Connect with us

Health and Safety

Makinde flags off construction of 76.67km Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road

Published

on

Makinde presents 7 brand new vehicles to High Court judges

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Wednesday, flagged off the construction of a 76.67 kilometres Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road, reinstating the commitment of his administration toward infrastructure development across the state.

While flagging off the ceremony at Adeniran Memorial Grammar School, Ogbomoso, Makinde said his government would continue to execute road projects in its quest to continue in the work of engineering a modern Oyo State.

Also read: Oyo Govt warns PMS members against violence, lawlessness

He said that the Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road, when completed, would be named after the former Governor of the state, the late Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, who hailed from Ogbomoso.

According to him, development follows where roads go and we will continue to fulfill our mandate given to us by the people.

“We will not relent in all our efforts to move Oyo State to prosperity as we focus on protecting the interests of the good people of our dear state.

“Some people have come out to say we should focus on one section of the state and ensure it is developed, but this is not the path to sustainable development.

“So, here in Oyo State, we have chosen that we will develop all the zones in the state and the best way to do this is by creating an effective road network.

“And this road will facilitate both intracity and interstate movements to give way for easy access between the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) campuses in Ogbomoso and Iseyin.

“In addition, we are leveraging our comparative advantage in agriculture, because of what good is it that our farmers are producing, but cannot move their produce to the market?

“Or that our farmers have access to just local markets where only people from the same vicinity can buy.

“Whereas, they can get paid more when they are able to easily travel to larger markets, not just within the state, but also outside it,” Makinde said.

He said that his government was expanding the economy of the state through efficient road network.

The governor thanked his counterpart from Kwara, Dr AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman, who witnessed the flag off ceremony, and said that the Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road project “is of vital economic importance to both Oyo and Kwara States.

“Many people may not know, but Oyo State shares a border with Kwara State here at Ogbomoso.

“When it comes to the facilitation of trade between the two states and movement of agricultural produce, our farmers and other investors will be able to go from Iseyin, all the way to Kwara, through this route.”

In his remarks, AbdulRahman congratulated Makinde for the flag off of the 76.67 kilometres road project, saying that the project was important.

He said that road infrastructure was the right step if Nigerians truly desire growth.

According to him, if a huge percentage of our people are farmers, it is a no gain-saying that agribusiness value chains will only thrive when we connect our vast arable lands to the city centre through good roads or rail.

He said the Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road, when completed, would bring comfort to travellers and reduces travel time for the road users who want to travel further south to Abeokuta in Ogun.

AbdulRahman said that the road represents a short cut for those coming from the Northern part of Nigeria, including Kwara, who are travelling to Iseyin or to Igboora or Abeokuta.

“In all of these, you are creating huge economic values along this axis, you are also saving lives, because the ever-busy Oyo-Ogbomoso Road will be decongested,” he said.

The Kwara governor said that Makinde’s commitment to road infrastructure was similar to his administration’s strategic investments to open up the Kwara agrarian belts for economic growth.

He said that his government was constructing the first section of the 64 kilometres Kishi-Kaiama Road, which links part of Kwara to Oyo State.

“To its North-West, we are fixing the 33 kilometres Ilesha-Gwanara Road.

“Down South, we are linking the Osi-Obbo Road, where Ekiti empties into Kwara, among several other road projects connecting our hinterlands to market,” AbdulRahman said.

He promised that, as neighbours to Oyo State, Kwara would always collaborate with Makinde on all fronts to improve the lots of people.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Public Works in Oyo State, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, said the need for construction of the road was borne out of the commitment of Makinde’s administration to improve the socioeconomic activities of the citizenry.

Sangodoyin said that the entire work scope was split into two concurrent lots on Dec. 6, 2021 for feasible delivery within 13 months.

According to him, the first lot of 38.10 kilometres was awarded to Kopek Construction Ltd., at a sum of N20.1 billion, while the second lot of 38.57 kilometres was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company at a sum of N23.4 billion.

He said that the total contract sum of the 76.67 kilometres for the new road was N43.62 billion.

In their separate remarks, representatives of the contractors handling the project, Mr Gilbert Sassine of Craneburg Construction and Mr Issam Feghali of Kopek Construction Ltd., assured the state government that quality job would be delivered.

The duo appreciated residents of Ogbomoso, Iseyin and other affected communities in the road project, for their cooperation, promising to continue engaging indigenous people in the execution of the contracts.

 

Health and Safety

NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

Published

on

NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

The Katsina Customs Area Command, Controller, Abba-Aji Idris, has been hugely commended by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for his proactive efforts in tackling cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling and drug trafficking.

In a press statement signed by the Command’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bello Isah, on 31 October 2024, both agencies were reported to have praised Comptroller Idris during recent engagements with the Command, recognising his role in strengthening border security and public awareness.

The newly appointed NDLEA Commander for Katsina, Abubakar Aminu, already paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller Idris at the Customs House in Katsina on 30 October 2024. 

During the visit, he specially commended the Customs Command’s extensive efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of smuggling and drug trafficking.

“The purpose of this visit is to assist the Comptroller in any way possible,” Commander Abubakar stated, emphasising the NDLEA’s alignment with the Customs Command’s objectives to protect the state from illegal cross-border activities.

Comptroller Idris, in his response, expressed appreciation for the NDLEA’s show of support, describing the visit as a timely reinforcement of Katsina Command’s mission. He detailed several strategies he has implemented since taking office, underlining the Command’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding Katsina State’s borders.

Similarly, the Katsina State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by the Chairman, Barrister Shafiu Umar, also acknowledged Comptroller Idris’ contributions to public security. 

During their visit to the command, Barrister Umar applauded the Comptroller’s active engagement with the community and his public enlightenment campaigns, noting the NBA’s commitment to supporting legal cooperation and awareness efforts in alignment with the Command’s anti-smuggling objectives.

Comptroller Idris expressed his appreciation to the NBA delegation for their support and pledged to work closely with the association to enhance the command’s operational goals further. 

He particularly emphasised the importance of community partnerships in achieving lasting success, against border-related crimes.

Continue Reading

Health and Safety

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

Published

on

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

…Says Words are sometimes sharper than Swords

The National Cybercrime Centre – Nigeria Police Force has stressed that the word is sometimes sharper than the sword and warned journalists to be more disciplined and mindful in their choice of words online.

 The Acting Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart, advised at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the International Maritime Press Centre, Apapa, Lagos.

 Smart stressed that the pen could be sharper than the knife and therefore warned that journalists should ensure that whatever they push out online would not get them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activity done in cyberspace on any social media platform.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to N10 million and asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyberspace is free.

“Some of them are the National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

In his paper presentation, Dr Layinka Adagun, a veteran journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some run foul of the cybercrime law.

Adagun said that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from Internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said

Continue Reading

Health and Safety

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

Published

on

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned that any further attempt by its officers to pull the wool over the public eyes, may be treated as an act of gross misconduct and thus, attract serious sanctions 

The NCoS emphasized this in a statement made available by the Public Relations Officer and image maker, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, specifically calling attention to a public reaction of one of its officers, to a recently trending video.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)”, the statement indicated, adding:

“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.

“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state”, the statement further indicated.

It would be recalled that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

 The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly. 

The Image maker consequently advised the public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

Continue Reading

Editor’s Pick

Politics