Oduduwa News

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Thursday, inaugurated the state Steering Committee on COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme (State CARES), an initiative targeted at mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state.

The governor, while inaugurating members of the nine-man steering committee at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the programme was meant for post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Governor Makinde as explaining that the programme will focus on three major areas, including expanding access to livelihood support, food security services and grants for the poor and vulnerable households and firms in the state.

He said: “We are here to inaugurate the CARES programme for Oyo State. The programme is aimed at mitigating the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So, it is about post-COVID-19 economic recovery and we are looking at three major areas. We want to increase access to basic services such as health care. We want to take care of the poor and the vulnerable households within the state and we also want to strengthen the food supply chain for the poor households, because we know that once we are able to tackle hunger, people are able to think correctly.”

The governor also maintained that his administration had begun to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state since last year, as it has provided palliatives to the poor and vulnerable households as well as farmers in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

He added that the state was able to distribute farm inputs to farmers to increase food production and ensure food security post-COVID-19.

“We also want to support the MSMEs to navigate this difficult time. We already started taking this action since last year with the distribution of palliatives to the poor and vulnerable households. We also distributed farm inputs to farmers in the state to increase food production.

“We came up with the N1 billion MSME fund to provide credit at a single-digit interest rate to MSMEs in the state and while I was comparing a note with the focal point for that, the Director-General of the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency (OYSIPA), he told me that about N500 million had been disbursed already and that they still have other applications. So, we have been doing most of these things.

“The programme is not just a grant or giving money to us, it is a programme for results. So, we have to spend the money first and the World Bank will have to confirm that we have spent the money on those things that we said we are going to spend the money on.

“With this, we can even do more apart from what we have been doing on our own to help our economy recover from the effect of COVID-19 and the economic meltdown occasioned by the drop in oil prices, which have been affecting the federal allocation coming to the state.”

Speaking earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinola Ojo, stated that the CARES Programme is a World Bank-assisted programme for results, with the sum of $750 million already earmarked by the Bank to support the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

“This P for R, which is the programme for results, initiative is aimed at mitigating the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the livelihood of the poor, vulnerable households amongst us as well as to help cushion the effects of this pandemic on the economic activities of the respective states.

“The objective of the programme is to basically expand access to livelihood support, food security services, grants for the poor, vulnerable households and organisations,” the commissioner said.

He added that the objective of the programme will be measured using free-result indicators, including the number of beneficiaries targeted, who have access to basic social services, the number of farmers supported to increase food production and a number of vulnerable and viable firms supported by the programmes.

Akinola further stated that the programme similarly outlines a two-year financial support to the state to fulfill programme development objectives in three key areas such as cash transfers and livelihood support to poor and vulnerable households, increasing food security and safe functioning of food supply chain for the poor households and facilitating the recovery of Medium and Small Scale Enterprises.

Members of the steering committee include the Commissioner for Finance, who is the chairman of the committee; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Ojemuyiwa Ojekunle; Commissioner for Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, Hon. Adebisi Adeniyi.

Others include: Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Lateef Oyeleke; Director-General, OYSADA/Executive Adviser on Agribusiness, Dr. Debo Akande; Director-General, OYSIPA, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; Executive Assistant on Intervention Fund, Aderonke Adebayo and the chairman, Community and Social Development Agency, Hon. Babatunde Eesuola.

St David’s Primary School, Kudeti, Ibadan was, for several hours, home to hundreds of prominent personalities and residents, on Thursday, as
Hon. Ibrahim Iyiola commissions 2 blocks of 16 classrooms.

Pressmen gathered that the renovation of the classrooms, which was sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim, is part of his efforts to create an enabling learning environment for students in Ibadan South East/North East federal constituency.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Ibrahim, who is an alumnus of the school, explained that the project is the latest in the endless list of projects he has embarked on since the launch of the Ibrahim Iyiola Foundation in 2017.

He said: “In 2017 when Ibraheem Iyiola Foundation was inaugurated, we launched a Five point agenda which would be the main focal points and objectives of our determined effort to be a part of the struggle to make a visible impact in our community, our city and state.

“Since the inauguration, we have made tremendous strides. We have vigorously and with bull-dog tenacity of purpose pursued the objectives of human empowerment,
Small and medium scale business; financial assistance on education and provided healthcare support to residents of our community.

“In the area of human empowerment, we have helped/assisted not less than Fifteen (15)
persons in acquiring skills in different vocational businesses and supported not less than 50 widows in our community to sustain their livelihood. In the area of education, we have given out scholarships and education support assistance to indigent students of our community.

“For the small and medium scale business grant, we have supported
over 500 small and medium scale businesses in our community. In the area of Health care, which is very sensitive and considering what we are experiencing in the whole world, we have been able to support our community with the renovation of Omiyale
primary health care center and continuously providing sufficient medical supplies for the benefit of our people.

“Most importantly, for the Covid19 pandemic, we have also provided Covid-19 relief materials to the resident of our community and we pray that God almighty will take control worldwide.”

Earlier in her opening speech, the acting head mistress of the school, Mrs. Ayodeyi commended Hon. Ibrahim for giving back to the school.

She noted that his contributions has increased enrollment rate and attendance in the school.

“For years now, academic activities has slowed down due to the poor condition of our classrooms. Thank God for the intervention of our old student — Hon. Iyiola Ibrahim — who came to our rescue,” she noted.

Similarly, the adminstrative officer of the Universal Basic Education, Ibadan South-East, Mrs. Sanda M.O. was full of praises.

“I will like to appreciate the good gesture of Mr. Ibrahim Iyioka who deemed it fit to recognize the problems of our primary schools.”

She noted that his financial and physical commitment to the success of the project is laudable adding that it is a clarion call to everyone to always go back to their old schools to make contributions to ensure the learning environment is conducive.

Ile-Ife monarch, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has warned popular Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to be careful of politicians seeking to hijack his agitations against killer herdsmen in the South West.

The monarch while granting an interview with Arise TV advised Igboho not to take the laws into his hands but to allow constituted authorities to handle the herdsmen menace in the region.

The Ooni, however, commended Igboho for taking on the campaign against herdsmen, adding that He (Igboho) has done well and the world has heard him, but everything should be done in moderation.

He, however, warned him to back down so that government can take over the battle to avoid politicians hijacking the movement.

The monarch said;“Let us be very objective. He (Igboho) is being a mouthpiece for the downtrodden. He came up and everybody is listening now but my advice to him as a traditional ruler is that he needs to be very careful so that the politicians won’t hijack the whole motive from him.

“Igboho has done well and has been praised, but he shouldn’t take laws into his hands.

“We have the governor in the state who is the chief security officer of the state and Mr President has invited him (Makinde).“Let the right authorities do what is right.

Ooni further advised Igboho by saying; “We know that the bandits are everywhere in the country. Igboho should not take laws into his hands. We have laws in Nigeria, and we should follow it. Let the right people chosen do and follow what they are supposed to do,”

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to totally close the Third Mainland Bridge to all traffic for three days, from Saturday, January 30 – February 1, 2021, to enable completion of repair works on the double-sized expansion joints without any interruptions, particularly from vehicular movement on the bridge.

In a statement issued today, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, assured that the bridge repair works are being done assiduously to ensure that the set deadline for reopening the entire bridge to motorists is met, explaining that alternative routes have been identified for use by road users to access their desired destinations.

Oladeinde advised motorists driving from Ogudu, Alapere and Gbagada to use Ikorodu Road, Jibowu and Yaba as alternative routes, while Iyana-Oworonsoki bound traffic from the Lagos Island, Iddo, Oyingbo, Adekunle and Yaba should use Herbert Macaulay Way, Jibowu and Ikorodu Road as alternative routes.

While affirming that Traffic Management Personnel will be deployed and stationed along the affected routes to minimise and address any traffic impediments during the closure, the Commissioner appealed to road users to cooperate with the State Government in its efforts to ensure improved mobility through the free flow of vehicular movements on roads.

The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has tasked the federal government to consider outright ban of foreign jeans to promote local fabrics and boost Nigeria’s economy.

As a custodian of culture, Oluwo lamented the infiltration of religion into our cultural values most especially the Yorubas, saying traditional rulers have role to play in distinctively differentiate Yoruba culture from religion.

Oba Akanbi explained he has earlier discussed partnership deal with the Bank of Industry (BOI) but not yielding as expected. He expressed the hope in federal government’s involvement to embrace and domesticate production of various dresses such as suit, jeans and Agbada with local Ofi.

He expressed displeasure over lumping the rich Yoruba culture with idolatry, saying no enlightened person will embrace scaring religion.

Oba Akanbi explained that the youths and teenagers could not be forced to start wearing Aso Oke except the fabric was sewn to suit their needs.

The monarch, who had sewn the fabrics into different trendy styles for male and female, said he would partner celebrities, especially Nigerian Government to sew new styles to gain acceptability among youths.

Oba Akanbi through a statement by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, reads “I want to task the federal government to outrightly ban importation of foreign jeans into Nigeria, promote local jeans made of Ofi to aid job opportunities and advantages”

“It is about using our own fabrics to make clothes of western dresses which our kids like. You must think like the children and the youths if you want to influence them in any way”

“We cannot compel our youths and teenagers to start wearing agbada made of Aso Oke or Aso Ofi. But now I have branded our Aso Oke as Telu Jeans and Telu Jeans is normal jeans trousers, shorts and jacket made of Aso Oke”

“Our traditional clothes and accessories such as Ofi and beads are demonstration of rich culture and luxuries of wealth. So enticing and admiring but because a people affiliated wearing Ofi and using some cultural accessories as paganism, our children begin to run away from it”

“You only see a Yoruba child wearing Ofi and using beads at either wedding or naming ceremony. You can’t see Alfa or Pastor wearing Ofi or using beads to Mosque or Church. Why?”

“I will lead the struggle to clean our culture and promote cultural accessories. I will provide technical requirements to assist the government in actualization of the dream”

“Aso Oke will also be used to sew suits and all office, school and religious wears. This will increase the demand for this local fabric and create jobs for our people who are weavers. It will also promote our culture and we will spend less money on importation of foreign clothes.

“It is about using our own fabrics to make clothes of the western world which our kids like. You must think like the children and the youths if you want to influence them in any way”.

“As traditional rulers, we have the role of clearly differentiating between the rich Yoruba culture and religion. The infiltration is scaring to our children. The culture has been lumped with traditional religion. It is disheartening. Our culture is clean. It has to be promoted and clearly distinguished to make it adorable and admirable to our generations”

The General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Engr. Olajide Oduyoye, has disclosed that an officer of the Agency named Samson Olawale Akinmade, who was knocked down yesterday in Mile 12, Ketu, Lagos, eventually died in the early hours of Wednesday, 27th January, 2021.

Giving details of the unfortunate incident, Oduyoye said “the driver of a blue-black Opel Space Bus with registration number AAA 74 GG knocked down Akinmade at Demurin Street junction inwards Mile 12 while controlling traffic, leaving him with head and body injuries. The officer was immediately rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he eventually died around 1.00a.m this morning as a result of the severe injury sustained”.

“This event is particularly sad because this was a young, intelligent and dedicated officer employed in the year 2019, was very committed to his job but has been cut down in his prime by a careless and lawless driver, thereby depriving his family, the government agency, Lagos and Nigeria of a future leader in the making”, he said.

Explaining further, the General Manager said the event occurred while the deceased was directing yellow buses away from the Demurin Street Junction choke point and approached the motorist to park away from the road to pick passengers.

“The driver assumed that he would be apprehended for obstructing traffic and sped off, knocking down the officer against the concrete culvert on the service lane and dragging him for about seven metres. He tried to escape through a street which turned out to be closed but was eventually arrested and handed over to the Police at Alapere along with his vehicle”, Oduyoye explained.

He expressed the sympathy of colleagues at the Ministry of Transportation and LASTMA to the entire family of the deceased, assuring that the State Government will ensure that the apprehended driver is prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Oduyoye warned all motorists to desist from violating the State Traffic Law in order to prevent unnecessary accidents and deaths on Lagos roads, urging commuters to exercise patience at all times.

The former Commissioner for Justice under the administration of Late Gov. Isiak Abiola Ajimobi, Barr. Mutalubi Ojo Esq has commended Gov. Makinde for towing the same path Ajimobi towed in caging Sunday Igboho. This was contained in article written by him and shared on social media today which reads in part:

SENATOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI AND SUNDAY IGBOHO

“I remember that during the 2015 election campaign , he came to meet Senator Abiola Ajimobi at his Oluyole Estate residence.
We were about going to the Governor’s office when some of our cabinet members alerted the Governor of his presence.
Senator Ajimobi in his usual style said, ” Ogbeni Igboho abi Ikirun ni won de ma n pe e, kin lo n wa nibi?”

“Sunday knelt before him and said, ” Sir, I want to be part of your campaign team. You have done well for Oyo State and I also want to support and help you to win the second term Sir”

“Senator Abiola Ajimobi replied him, ” Man yi, mo dupe lowo e. O mean pe, iwo naa gan lori pipe, o yato si awon eni buruku ti won n pa iro kiri pe a ko se n kankan.
Thank you so much, God bless you.
Sugbon, mo fe fi ye e wipe, awa ki se oloselu jagidijagan. That type of politics is gone forever in Oyo State. It ended with the demise of Papa Adedibu. May Allah bless his soul.

“So, what am saying is that our own type of politics is based on intellectual engagement and not brute force. Therefore, I don’t have any need for you at all. O daabo Mr. Igboho.
Dayo, where is Dayo? Please give Igboho N500,000 to buy fuel and fun n kan alejo.
Let’s go my people “

“Am happy that GSM is towing and treading the developmental and intellectual politics of Senator Abiola Ajimobi now and he should not give room for distraction at all.
GSM has handled the Igangan matter excellently well and I commend him for the umpteenth time”.

In a bid to reconcile the warring parties in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country, a meeting has been scheduled to hold between the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, in Ibadan on Thursday.

ODUDUWA NEWS gathered that the meeting will hold at the Oyo State Government House, with PDP leaders on the side of Fayose as well as those with Governor Makinde in attendance.

The Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yoruba land and the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams, has raised ceoncerns that if things are not handled properly, soon, there will be famine on Yorubaland.

Mr Gani said this on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with Channels Television, while reacting to the security situation in the south-west.

He blamed the situation on those he described as criminal Fulani herdsmen, saying the majority of the lands belonging to the Yoruba’s have now been seriously invaded.

“It is a serious invasion and we have been seriously infiltrated and we have traced the hand of conquest from some Fulani herdsmen because we have some Fulanis that have been living with us peacefully for the past 100 years (about two or three generations of Fulanis living with us peacefully) but for the past seven years, we have now noticed strange things from the Fulani tribe. They have discouraged the Yoruba people from farming and if care is not taken, within one year there will be a famine in Yorubaland,” the Yoruba leader said.

He also noted that he had foreseen some of the security challenges, nearly three years ago and subsequently, he alerted the leaders of the south-west states to be alert.

According to him, it was the warning that later on informed the birthing of the southwest security outfit now known as Amotekun.

“After about one year three months, the southwest governors organised a security summit, which gave birth to Amotekun. The structure started operating about two months ago,” the Yoruba leader said.

The Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, on Tuesday, embarked on the removal exercise of illegal structures and makeshift shops erected on walkways, road medians and drainage alignments as well as indiscriminately parked vehicles on roads within the Lagos Island Business District.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olugbenga Olarenwaju Oyerinde, who led the exercise, said that the State Government is committed to the full restoration of the beauty and master plan of the Lagos Island Business District.

Olarenwaju said the antics of commercial bus drivers, commercial motorcyclists, shop owners and roadside sellers will not deter the government from transforming the entire Lagos Island axis into a world-class business and tourism hub, stressing that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration is very passionate about sustaining the environment and ensuring the free flow of traffic across the State.

“The gross abuse and flagrant disrespect for traffic, environmental and urban planning laws by roadside sellers, commercial motorcyclists and bus drivers, who pick and drop passengers in unauthorised places, mechanics and street traders on the Island can no longer be tolerated. We are working with relevant agencies of government and trade unions, especially NURTW and leadership of market associations to check these illegalities,” the Special Adviser said.

While warning street urchins and miscreants parading themselves as “Omo-Onile” and are in the habit of allocating parking spaces to motorists to desist, the Special Adviser maintained that no amount of resistance and intimidation would make the government stop the clean up of the entire Lagos Island Business District in line with the vision of making Lagos a 21st-century economy.

“We will continue to impound vehicles contravening the Lagos Traffic Law within the business district. The removal of shop extensions built on walkways and drainage alignments as directed by the Governor is already in progress. I call on residents and business operators to assist in sustaining the gains of the exercise while the government continues with its advocacy and public enlightenment”, he asserted

Oyerinde revealed that vehicles and motorcycles impounded in the cleanup exercise will be arraigned at the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court for adjudication.