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REGIONAL NEWS
April 5, 2014
11
SOUTH WEST
Ajimobi, Okorocha, Jimoh Ibrahim, others honour Niyi Akintola at mother’s burial
I’m not in conflict with Ladoja, says Ajimobi Kemi Olaitan IBADAN
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rominent Nigerians from all walks of life yesterday converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for the burial of the mother of Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Chief (Mrs.) Odunola Morawo Abeje Akintola (Nee Oyelakin). She was aged 79 years. Among eminent personalities at the burial were Governors Abiola Ajimobi and Rochas Okorocha of Oyo and Imo states, respectively, including Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim (OFR), GMD, Global Fleet and numerous other personalities. A Christian service for
the departed was held at the First Baptist Church, Orita-Mefa, Total Garden, Ibadan. In his sermon at the funeral service, Rev. O. Ogunbode of the Idikan Baptist Church, Ibadan, in his sermon, urged Nigerians to always “dress in the clothing of righteousness to get rid of corruption that has eaten so deep into the fabric of the society.” The clergy also urged people to always be ready for the end-time which will come whenever it would. He observed that many people dress in flambouyant and decent clothing, but do not care to dress in clothing of righteousness.
According to Rev. Ogunbode, “Many people dress gorgeously in fantastic clothing in preparation for occasions, but how much do people dress and prepare for the hereafter? The righteousness of God is the clothing being talked about. Mama was dressed in righteousness when she asked one of his children, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), where he got money to build his magnificent residence and within two years, another gigantic office in Ibadan. Not many mothers would care how their children get their money. Their main concern is just getting the money from their children,” he said.
Governor Ajimobi, in his remark at the occasion, saw the occasion as a platform for re-union as many politicians of different ideological leanings and parties converged and exchanged pleasantries. He said he was never in conflict with Senator Rasheed Ladoja (National Leader of the Accord Party), but that aides from both sides usually abused the leaders on either side for the sake of recognition. In the words of Governor Ajimobi, “Many of our lawyers are here including those who were against us during the election. We thank God that we are together to-
day as another election is coming soon. I am not in conflict with my brother Senator Ladoja. We have never abused each other, but we have aides who need to eat that abuse on our behalf.” Meanwhile, the convoy of the governors Ajimobi and Okorocha, dislodged a group of hoodlums operating at the Dugbe area of the state capital. The incident occurred after the two governors left the burial ceremony of the mother of Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), were on their way to the Rochas Okorocha Foundation when they heard sporadic shots from the hoodlums and stampede from the adjoining market in the area. A release issued by
World Bank approves $242m loan for Lagos
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Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (5th-l); his deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (3rd-l); Commissioner for Housing, Mr Bosun Jeje (1st left); Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi (2nd left) and winners of 2nd batch of Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme at the mortgage draw in Lagos, yesterday.
he World Bank has announced the approval of concessionary loans of US$42.3 million for the Lagos EKO Secondary School Project. The global bank also says it has approved another sum of US$200 million in budget support for the state. In a press release of March 6 , 2014, the Bank announced the approval of International Development Association (IDA) credit of US$42.3 million to the Lagos EKO Secondary Project (Lagos EKO Project); which is an addition to an original credit of US$95 million, which systematically benefitted over 620,000 students a year in 667 public secondary schools
Ekiti 2014: Police debunk gunshot attack on Gov Fayemi’s supporter Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI
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he police in Ekiti State have denied allegations by the Director General of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation that one of their members sustained gunshot injuries from attacks by suspected thugs of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, claimed that the supposed Governor Fayemi supporter, Mr. Babatunde Fatoye, sustained injuries from shattered glasses and not gunshot injuries. Last Thursday, the Director General, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Hon Bimbo Daramola, had alleged
that an APC member in Governor Kayode Fayemi’s train was shot at by PDP hoodlums in the Adebayo area of the state’s capital on Wednesday. But the police spokesperson, in statement in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, denied the claim. According to Babayemi, “The attention of the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Com-
mand, Mr Felix Uyanna, has been drawn to the news credited to Director General, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Hon Bimbo Daramola, regarding the incident that happened on Wednesday at about 7:28pm at Adebayo Area, Ado-Ekiti. “Contrary to the news making round, the victim, Mr Babatunde Fatoye was injured on the left shoulder by a broken glass,” he said.
the Special Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Festus Adedayo, climed that the hoodlums had been having a field day in the area shooting guns and wielding machetes before the arrival of the governors. Initial information collated suggested that the hoodlums were members of rival factions of the road transport union. The governors’ convoy, according to the release, then came to the aid of the fleeing traders to dislodge the hoodlums before reinforcement was called from the police headquarters and the state crime-fighting outfit, Operation Burst. The number of casualty could not be ascertained.
The police spokesman, who said detectives were working hard to unravel those behind the criminal act, however, urged those spreading the news to desist from the act to avoid unnecessarily heating up the polity. Babayemi reassured Ekiti people that, “the Command is doing its best at providing security for lives and property during these electioneering campaigns”.
in Lagos State for the period 2009-2013. The World Bank noted that the Lagos EKO Project has achieved significant results both in terms of the quality of education received as well as the pass rates in examination in the schools. In buttressing this, the Bank noted that the effect has seen students scores from beneficiary schools going up from 30% to 70% in English; 31% to 45% in Mathematics and from 27% to 65% in Basic Sciences. It further remarked that the results of the June 2013 West Africa School Certificate external examinations showed that 41% of students from beneficiary schools passed five credits and above, as compared to just over 18% before the Lagos EKO Project was implemented. The project has built a critical pathway for students from low-income backgrounds to gain access to good-quality secondary education, the Bank further enthused. Speaking on the significance of the two loan facilities’ approval by the World Bank, Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Ayo Gbeleyi, said the gesture was yet another eloquent acknowledgement of the stellar performance of the Babatunde Raji Fashola’s (SAN) administration.