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Tag: Kwara

  • Kwara demolishes remaining structures on ‘Saraki’s land’ few hours after court judgement

    Kwara demolishes remaining structures on ‘Saraki’s land’ few hours after court judgement

    A few hours after a court judgment struck out a suit by Asa Investments Ltd, claimants to the disputed Dr. Olusola Saraki’s land (Ile Arugbo), the Kwara State Government yesterday demolished the remaining structures and property on the land.

    Government’s bulldozers, it was gathered, moved to the premises between 2:25am and 4:20am to pull down structures.

    Reacting to the development, the legal team of the claimants described government’s decision to carry out a fresh demolition on the property, whose matter is still in court, as reckless and illegal.

    Lead counsel to Asa Investments Ltd Dr. Akin Onigbinde (SAN) said in a statement that he was surprised that less than 24 hours after the court fixed March 17 for hearing of the counter-claims filed by the Kwara State Government, the government ordered bulldozers to go to the property about 2:25am and 4:20am on February 3 to further demolish structures and materials on it.

    He added: “Counsel to the Kwara State Government, according to the record of the court at previous sittings of the court had given an undertaking not to destroy the property until the dispute is determined.

    “It was also surprising that on a day the court granted an application to Asa Investments Ltd to substitute the name of Alhaji Sanusi Baba-Eleku, a co-claimant with Asa Investment Ltd, who died recently, with another, being Alhaji Abubakar Oluwatoyin, and before allowing the new party to file his witness statement on oath as required by law, it struck out the case of Asa Investment Ltd without allowing the new party the opportunity to even put forward his case to court for adjudication; and Kwara State Government overreached judicial process to further destroy the property during the pendency of hearing.”

    Onigbinde said it was wrong for a party to a suit to take action, which seeks to tie the hands of the court or overreach any decision of the court, or render nugatory subsequent decision of the court.

    He noted that the state government, by its action, has violated the undertaking it made in open court in previous sittings not to interfere with the property.

    “This action taken in the dead of the night will be challenged. We will not allow a government which should symbolise democracy and rule of law to act with impunity or seek to subvert the course of justice,” Onigbinde added.

  • 2 million people at risk of NTDs in Kwara –Official

    2 million people at risk of NTDs in Kwara –Official

    The Kwara Government has stated that no fewer than two million people living in the state were at risk of contracting one or two of the over 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NTDs include dengue, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, and leishmaniasis, which are called “neglected,” because they generally afflict the world’s poor and have not received as much attention as other diseases.

    Dr Abubakar Ayinla, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, made the assertion during a stakeholders meeting held to commemorate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day.
    The meeting, which was held in collaboration with Sightsavers, a Non Governmental Organisation, was to sensitise the people of the state to the risk of contracting NTDs.

    The permanent secretary said that the NTDs Day, like other specially dedicated days, was used as opportunity to sensitize the public and draw attention of policy makers to thematic issues around such days.
    He said the day was about issues bedevilling the health of all citizens especially as it concerns some group of neglected diseases in the tropics.

    Ayinla added that ‘the feat attained in healthcare for the past one year in spite of Covid-19, was also worthy of being showcased at this time.
    He said that the state government’s health intervention through free surgical services to all local government areas had addressed both the backlog and large pool of patients suffering from hydrocoele.
    The permanent secretary added that hydrocoele was often a consequence of one of the NTDs called Filariasis.
    According to him, the state government under Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had supported over 777 cases.

    Ayinla said that one of the Sen. Umar Sadiq, trepresenting the Kwara North Senatorial District, had also supported 200 additional cases in Kwara North, where access to health care was strategically being upscale.
    He added that government had also provided anti-snake venom for free administration to patients who had snake bite.

    Earlier, the Programme Manager for NTDs in the state, Dr. Peter Oyinloye, said the NTDs unit appreciated the support of the state government and its major partners, especially the Sightsavers.
    He said that the unit was working assiduously to ensure mass distribution of river blindness medication in the state to children of ages five to 14 years.

    Also speaking, the representative of the Sightsavers, Mr Olalekan Ajayi expressed delight in working as a partner with the NTDs unit of the Public health department.
    Ajayi described the state government’s funding of free surgical interventions as a means of taking ownership of the Kwara/Partners initiatives.
    He also expressed optimism that Kwara State would be free of NTDs by year 2030.

  • 20 perish in Kwara multiple road crash

    20 perish in Kwara multiple road crash

    The Kwara Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed the death of 20 persons, in a crash along the Bode Saadu- Ilorin road, in the early hours of Saturday.

    According to information made available to newsmen by the command, in Ilorin, on Saturday, quoted Jonathan Owoade, the Kwara Sector Commander, as saying that the cause of the crash was associated with over speeding and wrongful overtaking.

    “The multiple Road traffic crash occurred at about 3am today, at a location called Oloko area, which involved 3 vehicles: a blue commercial MAK Truck GGE614XM, a white commercial Mitsubishi canter Truck BRK534YX and a white Toyota Hummer bus KEY479YE.

    “Of the 31 persons involved in the crash, 17 of the 18 occupants of the bus were burnt beyond recognition as a result of fire that gutted the bus.

    “Three other persons died, from the other vehicles involved, making it a total of 20 persons dead.

    “11 other persons were rescued with various degrees of injuries, ranging from bruises, burns to fractures, and were taken to Aduagba Clinic and Maternity, Olokonla, while the deceased were also deposited at the clinic”, the sector commander said

    Owoade cautioned motorists to be careful and patient while on the wheels, saying that life had no duplicate once it was lost.

    He reiterated the commitment of the Corps to continue to do all in its power, to safeguard lives and properties on the roads.

  • NIN issued in Kwara before 2012 invalid – NIMC

    NIN issued in Kwara before 2012 invalid – NIMC

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says that any National Identification Card or National Identity Number (NIN) issued in Kwara before 2012 is not valid.

    The NIMC acting Coordinator in the state, Mr Paul Popoola, disclosed this on Tuesday at the University of Ilorin, while speaking with newsmen.

    Popoola explained that NIN registration in the early 2000s had been rendered unacceptable by the law that created the commission.

    He, therefore, urged those yet to obtain the card to do so without further delay.

    Popoola said that NIMC registration centres across Kwara would remain open every working day to capture residents of the state.

    He commended the University of Ilorin for providing space within its premises to register the residents for the NIN.

    “The university has been most magnanimous and visionary for giving the commission a space within its premises to capture interested citizens since 2014,’’ he said.

    Popoola said that through the cooperation of successive administrations of the university, many of its staff and students as well as those who live around it had been registered.

    He thanked the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, for providing logistics for the exercise.

  • Just in: Panic in Kwara as 20 doctors test positive to Covid-19

    Just in: Panic in Kwara as 20 doctors test positive to Covid-19

    At least 20 doctors have been infected with COVID-19 at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), an official has said.

    The President of UITH chapter of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Badmus Habeeb, said this in an interview with the journalists on Wednesday in Ilorin.

    He said that members of the association were battling with the pandemic based on available resources.

    “About 20 of our members have been infected with the virus in the past two to three weeks.

    “I must reiterate that this is not the best of times for us, our families and the affected patients,” he said.

    Mr Habeeb, however, said that the discovery of COVID-19 vaccine has brought hope and relief to the people.

    “There is a poor resource setting in the country, where basic necessities to make the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines easy and possible, are not readily available.

    “So it, therefore, seems we may never be able to get the vaccine anytime soon.

    “Based on available evidence, COVID-19 vaccine is effective, and there is no reason why Nigerians should not follow the guide of scientific evidence, especially with proper information,” he said.

  • 10 die in Kwara road accident on Christmas Day

    10 die in Kwara road accident on Christmas Day

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kwara, on Friday, confirmed that at least 10 persons lost their lives in an accident along Idofian-Ilorin road.

    The Kwara Sector Commander, Jonathan Owoade, said in Ilorin that the fatal crash was as a result of speed limit violation and wrong overtaking.

    Owoade said that the crash, which occurred near the Unilorin Sugar Research Institute, involved two vehicles and 27 people.

    He advised motorists to be patient while on the road, adding that they should reduce speed in order to stay alive.

    “It is another sad incident occurring on the Idofian-Ilorin road axis.

    “The fatal accident involved two vehicles – a commercial Nissan Vanette bus and a private Honda Accord car.

    “Twenty-seven people were involved, sadly 10 died, nine of them burnt beyond recognition, while 16 persons sustained various degrees of injuries.

    One other person was rescued unhurt,’’ the Sector Commander said.

    He explained that the response team of FRSC had taken the injured persons to the Kwara State General Hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

    Some others were also taken to Ile Anu Medical Centre at Idofian.

    Owoade said that the corpses have been deposited at UITH.

    He urged those travelling on the route to be careful and ensure that their vehicles are in good condition.

  • Six killed, 30 buildings burnt as tanker explosion rocks Kwara

    Six killed, 30 buildings burnt as tanker explosion rocks Kwara

    At least six persons have been killed and 30 buildings burnt following a fire incident involving a petrol tanker in Jebba, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The incident occurred on Wednesday when a petrol tanker travelling through the ancient town lost control and spilled its contents as it rammed into residential buildings.

    The accident resulted in an explosion that burnt down at least 30 houses and shops, killing up to six persons.

    The State Fire Service in a swift response however brought the fire under control.

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in a statement signed by his Chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye has commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and properties in the fire incident.

    He described the development as devastating and sad.

  • Just in: Kwara orders partial lockdown amidst Covid-19’s second wave

    Just in: Kwara orders partial lockdown amidst Covid-19’s second wave

    Kwara state government on Wednesday imposed a fresh lockdown in the state from 12 midnight to 4 am with effect from Thursday, December 24, 2020.

    The lockdown was contained in the new guidelines on COVID-19 issued on Wednesday by the state Technical Committee on COVID-19.

    Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Rasaq who doubles as the vice-chairman of the Technical Committee on COVID-19 said, “There shall be partial statewide lockdown between 12 am and 430a.m. until further notice.

    “These new guidelines take effect from Thursday, December 24, 2020.”

    Other measures announced by the committee included, “Appropriate use of face mask in public places is mandatory. Concerts/carnivals/Clubbing are not allowed until further notice.

    “Worship centres are not to allow congregations exceeding 50% of the maximum capacity of the venue. This is to allow for physical distancing.

    “Other gatherings (formal and informal) exceeding 50 people are disallowed. Again, proper use of face masks in public spaces is mandatory. Therefore, the protocol of ‘No face mask, no entry’ must apply at all public places.

    “Civil servants are to work from their homes. The only exemptions are essential workers, especially in the health sector. Virtual meetings are encouraged.

    “Transporters are to enforce all COVID-19 protocols, including proper use of face masks by drivers and passengers. Appropriate sanctions will apply to defaulters”, he said.

    He further stated that Security agencies would deploy all lawful means to enforce these protocols, adding that defaulters are deemed to constitute dangers to public health.

    He said, “Provisions of the Kwara State Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020 shall apply to all offenders.

    “There will be further communications on school resumption.

    He said, “These new guidelines are subject to reviews as situations dictate.”

  • Homecoming: APC reacts to Saraki’s grand reception during father’s memorial

    Homecoming: APC reacts to Saraki’s grand reception during father’s memorial

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday said it is very solid in the state.

    It added that former Senate President Bukola Saraki cannot pose any threat.

    APC Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa, speaking in Ilorin at a prayer organised in honour of the late former Governor Mohammed Lawal, made a reference to the entry of Senator Saraki to the state capital last Saturday since his defeat at the polls in the 2019 general election.

    During the visit, Saraki’s supporters, associates and loyalists trooped out en masse to welcome him back home.

    Bolarinwa said: “Let me say this for all to hear. We are not disallowing anybody from entering the state. We know that Saraki can no longer pose any threat to APC in Kwara State.

    “God that was with us yesterday is forever with us. Our members have no reason to entertain any fear. Saraki’s domination of Kwara political landscape is gone for good.”

    Speaking about the life and time of the late Lawal, Bolarinwa, a former House of Representatives member, urged people in position of authority to always know that power was transient.

    “The legacy of the late Governor Lawal is still speaking for him. The deceased was an embodiment of good work. This goes to tell us that our positions and accomplishments are for the betterment of the less privileged in the society. It is what the holy books admonish us to do.”

  • Like Sanwo-Olu, AbdulRazaq moves to stop pensions of Kwara ex-governors, deputies

    Like Sanwo-Olu, AbdulRazaq moves to stop pensions of Kwara ex-governors, deputies

    Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will next week send a bill to the State House of Assembly asking the lawmakers to repeal the law awarding pension packages to former governors and deputy governors.

    In a statement Governor AbdulRazaq’s spokesperson Rafiu Ajakaye said that “the governor has listened to voices of the majority of the citizens opposing the pension law for former governors and deputy governors. In line with his campaign mantra and as a product of democracy himself, he will be sending a bill to the House of Assembly next week requesting them to repeal the law.

    “As representatives of the people, the lawmakers would exercise their discretion to call a public hearing on the topic to further harvest wider opinions on the topic. However, the Governor feels it is time for the law as it is to give way. He would rather the state commits the scarce public funds to tackling the question of poverty and youth unemployment.”