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Delegates of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Oyo, Ogun , Osun meet in Ibadan

By
Peter Ayoade
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More than 15, 000 delegates of Jehovah’s Witnesses from Oyo, Osun and Ogun states are expected to gather at this year’s series of annual regional conventions in the city of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital ,to enjoy a three- day upbuilding and refreshing spiritual instructions.

“Love Never Fails!” is the theme of the convention holding this weekend, Friday 4 October, 2019 to Sunday 6 October, 2019 at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ifatumo Village, along Lalupon-Ejioku road, Ibadan .

The convention, which is part of this year’s annual event of the witnesses, is holding in 240 countries worldwide.

In 2018, over 20 million people attended the three-day conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses across the globe.

In a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday by a local Representative of Jehovah’s Witness , Gill Adekannbi, the series of the three-day convention, which will be held in English, pidgin West Africa and Yoruba until December 15, will illustrate the positive influence that love can have to bring people together from diverse backgrounds.

On the convention programme highlights, Adekannbi said ” The convention programme will examine how Bible principles help people in practical ways. The Friday programme will address how love can help people surmount obstacles such as a troubled upbringing, chronic illness, or poverty.

” Saturday programme will consider how Bible principles help husbands, wives, and children to show love for one another. Sunday programme will include a public Bible discourse entitled “True Love in a Hate-Filled World Where?” that will address overcoming prejudice and hatred.”

The local representative stressed that conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are free to the public and that no collections are taken, noting that “Love Never Fails!” is one of the largest global conventions in 2019, spanning six continents and over 200 countries and presented in over 400 languages.

” A complete programme schedule, a video about conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses, times and locations for these public conventions can be found on the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses, jw.org ” , he stated .

Social Media Buzz as Akinremi Jagaban Marks Birthday

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede

Scores of constituency members of Hon. Musiliudeen Akinremi Jagaban on Tuesday took to Facebook and tweeters to celebrate the lawmaker representing Ibadan North federal constituency.
Akinremi, a Prince of Ibadanland and an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Ibadan North Federal constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, was born on October 1st.
His supporters had started trooping to social media to felicitate him as his birthday coincided with the Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary.
Bayo Aderoju wrote on his Facebook page “Alihamdulilahi as a great MAN & lawmaker, Ibadan North Fed Rep celebrates another birthday. May Allah bless you richly for this generation & many to come, aamin”.
Alhaji Abolore Idowu tweeted “birthday comes in a year. Hon. Musiliudeen Akinremi Jagaban, I beseech Allah who made you a blessing to our generation, to continue His guidance and protection on you and your family.”
Femi Gbadamosi in his own comment said, “Hon, God has been kind to you for over five decades and you have in return, been blessing humanity with the wealth deposited in your care. May you never express sorrow in your life. With heart and voice, I wish you many happy returns, long life and prosperity.”
Oluwayemisi Adade wrote on Facebook, “May u continue to celebrates more of this day in health and wealth.happy birthday.”
Ojo Olanrewaju wrote, “Happy birthday to you Wishing you long life and prosperity”.
Alhaja Mistura Adigun said, “As the Vice Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Akinremi you have set forth your feet to attract federal government projects to benefit youths in Ibadan North. I pray you are able to achieve all these and more, to better the lot of our people. Happy birthday Jagaban Omoluabi Atata.”

PRONET to organise independence conference in Ibadan

By
Peter Ayoade
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As the country plan to celebrate 59th Independent anniversary, a socio-political group, Progressive Network (PRONET) is organising its First Independent Conference of Progressives.

The theme of the Conference according to a statement signed by Coordinator, Secretariat Duties, Engr Taiwo Fawole and Coordinator, Communication and Strategies, Rasaq Olubodun is Pseudo-Progressivism: the bane contemporary political malady which would be held at International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan on October 1st, 2019.

The Guest Speakers include the legal luminary, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), member editorial board of Nigerian Tribune, Dr Festus Adedayo and former deputy rector, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr Nathaniel A. Adebayo.

Progressive Network (PRONET) is a socio-political organization, which was established to promote genuine progressive ideology for the upliftment of the standard of living of the masses and overall development of the South Western Region in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

CAN laud’s Makinde for abolishing taxes on Churches, Mosques

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Christian Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter has lauded the decision of the state governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde to abolish the controversial tax forced on churches and mosques by the previous government in the state.
The governor at the weekend through his Executive Assistant, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe declared that since churches and mosques are not for profit making it would be wrong to demand that taxes be imposed on them.
 Ogedengbe made the statement during the thanksgiving mass organized to celebrate the 70th year birthday of the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin held at the Church of Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan.
Reacting to the development, the state chairman of CAN, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu described the action of the state executive on the matter as ‘seed sowing’ and it’s worthy of emulation by all aspiring to make heaven.
“With that singular act, the governor has directly traded with God, it is another way of sowing seed in God’s vineyard, you know, such seed will germinate, grow and bring forth seed in million folds. Our God does not owe anyone, He will surely prosper Makinde’s administration and life.”
“The pressure on me when the idea of taxing religion houses was first brought up by the last administration was just unbearable, I was helpless. Religion leaders were not willing to accept anything else then, but absolute abrogation of the idea. Meanwhile, the administration of Ajimobi was adamant; very unrepentant and made all my efforts appeared unproductive.”
“Imagine someone we have not approached for any possible consideration on tax issue, but through personal conviction and fear of God went ahead to remove the burden of tax and levy hanged on churches and mosques by those who didn’t see any wrong in taxing God.”
However, Pastor Akanmu agreed that all churches running business venture should pay every applicable taxes and levies on those businesses. “Remember, God said ‘give unto Caesar what is due to Caesar and unto God what is due to God. Church must pay tax on each of its businesses, including school, hospital, bakery, commercialized printing press and others. Likewise, every Christian earning salary or engaging in one trade or the other must pay tax or levy as applicable, that is the commandment of God.”
 Akanmu called on Christian leaders to reciprocate the good gesture of his excellency, he urged them to continue praying for the success of Engr. Seyi Makinde’s administration and for peace of God to reign in Oyo State.
“The best way to appreciate this gesture is to keep praying for peace of God to reign in the state and for Makinde’s administration to be successful. We should not also forget to be praying for the governor and his family, for God to take charge of the burdens on him and grant him divine protection,” Pastor Akanmu stated.

INEC calls for synergy among stakeholders to achieve success

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Mr. Mutiu Agboke on Tuesday called for synergy to achieve electoral success in future elections.
Agboke made this remarks when he played host to the State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Iskilu Akinsanya in his office.
“For us to now achieve the entire success together, INEC is not the only stakeholder. We have all the security agencies, National Orientation Agency and media organisations,” he said.
Agboke said that the stakeholders must come together towards achieving all that INEC had designed with the laid down modalities.

According to him,”if INEC is working in a particular direction and the security agency is going in the other direction, we can not achieve the desires success.

“If INEC is looking for a way to give correct information to members of the public and the media is misinforming, are we on the same page?

“And the need for us to change the narrative is the reason why we are calling on all the stakeholders.”

He lamented the harassment, intimidation and arrest of INEC officials during the last general  elections by security agencies, saying none of the security agencies have such right.

“NSCDC has no power to maltreat or punish any INEC official without recourse to the REC. No security agency in Nigeria has any power to harass, intimidate or arrest any REC without recourse to our Chairman,” he said.

Agboke said that the commission lost one out of the 32 cases instituted against it at the election petition tribunals sitting in the state, while others were disposed off.

“Let me inform you that the commission was sued at the election petitions tribunal for 32 cases from governorship election to house of reps, senators to House of Assembly. 32 of them.

“I think three of them were withdrawn. As I speak to you now, all the cases have been disposed off by the tribunal. Out of the 32 now, the commission only lost one,” he said.

He said that some of the tribunal cases have gone to the appellate level, saying the commission has received series of notices of appeal.

The REC said that the commission had taken stock of the few inadequacies on its part in the election in terms of logistics, ad hoc staff and operations, assuring that they would be improved upon.

Agboke, who said more that 700,000 Permanent Voter’s Cards were yet to be collected in the state, promised that the commission would soon open its voter registration exercise.

Earlier, Akinsanya said that the visit to INEC was significant to further strengthen the cordial relationship which existed between the two organisations.

He said that NSCDC and INEC were partners in progress, describing INEC as a pillar of the nation whose contribution to nation building can’t be underestimated.

“To have good governance starts from electioneering processes and which is INEC. That shows the country cannot be at peace without INEC,” he said.

Makinde appoints UI don, Babatunde, Economic Adviser

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Farida Babalola
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of a seasoned economist from the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, Dr. Musibau Babatunde, as his Chief Economic Adviser.
The Governor, in a statement endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, confirmed that Babatunde’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Makinde, who had announced a four-point developmental agenda for the State, had named the expansion of the state’s economy as one the key pillars.
He wished the newly-appointed Economic Adviser success in the endeavour to join him make a good turnaround in the economic situation of Oyo State.
 The statement indicated that Dr. Babatunde, who was a recipient of the World Trade Organization Doctoral Internship Visiting Scholar Support Award, Geneva, Switzerland, in September 2005, was educated at the Nigerian Premier University, the University of Ibadan, where he graduated with a B.Sc Economics degree.
He also obtained his Masters and Ph.D degrees from the same institution and had also served as Director in the Industrial Policy Course in Africa and Domestic Resource Mobilisation for Investment for African Policy Makers with the United Nations African Institute for Economic Development and Planning, Dakar, Senegal..
Babatunde emerged as the overall best graduating student in the Masters of Science Degree in Economics at the University of Ibadan and became a recipient of the African Economic Research Consortium, Nairobi, Collaborative PhD Scholarship Award for African Scholars.
The statement added that Dr. Babatunde had equally served as Consultant to the National Factsheet on the Impact of Economic Partnership Agreement on Selected Sectors of the Nigerian Economy; Export Supply Response Capacity Constraints In Nigeria; Output Market Initiatives.
Babatunde’s public sector assignments had seen him work as the Chief Consultant on Niger State Economic Development Strategy in December 2008; Coordinating Consultant on Niger State Vision 3:2020 Document and Niger State Local Governments Vision 3:2020 Document in March 2010.
The Economics lecturer was awarded the Doctorate Degree in Economics on June 30, 2007. He joined the Department of Economics, UI as an Assistant Lecturer on November 1st 2006.
He is a Senior Lecturer in the Economics Department and currently being assessed for the rank of professor.

No need for reconciling with Ajimobi, says Akintola

By
Peter Ayoade
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“But if a man; a beneficiary of my goodwill now says “I agree that you are my benefactor but I may decide to pay you back with evil; I may under pay you and I may not even pay you at all”
By Adams Akorede
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Adeniyi Akintola has ruled out further relationship with a former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi following the fallout of the 2019 general elections.

 

Akintola in an interview with The PUNCH had told the reporter who sought to know if there could be room for a reconciliation to spare him of such a needless venture.
The Pacesetter News reproduced below ‘the balance’ of the interview.
Q: Since your failed bid to pick the Oyo APC gubernatorial ticket, it appears you are no longer on speaking terms with the former Governor Ajimobi?
Yes, there is no basis for that. There is a level at which man should not descend no matter what. We had our relationship together. But if a man; a beneficiary of my goodwill now says “I agree that you are my benefactor but I may decide to pay you back with evil; I may under pay you and I may not even pay you at all”.
Q: Did he say that or mere hearsay?
No. He said it to my face. And people were there including his own brother.
Q: And are you sure he said all that?
He has been telling people before then and later said it to my face. People who had been appealing to me did not know the fundamental nature of our differences. Those issues were so fundamental and there is no need for reconciling with such a person. I am not quarrelling and I am not having any issue against him but further relationship? Please spare me.
Q: What future for your party?
Our party would bounce back. Oyo people are progressives in nature. What happen is that at a stage, we took electorate for granted. We failed to understand the fact that those of us who are registered members of political parties are not up to two percent of the entire populace. And we became swollen headed and they decided to deal with us. We didn’t lose to the PDP, we lost to ourselves. It was APC against APC.
Q: What efforts have been put in place to calm fraying nerves including you?
Those of us who understand this, know that without the support of some compatriots, we won’t be there. When some people think that they are more than the electorate, the electorate decided to teach us lesson. On the day of election, one of his commissioners called me and said some structures failed us and I asked him, “did you know that those structures exist when you are taking people for granted?”
Q: Your supporters expected you to move to another party when you couldn’t pick the ticket of APC but you declined…
Yes. Thanks to Governor Seyi Makinde; Dare Adeleke; Prince Dotun Oyelade because they actually made efforts for me to cross over and pick Oyo South senatorial ticket. But what would I say to some people because there is something I leanrt from Chief Bola Ige that I would not forget. You are not to engage in fight with anybody; you must know the opponents you are facing but you should first of all appreciate people behind you. If I move to PDP, what I would be telling Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Governor Fashola, chief Bisi Akande? What would I tell Chief Bola Ige and Awolowo when I meet them in heaven?
Q: Does that mean you are an unrepentant progressive?
Yes, I am an unrepentant progressive.
Q: But some of them are criminally intelligent?
Yes. Every party has its plus and minus. The perception is different from what you think. People belief that PDP is an enclave of all sorts of people; drug pushers, etc but we have very many good people in that PDP. For those of us in APC, the perception is that we are propagandists, highly intelligent but criminally minded. These are the perceptions but not all of us are propagandists; not all of us are criminally intelligent and not all of us have intelligent without integrity. It is a perception and we would continue to correct those perceptions. People alleged of us of being master of propaganda as if PDP is not also engaging in propaganda.

EFCC arrests Fidelity Employee for allegedly stealing N137m

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office, has arrested one Kehinde Olumide Agbabiaka, a sales agent of Fidelity Bank Plc.
His arrest was sequel to a petition jointly penned by the bank’s Regional Security Officer and the Cluster Control and Compliance Manager, in which it was alleged that the suspect suppressed, diverted and stole a total sum of N137,000,000 from personal and corporate accounts of a customer in ibadan.
Filed on August 20, 2019, the petition alleged that Agbabiaka committed the offence between January 2017 and July 2019.
The suspect, who was the account officer attached to the customer, was said to be visiting the business premises of the victim weekly to collect cash with the understanding that he would remit same to his accounts domiciled in the bank’s Challenge, Ibadan branch.
But, instead of depositing the money, Agbabiaka was said to have at different times remitted only a portion and on many occasions diverted the whole sum to personal use.
In order to cover its criminal acts, the suspect, according to the petition, would rather issue fictitious bank slips to deceive the customer that he truly deposited the sums.
This continued until the customer reviewed the statement of his account and reconciled same with the cash collection register. It was then they discovered Agbabiaka’s fraudulent deeds, prompting the bank to put up the petition.
So far, the EFCC investigators have established a prima facie case of diversion and stealing against the suspect.
Further investigations also revealed that he had used the suppressed sums to build houses, purchase cars, invest in fixed deposits and insurance policies. He also gave part of the loot to people as friendly loans.
Some of the items have been recovered and registered as exhibits.
The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

NOA urges citizens to respect nation’s symbols

By
Peter Ayoade
-

 

The National orientation Agency, Oyo State Directorate on Monday observed the National Ordinance Day across the 33 local Government areas of the state.

The event is aimed at re-awakening the citizens to the features of Nigeria’s National symbols and why they must be respected.

This the state Director of the Agency, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu said, is in line towards realizing the Agency’s overaching objective in raising  the consciousness of Nigerians to their civic duties.

In a press release signed by Dosunmu , she maintained that  the need to sensitize the public on how to deal with National symbols has become increasingly important as the agency’s public opinion poll recently conducted, has shown high level lackadaisical attitudes of many people as regards   the National symbols.

Mrs Dosunmu reiterated  that ‘’ a Nation’s Symbols are its identities that stand it out among other nations , therefore, the National symbols should be a citizen ‘s pride and should be held in high reverence at all times’’.

She berated the way some people and even organizations sometimes hoist the Nigerian Flag in haphazard manner, spend mutilated and unkempt  National currencies , keep their international passports in a shoddy manner and even the way they sing National Anthem and pledge carelessly among others.

She stressed that all the national symbols have their own rules guiding them that should not be breached for whatever reason.

The NOA Director urges the citizens to be patriotic and show their love for the country in the way they uphold the National symbols. ‘This, she added should be a continuous practice and not a one-off exercise that should be observed only on National Ordinance Day”.

Religious groups agree to modifications on 17-day Oro festival

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Ademola Babalola
Religious groups consisting of Muslims, Christians and Oro worshipers have reportedly agreed that there would be modifications to the 17-day Oro festival which begins on September 22.
A source in Iseyin local  government told The Punch on Monday.
He said the agreement was reached by delegates of the three major religious groups.
According to him, they have now agreed that the celebration be marked on September 22 being the first, seventh day and 17th day to worship their deity.
The truce followed a meeting convened by elders, princes and princesses of Iseyin land held at the palace of Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle, on Saturday.
At the meeting were elder Salaudeen Adelere; Alhaja Mistura Adeyeri; the Chief Imam of Iseyinland, Sheikh AbdulAkeem Olajori; the Chairman Christians Association of Nigeria, Iseyin local government branch, Rev. Christopher Olugbade and the Jagun Ilado of Iseyin agreed that the last court order issued by a high court in 2000 should be adhered to strictly for this year’s celebration.
It was unanimously agreed that Oro adherents are allowed to perform all their rites between 5:30pm and 5:00am on the first day, seventh day and 17th day while they maintain 8:00pm and 5:00am on other days.
At the meeting that had Basorun of Iseyin Land, Chief Oyegbenle Adelodun, Ikolaba of Iseyin land, Chief Ismail Odubiyi and other chiefs of Aseyin in attendance, the religious groups appealed to one another not to infringe on rights of anybody throughout the festive period.
The delegates agreed that adequate security should be provided by Aseyin-in-Council to forestall breakdown of law and order by any of the religious belief.
While lauding their understanding that fostered peaceful conduct of the meeting, Elder Olalere and generality of chiefs of Aseyin of Iseyin appealed that nobody should attack the Oro worshippers and vise versa.
They also warned Oro worshipers not to set out of their respective quarters unless it’s 5:30pm on the three days while assuring them that if they abide by the order, nobody would attack them and the town will be peaceful.

Oyo PDP, APC differ on Makinde’s tribunal victory

By
Peter Ayoade
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The ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress in Oyo state on Monday differed over the tribunal’s judgment which upheld the victory of Governor Seyi Makinde at the March 9 election.
Makinde of the PDP was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission. He polled 515,621 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Bayo Adelabu  of the APC who had 357,982 votes.
Adelabu thereafter approached the tribunal and sought a reversal of Makinde’s victory.
But in upholding Makinde’s victory, the Chairman of the tribunal three-man tribunal, Justice Muhammed Sirajo who delivered the unanimous judgment said the testimonies of the ward and local government agents, called by the petitioners could, not be relied upon.
According to the tribunal, the agents were unable to speak the truth and merely relied on what they were told by the polling unit agents.

He said that 32 pieces of evidence, out of the 69 witnesses called by the petitioners were hearsay because the petitioners were ward and local government collation agents while the remaining 37 were polling unit agents.

Sirajo said that the petitioners called 69 witnesses and tendered 4,164 exhibits while the respondents called 15 witnesses.

He said the testimony of an eye witness must come from the polling unit agents who witnessed all that happened from the beginning to the end during the election.

The tribunal said that the petitioners also failed to tender necessary documents that would assist members of the tribunal in proving ballot paper accounting.

He said that it was not only the responsibilities of petitioners to tender documents but also to prove that the alleged irregularities in the election substantially affected the outcome of the election.

Sirajo said that the petitioners failed to prove that the respondents were not validly elected by majority of lawful votes.

“The petitioner failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance, non-accreditation, over voting and corrupt practices that would warrant the tribunal to nullify the election,“ he said.

Expectedly, the State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, congratulated Makinde, for his resounding victory at the tribunal.

Mustapha in a statement released by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the State, Mr. Akeem Olatunji, said that the judiciary should be commended for upholding the wishes of the people as demonstrated by the pattern of voting in the last gubernatorial election by declaring Makinde as the winner.
According to the party, the state gubernatorial election petition tribunal, by its landmark ruling, had helped to restore hope to Nigerians that “judgment is not for sale.”
Mustapha saluted the judges for putting honesty, justice and fear of God above any other considerations to carry out their professional callings.
But the opposition APC through a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Olatunde referred the tribunal ruling to its team of legal experts for necessary recommendation “which the party hopes to follow appropriately.”
Oyo APC thanked its members for being law abiding and assured them to await the next line of action, in due course.

UCH opens Interventional Radiology Centre

By
Peter Ayoade
-

 

The University College Hospital, Ibadan, has launched an Interventional Radiology Centre to reduce morbidity and mortality rate associated with chronic and life changing diseases like breast cancer.
The UCH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, made this known on Tuesday at the ongoing three-day Interventional Radiology Symposium at Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall of the hospital.
The project, according to Otegbayo was made possible through a partnership of the tertiary institution with the RAD-AID International, a US-based non-profit organisation.
Interventional Radiology, which is a subspecialty of Diagnostic Radiology, is the minimally invasive, image-guided treatment of medical conditions through breakthrough techniques that once required open surgery.
Otegbayo, represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Victor Akinmoladun, said that IR offers one of the most advanced accurate diagnosis and treatment protocols in diseases like cancer.
“UCH is committed to this project. We have a team that have gone out for the required training.
“We desire that the hospital, not only becomes the hub for Interventional Radiology in terms of service provision, but also provide the platform for research activities as well as training for the West African sub-region.
“Interventional radiology is a minimally invasive type of care that cuts across virtually all specialties and aspects of medicine.
“For instance, IR can be used in successful nonsurgical treatment of cases like fibroid, which is common in black women, intractable severe pain and some types of cancer, that is why it called minimally invasive,” he said.
Otegbayo said that while the cost might be inaccessible to some due to expensive materials and equipment, it is not particularly meant for the rich.
“While we know the unfortunate reality of the out of pocket payment for healthcare, we hope to address this issue over time and make it accessible to all.
“However, this is not exactly a care meant for the rich and some people, even go abroad for this same service.
“So, if those services are here, we believe that a lot of those who have the means to travel abroad may reconsider to have it here in Nigeria.
“This means getting the type of procedure here will be cheaper in the long run coupled with quicker recovery time and shorter hospital stay,” he said.
Prof. Biodun Adeyinka, Head of Interventional Radiology Team, UCH, described IR as an advancement in medicine that could replace unnecessary surgical procedures and effectively reduce morbidity and mortality rate of diseases like breast cancer.
“IR is going to rejuvenate breast cancer therapy in the country by making it easier and quicker to get accurate diagnosis.
“The quicker you diagnose the better for the treatment and reduction in morbidity and mortality,” he said.
Adeyinka, a Consultant Radiologist, commended RAD-AID International for providing the needed support which made it possible to kick-start such technologically advanced treatment in a government-owned tertiary hospital.
“UCH has been earmarked as the centre for training, and we appreciate RAD-AID for helping us to achieve this dream.
“They have made commitment to continue to support us by bringing in resource persons from the United States and also through donations of materials and equipment which will help us undertake this project successfully,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr Stephen Hunt, said that introduction of IR in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery process would pave the way as a leader in quality and effective healthcare system.
Hunt, who is an Associate Professor of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, United States, said that by leveraging on the benefits of IR, healthcare providers could diagnose and treat complex medical conditions with unprecedented precision.
“I came from the United State in order to help initiate the first IR training in Nigeria.
“I was in Nigeria last year to carry out a survey on where this project could take of, and we decided on UCH.
“The introduction of IR is going to improve patients’ experience for many reasons like addressing the problem of inadequate number of surgeons and lengthy hospital stays and risk of complications,” he said.
Hunt assured stakeholders that opening of an IR Department in UCH would not be another “white elephant” project.
He said that the RAD-AID team was fully committed to providing the needed support, services, equipment and materials to make it a success.

Recall Envoy, close South African Embassy in Nigeria, Rep tells FG

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Vice Chairman, House of Representatives committee on science and technology, Musiliudeen Akinremi on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to recall Nigeria’s envoy to South Africa and close down the SA’s embassy in the country within the next 24 hours.
Describing Monday’s killings of Nigerians in South Africa as heinous, Akinremi also decried international communities’ continuous silence on the endless attacks on Nigerians in foreign lands.
 Akinremi in a chat with journalists, said ‘enough is enough and an injustice to one is an injustice to all.”
The lawmaker from Ibadan North federal constituency area of Oyo state, asked those perpetrating the dastard acts to go back to their history and would know how Nigerian government stood by their country and its people during the Apartheid, and on very many occasions.

“These actions taken against Nigerians by South Africans is so unjustified and is an international crime against humanity.

“As lawmakers and voice of Nigerian people, we must rise up to this occasion and call on President Muhammadu Buhari to do something against South Africa interests in Nigeria.
“We must continue to insist on the rule of law and the observance of due process at all times.
“Let the law there take its course whenever crimes are committed by Nigerians.
“Our government appears to have been too silent about these happenings. Its very sad and disturbing.
“I think there should be a diplomatic face-off between Nigeria and South Africa by now.
“We should recall the Nigerian Ambassador and consequently give a 24-hour notice to his South African counterpart to vacate our country.
“More stringent measures are proposed to follow. The incessant killings and molestation are not acceptable in any sane society.
“Let us wake up from our slumber. Exploration by our people for greener pastures elsewhere should not be an invitation to graveyards because, Decapitation is not solution to a headache,” Akinremi fumed.
Akinremi argued further that the South African government was engaging in a conspiracy act for its alleged silence and inability to arrest the culprits.
He added that since Buhari was elected to protect lives of citizens wherever they are, it behoves on the federal government to rise to this clarion call and safeguard the lives and business interests of Nigerians, “as we are doing here to protect all South African investments and its people.”

Xenophobia: Police shield South African Investments from attacks in Oyo

By
Peter Ayoade
-

 

The Oyo State police command on Wednesday took over all South African investments in Ibadan, the state capital.

This follows the attack visited on the MTN business centre at Bodija, by irate youths who set the outlet ablaze.

Our correspondent who went round the Ibadan business district at Dugbe observed heavy presence of security operatives at Shoprite, Dugbe; Palms Mall which is the biggest Shoprite in Nigeria, on Ring road; the MTN zonal office, also on the same road; the Stanbic IBTC banks, including their ATM galleries and the Multichoice.

Confirming the heavy deployment of anti-riot officers and others, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Gbenga Fadeyi who confirmed the attacks stated that “all South African investments in the state had been properly secured.”

On ‘Think Oyo platform’, a relative of one of the victims, according to a message shared by Derin Omowon, concerning killings in South Africa, said, “what’s terrible with reprisal attacks from Nigerians?

“Should I send you a video of how my brother’s electrical shop on small street in Johannesburg was looted and his wife burnt to ashes?

“Since our government won’t say or do anything, let everything about South Africa be destroyed, we have been in tears since Monday in my family,” he stated.

Another guy consoling the bereaved, wrote: “take heart my dear. Last July, about two months ago, I personally survived by whiskers from the murderous J’burg boys.”

Also speaking about the attack on MTN office at Bodija, a Commander of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency, Ayoade Adeoye stated that the men of the traffic agency arrived the scene of the incident at about 10:30pm on Tuesday when it got the information of the attack on the MTN building.

According to him, “some people on motorcycles were said to have arrived at the building and were asking the security men on duty some questions which they were unable to respond to.

“They, then descended on them and beat them. They came with can of petrol which they used to burn the building.

“The police and other security agencies were here with us. We have been here since that time ensuring that there is no traffic problem as people come down here to see what has happened”

Punch correspondent who was at the scene saw some of those working in the office expressing shock and were making phone calls. They refused to speak with the press but were facially depressed.

A man who had come to MTN to retrieve his SIM card which he claimed was stolen the day before expressed disappointment. “I was not aware that something like this has happened. I was coming down to retrieve my line because my phone was stolen yesterday. I am shocked to see this now”

An on-air personality, Adedeji Ademola said Nigerians should consider other approaches other than violence.

He noted that the building that housed the MTN building belonged to a Nigerian who along with other Nigerians working in that office have become victims.

“We may decide to boycott their services. Stay away from buying from them and allow government to step up diplomatic relations. Doing this (burning) is not good for the livelihood of Nigerians who are already pushed below poverty level.”

The Commissioner of Police in the State, Shina Olukolu had earlier warned reaidents to desist from any planned protest.

Olukolu in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Gbenga Fadeyi, said that ‘the attention of Police in Oyo State, has been drawn by credible sources that some aggrieved Nigerians have perfected plans to carry out coordinated attacks on South Africa economic interest in Nigeria including Shoprite etc.

“The faceless organizers are advised to desist from this planned dastard act as it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good.

“The police in Oyo State wish to seize this opportunity to appeal to the aggrieved citizens for calm and allow the government to use diplomatic means to resolve the logjam.”

Ibadan Obas Tussle: Why We can’t remove our Crowns, says Balogun

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Ademola Babalola
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun on Wednesday disclosed that removal of their crowns was not part of the ongoing reconciliation with the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Balogun who was elevated to crown-wearing Oba alongside 20 others, at a ceremony of August 27, 2017 by former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, maintained that only the court could stop them from wearing the crowns.
A media house had on Tuesday reported that the high chiefs had given up their crowns in difference to the supremacy of Olubadan.
Balogun who had always held Olubadan in high esteem and severally revered him as a father, said, “we didn’t give ourselves crowns. We were made kings by the law and no other law has asked us to stop wearing it.”
He continued, “where did they (media) get the idea that we had dropped our crowns from?
“Media people are just creating unnecessary crisis in the Olubadan-in-council.
“We and the Olubadan did not discuss the issue of our crowns at all.

“We even have no right to abandon it (crowns),” Balogun added in a brief phone chat with our correspondent.

Responding, the Olubadan cautioned against inflammatory remarks in the media.

The Media Officer to Olubadan, Adeola Oloko who was evasive in making further comments, simply added, “lets allow sleeping dogs to lie”.
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