Oduduwa News

The Baby Blue Angels Foundation has donated some items to Lagelu Special Home School, Rehabilitation Centre for The Disabled, Moniya, Ibadan and Special School for the Handicapped, Iyana Church in commemoration of recently held 2021 Valentine Day.

Madam Omolara Ajadi, the Team leader of BBA while handing over the items to the beneficiaries said, it behooves on them as non-governmental organization to contribute their own quotas towards the development of Nigeria.

Lara said the Valentine symbolizes love, oneness and peace and that they deemed it imperative to utilize the ocassion to show love to the less privileged particularly the disabled.

“We don’t have to be waiting for government at all times before we could be stretching helpful hands to one another. NIgeria can only attain its desired level of growth and development if only we can be helping ourselves”, said Lara.

The Headmaster of Special School for Handicapped, Iyana Church while speaking said he appreciated the benevolent act shown to them by the Baby Blue Angels Foundation as their joy knew no bound for the love shown to them by the NGO.

He however prayed for the Founder of the NGO, Ramata Agberemi and the entire team members and charged them not to relent in their effort at bringing succour to the less privileged.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has again reiterated the State Government’s commitment to zero-tolerance for unapproved and haphazard building construction in the State.

Speaking during the demolition of a building at Olutunda Street, off Ade Akinsanya Street Ilupeju, Lagos on Monday, the General Manager of the Agency, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, said the building in question was identified by a team of LASBCA monitoring officers in August 2020 and all efforts by the Agency to prevail on the recalcitrant owner to follow due process and best practices, in consonance with the directive of the Agency, proved abortive.

“The illegal structure which has no building approval was built on a drainage channel, wall fenced with no airspace. The building had previously been served all statutory enforcement notices in line with the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Development Law of 2010 with no response from the owner/developer, hence the Agency had to remove the building”, Oki said.

The General Manager emphasised that the decision was taken after a thorough engineering appraisal and monitoring of the building by the Agency to ensure a better physical planning environment for sustainable development and averting needless loss of lives and property.

He added that the demolition is a signal to any would be recalcitrant developer who circumvents Government rules and regulations of the law, stressing that the structures shall be removed by the Agency and the cost of removal shall be borne by the owner.

While noting that people have shown disregard for State laws on building construction in the past with worrisome resultant effects, Oki appealed to building owners and developers to desist from starting building projects without obtaining necessary building approvals.

He insisted that building owners/developers should seek authorisation from LASBCA, hire the services of relevant building Professionals, speak to safety and test their building materials before commencement of building construction, subject to the type of structures they are putting in place, to make the buildings safe, secure and fit for habitation.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Seun Fakorede visited the Ibadan office of the Titans Farm, the fast rising Afro-investment company in the state.

Fakorede during his visit commended the company for its effort to reach out to people in the nooks and crannies of the state via an impressive advert that is difficult to overlook.

The Ife-graduate in his remark professed his love for consistency, added that there is dire need to redefine the system. He identified the challenge faced by intending business owners to be the fear of starting from the scratch, saying that a lot of them want to take it from up.

He, however enjoined the company to continue with the pace it started with, saying that sustainability is the key to continuous relevance.

The Chief Executive Officer of Titan Farms, Mr Gbenga Olatunbosun speaking about the commissioner’s visit described him a brand to reckon with and someone whom they share many things in common.

He further informed the commissioner that the company has 75 direct employment, added that the minimum wage in Titan Farms is 45,000 naira.

Titan Farms, a seven month old company produces Rice, Yam Flour and Vegetable Oil and sell across the south western states of Nigeria.

Former deputy governor of the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has formalised his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as he registered with the party on Monday.

Omisore who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2018 having contested the governorship elections twice—first in 2014 and 2018, performed his membership registration at St. Gabriel Polling Unit 003, in Ife-East Local Government area of the State.

Recall that the former Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, had in 2002 defected from Alliance for Democracy, the political platform on which he was elected Deputy Governor to former Governor Adebisi Akande.

With his membership registration today, Senator Iyiola Omisore is now officially back into the Progressives fold.

Details later

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has said Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State deserved a maximum respect from him as a sitting Governor and only one in southwest for PDP but doesn’t warrant Makinde to be saying he is now a political leader for him

Fayose made the assertion during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics monitored by westerdailynews. He said by tradition of the party, they believed a governor will have the financial weight to take care of the party to qualified him as leader, which he ( Fayose ) once enjoyed, so if Makinde’s wish for him is to be call a leader then so be it but, he Makinde can’t bold enough to call himself his own ( Fayose ) leader.

“ Let me educate you, the party naturally, it is our way to say who ever is in government as the governor will have means to take care of the our members and the party and automatically by playing that role you are the leader. Am not into a leadership struggle with Governor Makinde but it is a fact that Governor Makinde can’t come out and say he is my leader. I was elected as governor in 2003 when Makinde was 32 years old.

He explained further that, Makinde cannot claim to be his leader just like Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu cannot claim to be the leader of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Lagos or Governor Nyesom Wike claiming to be the leader of former Rivers state governor, Peter Odili.

“I am not into any leadership struggle with Governor Makinde but the fact is, Governor Makinde cannot come out and say he is my leader. He is not. The fact is that if my son is coming and he is a governor, I have to get up because it is the norm”.

“The gentleman is a governor and I must respect his office. Governor Makinde by all standards is the only PDP governor in the West . But all South-South PDP governor, who is their leader? Because he is the only one we have I used to be like that but I never said to anyone, I am the leader of the west. But if he wants to be addressed like that, it is okay”.

“Is Governor Sanwo-Olu the leader of Asiwaju in Lagos? Is Ambode the leader of Tinubu in Lagos? Or Governor Wike is the leader of Odili? That language we have to choose it. Governor Makinde will probably be 32 years when I was governor in 2003”.

“He is the leader in the South-West by reasons of his office. When we go out, we will say Your Excellency but when we are at home, we are his father”.

It has just been gathered that the staff of Oyo Water Corporation have embarked on a peaceful protest, staged in front of Oyo state government secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Civil Servants having offices within Secretariat are struggling to gain entry, as all entrances leading the secretariat were blocked with vehicles belonging to Ministry of Water Corporation.

The blockage of the entrances had led to traffic gridlock around the secretariat, creating chaos as both motorists and pedestrians are having hard time to gain entry.

Cars belonging to workers of the Water Corporation seen at the entrance of Oyo state government secretariat were with placards with inscription such as :

” Provide portable water for people of Oyo state ”

” Don’t Kill Water of Oyo state ”

” Appoint a substantial General Manager ”

Birthday Ads
“Provide chemical so we can work ”

“Today is world water day but we are not celebrating ”

” Enough is enough of suffering and smiling in Oyo state water corporation workers ”

” Provide portable water b people of Oyo state ”

” where is one Billion Naira meant for chemicals ”

” Safe workers of Water Corporation from hunger”

Some of the workers of the Water Corporation seen at the entrance and approached by westerndailynews for Interview declined.

Security operatives were on ground to maintain peace and orderliness. Few weeks ago the workers of Oyo state Water Corporation begun an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has in a press release announce the commencement local government election process with timetable and guidelines into the 33 local government areas in the state.

Quoting the Commission’s Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiodun Olagunju SAN, “stakeholders are hereby enjoined to give their support and cooperation to the Commission, so as to organise and conduct free, fair, credible and transparent local government election in Oyo State.”

1. In compliance with Section 30 Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Section 5 (a) and Paragraph 1 (1) Schedule 2 of the State Independent Electoral Commission Law CAP 154, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000, the general public is hereby informed that Elections will be conducted in thirty-three (33) Local Government Councils in Oyo State on SATURDAY, 15th May, 2021 between 8:00a.m. and 3.00p.m.
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2. In the circumstance, prospective candidates are expected to obtain nomination forms in respect of the elections into their Local Government Councils at the Commission’s headquarters situate at Quarters 484, Total Garden –Gate Road, Agodi GRA, Ibadan. Oyo State on or before Monday 30th April 2021 upon payment of the sum of (A) N250,000:00k (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only for the position of Chairman or (B) N100,000:00k (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) for the position of a Councilor.
3. The relevant prescribed fee(s) as stated above shall be payable to either The OYSIEC (Chairmanship) Zenith Bank Account No. 1211862568 or The OYSIEC (Councillorship) Zenith Bank Account No. 1211851234 respectively depending on the position the candidate is contesting for in the elections.

In a bid to encourage residents of Lagos State, especially the Adolescent and Young People (AYP) know their HIV status, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has conducted Free HIV Testing Services (HTS) at the Ozone Cinema, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

The annual outreach, usually done in commemoration of Valentine’s Day, is designed to conduct free HIV testing, sensitise and enlighten the populace on the factors associated with the virus as part of the Agency’s mandate of preventing its spread in the State through targeted interventions.

Whilst addressing pressmen at the HTS Center on Sunday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LSACA, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke noted that the outreach is targeted at the AYPs, as they constitute 43 percent of the State’s population.

She said: “According to the State Bureau of Statistics, 43 percent of the State’s population are AYPs and the group is highly vulnerable to HIV infection due to their low-risk perception as evidenced by the State’s HIV prevalence of 1.4 percent”.

Asserting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who doubles as the Chairman of the Agency, has exemplified his administration’s commitment to youth development by his approval to release funds as well as the implementation of HIV/AIDS sensitisation and awareness campaigns, Dr. Adeleke stated that the outreach is strategically designed to attain the Global epidemic control of HIV/AIDS, through the UNAIDS 95-95-95 initiative, by 2025.

“This in other words, means that 95 percent of the people living with HIV should know their HIV status; 95 percent of HIV positive individuals should be initiated on anti-retroviral (ART) drugs; and 95 percent of individuals on anti-retroviral (ART) drugs should achieve viral suppression”, she said.

She explained that the outreach provides individuals with an opportunity to know their HIV status and adopt HIV prevention strategies, saying “Persons who test positive for HIV shall be immediately referred to one of the free HIV treatment facilities in the State, where they would be initiated on Anti-Retroviral drugs to attain the third 95 percent viral suppression. Thereby, ultimately achieving undetectable viral loads, which equals to “non-transmissible virus”.

Dr. Adeleke emphasised the importance of the HIV counselling services provided which, she said, addresses lifestyle modifications as it relates to each individual, whereby community members are enlightened on safe sex practices with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and condoms.

Noting that there were practical illustrations on how to use the HIV oral self-test kits during the outreach, the CEO further stressed that the achievement of the 95-95-95 Initiative is a key step towards the eradication of new infections by the year 2030.

She said the Agency adheres strictly to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols as demonstrated by counsellor testers fully kitted in their Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and Community members also sensitised on COVID-19 Infection, Prevention and Control to halt the spread of the deadly disease.

Adeleke urged residents, especially the AYP, to spread the love and not the virus, saying they should always take precautions against HIV and COVID-19.

Also speaking at the event, a representative of the Local Action Committee for AIDS (LACA), Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mrs. Taiwo Ogunyemi noted that the outreach is aimed at reducing the implications of HIV in communities and ensuring the populace know their HIV status.

One of the beneficiaries of the service, Esther Olohunwa, commended the government for reaching out to the Youth and other residents on the need to know their status and for always organising the test and counselling services all year round.

While encouraging residents to know their status and shun stigmatisation of people living with HIV, Olohunwa stressed that being infected with the virus is not a death sentence.

Worried at the violent clash between Yoruba and Hausa Communities in Shasha, Ojoo Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Sunday, visited the troubled area, appealing to the warring parties to maintain calm.

The violent clash had reportedly led to the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.

Governor Akeredolu who was led to the Shasha market by his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, under the auspices of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, pleaded with elders among the Yoruba Community in the area to call the youth to order as efforts are being intensified by government to find lasting solution to the avoidable violence which occurred last Friday.

Arakunrin Akeredolu who addressed the people of the area after assessing the wanton destruction of properties, begged them to allow peace to reign.

The Governor pleaded with the people not to take the law into their hands but allow the security agents and the Governor of the state to do their work by restoring peace to the community, assuring that all contending issues will be sorted out.

He said no matter the degree of perceived injustice that might have been perpetrated against the people, they should sheathe their swords and allow for dialogue and resolution of all contending issues within the provisions of the law.

While noting that tension and charged atmosphere would not profit anyone, Arakunrin Akeredolu asked the people to consider the past and the peaceful coexistence that they have enjoyed over several decades.

Governor Akeredolu said: “We have come to plead with you that no matter how angry, we should not react violently. I know many things may get us angry, but as we know, we have been living together for long. Let us think about the past, let us consider our peaceful coexistence in the past. Let us be calm.

“I have come on behalf of all southwest Governors, I beg you to be calm. While thinking about us here, let us also know that we are also everywhere. This is our fatherland, no doubt, but our people are also in some other people’s fatherland. We must also think about them.

“Let us not take laws into our hands. The police are here and they are ready to work now. Amotekun officers are here for you. I’m not saying that for us as Governors that we are perfect or the police are perfect. But we can’t take laws into our hands. Please, we know it might be very provocative but I appeal for calm because we have families in the up North. Let us cooperate with our Governor, Seyi Makinde.

Governor Makinde who also appealed for calm said that self-help can not solve the issues, adding that there was no need for needless death in the area any longer.