a bloc will be monitoring the process for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Concession into a world class infrastructure.”

He said the Governors also resolved that DAWN Commission, Focal Representatives and Agriculture Commissioners of the region would hold a technical session with Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and develop a state by state roadmap in four weeks before the Regional Agriculture Summit scheduled for May 2018.

It was also agreed that DAWN Commission should work on reviving Regional Inter-School Football Competition, and as well conduct a study on the successes in Education in Ekiti State for peer learning/adoption among the Western Nigeria states.

Also, the Governors directed the DAWN Commission and the Focal representatives to structure a programme on the Omoluabi Ethos of the Yoruba people.

However, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, who represented Governor Amosu, raised some reservations about the land deal, saying that the State Government on account of previous issues with Lagos on the similar subject matter would be refraining from releasing land to the State until the said issues were resolved.

Nonetheless, Onanuga said: “We will be prepared to sign this memorandum later when some of these issues are straightened out.”

When asked by journalists on way out of the issues raised by Ogun State, Governor Ambode said he was optimistic that all the States would join in the effort to ensure food security and create jobs for the people.

He said: “What has happened is that we wanted to expand the agric output of our rice mill and in doing so, we decided that all the south west States should be able to cultivate rice and supply paddy to the proposed rice mill that is coming up in Imota in Lagos.

“So, what we have done is that four other States have agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding which they have actually done today and so what is happening between Lagos and Ogun is that there were some minor issues that were outstanding before and based on that they could not sign today but you could also hear that they are committed to signing when those issues are resolved.

“We are having a 32-ton per hour rice mill in Imota and we are going to require 32,000 hectares of paddy cultivation which even the whole of the south west cannot even provide but because we are interested in integration and also independence, it is important that beyond going to Kebbi or Kano, all the south western states should also benefit from it and the idea is that we are trying to procure land there but we will also use the people and the farmers in the respective states to cultivate the land and by so doing we have created employment in those States and we will be off-takers to the paddies that they are producing and so I am able to buy it and also use it for my own rice mill and then sell it in Lagos and so I create employment across the region and at the same time put money into the pocket of our people,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, Governor Aregbesola described the incorporation of Lagos State into the economic framework of the south west region as historic and long coming since 1948, adding that the development would strengthen the O’dua Investment Group and drive the development of the region.

SIGNED

HABIB ARUNA

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

MARCH 28, 2018

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/oyo-offers-free-tb-treatment-for-residents/

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The leaders, at a meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital recently, condemned the actions of some members of the party among whom are Kashamu, just as they congratulated Senator Ahmed Makarfi for his landmark victory at the supreme court.

The former Chairman of the South West Mobilization Committee of PDP, Senator Buruji Kashamu is currently representing Ogun East Senatorial District.

According to a communique issued at the end of PDP meeting held in Ibadan, the party declared that the anti-party activities of some of the members led the party to lose elections in Ondo, Ogun and Edo states, hence there is a need to sanction them.

Zonal Chairman of the party, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, who flanked with Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, Chief Bode George and Otunba Iyiola Omisore while reading the communique enjoined the Ogun State chapter of the party to do away with anything that has to do with Senator Kashamu and stop dealing with him henceforth.

Condemning the activities of some members of the party which led to its downfall for over a year, the party disclosed that it has set up a machinery to some defectors of the party back to the PDP fold.

“First and foremost, the South West Zonal Leadership congratulates the National Caretaker Committee of the party under the able leadership, His Excellency, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and other distinguished members of the National Caretaker Committee of our great party over the landmark victory recorded at the Supreme Court on the 12th of July , 2017

“The Zonal Leadership also hereby condemn and regret the action and ignoble role of some of its membership that led to the unfortunate experience and trauma that held the entire party down for over a year now and pray that may such never reoccur again in our great party

“The entire Southwest leadership and stakeholders condemn the destabilizing and anti-party activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and demand disciplinary actions against him for his roles in the loss of the party in Ogun, Ondo and Edo states.

“The zonal leadership and stakeholders hereby dissociate the zone from the activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and resolve further to henceforth desist from dealing with him in any capacity in the zone, and the leadership of the party in Ogun state are hereby directed to stop all dealings and meetings involvement with Senator Buruji Kashamu and his agents until further notice.

“The Zonal Leadership and stakeholders also hereby reject any association whatsoever with Senator Buruji Kashamu henceforth.

“It is hereby resolved that a special committee be set up at the zonal and national level to reach out and appeal to all those who had left the party as a result of the disruptive and destructive activities and act of sabotage visited upon the party”, the communique reads.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Fayose of Ekiti State, who is the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum said the Supreme Court did justice to Nigeria and not PDP.

Fayose stressed that the party which is now in opposition is optimistic to retain the power in 2019.

“Today we are in opposition, tomorrow we will be in power. This party must be protected.

“We need a President that is hale and hearty. Looking inwards it is time to reposition PDP, it is time to take decisions, if you have problem and you did not nip it in the bud, the problem will continue.

“God saved us first time, second time, we must save ourselves.

The governor added that the problem of PDP in the region started from Ogun State where Kashamu hailed from.

“The whole problem of PDP in South-West started from Ogun state”.

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The state which can boast to have had the first television station in Africa, WNBC-WNBS which was later metamorphosed into Nigeria Television Authority; the frist university in Africa, University of Ibadan and the first stadium in the continent, Liberty Stadium, all situated in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, are few of the several firsts developmental institutions that were, first of all, germinated in the state even when the country was still under the British colonial rule, after which other States in Nigeria and some African countries began emulating the unique projects. These historic feats have earned the state its famous sobriquet the pacesetter.

This time arround, it is the first ever private-owned sporting edifice; this sporting complex with a standard football pitch is being constructed in the ancient city of Akanran in Ona-Ara local government, a suburb of Ibadan, the state capital.

Besides the Standard football pitch which is arround thirty-five percent completion, the indoor and outdoor games arenas such as basket ball, volley ball, handball and lawn tennis courts have all reached eighty percent completion.

According to the site engineer, a local contractor, who does not want his name to be published because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the owner of the sporting complex which is scheduled to be fully completed in September this year stated, when asked if the sporting complex can be completed within the said time frame, that he is cock sure that his crew will achieve hundred percent completion by September, adding that, that is the reason why they have been working round the clock, including Sundays, to ensure that the dead line is met.

Our correspondence learned that the objective behind the citing of the sporting edifice in the sprawling town of Akanran by the owner, a business man, a silent philantropist and who himself is a trained-engineer is to first and foremost, develop and exposé Akanran town to the outside world.

In his words, “the owner being an indigene of this local goverment, Ona-Ara, is not happy about the state of infrastructural facilities in the town and local government as a whole.

He does not like the primitive state which the town has been sentenced to by the past governments, hence, he had taken it upon himself to open up the town, and in extension, the local government, to the outside world by building standard sporting complex within the local government.

“He is not unaware of the the bad state of the road the motorists pass through when entering Akanran, the council’s headquarters, but he believes that various developmental projects being citéd in the town by him will spur the state government to rehabilitate or better still, reconstruct the road which in its present state is a motorists’ nightmares”, he concluded.

According to the investigation conducted by our correspondent, the owner and his advisors had drawn up several activities that will not only make the sporting complex engaged but also self sustaining upon full completion; and on top of these activities are grass root football competitions.

The site engineer stated further, “the owner being a passionate philantropist, believes that having a grass root sporting competitions organised within the sporting complex will not only make the edifice engaged but will also serve as talents discovery avenue which will give quality life and hope to the children of the downtrodden of the society whose talents have not been properly harnessed for the development of the country by the various sporting bodies.

“It is also believed that the football pitch in the complex might be used as a training pitch by the Shooting Stars football club because we learned that Shooting Stars football club go as far as Ijebu-ode in Ogun state to have their training sessions done.

Apart from this, just as it will be useful for the less priviledged of the society, it will also be useful to the rich. One of the objectives is to use the sporting complex as an avenue through which the rich can recreate and as a means of “escape route” from the hustle and bustle of the state capital, ibadan. Akanran being a suburb and agrarian town has a serene and non-polluted environment, hence, the guest rooms being constructed simultaneously with the sporting facilities.

“The guest rooms will serve as the accomodation for those who want to use the complex for various kinds of recreation or the other.

The newly weds, instead of travelling out outside the country for their honey moon, thereby spending their hard-earned money which can be used for better things, will find a perfect place within the environment for neccessary bonding, because, apart from the facilies that will be enjoyed in the guest rooms, they will also have access to the complex sporting facilities.

And Just tell me what is more perfect than to have a newly married couple playing alone together in this nearly perfect, none polluted environment, he asked rhetorically.

“All these and more are some of the plans the management has pencil down as sources of revenue which will make the sporting complex to be engaged sporting wise and economically self sustaining.

Our correspondent, however learned that, the long term vision of the owner is to turn the town into a mega city. Because according to our source, apart from a big mordernised farm which the owner runs besides yet-to-be-completed sporting arena, he has also earmarked a special portion, just a stone throw besides the stadium for an international market.

By Hazeez Ayansola.

The post THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL-OWNED SPORTING COMPLEX IN NIGERIA: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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The monarchs noted that it was the proceed of agriculture that was used to develop the region in the first republic and pre- independence days, while cautioning politicians to stop doling out motorcycles to youths, but instead, encourage them to go to farm so as to save agriculture from extinction in the region.

The custodian of culture gave the charge on Tuesday at the 30th Annual South-West Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage Systems (REFILS), Workshop organized by Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, Oba Ogunwusi said, “we need to talk to ourself, Hausas are not fool, the beans, pepper, tomatoes we are eating are from North, even the cattle they are using it to disturb us is from North. What do we have, we have agriculture and research here. Don’t let them die down. We want this to be done in all the state, our billionaires, let us beg them to support agriculture and research. These are the things we have now.

Ooni continued, “in abroad, the government support research, but now there is nothing like that. We need to support agriculture and research, these are the two things left.

Commenting, Oba Adetunji who was represented by the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Amidu Ajibade and Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi represented by Oba Adebisi Layade, Alara Oodaye of Araland Ife, admonished those at the realm of affairs in the region to support agriculture and research as one of the two things remaining for people of the region the way it is being supported in developed countries.

Oba Adetunji stressed, “you said graduates are riding Okadas, this is because there is no love. They should stop buying Okada for our youths, tell them to stop that.

“I asked if this institution is getting support from Federal government, they said no, those who suppose to do that are not doing it.

“Our governors must support agriculture and research to prevent them from extinction. Now, all state governments need to stand up and develop agriculture.

“You need to meet traditional rulers and governments to ensure that things get better. If you get to North, they help themselves. It is bad that Yorubas don’t help themselves, look at what the North is going.

“We in Yorubaland, especially in Oyo State, we are usually the first, but now it is like we are backward because those who suppose to support agriculture are not doing so.

“You that are on the top, you don’t help your younger ones, it is important for you to help because most of you that are retiring, you don’t look back at those who succeed you, the other tribes help themselves, this cause the backwardness in Yorubaland.

“Those who you send to Abuja as representatives, most of them are looking for money to fill their own pockets”, Oba Adetunji lamented.

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