THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 11, 2011
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Ekiti harvests partners on development
T •Fayemi
HE African Development Bank (ADB), American and Swedish governments have expressed their desire to partner with the Ekiti State government in the area of infrastructural development. The American and Swedish governments, according to a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, had “shown considerable interests in working with the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration
Prospect for Osun, China’s partnership
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HERE is a prospect of robust partnership between the Osun State government and the Republic of China in critical areas of development as the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, commences a working visit China. According to a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, major areas of interest between Osun State and China include agriculture and farm produce processing, education and cultural exchanges. Okanlawon said the governor is expected to present the Osun State Economic Development Agenda to a gathering of Chinese investors and government officials at a seminar facilitated by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. The governor’s spokesman said that the ACFTU would seek massive investments in critical areas in Nigeria with a special attention on Osun State. The statement said Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola told the Chinese Xinhua that his government is keen on agricultural
Osun From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo
programmes and projects, particularly food production and security. Quoting the governor, the statement said: “So, we are going to explore possibility of engagement in food production programmes and activities. We are equally keen on logistics, movement of agricultural produce from our remotely located state to Lagos where the market is.” Okanlawon said the governor informed the gathering that he would also explore the possibility of having investment in heavy agricultural equipment. “Osun State is blessed with vast mineral resources including gold, clay, limestone, kaolin and granite. The state is also blessed with abundant tourist centres. We welcome the Chinese investors to tap the burgeoning industry.
9,000 youths register for scheme
Ekiti
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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti
in the realisation of some aspects of its eightpoint agenda for development.” According to the statement, the desire to partner with the state government was “the fallout of series of meetings by a delegation led by Governor Fayemi and representatives of the foreign governments and the ADB in Abuja and Lagos recently. It said the meetings succeeded “in highlighting areas of opportunities for foreign investments as well as areas of technical support for the state,” adding that “the Country Representative of ADB, Mr. Ousmane Dore, assured Governor Fayemi of the financial institution’s readiness to assist the state in the area of infrastructural development.” It further stated that “specifically, Dore said the ADB would assist the state government in its rural road projects with a view to boosting agriculture in the state.” After a meeting with the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence McCulley, the state government said: “Health and educational institutions would benefit from technical support from their counterparts in the United States,” adding that there was also the possibility of Private Public Partnership (PPP) with some American companies. The release also noted that Governor Fayemi’s meeting with the United Kingdom Secretary of State for International Development, Mr. Andrew Mitchell, in Lagos explored areas of support for the administration’s development efforts. The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Per Lindgarde, at a meeting with the governor also hinted the possibility of collaboration with Swedish companies in the areas of agriculture and environmental sustainability.
O fewer than 50,000 unemployed youths have registered under the Kwara Bridge Empowerment Schemes (KWABES). Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed has promised to engage 2,000 unemployed youths within the first 100 days of his administration. This came just as the state government explained the rationale behind the use of voter’s card as a means of identification in the ongoing registration of unemployed youths. But the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had decried the state government’s decision to use voter’s card as a yardstick for employment. The state government has clarified that “the government is harping on the biometrics identification used by INEC as an acknowledgement of its reliability, as the voter’s card remains the most recent • Lagos State Governor Raji Fashola congratulating Mrs Oluranti Adebule on her appointment as Secretary to the State Government (SSG)
Fed Govt revokes N2.7b contract
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N2.7bn contract for the construction of the Federal Government skills acquisition centre in Iguelegba, Orhimwon Local Government Area in Edo State has been terminated by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe. The contract was awarded in March, 2010. Orubebe, who was on an inspection tour of projects in Edo, Delta and Rivers states berated the contractors handling the project. Expressing disappointment at the pace of work at the skills acquisition centre, Orubebe said the
Council chief gives free GCE forms
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HE Chairman,Mushin Local Government, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan has distributed free G.C.E. forms to students in the council. Speaking at the event, Adepitan enjoined the beneficiaries who are mostly youths, to study hard to fulfill their dreams as the effort from the council is a measure of their tremendous support at the last general elections. According to him, “We shall consistently plough back to the society that produced us. Our emergence as council chairman was because of your support. While we appreciate the efforts of the youths, we are using this gesture to cushion the effects of the harsh economic condition on our parents. You will not need to hawk, prostitute, engage in touting, thuggery or any unholy hard labour before you can raise money to buy G.C.E., My appeal to you is to concentrate fully on your studies, as we have the intention of organising free G.C.E. coaching classes for you, as tradition. “Ladies and gentleman, I wish to assure you that once you are able to make your papers,
Lagos you automatically join the elite class because it will guarantee you admission into the university”. Majority of the 200 beneficiaries are residents of Mushin Local Government Area, which cut across the 10 wards that make-up the council. Speaking at the occasion, the President of National Union of Teachers, Mushin, branch Comrade Osoba Akheituame Commended the chairman for the initiative. He charged him to increase the number of beneficiaries, stressing that lots of parents would wish their children went to school, but they are hampered by finances. One of the beneficiaries Mr Tolulope Ajayi thanked the council for the kind gesture, pointing out that it would remain indelible in their memories. They promised to do well in their forthcoming examination in order to encourage the council to do more for others next years.
Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin
activities of the contractors were not in tune with the development agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. He said: “In the first place, I am not impressed in what the contractors and consultants are doing. This project has been on ground for almost two years now and I remember that when most of these contracts were awarded, there were a lot of considerations. “I have held over five meetings with them (contractors and consultants) in my office before the last exco was dissolved and I have sent some people here for inspection, and you can see today that after two years, there is nothing on the ground. There are some we have gone to that are nearly completed and we cannot go on like this. “At this stage, everybody in the Niger Delta is in a hurry to see that there is development in the region and if we continue with these contractors, this means that people will come and say we are not serious. We have the opportunity to make a difference.” Addressing some youths at the Benin Airport, Orubebe said the Federal Government was not relenting in solving the problems of unemployment in the country.
•From left: The Cabinet Treasurer, District 404B, Lions International, Lioness Carol Enuwa with the Region two Chairperson, Lioness Dr Funke Adebajo, welcoming the District 404b Governor, Lion Senator Olusegun Bamigbetan Baju to the inauguration of some optical equipment donated by the District to the state Hospital Otta, Ogun State, by the Governor
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OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said the state government is considering the possibility of returning schools to missions to ensure that government’s investment in schools are not left to rot. Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of a new Model College at the old Pilgrims Baptist College, Ewohinmi, Edo Central, the governor however assured that a memorandum of understanding would be made to ensure that children of the poor have access to such schools. According to Oshiomhole, my late wife told me about the school and how it has been abandoned. When I came, I wanted to walk to see for myself what has happened to the structure. It was intended to be one of the flagships, but as you can see, it has suffered complete abandonment.” He however lamented that, while the old Pilgrims Baptist College had no pupils, it had a principal and teachers. He said: “The Local Government Chairman told me that although there are no pupils in the school, we do have teachers including a principal. I’m sure that the Hon. Commissioner for Education is as anxious as myself to find out the daily workload of the principal and the teachers who are still here.” On plans to return some schools to missions, Governor Oshiomhole said: “One thing we can do to prevent the rot we witnessed in the past and stop future governments from de-boarding schools
Youths advised on self-growth HE Programme Officer, Success Gate International, Tutu Adeniji has challenged young Nigerians on personal development as it remain a major recipe for employment in our ever growing competitive world. Adeniji made this at a two-day empowerment seminar organised by Success Gate International at Mr. Biggs, Akonwonjo, Egbeda, Lagos. The programme with the theme: Position for Greatness had over 50 youths in Lagos with lectures on personal development, marketing, branding, leadership and management skills and consulting which was educative and interactive. According to her, we can only address the varying social-political and economic challenges of our country if young people develop the will and capacity that is needed in solving these problems. She said: “The world is less concerned about once colour, race, traditions, language or belief but better option and alternatives that is being proffered in making our world a better place to live in”. Adeniji noted that the problems faced in Nigeria are opportunities for those who can bring the needed changes through
Lagos By Adeola Ogunlade
pragmatic approach. Although, she stated that government at all levels should strengthen her institutions and structure so that the dreams of Nigeria youth can fly, she said “young Nigeria should not live in the economic of the government to survive but harnessed the varying opportunities around them for survival”. Adeniji cited the creator of Facebook, Twitter, Myspace who are young people in their 30s but have made significant contribution to the development of new digital technology that is providing employments for millions of people across the world. She added “there are emerging opportunities in the agricultural sector, Information Communication Technology, (ICT), insurance, transportation, textile, event management, fashion designing, catering, shoe cobbling which can be harnessed for profitability. In an interview with Newsextra, one of the participants, Funmi Akinbo, said: “I am being empowered and have resolved to explore the windows of opportunities that have been expose to at this event”.
Council of Ndi Ezeudos advises Northern governors THE Council of Ndi Ezeudo in Lagos has urged Northern governors to work with their traditional rulers to stem the spate of bombing in their states. The advice was given at the end of their meeting in the palace of Ezeudo Ndigbo of Ibo Local Council Development Area, Eze John Gre Ezebuadi. The council said: “This strategy will help bring out those involved in throwing
Kwara From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin
credible identification that could be relied on.” In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Alhaji Abduwahab Oba said “the employment scheme should therefore not be mistaken for political patronage as it is meant for all youths, including non-indigenes irrespective of party affiliation.” It said the decision of government to identify eligible registrants with voter’s cards was to demonstrate the importance it attached to the scheme, warning that, “no one should trivialise or attempt to trivialise it based on primordial sentiments.” Oba added that “the scheme was put in place by the state government primarily to benefit the youth; having realised the high prevalence of unemployment among them. This, in the
•Ahmed main, is in order to stem the tide and checkmate youth restiveness.”
Edo to return schools to missions
Briefly
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Hon Adepitan presenting free G.C.E form to one of the beneficiaries at the event
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bombs as they are members of the society with fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters living in those communities. The monarchs urged the security chiefs to put heads together and move against those involved in the bombings. They thanked the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oliver Akubueze for issuing every Igbo resident in Lagos with an identity card.
Edo and reducing flagships to abandoned territories is that we may have to consider the possibility of returning schools that we cannot manage to those missions that can manage them and do a memorandum of understanding to ensure that the children of the poor have access to these quality schools. “This is a matter that we have to reflect on and resolve very quickly to move education
forward. No society makes progress without education.” Restating government’s determination to reposition education in the state, Oshiomhole said: “I appreciate that we must continue to make the right investment in education because that is the future of our people. I believe that the greatest legacy we can give to our children is education. If we give them education, they can go out there and navigate.”
Olanipekun marks 20th Bar anniversary
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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan; Speaker, House of Representatives; former Nigerian Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade are among top-flight dignitaries expected to share fun-filled moments in Lagos soon. They are billed to grace the book presentation and reception lined up for the celebration of the 20th year anniversary of the call to Inner Bar of former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN). The event, which The Nation learnt, would attract the presence of all Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) among others will hold at The Oriental Hotel on Lekki-Epe Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 11 am on July 22. The President, Igbimo Ure Ekiti, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi who sits atop popular Juli Pharmacy Plc, Olanipekun confirmed, will do the official presentation of the book. Also expected at the event include: Chairman, Council on Legal Education, Hon. Justice Moronkeji Onalaja, and Governors of Lagos, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Kebbi, Katsina, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Kaduna and Plateau among others. Speaking on the event, Olanipekun disclosed that it would be a modest outing, which “is aimed at basically appreciating God for what He has done for Wole Olanipekun Chamber and indeed, what it has pleased Him to use the Chamber to do for mankind.” “What we are celebrating is not a vain display of opulence nor are we flaunting what I would call our modest achievements as legal practitioners; we are out to give back to The Almighty who has remained our unfailing
•Olanipekun
Lagos By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor
Pillar, and what are we giving back? Gratitude! So, we are out to thank God for the journey so far,” he added. Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, one of Olanipekun’s “professional sons,” told The Nation that he had been part of efforts to make the celebration a success because according to him, the legal icon and his exemplary contribution to law practice are worthy of the celebration. Sources also hinted that notable indigenes of his cherished home town, Ikere, a foremost Ekiti State community, and indeed, the Gateways State, are billed to attend the event in celebration of their illustrious own.
Vehicle owners warned THE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of these abandoned vehicles to remove them immediately or forfeit same through auction. Dentine Division Oyingbo 1 1. Mitsubishi Colt - AX 390 AKD 2. Mercedes Benz -190 AG 836 FFF 3. Toyota Corolla - DX 489 AAA 4. Honda Accord FJ 679 EKY 5. Honda Accord - RD 128 AAA At Airport Police Command, Ikeja 1. Honda Civic DE 694 LSR 2. Isuzu Pick-up van unregistered Ipakodo Division Ikorodu 1. Mitsubishi Gallant - AU 770 JJJ
2.Mitsubishi L 300 bus - AH 368 AKD Sabo Police Station 1. Toyota Camry PZ 474 KJA 2. DAE 3600 Truck XA 643 FKY Ketu Police Station 1. Volkswagen bus - XP 238 FST 2. Nissan Bluebird car - DR 194 KJA 3. Mazda car - AA 556 TRE 4. Toyota Taxcel car - BW 620 SMK 5. Volkswagen Vanagon bus unregistered 6. Nissan Bluebird - BH 352 SMK
•From left: Lioness Felicia Iyabode Koleosho with Lioness Oluwatosin Itunu Balogun Charter President of Lagos Emerald Lion Club District 4040 of Nigeria during her inauguration at Eyal Hall Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos