WHY WE HONORED S.L. AKINTOLA – STUDENTS

                The federation of Oyo State Students Union (FOSSU) National Council and the local chapter of the union at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso have explained why they held a posthumous honorary award and distinguished personality lecture in honor of the former premier of the defunct western region late Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

Ambassador YOMI AKINTOLA receiving the award from the duo of Adeyemi and Oladele

         FOSSU national vice president Abdullahi Adeyemi and FOSSU LAUTECH chapter president Ibrahim Oladele in chart with our correspondent said the program tagged "conferment of posthumous award and distinguished personality lecture in honor of Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola" was to recognize the great work and the good deeds of Akintola and to celebrate the late legacies of the premier as a youth and a role model to the youths in defending the unity of the nation.

The students also proposed the commencement of S.L. Akintola distingused and personality lecture / award where martyrs and distinguished personalities who have excelled in their various fields would be honored. They said they will ensure the execution of the project as from next year to awake youths to their duties in ensuring full participation in anticipating for better Nigeria.

            Abdullahi said it is very disheartening that since the establishment of LAUTECH there have never organized events to celebrate the great work of the martyr in the history of Nigeria politics. He said the need to celebrate him prompted the national body of the union and the institution’s chapter to organize the event that took place at M.K.O. Abiola lecture theatre on the Thursday 27^th September this year. 

        The event which had the attendance of one of the sons of the late premier Ambassador Yomi Akintola who received the posthumous award on behalf of the other members of the family also had the attendance of acting vice chancellor of the university Prof. Sulaimon Gbadegesin, Senator Ayo Adeseun representing Oyo central in the senate, chairmen of Ogbomoso South and Surulere local government areas Hon. Olanrewaju Oladeji and Hon. Ibrahim Gbadeniyi and Prof. O.B.C. Nwolise.

Nwolise who is the head of department of political science university of Ibadan delivered a lecture on “POLITICS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN TEMPORARY NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF THE YOUTHS IN ENSURING GOOD GOVERNANCE. The guest speaker listed among others the roles of the Nigerian youths to include ; public education, enlightenment and mobilization , campaigns , constructive criticisms , excursion and visits campaigns and vote for good people in government , refuse and expose blood money and tacking positions on  various issues as they affect them and the society.

    Responding on behalf of the family while receiving the award ambassador Yomi Akintola a former mister said he is proud of the students to deem it feet  to honored his late father. He equally promised to support them to actualize the yearly S.L. Akintola posthumous awards of excellence by the students which will commences next year as proposed by the students.

S.L. Akintola , an astute  politician a lawyer , teacher and an orator was born on July 6^th 1910 in Ogbomoso and died on January 15^th 1966 during the first military coup. He was the 13^th Aare Onankakanfo of Yorubaland. It was during his tenure as premier of the defunct western region that the university of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was opened in 1962. The defunct sketch press and western Nigeria marketing board (WEMABOD) were also established during his tenure in 1963.

OYO TO LAUCH ABIYAMO PROJECT- HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

    

From left: permanent secretary in the ministry Dr. O.O. Akanmu, Dr. Gbadegesin and representativeS of UNICEF and WHO.

Oyo state government has concluded plans to launch the Abiyamo project, a comprehensive health program that will cater for the health needs of maternal, newborn, and children in the state.

The state commissioner for health Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin disclosed this to journalists on Friday at a news conference in preparation for the launch  of November 2012 maternal, newborn and child  health week that took place at the conference hall of the ministry in Ibadan, the state capital.

The Abiyamo project which will be tool free will seek to cater for the basic health needs of women, aged, newborn and children according to him is inline with the electoral promises of the state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in improving the quality of life of the citizens by providing effective and efficient health care services.

The one- week long November 2012 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week to him which commences on Monday 26^th and end on Friday 3oth will run from 8am to 6pm in  all the 33 local government areas of the state will be implemented at the level of primary health care centers by using  702 fixed and temporary health posts.

Gbadegesin who disclosed that 2,808 health and ad hoc staff have been trained for the implementation of the program said the program is in partnership with local government areas, UNICEF and WHO. He disclosed that the program will cost the state government 4 million Naira, the local government areas will provide 8 million Naira while UNICEF will provide additional fund and materials , WHO he said will provide technical  assistance.

To him “the concern is aptly captured in the health related Millennium Development Goals 4,5 and 6 that deal with reduction of child mortality , improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS , malaria and tuberculosis and other endemic disease”.

While urging the traditional rulers, parents and guardians to come out and  participate in the program , the commissioner said the one week program will cater for immunization for children under one year and pregnant women, nutritional interventions activities for malnutrition, exclusive breastfeeding , vitamin A supplement for children between 6- 59 months and deworming of children from 12- 59 months, iron folate supplementations to pregnant women, , interment preventive treatment of malaria for pregnant women, reproductive health services on family planning and focus antenatal care , health education on key household practices focusing and hand washing techniques and hygiene practices in all, the local government areas.

The commissioner disclosed that the program is free and absolutely save for children and pregnant women. The program was attended by representatives of UNICEF, WHO members of the ministry and media practitioners.

THE SECURITY WE NEED

There is doubt that there have been several measures and attempts by governments at all levels at different times in the history of Nigeria including other stakeholders and in recent times to strengthen the security situation across the most populous African state called Nigeria.

Attempts by the state and its agencies include international organizations; Economic Community of West African States, African Union and other countries who claimed to be interested in the country’s development USA, Britain, just to mention few as well as concern Nigerians to ensure that Nigerians is secure and its citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed have so far became exercise in futility.

The chief reason these efforts will continue to be in vain is the misplacement of priorities. Our youths are hungry and the government wants to pump more money for security, two contradictory elements that can never rime.

Security according to oxford advanced learners dictionary is “the activities involved in protecting a country, building or person against attack, danger etc. the dictionary went further to define security as “protection against something bad that might happen in the future”. From the later, we can deduct that Nigerian leaders are not interested to turn the country’s fortune around.

Security is not about when Ajimobi launched of security fund, it is beyond donation of armor personnel carriers by Ogun state government or donation of bullet proof vests to the police by Lagos or Niger state governments, security is all about our people and the social lives. Security is when people can eat what they want at the appropriate time, when graduates can have options when it come to job opportunities, when pensioners will no more regret that they have served the country meritoriously and when artisans and other professionals can practice their profession without power interruption.

Just like I wrote on my facebook wall the other time that Nigerian leaders are suffering from political alcoholism. They are being intoxicated by the power we all gave them. They kept sitting on fire that will soon consume them if they continue to deceive us. They kept on fumbling and wobbling everyday claiming to be taking their time  to find  lasting solution to the security challenges of the country  without knowing that job opportunities for the teeming youths who are productive enough to do the country  great is the number one  security measure.

Our woes have continue to increase from acute poverty to corruption , decaying in education sector , erratic power supply, floods, hooliganism terrorism, kidnapping , prostitution , electoral malpractices , unemployment, HIV/AIDS, drugs abuse , rape, to mention few and no one seems to be concerned.

Our young men have turned to yahoo-yahoo boys drugs pushers, 419 experts, thugs, area boys, gamblers, kidnappers, while ladies use what they have to bet what they want, they are now commercial sex workers of different grades because they must also survive. I can’t blame them for this because “man must eat and drink before he can pursue arts, religion and philosophy” Karl Marx (1818-1883).

Graduates who are at the mercy of original and fake recruiters are roaming about our streets from Ibadan to Maiduguri, from Sokoto to Calabar and from Otueke or Enugu to Jos or Gusau without any hope that they will soon be call by any of their previous interviewers. The trend of Boko Haram in the north, kidnapping hooliganism and vandalisation of pipelines in either southeast or southsouth will continue if youths are uncertain about their future.

MAP OF NIGERIA.

Our leaders should remember the Yoruba adage that says “work is the antidote to poverty” and also bear it in mind that an idle hand is no more the devil’s workshop but devil itself. Boko Haram members and our brothers in the southeast and southsouth are human beings who can reason if they are fully engaged and well cater for socially, educationally and otherwise. 

Many workers who have spent more than enough years in service are still culpable of age reduction because there is no proper provision for retirees. The unfriendly political, socio-economic situations of the country that have polluted minds of many Nigerians including the social critics and arm chair human rights activists have made Marx word “it is not the consciousness of man that determines his being, it is his social environment that determines his being” relevant in our lives.

They (leaders) should also be preparing for more groups springing up.  The trend has become a split over effect; killings by the Boko Haram group, vandalisation in the southeast and southsouth and the recent kidnapping of the wife of Osun state house of assembly’s speaker and mother of a house of representatives in Ogun state in the southwest will soon envelope the country if the leadership fail to provide us the security we need. Jobs for the teeming youths and no argument. We must redefine our social lives to be more meaningful than before that it is not all about money and buildings but our people who are suffering from acute poverty, diseases, simply because they are Nigerians.

Adequate care and social security packages must be provided for the unemployed youths because it is not their fault but the system, the aged, children and women must be cater for and at the same time government and other stakeholders must ensure provision of jobs for the teeming youths.

These measures will help to strengthen the security situation of the country instead of wasting tax payers’ money in embarking on exercise that will not take us anywhere. Our leaders should think deeply and stop deceiving us and bear in minds that “we will revolt when we reach the wall of the fence”.

THE SECURITY WE NEED

There is doubt that there have been several measures and attempts by governments at all levels at different times in the history of Nigeria including other stakeholders and in recent times to strengthen the security situation across the most populous African state called Nigeria.

Attempts by the state and its agencies include international organizations; Economic Community of West African States, African Union and other countries who claimed to be interested in the country’s development USA, Britain, just to mention few as well as concern Nigerians to ensure that Nigerians is secure and its citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed have so far became exercise in futility.

The chief reason these efforts will continue to be in vain is the misplacement of priorities. Our youths are hungry and the government wants to pump more money for security, two contradictory elements that can never rime.

Security according to oxford advanced learners dictionary is “the activities involved in protecting a country, building or person against attack, danger etc. the dictionary went further to define security as “protection against something bad that might happen in the future”. From the later, we can deduct that Nigerian leaders are not interested to turn the country’s fortune around.

Security is not about when Ajimobi launched of security fund, it is beyond donation of armor personnel carriers by Ogun state government or donation of bullet proof vests to the police by Lagos or Niger state governments, security is all about our people and the social lives. Security is when people can eat what they want at the appropriate time, when graduates can have options when it come to job opportunities, when pensioners will no more regret that they have served the country meritoriously and when artisans and other professionals can practice their profession without power interruption.

Just like I wrote on my facebook wall the other time that Nigerian leaders are suffering from political alcoholism. They are being intoxicated by the power we all gave them. They kept sitting on fire that will soon consume them if they continue to deceive us. They kept on fumbling and wobbling everyday claiming to be taking their time  to find  lasting solution to the security challenges of the country  without knowing that job opportunities for the teeming youths who are productive enough to do the country  great is the number one  security measure.

Our woes have continue to increase from acute poverty to corruption , decaying in education sector , erratic power supply, floods, hooliganism terrorism, kidnapping , prostitution , electoral malpractices , unemployment, HIV/AIDS, drugs abuse , rape, to mention few and no one seems to be concerned.

Our young men have turned to yahoo-yahoo boys drugs pushers, 419 experts, thugs, area boys, gamblers, kidnappers, while ladies use what they have to bet what they want, they are now commercial sex workers of different grades because they must also survive. I can’t blame them for this because “man must eat and drink before he can pursue arts, religion and philosophy” Karl Marx (1818-1883).

Graduates who are at the mercy of original and fake recruiters are roaming about our streets from Ibadan to Maiduguri, from Sokoto to Calabar and from Otueke or Enugu to Jos or Gusau without any hope that they will soon be call by any of their previous interviewers. The trend of Boko Haram in the north, kidnapping hooliganism and vandalisation of pipelines in either southeast or southsouth will continue if youths are uncertain about their future.

MAP OF NIGERIA.

Our leaders should remember the Yoruba adage that says “work is the antidote to poverty” and also bear it in mind that an idle hand is no more the devil’s workshop but devil itself. Boko Haram members and our brothers in the southeast and southsouth are human beings who can reason if they are fully engaged and well cater for socially, educationally and otherwise. 

Many workers who have spent more than enough years in service are still culpable of age reduction because there is no proper provision for retirees. The unfriendly political, socio-economic situations of the country that have polluted minds of many Nigerians including the social critics and arm chair human rights activists have made Marx word “it is not the consciousness of man that determines his being, it is his social environment that determines his being” relevant in our lives.

They (leaders) should also be preparing for more groups springing up.  The trend has become a split over effect; killings by the Boko Haram group, vandalisation in the southeast and southsouth and the recent kidnapping of the wife of Osun state house of assembly’s speaker and mother of a house of representatives in Ogun state in the southwest will soon envelope the country if the leadership fail to provide us the security we need. Jobs for the teeming youths and no argument. We must redefine our social lives to be more meaningful than before that it is not all about money and buildings but our people who are suffering from acute poverty, diseases, simply because they are Nigerians.

Adequate care and social security packages must be provided for the unemployed youths because it is not their fault but the system, the aged, children and women must be cater for and at the same time government and other stakeholders must ensure provision of jobs for the teeming youths.

These measures will help to strengthen the security situation of the country instead of wasting tax payers’ money in embarking on exercise that will not take us anywhere. Our leaders should think deeply and stop deceiving us and bear in minds that “we will revolt when we reach the wall of the fence”.

THE SECURITY WE NEED

There is doubt that there have been several measures and attempts by governments at all levels at different times in the history of Nigeria including other stakeholders and in recent times to strengthen the security situation across the most populous African state called Nigeria.

Attempts by the state and its agencies include international organizations; Economic Community of West African States, African Union and other countries who claimed to be interested in the country’s development USA, Britain, just to mention few as well as concern Nigerians to ensure that Nigerians is secure and its citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed have so far became exercise in futility.

The chief reason these efforts will continue to be in vain is the misplacement of priorities. Our youths are hungry and the government wants to pump more money for security, two contradictory elements that can never rime.

Security according to oxford advanced learners dictionary is “the activities involved in protecting a country, building or person against attack, danger etc. the dictionary went further to define security as “protection against something bad that might happen in the future”. From the later, we can deduct that Nigerian leaders are not interested to turn the country’s fortune around.

Security is not about when Ajimobi launched of security fund, it is beyond donation of armor personnel carriers by Ogun state government or donation of bullet proof vests to the police by Lagos or Niger state governments, security is all about our people and the social lives. Security is when people can eat what they want at the appropriate time, when graduates can have options when it come to job opportunities, when pensioners will no more regret that they have served the country meritoriously and when artisans and other professionals can practice their profession without power interruption.

Just like I wrote on my facebook wall the other time that Nigerian leaders are suffering from political alcoholism. They are being intoxicated by the power we all gave them. They kept sitting on fire that will soon consume them if they continue to deceive us. They kept on fumbling and wobbling everyday claiming to be taking their time  to find  lasting solution to the security challenges of the country  without knowing that job opportunities for the teeming youths who are productive enough to do the country  great is the number one  security measure.

Our woes have continue to increase from acute poverty to corruption , decaying in education sector , erratic power supply, floods, hooliganism terrorism, kidnapping , prostitution , electoral malpractices , unemployment, HIV/AIDS, drugs abuse , rape, to mention few and no one seems to be concerned.

Our young men have turned to yahoo-yahoo boys drugs pushers, 419 experts, thugs, area boys, gamblers, kidnappers, while ladies use what they have to bet what they want, they are now commercial sex workers of different grades because they must also survive. I can’t blame them for this because “man must eat and drink before he can pursue arts, religion and philosophy” Karl Marx (1818-1883).

Graduates who are at the mercy of original and fake recruiters are roaming about our streets from Ibadan to Maiduguri, from Sokoto to Calabar and from Otueke or Enugu to Jos or Gusau without any hope that they will soon be call by any of their previous interviewers. The trend of Boko Haram in the north, kidnapping hooliganism and vandalisation of pipelines in either southeast or southsouth will continue if youths are uncertain about their future.

MAP OF NIGERIA.

Our leaders should remember the Yoruba adage that says “work is the antidote to poverty” and also bear it in mind that an idle hand is no more the devil’s workshop but devil itself. Boko Haram members and our brothers in the southeast and southsouth are human beings who can reason if they are fully engaged and well cater for socially, educationally and otherwise. 

Many workers who have spent more than enough years in service are still culpable of age reduction because there is no proper provision for retirees. The unfriendly political, socio-economic situations of the country that have polluted minds of many Nigerians including the social critics and arm chair human rights activists have made Marx word “it is not the consciousness of man that determines his being, it is his social environment that determines his being” relevant in our lives.

They (leaders) should also be preparing for more groups springing up.  The trend has become a split over effect; killings by the Boko Haram group, vandalisation in the southeast and southsouth and the recent kidnapping of the wife of Osun state house of assembly’s speaker and mother of a house of representatives in Ogun state in the southwest will soon envelope the country if the leadership fail to provide us the security we need. Jobs for the teeming youths and no argument. We must redefine our social lives to be more meaningful than before that it is not all about money and buildings but our people who are suffering from acute poverty, diseases, simply because they are Nigerians.

Adequate care and social security packages must be provided for the unemployed youths because it is not their fault but the system, the aged, children and women must be cater for and at the same time government and other stakeholders must ensure provision of jobs for the teeming youths.

These measures will help to strengthen the security situation of the country instead of wasting tax payers’ money in embarking on exercise that will not take us anywhere. Our leaders should think deeply and stop deceiving us and bear in minds that “we will revolt when we reach the wall of the fence”.

Ibadan North Federal Constituency Demands for Creation of Ibadan State.

HON. AWOLEYE ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM NEWSMEN.

The people of people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency have demanded for the creation of Ibadan State of the present Oyo state. They made the demand at the one day people’s public session facilitated by the member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency Hon. Abiodun Awoleye for the people of the constituency on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that took place at the Cultural Centre, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

They said the creation of Ibadan State is long overdue. They said the composition of the 11 local government areas in Ibadan with population of over 2.3 millions according to the 2006 census is more that the population of Balyesa , Nassarawa, Ekiti  states. They urged the national assembly to expedite work in the amendment processes to ensure the successful creation of Ibadan state in thye ongoing constitution amendment.

  Awoleye while assuring the people  of a new people oriented constitution that will take cognizance of views, opinions, demands, submission and aspirations of the people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency and Nigeria as a whole regardless of their sex, age or political affiliations said the constitution will truly reflect the wishes of the people.

         

          While briefing newsmen on the purpose of the event that took place simultaneously in all the 360 federal constituencies across the federation expressed optimism that the purpose to which is to give all sundry sense of belonging to participate in the amendment of the constitution will not be jeopardize. The event according to Hon. Awoleye is to correct abnormalities: to add, subtract and make proper adjustment to the 1999 constitution forcefully betrothed to us by the Military. 

He said the house had received over 200 memoranda/ submissions from groups and individuals on their views about the constitution which made the house to take the amendment processes to the various constituencies to ensure grassroot participation which he described as a welcome idea, a great achievement of the house and first of its kind in the history of Nigeria.

          The amendment according to Hon. Awoleye will not be business as usual where submissions will not be implemented.  He said “It is not going to be business as usual, that is the reason we have a steering a committee with a secretary that will write the report and forward to the National Assembly within one week”.  “We want to ensure that at the end of the day, we will have what we can call people’s constitution, that is why we decided to make it all inclusive so that everybody can say his or her mind on what to amend, either to remove or add”. He said.

          The event that has Prof. Bayo Okunade, Director Centre Distance Learning and lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan as the moderator had the attendance of Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan, member, representing Ibadan North Constituency I and Deputy Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Lapade chairman Ibadan North Local Government  and various groups such as NBA, FOMWAN, NUJ, NANS, TUC, NULGE, CCI, CAN, Youth and Civil Society organizations.

Other issues discussed  in the guideline list discussed includes issues on local government autonomy, NYSC, land use act, indigeneship, and citizenship, rotational presidency, tenures of public office holders and other areas were thoroughly discussed at the event. They resolved that the NYSC scheme should be repelled, that there should be no any percentage reserve for female seeking elective posts among others.

A participant, Pa Anthony Adewuyi praised the lawmaker disclosed that Hon. Awoleye is truly a representative of the people because he had organized a similar public session during the subsidy uproar in January this year.  He said the programe had showed that the house believed that the sovereignty lies on the people.

                                                                            

OAU to admit 10,000 for ODL Programs

Prof. Asubiojo.

          The Obafemi Awolowo University centre for Open Distance Learning (ODL) will soon admit about 10,000 pioneer students of its open distance learning (ODL) programs next year.

This was the submission of the director of the centre for distance learning OAU Prof. Bode Asubiojo on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop organized by OAU in collaboration with the Venture Garden Group (VGG) and the Green Education Group at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The program according to him is to sensitize the public include admission seekers, parents, publishers, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector on the importance of online programs such as e learning, open distance learning, distance learning among others said the program which will be online by March next year would admit about 10, 000 students for the start of the program.

The professor of Physics said the program which is different from part time programs will among others open more admission spaces for thousands of undergraduate admission seekers, reduce costs of students and also give those in the workforce opportunities to get certificates without leaving their places of residence.

Asubiojo who disclosed that lecturers of the institution have been undergoing trainings for the commencement of the program for the various courses in Education, Accounting, Nursing and Economics that are  on the pipeline for the commencement of the program said the institution will need about 500 million Naira for the take off of the program next year.

The CEO/ president of VGG Mr. Bunmi Akinyemiju told reporters that the aim of the program is to leverage technology, save time energy and reduce cost of education and to open more opportunities to admission seekers. He said about 45,000 students on yearly basis struggle for about 5,000 admission spaces at OAU. He said the program will provide opportunities for the remaining 40,000 students who could not get the normal admission.

Akinyemiju who stated that “the program is an OAU program in collaboration with the two organizations” said “it is an online program that incorporates mobile learning, tablet devices and e-learning across the world will help to reduce stress being undergo by admission seekers on yearly basis” also stated that it is NUC approved which is a public private partnership (PPA) initiative with the same content, value with other programs run by the institution.

The two-day program was attended by seasoned educators, tutors, consultants, students and media practitioners.

BOLA IGE MARKET LEADERS PETITION AJIMOBI OVER LAND

Market men and women at Bola Ige International Market Ibadan the Oyo state capital have urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State to quickly intervene and come to their rescue over the unjust revocation and demolition of a parcel of land belonging to late Deacon Israel Olanrewaju.

The said land which was sold to the business mogul in February 2008 by the ministry of commerce under Dr. Kola Balogun during the tenure of the former governor of the state Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala later became a subject of controversy to which the state House of Assembly ordered the then commissioner Dr. Balogun not to revolve the allocation of the land.

The land which has been developed as a shopping complex before the demise of the late business man was allegedly demolished by the incumbent commissioner for Trade, Investment and Commerce Bar. Kazeem Adedeji after it was sold to two traders in the market Mutiyat Oyo and Alh. Tajudeen Kamarise.

Representatives of the concerned traders under the umbrella of Human Right-Activists Group Bola Ige International Market New Gbagi Ibadan who spoke with our correspondent in Ibadan on Monday said the late deacon who was a member of the council of elders in the market had paid all his levies concerning the shopping complex alleging that commissioner for commerce had decided to join forces with some former PDP members in the state to take over the land on which the complex was situated while directed the demolition of the complex hoping to erect a new structure on the land.

The spokesperson for the traders Comrade Odunayo Danjuma who is also the women leader of PRONACO in the state appealed to the governor to quickly intervene adding that the marker council of elders, women and youths forums, human-rights activists in the market, former speaker of the state House of Assembly Hon. Moruf Atilola , town planning office, and the former chairman of the State House of assembly on commerce Hon. D. A. Lawal could also be invited for clarification.

Danjuma who shown our correspondent copies of documents of ownership by the late deacon said it is unfortunate that the land erected with modern day complex was later revoked and demolished on the directive of the commissioner after it was sold to former friend of the businessman. She said the late deacon could not ripe its fruits before he died.

She reiterated the support for the governor in his developmental agenda as she refuted some claims that the market activists were against the demolition  of some illegal structures in the market by the commissioner for commerce adding that their concern is to protect the interest of all and sundries in the market.

THE PARCEL OF LAND

All efforts by our correspondent to speak with the commissioner proved abortive as at the time of fill in this report.

WHEN YORUBA LEADERS MEET TO PUSH FOR REGIONAL AUTONOMY

FROM LEFT IS GENERAL ALANI IPOOLA AKINRINADE; THE CONVENER OF THE ASSEMBLY.

          Those who can be refer to as movers and shakers of the present Southwest politics gathered at the historic defunct Western Region House of Assembly (now Oyo State House of Assembly) to discuss issues as they affect the region. Musliudeen Adebayo reports that the event that attracted personalities from all walks of life will tends to shape the fortunes of the region if the communiqué issued will be thoroughly pursued.

Eminent Yoruba leaders from all walks of life gathered at the Oyo State House of Assembly parliament buildings Ibadan on Thursday 30^th August to brainstorm and to find solutions to the key issues affecting the Yoruba race and Nigeria as a whole. The house according to history was the first in Nigeria, it has played host several conferences and motions that have shaped the fortune of the region and Nigeria as a whole; politically, economically socially and culturally.

The occasion which is the maiden edition tagged Yoruba Assembly organized by Yoruba National Assembly has General Alani Ipoola Akinrinade (Rtd) as its convener. It had the attendance of traditional rulers, serving and past state governors and their deputies, past members of the national assembly, captains of industries, legal luminaries, academia, professionals, Yoruba social political groups, students both within and outside the present day Southwest Nigeria (Oyo, Osun, Ondo,Ekiti and Ogun states) and parts of Kwara, Edo, Delta, Itsekiri both home and in the Diaspora.

The assembly task according to him (Akinrinade) “is to interrogate various issues that are affecting the race and find solutions to them accordingly”. A communiqué that centered on real federal system and regional autonomy that will give room for  creation of states police, constitution amendment, open secret ballot system, decentralization of powers at the centre to give more powers to states, rights to free education, and formal roles for traditional institution in the constitution among others was also issued at the occasion.

The retired general who noted that it is not only the region that is clamoring for self government, regional autonomy, state police constitution amendment among others said regional autonomy is the answer to region and Nigeria’s woes saying it will provide right to free education for all, equal political, economic rights for all.

He also said they can still experience the good days of 60s if there is regional autonomy in the region. He pointed that most edifices and structures such Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) (now NTA Ibadan) which is the first in Africa, first state secretariat Ibadan, first House of Assembly in Nigeria Ibadan, Cocoa House Ibadan, Liberty Stadium (now Obafemi Awolowo stadium), OAU Ile- Ife, which are legacies of the region today are products of the defunct Western Region government during the days of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and late Samuel Akintola.

He advocated for a true federal system of government that will make federal government have less power compared to what is obtainable now as he advocated for more powers for the states to carry out some projects on power generation, security, employment creation, rail system among others.

The former speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Dimeji Bankole urged Yorubas to unite irrespective of political, social and economic ideologies saying he will always support any move to move the nation forward but cushioned on assemblies and calls for regional or ethnic government that may disintegrate the country.

Oyo State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi who spoke on behalf of his colleagues in the southwest also called for state police that will make states to have its own security apparatus instead of waiting fro order from above to solve its peculiar security challenges. The governor who was also the host governor also called for the amendment of 1999 constitution that gives more powers to the centre.

The speaker of the state House of Assembly Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu who noted that they will continue to fight for the unity of the race called for support of women in politics and other areas to make them relevant and to contribute their own quota to development t of the country at large.

Dr. Dipo Famakinwa in his presentation titled “Ibi Awi La de Yi o” “this is where we are” who noted that the true federalism will give room for regional government to fully operate will enhance healthy rivalry among various groups in the region, promotion of equal rights for all, security of lives and property, internal democracy, education for all, accountability and transparency enjoined others to championing the cause.

Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) who described Yorubas as people of uncommon peculiarities, culture heritage language and skills in his presentation decried the marginalization of Yorubas in his presentation federal structure as he tasked southwest governors and other personalities in the region  to rise up to the marginalization . The Ibadan born legal luminary who noted that Yorubas constitutes about 40% of the Nigeria population said it is worrisome that Yorubas are marginalized in judiciary, customs, immigration, INEC, and other federal agencies.

 Akintola who also flayed the concentration of powers at the centre said 68 items are on the exclusive legislative list while only 12 are on the concurrent legislative list which makes it difficult for state governors to execute some developmental projects in the areas of power generation rail system also berated the existing presidential system of government as too expensive to run which encourages corruption.

There were other presentations by the wife of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola; the winner of the annulled June 12 1993 presidential election Mrs Bisi Abiola, the Yoruba Foundation United Kingdom, and other various groups. The Yorubas in Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta states in their own contributions demanded for a system that will unite them with their kith and kin (Yorubas) of the present day Southwest Nigeria. They faulted several states creation exercises that carved them away from their blood which makes the dominating groups in their states to neglect them.

Among those who graced the occasion includes former military governor of Western Region; Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo represented by Dr. Dejo Raimi; a former secretary to Oyo State Government, former governors of Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo states Chief Bisi Akande who is also the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National chairman, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Alh. Lamidi Adesina represented by Hon. Isiaq Kolawole, , Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, his deputy Mrs Titilayo Laoye Tomori and Chief of Staff Alh. Gboyega Isiaka, deputy governor of Ogun State; Chief Segun Adesegun who sat for Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Delta State commissioner for Health; Dr. Joseph Otuamara who represented Dr. Uduaghan of Delta and deputy governor of Oyo State Hon. Moses Adeyemo Alake.

 Bar. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN); ACN governorship candidate in Ondo State, Dr. Fredric Fasehun; OPC founder, Chief Michael Adeojo; CEO Elizade Motors, Senators Olorunnibe Mamora, Babafemi Ojudu and Ajayi Robert Borofice, Otunba Dele Ajomole; ACN chair in Lagos State, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, vice chancellor Ekiti State University; Pro. Dipo Aina, Alagba Adebayo Faleti also made the list.

Traditional rulers which includes the Olubadan of Ibadanland represented by a high chief from the city, (Oyo) Akran of Badagri, (Lagos) Olufi of Gbongan, Orangun of Ila, Ataoja of Osogbo, (Osun) Deji of Akure, (Ondo)  Elekole of Ikole (Ekiti) and others were not left out at the occasion.

Council boss pledges support for corps members

The council boss , Hon. Lapade

The caretaker committee chairman of Ibadan North Local Government area of Oyo State Hon. Idris Babatunde Lapade has promised to give adequate support to corps members posted to serve in the local government so as to make their one year national service in the area a memorable one.

He stated this on Wednesday August 22^nd when the Oyo State coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Pastor Alao Olanipekun and his management team paid him a courtesy visit as part of the familiarization visit to the council secretariat.  

The council chair who praised the scheme for impacting knowledge and skills on its members also hailed the coordinator in diplomatic approach in handling and settling various issues brought before him by the council.

          Lapade who promised to donate benches to the NYSC orientation camp at Iseyin before the next mobilization exercise also promised to rent a befitting house to be use as temporary corpers lodge in the local government to ease the suffering of corps members posted to the council.  He said the lodge will cater for the accommodation need of the corps members pending the time a modern day one will be constructed by the council.

          The state coordinator Pastor Olanipekun in his response praised the council herdsman for the vision he has for the scheme just as he urged other political office holders to support the scheme instead of calling for its abolition. He said the scheme has impacted on both the members and the society in several ways since its establishment in 1973.

          The session had the attendance of scribe of the council Mr. Adamu Bello, the Information Officer Alh. Adesola Busari, other principal officers of the council and corps members from the local government.

Journalism: a challenging profession- Ex- NTA director

                 

A former Zonal Director of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Ibadan Network Centre, Prince Bayo Sanda has described journalism as a challenging profession that has to be practice with utmost care.

Prince Sanda stated this on Tuesday 20^th August while speaking as the guest lecturer on the topic “challenges of broadcasting industry in a multiparty state” organized by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) Abuja Ibadan centre to mark end of its 2011/2012 academic session.

The lecture that took place at the institution’s campus located at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat Iyaganku, Ibadan was attended by a former Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) General Manager Alh. Kola Animasahun, Chief Executive Officer Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Mr. Yanju Adegbite, a former Commissioner of Information in the State Alh Gboyega Arulogun, Coordinator of the centre who is also a former Commissioner for Works Alh. Bolaji Kareem, media practitioners, alumni, students and lecturers of the institution featured presentation of awards to some of the outstanding students of the institution.

The Oyo born veteran broadcaster who is also the chairman, board of director of BCOS who urged journalists to be careful , knowledgeable, decent, creative and practice within the purview of the existing laws highlighted poor funding , political instability, crises, sentiment/ nepotism, conflicts of interest as some of the factors militating against the broadcasting industry across the globe.

“You have to be creative and this will make you one step ahead of your peers, courageous and aware of the existing laws so as to know what the laws permit you to do and what not to do because you are gatekeepers who decide what goes on air. This is a challenging profession you are about to do or some of you are into the system but it is a tasking one and this make you a step ahead of other professionals”. He said.

The formed director who urged them to admit any mistakes committed in the course of doing their job emphasized subjective-objective approach to journalism profession where they marry both the ethics of the profession and environmental factors such as mood of the society, national interest and the existing laws together in their reportage so as not to be extreme on any other the sides.  

The outgoing president of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution Mr. Femi Olapegba said the “International Institute of Journalism IIJ Abuja Ibadan centre is one of the centres of IIJ, an affiliate of the University of Maiduguri Borno State has been a training institute for thousands of journalists who have had a certificates in any of the courses of the institution such as National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and the Post-Graduate Diploma within and outside the country”.

Musliudeen Adebayo, this reporter is one of the recently graduated Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism student of the institution.

UI Imam hails Sultan’s leadership style

The Chief Imam of University of Ibadan Central Mosque Prof. Abdulrahman Oloyede has on Sunday commended the leadership style being exhibited by the Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence Alh. Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111 in handling various religious and other related issues since he became the Sultan.

Oloyede gave the commendation in Ibadan the Oyo State capital in his sermon shortly after he lead the congregation of Muslim faithfuls at the University of Ibadan Eld prayers ground to observe the two Rakah compulsory Nafilat to mark the 1433 Eld- Fitri celebration which marks the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting.

The Imam who prayed for the God’s guidance for the Grand Commander of Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs of Nigeria urged other Muslims and religious leaders to emulate the Sultan’s exemplary characters, leadership style and diplomatic ways in handling and settling various religious and related issues within and outside the country.

The cleric who tasked Muslims to learn from the teachings of the holy month of Ramadan the 9^th month in Islamic calendar which include patience, pious, perseverance and purification of souls also reminded the congregation about the compulsory six (6) fasting to be observed before the end of  Shawl the 10^th month of the Islamic calendar.

Oloyede who said the religion of Islam means nothing but peace and not violence or terrorism wondered why some groups whose roots could not be traced in the religion involves in acts of violence in the name of fighting for the religion.

In a related development, Muslim faithfuls who observed the Itikaf at University of Ibadan Central Mosque have commended the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria UI branch for the successful completion of this year’s Itikaf program.

The cross section of the Mu’takif (those who observed the Itikaf) gave the commendation while relieving their experiences shortly after the termination of the program on Sunday. The participants said they were overwhelmed by the organization of the programs, lectures and the security measures put in place during the exercise.

The Itikaf usually starts on 20^th night of Ramadan and terminated the night before Eld -Fitri or shortly after the Eld prayer where male or female leaves his or her house to a secluded place mostly mosques to ask for Allah’s forgiveness and blessings which are parts of the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) during Ramadan fasting.