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28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2019 We’ll resist RUG UGA with our blood, say y Akok oko communities ‘We woke up to see NLTP signpost’ •Pic of the controversial signpost erected in each of the four communities By Dayo Johnson A KURE—FOUR communities in Akoko, agrarian the Northern Senatorial Districts in Ondo State are on collision course with the state government for allegedly covertly ceding their land for RUGA without any consultation and their consent. The state government had designated the communities for the establishment of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, NLTP. Stakeholders in the communities are angered that they, including their traditional rulers, only woke up to see the signpost of NLTP at their doorstep by the state government without any prior knowledge or briefing by the government and its agencies. Speculations were rife across the communities that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu wanted to use the programme in the Northern Senatorial District, where he hails from, to play his second term ambition card. Leaders of the four communities namely Auga, lse, Ikakumo and Akunnu, AIKA, have not only threatened to drag the state government to the court of law for the forceful takeover but resist it with their blood. The four communities met recently and reached an agreement to reject the project because they were kept in the dark by the government. Vanguard gathered that the stakeholders have mandated their traditional rulers to meet with the government and convey their displeasure and rejection. They kicked against the state government’s action insisting that no consultation was made before it was decided that their communities should be used for the project. Speaking with Vanguard, a prominent leader in Akunnu, Alhaji Kazeem Idris, said: “We are not happy that we woke up to see a signpost at our doorstep saying the area had been earmarked for NLTP better known as RUGA. The government’s action is not only unfortunate but arrogant. “The community was not consulted or carried along. Even the traditional rulers knew nothing. “Government did this without regards to anybody. We are crop farmers. The government could have done better by assisting us with a functional cassava processing factory, cashew processing or even better still, motorable road to get our products to its consumers. “We are amazed that the Ondo State Government could introduce this project into our life so covertly, it is a shame. None of the communities were preinformed or regarded. They just woke up to a signpost at their doorstep. By Dapo Akinrefon AKURE—IN a move aimed at developing the oil rich community of Ilaje, prominent personalities from the community converged io Akure, Ondo State last week to brainstorm on ways of achieving this. To achieve this, the Ilaje sons and daughters are embarking on a strategic, deliberate and structured path in building an enviable community. After much brainstorming, the strategic gathering, made of professionals and technocrats, led to the establishment of the Ilaje Development Summit Group, IDSG. The IDSG, held at the DOME in Akure had a convergence of stakeholders from Ilaje including traditional rulers, politicians across party divide, religious leaders, and top government functionaries among other relevant stakeholders. Summit not just a talk shop— Ogunyomi, BoT chairman In his opening speech, chairman, Board of Trustees of IDSG, Asiwaju Oluyemi Ogunyomi, said the inaugural summit was conceptualized to address the common purpose of developing Ilaje in a sustainable way. According to him, the summit is poised at engaging stakeholders in fashioning out a “The land actually belongs to Odua Investments. We leased it to Odua Investments years ago for 99 years or so.” You can’t negotiate our ancestral lands—Auga leader Another leader from Auga, Oriowo Hakeem said: “We do not support a programme that is disguised as RUGA or one that we are not properly briefed about. “We support everything agriculture. We are predominantly farmers, crop farmers not livestock. Must we be forced into what we don’t know anything about? plan of implementation that will move Ilaje community forward saying “the summit is not just a talk shop but a realistic opportunity to make a mark on the resurgence of hope and reinvention of the people as a community.” Also speaking, Rev. Adesola Adebawo said “irrespective of political affiliations, all sons and daughters of Ilaje must come together and lend their voices to the proposed Development Plan Agenda as there is wisdom in the multitude of counsel.” In his presentation, Mr. Andrew Omomehin, while highlighting some of the challenges confronting Ilaje community, said the regional development plan being canvassed will cover all areas of endeavour. Some of the plans he highlighted include the development of new towns and gated communities like VGC in Lagos, building of digital innovation hub and as well opening up the community as access brings development. Akeredolu commends IDSG In his keynote address, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, hailed the organizers for coming up with the initiative saying “Ilaje people are one of the most resourceful set of people in Ondo State.” Akeredolu, who was represented by his Special Teach us how to process our yam, garri and cashew. Give us the processing facilities. We don’t want to learn a new trade. “It is important that all AIKA communities should rise up as a body to this development. There was no consultation. There is a fear that this will gradually turn to become a RUGA project. We reject this development, more so, the Federal Government I am aware has put a caveat to such programmes, indicating that where there are oppositions, the project would be moved to other states. “Government cannot decide to allocate an area for livestock without discussing with the owners of the land. You would have to explain your programme to the indigenous people and decide with them on the best way to forge ahead. They shouldn’t just wake up and find a signpost at their doorstep. We are crop farmers and not livestock farmers. This development is suspicious. “We have not benefited from the government in the last 20 years. We have no roads, no schools, no hospitals, health centers without doctors, no market, no single agro-processing industry, yet the only thing the government has thought about is to make us a dumping ground for cows, pigs and goats. We need motorable roads for agriculture. Are they going to move the cows on motorcycles to the abattoir? Why put the cart before the horse? Our fears are well-founded and Ondo State could have done better. You just don’t dump things on us without reaching out to us to at least notify us even if you will not seek our consent. This is a democracy, not a military regime. You cannot negotiate our ancestral lands without informing us. “We will resist it with the last drop of our blood. We are not pawns in a chess game. It’s RUGA in disguise—PDP Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, amongst other groups, have frowned at the programme insisting it was RUGA in disguise. The South West PDP, through Adviser on Investment, Mr. Boye Oyewumi, also used the opportunity to affirm government’s readiness to ensure the take off of the deep sea port. He said: “Beyond citing massive structures in the community, the people must be ready to address the issue of insecurity without which everything amounts to nothing.” On his part, the head of ONDIPA, Mr. Femi Akarakiri urged the leadership of Ilaje communities on the need to manage hooliganism, vandalism and as well improve intelligence gathering mechanism. Also, Mr. Banji Okunomo described the summit as a welcome development just as he called for a united front in its Publicity Secretary, Ayo Fadaka, said: “The idea that there must be a National Livestock Transformation Plan is not itself a bad one, it is indeed a concept that should have been implemented many decades back. “It is sad enough that the issue of cattle and Fulani have become a sensitive matter in the nation since the inauguration of President Buhari as Commander in Chief since 2015. “If the goal of the project is to create a ranch where indigenes can have active participation in animal husbandry, it is a welcome decision, but if the intent is to import some Fulani and their cattle to Ondo State, it is certainly not a welcome development.” It’s not RUGA—Ondo govt However, in a swift reaction, the state government has allayed the fear of the people that the programme was RUGA in disguise. The Senior Special Adviser SSA to the state governor on Agribusiness and Empowerment Akin Olotu, in his reaction, said: “The National livestock transformation plan is not RUGA. It is not about cattle only. It is not about beef only. It is about the holistic development of the sector. “Ondo State is not doing RUGA. We are doing the upscaling of the entire links on the value- chain of the sector, using a PPP approach. Ours include Piggery, Dairy, Beef and goats etc. Who says Yoruba cannot go into the business? Who is saying Christians cannot go into it? “Our agenda under the national livestock transformation plan involves goat as well. It involves a breeder station, where our livestock entrepreneurs will have access to sexed semen for artificial insemination and breeds of calves, goats, piglets that are of better quality. “The National Livestock Transformation Plan, NLTP, is for us all. It is a business for us. It is not an ethnic issue. It is not about any religion. It is about our people, our economy, our future and our well being.” When IDSG mapped out blueprint for Ilaje devt vt •Co-convener of the summit and Executive administrator of the IDSG, Rev. Adesola Adebawo (middle) moderating the Executive session and panelists, Mr. Femi Akarakiri of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency, ONDIPA, and Dr. Molayoto Abiola, Secretary, Board of Trustees of the IDSG during the inaugural summit of the group in Akure, Ondo State. wielding state power to be in a position to influence policy direction that would bring about the desired change. Govt must tackle insecurity— Oba Ogbaru The Odoka of Obe Ogbaru, Oba Femi Ogbaru, while also applauding the initiative to organize the summit said government must be ready to combat issues of insecurity as it is not peculiar to Ilaje community alone. Security should be all-inclusive —Ilaje LG boss Speaking on the state of insecurity in the area, the chairman of Ilaje council, Mr. Otito Atikase, said government cannot do it alone adding that the “issue of security is everybody’s business.”
HORROR IN OSUN: When mother allegedly kills child to punish husband By Shina Abubakar were looking for his O whereabouts early in the SOGBO — A mother, morning. Mrs. Rukayat It was gathered that their Abdulrahmon, allegedly neighbours joined in the search confessed to killing her 3-year for the boy in the neighborhood old boy as a punitive measure but their effort was futile after to her husband, Raheem, few searching different houses in days to the dissolution of their the area. union. However, while a lady in the Investigations showed that the house attempted to fetch water deceased, Ganiyu, was the only for laundry, the body was child she had for her husband, discovered in the well dug to which is her third marriage. serve occupants of the house. Besides, the couple had not The neighbours quickly been having a healthy entered into the well to retrieve relationship, as a Sharia Court the body, hoping that he might in the state had given the be resuscitated, but it was late embattled couple three months as the body was recovered to go their separate ways if they lifelessly. cannot resolve their differences. However, a source in the The incident occurred five house confided days to the expiration of the 90 in Vanguard that the boy could days given by the court. have open the cover, because of The residents of Olorunosebi its weight, and jump into the community at Kola Balogun well and still closed it. area of Osogbo, in Osun State, had on Sunday, November 17, Police arrest couple woke up to the cries of the The police arrested the parents couple searching for the as the prime suspects and later deceased, whom they claimed other tenants in the building. slept in the same room with Investigation revealed that the them. woman confessed to the police They were thrown into that she wanted to punish her confusion as the body was found husband and ensure that he in a well in the house, which is does not gain anything out of a storey building. the union. Co-tenants in the building When contacted, the 2 I/C where the incident happened police Public Relations Officer woke up to the cries of the of Osun Police Command, parents of the deceased who Mustapha Ketayeyanjue, ABEOKUTA — GOVERNOR Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has said that plans are on to de-worm about 900,000 school children in the on-going health awareness programme across 10 local government areas in the state. Governor Abiodun has, therefore, called on parents and guardians to work harmoniously with the health workers who are saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the ongoing school-based de-worming exercise across the selected 10 local government areas. Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde in Abeokuta, the governor said the exercise is an opportunity for the children to get rid of worms that may have adverse health effects and make them susceptible to skin and respiratory infections. Dr. Ayinde further revealed that a total of 839, 273 children is targeted during the EDITOR: Dayo Johnson (08033509763) Deputy Editor: Dapo Akinrefon 08023844928 (sms only) CORRESPONDENTS: Ola Ajayi Ibadan Dare Fasube (Photo) Rotimi Ojomoyela Ekiti Monsuru Olowoopejo Lagos Adeola Badru Ibadan Shina Abubakar Osogbo James Ogunnaike Abeokuta •Mrs. Rukayat Abdulrahmon: Allegedly confessed to killing her 3-year old boy. confirmed the incident, saying the woman is cooperating with the police investigation. exercise across 4,900 schools in the designated 10 local government areas. The second round of the exercise for children between ages 5 and 14, commenced last Friday and will end on November 24. The designated Local Government Areas are: Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ifo, Odeda, Yewa North, Yewa South, Odogbolu, Sagamu, Ijebu North and Ogun Waterside respectively. He said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the exercise is meant to enhance the children’s health and help guard against untoward health conditions that may result in absenteeism from school. Ayinde commended the present administration in the state for the timely schoolbased deworming of children, the Permanent Secretary admonished parents, guardians and all stakeholders to allow their children and wards to participate in the exercise. In her remarks, the State Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2019 — 29 As at the time of filing this report, the tenants in the house have been released. Ogun to de-worm 839,273 73 school children — Gov v Abiodun By James Ogunnaike Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Dr. Islamiyat Soneye, thanked the parents for their enthusiasm towards the school-based deworming exercise, urging them to encourage their friends to take part in the exercise to avoid infecting others. Dr. Soneye noted that parents should endeavour to deworm their kids in another three months to keep them healthy. While monitoring the exercise in Odeda Local Government area, the Medical Officer of Health in charge of the area, Dr. Olusan Oluwaseun, noted that the turn-out was impressive, just as he assured that all schools within the area will be touched without leaving any out of the programme. Dr. Olusan appreciated the teachers for their support which has made the task easy to carry-out, pointing out that children who are yet to be dewormed will be attended to in the coming days. Akeredolu performs groundbreaking of N230m Mother and Child Hospital By Dayo Johnson A KURE—THE groundbreaking of the N230 million Mother and Child Hospital at Ode Ugbo, Ilaje council area of Ondo State has been performed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu with a promise of qualitative and affordable health services across the state. Governor Akeredolu said his administration would partner with groups and associations that share similar concerns to achieve a healthier state. The health facility is a joint project of the Ilaje Regional Development Initiative Committee, IRDC and Amalgamation of Ilaje Ugbo Coastal Communities Association, AMAICOMMA, with support from Chevron Nigeria Limited. Akeredolu, who spoke through his deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, noted that “This project is in tandem with the sincere efforts of the Akeredolu-led government to improve people’s access to good health facilities.” Speaking at the event, Chairman of AMAICOMMA, Mr. Taiwo Orisabinone, commended the bidding process that paved the way for the emergence of the contractor handling the project. Orisabinone said: “The contractor emerged after a well-thought-out process, in keeping with the principles of transparency and accountability which are core values of the MoU.” Similarly, Chairman of Ilaje RDC, Mr. Ade Omomowo, was optimistic that the health facility would improve healthcare delivery, and enhance the quality of life in the oil-producing communities of the region. Also, the General Manager, Policy, Government, and Public Affairs, Mr. Brikini Esimaje, commended efforts that culminated in the ground-breaking ceremony, after a successful bid, adding that Chevron Nigeria Limited will continue to support the communities. Esimaje said: “The success we have recorded generally through GMoU/OMoU process reinforce CNL’s belief that the community-driven participatory model can stimulate quicker development process than a system designed without the effective participation of the communities and other relevant stakeholders.”
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