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.

The programme which was held at the Emir’s palace, Ilorin was at the instance of the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association, (IEYDA).

Speaking at the event, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari called on the association to intensify more efforts on other programmes and activities that would further accelerate socio-economic growth of the Ilorin Emirate and the state in general.

Alhaji Sulu Gambari who was represented by the Balogun Agba of Ilorin, Alhaji Aliu Adebayo urged the members of the association to be more united advised the executives to see their position a rotational towards serving the interest of the people.

Earlier, the National President of the Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Babatunde Salaudeen, said IEYDA was established to assist the less privileged in the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.

He added that the group has continued to embarke on projects that would inspire the lives of people positively.

The National President however mentioned the establishment of primary school, modern block industries, rental service and other vocational engagement to address the unemployment problem amongst the youth.

In a remark, the chairman of the event, Professor Saka Nuhu urged the political office holders to involve community development associations and traditional rulers in their empowerment programmes to actually reach the needy.

The Don, who is also the first Professor of Veterinary Medicine in Ilorin emirate decried the increasing rate of unemployment in the country and commended the association for the programme to reduce the unemployment rate in the society.

In his lecture, an Abuja based Islamic scholar, Alhaji Sarafadeen Abdulsalam Aliagan called on leaders in the society to alleviate the suffering of the masses through empowerment programmes.

Alhaji Abdulsalam Aliagan, who is chief Imam of NASFAT central mosque remained public office holders to see their position as strategies opportunities to serve humanity by contributing positively to the society.

Also speaking on “Participatory government: The way out of effects of democratic deficit in Nigeria”, the Acting Director, Centre for Community Development, Kwara State University, Malete, Mr Lawal Olohungbebe stressed the need for community based organizations to always be involved in any empowerment programmes.

ROYAL NEWS reports that Olohungbebe further urged community development associations like IEYDA to distribute any empowerment items collected on behalf of the people without fear or favour.

While advising the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items received to better their lots, he urged well-to-do individuals to assist the needy and the less-privileged in the society.

Speaking with journalist, the National Publicity of the Association, Alhaji Muhammad Uthman Jagunma, praised the donors for their continued support at all time, stressing that the yearly empowerment Programme was meant to support potential youth within the emirate to be self reliance in order to reduce poverty and hardship in the community.

Highlight of the occasion was distribution of empowerment items such as tricycles, sewing machines, generators, clippers, grinding machines and payment of NABTEB fees for intending candidates.
Source: https://www.royalnews.com.ng/2018/02/22/emir-of-ilorin-to-groups-emulate-ilorin-emirate-youths-development-association/

The Justice Yusuf, who retired after two years on the seat died at the age of 85.

The burial of the late chief judge took place on Tuesday at his residence in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Ilorin after the Janazah prayer was led by the chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Salihu.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, described the death of the former Chief Judge as an exit of a fearless but God-fearing legendary legal luminary.

The governor said he was deeply saddened to receive the news of the demise of Justice Yusuf, said that, “the late Justice Saka contributed his quota to the state and humanity within the opportunities available to him as a Chief Judge of the state and former National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU). No doubt, the exit of this legal icon will be missed by his family in particular and the state in general”.

Dr Ahmed prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the families, friends and the entire Emirate the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Ilorin-born Jurist was appointed the Chief Judge of the state in 2005 after the retirement of Justice Timothy Oyeyipo who held the post for 21 years.

Yusuf who was serving at the Kano state judiciary until his appointment as the Kwara state Chief Judge in 2005 retired from service in 2007.

After his retirement, he became the national president of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), a post he held until about five years ago when his tenure expired.

The burial programme was attended by the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold.
Source: http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/kwara-ex-chief-judge-dies/

A Fulani group, Fulani Ilorin Emirates Youths Vanguard has protested what it termed “hasty generalisation of Fulanis as terrorists and as a criminally minded ethnic group in Nigeria.”
The Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government chapter, in a statement issued by its Chairman Usman Garba and Public Relations Officer, Oorelope Folarin and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti expressed concern over an alleged blanket tagging of all Fulanis as mindless killers.

It also claimed that the media, as well as members of the public, had little or no knowledge about Cattle Rearing in Nigeria.

They claimed to have been part and parcel of Yoruba community, and Ekiti, having been living there well over 50 yesrs.
“This is our home because many of us and even our fathers were born here. So, we have no reason to cause trouble for anybody because, where to live is not where to destroy”, they said.
They group called on the media to always crosscheck their facts on any issue involving their members, farmers or their host communities before publishing same.

“It is very sad and most unfortunate that each time there was violent clash between herders and farmers, the media always look in the direction of Fulani as culprits.What the media fails to recognize is that there are number of tribes involved in this business.
“Among the tribes are: Hausa, Fulani, Bororo, and Bakolo. Others are Kaje and Tivs from the Northern part of the country,” the statement read in part.
“We are therefore calling on government as well as security agencies to conduct full investigation into renewed hostilities between farmers and herders in the State with a view to apprehending the culprits”, it added.

They, however pledged to cooperate with the security agents in the task.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/union-decries-poverty-rate-youth-unemployment-ilorin-emirate/

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/

A former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Sadik Ismaila, is dead. He died in the early hours of Friday during a brief illness.

Ismaila, who occupied the position between October and December 31, 1983, was elected on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria and represented Ilorin West Constituency.

The late politician, who was 80 at the time of his demise, was buried according to Islamic rites at the Omoda area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Incumbent Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sanni, lamented Ismaila’s death, describing it as a huge loss to the people of the state and the country in general.

He said the deceased would be remembered for his principle, tenacity of purpose, humility and modest contributions to parliamentary proceedings in the country.

Ahmad enjoined Nigerians to emulate the sterling qualities of the former speaker to further strengthen the nation’s parliamentary democracy.

According to him, Ismaila passed on when his wealth of experience and wisdom were greatly needed to fashion a new constitution that would further stabilise Nigeria’s hard won democracy.

Ahmad consoled the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari, his immediate family and the entire people of Ilorin Emirate over the incident.

He enjoined them to take solace in the fact that the former speaker lived a life worthy of emulation.
Source: http://punchng.com/kwara-loses-former-speaker/

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/

The people, who protested against alleged marginalisation and manipulation of constitutional provisions of the people by the Ilorin emirate council, said that the plan was to suppress people of Moro council by the emirate.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin during the week, President of MCEM, Alhaji Isiaka Jimoh, said that the leadership of Ilorin Emirate laid claims to ‘all lands in the entire council.’

“We use this medium to call on the state government to do the needful by urgently addressing the various issues we have raised and analysed, as so doing is not only worthy, but shall bring out the best in any listening and responsive government that is desirous to promote harmonious and all-inclusive governance within its territory”, he said.

Reacting to the development, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, said that the allegations were libelous, condemnable, uncharitable and unwarranted, adding that the people were not legally competent to pursue any claim under any guise “due to the fact that they are not members of the state traditional council”.

The Moro group, also demanded for, “the creation of Moro traditional council; beneficial utilisation of the five per cent deductible from the monthly federal allocation due to the council; stoppage of the diversion of the five per cent of the council allocation currently being remitted to the ‘Ilorin Emirate;’ immediate intervention of the various anti-corruption agencies through commencement of investigation to the alleged misapropriation of funds due to the local government from 2003 till 2015; future deductions of five per cent from the council to be remitted directly to the Moro local government traditional council.

Other demands include “immediate withdrawal of the district heads from the council in compliance with the Kwara state whitepaper of December 17, 1987; immediate return of the pre-1984 3rd class grading of both Ohoro of Shao and Oba of Jebba and immediate upgrading of the duo to first class status of their counterparts in other parts of the state”.

He also enjoined the state government to address and correct all the alleged developmental deficiencies in the local government area so as to allow the people have a sense of belonging”.

Scores of the protesters from different communities in the council carried placards with numerous inscriptions to express their grievances, saying that there was no historical evidence to support the emirate’s claims.

The Emir of Ilorin, who spoke through the palace spokesperson and Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu Woru Mohammed, said the statement also exposed ignorance of the elementary history on which the Emirate was being governed.

“However, the current system of governance in Nigeria is the outcome of the numerous conquest and Jihad which predates the advent of colonial

administration. There are 774 local governments across the country backed by the nation’s constitution, any activity going on therein, is a product of the constitution which cannot be altered by anyone accept by legislative process which must also comply with historical facts.

“You cannot ask for what is not yours. Traditional rulers are born not made by anybody. The stool of the Emir of Ilorin is paramount and extends across the entire Emirate. Once historical accounts do not reflect your antecedents as a monarch, it will be out of place to be laying claim to what is not yours.

“About the issue of allocation, it is in line with the dictates of the constitution and the resources is usually channel towards the appropriate beneficiaries; the Alanguas, Magajis and Daudus who are the major components of the Emirate Council are serving as the Emir’s Lieutenants in their respective domains.

“Members of the public are thereby advised to disregard the speculation and undue claims aimed at destabilizing the existing peaceful and harmonious working relationship in the Emirate.
Source: http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/moro-communities-decry-marginalisation/