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When associates, families and friends gathered to remember J.S. Olawoyin

by Editor February 17, 2025

written by Editor

By Adeleke Gbenga

At the entry gate of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU) hall, outside was a huge poster of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin. His frozen picture visibly loomed out of the poster at the gate steering at the guests coming into the hall as if welcoming them to his posthumous centenary celebration. The image popping out of the poster struck familiar cord with the likes of Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, Chief Wole Oke and other distinguished guests who were older enough to recognize the familiar face. To them, the familiar face on the poster was a memorabilia of an oracle of ideological purity and progressive politics in the defunct Northern region and the old Kwara State. An epitaph to an era gone in the history of Offa. But to those who were younger and not familiar with him, majority of whom were present at his posthumous centenary anniversary, the man on the poster was just an ordinary man like any other man they see on the streets. He might not ignite any passion, any response of deeper value and reflection in them. Infact, the event looked just like any other ordinary event to them.

But the posthumous centenary anniversary of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin, the firebrand politician from Offa held recently in Offa strikingly illuminated an era in the politics of the defunct Northern region and the old Kwara State. An era that might be outside the grasp of many young people. This was an era between 1940s and the early 1980s when late Chief Olawoyin bestrode the politics of this part of the old Nigeria like a colossus. He was the leader of the opposition party, Action Group in the defunct Northern House of Assembly in the First Republic and leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN)in the Second Republic.

For his adventure in politics, his chivalry in fighting injustices in the old Northern region and the old Kwara State, he was literally resurrected from his grave recently in Offa, his country home where he was celebrated and put in the pantheon of gods and goddesses of Offa and become part of the Offa mythology. Like the oracle at the Delphi in Greek mythology, the politics late Chief Olawoyin plied in the First and Second Republics in a saner clime were enough to turn the late sage to an oracle and his home in Offa a Delphi, a sort of sacred political groove, the contemporary politicians should make a pilgrimage of. But a cruel twist of fate in the political history of the old North conspired against this. And the melancholy dark silence of dead night fell on his destiny.

But the people of Offa will not forget one of the greatest of their own. And a bright new day of blissful glory after the long dark silence of dead night, dawned on the late sage. As a result, all roads led to Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State on 5th February 2025 for a posthumous centenary celebration of life and time of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin. The posthumous centenary anniversary was a rollcall of the eminent dignitaries from all walks of life.

Among the young contemporaries of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin from Kwara State that graced the occasion were Chief Wole Oke and Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo. There were other eminent dignitaries from Kwara and Southwest in particular, who graced the occasion. They were too numerous to mention.

IMG 20250205 121337 478 — Guest lecturer, Mr. Akin Osuntokun delivering lecture titled ”Yoruba Nationality Consciousness and Controversy”at the just concluded posthumous centenary anniversary of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin at Offa, Kwara State.

By 10am, the expansive hall of ODU had been filled to capacity. The aroma of Yoruba tradition and culture scented the air. The guests’ sartorial tastes for unique fabrics for occasion like this, their sense of good dressings, sense of fashion and grandeur and exquisite cars at the parking lots of the expansive hall accentuated the status of the occasion. Little wonder that the minstrel bards welcoming the distinguished guests with entertainment, to the warm embrace of the hall competed against one another in their virtuoso skills to attract attention. Their drumbeats accompanied by other Yoruba musical paraphernalia like ‘sekere” rent the air. More often than not, the minstrels increased the tempo of their arts and scampered after every new big dignitary they spotted alighting from the vehicle.

The atmosphere animatedly bustled and convulsed with throngs of crowd who came to pay tributes to the strong man of Offa politics. It was charged with the mood of communal feeling and community sense of duty. It needed not be told and neither written nor spoken, the Offa people felt an acute sense of injustice. They felt trapped in a space over which they seemed to lack control and so, they wanted to control their destiny. Such was the feeling fueling their quests for justice and restructuring of the present Nigerian polity that ignores history and culture.

The spirit of the late politician hovered in the air. The atmosphere reeked of moods of celebration and lamentation. The history of an era, an era of progressive politics in the Yoruba parts of the old Northern region was reopened and brought to the fore. Members of Afenifere in Kwara and in Southwest were present at the occasion.

While the life and time of Chief Olawoyin was celebrated at his posthumous centenary, it was an occasion to reflect on the status of Offa citizens in Kwara State under the present Nigerian structure. As Yoruba people, they probably asked; are we Northerners or South-westerners? Are we first class citizens or second class citizens in Kwara? Why are we part of the North even when we are Yoruba by culture and history? This was part of the problem of cultural and identity crisis discreetly put on the front burner at the posthumous centenary celebration. This was poignantly accentuated by a lecture titled ”Yoruba Nationality Consciousness and Controversy” which was further expanded and expatiated by a book written in honour of late Chief Olawoyin, titled ”A Century of Legacy and Leadership”

Offa was part of Northern Nigeria under the control of the Ilorin Native Authority Council. It was so during the life of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin. He struggled with this till the end. For example, it was narrated that early in the 50s when the party of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Action Group moved a motion for Nigeria’s independence prior to 1960. Northern politicians were said to threaten to pull the North out of Nigeria if a request for early independence as demanded by Action Group was granted. Northerners were not ready for independence at the time. So they threatened to secede from Nigeria.

IMG 20250205 131303 737 — Book reviewer, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, ace columnist with the Nigerian Tribune reviewing a book titled ”A Century of Legacy and Leadership”written in honour of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin to mark his posthumous centenary anniversary recently held in Offa Kwara State.

Chief Olawoyin was said to have threatened back that if the North seceded from Nigeria, the Yoruba people of the Ilorin and Kabba Province would also secede from the North. Because they were not Northerners. He and one Alhaji M.K Ijaya were said to have written series of letters to the power that be then, in which they reportedly accused the North of injustices and how the Northern People Congress, the ruling party in the North was fueling instability in Offa and other Yoruba towns in the North.

There was a letter he was said to have written on 2nd August 1967 to the Governor of Central West State Ilorin and another one he wrote to late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir. Ahmadu Bello in which he specifically demanded independence for Offa and other Yoruba towns in the North. He wanted them to be independent from the Ilorin Native Authority Council. He was said to have bitterly complained how certain people from Ilorin were nominated to represent Offa District in Ilorin Native Authority Council.

These were the conundrums of the old Nigeria late Chief Olawoyin was said to have grappled and struggled with in his life time. It could be said that Chief Olawoyin literally walked the length and breadth of the ODU hall during his posthumous centenary celebration, with tales of his heroic deeds recalled, and testimonies of his encounters, experiences and brushes in politics brought to memory. A short documentary on his life and time was beamed to the audience in which close family members and associates shared their experiences and encounters with the late politician, to the audience.

The posthumous centenary was a broad sweep of the distant past brought to memory with an exposition on the depth, breadth and length of the history of Offa’s struggles and how the struggles forged and continue to forge its politics. It was a reminder of who the Offa people are, a poignant reminder of their history and culture. It was an evocation of cultural and ethnic history, dovetailing to the current wave of ethnic nationalism sweeping across the length and breadth of Nigeria. It was an expository exploration on Nigerian conditions and its crisis, especially its current structural contradictions and tensions.

It equally served as a call to duty. A sort of mobilization and call on the people of Offa and the entire Yoruba people of Kwara State to preserve their ethnic and cultural identity. A lecture as aforementioned said was delivered to this effect by Balogun Akin Osuntokun. It was titled ”Yoruba Nationality Consciousness and Controversy” Balogun Akin Osuntokun seriously lamented how current Yoruba parents had allowed their language and traditional religion dislocated and displaced by foreign languages and religions, i.e English, Arabic and Christianity and Islam.

Balogun Akin Osuntokun reiterated that no culture could survive without its language, warning that any people that accepted foreign religion must definitely absorb its culture. He charged the audience to take interest in the cognomen of their family, ”oriki idile” that instructs about myth of the past, to challenge the present generations to preserve the heritage of their families. He used his own personal journey of self rediscovery he embarked upon fifteen years ago which took him to Ajase-Ipo in Kwara State to trace his ancestry’s origin. Balogun Akin Osuntokun lamented that the present Yoruba generations have lost their traditional religion and culture to the foreign ones. He stressed that the soul of any nation is their tradition and culture.

The posthumous centenary celebration as equally aforementioned was accompanied by a book presentation in honour of Chief Olawoyin. It was a compendium of 257 pages titled ”A Century of Legacy and Leadership” reviewed by the ace columnist with the Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju who narrated roles played by Chief Olawoyin in the historical struggle of Offa to exist as a Yoruba community independent of any foreign overlord.

He said ”This book of 257 pages celebrates the valiant spirit of Offa, the ancestral home where we were told the umbilical cord of Moremi lied buried. We all know the story of Moremi, her courage, her patriotism and sacrifice”

He described the book as a primer on epic battles the Offa people undertook in their struggles to have a permanent home. But it proved to be daunting encounters and exercises for them. It was a relentless resistance against an equally relentless and formidable foes who continued to unsettle and force them to move and relocate from one settlement to another.

”The old Offa and its people were unsettled and disrupted so many times. They were forced to move and relocate from one settlement to another on account of wars they encountered, until they permanently settled in their present location” he explained. Speaking extensively, he narrated in Yoruba language to further buttress on their encounters and experiences

”Nigbati Ilofa kogbawa, akolosi Ofa-Oro, Nigbati Ofa-Oro kogbawa, akolosi Ofa-irese. Nigbati Ofa-irese

kogbawa, akolosi si Igbo-Olutu, Nigbati Igbo-Olutu kogbawa, atunpada si Ofa Esun. Nigbati Ofa Esun kogbawa, akolosi Ofa Arinlolu Olofa”

The above was said to be on page 71 of the book, according to Dr. Lasisi Olagunju. He reiterated that these exposures, experiences and encounters with wars forged the character and the valiant spirit of Offa people. He pointed out that the ”Ijakadi loro Offa” a metaphor that speaks volume of the valiant spirit and ethos of fierce resistance of the Offa people, probably had its origin from these encounters and experiences. These include the spirit of activism, resistance, fairness, equity and justice. He stressed that a typical Offa indigene will not quake or quit or run away from intimidation or oppression of the powerful. A true Offa blue blood would face the difficult situation and assert his or her rights even if he or she will be killed.

IMG 20250205 111339 595 — ***Guests at the posthumous centenary anniversary of late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin recently in Offa Kwara State.***

The book reviewer, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju quotedly stressed further ”the Olofa who started the resistance died peacefully. But a long list of his successors did not enjoy such luxury. His son who took over from him abdicated the throne due to internal intrigues and betrayals. The one who succeeded him sustained the activism and was deposed by the Ilorin Native Authority Council. Another who took over in 1906 and did as his predecessors did had his staff of office withdrawn in 1917. The one who took over from him was deposed three years after. He was first dethroned in 1920 and detained for 19years in Ilorin by Ilorin Native Authority Council. He was freed and returned to Offa in 1940 not as oba but to give him time to die at home. The one who succeeded him was as trenchant as his father. He was equally dethroned. After him was another unbending Olofa who spent four years on the throne and died in 1936. Then came Oba Wuraola Isioye in 1937. He was first dethroned on 15th February 1957 for his support for Awolowo’s party, Action Group which won the 1957 election in Offa. Oba Wuraola Isioye was finally deposed on 28th May 1959, few months to another election on a flimsy excuse of old age”

Dr. Lasisi Olagunju reiterated further ”after Oba Wuraola Isioye was finally deposed on 28th May 1959, he was to be exiled to Dekina in today’s Kogi State. But Chief Olawoyin got wind of the plan to send him on exile. He quickly took step and took him out of Offa at 9:00pm in the night to Ibadan for safety before the arrival of Government agents”

“What we are talking about and celebrate here are resilience, courage, fearlessness, resistance, patriotism, loyalty, self sacrifice, justice and equity” Dr. Olagunju said.

Also on Oba Okunoye Moronfolu, he narrated, ”Oba Okunoye Moronfolu took over as Olofa at a time Ilorin threatened the peace of Offa and everything it represented. The old Offa ran away from Nupe marauders. This last Offa stood firm in righteous resistance against the Fulani incursion” All these were characters the late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin was said to embody in his life time.

The ace Nigerian Tribune columnist said if late Chief Olawoyin had been born as a female, she would have been a Moremi reincarnated. But he came as a male child, however with all the spirits and principles of Moremi, such as courage, valiant and fierce spirit of resistance, resilience, self sacrifice, justice and equity, reincarnated in him. Thus, his activities and struggles made it look as if Chief Olawoyin continued the struggles where Moremi had stopped. But his own, on a more grander scale and fiercer and wider field.

He was said to marry to unbending principles. He was offered a ministerial appointment by the late Premier of the defunct Northern region, Sir. Ahmadu Bello to win him to his side, but Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin was said to reject the offer. He chose to become leader of the opposition party in the defunct Northern House of Assembly.

It was also narrated that the late Premier of the defunct Western region, late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola at the peak of his crisis with late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the leader of Action Group, approached late Chief Olawoyin and pleaded with him to join him against Chief Awolowo, because both of them i.e Chief Akintola and Chief Olawoyin were the same Oyo Yoruba with similar tribal marks. He wanted Chief Olawoyin to join him in a fight to decimate Awolowo who was an Ijebu Yoruba. Chief Olawoyin rejected the suggestion and stood firmly out of principle by Chief Awolowo, as narrated by the book reviewer, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju.

He however paid a price for this. He was sentenced to jail with late Chief Awolowo on a charge of treasonable felony.

The posthumous centenary anniversary was witnessed by the matriarch of the Olawoyin dynasty, Chief(Mrs.)Ruth Mopelola Olawoyin and other family members including the Ajirogun of Offa, Barrister Olusegun Olawoyin. Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin who would have clocked 100years on 5th February 2025 was born on 5th February 1925. He was a publicity secretary of Zikist Movement, a revolutionary movement of young Marxists in the 40s, in Jebba South from 1948 to 1949 before the movement was eventually banned. He was appointed administrative secretary of Offa Descendants Union between 1953 and 1974. He was the first old boy of Offa Grammar School to be appointed a member of the Board of Governors of the school in 1954 until 1975. He was a councillor in Offa from 1955 to 1979 when he resigned in preparation for the gubernatorial election in Kwara State in the 1979 elections. He was a co-founder of the Offa Community Girls School in 1955.

The school’s name later changed to Anglican College of Commerce.

Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin was appointed an organising secretary of the Action Group in 1953 for former Ilorin Province and in 1954, he was elected the general secretary of the party for the defunct Northern Region. In 1956, he was elected Action Group member for Offa town in the defunct Northern House of Assembly. He was a co-founder of the Middle Belt Peoples’ Party in 1953, another radical political party of the minority ethnic groups in the old North. He was the party’s publicity secretary from 1953 to 1955. He was nominated a member of the Northern Nigerian Leaders of Thought from 1966 to 1967. At one of their meetings held in the defunct Northern Region Legislature, J.S. Olawoyin moved a motion calling for the carving out of 6 separate and autonomous States from the old and former Northern Region.

Kwara State was included among the new States he proposed for creation. It was first named Central West State before it was changed to Kwara State. His motion was ably seconded by the father of the present Governor of Kwara State, late A.G. Abdulrasaq, an intimate friend of late Chief Olawoyin. Chief Olawoyin attended the London constitutional conference in 1957 and another one held in 1958 also in London. The 1958 London constitutional conference addressed the vexed problem of Henry Willink’s report on the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria. Chief Olawoyin also attended the Lagos constitutional conference of 1960 in which final arrangements were concluded for transfer of powers to Nigeria by the British colonialists on October 1st 1960.

He was a director of the New Nigerian Newspapers ltd from 1967 to 1979. Chief Olawoyin was a member of former Western Nigerian Finance Corporation, Ibadan from 1957 to 1962. He was imprisoned at Broad Street Prison in 1962 with Chief Obafemi Awolowo and 25 others. He was the Chairman of the Nigerian General Insurance Company ltd from 1980 to 1983. He was one of the foundation members of the Unity Party of Nigeria and was elected its State Chairman, Kwara State in 1978. He was the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 1979 election in Kwara State.

He wrote a book titled ”My Political Reminiscences(1948-1983). The book was published by John West, a publishing company based in Lagos, owned by late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State and a strong member of the Unity Party of Nigeria.The book was launched in 1993. The highlight of the occasion was the book unveiled together with a launch of foundation in memory of the late political leader.

February 17, 2025 0 comment 81 views

Health Features

2025 Cholera Action Plan: Kwara/Ekiti WASH sectors put on toes to tie up loose ends

by Editor February 2, 2025

written by Editor

By Adeleke Gbenga

It was not an alarm, neither was it an emergency hoax to cause panic or fear. But the message was inbuilt with tone of a need for urgency, rapid response and quick action. The message did not outrightly mention it, it inadvertently however hinted something about response capacities of the two states, Kwara and Ekiti States.

But for Obofin Charles, the lanky brawny ebony skin staff of the Department of Water Quality and Contrast, Federal Ministry of Water Resource and Sanitation, Abuja, who was in Kwara State with his colleagues from the Federal Capital Territory for facilitation of a two-day sensitization workshop, the message was necessary. The Kwara/Ekiti’s response capacities to WASH emergencies appeared to still leave much to be desired.

Just a month to the end of 2024 and with a few steps away to 2025 during which the new year’s first few months might herald a new season of rainfalls, the WASH Emergency Technical Working Group of Kwara and Ekiti, if they were active at all deserved a peer review. And that was what Obofin Charles and Bamidele Segun of the Department of Water Quality and Contrast, Federal Ministry of Water Resource and Sanitation from Abuja did at a sensitization workshop held at Tranquil Hotel along Offa Road Ilorin Kwara State from 26th to 29th of November, 2024.

For Obofin Charles however, with his bravura show of his technical skills on engineering of water productions, sanitation and hygiene, nobody in the audience was left in doubt that these areas were his turf. He proved with meticulousness, his knowledge with which he buffeted the audience.bHe displayed in his presentations, supported with his abstract data and technical details on response capacity he had reviewed and done elsewhere.

1738525853028 1738525834842 IMG 20241128 130558 617 1 — L-R(1st left, Bamidele Segun, 2nd left, Obofin Charles, 4th left, Mr. Rufai Olalekan Abdulazeez Director Sanitation and Hygiene RUWASSA Kwara State) shortly after the two-day sensitization workshop on WASH Emergency Coordination at Elite Tranquil Hotel along Offa Road Ilorin Kwara State recently.

What a smart and ambitious young Government bureaucrat he proved to be. The young man from Edo State, with his loud deep and overwhelming voice, and his icy glare of a movie spy simply paddled his canoe with cool and calmness in the confusing stormy and rough waters of his technical data and abstract details, befuddling his listeners.

For him the sensitization workshop on WASH Emergency Coordination which appears to be a flagship of the UNICEF and Federal Ministry of Water Resource and Sanitation in their bulwark against cholera outbreak was nothing but a compelling step in the right direction.

It reminded Kwara and Ekiti to necessarily put their houses in order on WASH Emergency Coordination against cholera outbreak in 2025.

For the Federal Ministry of Water Resource and Sanitation and its supporter, UNICEF, prevention was better than cure in the fight against cholera outbreak. What with experiences of the past that revealed that cholera outbreak is a recurring decimal in Nigeria.

For the 36 States of the Federation, in view of their past records of response capacities to cholera outbreaks, problem of open defecation still yet to be overcome, lack of access to safe and clean drinking water still yet to be tackled, lack of proper waste management and poor sanitation still yet to be solved, the 36 States were said to deserve nothing less than the peer review to evaluate their state of preparedness. Majority of these States’ WASH and Emergency Technical Working Groups were said to have gone comatose due to lack of funding.

Obofin Charles confided this in The Herald on Sunday in an exclusive interview during which he reiterated that Nigeria for now could not eradicate cholera outbreak but might succeed in suppressing it and curtailing its spread. He said most Government officials were fond of promising plans to eliminate cholera in Nigeria, reiterated however that this was impossible for now due to the aforementioned problems of open defecation, lack of access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and waste management disposal among other challenges still yet to be solved.

Now that the 2025 was being ushered in, with raining season some few months away, the workshop compellingly could not have come at a better time as far as the young Federal Government bureaucrat from Edo State was concerned.

The capacity building again became necessary not only to establish the WASH and Emergency Technical Working Group on disaster management, especially on cholera epidemic but to strengthen the Technical Working Group, he stressed further.

Obofin Charles however speculatedly wondered aloud about number of States, whose WASH Emergency Technical Working Groups were presently active. He tasked and asked himself. However, for Kwara and Ekiti chosen for the workshop, this became a necessary question to ponder.

For example, late 2021, there was a cholera outbreak in Kwara State, claiming at least 40 lives within five days of its outbreak. Another 22 lives were critically ill at hospitals in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State during the outbreak. Seven pupils of primary and post primary schools were victims. All schools were closed at the period. During this 2001 cholera outbreak, Bode-Saadu, the district headquarters of Moro Local Government Area was said to be the worst hit with 124 reported cases. Other towns badly hit were Jebba, Warafa, Eleja-Sulu, Ile-Pupa, Ekejo, Lasaki and Ejidongari.

Again in 2001, another cholera outbreak struck in Ilorin, the State Capital with Adabata and Okelele reportedly said to be the worst hit. In June 2017, another cholera pandemic was reported in Kwara in 5 Local Government Areas of the State. They included Asa Local Government with 18 cases, Ilorin East Local Government with 450 cases, Ilorin South Local Government with 215 cases, Ilorin West Local Government with 780 cases and Moro Local Government with 50 cases.

It is common in the State Capital to see residents hurriedly dumping their wastes in drainages during heavy rainfalls. Sewages were often seen flowing out of broken channels in densely populated areas of the State Capital. Large number of residences and other buildings in the metropolis are still without toilet facilities, leaving the households with no other option than open defecation.

This is not peculiar to Kwara State, Obofin Charles hit the nail on the head. However for the General Manager of RUWASSA, Mr Olorunfemi Oladipo, the sensitization workshop was a welcome development. He was delighted to welcome delegates from Ekiti State to Kwara even as warmly received staffs of Federal Ministry of Water Resource and Sanitation from Abuja.

He said ”we gathered here today to address a critical aspect of disaster management, ensuring access to safe drinking water, access to sanitation and hygiene(WASH)during emergencies such as cholera and other disease outbreaks. The importance of WASH in preventing the spread of diseases and protecting human dignity can not be overemphasized”

The workshop according to him was a crucial step to strengthen the capacity of the stakeholders in WASH Emergency Coordination sector to respond effectively to WASH emergencies. Mr. Olorunfemi Oladipo reiterated the objectives of the workshop which included, an establishment of a strong WASH Emergency Working Group in Kwara and Ekiti States.

Others were strengthening the capacity of WASH Emergency Working Groups in the two States, to enable them respond to WASH Emergencies. It also included, efforts to strengthen the coordination and collaboration among members of WASH Emergency Working Groups.

The General Manager of RUWASSA, Olorunfemi Oladipo visibly expressed his gratitude to Ministry of Water Resource and Sanitation and other supporters like UNICEF for their commitment to the initiative. He stressed that their presence in Kwara State for the workshop was compelling as it demonstrated their dedication to improve WASH emergency response in Kwara and Ekiti States. He urged the participants to actively engage in the brainstorming that ensued during the workshop. Then, he charged thus,

”let us work together to strengthen our response capacity to WASH emergencies and improve the lives of our people in our two States” The workshop was multi-sectoral in nature, involving participants according to Obofin Charles from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the two States. They were drawn from RUWASSA from the two States, from Ministries of Health, Ministries of Water Resource, Ministry of Environment, State Emergency Management Agencies. Obofin Charles told the Herald on Sunday in a chat with him that the sensitization workshop was organized to strengthening the Kwara and Ekiti States’ WASH Emergency Technical Working Groups. He said ”we combined Kwara and Ekiti because they share boundaries. We trained their WASH manpower to build their response capacities against cholera outbreak. We expected them to come up after the end of the workshop with their action plans to present to their respective Governments for immediate action”’

IMG 20241128 124256 597 2 — Mr. Rufai Olalekan Abdulazeez Director Sanitation and Hygiene RUWASSA Kwara State making his presentation during the WASH Emergency Coordination at Elite Tranquil Hotel along Offa Road Ilorin Kwara State recently.

On the first day of the two-day workshop, Obofin Charles presented a theme that dwelt on how to organize an effective coordination meeting for both Kwara and Ekiti States.

”They were supposed to have a technical ability on how to do this” he stressed in an interview with the reporter. He also talked on water safety plan which involves according to him processes that safeguards water the households consume, making sure that the water is safe for consumption right from the source through transportation to households. He stressed while fielding questions from the Herald on Sunday that, ”the ultimate goal for us is to reduce outbreak of cholera in the two States”

His colleague, Mr. Bamidele Segun told the reporter that the States WASH Emergency Technical Working Groups were almost comatose. He said they were in Kwara State to sensitize both Kwara and Ekiti on need to reactivate their WASH Emergency Technical Working Groups if they were inactive. The second purpose according to him was to brainstorm on cholera action plan for 2025. In his presentation, he harped on WASH Coordination in Nigeria generally, stressing the challenges facing many States WASH Emergency Technical Working Groups. For him, establishment of WASH Emergency Technical Working Group is a necessary as rain season stares the households in face.

What was observable in the WASH Emergency Coordination sensitization workshop that took place between 27th to 28th of November 2024 at Elite Tranquil Hotel along Offa Road Ilorin Kwara State was the representatives of the two States were permitted to present their 2025 cholera action plans. Mr. Rufai Olalekan Abdulazeez, Director Sanitation and Hygiene of RUWASSA Department spoke on behalf of Kwara. His presentation was lucid and effortless but had some little errors which Obofin Charles more often than not, stood up to correct. Likewise the presentation from Ekiti State presented by Mr. Kolawole Victor, a staff of Ekiti Ministry of Health. Both Rufai Olalekan Abdulazeez who presented on behalf of Kwara and Kolawole Victor on behalf of Ekiti State while presenting their budgets for WASH Emergency Coordination in 2025 expected the large chunk of fundings from UNICEF. They virtually laid the burden on shoulders of the international donor agency. But Obofin Charles who appeared to know better having been in the system for long, cautioned them against relying on UNICEF for funding of WASH Emergency Coordination in 2025. He charged the participants to convince their respective Governments to source internally for funds, warning them not to rely on UNICEF. He reiterated that UNICEF was not mandatorly obligated to fund such projects despite its interest in them.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald on Sunday shortly after the programme, Mr. Rufai Olalekan Abdulazeez, Director of Sanitation and Hygiene, RUWASSA Kwara State acknowledged that they had been sensitized and put on their toes. He assured that Kwara State WASH Emergency Technical Working Group which had been dormant for some times would soon be reactivated to prepare the State ahead of cholera outbreak. Similarly, Mr. Kolawole Victor, a staff of Ekiti State Ministry of Health who also during a chat with the reporter after the workshop promise to report back to Ekiti State Government on where it needs to tie up loose ends in the fight against cholera outbreak in 2025.

February 2, 2025 0 comment 20 views

Community Features

OFFA-OJOKU ROAD PROJECT: A DELAYED PROMISE, A NIGHTMARE FOR RESIDENTS AND ROAD USERS

by Editor February 1, 2025

written by Editor

By Olayinka Iroye

I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government for the construction of the Eiyenkorin-Afon-Ojoku- Offa road. This project, which is being executed by BUA Cement and contracted to Kunming Engineering Company, commenced in August 2024.

While road users and residents along this axis were initially optimistic that the construction would bring much-needed relief from years of hardship caused by the poor state of the road, the situation has unfortunately taken a troubling turn. Instead of being a source of progress, the road has now become a major source of distress, posing severe challenges to daily commuters, residents, and business owners alike.

The road, in its current condition, has created severe health hazards, particularly due to excessive dust. This has significantly impacted thousands of people, including; Staff and students of The Federal Polytechnic Offa, Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (Divisional Headquarters), Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Staff and students of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Other government agencies, private businesses, and local residents.

Many individuals who cannot withstand the harsh conditions have either abandoned their businesses or relocated from the area. The dust pollution is particularly harmful to individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma, and many have been hospitalized due to its effects.

To curb excessive speeding and minimize dust, 21 speed bumps/ brakers were installed along the road. However, this has not prevented frequent accidents, making the road a daily accident-prone zone. Though there have been injuries and hospitalizations, we thankfully have not recorded any fatalities.

Given the level of commitment and pace of work initially observed, many expected the project to be nearing completion by now. However, to the dismay of all, construction work stalled in November 2024, and workers vacated the site. It was later gathered that they had gone on a Christmas and New Year break. Unfortunately, as we enter the second month of 2025, they are yet to return. Though there are unverified reports that work is ongoing at the Ojoku-Afon axis, but there is no visible activity on the Offa section of the road. This delay has dashed the hopes of residents who had initially welcomed the project with great enthusiasm.

I humbly appeal to all relevant government agencies, supervising bodies, and stakeholders involved in this project to take immediate action by ensuring the swift return of construction workers to the site so that the road can be completed within the stipulated time. Government should also hold the construction company accountable for any lapses or unnecessary delays in the project.

Meanwhile, the construction company, should as a matter of urgency implement dust control measures by ensuring that the road is ‘watered’ daily, especially from General Hospital Offa to the Main Campus of The Federal Polytechnic Offa.

The construction firm, Kunming Engineering, should prioritize the most densely populated areas when carrying out asphalt or concrete laying. Specifically, they should commence work from the General Hospital, Offa, and proceed towards The Federal Polytechnic, Offa. This section of the road has the highest concentration of residents, businesses, and essential institutions, making it the most critical for immediate intervention.

By adopting this approach, the project will deliver the greatest benefit to the highest number of road users, ensuring that those most affected by the poor road conditions receive prompt relief. Addressing this stretch first will also enhance accessibility to key facilities, improve traffic flow, and boost economic activities in the area. As the work progresses towards the Keriaje axis, where population density gradually decreases, a phased execution will allow for better resource allocation and maximum impact.

I urge Kunming Engineering to take this strategic approach to ensure that the road construction delivers the most immediate and lasting benefits to the communities.

This project is of immense importance to the people of Offa, Ojoku, and Kwara State generally. It must not be left abandoned or prolonged unnecessarily, as the ongoing suffering and economic disruptions are becoming unbearable.

The government, the contracting firm, and all supervising agencies should please rise to the occasion and fulfill their responsibilities to the people.

A stitch in time saves nine.

February 1, 2025 0 comment 89 views

Community Features Governance

Megida: How Kwara is losing revenues to Oyo govt over caving Weru River Bridge

by Editor January 17, 2025

written by Editor

By Omotayo Ayanda

The people of Megida in Ipaye District of Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State have raised the alarm over the state of the Weru River Bridge, which links their community to several others and is now on the brink of collapse.

The bridge, constructed in early 1980s, was reportedly facilitated by the late former Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Abubakar Olushola Saraki. However, it has now become a nightmare for motorists and farmers, who face difficulties in transporting farm produce to markets due to its poor condition.

The people of this agrarian community fear being cut off from their ancestral homes, where they earn their livelihoods, as well as from neighboring communities, should the bridge collapse. They are appealing to the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for urgent intervention.

Governor AbdulRahman has stated that his administration will not abandon any project funded with taxpayers’ money, regardless of its political history. The people of Maigida hope this policy will guide the government in fixing the Weru River Bridge and completing the road leading into their township.

The community is also grappling with other challenges, including a lack of electricity due to vandalized cables and power installations, lack of potable water, and bad roads, raising concerns over their well-being and security.

The motorable road from the Weru River Bridge leading to Megida township, which ends after Oguntola community, was tarred during the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

When the Community Voice Network (CVN) crew visited the community last weekend, scores of youths, transporters, market women, and farmers expressed their concerns, calling on the government for urgent assistance.

With over 100 adjoining villages, Megida community has, over the years, served as a gateway between Ilorin and Kaiama.

The Chairman of the Farmers’ Union in Megida, Alhaji Saka Alabi Alaparun, said the situation is having a negative impact on agricultural practices, the mainstay of the community. He explained that transporting farm produce to markets has become a big challenge, especially during the rainy season, due to the poor condition of the Weru River Bridge and the connecting road.

CVN also gathered that motorists plying the road are incurring additional costs because of the challenges posed by the deteriorated bridge and road conditions.

Leaders of transport unions in the Banni and Megida branches, Jimoh Safi and others, told reporters that over 500 vehicles ply the road daily, transporting farm produce and animals to different parts of the state.

Many locals lamented that they are forced to use roads in Oyo State, where they pay significant revenue to the Oyo State Government to reach their destinations, particularly during the rainy season.

“Whenever we complain about the revenue they collect from us in Oyo State, they tell us to go back to Kwara. We want to ply Kwara to Kwara. We don’t mind paying revenue to our state; the government should please help us fix this bridge,” said Saka Gada, a commercial transporter and Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Banni branch.

He added that motorists can only manage the road during the dry season.

A community leader, Engineer Ibrahim Lawal, told CVN that during the peak of the rainy season, the volume of water overflowing the bridge rises to the neck of an adult.

For Alhaji A.I. Jimoh Ipaye and Alhaji Faruq Yusuf, also known as FAYOS Motors, the community’s number one priority is for the government to fix the caving Weru Bridge.

The duo, who passionately expressed their hopes for the community’s challenges to be addressed, appealed to the ruling APC government to assist in fixing the Weru Bridge, extending the tarred road to Megida township, and electrifying the town.

Their requests were corroborated by the community head, Daudu Megida, Alhaji Abdulwahab Sulyman Omokayode, who warmly welcomed the CVN crew to his residence.

January 17, 2025 0 comment 91 views

Community Features Governance

Kwara Community faces isolation as Weru Bridge nears collapse

by Editor January 15, 2025

written by Editor

The Community Voice Network (CVN) last weekend visited the Weru River in Weru Village, Megida Ward, Ipaye District of Moro Local Government Area, in the Northern part of Kwara State, and the situation there is heartbreaking. The Weru Bridge, a critical infrastructure connecting over 100 communities, is on the verge of collapse.

This bridge is not just a local resource, it is a vital artery linking Ile-Apa, Banni, Kaiama, Baruten, and even the border with Benin Republic. It is an economic and commercial lifeline for farmers, traders, and other residents who depend on it daily.

The people of Megida, an agrarian community in Ipaye District, are gripped with fear. Should the temporary bridge, constructed in early 80s collapse, they risk being completely cut off from their ancestral homes, farms, and neighboring communities.

Such isolation would cripple their livelihoods, halt trade activities, and destabilize the socio-economic fabric of this region. This situation threatens not just the immediate community but also Kwara State and Nigeria at large, as the region serves as a gateway for commerce and agriculture, directly impacting the state’s economy and food supply.

Beyond the bridge, the people face severe hardships due to a lack of electricity, clean water, and good roads. These challenges are a stark reminder of the inequalities in infrastructure development across the country. The neglect of rural communities like Megida undermines the vision of a prosperous Kwara State and hinders Nigeria’s broader goals of inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The people of Megida are sending a desperate appeal to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and all leaders in Kwara State. They are calling for urgent intervention to rebuild the Weru Bridge, rehabilitate the roads, and provide basic amenities like electricity and potable water. These are not luxuries but essentials that will ensure the well-being, security, and productivity of the community.

Kwara State is known for its rich agricultural resources and its potential as an economic hub in Nigeria. However, the neglect of critical infrastructure like the Weru Bridge undermines these potentials. Investments in rural development will not only uplift communities like Megida but also strengthen the state’s role in Nigeria’s progress.

This is a call for immediate action. The Weru Bridge must be reconstructed before disaster strikes. Addressing the broader challenges in Megida will demonstrate Kwara State’s commitment to equity, progress, and the shared prosperity of its people. Let us not wait until it is too late. The time to act is now, for Megida, for Kwara State, and for Nigeria as a whole.

January 15, 2025 0 comment 37 views

Features Crime

Tragic death of Jimoh AbdulQodir in custody sparks renewed calls for comprehensive Police reform in Nigeria

by Editor December 22, 2024

written by Editor

By Omotayo Ayanda

The tragic death of 35-year-old Jimoh Tunji AbdulQodir in police custody in Kwara State on December 20, 2024, has reignited urgent calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

AbdulQodir’s untimely demise, surrounded by allegations of unlawful detention, torture, and extrajudicial killing, highlights systemic failures within the NPF.

A respected and jovial member of the Erubu-Asunnara community in Ilorin South Local Government Area, AbdulQodir was reportedly arrested over a ₦220,000 debt owed to a colleague.

Eyewitnesses confirm he was in good health on the day of his arrest. However, less than 24 hours later, his lifeless body was presented to his family, with police authorities claiming he had committed suicide in detention.

Community members have dismissed this claim as implausible, citing the structure of the cell and the absence of materials that could have facilitated hanging.

The police further deepened suspicions by denying AbdulQodir’s family access to his body, depositing it in a mortuary without notifying them, and providing conflicting accounts of the events leading to his death.

AbdulQodir’s case is not isolated. Reports of police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and torture are disturbingly frequent in Nigeria.

A 2005 Human Rights Watch report documented systemic torture within the NPF, highlighting severe beatings and other inhumane practices that often resulted in deaths in custody.

The disbandment of the infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020, following nationwide protests, offered hope for reform. However, meaningful change has remained elusive, and many Nigerians continue to suffer violations of their rights at the hands of law enforcement.

The death of AbdulQodir has sparked widespread outrage, with community leaders, human rights organizations, and the public demanding justice.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the case and ensure a thorough investigation. While this is a welcome move, critics argue it reflects a reactive rather than proactive approach to police misconduct.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has also called on the police to prioritize professionalism and adhere to global ethical standards.

His appeal highlights a growing consensus that piecemeal measures are insufficient; systemic reform is the only solution.

The recurring pattern of abuse within the NPF points to deep-rooted issues requiring comprehensive solutions. To align with global best practices, reforms must be prioritized

Police officers should undergo extensive training in human rights, ethical conduct, and community policing to better serve and protect citizens.

Establishment of independent bodies with the authority to investigate and address police misconduct is critical to ensuring accountability and justice for victims.

Enhancing police remuneration and work environments can reduce corruption and boost morale, fostering integrity in law enforcement.

Building trust between the police and communities through dialogue and collaborative initiatives can foster mutual respect and cooperation.

Nigeria’s policing laws must be updated to reflect international human rights standards, with clear guidelines on the use of force and accountability mechanisms.

However, Nigeria can draw valuable lessons from other countries that have successfully reformed their police forces. For instance, South Africa implemented significant reforms post-apartheid, focusing on accountability, transparency, and community-oriented policing.

Similarly, Kenya established an independent police oversight authority, which has been instrumental in addressing misconduct cases.

The death of Jimoh Tunji AbdulQodir is a stark reminder of the urgent need for transformative reform in Nigeria’s policing system. It serves as a call to action for the government, civil society, and international partners to prioritize the safety and rights of Nigerian citizens.

Without decisive action, the cycle of abuse, mistrust, and injustice will persist, undermining the rule of law and the nation’s progress.

This moment presents an opportunity for Nigeria to build a law enforcement system rooted in accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights, values essential to a just and equitable society.

December 22, 2024 0 comment 74 views

News Editor's Picks Features Governance

Kwara NUJ Executives accused of hoarding govt’s rice donation for journalists

by Editor December 21, 2024

written by Editor

By Omotayo Ayanda

In a shocking and disheartening turn of events, the executive committee of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, has been accused of hoarding over 1,000 bags of 10kg rice donated by the Kwara State Government.

The rice, intended to support journalists in the state and bring joy during the Christmas and New Year festivities, has yet to be distributed to members despite the state government’s generous gesture.

Since the inception of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration, his government has shown commendable support for the media profession in the state. This includes the complete renovation of the NUJ Secretariat, which was previously on the brink of collapse, and consistent provision of palliatives to support journalists. These efforts have significantly enhanced the working environment for the media in Kwara.

However, the alleged actions of the NUJ executive have sparked outrage and disappointment within the journalist community.

Sources reveal that the donated rice, which was meant to be distributed among journalists, has remained locked up in the secretariat hall. This has left many Journalists hopeless as they have been deprived of the government’s rice gift that could make them enjoy the festive season with their families, as they struggle to afford basic food supplies for the festive.

In an embarrassing incident, a journalist from the Correspondents’ Chapel who attempted to collect his share of the rice was reportedly accosted at the secretariat gate, where the bag of rice was forcefully seized from him.

This situation marks a sharp deviation from past practices, where gifts from the government or philanthropists were promptly distributed to the various chapels for equitable allocation under proper monitoring.

If this impunity of rice hoarding is allowed to persist unchecked it will grossly amount to sabotaging the government’s kindness and support for Journalists in the state

Investigations suggest that the executive deliberately imposed stringent and arbitrary conditions on members, preventing many from accessing the rice donation. Some members were reportedly deemed ineligible due to alleged lack of professional qualifications, while others were excluded for allegedly failing to pay professional dues.

The exclusion of members from benefiting has heightened tensions, particularly as it follows a lawsuit filed by aggrieved union members against the election of Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed and his team. The lawsuit, which is still ongoing, challenges the validity of the election, accusing the National Officers of disenfranchising many members.

With the festive season underway, many journalists who had counted on the government’s palliative relief are now left disillusioned and frustrated.

The NUJ executive’s failure to distribute the rice has raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and their commitment to the welfare of members. Instead of advocating for the interests of journalists, the leadership is now perceived as prioritizing personal gains and political loyalties.

The arbitrary conditions placed on distribution, coupled with the exclusion of many members, have deepened divisions within the union. This incident relates to a broader issue of disenfranchisement, with numerous journalists feeling alienated under the current leadership.

Moreover, the executive’s lack of a clear or justifiable explanation for withholding the rice donation has aggravated the sense of betrayal among members. Historically, such gifts were distributed fairly and promptly through various Chapels, fostering unity within the union.

The unresolved court case further reflects the deep dissatisfaction with the current leadership, whose actions continue to undermine trust and solidarity within the union.

As the holidays approach, this misstep by the executive will likely have lasting repercussions on its credibility and unity. Members have voiced their displeasure, and the leadership’s actions will be remembered as a failure to uphold the values of fairness, transparency, and solidarity essential to a professional body.

For the Kwara NUJ, this incident serves as a wake-up call to prioritize the collective welfare of its members and restore trust within the union.

December 21, 2024 0 comment 132 views

Features Community News

UNICEF staff in Kwara for workshop on value reorientation, behavioural change against open defecation

by Editor December 18, 2024

written by Editor

By Adeleke Gbenga

Still basking in the euphoria of the 19th November 2024 “World Toilet Day” celebration, during which five communities in Iloffa, the Oke-Ero Local Government Area Headquarters—namely Iloffa, Aiyedun, Imode, Egosi, and Ila-Ojigi—were awarded certificates for becoming open defecation-free, the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) was on the move again. The agency, unrelenting in its campaign against open defecation, poor sanitation, hygiene, and unsafe drinking water, hosted three UNICEF staff from Kaduna, the headquarters of the international donor agency in northern Nigeria, to Ilorin, Kwara State.

From the 21st to the 26th of November 2024, they were hosted at Elite Tranquil Hotel for a training workshop on value reorientation and behavioural change against open defecation in Kwara State. The workshop aimed to train 32 local government staff from across the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State as facilitators. These facilitators are expected to return to their respective communities to bring about a change in behaviour, attitudes, values, norms, and orientation towards open defecation.

UNICEF’s concern about Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which focuses on access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, appears too critical to development to be ignored. This likely explains why the international donor agency readily embraced Kwara State when the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq committed ₦300 million to promoting SDG 6. However, a tour around the state capital, Ilorin—and even more so in other communities—reveals that a large segment of the population still practices open defecation, with only a few having access to safe drinking water.

Since the objective of SDG 6, in UNICEF’s estimation, is to reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases, poor sanitation, and hygiene-related outbreaks like cholera, the international donor agency deemed it fit to send three of its staff—James Clement, Jonah Vings Lomak, and Ruth Musa—from Kaduna to Kwara for a trainers’ workshop on the “Community-Led Total Sanitation” (CLTS) concept through principles of social marketing.

The 6-day workshop, held at Elite Tranquil Hotel along Offa Road in Ilorin, was packed with insightful anecdotes drawn from similar programmes across northern Nigeria. Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Honourable Usman Yunusa Lade, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Christiana Asonibare, welcomed UNICEF resource persons from Kaduna to Ilorin. She assured them of the administration’s total support for the programme and urged participants from the 16 Local Government Areas to seize the opportunity to write Kwara’s name in gold. She emphasized the significance of the programme to the success of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq’s administration in public health, sanitation, and hygiene, adding that the achievements made at the workshop would determine Kwara’s next steps.

In his opening remarks, RUWASSA’s General Manager, Mr. Olorunfemi Oladipo, welcomed all participants and reiterated the necessity of the workshop to the administration’s programme on open defecation and the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector. He applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq for his unwavering commitment to public health, sanitation, and hygiene, saying history would remember his administration for its strides in eradicating open defecation in Kwara State. Mr. Oladipo charged participants to pay close attention to every detail of the training workshop.

The first day of the workshop, 21st November 2024, began with a pre-training test evaluation. This session assessed participants’ expectations, fears, and objectives for the workshop. The concept of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) was thoroughly examined, with its significance as an approach to improving sanitation and hygiene explored. Its principles and triggering techniques were also discussed by the resource persons.

According to James Clement, “We are here to facilitate Community-Led Total Sanitation, which means a community is expected to be free from open defecation. It must be well-kept with proper waste disposal management, ensuring wastes are not dumped indiscriminately. A community must be free of contamination, well-kept, and healthy. It must undergo a total change from open defecation, as open defecation contaminates the environment.”

Clement further explained, “A community must maintain good sanitation and hygiene, meaning every member must understand the significance of healthy living—bathing regularly, keeping the environment clean, maintaining clean drainage, and having covered toilets.” Speaking exclusively to The Herald on Sunday after his presentation, Clement stated that the workshop began with a pre-test to evaluate participants’ capacities and guide the facilitators in designing appropriate skills for the participants.

“We went through the Community-Led Total Sanitation process yesterday because we cannot just go into communities and implement CLTS without understanding the proper process. We identified the objectives of the workshop, which include: elimination of open defecation; improved access to sanitation and hygiene in all communities in Kwara State; increased access to safe toilets; enhanced community wellbeing and health; and fostering community ownership.”

Clement emphasized the importance of behavioural change as a key element of CLTS. He said, “I told participants that they must first change themselves as facilitators. If they do not change, they cannot inspire behavioural change in the communities. They are here to represent Kwara State, not just their communities. If they get it right here, they will get it right in the communities.”

The second facilitator, Jonah Vings Lomak, explained that triggering tools were essential to inspire and motivate communities. He presented on “Defecation Area Mapping (DAM),” which involves raising awareness about the dangers of open defecation and promoting healthy living.

The third facilitator, Ruth Musa, stressed that sanitation and hygiene encompass proper waste disposal, environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and water sanitation. She reiterated that open defecation is the workshop’s primary focus because it contaminates the environment and leads to disease outbreaks. “Every gram of excreta defecated in an open environment contains millions of parasites, which can cause diseases that badly affect communities,” she said.

Participants expressed optimism about their newfound skills. A representative from Ilorin West Local Government acknowledged the endemic sanitation challenges in his area, including waste disposal issues due to overpopulation. He assured that his team was determined to combat these challenges with all available resources. Another participant, Mrs. Deborah Adeoye from Oke-Ero Local Government, said she had acquired social marketing skills to bring about change in her community. She pledged her commitment to the success of the programme.

The programme concluded after six days of intensive sessions. While the efforts and commitment of the Ministry of Water Resources, RUWASSA, and UNICEF were evident, the ultimate success of the programme lies with the local government staff and, most importantly, the communities’ willingness to embrace change and own the process. Community ownership is critical to the success of the Community-Led Total Sanitation concept.

December 18, 2024 0 comment 28 views

Politics Features

Bolaji’s departure from PDP not a betrayal but choice and strategy

by Editor December 18, 2024

written by Editor

By Comrade Gesua Abduyekini

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

For many, this decision is seen as a betrayal of his political mentor, Dr. Bukola Saraki. However, others view it as a positive step in the right direction, even though Abdullahi has not yet indicated which political party he plans to join.

In Kwara State, where political dynamics can be intense, Abdullahi’s departure is regarded by some as a betrayal. He has been a close ally of former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, having served as the Commissioner of Education while Saraki was governor of the state.

The situation highlights the fact that politics often revolves around choices and strategies necessary to remain relevant in the political arena.

According to Mallam Abdullahi, he had ample time to reflect before arriving at “the difficult conclusion that this is the only viable option for him at this time,” given the political landscape in Kwara State. “How can you expect me to quit partisan politics at my age when the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other senior Nigerians are still very active in politics?” Bolaji added.

Mr. Abdullahi began his career as a journalist with ThisDay Newspapers before being appointed as the special assistant on media and strategy by Dr. Saraki in 2003. He served as the Kwara State Commissioner of Education, Science, and Technology from 2007 to 2011.

During his tenure, he championed one of the most comprehensive education reforms in the country and launched the flagship initiative “Every Child Counts,” which brought hundreds of children back to public schools.

Bolaji Abdullahi served in the cabinet of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. He was appointed as the Honourable Minister of Youth Development in July 2011 and later became the Minister of Sports, a position he held until 2014. During his tenure as Minister of Sports, he led the Nigerian National Team, the Super Eagles, to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations after a 19-year wait and also guided the team to win the Under-17 World Cup for the fifth time.

In addition, Bolaji Abdullahi served as the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position he retained after being overwhelmingly elected at the party’s national convention in July 2018.

He is also an accomplished author, having written several publications, including “On a Platter of Gold: How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria,” which details President Goodluck Jonathan’s rise to power

In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. Bolaji’s departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) marks a significant parting of ways with Dr. Saraki, who was instrumental in introducing him to public service and politics.

Abandoning the PDP could very well be a strategic decision, especially with the 2027 General Election approaching. As the election draws nearer, politicians will increasingly focus on their ambitions for various positions.

Remaining in the Saraki camp may not be advantageous for some, prompting the need to switch parties

During the Ministerial screening by the Senate in 2011, when Bolaji was nominated, he stated that after God and his parents, the next most important person in his life is Dr. Saraki. He emphasized that he would not have taken this step without thoroughly understanding the implications of his decision.

Dr. Saraki, who has been a political godfather and leader, has guided many individuals such as Zakari Mohammed, Abdulfatahi Ahmed, Razaq Atunwa, Dr. Ali Ahmad, and others. These individuals would not view Bolaji’s actions as a disappointment, as no one has been able to match that track record.

It is important to understand Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi’s decision rather than criticize him as a betrayer.

Bolaji Abdullahi has added immense value, and we are all proud of him as a representative of Ilorin, Kwara State in every regard.

He has positively impacted many people. The PDP has lost a great politician in Bolaji Abdullahi, who is much more than just a name.

I urge all Sarakites to stop the smear campaign against a man of integrity and principles who makes us proud.

Bolaji Abdullahi faced numerous challenges during the 2023 election campaign from some Sarakites, including a woman who, in no way and in all aspects, was his equal. She insulted him, spread falsehoods, and worked against him, along with others in the Saraki camp.

As the 2023 election approached, the same woman and a few others aligned themselves with the APC candidate against Bolaji Abdullahi. Let us fear God Almighty and remember the consequences of our actions.

Bolaji Abdullahi is a man of humanity, a very intelligent man to be proud of, and not greedy in any way.

Comrade Gesua Abdulyekini Radio Kwara and former state chairman Radio, Television, Theatre and Art’s Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU)

December 18, 2024 0 comment 14 views

Features Education

REVISITING JAMB AND NYSC POLICIES FOR NON MOBILISATION OF HND GRADUATES WHO DID PART TIME IN THEIR ND PROGRAMME

by Editor October 25, 2024

written by Editor

By Olayinka Iroye

The recent news of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reconsidering the admission and registration of under-16 candidates for the 2024/2025 academic session has been met with widespread applause. In a circular released by JAMB on October 16, 2024, this decision was seen as a compassionate move under the leadership of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede. It reflects his humane and considerate nature, as well as his role as an Islamic scholar, in granting young students the opportunity to pursue higher education, at least for this session.

Many of these students had already sat for both the JAMB UTME and the post-UTME screening, passing both successfully. JAMB’s decision seems to have taken into account their effort and preparation, along with other factors. This action also challenges the common narrative that Prof. Oloyede is unyielding and difficult to persuade, as suggested by the phrase, “Oloyede ni agidi, ko ni gba, oun to ba fe se ni yi ose”—literally translating to “Oloyede is stubborn and will always do whatever he determines.”

Subsequent upon this positive development, I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to JAMB to extend similar compassionate consideration to another group of affected students—those who completed their National Diploma (ND) programme on part-time, but pursued their Higher National Diploma (HND) programme on full-time, but are being denied mobilization for National Youth Service (NYSC).

The institutions from which these students graduated have already faced significant disruptions due to this policy. Unrest, protests, and strikes were common occurrences at institutions like The Federal Polytechnic Offa, The Polytechnic Ibadan, and Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, to name a few. The affected students, in their frustration, disrupted both academic and administrative activities, creating an environment of unrest.

At the core of this issue is the non-mobilization of these HND graduates for NYSC, despite the fact that they completed their HND on a full-time basis. This unresolved issue continues to affect students who are now left in a difficult position. Many of these students, who fall within the age range of 21 to 24, were not informed at the time of their admission that they would be ineligible for NYSC mobilization due to their prior part-time ND status.

It should be noted that several factors led these students to enroll in part-time ND programme, including not meeting the cut-off mark for their desired courses or making late decisions to switch to Institutions . These students passed their JAMB UTME examination, and their decisions were not driven by a lack of qualifications. Yet, they are now faced with the harsh reality of receiving exclusion letters from the NYSC rather than their mobilisation for NYSC for the mandatory one year service to their fatherland.

The dilemma these students face is real and very pathetic. How can they explain to potential employers why they were issued an NYSC exemption certificate at such a young age, despite their academic achievements? Meanwhile, their peers who went through the traditional full-time route are already in the job market. This situation puts them at a significant disadvantage.

For many, the only options left are to either start their programme all over again or seek admission into a university—both of which mean wasted years, resources, and effort. This is an unjust outcome for students who entered the system without being adequately informed about the consequences.

On behalf of thousands of affected students, I appeal to JAMB and the relevant authorities to reconsider this policy. As a father figure and a role model, we trust that Prof. Oloyede and JAMB can find a solution that allows these students to be mobilized for NYSC, ensuring they are not punished for a situation beyond their control.

It is essential that any policy introduced by the government or its agencies is implemented with fairness and compassion. Those who find themselves caught in the web of such policies should not be made to suffer unnecessarily. Only those who knowingly violate the rules should face penalties—because, as the saying goes, “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

May the course of education not fail in Nigeria.

Thank you for your consideration of this appeal.

October 25, 2024 0 comment 110 views

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