We met our gang leaders at drink joint —Robbery suspects
By Dare Adekanmbi
DRINK joints may have become another recruitment point for intending criminals as two members of a four-man robbery gang which specialised in dispossessing their victims of their properties during house raids have said that they were lured into robbery at a beer parlour. Two of the four members of the gang died from bullet wounds while two others, one of whom sustained bullet injuries during one of their operations, have been arrested by Oyo State Police Command. The names of the dead suspects were given as Ojo Olaore a.k.a. Ologbon (26) and Adams Idowu (34) a.k.a. ID while the suspect who sustained gunshot injury was identified as Samuel Caleb (22). The fourth suspect identified himself as Segun Famawode (25). At a press briefing where Famawode and Caleb, along with other suspects, were shown to journalists at the police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, on Monday, March 3, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mohammed Indabawa said that on January 14, at about 10 a.m., a patrol team led by ASP Aminu Mustapha, while on stop-and-search along IITA, intercepted the suspects inside a white car with bullet wound on Caleb’s thigh. “During interrogation, Caleb confessed that he sustained the wound on the January 13, at about 2.18am, while escaping after their robbery operation at Idi Ori Sasa, Ibadan, where they went to rob one Alhaja Mufuliat Adebayo. They also indicted their cohorts, one Adams Idowu and Ojo Olaore as the custodian of the robbed Toyota Camry Car with registration number EKJ 796 AL, the property of their victim,” Indabawa stated further.
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Food safety: Ibadan central abattoir as reference point in Africa
The idea of operating a central abattoir in Ibadan for wholesome meat consumption is not only compliant with the world standard practices but also a step towards ensuring public health built around a centrally controlled means and tools of preparing what humans consume –beef. The idea of Ibadan Central Abattoir, investigation revealed, emanated from C&E Ltd, a subsidiary of Ahmak Group for the whole of Ibadan metropolis, covering 11 local government areas, but had been reviewed by the present administration, which culminated into signing of the agreement on February 27 this year. Justifications adduced for the idea include unkempt abattoirs currently being operated within the metropolis and potential health risks posed to the public; poor means of transporting beef from filthy abattoirs to points of sale; poor disposal and management of wastes from cattle and other unwholesome practices associated with slaughtering and packaging of beef for public consumption. If it becomes operational, the abattoir becomes the only place where cattle can be slaughtered and packaged in the 11 local government areas, and thus becoming a hub where the health status of the animal is ascertained before consumption. The advocates also argue that the economy of the state would be boosted and employment would be generated.
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UCH to perform 11 ‘Awake’ open-heart surgeries in April
The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, will perform 11 open-heart surgeries in April, Prof. Kamar Adeleke, Chairman of the hospital’s Department of Intervention Cardiovascular, said on Monday. Adeleke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that arrangements were being concluded to facilitate the surgeries. According to him, the operation is tagged ‘Awake Surgery’ because the patients would be conscious during surgery, adding that “medication will be given to take the edge off while the operation lasted’’. He said that the Department of Intervention Cardiovascular was limited financially and was seeking for cash donations from well–meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations. Adeleke said that the department was partnering with some institutions, including Babcock University, Obafemi Awolowo University and Aliko Dangote Health Institution. He named other partners as the Kano Teaching Hospital, MTN Health Foundation, and the Lagos State Government.
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Akande hails Ajimobi’s wife
All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande has hailed efforts by the Access to Basic medical Care (ABC) Foundation, an initiative of the Oyo State governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, to give free health care services to the people. Akande spoke while inspecting facilities at the ABC HUB, headquarters of the foundation, on Ring Road in Ibadan. He described the foundation as “a good initiative that will improve public health with its intervention activities”. Akande urged well meaning Nigerians to partner the foundation. Mrs. Ajimobi, who took Akande and her husband, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, round the headquarters, said support for the foundation can come in form of drugs and equipment, not necessarily financial.
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Three burnt to death in Ibadan church fire
Three worshippers at a church, Mercyland Prayers Ministry located at Okoro area of Ibadan city were burnt to death in an early morning inferno that razed the church Monday . Hundreds of members of the church as well as sympathisers gathered at the scene of the incident where some shed tears over the tragic fire. Also, four others including a pregnant woman escaped death by whiskers in the inferno which started at about 1.45am. It was learnt that trouble started when the fire said to have emanated towards the front axis of the church spread into some of the power generating set fully loaded with petrol resulting in the sudden spread into other parts of the church. During the inferno which lasted for almost three hours, the three worshippers two men and a woman, all the power generating sets fully loaded with petrol, the roof of the church as well as the plastic and wooden chairs were completely burnt. According to one of the lucky survivors identified as Akin, some of the worshippers were said to be sleeping when they were trapped by the raging fire.
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Former SSG files divorce suit against wife
Former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo, has approached an Oyo State High Court for the dissolution of his marriage with his estranged wife, Mrs Oyindamola Olutola Olakojo, citing the breakdown of the marriage. He claimed the latter has behaved in a way the petitioner could not be expected to live with her any longer. Olakojo, in the suit filed with number I/1236HD/13, a copy of which was made available to Sunday Tribune and which was served on the respondent’s father at NNPC area of Apata, Ibadan, accused the wife of looting their Ibadan home in July 2012 after the two had planned to travel to India and the United States of America respectively for a pre-arranged medical check-up. The septuagenarian alleged that the wife had cancelled her trip abroad, refused to pay a reported N2.5 million for flight, accommodation and other expenses, which he gave to her, and returned to Ibadan where she allegedly carted away all household utensils, including television set, refrigerator, water dispenser, plates, cups and everything relating to the child of the marriage.
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Power Transformer Thief Electrocuted in Ibadan
By Lara Adejoro
A suspected power station vandal has died when his gang hit a 500KVA transformer sub-stations with intent to steal from the facility at Irepodun Local Government Area Headquarters, Ede. Also in Ibadan, a robber was caught while trying to steel cables with other accomplices at a power station. Both incidents happened within the network of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company. The IBEDC has a franchise area that cuts across Ogun, Oyo,Osun and Kwara states and parts of Ekiti, Kogi and Niger states. In the Irepodun sub-station, the vandals tripped off power supply to Ede water works 33KV line but during the operation, IBEDC attempted to restore electricity to the feeder, which resulted in the electrocution of one of the trespassers. Publicity Manager, IBEDC, Tokunbo Peters, said that feeder pillar and armoured cables were recovered from the robbery scene in Ibadan and that both cases have been reported at the Oyo State Police Command.
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Unibadan Scientist wins women global award
By Bisi Oladele
A woman scientist at the Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan, Dr Taiwo Olayemi-Elufioye, has won the 2014 Early Career Women Scientist Award in Developing Countries. Elufioye, the only woman from Africa received the award for her research on the treatment properties of native Nigerian plants, with particular bias on the effectiveness of different species in treating malaria, wounds, memory loss, leprosy and cancer. Five early career woman scientists in developing world won this year’s Elvevier Foundation Award for their researches into medicinal properties of natural compound. Other winners are from Central and South Asia, East and South-East Asia and the Pacific, and the Arab Region. The Award was jointly organised by Elsevier Foundation, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and was held in Chicago, U tied States of America (USA). The focus of the 2014 award, which was the application of chemistry of nature to pharmaceutical science, attracted $5,000 and sponsorship of attendance at the 2014 AAAS Annual Meeting.
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NNL: 3SC coach laments poor officiating
The coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Franklin Howard, has called for improvement in the level of officiating in Nigeria National League (NNL) matches. Howard made this call on Saturday shortly after his team lost an NNL week 5 match to Bendel Insurance FC at the Samuel Ogbemidia Stadium in Benin. He said but for the poor officiating, his team deserved to win the match which they lost one goal to nil to the Benin-based club. Howard lamented in particular the goal that the centre referee denied his team. “It was a clear goal,”he began, “I wondered why the referee had to blow against that beautiful goal. “You see, there is need for us to improve on our level of officiating if we are to get it right in the NNL.” Nevertheless, the coach said 3SC would put the loss behind them and work towards winning their next match which is an home game. His opposite number, the coach of Bendel Insurance, Austin Eguavoen while describing his team’s performance as above average, noted that a lot of work still needed to be done on their scoring ability. He stressed that Insurance were not yet settled even after four games in the 2013/2014 season in the NNL. “We are going to keep working hard until will get it right, especially in our scoring,” Eguavoen declared.
Oyo govt partners Chinese investors on buses, cars production
The Oyo State government has made a major move towards industrialising the state as it finalised arrangements with three different groups of Chinese investors on the establishment of bus, car and tractor manufacturing companies in the state. The Chinese investors included those from Shaolin Bus Manufacturing Limited, Geely International Corporation and Camaco-YTO Group, which is into manufacturing of agricultural equipment. They were also accompanied on the business visit by representatives of the National Automotive Council led by the Director, Industrial Infrastructure, Mr Waheed Kolapo Odetoro. Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while welcoming the investors, who paid him a courtesy call in his office, said that the development was the result of his several trips to China during which he met with various groups of investors on the need to assist his administration in its efforts at industrialising the state and improving its economy.
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Obesere: Alleged rape victim’s friend opens up
By Tunde Ogunesan
Sequel to the rape claim by a 29-year-old business woman, Miss Olanike Olaiya, against Abass Akande, a.k.a. Obesere, a woman claiming to have introduced the duo has come to the defence of the popular fuji musician. Mrs Bola Okoro told journalists on Friday in Ibadan, Oyo State, that Olaiya had cooked up the story. Olaiya had accused Obesere of raping her when she slept in his Okota, Lagos residence. But Okoro debunked the claim, while also saying that she had been responsible for the upkeep of Olaiya and her daughter, Folawe, for more than five years. According to her, Olaiya had earlier revealed to her, a plan to blackmail Obesere for N10 million. “I warned her not to try such a thing and I thought she had taken to my advice. Obesere is my business partner and I introduced Olanike to him in order for him to help her with her business without knowing that she had another plan to malign him. “She was with Obesere on Tuesday and called me that she would be coming to Ibadan to check on her child on Wednesday, but I told her to wait; that I was also coming to Lagos for a meeting, and she came to meet me at that meeting.
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Akala, Senator, Rep, others absent as Oyo PDP inaugurates elders committee
By Tunde Ogunesan
The deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Hosea Agboola; former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala; Majority leader, House of Representatives, Honourable Mulikat Adeola, Senator Gbenga Babalola and Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia were on Friday absent at the inauguration of elders’ committee and the state caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State. This is just as a chieftain of the party in the state, Senator Lekan Balogun reiterated that the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) in the state cannot withstand the onslaught of the PDP. Balogun made this submission during the inauguration which took place at the PDP Secretariat along Elizabeth Road, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State. Balogun, who responded on behalf of members of the two committees, said the absence of elders and state caucus committee had deprived the party of internal peace for years. Balogun said: ‘‘the absence of such committees is the reason we are here today. Let us close our ranks and work for the progress of this party. APC can’t withstand us, if we’re coming, they can’t wait for us. If we can speak with one voice, they will collapse before election. “Again, I want to appeal to us to close ranks and move ahead. But this is a good development because we need this kind of committees to commence the process.”
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In Ibadan, cutlure apostles celebrate Black History Month
The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation rallies intellectuals and culture promoters for the Black History Month celebrations, AKEEM LASISI writes
With music supplied by veteran folk/highlife singer, Jimi Solanke, many intellectuals gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Thursday, to discuss how Africa can banish the socio-cultural and political dilemmas facing it. It was at the 2014 edition of the Black History Month organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation. Held at the Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, which has in, recent years, been collaborating with CBAAC through the Institute of African Studies, the programme attracted experts from different parts of the country and beyond. In his keynote lecture by the Director, Centre for the Advanced Studies of African Society, Capetown, South Africa, Prof. Kwesi Prah, explored various ways the dreams of Pan-Africanists such as the late Kwame Nkrumah can be translated into a kind of reality that will accelerate development on the continent. In the lecture titled Pan-Africanism and the Challenges of Global Unity, Prah noted that from the origin of the ideology at the end of the 19th century, the Pan-Africanist argument had slowly evolved, adapting to changing circumstances and altering as challenges of the emancipation process of Africans moved from one phase to another.
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Crown FC appoint new GM
The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Farouk Arisekola Alaoo has appointed Fatai Olayinka as the new General Manager of Crown FC less than a week after the club named Tony Rafua as General Manager. According to a release from the club’s media officer, Kunle Oyeleye, Olayinka’s appointment supersedes Tony Rafua, who had been earlier mentioned for the office. Rafua has been asked to take charge as Chief Operating Officer. Meanwhile, Crown FC and the Oyo State Football Association have entered into agreement of delivering continental results to the club this season. The relationship before now, Oyeleye revealed, had been a dull one but the solid relationship came on the order of the new leadership in both football arms. “At the meeting, both parties resolved to work together this term as the association could not be bypassed now that the club plays her home matches in Ibadan. The leadership of the FA promised to support and deploy all mechanism for the club’s success. It equally guided the team on the new rules of the association,” Oyeleye said in the release.
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Oyo PDP inaugurates three committees
By Tayo Johnson
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has inaugurated three committees to strategies on its chances to reclaim the state in 2015, in line with a directive by the party’s national working committee. The commitees are Finance (headed by Senator Gbenga Olaofe); Disciplinary (Chief Kola Gbadamosi); and Contact/Mobilisation, whose chairman is yet to be named. The committees were inaugurated yesterday at the PDP secretariat in Mokola, Ibadan. State PDP Chairman Yinka Taiwo said: “We can reclaim this state, win elective positions and control the state in 2015 if we join hands. The people are waiting for the PDP and we must not let them down; there is no doubt the task for reclaiming Oyo State has begun.” The Finance Committee is expected to raise funds to sustain the party. Taiwo said discipline is necessary for the party’s progress and urged the Disciplinary Committee to discipline members. He urged the Contact/Mobilisation Committee to ensure that members are committed to the party.
Photos From Ibadan Anti-Boko Haram Protest
Early this morning in Ibadan, March 6, 2014, Change Movement Nigeria joined BRECAN and other activists to protest the wanton destruction of lives of children, women and people in the Northern Parts of the Country.
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Comedian GBENGA ADEYINKA gears up preparation for Evolution of Laffmatazz in Ibadan
By Shade Wesley Metibogun
Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the Grand Comedian of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is gradually warming up for his annual show tagged, Evolution of Laffmatazz, on Sunday, April 20, 2014, ay Kakanfo Event Centre, Ibadan.
How is preparation for your forthcoming event, Evolution of Laffmatazz in Ibadan, Oyo State?
We are doing everything that needs to be done. We have sorted out all our artistes and our event center. We are still working on sponsors, looking for sponsors for the show.
What innovations are you putting into this year’s edition to make it better?
Our choice of artistes is different. This year, the stage is different. It is just one straight show. We are taking 2Face to Ibadan for the first time. We have 32 artistes that will be performing on stage. This year’s edition is called the Evolution, we are taking the biggest artistes from Lagos to Ibadan.
What were some of the lapses you noticed in last year’s edition?
We finished the first show in a hurry because we had to start another show on the same day. Everything is more relaxed this year. People don’t have to queue at the venue to get their tickets unlike last year. There was a very long queue, people were standing for long because of ticketing. Everything is better this time around. We have a bigger venue, we are giving more time to artistes to perform.
How much have you invested in this year’s edition?
It is difficult to put a figure on it. We have spent about N10 million already.
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Traders endorse Ajimobi for second term
By Adesoji Adeniyi
Traders, under the aegis of the Rubber Footwear Sellers Association, have endorsed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for a second term. At a forum yesterday in Idi-Ikan, Ibadan, organised by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan North West Local Government, the traders said Ajmobi did well in his two-and-a-half years in office. The association’s Chairman, Alhaji Wasiu Babalola, said: “We thank the APC administration for tarring the road that passes through our market. The drain that the government constructed is strong and the environment is cleaner, thereby enhancing our business environment. It has never happened in the history of this state.” Babalola thanked the governor for the N300 million interest-free loans given to traders. The council Chairman, Wasiu Olatunbosun, listed some of the governor’s achievements as the restoration of peace and security; improved health care delivery; provision of pipe-borne water and the construction of 280 roads. Olatunbosun said Ajimobi’s last two predecessors built only 250 roads in eight years.
On University of Ibadan’s toilets
SIR: Many people have reacted, negatively or positively, to the photo-documentary on University of Ibadan’s “dirty toilets” by one of the institution’s alumni, Ibukun Babarinde which recently went viral on the internet. Sonala Olumhense’s elegant write-up in The Guardian of Sunday, February 16, on the matter is well noted. He contended rather forcefully that during his studentship in the university, the facilities were exquisitely maintained. “I do not recall toilet facilities, in any hall, library or faculty that you hesitate to walk into.” The situation has not significantly changed. Stakeholders in the UI Project deserve some explanations on this matter. We cannot pretend that we have five-star toilet facilities in our halls of residence. However, the logic of absolute generalization is always not exactly clever. Although, they are aging, it does not mean that the toilets are not clean or cleaned. As a public institution and pride of Nigerian academia, we cherish the culture of maintenance. We continue to strive for excellence in service delivery and in the provision of functional physical infrastructure. Any visitor to our university will be impressed with the clean environment, and part of the reasons for this is that the cleaning service is outsourced.
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