News

Children’s Carnival Turns Bloody in Ibadan

By Web News 639

By Olawale Asake

Many people, mostly children, have been reportedly feared dead in a stampede during a funfair organized for children.

The Programme which was organised by the Women in Need of Governance and Support, WINGS, was held at Islamic High School, Bashorun,.

According to witnesses, many people got to the entrance of the venue as early as 6 o’clock in the morning while some people allegedly slept at the venue.

It was reported that, the stampede occurred when many children and some Parents thronged the gate of the School, thereby causing violent push resulting in stampede.

It was gathered that many children who are mostly underage fell and were matched by others struggling to gain entrance to the main venue of the Programme.

As at the time of filing this report, our Correspondent who visited the scene said clothes and shoes of children littered the floor, while Security Officers were seen on ground asking the remaining people at the venue to vacate the premises 

However, the Programme which was announced on one of the Popular Radio Stations in Ibadan could not be held again due to the incident.

Meanwhile, when visited Adeoyo hospital, Yemetu Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, the victims whose number could not be ascertained  were said to have been brought to the hospital but later taken to an undisclosed hospital in Ibadan.

Witnesses explained that some of the victims were resuscitated at the facility while others were feared  dead.

They added that a number of Tricycles were used to convey the victims to the hospital.

In the meantime,Oyo State Government has mourned the tragic loss of lives at a children’s carnival in Ibadan.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the State Government swiftly mobilised a rapid response team following the breaking of the incident.

The commissioner noted that victims have been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention.

As at the time of filling this report, the Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Adebayo Lawal paid an on the spot assessment to the Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan

Education

Experts Urge Government to Prioritize Education Sector

By Web News 289

By Olawale Asake

Some education experts have called on the Federal and State governments to improve the quality of education by putting more funding into the Sector to further aid teaching and learning in schools.

They made the call at the 2024 Olagoke Educational Foundation, O’LEG Competition for Secondary School Students organized by Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide at Al-Aadi Unique College, Jobele, Oyo, with the theme, “Secure Your Future to Sustain Your Future”

The educators at the competition said that proper education could help to shape the future of children, calling on Government to honor UNESCO’s advocacy for larger percentage of budget on education.

In a keynote address, Professor Olagoke said that well-meaning individuals should support the government to tackle issues of poor education, urging the children to focus more on their education and avoid every form of distractions in the society.

Professor Olagoke maintained that the essence of functional education was to remove ignorance and arouse students’ conscience into positive values for their future to be well secured.

“You can rule the World if you avoid unnecessary burden of worries. Never engage in examination malpractices which can demean you into low ebb in the society”.

Professor Olagoke advised the students to positively make use of the recent technological innovations and advancements to broaden their knowledge, rather than committing cyber-crimes through technology, calling on victims of any Cybercrime to seek just from relevant authorities such as Nigeria Police, EFCC and others.

In an address of Welcome, the Host of the Programme, Alhaji Abdul-aadi Yusuf  lauded the Professor Sabit Olagoke who is the Initiator of the competition, saying it has helped many students to improve their critical thinking about education and their future sustainability.

“It is of immense value because it deepens their curriculum and they are learning. it is an engaging way of learning and preparing them for the future”.

Another Speaker, an Education Counselor, Dr. Ibraheem Adediran said,  education plays a major role in a child’s development and children should be taught the importance of healthy competition to make them acquire more knowledge for future decisions.

He maintained that, the competition was aimed at improving the student’s self-esteem and imbibe them with the belief that they too could achieve great things in life through education.

Seven Secondary Schools across Oyo States participated in the opening ceremony of the Competition.

The Participants said they were proud of their involvement which would go a long way in shaping their career in life so as to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Side attractions at the competition included cultural performance from the students of Shafaudeen Group of Schools, Ibadan and Al-Aadi Unique College, Jobele, Oyo.

Parenting Tips

The Child: Whose Responsibility?

By Web News 631

By Olaitan Oye-Adeitan

We are now in the age and times when we may really need to unmask the truth of whose responsibility is the child, Government, Society or Parents.

Today, some parents blame the teacher for every one of their children’s failures. Society also shares part of it and the government is not exempted.

Statements such as “that teacher is not performing his/her duty very well, see what the society has turned our children to, our government is not helping our children at all ” are now freely and commonly expressed by some parents due to the shortcomings in their children’s academic performance or behavioural pattern.

We may however need to counter these statements with the following questions; Who is to blame when the child refuses to do his homework ( a work that is expected to be done at home), and which keeps piling up? Must the teacher be blamed when a mother decides to do the assignment for her child rather than to guide him/ her through it?

Also, who is to blame when a child watches sensual films with his parents? Then when the boy attempts to have carnal knowledge of a mate, who is of the opposite sex, is the teacher also responsible?

Oh, we may as well ask, if it is the government that teaches a child to be unruly and bully other mates in school, dress in tattered uniform, wear crazy haircuts, with vulgar expressions gushing out of the lips without caution.

While we do not deny the fact that the teacher, society or environment, and government fall under secondary influencers when it comes to child development, parents still remain the major stakeholders in terms of child care, training and overall development.

From infancy, a child is welcomed into the hands of a father and mother and grows under their tutelage until maturity.
Even a child born outside wedlock has a father and mother.

However, someone may argue that what about children who are orphans? The truth is even an orphan is handed over to a caregiver in a family or orphanage. The case of a set of twin brothers comes to mind. Their mother died during their birth and the father took to heels realising they were twins. Perhaps, for fear of responsibility, only God knows. These twin brothers were raised by their maternal grandmother and today, one is a successful lawyer and the other a doctor.

Children who are used for rituals, abandoned at birth either under the bridge, beside the river, on refuse dumps or in most unimaginable places as reported in the news, have the hands of one or both parents.

Psychologist, Sigmund Freud posited that personality forms during the first few years of life and that how parents and other caregivers interact with children has a long-lasting impact on children’s emotional state.

Another research corroborated this by saying that a personality formed by the age of six or seven is not likely to deviate from its core.

Therefore, parents must realise that the formative years of a child must not be joked with and it begins from the home, just like the age-long proverb, “Charity begins at home”.
At this early stage, all the senses of the child imbibe consciously or unconsciously from elements around him, of which the parents are key.
As the child grows, all he has absorbed begins to manifest and the picture gets bigger by the day.

If there is no solid foundation for that child during his formative years, he or she will be swayed by the wind of abnormalities in his environment. It is like building a house on a shaky foundation
Such will easily crumble amid storms.

This is not to exempt other stakeholders who are the teachers and government. As a teacher, you are to make and not mar them through impactful teachings. So, a case where a teacher is found defiling his/her pupil is appalling and highly unacceptable.

Government, on its part, must be seen to uphold the Child Rights Act(2023). 24 out of 36 states of Nigeria have adopted the CRA as a state law. Therefore, twelve (12) states in Nigeria have yet to adopt the CRA in their laws of the 36 states of the federation.

Needlessly is, therefore, trading blame when it comes to whose responsibility is the child’s. The truth be told; you carry the major responsibility as a parent because you are given the child directly by God.

And to whom much is given, much is expected!

Human Angle

Christmas is for sharing love, fostering harmony – Gov Adeleke

By Web News 298

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has urged Christians to draw from the spiritual import of the Christmas celebration by sharing love and fostering harmony in their communities.

Governor Adeleke made the call in a message to felicitate with Christians in Osun State and beyond on the occasion of the Christmas celebrations.

While describing Christmas as a moment of reflection on the blessing that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolizes for humanity, the governor charges Osun people, especially Christians to embrace the spirit of compassion and kindness that the season reflects.

He called on the people of the state to appreciate the strength and prospects of unity in driving the needed progress for the state, saying they should use the season to renew bonds, lend helping hands and spread love without boundaries.

“As families gather to celebrate the season, I offer my sincere goodwill and urge them to look beyond the merriment of the celebration by using the occasion to spread love through giving and kindness”.

“At a time like this, we need to look after each other and ensure that those with one need or the other are supported in our little ways. We are brothers and sisters irrespective of colour, tongues and faith, and so, we should explore the strength that unity offers”.

Governor Adeleke said in the spirit of the season, his administration will continue to prioritize the welfare of the people by paying owed half salary, the regular salary, and the wage award agreed with labour leaders to give the needed funds to the workers and also stimulate the economy of the state.

While praying for uuuhitch free celebrations and a prosperous 2024, Governor Adeleke assured Osun people of sustained commitment to moving the state forward, noting that ongoing projects and new ones that will broaden the economic prospects of the state and improve the situation of the people will receive priority next year.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Environment

Agodi botanical gardens will remain intact – Oyo Govt

By Web News 1332

Oyo State Commissioner of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, has stated that the planned Housing Estate Project, Baywood Estate, would not consume the Agodi Botanical Gardens.

He stated this while conducting newsmen round the Agodi Botanical Gardens and the planned site of the estate, noting that, the clarifications became important to educate the people of the state.

The commissioner, who noted that, some residents of the state have confused the site of the planned estate to include Agodi Botanical Gardens, clarified that while the garden sits on 9.11 hectares of land, the large expanse of 46.3 hectares of forest behind the Gardens is to be converted to Baywood Housing Estate.

Mr Akin-Funmilayo while nothing that, Agodi Gardens is one of the remaining legacies inherited by the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde administration, maintained that the recreational facility would be protected and even upgraded to an international Botanical Garden in due course. 

The commissioner equally debunked the false allegation that the state government had been cutting down the trees in the forest, adding that the state government has taken the decision that 80 per cent of the trees in the forest would be retained despite the housing estate project.

He explained that the government has taken the proactive step to convert the forest to a housing estate because the forest has become a hideout for hoodlums, thieves, kidnappers  and perpetrators of many heinous acts, not only in the night but also in broad daylight.

Responding to how the conversion of forest to a housing estate could impact on climatic conditions, the commissioner said: “One of the values of this estate is the preservation of these trees and that is why the name of the estate is ‘Baywood.’ So, the wood is highly significant.

“Oyo State residents should know and rest assured that the government will preserve this forest to the best of our ability, because this administration understands the implications of deforestation and its import on climate change. There might be a few casualties in the provision of infrastructure, but I can tell you that they will be re-planted.

“When this project is completed, it is going to be in a world of its own and a beauty to behold. So, I am reassuring you that the state government has nothing to do with Agodi Gardens as far as the estate construction is concerned. The area that will be converted to an estate is where we are now. 

“The reality is that people cannot pass through this road freely between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.without fear, because of the high rate of criminality around this corner and the fact that there is vast forest to escape into. Thus, the government is justified for trying to add value to the environment by providing housing instead of keeping the forest and allowing it to remain a habitat for criminals, kidnappers, and evil doers in the society.

“The government of Oyo State does not have any intention to convert Agodi Garden to a housing estate. The plan is to upgrade the garden to an international botanical garden, which will serve the people of Oyo State better than it is right now,” Akin-Funmilayo added.

PR/Iyabo Adebisi

News

Ogun Govt. to Establish 3 Additional Ministries

By Web News 462

By Abimbola Bamgbose

Ogun State Government says, it is establishing three additional ministries in the state.

They include Mineral Resources, Information Communication Technology, ICT, and Digital Economy, as well as, the ministry of Youths and Energy.

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who made this known during a meeting with Permanent Secretaries held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan,Abeokuta, also disclosed that, the intended Ministry of Youths would be removed from the Ministry of Sports in preparation for the setting up of the Ogun State Sports Commission.

Governor Abiodun who also noted that, it was important for the state to have the additional ministries, said their establishment would avail his administration the opportunity to focus more on the development of those critical areas.

He however commended the permanent secretaries and other civil servants for their prayers and support, especially after the Tribunal judgement that went in his favour, said that, there must be cooperation between the civil servants and the political appointees as the goal they all aimed to achieve is the overall welfare of the administration and the people of the state.

Governor Abiodun urged civil servants and political appointees not to see themselves as competitors, rather see themselves as team members complementing each other.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Labour

Osun Government Introduces New Screening Method for Pensioners

By Web News 393

By Adenitan Akinola

Following the near death incident on Monday, where three pensioners collapsed, the Osun State Government has directed that all bedridden pensioners and others with serious health challenge will henceforth have their audit exercise conducted through telephone. 

 A statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi reveals that such pensioners, would no longer be required to be physically present at the venue of the screening exercise.

 The statement adds that pensioners who are currently outside the State would have their screening conducted via the same means. 

 It also says “Pensioners outside the state at the moment no longer need to travel down to Osun State as they will also be having their screening through the telephone. “Additionally, pensioners in the diaspora will also be screened only through video calls. 

 “In line with the above, the Pension Board is expected to make available all the particulars, especially pictures of pensioners to the Consultant, for ease of identification during the video call screenings. “The above directives take immediate effect.” 

 Recall that three members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) Osun State chapter on Monday collapsed , during the ongoing staff audit exercise of the state workforce at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo.

Retirees, numbering about 2,000 old men and women who are visibly aged, frail and in some cases sick, were seen at the venue of the screening. 

 A number of them who could not withstand long standing were seen either, lying down, sleeping or sitting on the bare floor to avoid eventuality. 

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Lifestyle

Happiness Day: Government should prioritize welfare – Citizens

By Web News 1021

As world celebrates world Happiness Day, government at all levels have been advised to prioritize welfare of the citizens to make life meaningful to them

A community leader, Alhaji Muritadah Abdsalam stated this today during an interaction with Radio Nigeria correspondent on the occasion of the World Happiness Day .

Alhaji Abdsalam, who described happiness as  a sign of contentment and peace to human beings, noted that all tiers of government in the country  must work to ensure a just society.

Alhaji Abdsalam lamented that various challenges confronting the nation were hindering happiness among the people.

Two residents of Ibadan, Mrs Adenike Nurudeen and Pastor Ayo Ademilua said both the government and citizens should revert to God for divine intervention on the country’s challenges.

They emphasized that happiness is not negotiable, hence the need for political office holders to make Nigerians happy.

Olayiwola/Esan