THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
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Shettima’s wife gives 100 rams to widows, orphans
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•Governor Shettima
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EMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo 1 Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni has said that the best way to guide against youths becoming a problem to the country in future is to empower them, and make them self sufficient and responsible. Ayeni stated this at the 16th edition of his empowerment programme for his constituents which took place at Oshodi over the weekend. About 1,200 residents, majority of them youths, benefited from the programme as they graduated after undergoing training in different vocations like such as tye and dye, hairdressing, fashion designing, computer engineering and desktop publishing. The lawmaker gave out sewing machines and dryers to the beneficiaries to assist them practise their vocation. About 1,400 new intakes for the 17th edition of the programme also went through the matriculation process at the event to begin the programme. Ayeni who says he derives joy from empowering his constituents said: “it is a joy to me that I have been a source of help to them and my constituents appreciate what I have been doing and it makes me want to do more. With what I am doing, whether you are literate or not you can do something and help yourself out”, he
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HE wife of Borno State Governor,Hajiya Nana KashimShettima has distributed 100 rams to widows, orphans and other less privileged residents of Maiduguri, the state capital. Represented at the distribution ceremony by Alhaji Mohammed Bello, the Chairman of her foundation, Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya Pupils (SWOT), she said the gesture was to ensure that the beneficiaries were not left out in the Eid-ElKabir celebrations. She said: “As a woman and a mother, I deem it necessary to assist women and the
By Oziegbe Okoeki
said. Adding that, “what I love best is empowering people. According to him, “the graduants know that I mean a lot of good for them, they should maximise and use whatever I have given them, they should utilise it and be self employed in future and not to rely on anybody before they can have their meal”. Appraising the programme which he started 16 years ago even before he was elected as a lawmaker, Ayeni said most of those that have benefited from the programme over the years have established businesses of their own and some are even furthering their education from the proceeds of the business they established from the empowerment and many are doing well. He also confessed that the programme has helped him in his political career, “for instance I walk freely in Oshodi without anybody molesting me, something so many politicians can’t do. Secondly, I don’t use to campaign in any election like others, my constituents always do that on my behalf without me asking and they
come out enmass to vote for me on election day. “Furthermore, everybody loves and takes care of my children and wife without me soliciting which is a thing of joy to me. I have been doing this even before I became a member of the House, 16 years now and I enjoy doing it and it will not stop after I leave office, I will continue with the programme”, Ayeni said. He advised fellow politicians to endeavour to fulfil every promise made during electioneering campaigns and before getting into office, “because without the electorate they can not get the position they are occupying. ever they have they should give the people a little so that they can pray for them”, he advised.
Technical training for teachers
EN technical teachers drawn from the three Lagos technical schools - Agidingbi, Ikorodu and Ikotun that specialise in refrigerator and air-conditioning repairs, have concluded their training. The two-week exercise is meant to empower them on how modern air conditions and refrigerators can be fixed. Aside, the teachers are expected to transfer the knowledge to their students who are being targeted by the Lagos State government to embark on aggressive entrepreneurship skills towards boosting the SMEs in the state. The training which was handled by DEKOOLAR Nigeria Limited, Arepo, Ogun State, was sponsored by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB). And for the trainees, the experience was a departure from the conventional theoretical norm they were long exposed to. Mr Afolabi Kolawole who spoke on behalf of other trainees said that the exercise exposed them to new methods such of fixing modern air conditioning and refrigerators. “We are really having a unique experience here,” Afolabi told Newsextra. “Aside, we also learned new things that we
By Adegunle Olugbamila
did not anticipate would be part of the training; like we had a welding plant in our school which we rarely touch because we’d always believed they are meant for welders. But here, we were taught how we can always integrate welding into our work and all of us can now handle welding equipment effectively. Before, we did not know how to construct cold room cabinet. Whenever we wanted to make a cold room, we would go to Owode Onirin to buy a cabinet, and then construct the cold room. But here, we were taught how the cabinet is made through the mixing of two chemicals in equal proportion that would produce the cabinet substance.” On his visit to the trainees, LASTVEB Executive Secretary, Mr Olawunmi Gasper, admonished them to leverage on the knowledge acquired and network among themselves for further acquisition of knowledge. “LASTVEB decided to bring you here for this rigorous exercise so that you can learn from the nitty-gritty and therefore impact same on your students.
•Some communities in Sango-Ota, in Ogun State protesting power failure in their area
Farmer establishes N40m rice mill L
ARGE scale farmer, Alhaji Nura Attajiri, said he had established a rice mill worth N40 million in Sokoto to boost food production. Attajiri told journalists in Sokoto that he established the facility to boost local food production, alleviate poverty and to check unemployment. He said Nigeria should not be importing foodstuff, especially rice because God had endowed the nation with abundant fertile lands. “These vast fertile lands are capable of producing a myriad of foodstuff if all the enabling conditions are adequately and
less-privileged in the state through the SWOT foundation. “That is why we are distributing 100 rams to widows, orphans and other lessprivileged members of the society to enable them celebrate the Sallah festival like other people in the society.’’ She added that the beneficiaries were selected from different parts of the metropolis to ensure even spread. One of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Yagana Bukar, thanked the governor’s wife for the gift and prayed to Allah to reward her abundantly.
‘Why we must empower youths’
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•Wives of council chairmen (From right): Hajia Khadijat Yisa (Eti-Osa East); Alhaja Funmilayo Daramola (Iru/Victoria Island); Alhaja Bilikis Eshilokun (Lagos Island); Mrs Kafilat SalauBashua (Lagos Island East) and Mrs Sarah Joseph (Apapa) during a sensitisation on Maternal Mortality in lagos HE Jigawa State Justice Sector Reform Commission (JSC) has begun training for 150 community and religious leaders on alternative dispute and conflict resolution. The Chairman of the commission, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, said while inaugurating the workshop in Auyo, near Dutse, that the exercise was designed to build the capacity of com- cise would also enhance service delivery in munity leaders in adjudication as an alterna- the justice sector. tive to conflict resolution. He said the commission had so far trained Represented by Mr Musa Imam, a secretary community and religious leaders and other in the commission, Abubakar said the exer- stakeholders in the five emirates in the state, to encourage alternative dispute resolution within the communities. He said the participants were drawn from Auyo, Kaugama and Kafin Hausa local government areas. The Chairman of Auyo Local Government, Alhaji Muhammad Danjani, praised the JSC for the gesture, saying that it would enhance peaceful co-existence in the communities. “It will encourage quality service delivery and peaceful co-existence in the society,” he said. The reform programme is one of the key interventions by UK’s Department for International Development, to enhance justice service delivery at the grassroots.
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Commission trains 150 community leaders
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USLIMS and Christians have described the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Muiz Banire as a visionary leader who has served humanity with humility notwithstanding his position in the society. Speaking during a prayer session organised by Mandate Group of Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, to mark birthday of Banire, Pastor Emmanuel Ekundayo of the Christ Apostolic Church, urged others to emulate him. He said the politician has made many people happy as a result of his selfless and purposeful leadership and prayed that God would grant him long life and good health. Also speaking at the occasion, the leader of the House, Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Hakeem Saka, stated that the Mandate Group would continue to learn from the examples of Dr.
genuinely provided by the three tiers of government,” he said. He said the mill, “Attajiri Rice Mill’’, built on a four hectare land, was capable of processing between 800 and 1000, 100kg bags of paddy rice (raw, unthrashed rice). The farmer also said that the mill had employed 25 youths and was expected to produce about two million kilogrammes of processed and polished rice, annually.
Clerics urge selfless service Banire who has inspired many grassroots youths. He said: “It is in view of these examples set by our leader, I offered to train not less than 30 youths in driving skills to enable them secure jobs both in government and private capacities.” Saka added that he had earlier given market women on Adewusi Street N5,000 each to enable them support their business and believes this would relieve them of some burden. “I did this in view of the moving spirit of our party the APC which cares for the less privileged; even though I was financially constrained I think it is better to share the little you have with those who don’t have.” He maintained that Banire has always ad-
Funeral for Mr Mbah
T • Lion Yinka (middle) presenting food items and materials to Sister lnegbu. With them are chairperson, Lion Ola Etti Willams (third left), Lion Ben Eboreime and others during the World Lions Service Day held at the Paccelli School of the Blind in Lagos
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Club lifts the blind
NLY uncivilised nations treat disabled children without respect. It is important for Nigerians to add value to the less-privileged and orphans in the society as government cannot do it all.” That was the declaration of the District Governor of International Association of Lions Clubs, Mr Yinla Bolarinwa, during a visit to Pacelli School of the Blind at Ajao Estate, in Lagos. The club had visited the schoold to make some donations to the students. Making the donation, Bolarinwa enjoined the students to be focused, courageous and be ready to make sacrifices to become great in life. He said whatever height they plan to attain, their disability should not be an excuse, saying they should resist the temptation to beg for alms and not allow able men to take advantage of them. Bolarinwa reeled out the objectives of the Lion International to include: rendering selfless service to the community, encouraging efficiency and promoting high ethical standard in commerce, industry, public work and private endeavours. Bolarinwa said that inspite of high level of poverty and insecurity in the country, the Lions Clubs remain undaunted in giving selfless service to the Nigerian people. He said the clubs will soon embark on the development of the community by planting more trees. According to him, Lions Clubs organise en-
lightenment programme for children by taking care of their education need, members donate money to carry out operations for the blind, build schools and equip library with necessary books for the pupils. The Lions Clubs also carry out programmes such as Leadership opportunity for adult, he said. Receiving the items, the Matron of the school, Sister Miriam Terese Inegbu, thanked members of the club for their kind gesture.She said their concern was an expression of love and prayed that God would reward them . She said the major challenge faced by the school is flood and called on government for assistance.
Praise Night The annual night of Praise and Power of the First Baptist Church, 592, Ikorodu Road, Kosofe Bus Stop in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State will take place on Friday, October 18 at 10:00pm till dawn. The theme is “Bring Me Now a Minister”. According to the spokespman, Rev. Oladokun, who represents the consultant to Gideon One Baptist Association, Rev. Festus I. Olatunde said the Baptist conference has extended invitation to church communities to the programme
HE Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) of Saints Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, Ijegun Ikotun in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has announced the death of their member the late Mr. Andrew Udeoba Mbah. Mr. Mbah, who hailed from Umueze Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, died on September 19, at the age of 57. Burial programme released jointly by Messrs Peter Nnubuogu and Christopher Ubaka Mbah; president of CMO and first son of the deceased respectively, said that the late Mr. Mbah was a staff of UAC Nigeria Plc from where he retired in 1993 and the Catholic Men Organisation of Saints Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, Ijegun, Ikotun. According to the programme, there will be Christian wake for the deceased tomorrow at 130, Ijegun Road, beside OJB Shopping Plaza Ikotun at 2:00 p.m. It added that on Thursday, October 24, body will leave the Hens Mortuary in Aguleri Anambra East Local Government Area Anambra State in a motorcade for his home town Umueze Anam at 8:00 a.m. for a lie in state at 9:00 a.m. At 10:00 in the morning, the body will leave for St Theresa Catholic Church, Umueze Anam for a requiem Mass after which he will be buried at his compound at 1:00 p.m. The late Mbah was survived by his wife Mrs. Gloria Udemezue Mbah, seven children among who is Mr. Christopher Ubaka Mbah a staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Ijora branch, six grand children and many •Late Mbah other relations.
•Governor Wamakko
•Members of Mandate Group at prayer session for Dr Banire
vised them to think of what they can contribute to the development of society other than selfserving and because they would be judged by the impact they made on the people not the amount of wealth they personally accumulated.
Stakeholders endorse CDA polls
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By Duro Babayemi
HE chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan has been praised for introducing democratic principles in the choice of members of Community Development Associations. The commendation was given by stakeholders in the council area. The stakeholders who are mainly active members of the 75 CDAs in the council area gave the endorsement at a forum organised by the council at Fadu Town Hall, where the chairperson of the electoral body set up by the council to conduct the forthcoming elections. Mrs Huntonu Mary addressed the CDAs on the level of preparedness and modality for the elections. Chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC), the umbrella body for all the CDAs in the council area, Chief Sharafadeen Alimi at the occasion praised the council chairman for showing the courage and determination to inculcate the principles of true democracy among the people at the grassroots. The community leader added that the idea would allow the people to freely elect representatives who they believe can truly champion their cause in a selfless manner before local and state governments. Chief Alimi urged the CDAs members to rally round the administration of the Bamigbetan in its efforts to bring development to Ejigbo. Chairman, Killa Community Development Association, Prince Ayo Shajuyigbe said that the conduct of election into executive positions of CDAs, as it is being introduced by the council chairman is a welcome development.
Youths urged to be good ambassadors
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HE President Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Chief Lasisi Akinsanya, has urged youths to be focused and shun acts that can tarnish their image. He spoke at the installation of 3rd President of the Rotaract Club of Egbeda, District 9110 Nigeria, Mr. Olanrewaju Lasisi last week. He said Nigerian youths should emulate members of the club in its humanitarian services, which according to him was bridging the gap between the needy and the haves. He explained that the youths were the future of the country and should use their talent to harness the resources available in different parts of the country, stressing that with their inputs the things would continually fall apart. The newly installed President,Lasisi stressed the need for cooperation among the youth in order to realise the objective of the club. The club donated two sewing machines to residents within its jurisdiction and urged them to make good use of the item. He stated that it was part of the club’s objectives to assist in community development and expressed the hope that in due course the club would embark of projects that would bring impact on the lives of the people. Lasisi reiterated that in view of the club’s commitment to social service, it donated two dozens of plastic chairs to the Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area.
By Musa Odoshimokhe
He promised that the club would give 1000 copies of exercise books to pupils in primary and post primary schools in the area. “We will donate environmental sanitation equip-
ment to the Environmental Department of Egbe-Idimu LCDA, health items to the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) for mothers and their newborn babies’ usage.” A beneficiary, Akinsanya Kehinde, thanked the club for its gesture and called on public spirited individuals to support the club in order to meet up with its programmes.
•Some members of the Rotaractors and other guests the event