South West
Why we’re evacuating beggars, street urchinsto Akinyele Resettlement Centre — Oyo govt
…it’s a dream come true for our administration — Commissioner
The Government of Oyo State, on Monday, clarified the reasons it is evacuating beggars, street-urchins and the destitute to the new facility at Akinyele Resettlement Centre, Ibadan.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, while speaking with journalists at the premises of the new location, stated that the relocation was to ensure that their well-being is catered for.
She said that the ministry, before now, had been sensitising those involved on the activities of the government concerning the relocation and that it did not just take a sudden decision to move them away.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the commissioner assured that adequate care will be given to the evacuees at the new facility, which, according to her, is more habitable and conducive.
She added that the government will not just dump them at the centre and make them suffer, explaining that kitchens, cooks, foodstuffs, mattresses, mats, toilets, washing places and other household materials available in average Nigerian homes are at the centre to aid their living.
She said: “This effort, as you can see, has been going on for some time. It is not just as if we went to where you saw us this morning at Sabo and bumped into the people. We have met several times with the Hausa community. Our last meeting was last Friday and we were with them up till about 8 p.m., to sensitize them on the activities of the government concerning the relocation of the destitute, beggars and street urchins in Oyo State.
“This is because whether we like it or not, we know that some of the people that are being relocated are headstrong people. Even as you can see this morning, there was a resistance that they don’t want to leave the premises. And as you can see this new place, a lot of efforts have been put into it. So, we tried to talk to them before they agreed to come in.
“Quite frankly, many of them have packed their things, especially the women. They wanted to come out voluntarily but it took us some time to convince some people among them, especially the leaders of the beggars there, who were proving adamant.
Four commissioners and quite a number of government functionaries were there but we had to talk to them that the government is planning for their well-being.
“We are not just going to dump these people somewhere and make them suffer. As you all can see, the facility provided here is far better than where they are. So, that is what the government is doing.
“Again, you can see the officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Environment are here. We have started taking their profiles, that is their bio-data: names, age, and where they came from, because some of them are not Nigerians. And what we intend to do is to accommodate them as best as we can, take care of them, do the best of the profiling we can do, to ascertain where they are from. And if they are ready, we are going to assist them to go back to their states of origin.
“There are husbands and wives there. I never thought of people like that being beggars. We have provided a space for women and children that are street urchins. But I am just hearing for the first time that there are couples among them. We have kitchens, cooks, we have bought foodstuffs, mattresses, mats. We have all the household things you can think of, which are in an average Nigerian home. The toilets too are there; six for the women, six for men. And at the back of the toilets, we have a washing place. So, those are some of the facilities provided.
“This is like a halfway home. It is not as if the government will take care of the responsibilities for their livelihood forever. No. But what we want to do is a sort of rehabilitation before they are finally settled. As much as possible, we want to take all of them away.
“Not only that, there are other centres and places under the bridge that is in the radar of the government.”
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said that the evacuation exercise was not meant to dislodge the destitute but to provide a better living condition for them at the new location.
“Today’s exercise was successful and it has also helped to lend credence to the fact that the people love Governor Seyi Makinde, as there was little resistance from the people involved.
“Getting to the resettlement center, they were full of praises and prayers for Governor Makinde. I am happy that the exercise, which we started few months ago, ended in praises and prayers for Governor Makinde,” he said.
Olatubosun acknowledged the support of Hausa community leaders, who were on ground to give the task force tactical support before, during and after the exercise, imploring the philanthropic residents to continue to patronise the beggars in their new abode at the Akinyele Resettlement Centre.
According to Olatubosun, Governor Makinde is keeping to his promise that he “won’t dislodge the people unless a better place is provided for those affected and that is why he committed a lot of resources to put up the centre with all essential amenities like good modern toilet facilities, potable water, solar lights as well as well-ventilated dormitories with mattresses, a clinic, and feeding for the inmates for the take-off, just to mention a few.”
Similarly, in his remark, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal hailed the government for taking the bull by the horn, having successfully evacuated the beggars to “a good environment.”
He said previous governments have made several attempts to execute this but could not fulfill the promise due to a lack of political will.
He said, “We see this as a dream coming true because past governments have been making several promises to move them to another site but could not fulfill the promises. But we promised and fulfilled. So, it is an achievement as far as our government is concerned.”
The evacuation process, which started months ago, formally commenced at 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning, with fully loaded Pacessetter Buses seen evacuating the people from the shanty on Jemibewon road to the new Centre.
The event was witnessed by the Commissioner for Environment, Barrister Idowu Oyeleke; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Sanni; Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Local and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal.
Others were the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund, CP Fatai Owoseni, rtd, who is equally the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the governor; the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, and a host of others.
By Sodiq Adelakun
Members of the Old Students Association of Odogbolu Grammar School’s 1979/84 set gathered on Friday, June 28, to commemorate significant milestones and reaffirm their commitment to supporting their alma mater.
The occasion marked 45 years since their admission to the school and 40 years since their graduation.
Speaking at the 40th-anniversary press conference, The Alumni President, Bolade Ogunfodun (BOT) emphasised the association’s dedication to giving back to the institution that shaped their formative years.
Highlighting their contributions over the years, President Ogunfodun announced the completion of a block of renovated classrooms, the provision of 120 new ironed chairs, and support for sporting activities among others.
“The essence of our reunion is to give back,” President Ogunfodun stated, reiterating the alumni’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational facilities and opportunities at Odogbolu Grammar School.
Among the distinguished alumni present was Prof. Adebola Osipitan, a former president and head boy of the 79/84 set, who spoke passionately about the alumni’s broader impact.
He revealed that the association has been creating welfare and job opportunities for members’ children and extending assistance to students and teachers alike.
“We began our efforts while some of us were still students, Our approach has always prioritised collaboration over pressure, laying a strong foundation for the association’s enduring structure,” Prof. Osipitan said.
Meanwhile, former students gathered to reminisce about their alma mater, recalling tough but transformative discipline, coordinated efforts among peers, and other formative experiences that shaped their lives.
In response to the reunion, Vice Principal Mr Oyibo expressed gratitude for the alumni’s commitment to their school and praised their initiative in launching projects aimed at benefiting current teachers and students.
…Says Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport nears inauguration
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade has said the inter-state rail system is strategic for the development of the South West region.
Akinmade made this known while speaking on the topic ‘Regional Integration and Development: The case of Ogun State’ at the Western Post 2024 annual retreat in Abeokuta.
He explained that upon the assumption of office of Governor Abiodun in 2019, he strategically came up with idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management System, which connects the State with others in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
Hon. Akinmade noted that with railway interconnectivity, development in the southwest would be faster as the movement of people and goods is made easier.
“The inter-state rail system that cuts across the states in the Southwest have been efficiently explored by Ogun State for effective connectivity in the region. Presently, the state has more rail stations than any other States; there are five different stations within the stretch of Lagos and Ibadan alone.
“With an efficient rail system, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti can secure employment in Ogun State, get to office everyday from Ekiti and return at the closing hour around 5pm, and before 7pm he will be back in Ado-Ekiti.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” he said.
The Special Adviser stated that oil exploration would soon commence in the state and that it would put the region on a more viable economic footing.
He reassured that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo airport would be inaugurated soon, saying that it would be the best in the West Africa corridor with the largest runway and apron.
Akinmade stated that the airport would bring great relief to thousands of manufacturers operating in the State to get imported materials with ease and also transport their finished goods to the rest of the world without facing the traffic snarl in Lagos.
He explained that the airport would serve as a potent regional development tool and means of connectivity among the states of the region and with the rest of the world.
“Our government is presently working on a dry port at Kajola, which will sufficiently complement the Agro-Cargo Airport in the area of importation and exportation of raw materials and finished goods by manufacturers, and by implication serve as a better alternative to the Lagos Port that is often characterised by heavy congestion,” said Akinmade.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the government had constructed over 500km of roads across the State to make mobility easier and connect other States more effectively, adding that the roads had made regional integration possible considering the strategic location of Ogun State in the region.
“Of profound interest is the recent resolution by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to start oil exploration in Ogun State and make the State an oil-producing State, which in the next twelve months will begin to unfold and put the region on a more viable economic footing.
“Our administration has invested heavily in agriculture to ensure food security, and just last week, the Governor allocated expansive lands to state lawmakers for the purpose of aggressive mechanised farming. It may interest you to know that our State is presently the largest producer of poultry products and cassava in the country.
“Imbued with unwavering commitment to speedy development of the State and the region at large, through his ISEYA mantra, which encompasses : Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Wellbeing, Education, Youths Empowerment and Job Creation and lastly Agriculture, Prince Dapo Abiodun, upon his assumption of office, strategically came up with very brilliant idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management system, which connects the State with other states in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” said Akinmade.
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke is set to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme, targeting thousands of young farmers across the agricultural value chain.
Adeleke disclosed that nothing less than 1,000 hectares of land will be allocated to each local government for the programme.
This was contained in a statement signed by Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke assured stakeholders that farm inputs, tractorisation and issue of food security are being addressed by his government.
The Governor said his plans for the agricultural sector is robust and all inclusive , adding that “the state is now set for implementation of various programmes in the sector.”
He said, “We take Agriculture very seriously. Our government decided to first focus on bridging the infra deficit to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas. We first focused on building the roads and bridges as a condition to empower the agricultural sector in the area of transportation and market linkages.
“Now that we have made enormous progress in the infra sector, we are now set to roll out specific programmes for the agricultural sector. I have set up an implementation committee on the recommendations of our food security committee.
“The Committee which is to be chaired by my Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon Olaniran Akanfe has the mandate to put into effect the suggestions and proposals in the food committee report. Other members of the committee include Olusola Omole, Dr Alaba Towoju, Dr Olu Olajide, Hon Moshood Yakub, Hon Alexander Kehinde Oloke, Adelowo Adekunle Saburi, Kolade Tunde (TISKO) and Engr Badmus Bukola Mikail. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture is to serve as the Secretary of the Committee while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Tola Faseru serves as overall Coordinator.
“As we kickstart the implementation of the food security committee, our government is to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme which is to target thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs across the agricultural value chain.
“The programme will include at least 1,000 hectares of Land per local government; provision of land clearing and tractorisation; availability of inputs; guaranteed offtaking; all season irrigation farming; integration of hydroponic farming; integration of precision farming and emphasis on gender balancing and inclusivity.
“My Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Faseru is to chair the Action committee which will have representatives from ALGON, traditional institutions among others. Other members of the action committee will include Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Land; Surveyor General of the state; Director Agriculture services at the Ministry of Agriculture; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth; President, Osun Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Adegoke Taiwo Kamal; a representative of farm equipment leasers and Hon Hezekiah Olabamiji Oladele(HOB).
“I have also directed the Commissioner to host a meeting with real farmers on our various farmlands in the state. The Commissioner is to meet genuine farmers to strengthen our partnership as we launch various programmes within the sector.
“On tractorisation, this is another piece of good news. The state has acquired some tractors while the Commissioner has been directed to negotiate a leasing deal with the tractor hiring association. We are also repairing existing tractors.
“For those into plantation farming, we are raising seedlings across the crop sectors. We are starting with cashew and cocoa.
“More importantly, our government is working on reviving the cocoa industry as well as supporting agro processing through public private partnership. We welcome investors and partners in this critical sector,” the statement added.
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