Opinion

BODIJA ESTATE CRISES: THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

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About two weeks ago, precisely on the 8th of August 2023, the body of Miss. Omoniyi Boluwatife a graduate of Nursing of Lead City University, Ibadan was discovered with her womb already gone after a night hangout with friends to celebrate her induction into Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria at one of the leading lounges within the Bodija Estate and environs which brought an unnecessary negative attention to the environs and inhabitants of the estate. In 1958, Bodija Estate came into being for residential purposes setting the pace like every other pace setter establishment in Oyo State as the first housing estate to be developed in the country as a leafy residential estate created by Old Western region. Bodija Estate was once home to expats, professionals, and high-ranking civil and public servants. However, a recent uncontrolled sprawl and emergence of commercial activities has since changed the face and bastardized the estate with clear indications that the state is now prioritizing what many may see as immoral economic interests above welfare and healthy living of people living in the area. The level of pollution, indiscriminate parking, unnecessary loitering by miscreants and prostitutes around the estate has reached an all time high and are all in a clear contrast of the state housing law of 2001 being aided by the activities of lounges/nightclub owners. A recent reports Indicated that the surge in security breaches is already reaching an unacceptable maximum threshold that was preceded by the residents on behalf of Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) crying for mercy and intervention of the state government as far back in 2021 when Tribune Online in her publication December 21, 2021 reported about efforts of the residents asking His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde to regulate the approval of night clubs and lounges due to the amount of noise and other criminal activities causing them sleepless nights. The article went further to report the indiscriminate parking on both sides of the road and other available space that has now characterized the estate due to the growing uncontrolled commercialization of the “residential” estate which is a clear contrast to the rules behind initial set-up of the estate, thereby preventing occupants of the estate a reasonable level of peace. In response, as indicated in another Tribune Online publication dated January 7th 2022. The then Chairman of the corporation who is now the Deputy Governor of the state in person of Barrister Bayo Lawal and other top management staff on behalf of government held a close door meeting with lounge and club owners within the estate, security operatives and umbrella body of the residents, Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) in a close door meeting to mediate and ensure there are regulations in place for the smooth running of operations of the club owners. At the end of the meeting, a 12-points resolution was agreed upon. Inside Oyo News (another online publications of the same date) revealed that part of what was agreed in the communique was to investigate any outfits that has changed purpose of use from the original, strengthening of culverts to allow ease of accessibility into respective premises of establishments, provision of uniformed security guards to not only provide adequate security but also swift control of traffic which further directed that vehicles are only allowed to park on the left hand side of road in a strict adherence to traffic act, erecting of signposts that reads “No Loitering”, “No parking” and working with Nigeria Police Force to ward off insecurity and prostitutes from lining themselves along this road amongst other points listed in the communique. A recent Investigation revealed that fight broke out one night few days ago around Arigidi street which left plenty broken bottles littering the street gate. About four boys from nowhere looking for club/hotel chased a whole neighborhood guards from their duty post and went as far as ensuring that the nearby armed security was not spared. Lounges are now being built right behind people’s residential apartments playing loud and uncensored music not suitable for young kids, which is aside the drug abuse at night, plastics and environmental pollution that has now characterized the face of Bodija Estate. A morning drive around Awolowo Avenue down to Osuntokun to Aare perimeters on either of Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will leave one wondering the caliber of people who now inhabits the estate. These and many more are a pointer to what is to come if drastic actions are not in place to forestall unexpected occurrences. Findings and reports revealed that the growing concerns of the residents has since led to efforts in getting the audience of the Governor to wade in and put the matter to rest as a matter of urgency necessitated by recent happenings. A meeting which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 16th of August between the Deputy Governor, Club/Lounge Owners and representative of BERA has since been postponed to Wednesday 23rd of August 2023. Going into this meeting, it is important to ask the following questions as regards the supposed implementations of the resolutions from the communique released after the meeting that was held last year when the Deputy Governor was still the Housing Corporation Chairman. When was the last agreed quarterly meeting held? How many of these lounges/night clubs complied with the sound level being reduced to 45 decibels from 10pm? It was also agreed that drugs should not be allowed to be peddled around and within premises of these outfits, yet some of them did not only allow for open smoking of all sorts of illicit drugs without control but went as far as accommodating kiosks that now allegedly sells these secretly without anyone reporting cases to appropriate agencies in fulfilling their own end of the bargain to prove innocence. It is very important to also ask questions about the activities of ministry of environments and natural resources with respect to their continued silence over the activities of these night club/lounges. Issues that surrounds environmental

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Dear Young Folks (Series 1).

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Dear Young Folks, My life journey started like it’s going be a roller coaster when I passed the entrance examination age nine(9) and in Primary Three(3) to secure admission to one of the best public secondary schools at the time. Then again, I started trying out certificate examinations meant for SS3 Students from SS1 but didn’t really clear the results in one sitting until my father re-enrolled me for the same examination a year after I finished secondary school(I’ve made enough to qualify me if I want to use two sittings). Got admitted to one of the best Polytechnics at the time in 2004 but didn’t graduate until 2007 for a program that should last two years because I had carry overs(outstandings). What happened to the whizboy ?What went wrong ?I can justify my failures but it’s not justifiable for the purpose of this post.Let’s just admit that I failed.Yes I failed.Someone reading this post must have failed too, or will possibly fail at something too in the course of their lives. I lost 3years between 2007 to 2010 when I made a return for HND due to preparedness and graduated as one of the best students with a CGPA of 4.02 when I graduated in 2011. I went to Ahmadu Bello University in 2014 and was studying to earn a Post Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture, only to quit few weeks to the first semester examination, got married the following year. In 2019/20 I took a decision to go back to school again and graduated in 2022 narrowly missing out from First Class with 4.40 CGPA. One thing that is consistent is that I have failed at a point in time but never gave up. That first and foremost, I’ll have to be courageous to wear my failures upon my sleeves. I have to be willing to try again. My story revealed that, I am a Man of capacity, I have it in me but I let some things get to me at some point but still won’t give up. Here you have a brilliant mind like you.Here’s a smart guy like you.He is bold and courageous like you. Franklin Roosevelt battled with Polio, yet he turned things around and he’s regarded in history as America’s most feared President. 50cents was shot 9times and still turned his life around just by pouring out all his mind and energy into the mixtape that got the attention of Dr. Dre and Eminem. Shooting Stars of Ibadan has gone to relegation and made it back because they didn’t give up (story will be sweet when they win a continental title). President Buhari could have given up but he was resolute in his convinction and continued to try till he achieved his life long ambition of becoming the President of the most populous black nation on earth. This week, you gotta to confront your fear by trying again. Be decisive with your dreams. Clock is ticking.Go for it.You’ll get it. ????

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OPEN LETTER: Idris Animasaun writes Governor Seyi Makinde on need to address rising cost of food commodities despite the heavy investments in Agribusiness

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As an independent observer with extensive grassroot coverage, it is that important that I speak on the current situation of increasing cost of living and particularly the ever-rising cost of food commodities in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. This is a national problem: ‘Nigeria declared a national emergency on food security July 13, 2023, as record inflation has made basic foods unaffordable for many. The president’s spokesperson also said authorities would boost the security architecture to protect farmers ‘. For observers and political commentators, it came as a surprise that the government of Oyo State did not respond immediately to this public declaration. The people of Oyo State are aware of the massive interest the Oyo State government has in Agriculture. In fact, Agriculture was one of the major areas of focus in Omituntun 1.0 and remains one of the key areas of focus of this administration. There were also massive investments in agriculture and agribusiness with Agricultural Hubs being proposed and one being built, and a major agriculture summit held in 2021 and another business summit held in London recently that had agriculture as one of the main areas of discussion. With all these, Oyo State should be expected to be reaping the yields from all the effort put into agriculture in the last 4 years. Some of the government programmes that were lunched include: Oyo State Agribusiness Park programme Oyo State Regional Agribusiness Development Programme Oyo State Sustainable Rural Cities Development Programme Oyo State Agribusiness Policy and Governance Programme Oyo State Agribusiness Park Programme Oyo State Youth in Agribusiness Programme There was also the YEAP programme, various trainings in collaboration with private partners and so on. The question now is what is the current impact of all the efforts and investments of the past 4 years on the citizens in Oyo State? A quick glance at the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and that of OYSADA does not provide any direction for agriculture in Oyo State both of which have not been updated lately. The bottom-line in agriculture for the ‘Baba Taju or Iya Ronke’ is high food production which will translate to cheaper food commodities, no matter how much foreign investors/investments that come into the State, if food prices do not come down then the ‘Baba Tajus and Iya Ronkes’ all over the State will not benefit from these investments. The government need to involve farmers that can practice farming and reduce the reliance on ‘agricultural policy experts’ many of whom have little practical experience. It is a sad situation that we do not have farm products with the Oyo State label on them in the market today. Too much money has been spent and too many meetings and programmes have been lunched, we need results that impact on the masses that is physical food products in the markets and on the tables in the family homes. We must separate the policy developers from the practical farmers, both roles cannot be rolled into one as it has not served us well. During Omituntun 1.0, there was massive investments in agricultural input distributions, inputs were distributed in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Although these were laudable actions at the time, the question now is how do we measure the effectiveness of these distributions which involved massive financial investments? With all the money spent on agriculture in the last 4 years both by the Oyo State government and the private investors, Oyo State should be the model from which other State come to learn. However, this does not appear to be the case. Oyo State is the Pacesetter, and it is high time we take our rightful place as the ‘Food Basket’ of Nigeria. I believe there is a simple solution to significantly boost our food production. Instead of investing billions into the building of massive structures on farm settlements, the government should purchase Tractors and agricultural machineries that can be leased to farmers at subsidised rates. The Oyo State government has Nine (9) farm settlements, the government can select one for example Eruwa, embark on large scale irrigation of the farmland on this selected farm settlement and bring in the YEAP trained youths to cultivate the land focusing on Vegetables that are high in vitamins, corn and sweet corn, tomatoes peppers, fruits etc. The irrigated farmland allows for all year-round farming and food production. The irrigation can be done within the next 3 to 4 months and by April/May 2024 the State will have its first massive yield of farm produce to help boost food production. The State can then purchase these food items and distribute to the poor. Doing it this way will also ensure accountability and transparency as we will be able to monitor all costs and record all inputs distributed and all outputs achieved. A major part of the immediate solution is also to provide direct investments to our local farmers, I do not mean the usual seed and chemical distribution, what is required is bringing the Farmers associations, cooperatives, and communities to the table. We must go down to the Ward level and not just rely on the list of names coming from government officials and political groups. Elections are over and government programmes must positively touch everyone in the State irrespective of political association. Many of these groups are prepared to work with the government if the engagement process is conducive and well though through, we must remember that the local farmers are the main drivers to a sustainable food security. It is important that there is a change of approach as the previous farm distribution exercises has not translated to increased food for consumption. It is also important to note that foreign investors will only stay around when the going is good, but the local farmers will remain come rain come shine. Foreign investments are good, but they usually will not give the necessary quick gains required in this difficult time. Therefore, it is key that local farmers, farmer

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Re: Makinde Bans Street Trading

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While I commend His Excellency for taking this bold step in sanitizing our environment, one would expect that this announcement was preceded by the provision of waste bins and receptacles across various markets, shopping malls, health care facilities, hospitals, shopping malls, churches, mosques, stadia, car-parks, bus terminals, and other public places in our collective efforts to curb open dumping. Is it that the ones provided by Mottainai, Oyo State Waste Management Consultant during the inauguration of the Governor were ceremonial and for such purposes only ? There is already a growing need to put up infrastructure for collection from source: recycables and non recycables. Everyone and every household should be able to Bag their waste from source, then the government should pick up as at when due. Advocacy for waste separation from source to reduce “open dumping of waste” which is theme for this year National Sanitation Day. The ministry of environment that is expected to lead with examples is also a shadow of herself as a recent visit to their office in secretariat does not show anything to reflect strict adherence to practices that promotes sustainability, wellness and cleaniness. Awareness, advocacy, enlightenment and proper Environmental education should go beyond organizing webinars but airing of gingles, programs centered around these issues, consistent visit to schools, market places, collaborations and partnership with relevant agencies. May the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde succeed in his quest to reposition our state to be among the front runners of sustainable environments. Animasaun Ajibola Idris Co-founder @impactpassion_org Public Affairs Analyst and Environmental enthusiast writes from Molete, Ibadan.

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World Population Day, Idris Animasaun advocates for rights of women, girl child and exploring the abundance of social media in global population campaign

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Idris Animasaun an environment enthusiast sustainable development and good governance advocate while speaking with our correspondence in commemoration of the world population day emphasizes on the need to explore new media in drawing the much needed ahead of the forthcoming national census by National Population Commission. The World Population Day which is a day set aside by resolution 45/216 of December 1990 of the United Nations General Assembly aimed at seeking attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, by enhancing awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development has continued to be celebrated every 11th day since the very first of such in 1987. Highlighting the importance of social media, Mr. Idris Animasaun places adoption of strategies aimed at reaching out to youth via the most popular mediums in area of engagements and awareness. In his words, “Few weeks ago while appearing as a guest analyst on a radio program to speak about the population census, I expressed great concerns on the need for National Orientation Agency across every states of federation to set up and grow their online media presence with graphical contents. While commending the effort of the Oyo State Chapter under the Chairman of the agency, Mr. Kayode Odedodun on their activities and sensitization during the INEC registration and PVC collections, implementation of naira redesign of the federal government, much of such presence can be said on CENSUS. We should break the norm of limiting the campaigns to Radio and TV gingles, print media advertorials but also the opportunities abound social media. Most of our youths now spend so much time on their respective social media platforms such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok etc. It is now becoming imperative for concerned agencies should set up account to engage their new audience by running sponsored adverts, streaming of live events and awareness”. Mr. Idris while reacting further to journalists discussed the theme of this year celebration 2023 which is Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. It is becoming important that adequate priorities are put in place for inclusivity of female gender in all spheres of life. We need to start showing concerns and responsibility by recognizing the great impact the works of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Late Dora Akunyili and many others who distinguished themselves when given a chance to serve this nation. We need to give them more opportunities to play their own role in the development of our nation he concluded.

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POTENTIALS IN THE OYO STATE TRANSPORT SECTOR, Idris Animasaun and Adetoro Toheeb writes another open letter to Governor Seyi Makinde

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The Executive of Governor of Oyo state, H.E Governor Seyi Makinde. Sequel to my publication on 21st of June, 2023 where I highlighted five key factors on reform of public transportation in oyo state which includes digitalization of incentive collection, registration of transport workers, code of conduct of Park Management officials, amidst other important key factors enlisted in the publication. The fruition of my publication could be evidenced with the abduction of digital means of revenue collection by governor of Abia state, H.E Gov. Alex Otti which also includes issuance of identification and registration of transport workers in the state which is in line with global practices to curb corruption and enhance security of the state. It is best understood that the government of Oyo state has good interest in reformation of public transportation in the state in line with creation of Park Management System which was expected to profer a lasting end to hooliganism, thuggery, factionalism, maiming amidst many other social vices of National Union of Road Transport Worker and It’s counterpart, Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria in 2019 but however, upon appointment of leadership of the board (P.M.S) every concerned observers and residents of the state will doubt the intention of the government because it was indifferent to “pouring the old wine into a new cup”. Despite heavy political criticism on the multimillion spent on construction of central bus terminals by the state government, it is undoubtable that if the public transport service is well organized and put to proper usage, government investment in construction of the central bus terminals is indeed a threshold to bringing sanity and civilization to public transportation within the state. However, it is gainsaying for anyone to commend the spending of the government due to how the terminals are currently underuse. The built bus terminals under Omituntun 1.0 is an eye opener on how to curtail the issue of road hawking, and ineffective road usage in the state as majority of traffics are caused by road hawkers and car parks. Government has to do more in creation of more simple bus terminals at every stops within the state example of those terminals is that at Ojota and Berger at Lagos state where the road width is extended at such stops for road hawkers and car parks. Through such innovations, the roads are able to serve its full purpose and it will drastically reduce road accidents since that will put a lasting end to the scrambling between road users and road hawkers. The good intention of government investments in building bus terminals and creation of Park Management System became a subject of query and is perceived unwanted because government is yet to do enough in aspects of drawing proper usage and enforcement of reform policies that will directly benefit the transport workers and residents of the state. Part of which includes registration and provision of means of identification for transport workers to further reduce kidnapping and hence strengthen security of the state against other related criminal activities. Digitalization of incentive collection policy to reduce corruption practices and to promote transparency and accountability of the revenue generated by the management system. Such incentives should be targeted at welfarism of transport workers, direct taxpayers such as provision of health insurance, birth cares and emergency purposes instead of preceding manual ways of enriching few individuals. Lastly, one of the prime cause of road accidents is the usage of “moving scraps” as cabs, drunk drivers, and obstruction caused by road abuse. Therapeutic rehabilitation with stiffened penalties should be enforced to road abusers. All this will reduce traffic congestion, road accidents, promotion of security, reduce environmental pollution, beautifies, and strengthened the state’s economy.

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SAFEGUARDING THE CHILDREN: WHY SEYI MAKINDE MUST PUT THEM FIRST IN HIS OMITUNTUN 2.0 PLANS

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In the last couple of months at least five(5) children died due to alleged negligence/abuse of Private Schools across Nigeria. In Oyo State there has been cases of alleged child neglect/abuse recorded within the Private and Public School system over the years. The question remains, what is Oyo State doing to eliminate this menace?

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OYO STATE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY: ONGOING ONLINE PALAVA

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It is no longer news that there are certain people ‘Concerned Citizens’ that appear to have an issue or issues with the Agribusiness setup in Oyo State. These people have taken aim at the DG of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency OYSADA in some recent online publications which I have been following keenly since my outburst about the agency in an online publication on my Instagram account on 3rd Decemeber 2022. Certain claims have been made online via different news platforms such as westerdailynew.com and oyoecho.com requesting the State government to set up a panel of enquiry to look into the activity of the agency headed by Debo Akande. One will wonder what these detractors stand to gain as the election is over and Gov. Seyi Makinde has won his second term. So why now, why OYSADA, why not any other ministry or agency? OYSADA on their own part have since come out fighting with different articles to defend their position and to discredit the articles from their detractors which indeed confirmed to me that something must really be going on. Blogs such as goalpoacher.com, flowerbudnews.ng and oyotruth.com have since been employed to not only respond but fire back. As a neutral observer who has been following the various articles on the OYSADA/Agribusiness topic from afar since some friends who went on the so called training in Nassarawa returned back without any serious form of engagements at neither of the state owned farm settlements or some sort of empowerments. There are so many aspects of this whole issue that is confusing and should be laid bare. On the side of the so called ‘Concerned Citizens’, what exactly are they after, what do they stand to gain? They have claimed that there is mismanagement in OYSADA, what proof or evidence do they have? The must provide details. On the OYSADA side, the DG claimed that 600 out of 3300 youths from YEAP have been empowered, OYSADA should provide the names of these 600 and how they were empowered. This information will kill off the rumour being peddled by their detractors regarding this project. The DG talked about the management staff in an article by Adewale Owoade “Gov. Makinde places Oyo State a step ahead of others on agribusiness development”. He clamed that IITA was responsible for funding the management staff of OYSADA, and that OYSADA decided to make do with two management staff even though it has the statutory powers to recruit more staff. This is where this gets tricky, is the DG saying OYSADA has only two management staff? This needs to be cleared. Why is IITA funding OYSADA staff, does IITA have shares in OYSADA or are they just helping the State out for free. Then who are the two management staff and who appointed them and when? The DG has left so many more questions unanswered. Simple research into the staffing of OYSADA shows that the secretary of the organisation is a civil servant and there are several directors that are also civil servants. Are these not management staff, and are they being paid by IITA? The Western Daily News published a report on the 1st of April 2023 and mentioned a Mr. Peter and a Miss Gift, are these two people the management staff being funded by IITA? Who are the people giving their sweat and blood for the project to succeed? Are there people working for free in OYSADA? Are the pictures posted in the Western Daily News really from the Centre in Awe? If not the OYSADA must file an official compliant with the NUJ. The Oyo State Independent Monitoring Group’s (OYSIMG) investig ative unit also need to provide information on the detailed and thorough investigation they conducted. What is being alleged has to do with mismanagement and misappropriation of funds, so the question is, did the investigators go through the financial records and contract award records of OYSADA, did they physically visit all the sites under the supervision of OYSADA for example Saki, Fashola, Awe. Who invited OYSIMG to carry out the investigation? Why not invite the Oyo State Anti Corruption Agency (OYACA) for accountability, credibility, and transparency? AN ADVICE TO THE DG: To clear this issue the DG should showcase the work done in AWE, SAKI, FASHOLA for the public to see. Also, whenever the DG is representing OYSADA he should hold such meeting on an OY SADA site instead of IITA. This will shut his detractors up permanently. Further investigation is being done on this topic. It is important to ensure that the government of Gov. Makinde is not distracted from its good work. However, it is important to ensure that all the above is cleared up and facts are separated from rumours.

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