CAIDOV TO HOST  ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, CAIDOV has concluded plans to organise a roundtable conference, converging specialists from diverse fields of human endeavours to brainstorm on the causes of increasing rates of sexual and domestic violence across the globe with emphasis on Nigeria.

The one day roundtable conference in conjunction with Women Affairs department of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area holds on Thursday 31st July 2024 at the Henry Oladele Ajomale hall, within the Secretariat, Festac Town, Lagos.

Among those expected include the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Engr. Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh who is the Special Guest of Honour, foremost human rights Activist and President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Odumakin.

University Lecturer, Adeyinka Wulemat Olarinmoye, Mrs Aderonke Oyelakin of Child Network Protection, while a Lawyer, Mr Adedotun Ajulo, Esq. will be resource persons at the roundtable 

The Executive Director of the Centre, Comrade Gbenga Soloki disclosed that the idea of the roundtable confab was borne out of the numerous cases of rape and domestic violence reported daily at the Centre and the contribution of the agency to get to the root of the matter and  proffer lasting solution to its reduction if not total elimination.

He promised that the centre will not stop at this as there are other programmes in the kitty which will be unveiled.

Few survivors of Rape and Domestic Violence have been invited to the event to share their traumatic experiences with the participants at the event, and, get requisite counseling.

 Isolo/Ejigbo Road Project:

Lawmaker Raises Issues Over Slow Pace of Work

True to his word, the lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi has taken up issues with the contractor handling the Isolo/Ejigbo Road Reconstruction project.

The project which commenced in January 2023 was expected to be delivered June 2024. But regrettably, 18 months after, the reconstruction has been bugged down by slow pace of work which has heightened fear of motorists, residents and other stakeholders of the contractor's lack of capacity to deliver on the project.

With growing concerns over the lethargic pace of work, Hon. Onuakalusi paid a scheduled inspection visit to the project site to ventilate his displeasure over complaints raised by residents and other stakeholders.

The lawmaker's visit was a big relief to Isolo residents many of whom have dubbed him an 'absentee' lawmaker who they claim was not always available to them to discuss their plights and displeasure.

Accompanied by the Special Adviser on Works to Isolo LCDA council chairman, Hon. Jamiu Omotayo, the federal lawmaker arrived at the project site at about 2:00 p.m. with a retinue of press men, community leaders and stakeholders.

He was received by the Project Manager from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Folorunsho Ogundele and the Resident Engineer, Engr. Canice Ogu.

Hon. Onuakalusi, who was visibly angered by the numerous complaints on the on-going project occasioned by man-hour loss due to perennial traffic and the poor state of some portion of the road did not mince words when he lamented the shoddy handling of the project.

"We all know the socio-economic importance of this road. It is a link road to many other communities. Hence, it is economically important not only to Isolo and Ejigbo but to other communities in the state. But unfortunately the pace of work has left much to be desired.

"The 18 months duration for the project has lapsed since last month and there is no hope that the job can be completed before December. Hence, we are here today to have on-the-spot assessment and to find out possible challenges mitigating against the completion of the project" the lawmaker said in his remark.

In response, the Project Manager, Engr. Folorunsho Ogundele blamed the recent incessant rains as a major hindrance of the project. "This is a natural phenomenon we don't have control over. As you can see, we are almost done with the drainage on both side and we are in the process of doing the earth work but we can't start now because of the rains." He said 

He added that the variation in the cost of the project which was occasioned by the rising cost of materials has also brought about a review of the design and cost of the project.

In response to calls for a durable project, Engr. Ogundele happily informed that rather than having the normal surfacing, the on-going project would be done on concrete surfacing due to heavy duty vehicles that are expected to ply the road upon completion.

On the floodings being experienced in some areas, Engr. Ogundele said this would normalize as soon as the drainage is completed and linked straight to Oke-Afa Canal.

However, a community leader, Mr. Sunday Olaifa pleaded for adequate attention on the link roads captured in the project documents even as he called for compensation to be paid to those affected by flooding caused by the on-going project.

To this, Hon. Onuakalusi requested letters and petitions from those affected to be adressed to the local government. "We expect the local government to capture these petitions in their report to the Ministry of Works and Housing where we would request for some compensation because we cannot be building roads at the detriment of our houses," Hon. Onuakalusi remarked.

He therefore pleaded with the contractor to hasten up on the project which he said must be completed latest December 2024.

Earlier same day, the Controller of Works (South west), Engr. Kesha had visited the project site to assess the on-going work. Dissatisfied with the likelihood of muddy scene, she ordered the immediate stoppage of earth-work till when there is clear weather while calling for completion of concrete work on the project.

Engr. Kesha also called for palliatives to be carried out on a section of the road to aid ease of movement by motorists in and out of Isolo.

 Rasak Ajala, SKF Sets Odiolowo/Ojuwoye On Global Stage As Five Ghetto United Players Make Nigeria Team To Gothia Cup In Sweden 

Again, an initiative by Honourable Rasak Olusola Ajala has brought Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area into limelight.

On Wednesday, 10 July, 2024, the Ilupeju secretariat of the council was packed full of people, rejoicing and singing praises of the young council boss who has taken grassroots governance to a greater with mouth-watering people-oriented programmes which have improved the lives of residents of the council area.

A Swedish based company, SKF had journeyed into seeking football talents to represent the country at the popular Gothia Cup Youth Competition. For those who don't know, Gothia Cup is one of the most respected and popular youth football competitions in the world.

In the past, the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) used to raise the team for Nigeria's participation at the annual event but the country's participation stopped with the extinction of YSFON.

This, this year, SKF took up itself as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to raise a team to represent Nigeria at the Gothia Cup.

Thousands of players took part in the screening exercise which took place the football pitch of the Lagos State College of Medicine (LASUCOM). At stake was just 18 slots for players picked.

Ghetto United, a community nurtured football team, founded and financed by Rasak Ajala became the cynosure of eyes after the screening exercise.

Out of the 18 players picked, five came from came from Ghetto United. It was such a success a story.

By the time this report will hit the streets, the five Ghetto United players and 15 others chosen would have been in Sweden ready to do Nigeria proud. More than 1700 teams from 80 countries of the world would participate in the competition.

The Ajala-led administration on Wednesday, 10 July, 2024, held a send forth for the players and it was commendation galore for the council Chairman.

The players, who were accompanied by their parents expressed gratitude to the Council Chairman, assuring that they will work hard to make not only the council area but also Lagos and Nigeria proud during the competition.

Speaking during the send forth party, an elated Ajala said, "When we were traversing the nooks and crannies of the LCDA, soliciting for their votes, we did tell them that we are going to project Mushin to the world positively and one of the veritable platforms to do this for our youth is through football and other sports.

"What we are doing today is a fulfillment of our covenant we had with our people and this came in handy when SKF decided to use international football tournament for the youth across the world to showcase the youth of Nigeria, especially the youth of Odiolowo-Ojuwoye LCDA in that competition coming up in Sweden".

He noted that the LCDA has been nurturing the youth for years, spending lots of money to keep them fit and handy for them to be accessed.

He thanked the sponsor, SKF for believing in the youth, the country and the LCDA and assured them that the youth would make them proud at the end of the tournament.

"I know, given the talents and the capacity the team has exhibited, they would bring the converted trophy back home. 

"I am sure there is no way these lads would write their trajectories of their surgeon within football space without recourse to what God has used your company to do in their lives".

He stated further that, "I am fulfilled that our government, your government has made meaningful impact on the lives of the families of these 5 youths.

"We will continue them and I am looking forward to the day they will be in the final stage of the competition and I will be joining them to be part of the success story to bring the cup home.

"Mushin is not synonymous with negativity, we have lots of talents and we have lots of people making remarkable waves in their various endeavors that are making us proud across the world. 

"What we are doing today is a testament to that fact

"If we can have five youths representing the country from our LCDA, it speaks volumes. 

"I want to appeal to our youth to use their energies for something positive rather than using them to unleash terror to innocent citizens of the LCDA.

"These crops of youth have demonstrated uncommon traits and towed our line of vision for the youth of the LCDA.

"I am sure, the other youth will emulate what these young boys have achieved," he said.

He advised them to exercise a high degree of discipline when they get there.

The Vice Chairman, Hon Seyi Jakande expressed his joy for the achievement attained with the boys.

"It is a thing of joy that we have achieved this and this is a clear demonstration that we have been able to walk our talk 

"The defining moment is the accomplishment that our LCDA has produced these five young men.

"It is a demonstration that through perseverance and patience one can actualize his/her dream without necessarily towing the lines of (Japa) syndrome.

"I am appealing to our youth to continue to be patriotic and believe in the country and the sky is their beginning," he said.

In his message to the players, the SKF representative, Mr Edio Uti, stated that lots of stars have merged from the competition like Emmanuel Adebayor and others.

He advised that they shouldn't be intimidated as they have what it takes to Excel.

"They should go there, express themselves, enjoy themselves and whatever comes out should be taken in good faith," he said.

He thanked the Chairman of the Council and his team for their support as they were the one that introduced the Coaches, and the players to them.

The CDC Chairman, Otunba Adebayo Adekunle advised the boys to comport themselves well and not be intimidated by the crowd.

The Coach of the team, Mr. Azeez Mustapha was overwhelmed with joy as he gave glory to God for making his dreams come to pass.

He thanked Hon. Ajala and his team for the support given to him to enable him achieve the feat.

He seized the opportunity to thank the sponsor, SKF, for believing in his players and spending so much on them.

One of the parents of the players, Mr. Olajide Ebenezer thanked the Chairman, Hon. Rasaq Ajala, his team and SKF for the lifetime opportunity given to his son and other players.

He prayed to God to continue to be with them.

Owoseni Damilare, one of the players was full of thanks to the Chairman and their sponsor, SKF for the opportunity given to him and his colleagues.

"This is a lifetime opportunity for me and my colleagues 

"We have trained together and played lots of competitions but this is a special as it is an opportunity to showcase our talents outside the soil of this country 

"We have the skills, talents, capacity and what it takes to bring the cup back home," he stated.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of a pair of boots to each of the players by the Chairman, Hon. Ajala. 

The five Ghetto United players selected for the Ghotia Cup competition are: Owoseni Damilare, Idris Faruq, Adisa Mubarak, Adigun Qudus and Olajide Daniel.

 Fraudster-Turned Pastor, Fred Ajudua Donates 50 Houses To Widows

 

Having been out of the limelight for a while, it looks like the seemingly retired fraud kingpin, Fred Ajudua has truly turned a new leaf and embraced a legitimate lifestyle. 

Apart from becoming a clergyman who is committed to winning souls for Jesus Christ, via a church he pastors in Ibusa, his hometown in Delta State, the 63-year-old has now embraced philanthropy. 

He recently added another year and to celebrate his new age, he donated over 50 houses to widows and the less-privileged in his community. This was done through the establishment of the FCA Scholarship Foundation.

The foundation has reportedly made notable contributions to Ibusa, demonstrating Ajudua’s commitment to charitable endeavours. But not a few are sceptical with this act of generosity and wonder if he isn’t using other people’s sweat to achieve his aim.

 Recall that two months ago, he was arrested by the Nigeria Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for land fraud and forgery. His arrest may not be unconnected with accusations of land grabbing by Akwukwu Igbo residents and those of Ogbe-Iyase quarters in Akwukwu-Igbo of Oshimili North Local Government areas of Delta State.

The residents at some point formed a protest group and pleaded with the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to assist in dissuading Ajudua from taking over their farmlands to avoid crisis and bloodshed in the community. 

After seeing that the state government wasn’t doing their bidding, some of the protesters got a court injunction restraining Ajudua from entering some portions of land. 

Ajudua ignored the court injunction and continued to trespass into the land using agents of a real estate development firm, Property World Africa Network (PWAN Plus) until he got arrested and later released on bail to Senator Ned Nwoko who stood as a guarantor for him.

 Royal Families Reject Tinubu’s ADC As New King

Royal families have rejected Lt. Col. Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, the aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the new king of Ilemona.

Prince Afeez Adewale of the Shittu ruling house said the process is already compromised, and it violates the selection process.

Adewale added that it’s not ADC Yusuf’s turn to be crowned as king as his late father was the immediate past king, Oba Yusuf Omokanye Oyekanmi.

The late Oba, the Elemona of Ilemona died in May, at the age of 95.

Adewale said Yusuf’s appointment as Oba is an exploitation of his family’s right to become the next King of Ilẹmọna town.

He said this in a statement issued on Friday, July 12.

The royal families called on the government to do a thorough investigation on the matter to avoid Injustice.

A government source said Yusuf’s name was selected by the kingmakers and submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development for the governor’s ratification.

According to Adewale, two ruling lineages exist in Ilemona town, namely the Arolu ruling house and the Ogobi family.

He alleged that other members of the royal families were not involved in the nomination process except that of Tinubu’s aide and it violates the selection process.

 "Out of four kingmakers, three seats are vacant till today. I wonder where he singlehandedly started his selection process. 

“This is an abuse of office by the ADC. We want to make it crystal clear that it’s not ADC Nurudeen Yusuf’s turn, his late father was the immediate past king. The Obaship should go to another ruling family. 

"Above all we call on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as a father not to involve themselves in this kind of shabby nomination.” the statement read in part