ILORIN,ABUJA LATEST

 CAN scribe charges Nigerian leaders on selfless service

 FROM EMMAN KEHINDE ILORIN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretary in Kwara State,  Rev Cornelius Fawenu has appealed to Nigeria leaders to keep the spirit of selfless service. Fawenu ,said this on Wednesday in Ilorin that for Nigeria to truly progress, its leaders must render selfless service.

     The Secretary lamented that most past leaders in the country have used their position and power to enrich their individual pockets to the detriment of national development.

According to him, Nigerian leaders as opportunists ruling for the sake of individual prosperity as against the national posterity, progress and development of the Country.

Fawenu said Chief Olusegun Obasdanjo’s letter to president Goodluck Jonathan was ridicule to the country before the outside world.

 “It is not a question of who is right or wrong now, but Nigeria and indeed Nigerians have been ridiculed before the World’’, Rev Fawenu said.

 According to the cleric, the situation enacted by the two leaders’ letters has shown that Nigeria and her people are a caricature of what the Nation claims to be as giant of Africa.

 He was of the opinion that going by the content of the said letter, rulers of the country have failed in their responsibility to give purposeful and sincere leadership.

The CAN Secretary Scribe noted that the scenario created by the letters was an indication of the failure of the nation and not necessarily that of President Jonathan or chief Obasanjo alone.

 He said all leaders who have at one time or the other and at any level of government, ruled Nigeria should accept responsibility for their failure.Rev Fawenu agreed that the future of the country is in the hands of the youth and urged the youth to strive to take over the mantle of leadership.“People who have ruled have ruled without vision, without ambition but have just had leadership bestowed on them by the people.

 “It is therefore time that the youths of this country should rise and salvage the future’’, Fawenu added. 

DRAMA, TENSION AS KWARA PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE SITS, HOISTS PARTY FLAG AT PARTY SECRETARIAT

From EMMAN KEHINDE , Ilorin

About Six - hour drama played out last recently, in Ilorin as the newly sworn-in Kwara State Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Care Taker Committee sat and hoisted the Party’s Flag at the controversial State Secretariat of the Party situated along Nupe Road, GRA,Ilorin in a tension soaked atmosphere

.Meanwhile, our Crrespondent on ground at the occasion reports that members and elders of the Party could only offer the opening prayer before the meeting was cut short by the other members of the Party who had defected to the All Progressives Party, APC that had earlier vowed to resist any attempt by anybody or group of persons to have access to the Secretariat claiming that the issue of ownership of the said Party’s State Secretariat is still in the Court.
  Speaking to the newsmen after the shortlived meeting, a member of the Caretaker Committee who was one time the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State, Chief Rex Olawoye said the PDP was not joined as a Party in the alleged suit before an Ilorin High Court and that the Committee had earlier taken permission from the Police a day before the day of the meeting as directed by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover.
Addressing Journalists earlier in Ilorin on Monday after a meeting with leaders of political parties in the state and parade of 11 criminal suspects, the Police Boss warned that there should be no political rally for now, except in party offices and homes.
 The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agboola Oshodi-Glover, further reminded politicians in the State that Section 99 of Electoral Act which puts commencement of electioneering campaign at 90 days before polling date, is still in force.
He also said that politicians should write the Police command to get necessary permission before organizing such political event.

He said the game of politics should be played  according to the law of the land and advised political leaders in the State to shun all acts of violence and use of thugs.
He also warned politicians in the State against making unguarded statement or cause any action that can lead to insecurity.
Consequenyly, the State Police Command deployed four lorry loads of fully armed anti riot police officers to provide security at the secretariat.
Following the Police permission earlier sought, the recently sworn-in PDP Caretaker Committee for Kwara thereafter moved to take over the ownership of the Secretariat to commence political activities ahead of 2015 general elections and address a press conference thereafter.
Our Correspondent monitoring the situation further gathered that the intention of the new PDP to address journalists at the controversial secretariat however elicited announcements early morning of the meeting on the State Radio  by Balogun-Fulani who directed his people to storm the place
The former state chairman of PDP now APC,Alh  Ishola Balogun Fulani had severally informed the media that inspite of the fact that members were leaving the party,they remain the rightful owner of the property.
He presented to the newsmen  the receipt written in the name of Late Dr Olushols Saraki which will lapse late 2014.
Initially, attempt by the new members of PDP who wanted to take over the secretariat was however stopped by the Police who insisted that none of the claimants could occupy the secretariat.
Consequently the entire area was bombarded by hundreds of members of the APC upon learning that some members of the  PDP had who had arrived the venue earlier had been allowed inside the secretariat unknown to their rivals while they, the new APC members were awaiting the Police permission to enter the premises of the Secretariat.

 Balogun- Fulani on behalf of himself and the party now APC had headed to court to enforce his alleged rightful ownership of the secretariat even as the court was yet to rule on the matter.
The Members of the two Parties including Women and Members of the two Political Groups that bombarded the place chanted solidarity songs seeking permission to enter the Secretariat.
Speaking to the press as who is the rightful owner of the Party's Secretariat was playing out, a member of the new Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Chief Rex Olawoye and other Stalwarts of the Party commented on the unfolding drama.
Olawoye said; ''we know that some of our members have migrated to other Party and when you decide to remove your membership from your original Party, I do not think that you are again entitled to holding on to the Secretariat of the Party that you have left because where you are going, you have your own Secretariat there and you would have considered all the pros and cons of the matter before you move. that was what we did when we left the All Peoples' Party, APP with Baba, late Dr Olusola Saraki, Olooye, who actually paid for the Party Secretariat to join the PDP in 2003''.
An elder of the PDP who was former State Commissioner for Information and Water Resources at different time under Governorship tenure of Senator Bukola Saraki said; ''as you can see, there is lawlessness on the part of the 'disgruntled former members of PDP' that have left for APC. We are here to urher in the Caretaker Committee but we don't know how these people got to know and as you can see, they are wellorganised, armed and coming to attack our people. But we were there and you can see, they were advancing, coming to attack us and the Police were unable to control them. Whether there is compromise or whatever, that is left to the Police to explain''.
The former Chairman of the PDP in the state who is now APC stalwart, Ishola Balogun-Fulani similarly blamed the Police for llegedly allowing some members of the PDP gain entry into the Secretariat.
 Balogun-Fulani said he had advised the supporters of APC to remain calm and desist from taking law into their hands.
The former State Youth Leader of PDP,Alh Hassan Gegele told journalists that they were ready to move into the secretariat as soon as the Police allow the other members of the in-coming PDP access into the controversial party Secretariat.
Gegele added; "but we are not going to fight ourselves because we are all from ilorin but we won't allow them to use this place".
 our Correspondent reports that the arrival of the State Police Commissioner, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover arrival at the scene prevented the situation degenerating into ugly incident while Journalists present had to operate as if at the war front to get reports.
Our Correspondent further reported that despite the tense situation, no shell of canister or bullet was fired by the Police throughout the political melodrama.        END

END

ILORIN COURT REMANDS 7 SUSPECTED CULTISTS IN PRISON

From EMMAN KEHINDE, Ilorin

An Ilorin Magistrate Court has ordered remand of seven suspected  Cultist members caght while returning from the swearing-in ceremony of the new cult executive members of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro Chapter in Irepodun Local Government Area of the State.
The Accused are: Sarafa Ismaila Tosin, 24 of Baruba, Idiape Area, Ilorin; Shola Latinwo Ogungboye, 26 of Old Jebba, Ilorin; Shola Bolaji, 32 of Bale Compound, Ilorin and Bamikole Julius Femi, 26 of Alagbake Street, Newtown, Akure.
Others are: Bolaji Issa, 22 of No. 29, Alanamu Area, Ilorin; Opeyemi Afeez, 23 of Pakata Road, Alanamu Area, Ilorin and Ismaila Abdullahi, 22 of Small London Area, Oro.
According to the Police First Information Report, Police from Oro Division arrested the accused on December 18, 2013 following a tip-off that some Secret Cult members from different parts of the State and beyond had gathered in Oro to attend the Cults' Initiation and Swearing-in ceremony of the new cult Executive members of the College of Education, Oro.
The Police maitained that the Accused were arrested within Oro with the assistance of members of the public while they were boarding a vehicle back to Ilorin  after the ceremony.

According to the Police in the FIR when a search was conducted on Accused, a black bag containing a cut to size barrel gun, six expended cartridges, spanner, screw driver, a torchlight and some weed suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from Tosin (first accused).
The Police First Information Report (FIR) on the matter stated that the confession  of the First Accused led to the arrest of one Ibrahim Abdullahi in Oro and a bag containing some documents including Eiye Confraternity cult memberships register were recovered from his house.
The FIR added that investigation conducted at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ilorin, revealed that the Accused are active and notorious members of the Cult residing in Iloirn and had travelled to Oro for the purpose of attending the Cult. Members'initiation and swearing-in ceremony of their Executives which took place inside the bush behind the College of Education, Oro.
The Accused were said to have committed offences that contravened Sections 11(1) of Secret Cults and Secret Societies (Prohibition), Law of Kwara State, 2004; 5(1A and B) of Indian hemp, Act Cap 16 of the Law of the Federation, 2004 and 3(1) of Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision), Act Cap R11, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
They were Dragged to the Court  on a three-count charge of being  members of secret cult, unlawful possession of Indian hemp and illegal possession of firearm.

The Prosecutor, Corporal Oderinde Abideen informed the court that investigation into the matter was still in progress. He objected to the bail of the Accused and urged the Court to remand them in prison custody pending the outcome of the investigation.

The trial magistrate, Miss M.F. Abikoye granted the oral application of the prosecutor and ordered that the Accused be remanded at the Federal Medium Security Prison, Mandala, llorin till January 13 when the matter would come up for further mention.
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UNILORIN DON RECOMMENDS TRUE ISLAMIC PERSONALITY LIFE AS WAY FORWARD TO WORLD PEACE, NATIONAL, FAMILY  STABILITY

From EMMAN KEHINDE, Ilorin

A University of Ilorin Don, Dr Mahfouz Adedimeji has enjoined Nigerians to burrow leave from the true Islamic personality living as express road to attaining world peace, national and family stability.

Dr Adedimeji who doubles as the Director of Unilorin Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, CPSS, made the call at the weekend while speaking at the send-off of the graduating Muslim medical students of the University of Ilorin and the launch of ‘’Al-tabeeb’’ news magazine of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, College of Health Science branch of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, Ilorin. 

The Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies’ Director’s Lecture titled ‘’The New Dawn: Soaring above Challenges’’ focused on how to effectively cope with the myriad of life challenges in a turbulent world of today during and after graduation.

Dr Adedimeji said adopting and blending the two aspects of the Islamic personality way of living would strongly equip them to live peacefully and achieve family stability among others in life.

He said as they were graduating into the larger world, they are bound to face so many socio-economic, cultural, political and spiritual challenges that would constitute weighing down factors that may debar them from reaching the peak.

He said the ‘Islamic Personality’ recommends balancing the two aspects of the concept such as marrying the ‘Islamic mentality’ with the ‘Islamic disposition’ in order to survive what he described as network failure in the relationship between man and his Creator, God.

As he puts it, Islamic mentality is “an accurate understanding of the Quran and Sunnah, full awareness of the goals of Islamic ideology from the point of view of its being a regulator of behaviour and morals, an incentive to strive and a conditioner of human attitudes towards this worldly life and the hereafter, not as a mere collection of theories and ideals” and full absorption of all aspects of Islamic ideology.

Dr Adedimeji on the other hand described the Islamic disposition as meaning ‘’reflecting the ideals of Islamic ideology in one’s day-to-day activities in terms of instincts, inclinations and physical needs’’.

Quoting Fathi Yakan, the Peace Centre Director pointed out; ‘in other words, an Islamic personality is a good blending of theory and practice, the two of which are inter-linked’’.

According to Dr Oladimeji, ‘’theory without practice is blind while to him, practice without theory is lame’’.

He called on them in the light of the foregoing to balance their education by living faithfully to their religious calling particularly Islam, paying attention to time management and evolving proper Planning.

He lamented that many Muslims today are in a ‘no-coverage area’ which he said was responsible for the network failure between them and Allah.

He said the way to redemption is by change of attitude to live which involves developing positive mental attitude,(PMA), to life and saying no to negative mental attitude,(NMA).

Dr Oladimeji explained that his message of positive mental attitude is to bear in mind that ‘’when someone is trying to bring one down when one is trying to be a better Muslim or person, one should just smile and say, you are test that Allah (God) has sent to me’’.

Recommending love and giving the rules to be happy, the Don of English Language in the Department of English of the University who was also the immediate past Image Maker of the University before his current appointment as Peace Centre Director, Dr Oladimeji urged the participants never to hate, nor entertain worry.

He said, ‘’live simple, expect a little, give a lot, always smile and keep in touch with Allah’’.

He reminded them that life is made of ups and downs as pointed out by the late Nigerian social Crusader, Dr Tai Solarin on January 1, 1964 when he wrote that;   “May your road be rough”. According to Solarin, “all that is noble and laudable was to be achieved only through difficulties and trials and tears and dangers.”

He emphasized that so many challenges at the social, economic, political and cultural levels are facing Muslims today adding that what is important is how to cope with the challenges and surviving this world without seriously having spiritual accident.

He observed that either money, leadership or materialism could give them life fulfillment but by being what one is.

Under the concept of how to ‘Just Be You’ which he described as the ‘’Book of Life’’, the CPSS Director listed about 34 things to be doing in life for the purpose of achieving personal, family, national and world peace.

He urged the participants to strive to be confident, knowledgeable, successful, beautiful and sympathetic, intelligent and honest. Dr Oladimeji stated that having come into the institution barely empty as Jambites for about three to six years and leaving victoriously as qualified medical doctors of first degree holders, they should be thankful to God on one hand because some that started with them could not complete with them for one reason or the other.

He said hey have to be hardworking, worthy, care free, straightforward, modest, courteous, forgiving, and polite and be strong. He similarly charged them to be thoughtful and gentle, creative and be driven, open and relaxed, motivated and loving, educated and selfless. He said they should cultivate the attitude of being kind, generous and humble good and be determined.

Dr Adedimeji charged them to appreciate what they have and stop wasting their breathe complaining about life because someone else out there might be breathing his last. He told them to be always grateful to God and stop complaining pointing out that Nigerians have and would never cease to complain about every successive leader in the Country.

In his words, Dr Adedimeji declared: ‘’live more, complain less, have more smiles, less stress, less hate and become blessed.

Also speaking at the occasion, a Consultant Surgeon at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, Dr AbdulHakeem Ibrahim advised them to know their limit as to what they can professionally handle as trained medical doctors.

 He said there are possibilities that they may find themselves in environment where they may look to be all I all but because of ego and love of materialism may not be favourably disposed to referring cases beyond them to the next higher health care centre or relevant specialist.  

He stressed the need to undergo residency training and put in for higher degrees in order to enhance their job opportunities and sharpen their skills.

Dr Kolawole Wahab of Internal Medicine who doubled as one time Editor – in – Chief of the At – tabeeb Magazine charged them to hold life sacred and desist from engaging in illegal abortion for the love of money because everyone would be made to account for his or her deeds in this world on the day of judgment hereafter.

The Chairman at the Occasion who is also the Chairman of the University of Ilorin Muslims Community and the Dean, Faculty of Science at the University, Professor Babatunde Lateef, Adeleke noted that the occasion was God ordained and urged the participants to seize the opportunities offered by it. He also subsidized 200 copies of the Magazine with 200 Naira each.

The magazine was reviewed by a Consultant Pediatrician, Dr Mohammed Adeboye and launched by the UITH Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Dr Sulyman Alabi with fifty thousand Naira’. The Occasion was graced by thr Dean of Clinical Sciences of the College of health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Professor  Wahab Johnson.

END

Ilorin elders pass vote of confidence on Senator Saraki

FROM EMMANUEL KEHINDE ILORIN

Ilorin elders pass vote of confidence on Senator Saraki

Elders and chiefs in Ilorin Emirate has passed vote of confidence on the former governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki.

Spokesman of the Elder forum, Alhaji Mohammed Woru told journalists at a press conference held recently that all sons and daughters of the Emirate affirmed that Senator Saraki is a bonafide son of Agbaji Compound in Ilori

According to Alhaji Woru, Senator is an indigene of Ilorin West local government and incontrovertible political leader of Kwara State based on his two term tenure as governor.

 He declared that his leadership emerged because of his myriad of achievements as governor of the state between 2003 and 2011.

 “All Magajis and chiefs in Ilorin Emirate are in support of Senator Saraki, we are loyal to him because of his exemplary leadership style,” Alhaji Woru added.

 Alhaji Woru, who is also the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, condemned Chief Edwin Clark’s attack on Senator Saraki, describing it as unfortunate coming from an elder statesman.

 He advised Chief Clark as minister in the first Republic to always play a father role rather than fanning the ember of discord among the younger generation politicians.

 The Magaji Nda therefore advised Kwara State indigenes in Abuja to come home and team up with Senator Saraki to develop the State.

 He added that all Ilorin Emirate sons and daughter were in full support of Senator Saraki’s deflection to All progressive Congress (APC).

 Alhaji Woru also commended the State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed for his laudable projects and continuity of Senator Saraki’s legacy in government.

Kwara govt extends community health insurance scheme for another five years

EMMANUEL  KEHINDE  ILORIN

Kwara State government has extended the state Community Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) for another five years to allow more people to enjoy the scheme.

 Alhaji Abdulrazak Abdulsalam, the Executive Secretary of the State Committee on Community Health Insurance made this known on Friday at a stakeholders meeting in Ilorin.

 According to him, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed approved the extension to allow the people of the state enjoy quality health care facilities.

 The Executive Secretary noted that the scheme would cater for three Local Government Areas per quarter.

 Alhaji Abdulsalam enjoined Health Workers who attended from all the Hospitals and Health Centers involved in the Scheme to work hard and be dedicated to their duties.

 He assured stakeholders that the scheme would soon expand to other Local Government Areas in the state.

         Abdulsalam informed the stakeholders that the scheme would move to Kaiama and Ilorin East Local Government Areas and also Share in Ifelodun Local Government Area.  

He added that the scheme is expected to extend to nine local government areas by the end of 2014.

In his own remarks, Dr. Segun Opowoye who is the Regional Manager of Hygeia Community Health Care said that the scheme was aimed at providing quality, affordable and accessible health care to the people of Kwara State.

 Dr. Opowoye enjoined Health Workers to work hard and encourage the people of their various Communities to enroll into the Community Health Insurance Scheme.

 According to him, people were expected to register with N500 to enjoy free medical services including free drugs throughout the year.

 Our correspondent reports that the Kwara State Community Health Insurance Scheme is a family medical health plan.

 The scheme that covers its members against Financial and Health risks arising from unplanned medical emergencies and illness.

It also covers the medical bills for healthcare services in a network of hospitals which provide high quality care in Kwara State.

Onwuliri denies senatorial dream

By Henry Ibya.

Minister Foreign Affair prof.Viola Onwuliri has denied media reports that she is vying for a senatorial seat in Imo state.

Prof.onwuliri dismissed the speculations at a media interaction in Abuja where she also presented the 2013, score card of the ministry did not only  described the report as mischievous also said it is inimical in the sense that the report was capable of causing distraction for those working hard to ensures that president Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda is actualized.

 She expressed disappointment that as the only minister in Imo state which is also an opposition state, political enemies who are always running her and Government of President Goodluck Jonathan down have always designed fake and desperate lies with the aim of deceiving the people to score cheap political points that the Federal Government is doing well.

Prof.Onwuliri, who condemned political detractors observed that when a Government appointee is performing the opposition would say he or she has a political ambition,’ they would tell the people that the Federal Government has done nothing, despite this opposition, the Federal Government has never stopped giving allocation to Imo state,”re-affirming that she will continue to work for the success of president Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

The minister also lamented the level of decay in Nigerian foreign missions which has remained unoverwholed for over a decade but however, commended the Jonathan administration for taking giant steps towards approving the release of funds for the rehabilitation of guest houses, debt payment of over 13.8 billion naira accruing from rents of office and residential accommodation of ambassadors and the purchase  of official vehicles to some ambassadors whose official vehicles have been in use for over 15 years.

 Prof.onwuliri who observed that Nigerians abroad suffer more humiliation in the hands of their host Nationals such as stealing of laptops in hotels, teenage rape and other criminal behaviors without these things being reported in the press of those countries regretted that the talk down on the country which is done by Nigerians themselves was not good for the image of the country internationally.

She noted that when Nigerian media report that the economy and the government is not good, it will be rated as such in the eyes of the international community maintaining that this will affect Nigerians in other countries in search of contracts or different job opportunities. She also pointed out that Nigerian media should learn to project the country positively for their own interest in the eyes of the international community.

The foreign affairs minister who said the rot in Government has been there for over half a decade and cannot be addressed within a day said despite this Government has done so much.

According to her the Jonathan administration has won 24 elections internationally including that of the United Nations Security council seat adding that this has made Nigeria to become a country to reckon with, not just in Africa but globally.

She also disclosed that Jonathan administration has earned the country confidence in the eyes of the international community and as well Nigeria’s acknowledgement to its role in maintaining peace, the growth and development of Africa.

She said the Jonathan Government has renewed moribund joint commissions with different countries including Canada, USA, Germany, Switzerland, phillipine, South-Africa with the aim of improving relations in health, education, agriculture and tourism.

She said under the present dispensation government has gone into collaboration with countries such as Britain, Italy and U.S.A to fight the scourge of terrorism which has become a global phenomenon.

She said to redeem the foreign image of the country  63 missions have been connected to the internet as well as the opening of smart missions against the advice of others nothing that there are Nigerians all over the world.

Prof. Onwurili also disclosed that under the Jonathan regime based on the confidence the nation has being able to build, some countries have granted visa free opportunity to holders of diplomatic passports maintaining that it has to do with the respect the country has in the face of the international community.

On the evacuation of Nigerians out of crisis prone countries with particular reference to Southern Sudan, the minister said government takes serious issues concerning Nigerians all over the world. She revealed that the issue of evacuating Nigerians from southern Sudan was to be done with care since most of them are not willing to come back for the fact that they have stayed in that country over 3 decades and considers that country more of a home therefore that will be optional.

The minister who said at the moment only 40 Nigerians have indicated interest of coming back to Nigeria also revealed that thorough investigation will be carried out on them to ascertain whether they are really Nigerians.

Don charges graduating Muslim medical students on Islamic ethics

FROM EMMAN KEHINDE  ILORIN

 Dr Mahfouz Adedimeji of the University of Ilorin has advised Muslim graduating medical students of the university to always live by the ethics of Islam how it practice.

Dr Adedimeji, a lecturer in the Dept of English gave the advice on Monday while speaking at a reception held for the graduating medical students.

 The lecturer delivering a lecture titled: ’The New Dawn: Soaring above Challenges’’ admonished the medical students to always borrow leave from true Islamic personalities in the country.

 Dr Adedimeji who is also the Director of Unilorin Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS) said the medical students should be prepared to cope with the challenges outside the university.

 “As you are graduating into the larger world, you are bound to face so many socio-economic, cultural, political and spiritual challenges that may debar you from reaching the peak,” the don added.

According to him, “Islamic Personality’ recommends balancing the two aspects of the concept such as marrying the Islamic mentality with the Islamic disposition.

Dr Adedimeji described Islamic mentality is “an accurate understanding of the Quran and Sunnah, full awareness of the goals of Islamic ideology.

 He also said Islamic disposition was reflecting the ideals of Islamic ideology in one’s day-to-day activities in terms of instincts, inclinations and physical needs.

 “In other words, an Islamic personality is a good blending of theory and practice, the two of which are inter-linked,” he said.

 Dr Adedimeji therefore appealed to the graduating doctors to balance their education by living faithfully to their religious calling and pay attention to time management and evolving proper Planning.

 According to the director, the way to redemption is through change of attitude to life.

This, he said involved developing positive mental attitude to life and saying no to negative mental attitude.

 He advised the graduating Muslim medical students to live simple life, expect little from people, give alms a lot and always keep in touch with Allah.

Dr Adedimeji said the graduating students should thank God that were now leaving the university as medical doctors after about six years of academic rigour.

He noted that many that started the journey with them could not complete the race with them due to one reason or the other. 

Kwara Pensioners cry out to CJN over unpaid arrears

FROMEmmanuel KEHINDE  ILORIN

The Kwara State Pensioners have cried out to Justice Aloma Muktar, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to save them from the state government’s refusal to pay the arrears of their gratuities amounting to N1.68 billion.

The Pensioners under the aegis of Kwara State Concerned Pensioners made the call in Ilorin on Monday while protesting the non payment of arrears of  gratuity and pension.

Speaking through Comrade Ayobami Ajibola, secretary of the association, the pensioners appealed to the CJN to give the appeal filed by the state government accelerated hearing.

He said that the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin had on June 30, 2010 delivered judgment in favour of the pensioners and ordered the state government to pay the arrears.

The state government appealed against the judgment of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

Ajibola told journalists that the affected pensioners have suffered a lot of untold hardship as a result of the non payment of the arrears.

He therefore appealed to the Chief Judge of the Federation to determine the case urgently in order to rescue his members from imminent death.

 According to him, many of the pensioners have died because of lack of adequate health care facility, others were bedridden while many of them have turned beggars to make end meet.

 Ajibola accused the state government of politicising the payment of the arrears of pensioners’ gratuities and pension.

 According to him, government’s decision to use the remaining N1. 6 billion pensioners’ money for developmental projects amounted to infringement of their rights.

 Comrade Ajibola recalled that they discovered in 2006 that there were some backlogs of pension and gratuity arrears the State Government owed Kwara Pensioners to the tune of N3.36Billion.

He said Kwara State Concerned Pensioners came into existence when the Nigerian Union of Pensioners failed to champion the cause of pensioners in the state.

Ajibola declared that it was illegal on the part of state government to tamper with pensioners’ money.

 “Pension rights are not supposed to be politised. We want to appeal to everyone that has a stake in this Kwara State to call the government to order,” Ajibola said.

 DRAMA, TENSION AS KWARA PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE SITS, HOISTS PARTY FLAG AT PARTY SECRETARIAT

From EmmAN EINDE, Ilorin

A nearly four - hour drama played out last Tuesday in Ilorin as the newly sworn-in Kwara State Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Care Taker Committee sat and hoisted the Party’s Flag at the controversial State Secretariat of the Party situated along Nupe Road, GRA,Ilorin in a tension soaked atmosphere.
However, our Crrespondent on ground at the occasion reports that members and elders of the Party could only offer the opening prayer before the meeting was cut short by the other members of the Party who had defected to the All Progressives Party, APC that had earlier vowed to resist any attempt by anybody or group of persons to have access to the Secretariat claiming that the issue of ownership of the said Party’s State Secretariat is still in the Court.
  Speaking to the newsmen after the shortlived meeting, a member of the Caretaker Committee who was one time the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State, Chief Rex Olawoye said the PDP was not joined as a Party in the alleged suit before an Ilorin High Court and that the Committee had earlier taken permission from the Police a day before the day of the meeting as directed by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover.
Addressing Journalists earlier in Ilorin on Monday after a meeting with leaders of political parties in the state and parade of 11 criminal suspects, the Police Boss warned that there should be no political rally for now, except in party offices and homes.
 The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agboola Oshodi-Glover, further reminded politicians in the State that Section 99 of Electoral Act which puts commencement of electioneering campaign at 90 days before polling date, is still in force.
He also said that politicians should write the Police command to get necessary permission before organizing such political event.

He said the game of politics should be played  according to the law of the land and advised political leaders in the State to shun all acts of violence and use of thugs.
He also warned politicians in the State against making unguarded statement or cause any action that can lead to insecurity.
Consequenyly, the State Police Command deployed four lorry loads of fully armed anti riot police officers to provide security at the secretariat.
Following the Police permission earlier sought, the recently sworn-in PDP Caretaker Committee for Kwara thereafter moved to take over the ownership of the Secretariat to commence political activities ahead of 2015 general elections and address a press conference thereafter.
Our Correspondent monitoring the situation further gathered that the intention of the new PDP to address journalists at the controversial secretariat however elicited announcements early morning of the meeting on the State Radio  by Balogun-Fulani who directed his people to storm the place
The former state chairman of PDP now APC,Alh  Ishola Balogun Fulani had severally informed the media that inspite of the fact that members were leaving the party,they remain the rightful owner of the property.
He presented to the newsmen  the receipt written in the name of Late Dr Olushols Saraki which will lapse late 2014.
Initially, attempt by the new members of PDP who wanted to take over the secretariat was however stopped by the Police who insisted that none of the claimants could occupy the secretariat.
Consequently the entire area was bombarded by hundreds of members of the APC upon learning that some members of the  PDP had who had arrived the venue earlier had been allowed inside the secretariat unknown to their rivals while they, the new APC members were awaiting the Police permission to enter the premises of the Secretariat.

 Balogun- Fulani on behalf of himself and the party now APC had headed to court to enforce his alleged rightful ownership of the secretariat even as the court was yet to rule on the matter.
The Members of the two Parties including Women and Members of the two Political Groups that bombarded the place chanted solidarity songs seeking permission to enter the Secretariat.
Speaking to the press as who is the rightful owner of the Party's Secretariat was playing out, a member of the new Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Chief Rex Olawoye and other Stalwarts of the Party commented on the unfolding drama.
Olawoye said; ''we know that some of our members have migrated to other Party and when you decide to remove your membership from your original Party, I do not think that you are again entitled to holding on to the Secretariat of the Party that you have left because where you are going, you have your own Secretariat there and you would have considered all the pros and cons of the matter before you move. that was what we did when we left the All Peoples' Party, APP with Baba, late Dr Olusola Saraki, Olooye, who actually paid for the Party Secretariat to join the PDP in 2003''.
An elder of the PDP who was former State Commissioner for Information and Water Resources at different time under Governorship tenure of Senator Bukola Saraki said; ''as you can see, there is lawlessness on the part of the 'disgruntled former members of PDP' that have left for APC. We are here to urher in the Caretaker Committee but we don't know how these people got to know and as you can see, they are wellorganised, armed and coming to attack our people. But we were there and you can see, they were advancing, coming to attack us and the Police were unable to control them. Whether there is compromise or whatever, that is left to the Police to explain''.
On the other hand, the former Chairman of the PDP in the state who is now APC stalwart, Ishola Balogun-Fulani similarly blamed the Police for llegedly allowing some members of the PDP gain entry into the Secretariat.
 Balogun-Fulani said he had advised the supporters of APC to remain calm and desist from taking law into their hands.
The former State Youth Leader of PDP,Alh Hassan Gegele told journalists that they were ready to move into the secretariat as soon as the Police allow the other members of the in-coming PDP access into the controversial party Secretariat.
Gegele added; "but we are not going to fight ourselves because we are all from ilorin but we won't allow them to use this place".
 our Correspondent reports that the arrival of the State Police Commissioner, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover arrival at the scene prevented the situation degenerating into ugly incident while Journalists present had to operate as if at the war front to get reports.
Our Correspondent further reported that despite the tense situation, no shell of canister or bullet was fired by the Police throughout the political melodrama.

 20 PDP members Defects to APC I Kwara state

By Emmanue kehinde ilorin

No fewer than 20 members of the Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday defected to the All Progressive Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, owing to the division therein.

Our correspondent who was at the floor of the house in Ilorin, gathered that the Speaker of the Assembly, Barrister Razak Atunwa, who presided over the sitting, was among the defectors leaving two members; Hons. Abdulfatai Salman and Iliyasu Ibrahim, in the PDP.

With the defection of the PDP lawmakers, our reorter  reports that APC is now having majority number of 22 while the PDP is having two members constituting the minority.

While making his personal explanation on the reasons for the act, Barrister Atunwa said: “The decision to leave PDP was not made without thorough evaluation and extensive consultations. However, it was abundantly clear that the PDP was fast becoming a sinking ship inhabited by self-serving egomaniacs.

“The party was being run in an entirely dictatorial manner. Its constitution was relegated to the back-end of the bottom drawer in the janitor’s room. Party’s matters were wholly subjected to the whims and caprices of the chairman. Governors were being suspended on the flimsiest of excuses.”

Atunwa further maintained that “National officers were being suspended and removed without rhyme or reasons. PDP became an uncontrollable demon. There was complete collapse of internal democracy in the party. All efforts aimed at resolving the differences between the factions in the party were systematically frustrated. This left us with no other option than to join the APC.

“Permit me to remark that it is most unfortunate that the PDP is the party of the federal government and the president who is supposedly the leader of the party in the country did nothing to stem the tide.”

He however remarked that he was proud of his colleagues who took stand against the slide of the nation into abyss assuring that the principle by which they stood “will be recorded in history as pivotal in saving the nation from the precipice of failure.”

Transporter threatens legal action against NAF over vandalization of 16 vehicles

FROM Emman KEHINDE  ILORIN


 A transporter in ilorin Alhaji Abdulfatai Afolabi has threatened
to institute legal action against the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over an
alleged vandalization of 16 vehicles in his garage.
Afolabi, the Managing Director of Young Legacy Transport Company told
our correspondent on Thursday that men of the Air Force also assaulted
his workers.
He said he decided to seek legal redress against NAF when all efforts
by the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Police to apprehend and
bring the culprits to book failed.
Afolabi narrated to our corresponded how a minor fracas between him
and two Air Force men on January 14, 2014 at about 8.15 pm

According to him, he was driving his Mazda car around 8.15 pm on
January 14, 2014 to his transport company when the two Air Force men
on motorcycle overtook him from the right.
He said the two men stopped him by the entrance to his garage, dragged
him out of his car and started beating him with belts in the presence
of his wife who was in the car.
Alhaji Afolabi through his counsel, Mr AbdulRasheed Aminu lodged a
complained to the Judge Area Court 1 through the Registrar.
In the letter, Alhaji Afolabi complained of criminal conspiracy,
assault, mischief and trespass under sections 97, 265, 327 and 348
against Private Hassan and others persons of the Nigerian Air Force,
Air Force Base, Ilorin.
He said he demanded for a reason why the Air Force men were beating
him, but he was not informed of any wrong doing.

Alhaji Afolabi said he was able to identify one of the assailants as
Private Hassan from the inscription on his uniform.
He said he went to the Police Station in “A” Division to lodge the complaint.
According to the transporter, before the police arrived at the scene,
Private Hassan had slipped from the hands of the people that held him
and escaped.

Afolabi said Hassan later came with some Air Force men to the garage
and started beating everybody with belts and horse whips.
He also said they damaged tyres of 16 of his transportation vehicles
using knives affixed to their rifles to puncture them.
Alhaji Afolabi said the Michellin tyres destroyed amounted to over
N600, 000, saying that the action has disrupted his transportation
business.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover
confirmed the incident to our reporter.
He said he has contacted the Commandant of the Air Force whom he said
promised to handle the matter.
When contacted over the matter, the Civilian/Military Coordinator at
the Air Force Base, Mr Tunde Adeniyi confirmed the incident, but said
it was a non issue.
He said it came to the knowledge of the command through the
complainant counsel’s petition to the commander.
According to Adeniyi, the Commander invited both the lawyer and the
transporter to ascertain the veracity of the complaint.
He said the commander has instituted high powered investigation into
the matter with the view of fishing out the culprits.
Adeniyi however declared that Air Force are very friendly with the
civilian population, adding that the force frown against harassment of
civilians.