Nothing But Fact
A video circulating on social media has revealed that some police officers arresting two young boys driving an expensive sport car in Lagos State.
The officers who were about six in numbers had double-crossed the sports car In traffic and stoped them. After asking the two men to get down out of the car, they were bundled into the Police vehicle used to block the young boys sport car.
Details later.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Monday welcomed a new Airline, Green Africa Airways, into the state as it made its first Lagos-Akure commercial flight.
Governor Akeredolu welcomed the new Airline to the state at the Akure Airport alongside his Deputy, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; members of the House of Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Samuel Aderoboye; Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, and other members of the State Executive Council among other dignitaries.
Arakunrin Akeredolu expressed delight at the commencement of the Airline operations in the sunshine state, stressing that it will boost the economy growth of the state.
The Governor said with the new airline, the state now has access to three airlines with different routes from Akure to Lagos and Abuja.
He said: “We are looking at increasing accessibility of the air flight. Now we have three and it is a thing of joy. We welcome you with open arms.
“As you know, air transportation is one of the most lucrative businesses but we know your limitations. Your services would assist in boasting the economic growth of our state.
“Your Services are needed at this time. We want our investors to feel safe while coming to Akure. When we started our investment drive, investors would drive from Lagos to Akure and spend five hours on the road while coming and same going back. They don’t ever come back again. But with this facility, in 45 minutes, you are here and another 45 minute you are back.”
While assuring of his administration’s commitment to more economic development, the Governor said the Airport terminal under construction will be completed before December.
He said investors will appreciate to come into the state with the accessibility to the airlines, adding that hospitality facilities are also coming up in the state with the Big Hotels that are under construction at various areas in the State capital.
Governor Akeredolu, who described the Green Africa Airline as a notable player in the aviation industry in the country, urged the Founder, Babawande Afolabi, to also fly the Akure-Abuja route.
In his remark, Afolabi said the goal of the airline is to make air travel accessible to everyone and contribute to the economic development of Ondo State.
“We do hope that we open Ondo State. We look forward to a great future,” He said.
Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, under the aegis of PDP Action 2023, has appealed to the party to avoid repeating the mistake of wasting its Presidential ticket on former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
The group made the appeal in a statement titled, “Atiku Should Not Waste PDP Ticket Again,” signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Rufus Omeire, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Omeire said, “The PDP Action 2023 warns once again, that to give Atiku Abubakar another chance as PDP Presidential Candidate is to ensure a clear defeat for PDP in 2023, and admonishes the former Vice-President of Nigeria not to deceive PDP members a second time.
“In our last Press Statement, we frowned at Atiku for abandoning PDP members by running away to live in Dubai, after the elections, shielding himself from PDP members, only for him to resurface now that the Presidential primaries are at hand.
“In his response, we are surprised Atiku claimed that his absence from Nigeria for so long was to acquire a Degree from Cambridge University.
“On the contrary, the entire country is aware that he relocated to Dubai, where he even had his highly advertised COVID Vaccination even before the vaccine was available to ordinary Nigerians.”
The group further said, “It is disingenuous for Atiku to claim that he was in school in Cambridge, London when he actually lived in Dubai.
“If he enrolled in University of Cambridge, for a part time course, he could have as well done the programme from Nigeria.”
Attempts to get a response from the Media Office of the former Vice President were futile. Calls to the mobile telephone number of the Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe indicated that it was switched off.
A response to a text message sent to him was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.
The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr. Abdganiy Salawudeen Adekunle Oloogunebi (Ajinese 1) has reacted to a report in some online media platforms that claimed that security men denied him, Alaafin of Oyo and Olubadan of Ibadan entry into the stadium during the commissioning and ceremonial football competition that held on Wednesday.
The monarch said he got into the stadium and witnessed the events alongside other traditional rulers and dignitaries invited for the commissioning ceremony.
Oba Adekunle hinted that although there was overzealousness displayed by the security men at the entrance of the stadium, but it was expected, looking at the number of crowd that besieged the event center at Adamasingba and the space created for people to pass into the main bowl of the facility.
He said the number of security was expected as many would have attended the event with the mind to rob and cause havoc and would only be checked from entering the stadium by such fierce force of the security.
Aseyin said Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji decided to turn back at the gate because of the crowd of miscreants that wanted to force their ways into the stadium.
“I would not know why somebody would say I was turned back by security men, I attended the event and was ushered in, although the entrance was rough due to mammoth crowd of miscreants that wanted to force their ways in and the way they were resisted by the police and other security agencies.
“Baba Alaafin and Olubadan are not of my age, you cannot expect them to withstand such rigor and that is why they turned back and went home, people should learn to draw a line between politics and good governance, the project is not for Seyi Makinde but the whole of Oyo State to be proud of, we should rather appreciate the governor for doing what many others have failed to do overtime.”
The commissioning ceremony of the re-modelled Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba was witnessed by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki as well as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.
Also present at the unveiling was the former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and a former Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.
The Federal Government on Saturday recommenced the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in Lagos State.
Flaging-off the 5th and 6th Bi-Monthly payment in Lagos State, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Yetunde Arobieke, said that 6,810 persons/households had benefited from the programme since inception.
Mrs Arobieke said the CCT supported the poor and vulnerable to improve consumption, with the aim of reducing poverty, preventing vulnerable households from falling further down the poverty line and building their resilience to withstand shocks.
”The programme is to facilitate the transfer of N5,000 per month to beneficiaries, which is paid on bi-monthly bases (every two months), with payment given to all eligible households selected from the National Social Register (NSR).
”The livelihood component of this programme is fundamentally aimed at enabling beneficiaries to establish a sustainable means of livelihood.
”A total number of 6,810 beneficiaries from six targeted LGAs (Apapa, Amuwo-Odofin, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island and Badagry) have been benefitting from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme in Lagos State since its implementation,” she said.
The commissioner, who is the State Focal Person on the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), said that Lagos State was among the 34 states benefitting from the programme, due to the effort, support and inspiration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
She said that Mr Sanwo-Olu supported State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) established the Register of Poor and Vulnerable Households in the state, provided office space and the required staff for State Cash Transfer Unit to carry out its activities.
According to her, major benefits of the programme is capacity building, which is built at all tiers to enhance empowerment of beneficiaries’ household to be self-reliant.
”The training is carried out at three tiers; officers at the state level and local government level are trained, who in turn cascade the training to the beneficiaries in their communities.
”Beneficiaries are trained on Life Skill and Savings Group Mobilisation and Micro Business Development (SGMB), which is targeted at enabling the beneficiaries to save and form cooperative groups.
”The training enables them to make financial plans and engage in viable business activities within their communities to strengthen their livelihood activities by contributing their share to the state and national economy,” she said.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has issued a “stop-work” order to two Steel and Iron manufacturing companies in Ikorodu, Sun Flag and Top Steel, for contravening safety rules and permissible environmental standards.
The General Manager, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who led the enforcement team to the two companies, decried the squalid and unsafe working conditions, as workers were observed conducting their duties with minimal risk control to staff and surrounding communities.
She described the situation at the facilities as “grave”, citing the negative effects to the immediate and long-term wellbeing of those working and living in the area, especially the children, elderly and infirm, who are most affected by the gross misuse of the shared environment.
While decrying inherent risk of explosions, fires and other public safety concerns owing to the poor situation of the environment, the General Manager revealed that the visit to the factories was in response to complaints received from residents, environmental monitoring data and the outcome of surveillance conducted by LASEPA three days prior to the official visit.
Her words: “The visit revealed that most of the activities going on in the Ikorodu industrial area do not comply with Lagos State environmental standards, as well as international best practices vis-à-vis industrial waste management and circularity. As a government, we will continue to do everything within our power to ensure that the quality of air is permissible and that the land, soil, flora and fauna are not negatively impacted by industrial activities”.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration in Lagos State encourages recycling but not at the expense of the people’s lives and the environment. A lot of the machines being used here at the two companies for recycling are archaic, poorly maintained, not fit for purpose under current and future environmental standards. This is because they release large quantities of noxious gases, fumes and other hazardous substances which are a direct result of prioritising profit over the planet and people”, the LASEPA boss noted.
Speaking further, the General Manager revealed that the State Government, in partnership with the World Bank, has sited six pilot Air Quality Monitoring Stations located in Akoka, Jakara-Island, Ipaja, Ikeja, Lekki and Ikorodu, to track all vital air quality indices as well as provide data on distribution and flow of pollution events from source to receptors.
Fasawe said all the sealed up plants must provide an environmental action and clean-up plan, a detailed environmental management policy document, and normalise all necessary regulatory documents and taxes before being considered for reopening.
Mr. Pankaj Mutreja the General Manager, Sunflag Steel Nigeria Ltd and Mr. Adilya Pathalk of Top Steel Company both agreed to comply with all environmental laws of the State and curb environmentally damaging activities.
Ikorodu residents commended the Agency’s visit, calling for quick intervention and remediation directed towards restoring the natural state of the currently affected areas including Odo-Nla and Odo-Kekere areas.
Earlier yesterday, members of the Baby Blue Angels Foundation gathered at their office in Ibadan to celebrate the birthday of their Boss, Amb. Ramata Agberemi Dabo.
The programme which was held along with awarding of prizes to the winners of the recently concluded essay writing competition and empowerment scheme for the less privileged had in attendance well-wishers, friends and associates who thronged the Foundation Secretariat to celebrate the great philanthropist.
In her words, the chairperson of the ocassion, Alhaja Ganiyat Muhammed attributed the kind gesture and philanthropic traits of Amb. Ramata Agberemi Dabo to the gift of God no one can buy. She said, “it is not easy to be helping people as Ramata has been doing because there are so many people in our society who have capacity to do so but choose not to do so”.
The Managing Editor of Oduduwa News, Mr. Ismael Taiwo who also chaired the Panel that awarded winners of the essay competition, showered encomium on the founder for deeming it fit to award intellectual contest. He said, the title of the essay competition, “Reawakening The Reading Culture In Nigeria” is timely and topical particularly at this era where majority of youths have abandoned reading for internet scam, and other forms of social vices rather than utilizing the advancement in technology for their capacity building by cultivating reading habit.
He said, such essay contest will no doubt boost the morale of the youths as well as preparing them ahead of the task of quality leadership as the saying, “readers are leaders”.
In his on remark, Alh. Danbayo appreciated BBA Founder, for all she has been doing. He said he used to be marvelled on the kind of personality the founder is, and as such he believed that such kind of person should be given leadership position to influence positive changes the society desires. He averred that he believed that Ramata Agberemi Dabo would yield to the call of her people to represent them at Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency come 2023.
The winners of the essay writing competition were thereafter awarded their prizes. Nurudeen Suliyat Olamide of Ibadan Southwest came first while Abubakr Ridwan, Adekunle Ayomide of Akinyele Local Government came 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In the meantime, five people including four women and one man drawn from different areas of Akinyele/Lagelu zone were also gifted cash donations as empowerment. The team leader, Omolara Ajadi in her own remark, thanked everybody that graced the ocassion and prayed that God continue to bless the founder and grant her aspirations.
Lekan Badmus is a columnist @Oduduwa News.
The newly-renovated Lekan Salami stadium in Ibadan is a beauty to behold. The transformation is awesome. Without any iota of contradiction, the executive governor of Oyo state; Engineer Seyi Makinde deserves accolades. May God continue to imbue your Excellency with wisdom and other impetus required to steer the sheep of this state. Amen.
Like I once wrote, the state government needs to revive the moribund secondary schools’ sports in the state.
The benefits therein outweigh our apprehension with regards to violence. Apart from the effect sports has on mental, social and emotional states of the students, it is a way of curbing social vices: truancy, thuggery, bullying, and other illicit affairs that are not in tandem with morality and custom.
School children are full of energy. This energies are being diverted to something unproductive; courtesy of their youthful exurberance. With a good program, this energy could be dissipated to something valuable.
Our children are filled with untapped talents and potentials. These talents need to be discovered and nurtured for the development of the students and the state at large.
Truth be told. Many of them would eventually leave academics for vocational and sports. These disciplines could earn them means of livelihood. It would also bring fame.
From schools sports, state and national athletes could be discovered. It would also attract foreign scouts.
The way to go about it is simple. The competition could be handled by the ministry of education and professional Physical and Health Education Teachers. They have the technical know-how. The only area in which the ministry of sports could come in is the use of the facility during the finals.
Funding could be through the government and other companies within the state.
The fear of violence and acrimony could be tamed through a standing rule against mercenaries. If non-students are smuggled into the competition, the objective would be defeated. Mercenaries are easily drafted in a situation where officials of the ministry of sports are engaged in officiating.
Preliminaries could be played at neutral grounds to forestall home advantage, local interference and probable attacks.
On a finality, the state could set aside a week for the program. Matches could be played concurrently at various centers while the entire tournament could be round robin or straight elimination method otherwise known as knockout.
Rejuvenation of schools’ sports is not impossible.
Oyo state is the pacesetters. We lead….others follow.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is also Sports and Education Consultant.
Former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku, chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki as well as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, will join the Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, to officially unveil the remodelled Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Thursday (today).
Other notable Nigerians expected at the event are a former Military Administrator of Oyo State during whose regime the Lekan Salami Stadium was initiated, General David Jemibewon (rtd), former governor of the state and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and a former Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the event will feature a novelty match between ex-Shooting Stars players 94/98 set and former Super Eagles players 94/96 set as well as a friendly match between the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and NK Tabor Sezana, a top Slovenian league side.
The statement maintained that Teni, Taye Currency and QDot will perform live at the unveiling ceremony, adding that the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium is coming to life exactly one year after it was awarded to Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited through the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA).
According to Adisa, the project included the remodelling of the mainbowl, construction of a state-of-the-art media centre and a FIFA-standard studio with equipment, construction of FIFA-standard mixed zone including changing rooms, wet rooms, match officials’ rooms, referees’ rooms, doping control room, youth centre/ball boys’ room, clinic and others.
The new Lekan Salami Stadium is completed with modern floodlights, a remodelled Squash Hall, a new 50 metres by 30 metres multipurpose hall for Basketball, Volleyball, Handball and gymnasium as well as a Centre Court.
Speaking during the award of the project, Governor Makinde had maintained that the remodelling of the stadium is targeted at repositioning the state to attract investments, especially in the lucrative sports sector.
The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Tuesday held a world press conference in commemoration of the annual African Traditional Medicine Day, at his Ile Oodua palace, Ile-Ife.
The African Traditional Medicine Day is commemorated on 31st of August, every year.
Addressing newsmen after a brief introduction by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, Ooni Ogunwusi who is the spiritual leader of the prestigious Yoruba race, described the African Traditional Medicine as a major inheritance of the black people which is capable of solving all medical, spiritual and other problems.
The monarch who called on Nigerians particularly sons and daughters of Oduduwa to join in the promotion of the African Traditional Medicine, added that herbs and roots are of unbeatable efficacy globally.
He said, “Recently, as part of my COVID 19 response, promising traditional therapies have emerged and are still emerging. The Ministry of Health through NAFDAC has approved over 40 herbal products for management of symptoms of covid 19 and immune boosters. Traditional health practitioners are at the forefront in covid 19 preventive measures, management of symptoms of covid 19 and referral of patients for timely care. With covid 19 , there has been improved awareness of the values of traditional medicine.
“There is a great need to invest more on research and development in traditional medicine as this will contribute to harnessing home grown solutions to improve the well being of people in all parts of the World. Major pharmaceutical companies have produced herbal remedies and are looking for new active ingredients. Having the right partnership and investments , African Traditional Medicines would find broader global markets . World health Organization and other multilateral organizations are supporting capacity development in the traditional medicine sector and the development of local manufacturing.
“The progress achieved in the second decade of African Traditional Medicine include development of policy framework in 8 African countries, community mobilization aimed at raising awareness on the value of traditional medicine and building capacities of researchers, traditional health practitioners and regulatory authorities, through training in partnership with WHO and Centre for Disease Control. Last year , a regional expert advisory committee for covid 19 was launched. The objective was to accelerate the pace of research by supporting countries to collaborate on clinical trials of traditional medicine in line with international standards.
“As a great custodian of African tradition, l responded to the covid 19 preventive measures by building locally fabricated fumigator which uses the fog method of dispensing the disinfectant to disinfect the environment. I donated two fumigators each to the 36 states in Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory , Abuja. In addition, I produced herbal remedies; Verozil to boost immunity and manage symptoms of viral infections especially covid 19 and Rio Bitter Leaf to boost immunity and detoxify the body. These herbal drugs have been tried and tested and are among the 40 drugs registered by NAFDAC last year. I also developed an Intiative, Pan African Foundation for Indigenous Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD) which was launched during the celebration of African Traditional Medicine Day ,last year , August 31st, 2020.
“Objectives of the foundation are in accordance with the goal of African Traditional Medicine; creating a platform for promotion and growth of African Traditional Medicine, support conduct of research and development of traditional medicine and initiate & support policies, laws and regulations for the growth of African Traditional Medicine. The foundation has a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID) and is in strong collaboration with NAFDAC.”
On the level of success recorded through his advocacy over the years, Ooni Ogunwusi lauded the Federal Government for approving the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill 2020 for onward transmission to the National Assembly and speedy passage to law.
“We are waiting for the last process of making the important bill which has scaled though the first and second reading in the Parliament a law in Nigeria for the betterment of all.” The Ooni added.
You cannot copy content of this page