The Ekiti House of Assembly has made it known to the public that the recent passage of bill for the creation of additional 19 Local Council Development Areas, into Law followed wide consultation and due process. This came after a report from certain quarters alleging that the passage of the bill did not follow due process.
The governor had, on last week Tuesday, through his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda, sent the bill to the house to add to the existing 16 council areas in the state.
The new 19 LCDAs are; Ado Central LCDA; Ado North LCDA; Ado West LCDA; Ajoni LCDA; Araromi LCDA; Ekameta LCDA; Ekiti South East LCDA; Ero LCDA; Gbonyin LCDA; Ifedara LCDA and Ifeloju LCDA.
Others include; Ifesowopo LCDA; Igbara-Odo/Ogotun LCDA; Ikere West LCDA; Ikole West LCDA; Irede LCDA ; Irewolede LCDA; Isokan LCDA and Okemesi/Ido-Ile LCDA.
Following the new creation, the state now has 35 council areas.
The executive bill was unanimously passed at last Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye.
Leading the debate, the majority leader, Gboyega Aribisogan commended the governor for the initiative, adding that the new council areas would further help to take governance and dividends of democracy close to the grassroots.
The lawmakers, at the plenary also passed a bill for a law to provide for the management of funds of the judiciary arm of government in Ekiti State.
The government of Lagos state has set up a public awareness programme in form of a campaign to bring back drop-out students into the academic world to complete their academic pursuits for a chance of a secured future. The special adviser to the Lagos state governor in person of barrister Tokunbo Wahab during the public awareness programme which was organized by his office situated in Amunwo Odofin Local council implores the crowd and resident presents in the programme and are victim of drop-out to return back to school. He emphasizes on the girl-child who may have drop-out of school as a result of early pregnancy, early marriage, poverty or other factors which may have been best known to them not to give up on their education and they should return back to school.
He went further to urge them not to give up easily on their educations as what makes other young girls like them also who might have been affected by same circumstances like pregnancy, poverty and other factors to make effective use of the alternative school system provided by the Lagos state government to re-enroll themselves and also learn a vocational work to make them independent of any body, means they can do much better than that if they give it a chance. He informed the public on the plans being made on building five more alternative schools in the administrative divisions of the state to add to the already existing one in Agboju Educational District 5 in order to have the presence of such schools in all the divisions of the state according to the state governor’s vision. One of the vision of the state governor is “mass literacy for sustainable development” He explained that the administration of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is bent on increasing the level of literacy among the members of the public and produce young entrepreneurs who will contribute directly and indirectly to the state economy growth.
Stating that there is no age barrier in gaining more knowledge, Mr Tokunbo Wahab urge all market women, housewives and other women who think they are less privilege and missed education in their earlier part of life to take advantage of the government vision and return back for secondary education or register for any vocational work at any of the nine vocational training centers present in Lagos state. He also made it known that the state government will be assisting members of the public interested in starting their business with soft loans through the Lagos State Employment Trust Funds (LSETF). The chairman of the board of alternative high school for girls Agboju Mrs Funmilola Olajide, represented the special adviser to the governor in the street to street awareness campaign. She claims that education will remain a strong factors and weapon to fight poverty and ignorance. And that the Lagos state vision involving education and technology development agenda can only be achieve when the members of the public themselves are enlightened. The special adviser also stated that comprehensive educational approach is require for the growing rate of the state’s population. This will give importance to the development of both informal and formal education to achieve success in the government vision for the state which is mass literacy for sustainable development, and also ensure quick economic growth for the state. some of the already enrolled students also testified to the important of the secondary education for drop-outs and other wiling women ready to learn. One of them named Mrs Jemilah Sulyman according to the guardian news stated that the school is helpful as she is now gradually speaking English language, while she is learning a vocation free of charge from the school’s vocational Centre.
Towards ensuring bridging infrastructural deficit and achieving even development across the State, the Oyo State house of assembly has approved additional Six billion Naira credit facility for Governor Seyi Makinde’s led administration.
In a letter sent to the lawmakers from the executive, Governor Makinde noted that the six billion Naira loan request in favour of Oyo State Government contractors is to ensure a seemless execution of contracts awarded by the State government in bridging infrastructural deficit in the State.
He said, “The Governor-in-council met and approved that an additional 5billion naira loan facility and the balance of 1billion naira window both of the First Bank Nigeria Ltd. be made available to the Oyo State government.
“The total sum will be used to finance the existing projects in the State.”
In his words, the Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin said that the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly will continue to monitor the spending and expenses of the Executive Council, and ensure the loans being approved will be judiciously used on developing and completing ongoing infrastructural projects in the State.
“Our economy cannot develop if we do not have enough funds to develop necessary infrastructures, and we have the assurances of the Executive Council that the burden of the loan will not be bored by the next administration as all efforts will be made to pay them back in short terms.
“In view of the importance attached to the loan request, I implore us to support the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde towards developing the State,” he added.
According to the majority leader, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin representing Ogbomoso North State constituency said it is important to expand the State’s economy which will be difficult if there are no enough infrastructures on ground to attract and drive development.
While moving a motion for the approval, he said, “If we cannot afford to abandon all ongoing lofty developmental projects, then we need fund to complete them.”
Schools’ Sports entails all sporting activities that take place within and amongst school children. It encompasses intramurals and extramural competition.
Intramurals involves all sporting events that are performed within the four-wall of; and exclusively for the students of a school. On the other hand, extramural competition is a contest in which many schools are made to engage in a competitive healthy rivalry. By health rivalry, such contest should devoid acrimony and chaos. It must not degenerate to the level of violence and thuggery. The minds of the students should be dissuaded from win-at-all cost syndrome.
The goals of both types of school’s sports are warped to promote conditions that could facilitate the three domains of education of a child. These are the cognitive, affective and psychomotive.
The objective of school sports is the enrichment of the high school experiences of students within the context of the educational mission of schools. As such, school sports should be educational and contribute to the overall education of all students.
The precise intent of education is the development of a “whole man”. It is erroneous to restrict education to reading and writing. The concept transcends mere literacy and numeracy. Rather, it is the development of a child in all ramifications.
The stereotyped programmes of contemporary school seems to have become monotonous. Teaching-learning activities in Oyo State schools nowadays are tailored towards a direction where everything bothers on classroom activities without any recourse to extra or co-curricular activities. This was unlike seventies and eighties when schools sports and Literary and Debate were component parts of education. The effect of that dynamism was evident in both moral and academic performance of the students of that period.
Things have however changed ! What we now have is ceaseless and marathon teachings in a compacted time table. We seem to have forgotten the fact that; all works and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. I quite agree that the primary objective of schooling should not be jettisoned but we must as well not forget the potency inherent in a diversification that embraces other aspects of life. Learning becomes monotonous when the environment is conservative. This has an adverse effects on the attention span of the students. Potentials abound in the students. They are like treasures hidden beneath the soil. The only way they could sprout is through extra-curricular events.
Sports is an agent of socialisation. It is a veritable tool to curb social vices which are prevalent amongst students. Researches have shown that these students dissipate so much energy on frivolities and immoral acts. This may not be unconnected with their youthful exurberance. Such restlessness could be channeled to something profitable.
A stable mind and body are antithetical to comprehension and assimilation which education seeks to achieve. Indeed, a symbiotic relationship exists between Sports and Education in this regard. Examples abound: Blood circulation is enhanced by engaging in sporting activities, pulse rate is increased and excretion of toxic waste is enhanced. The constant circulation of oxygenated blood that conveys oxy-haemoglobin to the brain promotes students’ cognition and sense of judgement. Reasoning, value- judgement and brilliance have their roots in the cerebrum which is a part of the brain.
The effect of sports is more pronounced on health. Sports offers a therapeutic remedy to certain metabolic disorders such as obesity, postural defect and diabetes. Aside this, students’ immunities against diseases are developed and the cardio-vascular respiratory endurance becomes more efficient. All these disorders could militate against effective learning. Verily, sports is an antidote to sedentary lifestyle and stress.
Globally, sport has a unifying appeal. The sports industry boasts of a dynamic appeal that many others, even bigger industries look at with envy. It has the power to define a nation as a whole. Social interaction and cultural integration are promoted through sport fiesta which has students from different socio-cultural backgrounds converging on the sports arena. This increases level of tolerance and respect for one another.
From the above, sports is a sine-qua-non to educational excellence. Although, Physical and Health Education is an integral part of the syllabus but this is taught as theory as a result of dearth of equipment and implement. Whereas, the subject is both theoretical and practical. Based on this premise, it is apt to conclude that the recognition accorded sports ends there as this inclusion is just for the sake of a formality.
Sports culture needs to be resuscitated at our schools along with quality education. The realisation of the negative impact that today’s lifestyle brings on the school children is enough to spur us to action and be proactive in the search for options.
Sports not only builds physical stamina but also instills qualities such as obedience, determination, willpower, and discipline.
In summary, there is the need to regurgitate sporting activities in Oyo state schools. The presence of physical and Health Education experts in our schools is an advantage in respect of management and organisation of sports. They posses the technical know-how and this is an a avenue for the teachers to explore the opportunity and display their organisational skills.
Sports organization may be money-spinning. The state could partner with various organizations and companies in this regards.
One thing to guide against while staging sports contest is the use of machineries. This is impersonation and it should be dealt with decisively. Otherwise, the goals would be defeated.
With motivation and reward in forms of scholarship and material gifts, students would strive hard to put in their best. These best might become the state athletes at the National Sports Festival and form the bulk of the nation’s contingent at International age-grade competition and Olympic Games.
On a finality, the ministry of education and the state government are enjoined to consider the proposal herein contained with a view to reviving the moribund schools’ sports in Oyo State.
Comrade LekanBadmus is a freelance writer, Education cum Sports Consultant.
Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, a renowned Ifa Priest and Araba of Osogbo, has called all Yorubas to be more alert and protect themselves in a traditional means.
The popular Ifa priest said there is a need for Yorubas to be more alert and protect themselves traditionally not just only to go to church and mosque for prayer.
He noted this during the 2021 Osun Osogbo festival grand finale on Friday at the Osun groove.
Speaking further, Elebuibon said Yobubas should Discover themselves and start to uphold tradition and culture God gave them for maximum security.
“Yoruba people should discover ourselves. We must uphold tradition and culture which Eledumare gave to us, Osun is part of our culture and I encourage all other Yoruba land to awaken to revive their culture and festival to be able to communicate with our ancestors, Eledumare and all our divinity for maximum protection against all evil.
“We need to be more alert and protect ourselves traditionally not just only to go to church and mosque for prayer, we need to use our traditional means to protect ourselves,” he concluded.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere said the Federal government had no right to proscribe any group in as much as the organisation is not involved in any criminal activity.
According to the leader of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, said any attempt to proscribe Yoruba Nation group is an act of dictatorship.
ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported that Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), disclosed that the Federal Government would explore all options within the context of the law including proscribing the Yoruba Nation separatist group to ensure a peaceful and united Nigeria.
The Afenifere leader said, “We are not members of the group but the government has no right to proscribe any organisation in as much as the organisation is not involved in any criminal activity. What criminal activities are they involved in? They have a right to exist. Why has (British Prime Minister), Boris Johnson, not proscribed the Scottish Nationalist Party campaigning for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom?
“You may not agree with Igboho or Akintoye but they have a right to exist. It is an act of dictatorship for the AGF office to say it may proscribe an organisation in a democracy. Under what right? They have no right to do it.”
The 93-year-old, Adebanjo said it was the refusal of the President Muhammadu Buhari government to restructure Nigeria to federalism that birthed the Prof Banji Akintoye and Sunday Igboho’s group.
“We have been saying it that Igboho is asking for secession because the government does not want to restructure back to federalism. We made that clear. It is the act of the government’s refusal that is encouraging the Igbohos and Nnamdi Kanus. And they (government) know it,” he said.
A member of Igboho’s legal team, Pelumi Olajegbensi, said the Federal Government should focus on addressing the grievances of the people rather than chasing self-determination proponents.
He said, “Why are people demanding for a country of their own? It is because of the reckless injustice affecting the state. It is because people don’t feel comfortable and safe within the Nigerian nation. So, if people are safe and they believe their interest is secured within the political structure called Nigeria, there will be no need for self-determination and Yoruba Nation.
“Yoruba Nation is the feeling of the people that if this country cannot work, they deserve a country that can work.
“The Federal Government should channel its energy to give the people a country that they will be proud of rather than grandstanding and acting as if the country is all about some people. The Federal Government should channel its energy in addressing the challenges so that people can be willing to associate with Nigeria and call the country their own country because it will shock us one day that even some people from the North and Middle Belt, will begin to demand a country of their own when this government or any government is not doing what it should do. No nation can continue with this level of injustice, it is not possible. Instead of threatening people, the government should build a country that the people can happily associate with.”
As part of its determination to uplift the standard of Ibadan Airport, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde will commission the Protocol Lounge at Alakia Airport in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital Today.
Recall that the governor had facilitated the commencement of flights from Ibadan by Air Peace Airlines.
The airline, in a confirmation notice said to have been issued to authorities of Ibadan Airport, affirmed that it will commence flights operations from Abuja to Ibadan and back starting from August 16, 2021.
ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that the Governor will receive the inaugural flight of Air Peace Airlines on Tuesday by 10 a.m.
Few days ago, the former military president ( never mind the abberation of the nomenclature), General Babangida stirred honet’s nest when he posited that the next president of Nigeria should be a young chap. Characteristics of his maradonic style, the statement was a tacit exclusion of the two major probable heirs apparent to the presidency.
Arguably, IBB does not just talk. He is not a loquacious. But when he does or sneezes, he is not suffering from flu but one that is highly impregnated with proverbs. It is not therefore a misconstrue of intention to infer that the statement was political – an apparent reference to the doyen of contemporary politics; Asiwaju Tinubu and the serial presidential Aspirant, Alhaji Atiku. It however remains to be seen whether the statement was borne out of patriotism, innuendos or parochial sentiment. Known for who he is, IBB may be using age as a bait to play upon the intelligence of the public and a comical way to discredit the duo.
An objective periscoping of the statement of the evil-genius is not a bad idea in view of 2023 election. Thus, the correlation between Aging and Degenerative Disorders as contributory factors to optimal functioning of the next president.
Presidency is a real business. An herculean task, energy-sapping and highly demanding. The occupant of the coveated seat requires absolute fitness or health especially at this time of depressed economy in which the instincts of survival have become very acute and stimulated all faculties, leading atimes, to tilted and disturbed physical and mental states.
The grey hairs on the heads of most of our leaders do not necessarily imply old age but a consequence of stress; associated with physiological changes – the expression of which is coordinated by hypothalamus – located at the brain and the Autonomic Nervous System. The physiological changes that take place within a man, are to a large extent beyond his control.
Ironically, the demanding fitness of the would-be president is a relative term. From the interpretation of health by the World Health Organization-WHO (1948), ” Health is a complete state of physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of an individual; not merely the absence of diseases or infirmities”. An infraction from the above shows that no man could be absolutely healthy. Every man is a mortal. Really, health is dynamic. A quality of life which enables one to live most and serve best .
Be that as it may, the opinion of IBB was personal and so could not be fostered on the nation. The letter of the constitution is crystal clear on the qualifications which are requisites to political aspirations. Efficiency is a product of experience, maturity and political will. The fact that an Aspirant has come of age should not be seen as an excuse to exclude or disenfranchise him.
Aging is the continuous wearing away of body tissues with the consequent decline in function of the body. Chronologically, a person is deemed to be aged when he clocks certain calendar years. However, he may appear old or young depending on his lifestyle and the magnitude of insults on his body within his environment. Physical signs of aging are multi-facetted. The skin loses suppleness, wrinkles, grey hair, teeth dropping, shrinking of body and facial distortion. All these changes are gradual and are accompanied with decline functions. Other physical traits are senile or dementia.
The greatest psychological problem which the aging encounter emanate from neglect and cynism of the society which seems to say that the aged and aging are useless. Prejudice against the aged as exemplified by IBB is displayed in several ways in our obsession with desiring to be youthful.
Evidences relating to mental efficiency of the aging show that intelligence does not decline with age. Although, certain degenerative disorders begin to manifest. Aging is associated with degenerative disorders which are often referred to as diseases of old age. They cannot be rightly considered as being in the same category as other diseases especially communicable diseases. However, an interaction of the other factors in the causation of diseases can affect the diseases in this group. Degenerative disorders which are as a consequence of aging include arthritis (joint disorder), menopausal disorder, cataracts, hypertension, cancer, obesity, diabetes to mention but a few.
To a large extent, these diseases are inevitable because they are manifested in the wake of the gradual deterioration of the body tissues with age. In other words, if a politician lived long enough to escape the hazards of the environment, or adopted a healthy lifestyle, he would inevitably needs medical check- ups of the vital organs of the body. These organs have life spans. Therefore, it is not something strange for the likes of Tinubu, Atiku, Buhari, Obasanjo even IBB to seek medical attention outside Nigeria.
Truth be told, aging may not impede efficiency in as much as dementia has not set in. As long as a man is not physically incapacitated, he is as fit as a fiddle. Robert Mugabe of Uganda, Nelson Madiba Mandella of South Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, George Bush and Donald Trump of US were of age; yet, they performed excellently. These eminent personalities were older than Jagaban and Turaki.
Old age is synonymous with wisdom. The ability of a leader to assemble competent professionals, technocrats and politicians of good repute is all what an aged leader needs to excel. His ability to harness these potentials, ditch directives and ensure sincerity of purpose are essential. Once such a leader is able to identify hypocrites and sycophants, success is a sure bet.
This piece should not be misconstrued or distorted to mean a campaign against the younger generation. Infact, the youth are not too young to govern. General Gowon was twenty-nine when he became head of state, Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso was about twenty-seven when he rode to power, Pa Awolowo was about thirty-seven when he gained prominence. Governor Bello of Kogi state was sworn in when he was barely fourty, Oba Abdulrasheed was a young lad when he was made the Oluwo of Iwoland. The reigns of these fresh bloods are outstanding.
Succinctly put, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. In as much as the constitution does not bar the sixties from throwing their hats into the ring, it would be prejudicial to begin a campaign of calumny against their aspirations.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a freelance writer and public opinion Analyst.
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Petroleum Industry Bill 2021 into law.
Working from home in five days quarantine as required by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 after returning from London on Friday August 13, the President assented to the Bill Monday August 16, in his determination to fulfill his constitutional duty.
The ceremonial part of the new legislation will be done on Wednesday, after the days of mandatory isolation would have been fulfilled.
The Petroleum Industry Act provides legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry, the development of host communities, and related matters.
The Senate had passed the Bill on July 15, 2021, while the House of Representatives did same on July 16, thus ending a long wait since early 2000s, and notching another high for the Buhari administration.
