44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012
Fashola, clerics meet, stress need for security consciousness BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO
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OVERNOR Baba tunde Fashola of Lagos state and religious leaders in the state met yesterday and stressed the need for everyone to be security conscious, saying “there is the need for everyone to be increasingly vigilant.” They made the call at the end of a close door security meeting with heads of security formations in the state held at the Lagos House, Marina, late Wednesday. Fashola said that when everyone is conscious, the state would continue to enjoy minimal crime rate. He added that there was the need for everyone to know his neighbours and also ask questions because it is the only way people could detect and be able to raise the alarm when necessary. According to him, “If we do all of these and you know those are the real first sides of safety and security. We have taken many things for granted for a long time and that really is the essence of the meeting. Know your neighbour, ask questions, and don’t take anything for granted. If you are in doubt, call law enforcement and use the 767 and 112 numbers. Really that is the message.” Also speaking at the meeting, the State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Bishop George Amu, said the bottom line was that everyone should tell their members to know their neighbours, adding “everybody must be conscious about happenings in their environment. If you know your neighbour, strange persons cannot come to your neighbourhood without you noticing it. We were told that for every action, there is a consequent reaction and that whatever we sow we shall reap. The security of Lagos State is our joint concern,” Amu added. On his own part, Chief Missioners of the AnsarUd-Deen- Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahaman
Ahmad said that the essence of the meeting was to underscores the need for citizenry to be vigilant, to know who their neighbours are and to continue to tell followers who are Muslims and Christians to keep the peace, adding that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that the state can have development. The Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque in Ikorodu, Sheikh Yahaya Ajagbemokeferi who also spoke with newsmen after the meeting said: “What is left for the religious leaders who attended the meeting is to ensure that just as the Governor has done his part by convening the meeting, it is compulsory for the leaders to relay the message to their followers and consider how to go about it so that no one will have cause to regret in Lagos State at all”.
Menace of armed robbery Sheikh Ajagbemokeferi who expressed gratitude to God for providing the State with a leader like Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who is highly interested in his people said the Governor called the meeting to discuss ways the menace of armed robbery and insecurity could be tackled so that no one would have cause to regret coming to Lagos State. The Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Reverend Sam Adeyemi who was also at the meeting said there is a need for every citizen of Lagos State to know their neighbour, adding that people without addresses should not just be allowed to roam the streets in the State. Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Umaru Manko who was one of the security chiefs at the meeting, said the high point of the meeting is that everybody needs to be cautious and be security conscious. Manko added that the meeting centred around security consciousness in Lagos State and why people have to participate in ensuring that Lagos State is secured.
Blind student wins 2012 Lagos road advocacy competition A VISUALLY impaired student of the Lagos State Junior Model College, Agbowa Ikosi, Paul Ebuka, yesterday, won the 2012 Be Road Friendly (BRF) competition for the junior category. C M Y K
Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has advocated for a seamless cooperation of the residents with the state government in ensuring a minimal road accidents in the state.
L-r: Oba Adedayo Olaloko Shobekun, Alhaji Kola Animasaun, and Engr Abiodun Adenekan, during the public presentation/ launching of the Voice of Reason Volume 2, by Alhaji Kola Animasaun, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi
Encomiums for Animashaun at book launch BY GBENGA OKE, JAPHET ALAKAM, PRISCA SAM-DURU
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T was all encomium for Chief Kola Animasaun, Vanguard Newspapers’ columnist, as eminent Nigerians from all walks of life gathered at the launch of his autobiography yesterday. Among those present at the event were former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande; General Tajudeen Olarenwaju; the Sultan of Sokoto, represented by Amb Hamza Ahmadu; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Publisher of Vanguard, Mr Sam Amuka. Others include; Mr Ogbuefi Nwokeadi; Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mr Sam Omatseye of Nation Newspapers. Mr Steve Ayorinde of National Mirror, who reviewed the book, praised him on the launch and public presentation of his of Voice of Reason Volume 2. Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also described Chief Animasaun as Nigeria’s finest columnist and one of the greatest writers that ever lived.
Political developments Others who showered praises on Chief Animasaun were Vanguard columnist, Mr Pini Jason; Prof Oladapo Afolabi; Sen Remi Tinubu represented by Mrs Yetunde Arobieke; Governor Olusegun Mimiko, represented by Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, among others. He was described as one of the few journalists, who stood for the truth and is
ever forthright in the analysis of political developments in the country. Asiwaju Tinubu, who was represented by Chief Akinyelure, noted that “Chief Animasaun played his role and stood up when others ran away. As for me, I can only say “thank you.” Thank you for leaving authentic works on the definitive Alhaji Animasaun for the benefit of generations yet to come. The Great Zik of Africa often said in the mast-head of his newspaper, West African Pilot: Show the light and the people will find their way. By this twin-work, Alhaji Animasaun has shown the light; Nigeria will find the way," he said. “I congratulate the immediate family of Chief Animasaun. Without their support and love, the man we celebrate today would not have achieved as much as he did. Thank you for your abiding love. That is what has made him a rare and precious gift to his country,” he said. Governor Ajimobi on his part, said Chief Animasaun stood for the truth and did not care whose ox was gored in observing his profession's ethics. He said, “His stand for truth cannot be overlooked especially during the Ibrahim Babangida administration and that of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo because he stood for truth and justice and one of such example was an article he wrote and tagged 'Obasanjo as being vindictive against his fellow Egba man, Chief M.K.O Abiola'. “Alhaji Animasaun had affected me intellectually, culturally, religiously and many of us will continue to celebrate him in many years to come and what he represents which is truth, godliness and uprightness,” Ajimobi added.
Meantime, Governor Abiola Ajimobi on his way to the event, rescued unspecified number of accident victims at the Ebute Metta area of the Third Mainland bridge in Lagos. A truck carrying beef was said to have lost its bearing and rammed into two vehicles, injuring many occupants, including the truck driver. Governor Ajimobi, who was on his way to Animasaun book launch, immediately ordered his convoy to stop, as he attended to the victims. He also ordered the Government House ambulance in his convoy to make a detour and convey the injured to the hospital.
Man of integrity Mr Sam Amuka, who was full of praises for Chief Animasaun, said “This for me, is a personal occasion to thank my friend Kola. In all the years we worked together, we had been friends and everything said about him is true. He is a man of integrity, honour and never shakes whenever he had an opinion on an issue but maintains his stance. He is an honourable man with nine lives. It is because of KoIa and other columnists like Pini Jason, Dele Sobowale, Isiaka, Ochereome Nnana, Donu Kogbare, that we had survived and thrived in Vanguard and still thriving today. Kola Animasaun is a man you can vouch for and I am glad to be here. We have a policy in Vanguard, which gives columnists the freedom to write anything short of libel and these columnists have indeed done well.” Alhaji Tajudeen Olarenwaju on his part said, “Chief Kola Animasaun is a man of resolute mind and goodwill, whose writings have impacted on the society. He has a good sense of conviction. He is a mentor and public defender and
does not waste words but goes straight to the point.” Chief Segun Osoba,in his speech said, “He is a jolly fellow and he laughs at everything. I am here to testify to the character of a man we are celebrating today, a man of honour, a journalist of repute, a man whom you can always rely on, a man you can always trust. I remember how Kola was able to handle his late rascal brother, who no one else did and how he was appointed a caretaker committee chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government Area. He did everything well but he was not able to face the politics and he sent his resignation letter, which was rejected. He was told to go back and face the politics. This is the quality of the man we are celebrating today, we are celebrating a man who is honourable, a patriotic Nigerian and a man of honour married to a beautiful girl.” Senator Ganiyu Solomon, said “I encourage columnists to put their papers together just like Chief Kola Animasaun has done. He is widely read on his Sunday column in Vanguard. His audience is fantastic and he is a good writer. He is an uncle and a mentor.” Mr Steve Ayorinde, who reviewed the book, noted that “From 1939 to the Vanguard of modern journalism, he emphasised on the importance of appreciating the contributions of outstanding journalists. Kola spent more than 40 years in active journalism. He had firm control in the art of story telling, a content man with modest ideology and was celebrated as an accomplished media practitioner, who has put in 19 years in Vanguard. The author’s name has become synonymous with Vanguard. A pragmatic man without undue pretense and his 19years in Vanguard is a crowning glory in his life."