Determined to put a stop on school pupils getting wet during this rainy season with their attendant wet floors, a Non-Governmental Organization, Third-Estate has donated all season skecher shoes to selected schools in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Making the presentation at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the group in Ilorin Emirate, the President of the association, Mallam Bolaji Nagode said the gesture apart from being a morale booster to the students, was also geared towards unifying the councils within the Ilorin Emirate.

Nagode said: “With supports from Assist International, Ripon, California through Lanre Gidado, Third-Estate presents the Skechers shoes to the selected schools in Moro Local Government to protect students during the raining season and for exercises and is also a symbolic gesture to the people of the community that all local governments in Ilorin Emirate are in one spirit of equity, justice and fairness in politics and economic development.”

Speaking on the activities of the association in the last one year, Mallam Nagode said: “We have commenced free medical outreach for elderly people in the communities and initiated Skills acquisition programmes in ICT through credible IT learning centres.

“We also have a plan to sponsor young graduates to acquire skills in Solar PV Installation and maintenance as part of creating self-empowerment job opportunities for the youths.”

The President also disclosed that a database program on eminent personalities from Ilorin Emirate who contributed to the growth and development of the community and Nigeria is being conducted by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, a reputable PR firm in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of Good Friends of Moro People, Alhaji Raji Mohammed expressed gratitude to Third-Estate for the donation of Skecher Shoes and its various activities in supports youths empowerment and skill acquisition programmes.

In the cause of his education, he obtains General Certificate of Education (GCE) 1979, Ordinary National Diploma (Business Administration) 1984, Higher National Diploma (Business Administration) 1987 and Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Science 1997.

Employed by Federal Ministry of Agriculture in 1980, he was granted scholarship and proceeded on Study leave between 1983 – 1988. After his studies, he had worked in various departments of the Ministry of Agriculture between 1988 and 2001.

He was thereafter posted to Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Abuja in 2001 before he eventually retired as the Head of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in 2015.

Presently, Mr. Hassan is self-employed and working as Consultant on ICT.

A very active member of the Third-Estate Forum of Ilorin Emirate, his hobbies include Volley Ball, Reading, Table Tennis, Travelling and Farming.

A respected communication expert, Dr. Yahaya had a working experience as a journalist when he was appointed Editor IlorinWatch, Ilorin between January 1988 to December 1990. He was also a Senior Political Correspondent with Post Express Newspaper, Lagos between April 1995 – February 1997.

In January 1991 he was appointed Public Affairs Officer I at the National Population Commission, Abuja, Nigeria and rose to the position of Deputy Director, Information, Education November 2010.

Dr. Yahaya served as Part-time Lecturer – National Open University, Abuja Study Centre, from 2009 to 2016; National Expert Media Specialization, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Nigeria Democracy Governance for Development project from November 2010 to December 2012 and Assistant Political Analyst, European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) in 2015.

He is currently Senior Electoral Administration Expert European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) since September 2017 to Date. He has wide experience in sustainable capacity building, knowledge management, experience sharing and engagements and trainings for electoral stakeholders.

He belongs to various professional bodies including Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (Abuja Chapter), PRNigeria Network, an online interactive forum for PR Professionals; Nigeria Political Science Association and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He has been the Secretary-General of the Third-Estate Forum of Ilorin Emirate.

Born on August 10 1962, Ahmed Bolaji Nagode the current President of Third-Estate Ilorin Emirate Forum, attended United Primary School, Ilorin, 1969 – 1974; Government Secondary School, Ilorin 1974- 1979 and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1979 – 1984 and University of Ilorin 1989- 1991. Some of his academic qualifications includes Diploma in Management, Bachelor of Science (B.SC) Political Science, Master of Public Administration (MPA) and University of Lagos.

After the completion of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Benue State, he was employed by Kwara State Education Management Board in 1986 and became Personal Assistant to Hon. Commissioner of Education in the state.

He later had a brief stint as a Lecturer, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin 1992. It was in 1993 that he got federal appointment as Manager (Personnel and Administration). It was at the electricity company that he got rapid promotion up to the position of Assistant General Manager (Learning & Performance Management) 2009.

Mr. Nagode was later appointed Deputy Director (Training Programme) National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in February 2013 and became Director (Business Services) in February 2014- 2016. He is currently the Acting Director General NAPTIN since 2016.

Apart from speaking on Human Resources Management as Seminars and Workshop, Ahmed Nagode is a full Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (IPM) and Chartered Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).

He joined the services of the Board as an Administration Officer I, in the then Department of Matriculation and Examination between 1989 – 1991 from the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, between 1991-1994 he was an Assistant Registrar in the Office of the Registrar; he became Senior Assistant Registrar between 1994-1996; Principal Administrative Officer between 1996-1997, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer between 1997-2000 and Chief Administrative Officer between 200-2004 all in the Office of the Registrar.

He became a Deputy Director in 2004 still in the Registrar’s Office until he was transferred to Test Administration Department in 2013 as an Acting Director before his recent elevation to the post of the Director of Test Administration Department.

Dr. Lawal, as the Director of Test Administration Department has brought new zeal to the Department and transformed its operations. He is a witty goal-getter, who has demonstrated good leadership and his presence on the Board’s Management team is a great asset to the Board. He is a Member, Institutes of Management Consultant and Member, Institutes of Management.

He has attended Trainings, Workshops and Conferences both locally and internationally.

The Speaker of the House, Dr Ali Ahmed, who lamented that the issue was becoming a daily occurrence and increasingly embarrassing to every responsible indigenes and resident of Ilorin emirate pledged to rally his colleagues towards ensuring that ill acts are stamped out of Ilorin and Kwara State at large.

In a release issued by the Speaker’s Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir, on Wednesday, after a meeting with the speaker and Concerned Muslims in the state, the lawmaker said it was very worrisome that some few elements could be tarnishing the good image of Ilorin by rubbishing the founding fathers’ work with their dastardly acts.

He, however, stressed that the legislature was ever ready to partner with various groups, corporate bodies, and individuals towards assuring a sane society.

Earlier, the Leader of the delegation, Professor Lanre Badmus of the University of Ilorin, Faculty of Islamic Studies had lamented the happenings in and around the state capital in recent years, saying that they are seriously concerned.

Badmas disclosed that the group is working on presenting a bill to the House to ensure that the city is rid of social ills urging the legislators to assist in making it a reality.

He lauded the Speaker’s impact and leadership style which he noted had made the eighth Legislature a distinct Assembly.

The University don also commended the Assembly for passing a resolution against nude dancing in hotels in the State.
Source: http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/kwara-assembly-legislate-ritual-killings-corpse-exhumation/

The councils include Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Moro and Asa had recently witnessed an upsurge in cultism activities, predominantly among students and artisans like bricklayers, commercial motorcycle/tricycle operators, vulcanizers, panel beaters, mechanics and the likes, where many lives and property had been lost.
Representative of the elders, who is also the coordinator of a youth welfare foundation, Engineer Kamil Dauda, called on parents, community leaders, law enforcement agents and governments in the state to join hand to curtail the development.

Dauda, who bemoaned attitude of some community leaders in the metropolis that allegedly mount pressure on law enforcement agencies for release of arrested cultists, charged them to desist.
He said that such attitude of the influential people could encourage the menace in the society.

The philanthropist, who said that habits like hemp smoking, illicit drug use and drug abuse among the youths had led to antisocial behaviour and criminal activities in the emirate, added that such act could tarnish image of the ancient town.

Alhaji Dauda also charged patent medicine dealers who are in the habit of dispensing psychotropic, substances among other illicit drugs, to desist for societal well-being.

He said that his foundation, had in the past 10 years, organised series of youth empowerment programmes, extra mural classes, payment of school fees and award of scholarship to indigent students, adding that financial assistance had been provided widows and needy in the Ilorin metropolis.

He also said that the foundation planned to organize student sensitization programme and youth empowerment programme during end of year festive period in the emirate.
Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/ilorin-elders-decry-rise-cultism/

The monarch made the call in his message at the presentation of the award of excellence to the National Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Mr Dickson Akoh in llorin.

The award, which was at the Instance of the Ilorin Emirate Youths Integrity Vanguard, was received by the Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps in Kwara, Mr Lukman Yekinni on behalf of the National Commandant.

Sulu-Gambari, represented by the Balogun Afin of llorin, Alhaji Mohammed Nuhu, noted that no meaningful development could be attained in an atmosphere of chaos and acrimony.

The emir urged the Nigerian Peace Corps to ensure peace and unity.

He advised the corps to play a complementary role with other security outfits in the state so that peace will always reign supreme in all parts of Kwara and Nigeria in general.

Sulu-Gambari advocated for more enlistment of the indigenes into the Nigeria Peace Corps as a way of minimising unemployment among youths.

The emir praised the foresight of the llorin emirate youths vanguard for initiating the award and advised other social organisations to emulate them.

Alhaji Ahmed Ayinla, Guest speaker and a Lecturer at the Kwara State College of Education, emphasized the relevance of peace as one of the indices needed in any society for economic growth and development.

Ayinla charged the Nigeria Peace Corps to further complement on the peace and harmony for development to be attained.

One of the founders of the llorin youth vanguard, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Aiyelabegan, urged the Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps in Kwara to abide with norms and traditions of the state and ensure that peace reigns at all times

The state Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Mr Lukman Yekinni, pledged to intensify efforts toward ensuring peaceful co-existence among the people in the state.

Source: https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/10/28/emir-tasks-peace-corps-security/

He noted that science students often battled challenges such as inadequate lecturers and laboratory equipment as well as epileptic power supply.

Ambali’s views were supported by the Provost, College of Education, Ilorin, Dr. Isiaka Opobiyi; a lecturer at Unilorin, Dr. Abubakar Aliaga, a former Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Raji Mohammed and The President, The Third Estate, Alhaji Ahmed Bolaji-Nagode.

They spoke on Monday on the sidelines of a summit by the Third Estate in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Ambali said, “While Arts students can manage to read with torchlight, science students need facilities for practical classes. The challenge is that you cannot have practical classes without power supply. ”

In his remarks, Bolaji-Nagode stated that the group had awarded scholarship to indigent students and provided boreholes to communities.

He added that the association would train some indigenes on ICT to become self-employed.

Nagode said, “We are alive to the need to shift attention from white collar jobs to self sufficiency and employment. We intend to sponsor the training of select young graduates from the emirate to acquire skills in information technology.

“The objective of this initiative is to make them self-employed upon the completion of their programme and also to become potential employers of labour in the IT market.”

The Director, Test Administration and Evaluation, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Dr. Yusuf Lawal, said that more candidates applied for Arts and Management courses than Science courses. Lawal, who was the guest lecturer at the event, said it was imperative to encourage more candidates to study Science courses to attain technological advancement.
Source: http://punchng.com/unilorin-vc-canvasses-support-for-science-ict-education/

The arrested persons were of “secondary school age.”

According to the Sun, police of the Adewole Divisional station, said the culprits were rounded up in Aiyetoro ASA Dam area of Ilorin, on Tuesday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident.

He said, “I have just received the report and I cannot confirm the number of those that were arrested. It happened under the jurisdiction of the ‘D’ Division under Adewole but by tomorrow (Wednesday), the issue will be clearer.”

Also speaking on the development, National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union, IEDPU, Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi, said, “About few days ago, the organisers pasted posters informing that they wanted to hold an Indian hemp festival where they will smoke hemp for a whole day.

“When we heard of it, we wrote them that they should not do such and also informed the police who also wrote to them but they insisted.

” On the said day, they started smoking hemp and the police swung into action and arrested nine of them. Since then, we have been having pressures from high quarters to release them but we refused.

” We later gave them three options which include for them to be handed over to NDLEA for them to be rehabilitated; for them to be locked up with the police and charged to court the following day but they opted for the last option.”
Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/07/04/police-arrest-9-secondary-school-students-celebrating-india-hemp-festival-kwara/