Author: Opeyemi Aremu

Expert urges intervention of professionals to contain spread of Cholera
Expert urges intervention of professionals to contain spread of Cholera
Cholera
Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado-Ekiti, June 30, 2024 (NAN) An expert in development strategies, Mr Micheal Ale, has advised the Federal and State Governments to urgently engage professionals in finding immediate solution to the cholera outbreak in parts of the country.
Ale, who is the Founder, Global Initiative for Nigeria Development, an NGO, gave the advice in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti and made available to newsmen on Sunday.
According to him, apparent lapses in development plans and strategies, particularly resulting in poor access to portable, safe water, heavy flooding and the lack of post-epidemic surveillance, among other factors, is largely responsible for the outbreak of the disease.
He said, as an expert, he was moved by the deadly health hazards, which the epidemic had posed to many lowly placed Nigerians, and more of possible negative consequences, if drastic actions were not taken in record time.
“Nigeria is prone to a variety of factors that lead to recurring cholera outbreaks.
“These include the lack of access to potable (safe to drink) water.
“Safe water is needed to maintain good hygiene practices.
“Other factors are the lack of continued surveillance, even after the outbreak had ended, flooding, poverty (although currently cholera treatment is free in all government facilities).
“The rest are the lack of health facilities and infrastructure for water supply and waste disposal, illiteracy and conflict, leading to overcrowded conditions for displaced people,” Ale said.
He said that beyond inviting professionals for intervention, “Government at all levels must realise that prevention against future occurrence would always depend on the volume of access to clean water, sanitation, proper waste disposal, personal hygiene, food safety practices, community engagement and awareness campaigns on how to prevent cholera infection.
“Nearly more than half of Nigeria’s population do not have access to basic water supply.
“This is partly because of the loopholes in the law.
“The bitter truth is that government alone cannot supply Nigerians, safe water.
“Government should involve the private sector players in their planning and intervention to achieve result,” Ale said.
He also said: “Aside administering vaccines to persons in highly endemic area, it’s important that Government invites private practitioners in the drilling of boreholes to immediately undertake professional drilling in areas, where water is scarce.
“Cholera outbreak is a sign of underfunding of the water sector in Nigeria, perhaps the funding was misappropriated.
“This needs to be looked into proactively.
“Because of it’s endemic nature, Water Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) experts all over the world will readily be available to render pro bono service in areas of great concern, once called upon.
“The WASH Practitioners Without Border should also form part of the emergency interventions and they will be expected to help in supervising and drilling of boreholes as well as assist in properly sanitising contaminated boreholes.”
Ale also created public enlightenment on the causes and prevention of cholera through his organisation’s awareness campaign.
He warned against errors, capable of making the epidemic to spread.
He said: “Contaminated water and not filtering and boiling unsafe water before drinking, or drinking sachet water that is not treated, can cause cholera.
“It also spreads when an infected persons defecate outside, and contaminated faeces are washed into the water system that people drink from.
Ale further warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and irregular disposal of sewage, enabling flies to carry the bacteria to water or food.
He advised against overcrowded conditions, such as internally displaced persons’ camps, refugees and prisons, with no access to safe water.
He said that food handlers, who prepare drinks, such as tigernut or zobo, with contaminated water, can also spread cholera too.
“The Lagos State Government recently mentioned these local drinks, as suspected sources of the latest outbreak.
“Nonetheless, it is still an embarrassment to the government to have cholera in 2024, meaning Nigerians should expect other related water-borne diseases.
“Cholera is a sign of poverty, which is identified with low life style.
“The 1991 rate was high, due to very poor sanitation and hygiene strategies.
“Little or no surveillance was in place, and there was no community engagement or education on the dangers of the disease.
“This situation must not be allowed to repeat itself,” Ale said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).
OPA/ARIS
Edited by Idowu Ariwodola

June 30, 2024
Police arrest 21 suspected armed robbers, cultists in Ekiti
Police arrest 21 suspected armed robbers, cultists in Ekiti
Arrest
By Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado-Ekiti, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Ekiti State has arrested 21 suspects in connection with the recent killings and other crimes in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four persons including a commercial motorcycle ticket agent were recently killed by gunmen at different locations in Ado-Ekiti metropolis.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Sunday Abutu, told newsmen on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti that the suspects were arrested following discreet investigation by the command.
The spokesperson for the command disclosed that the suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery and cultism.
Abutu explained that the suspects were members of different cult groups who killed people in the state as reprisal attacks within their confraternity.
He said police investigation revealed that one of the suspects is a member of the ‘Eiye Confraternity.’
Abutu said that further investigation also led to the arrest of several other suspects, including members of a notorious cult gang who allegedly came from Plateau to take part in the act.
He said that the suspects would soon be charged to court.
Abutu urged residents to be vigilant and continue to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies towards nipping crimes in the bud. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OPA/AOM/IKU
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Tayo Ikujuni
June 27, 2024
Man bags life imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old Minor in Ekiti
Imprisonment
Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado- Ekiti, June 19, 2024 (NAN) An Ado-Ekiti High Court presided by Justice J.O Adeyeye on Wednesday sentenced one Ojo Ayegbusi to life imprisonment for the rape of a 15-year-old minor.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Julius Ajibare, in his submissions, said the convict, who faced a lone count charge of rape, perpetrated the act when the victim was returning from school.
“She was accosted by the convict, who lured her into his room and had carnal knowledge of her.
“The girl could not tell anybody of her nasty experience but her father found out when the girl collapsed at home and blood was gushing out of her private part.
“She was however, rushed to the hospital while the convict was arrested and charged to Court,”.
The offence of rape is contrary to section 31 (2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap.C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
The prosecutor called five witnesses and tendered three exhibits in support of his case.
The convict, who spoke through his counsel, Mr. E O. Sunmonu, gave evidence in his defence and called one additional witness.
The court delivered judgement and held that the prosecution proved the offence of rape against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
The court consequently convicted the defendant and sentenced him to life imprisonment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).
OPA/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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June 19, 2024
Eid-el kabir: CP assures Ekiti residents of adequate security
Eid-el kabir: CP assures Ekiti residents of adequate security
Eid-el kabir
Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado-Ekiti, June 16, 2024 (NAN) The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti, Mr Akinwale Adeniran, said the command had taken measures to beef up security in the state to ensure a hitch-free celebration of this year’s Eid-el kabir celebration.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, DSP Sunday Abutu, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Adeniran congratulated the Muslim faithful on the celebration and admonished them to use the period to pray for the peace and progress of the country.
He directed the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Tactical and Intelligence Units to strategically beef up security in their areas of responsibility.
He further directed them to ensure the deployment of adequate operatives to all the strategic points and places of celebration across the state.
The state police boss warned the officers and men “to discharge their duties with professionalism, legality, firmness and respect for the rights of citizens”.
He also implored the public to cooperate with the police and other security agencies detailed to provide security in different parts pf the state during and after the celebration.
He appealed to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to shun any acts that could defeat the essence of the celebration or alter the peaceful atmosphere currently enjoyed in the state.
According to him, anybody caught threatening the peace and security would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He urged the residents to be security conscious, vigilant and report any untoward incident or happening observed in their locality to the nearest police station or call 08062335577. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).
OPA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

June 16, 2024
Court sentences 4 to die by hanging for murder in Ekiti
Murder
By Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado- Ekiti, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Justice L.O. Ogundana of the Ekiti High Court in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday, sentenced four men to death by hanging for murder and armed robbery.
The convicts: Sola Ogunleye, Ebenezer Adebayo, Lasisi Afeez and Ojo Oba were arraigned on charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and conspiracy.
The offense of armed robbery is contrary to Section 6(b), of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
While the offences of murder and attempted murder are contrary to Sections 319 (1) and 320 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap.C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
Justice Ogundana, when delivering his judgment, held that the prosecution proved all the offences against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge consequently convicted all the defendants and sentenced them to death by hanging for the offences of armed robbery and murder.
For the offence of attempted murder and conspiracy, Ogundana convicted and sentenced the four men to life imprisonment.
The prosecution stated that the offences were committed by the convicts on May 29, 2017 at Oyan Orete Camp, ljan- Ekiti.
It said that the convicts robbed the residents of the camp at gun point and one Olasunkanmi Ramon was murdered.
The prosecution also informed the court that the convicts attacked one Alhaji Usman Adeleye and inflicted him with machete cuts on the head.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Julius Ajibare, who prosecuted the case for State, called five witnesses and tendered seven exhibits to prove his case.
The convicts, who had pleaded not guilty to the offences, were represented by Counsel, Mr Chris Omokhafe, and Mr Oluwaseun Oyebanji.
The four men gave evidence in their own defence during trial and called two other witnesses. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OPA/OIF/AOS
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Bayo Sekoni

June 13, 2024
Priest gets life imprisonment for raping minor
Priest gets life imprisonment for raping minor
Rape
Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado- Ekiti, June 13, 2024 (NAN) An Ado- Ekiti High Court on Thursday sentenced a pastor with Winners Chapel Church, Omuo- Ekiti, Mr Enoch Gbinyiam, for raping a minor in his church.
Gbinyiam had a one-count charge levelled against him.
The State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Julius Ajiba, told the court that the defendant raped the daughter of a member of the church during her visit to the vicarage.
Ajiba described the victim as a regular visitor to the mission house.
According to him, the victim usually visited the vicarage to assist the pastor’s wife with house chores, teach and help his young children in their school assignments.
“It was during one of her visits to the mission house that the defendant sedated a bottle of fanta and offered her to drink.
“The minor took the fanta and slept off only to wake up and found out that she was bleeding profusely from her vagina.
He said that the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged to Court.
He said that the offence contravened Section 2 of the Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2019.
The DPP called four witnesses and tendered two Exhibits to prove his case.
The defendant, who spoke through his counsel, Mr Adeyinka Opaleke, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
He called one witness and tendered an evidence in defence of himself.
The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice O.I.O Ogunyemi, ruled that the prosecution proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.
Ogunyemi, therefore, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to life imprisonment in a Correctional Centre. (NAN)(www nannews.ng).
OPA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah
June 13, 2024
Respect human rights, DIG charges police officers
Respect human rights, DIG charges police officers
Visit
By Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado- Ekiti, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Deputy Inspector-General of Police(DIG) in-charge of South-West, Abiodun Alabi, has charged police officers in Ekiti State to always respect human rights in the discharge of their duty.
Alabi gave the charge on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during an engagement with stakeholders as part of his familiarization tour of the South-West Zone
The DIG affirmed that zero crime was achievable only if the police uphold professionalism and build mutual relationship with the public.
According to him, the police can achieve much in the fight against crime without the support of the public, hence he directed commissioners of police to ensure constant engagement with stakeholders in their domain.
He revealed that the Nigeria Police was also keying into the use of Information and communications technology (ICT) to fight crime, while noting that the welfare of officers would be given priority to boost their morale.
“My coming to Ekiti State is to complete my assignment in the South-West geo political zone.
“My mission is in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who directed all DIGs in-charge of the six geopolitical zones to embark on tour across the zones and access the strategic deployment of our arsenals in crime fighting and see how our officers are doing their jobs.
“This is to enable us know the challenges they are facing in the course of their duty so that they can be addressed appropriately; so that their capacity and flexibility will be enhanced in delivering good services to the public.
“It’s not yet over, technological improvement is more essential. Gadgets like drones that will gather information for us, that will dig into kidnappers’ hideout will help to deal with them instead of us rescuing victims.
“Technology is very important, we will definitely migrate to imbibe the technological advances.
“It’s obvious that we can not effectively utilize our policing work without involving technological devices to assist us.
“We are not shying away from the usage of drones, we are going to get used to it,” Alabi stated.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police, Akinwale Adeniran said the command had successfully reduced to the barest minimum the crime rate in the state.
He said: ”I wish to intimate the DIG that the command under my leadership has successfully many times tamed the activities of criminal elements across the state, and consequently, creating an enabling environment for the good people of Ekiti State through the adoption and implementation of the IGP’s Community Policing Strategy.
“I want to state here that in addition to the challenges of inadequate manpower and logistics confronting the command, there is the additional problem of incessant transfer of personnel out of the command, both from the Force Headquarters and Zonal levels.
”In this wise, I wish to make a passionate appeal to the DIG to help in stemming the tide. The command needs more hands than the strength at its disposal, in order to sustain the peace being witnessed in the state and even do better.
“The Command has been unarguably adjudged as one of the most peaceful states in the country.
“This fact does not come by chance, but can be attributed to the commitment, dedication and dexterity of the personnel with the attendant partnership and cooperation of the good people of Ekiti state being the Fountain of Knowledge.”
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the DIG later paid homage to the Ewi of Ado, Oba Adeyemo Adejigbe where he sought the support of the traditional ruler in the fight against crime in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OPA/IKU
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni
June 10, 2024
EKIFEST: Ekiti govt. assures tourists of adequate security
EKIFEST: Ekiti govt. assures tourists of security
EKIFEST
By Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ado-Ekiti, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy says measures have been put in place to ensure adequate security during the Ekiti Festival (EKIFEST), scheduled for Aug. 6 to 10.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, during a press briefing on Friday in Ado- Ekiti.
Ojo-Bakare said that EKIFEST, an annual flagship festival ,was organised to strengthen the cultural values and heritage of Ekiti people.
He said that the festival was established to project and showcase the many talents at the grassroots in a bid to place Ekiti on the map of global culture.
“We are here to tell you that Gov. Biodun Oyebanji has given us marching order to host EKIFEST and it has to be the best ever.
“EKIFEST started because of the need to create a platform for the local governments to bring what they have to the centre for the purpose of exposure, exhibition and marketing.
“EKIFEST was established to project talented people at the grassroots and expose them to the world.
“We are inviting visitors from all over Africa and beyond. These fellows are not just coming as tourists, but to see what our people are capable of doing with their talents, so that they can invest and take the products beyond the borders of Ekiti and Nigeria,” the commissioner said.
He said that there would be competitive events like fashion, traditional sports such as wrestling; street carnival, among others.
Ojo-Bakare said that the state government was working working with security agencies ensure no having any breach of security before, during and after the festival.
He urged traders to reduce prices of their products before, during and after the festival, so that they could generate more income for themselves and the state.
“Price control is not what we can actually control by force, but we are sensitising our people to make them understand the danger of capital flight.
“We are already talking to them during festivals, ‘if you make price of your items too expensive, they will buy their things from their home country and bring them here’. “
“Some of their members will be in our planning committee, in order to have a successful festival this year,” the commissioner said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy is among the four ministries recently honoured by as the best performing MDAs in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OPA/FON/BHB
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Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Buhari Bolaji
June 7, 2024