Category: Featured

The Oyo State Government has kick-started the training of 3,300 youths in Agribusiness by signing a memorandum of understanding with the CSS Global Integrated Farms in Nasarawa State.

The state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, made this disclosure at the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the 2022 Budget, noting that the move is part of measures being taken by his administration to address the challenges of youth unrest and youth unemployment.

He equally explained that the state government’s decision to reconstruct the Oyo-Iseyin federal road was borne out of the need to prevent the state’s investments on the Fashola Agribusiness Hub from becoming a waste as a result of lack of road access.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted him as explaining that the training will have 150 participants per batch and that the first batch is to begin training this week.

“I am happy to tell you that we just signed an MoU with CSS Farms in Nasarawa State to assist us in training 3,300 youths in agriculture and agribusiness.

“The training will last two weeks. The first set will start on the August 1, and it will be 150 participants for every batch. By the end of August, we would have trained 600 of them.”

Governor Makinde, who stated that his administration will do everything to ensure that youths in the state are meaningfully engaged, said he has also instructed the local governments to set up Direct Labour Agencies, which would absorb the youths to engage in minor construction and other works.

He said: “Our youths have to be meaningfully engaged and we will continue to strive. What I asked them to do in each local government is to set up a Direct Labour Agency, in which a certain amount of money will be earmarked for them every month.

“They will be the ones to be doing culverts, fixing street lights, channelisation of drainages and we have an arrangement with the local government chairmen. As soon as we put the new cabinet in place, I assure you that whoever becomes the new Commissioner for local government matters will drive the process.”

The governor equally said that his administration has been investing heavily in sport development in order to take youths off the streets, saying the investments on the Lekan Salami Stadium and other sporting facilities will soon pay off.

“Some of us have talked about our troublesome youths who are disturbing the peace of our environments because they have nothing doing. This is why the Oyo State Government has committed resources of about N6bn to remodel the Lekan Salami Stadium, not only for football but for every other sporting activities.

“We have to be patient with the government so that we don’t lose focus. What you are doing at the community level and what we are doing at the state level, what we need do is to consolidate, which is the only way we can develop the talents in our communities. We should not relent.

“So, I also want to urge our local government chairmen and chairpersons to develop their programmes to ensure they utilise the sport facilities we have put in place.”

While stating that the state is set to flag off the Oyo-Iseyin Road once it obtains the written approval, Governor Makinde said: “I went to Abuja to meet with the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola. We are hell-bent on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Oyo-Iseyin road even though it is a federal road.

“This is because we are investing a lot of money in the Fashola farm estate there. If we don’t fix that road, all of that money will go to waste.
“I am happy to report that the Minister was gracious and has given his verbal go-ahead. He asked us to come with the document and it will be signed.”

The former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki reported to have been arrested yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has been confirmed to be back to his residence.

This was contained in a press statement signed and released today to newsmen by his Media Assistant, Yusuph Olaniyonu as read in part:

“The Media Office of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki would like to confirm that this afternoon, of his own volition, Dr. Saraki visited the office of the EFCC to clarify any issue that the commission may have wanted to raise with him. He was never arrested and he is at home right now.

“It will be recalled that following the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Fundamental Human Rights case filed by Dr. Saraki during the period of the former Chairman of the EFCC which precluded the commission from investigating him until the matter is dispensed with, the commission at the last hearing on July 14, 2021, pleaded with the judge that the order was preventing them from doing their job.

“Following this complaint, Dr. Saraki, as a responsible citizen, on his own volition approached the commission that at the earliest convenient date, he was willing to visit the commission’s office and clarify all issues they might want to raise with him.

“He, therefore, visited the commission’s office this afternoon and answered some questions.

“Dr. Saraki also assured the commission that he has nothing to hide and will always make himself available to clear all issues that may require his attention”.

A non political, non Governmental and non interest organisation, Dele Bajaj Foundation (DBF) has rejoiced with the newly installed and coronated King in Ibarapa, HRM, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, Ayinla, The Olu Of Igboora Land, the community Leaders and indigene of Igboora Oyo State.

In a statement made available by the founder of the foundation, Mr Bamidele Olohunwa after the coronation of Olu Of Igboora by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Alaafin of Oyo and the presentation of the staff of office by Oyo State Government. The statement reads : it’s my utmost pleasure to rejoice and felicitate with the newly Crowned Kabiyesi in Ibarapa, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, The Olu Of Igboora Land, on the official attainment of his forefathers throne, oba Jimoh is a responsible father and a man of integrity.

I also rejoice with the community Leaders, the chiefs, Sons and daughters of Igboora and the entire Ibarapa land for this development, it’s obvious That Igboora town has been experiencing steady development in recent times like other towns in Ibarapa and it’s my believe that the new Kabiyesi in town will work closely with other community and private sectors to bring in more developmental Projects for the benefit of everyone.

While I congratulate Kabiyesi once again, the community Leaders and all indigene of Igboora, I enjoin everyone to be law abiding and be an agent of Positive change, Igboora and the entire Ibarapa is known for peace and we must replicate what we are known for anywhere in the world.

May your reign be peaceful, love, fruitful, blessed and purposeful.

Accept My Sincere Congratulations Sir.

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By Ajíbádé Abdullah Adéwálé

The Chairman of Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Mr. Wasiu Ajadosu has Highlighted the challenges that undermine media practice in Nigeria.

Mr. Wasiu, who was represented by the secretary of the Union, Mr. Bukola Elufadejin while addressing the new inductees on Saturday, July 31 2021, described Ownership Control, Poor Remuneration for practitioners, Inconsistent and unfriendly policies, lack of funding to sustain the media houses, Professional Hazard has the challenges.

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He furthered that the media has been instrumental in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.

In his reaction, Adejumo Kabir, multiple award winning Investigative Journalist charged the student journalists to always uphold the ethics of the profession. He emphasized that the objective of a journalist is the public good and as such, loyalty must be to the public.

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Also speaking at the program, Mr. Ismael Taiwo, publisher, Oduduanews, admonished Student Journalists to always ensure their reports have something that can substantiate them.

“You have discovered your innate ability, you have joined the Association of Campus Journalists, it is now left for you to nurture it.” He reiterated.

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In his remarks, the president of ACJ-OAU, Titilola Babatunde Oladayo, tasked the inductees to show commitment as they are the next set to dominate the mainstream.

The Nigerian Customs were involved in a clash with the youths of Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State.

The incident which occured on Friday night prompted the multiple shooting of a popular youth of the village, Razak Adeyemi, AKA Soliu, and the subsequent burning of three Custom officers’ vehicles.

An eyewitness who narrated the incident said that the trouble started during a misunderstanding between the officers and a resident who was suspected to be a smuggler.

The issue was said to have been resolved by the involved parties and everybody went their separate ways.
The residents were however shocked when an hour later, the Customs officers returned to the community in fully-loaded military vests with Hilux trucks, and opened fire on the village.

The villagers, as reported, got angered and engaged the officers in what turned out to be violent.

The duo of Ganiy Diekola Ajenikoko of Electrical Engineering Department and Kehinde Ogunleye of Agricultural Extension Department, alongside 29 others have been recommended for promotion as professors by the Appointments and Promotions Committee for the Academic Staff of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

Also recommended for promotion as Readers were 52 other lecturers of the institution.
A statement issued at the end of the Committee’s meeting, held during the week and signed by the Registrar of the University who doubles as the Secretary to the Governing Council, Dr. Kayode Ogunleye, read that their promotion followed due process and thorough screening.

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A breakdown of the figure shows that Faculty of Agricultural Sciences has 12 new professors while Faculty of Engineering and Technology has eight.

Others are Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences with six, faculties of Pure and Applied Sciences and Environmental Sciences have two professors each, while the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, has one.

Faculty of Engineering and Technology is leading in the production of Readers with 24, Agricultural Sciences, 11; Basic Medicals, nine; and Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, five.

Others are two and one readers from Clinical Sciences and Environmental Sciences respectively.

The daughter of Rt Hon Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji the former Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly and a member of the highest decision making body in Lagos State known as Governor Advisory Council GAC has completed her legal studies and was called to the largest Bar in West Africa.

There is no gainsaying that Ayotelemi Ikuforiji Esq took after her father who is also a legal practitioner. Her father’s passion for academics motivated her to do better in her legal studies. She bagged an LLB from prestigious University of Lancaster and a Master’s degree from Warwick University of the most prestigious universities in the world. The feat is highly commendable and worthy of emulation.

It was a lovely moment for the entire Ikuforiji family as they celebrate their daughter in a grand style. The event was colorful because it feels so wonderful to have reached this goal of being called to the Nigeria Bar. It’s not an easy task, to be called to the largest Bar in West Africa, it needs dedication and commitment to scale through the hurdles.

Ayotelemi Ikuforiji Esq is a legal practitioner with an added advantage as three serving Ministers, two former Governors, Five SANs and Senators attended the get together organized by the family to celebrate the success of their daughter as she was called to Bar.

The prominent personalities that were in attendance are the former Governor of Lagos State and the current Minister Of Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment Mr Festus Keyamo SAN, First Executive Governor of Ekiti State and currently the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi who was also called to Bar a day before Ayotelemi and other eminent personalities.

Some of the personalities that attended the event said that “This is truly a great moment in Barrister Ayotelemi Ikuforiji’s life. She must not underestimate neither what she has accomplished nor the knowledge and capabilities she now possesses. She needs to remain humble and preserve her integrity as she presses forward with her career. Appreciate the professional license she has received and always respect it. With it and because of it, she can and no doubt will do great things for many people”.

The Media Aide of Ex-Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Tinubu has dispelled rumour flying around that Tinubu has been hospitalized abroad.

This was contained in a statement signed and released to newsmen by his Media Adviser, Tunde Ramon as read in part:

“His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is fine. He is hale and hearty. He is not in any hospital. He has no medical problem that would require hospitalization. Yes, he is out of the country at the moment. He will be back shortly.

“Anytime he travels out of the country, the next thing some mischievous people would say is he is sick, hospitalized or has died. It is shameful.

“It is shameful that perpetrators of this evil are not deterred by the fact that each time this fake news has been propagated, they have been proven wrong.

“Who really is afraid of Asiwaju Tinubu? Those wishing Asiwaju Tinubu evil or dead should be careful. They should know the matter of life and death is in the hand of only God Almighty”.