A young University graduate from the Department of Food Science, University of Ilorin, Miss Naomi Jibrin, has made history by becoming the first female mobile car wash operator in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
In encounter with ROYAL NEWS, Naomi, an indigene of Idah, in Kogi state explained the rationale behind her settling for the business meant for the men folk.
According to her, “I am the second child of the family of four and I was born on 29th August 1995. I had my Primary and secondary Education at Great Michael’s Comprehensive College before I proceeded to the University of Ilorin where I studied B.sc in Food Science.
“In me lies so many ideas on how to make Nigeria a better place and a job filled country as I have loved to be an entrepreneur from my early days as an undergraduate. Before now I had worked in so many places in a bookshop, car wash, as a baby sitter and so many others.” READ ALSO:E-X-P-O-S-E-D: Kwara has 90 magistrates with 30 courtrooms— Sambo
She added that, “I started my entrepreneur career by knitting slippers, cap, shoes and lot more. I started making money at age 18 by selling peanut from house to house at Bonny Island in Rivers State. The drive came up my father lost his job, I used to think people are OK not until when everything got bad and we began to struggle.
Naomi in action
“My dad lost everything he had and things became tough even to eat two square meal was difficult. My family became my drive when I saw my dad tearing because he could not give us what we needed. It was there I told myself I will go out and work with my hands to make money.
“Having an automobile washing company has been one of my passion ever since I got an opportunity to work in a car wash some years back. But, due to lack of fund to bring it to pass I decided to start a mobile car wash service. I have also acquired the knowledge of producing natural foods as a food scientists.” READ ALSO:Ogun Lawyers boycott courtroom, protest against bad roads
The UNILORIN graduates further stressed that, “currently I am producing natural seasoning cube and am also involved in other businesses. I started pursuing this while I was an undergraduate but due to lack of fund I couldn’t continue.
“As a result of my aspiration, I applied for a loan on several occasions but all the was in vain, so, I decided to start with the mobile car wash service. I believe we can make Nigeria great by helping the youths who are ready to work. I stand to say Nigerian youth are not lazy we are ready to work as much as capital is available. I remains Najio’s wide.”
Authority of University of Ilorin has advised candidates seeking admission into the univeristy for the 2019/20 academic session to check the JAMB’s CAPS for their admission status from time to time.
Also, they are implored to always check the TRANSFER APPROVAL option on the JAMB’s CAPS to know if they’re being transferred to another course.
This according to information available to ROYAL NEWS on Friday, has led to inadequacies due to the fact that many applicants usually wait to be notified via SMS.
Arrangements have been concluded by the Okuta Emirate Council to install the Chairman of Sobi FM 101.9, Alhaji Luqman Mustapha, as the Danmadami of Okuta Kingdom.
This followed the approval of the Emir of Okuta and Chairman Baruten Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Idris Sero, Kperogi Affon Serobetete III, for the conferrement of the exalted title on the seasoned Banker.
The monarch in an interview with ROYAL NEWS on Thursday disclosed that Alhaji Luqman Mustapha was carefully selected due to his outstanding qualities of grassroot mobilization and enterprenuership in the state.
The turbaning according to the Emir will come up at the palace square of Okuta during the 2019 Gaani cultural festival coming up in November.
Facts have emerged that the Kwara State judicial system habours no fewer than 90 magistrates with less than 30 courtrooms in the lower court, ROYAL NEWS has gathered.
Further findings revealed that all the courtrooms are in poor condition while the Area Court judges who are saddled with higher jurisdiction on the other hand are so few that some of them cover about three courts across the state.
This is contained in a petition addressed to to the National Judicial Service Commission, (NJSC) by an Ilorin based legal practitioner, Barr. Sambo Murtala, accusing the Kwara State Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Durosinlohun Kawu, of irregularities.
He bemoaned the condition of service of existing judges, wherein the condition of service is anything but conducive.
According to him, “Violation of and non compliance with the constitutional and statutory provision in the process of appointment of five new High Court judges by Kwara State Judicial Service Commission” describing the procedure as “travesty of justice.
“As a legal practitioner, I considered it part of my obligations to ensure and insist that the Constitution and the laws are not violated and are complied with most especially in the temple of justice and to ensure the Shrine of Justice is not turned into abattoir of injustice. My Lord, I presumed that Your Lordship and Honourable Members of the Council are aware that the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission (KWSJC) is in the process of appointing Five Judges for Kwara State high court.
“Neither the law nor morality and good conscience would support or vindicate the unprecedented un-procedural procedure being adopted for the process of appointment of new High Court Judges by the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission under the Leadership of Hon. Justice Sulaiman Duroshinlohun Kawu C.J.
” According to RULE 5 (5) OF NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL PROCEDURAL RULES FOR APPOINTMENT OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS INTO SUPERIOR COURTS OF RECORD, before any appointment of judicial officer or officers can be made, facilities such as Court Room, Library, official quarters and vehicle must be on ground. None of this is available in Kwara State, In fact the state of infrastructural facilities of the Kwara State High Court is so deficient and bad to the extent that two or more High Court Judges share a court room and seat in turns a situation which lawyers derisively referred to as “Morning and afternoon sessions”.
“In fact, the two High Court Judges and two Sharial Court of Appeal Khadis appointed in the State last year are yet to get official vehicles and quarters up till today. These are verifiable facts.
” The state of our courts are so terrible that lawyers have to submit a photocopies of law reports of cases cited in our addresses to have a judgment day in view. Counsel and litigants take turns in court just as judges do. The judges appointed recently are yet to get their entitlement up till the moment.
“After the hurried and stage managed shortlisting, the Commission fixed and adjourned its next meeting to Wednesday, 30th October, 2019. While the list of shortlisted candidates were sent to Judges for their comments and recommendations between Saturday 26th and Sunday, 27th October, 2019, the Judges were requested to turn in their Reports latest Tuesday, 29th October, 2019, same for the Security Reports by DSS. The interview of the Shortlisted candidate is also fixed for Wednesday, 30th October, 2019.
“The jet speed at which the exercise is being conducted is no doubt a clear manifestation of the Commission’s realization of the attendant unconstitutionalities and violations that characterized the process. Since the tenure of the present THREE member Commission expires on 31st October, 2019, this informed why the Commission is bent on rushing the process to completion” he stressed
Alleging the Kwara State CJ of nepotism and favoritism, Barr. Sambo according to the petition alleged that “Interestingly, the shortlisted names includes Barr. Hussain Toyin Kawu, a DCR with the Court of Appeal who is a full blood brother of the Chief Judge. The said Hussain Toyin Kawu has been unable to get appointed to the Bench of the Federal High Court and the Federal Capital Territory dues to series of negative security against him.
“Hussain Toyin Kawu was included in the list a head of other more eminently qualified applicants out of close to HUNDRED applicants that put in” he alleged.
He however demanded among other things the “suspension of the exercise till the Commission has its full compliments of members by which it would have quorum and after the required facilities are put in place.
“If and when the exercise is to be conducted, eminently qualified applicants should be accorded priority as against persons who are being considered just to fill vacancies and the exercise should be devoid of nepotism and favoritism.
“The DSS should not short circuited by time but should be given adequate time to discharge its duties with respect to security screening of shortlisted candidates” he demanded.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has deployed 2, 200 prospective corps members to Kwara for the one year mandatory national service.
The orientation course will take place at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara.
Mr Dipo Morakinyo, the NYSC Public Relations Officer in Kwara, in a statement issued on Thursday in Ilorin, said that the orientation course would hold between Nov 5 and Nov 25.
He said registration of the prospective Corps members would take place on the 5th and 6th of November, 2019, at the orientation camp’s Multiple Purpose Hall, by 8am daily.
According to him, the camp would be closed for registration on the midnight of Nov 6, while the corps members would be sworn in on Thursday, Nov 7.
Morakinyo added that all logistics and other necessary materials needed to execute a hitch-free orientation exercise in the state have been adequately put in place.
According to him, the orientation camp is wearing a new look because most of the facilities have been given a face lift in preparation for the exercise.
“The camp has been properly cleared and fumigated against reptiles and mosquitoes,” he said.
Morakinyo added that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq would declare the orientation course open as well as deliver President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech.
“His Lordship, the Chief Judge of the state will also be at the ceremony to administer the oath of allegiance to the newly mobilised corps members.
“The State Coordinator further inform the general public that all the collaborating agencies partnering with the scheme have been duly contacted.
“Most especially, the security personnel are expected to be on camp and its environs 48hrs before the actual commencement of the exercise.
“The scheme also appeals to the good people of Kwara, to warmly receive the new corps members, who are just being deployed to the state for their one year mandatory national service,” Morakinyo said.
He appealed to the general public, particularly, the transport unions and all the commuters in the state, to join the NYSC by warmly receiving these new entrants to the state of harmony.
Kwara State Assembly on Thursday confirmed all the 16 commissioner nominees forwarded to it by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
That came three days after the lawmakers commenced the screening of the cabinet picks in what has been described as about the most thorough yet friendly confirmatory sessions in the state.
ROYAL NEWS reports that Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi said the nominees were confirmed following a three-day screening that saw the House asking them questions related to their backgrounds, expertise and track records as Kwarans.
“The nominees are hereby confirmed as commissioners (for Kwara State). We so resolve. I now direct the Clerk of the House to communicate this decision to the Governor,” Danladi said at the plenary after the House had earlier dissolved into a Committee of Whole.
The Thursday confirmation was preceded by screening of four nominees who were the last batch of the 16 appointees.
The nominees were Oyedun Julianna Funke (Isin); Agbaje Wahab Femi (Offa); Joanna Nnazua Kolo (Edu); and Arinola Fatimah Lawal (Ilorin East).
A seasoned educationist and women-rights advocate, Funke said the best strategy for Kwara to keep teachers in the hinterlands would be to pay rural teachers’ allowance to personnel who agree to serve in the villages.
She also called for free accommodation for such teachers and concerted efforts by the host communities to accommodate them in manners that make them comfortable to work and live there.
“If I find myself in the education ministry, I will ensure that we liaise with the communities to embrace the teachers and offer them the necessary support. We will also reintroduce or strengthen School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to help in this regard,” she added.
“The idea of political officials influencing transfer of teachers should stop. Our children are the ones suffering. Once we give them these incentives and take away undue political influence, the teachers will stay.”
Femi, an administrator and grassroots politician, said Nigeria must never prioritise stomach infrastructure at the expense of physical infrastructural development.
“I believe there are other ways of compensating those who have done one thing or the other. But we definitely can’t play with physical infrastructure. Several Countries have left us behind because of our attitude to governance. Our problem is the lack of honest and altruistic leadership, or people who place public interest above personal interest,” he said.
He was later asked to bow and go following massive endorsements of his nomination by the lawmakers who recalled his contributions to the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
26-year-old Kolo told the lawmakers that her nomination was a challenge for her to contribute to the development of the state, calling it a “a rare privilege to serve.”
“I thank God for this rare privilege to serve. It is not by my power or any personal effort. I also want to appreciate the Governor for the golden opportunity given to me to be here today,” Kolo said, her speech repeatedly interrupted by wild applause from the gallery.
She commended her party and community leaders “for their mentorship and support”.
Speaker Yakubu he was impressed by Kolo’s opening remarks which were rendered in flawless British English, urging her to represent “our (youth) constituency well”.
“You’ve got a lot of work to do. You can’t let us down as members of your Constituency,” Yakubu added, asking her to bow and go.
The final nominee was Arinola Lawal whose screening session was the most emotional as lawmakers took turns to praise the role of former Governor Mohammed Lawal — Arinola’s father — in the socioeconomic development and political struggle of Kwara.
She was ushered into the parliament amid loud praises of her father while the screening session was punctuated by shouts of ‘omo L’Aderin’ — one of the many cognomens of Arinola’s father whose tenure as Kwara Governor was the most memorable since 1999 when Nigeria returned to civilian rule.
Arinola, whose managerial experience spans tourism and hospitality sector, was later asked to bow and go as the session became emotional. She was the only nominee who did not say a word throughout the screening.
The Governor had sent a total of 16 nominees for confirmation as commissioners.
Top officials of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC on Thursday in Lagos met with an Italian football agent and businessman, Francepsco Rocco on ways to partner with the Kwara based Nigeria National League (NNL) side , ROYAL NEWS has gathered.
The meeting which took place at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, had in attendance, ABS Ilorin FC’s Director of Football (DOF), Alloy Chukwuemeka, Coordinator, Malik Olasunkanmi and the club’s Head of Media and Communications, Olayinka Owolewa.
Rocco, who is the President of EGW Sports Management, based in Dubai told the ABS officials ways he can collaborate with the club and how he intends to use the Ilorin based team to promote sports business in Nigeria.
The Italian businessman who lamented that the media is not doing good to football players in Sub-Saharan Africa, said it is difficult to access the players.
He further explained that this development is making it difficult for sponsorship deals to come to Africa from Europe.
Rocco said if follow up to the Thursday’s meeting is successful, he will like to sign a multi-million naira deal with ABS for five years, which will include production of kits, shirts sponsor among others.
He disclosed that EGW Sports Management has signed a deal with Young African of Tanzania, according to him, the deal will begin in June, 2020.
Responding, the ABS Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, specifically thanked Mr Rocco for flying to Nigeria to meet him and his team.
The Nigeria Premier League Club Owners’ Scribe, highlighted some of the achievements of the Ilorin based side to Rocco and told him the club’s plan to lay foundation of its stadium before the year runs out or early 2020.
Chukwuemeka assured the Italian the readiness of the club to do business with him in all ramifications.
The ABS DOF, asked Rocco to join hands with the club to build the team’s new stadium, a move the Italian embraced immediately.
Rocco later presented to the ABS officials a brochure of his business.
The attention of the Office of his Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr Kayode Alabi has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued by Alhaji Oluwadamilare Saka on behalf of Oodua People’s Congress, Kwara State Chapter.
We like to categorically denounced the entire statement as it not a true reflection of what transpired during the visit by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Ganiyu Adams to the Office of the Deputy Governor on Tuesday 29th October, 2019.
There is no iota of truth in the statement claiming that the present government under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq expressed commitment to install Yoruba Oba in Ilorin.
It is the fabrication of mischief makers from the pit of hell and bent on spreading what is not truth.
The Deputy Governor holds the stool of the Emir of Ilorin in high esteem and will never do anything to jeopardize the traditional institutions.
There was no time the name of the Emir or the stool was mentioned in the course of the visit by the Deputy Governor.
One wonders where such chronicle could have happened apart from someone planning mischief aimed at tarnishing the name and office of the Deputy Governor.
A check on all the media outfits that used the story on Tuesday and Wednesday confirm that it was issued alongside the visit of the Brigade Commander 222 Armoured Brigade, Sobi
In as much as the government is for the people, it will not tolerate it openness to people to be taken for granted.
The end is yet to be heard in the crisis which is rocking boat of the peaceful co-existence of the entire party structure of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Irepodun local government area of Kwara State.
The latest development is that the Chairman of APC Arandun ward reconciliation committee, Prince Shuiab Olanrewaju, has finally back out in the peace move and denied any involvement in the recommendations made by the committee. READ ALSO:Kwara APC crisis: See full recommendations from Aradun APC peace committee
Below is the post by Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju on a social media platform on Wednesday:
However findings by ROYAL NEWS revealed that six out of the eight-member committee signed the recommendations while the two remaining members couldn’t append the signatures because of the fact that they were at far distance as at that time.
According to the recommendations, “Arandun chairman (Mr Segun Atolagbe) should go on one month suspension without option. Mr Segun Atolagbe should beg all the Ward leaders publicly.
“Faction should be phased out of Arandun ward and there should be no more affiliation. The document with which Mr Segun Atoagbe registered the APC branded motor cycle as Okada express should be surrendered to the party.” READ ALSO:BREAKING…. Panel finally gives judgment on Atiku’s appeal
Other recommendations according to the panel are, “All APC properties in Mr Segun Atolagbe possession should be handed over to his assistant without further delay. All money realised from Okada express at 1000 naira per day from April 10, 2019 to September 30, 2019 should be remitted to the party’s financial secretary which will be handed over to the treasurer of the ward, and repayment should be made before the expiration of the suspension.
“For the clarity of conscience, the burnt machine should be brought to the meeting of the ward at Arandun. That the balance of 4,000 naira being the balance of the money kept with him should be handed over to the Assistant Treasurer. Matters affecting the party, members should learn to report the disagreement within the ward or local government to the executives therein and not take internal matters to outsiders.”
The panel further concluded that, “after his one month suspension and total compliance with all the conditions spelt above, the people of Arandun APC should consider him for reinstatement and re-absorption to his chairmanship position”.
When contacted, some members of the panel who spoke to our reporter disowned the Chairman for denying his knowledge of the recommendations stressing that they cannot spoil their integrity because of undue recognition.
They further added that the document was read in the public to all the party members in different languages before it was finally adopted and duly signed and warned the party leadership to beware of the politics of divisive being played by Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju.
Encomium poured for the late former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Emeritus Adeoye Adeniyi, as top management staff of the institution gathered on Wednesday to pay him last honour.
At the 281st Special Meeting of the Senate held on Wednesday at the University’s main auditorium, heart-touching tributes was read by some Professors in the University who described the deceased as an outstanding medical practitioner, and patriotic Nigerian with exceptional qualities.
ROYAL NEWS reports that late Professor Emeritus Adeoye Adeniyi was the UNILORIN’s 4th Vice Chancellor between 1998 and 1992.
According to the Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH), Professor A.D. Yusuf, “Baba and later Baba Agbalagba as he was fondly called by many of those that had cause to meet him in his life time, impacted greatly in the lives of many people. His erudition especially in his chosen career of medicine was unequalled.
“A great visionary, who laid the foundation of what is today called the UITH. Adeniyi by death has no doubt left a big vacuum in the field of Medicine. Some of the pioneering works he did at UITH, subsist till date.” READ ALSO:BREAKING… Appeal Court sacks Tambuwal, Shehu
In his tribute, a former Dean in the Faculty of Education, Professor Alfred Adegoke, disclosed that the late sage lived an exemplary life and served UNILORIN with unparalleled commitment stressing that “His words are like music in ones ears.
“His words are gentle, soft but firm. He left no one in doubt each time he spoke that he was in charge. He spoke Queens English with dignity and elegance like no one else that I know.”
Adegoke added that, ‘Under his watch, UNILORIN blossomed and deepened its roots in the traditions of success that has stayed with us till this day.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Professor E. A Afolayan, said: “At the ripe age of 95 years, our beloved daddy answered the glorious call of the Lord. Appointment with death cannot be altered: otherwise, death would have been put on hold for you to live on. He has played his part wonderfully.
“Your memories would ever remain fresh in our minds. If gentlemanliness could be exhibited in heaven, I am certainly convinced that our beloved Professor Adeoye Adeniyi would find company with angels.
However, Professor ‘Wahab Rotimi Johnson in his tribute described late Adeniyi as, “An Icon of Paediatrics and Child Health, world class Paediatrics Nephrologist and a University administrator per excellence”.
