NRC to increase number of coaches

LAGOS rail commuters are in for a swell time as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has assured of plans to increase the number of its coaches to serve them better.

   Speaking yesterday in Lagos against the backdrop of commuters’ complaints that the coaches were not enough for the large number of passengers in the metropolis, the Lagos NRC District Manager, Mr. Paul Ndibe, said the corporation was aware of the situation and would provide more coaches.

   According to him, “additional coaches are already in the pipeline to alleviate the sufferings of railway commuters. While waiting for this, we will, however, not condone the habit of sitting on the roof of the train for any reason, not even congestion, as it is not safe.

   “Police have been directed to arrest anybody found sitting on the top or hanging on the trains. In fact, 30 people were arrested on Friday and we will continue.”

   Ndibe assured that full restoration of rail transportation would soon be completed to serve the growing population of train passengers in the state.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Fashola to host forum on energy conservation

LAGOS State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is set to host a Google hangout with residents tomorrow to discuss energy conservation.

   Slated for 6:00p.m at the Mega Plaza, Victoria Island, the event anticipates the Energy Conservation Month with its energy conservation campaign, themed “Conserve Energy, Save Money (CESM),” which was developed by the state Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in conjunction with the Lagos State Electricity Board.

   In a statement, the electricity board said the campaign would use behaviour change communication materials that carry step-by-step, do-it-yourself instructions on energy efficiency and conservation improvements to save Lagosians money and make the city more energy efficient.

   The awareness session will hold at the E-Centre on October 26, and during the conservation campaign, residents of Lagos would be taught how to calculate their energy consumption on the spot, thereby aiding planning and boosting their economy.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Fashola, MI to host forum on energy conservation

FOLLOWING  the declaration of October 2013 as Energy Conservation month by the Lagos State Government, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola will on Friday,September 27, 2013 at 6:00 pm host a Google Hangout with popular musician MI and citizens to discuss energy conservation and the energy initiatives undertaken by the state government.

Fashola will be the first governor in West Africa to use this platform in sensitizing citizens on Energy Conservation behaviour and thus continually re-affirming the state position as the “centre for excellence”. Already, conversations are ongoing about energy conservation in Lagos State amongst citizens in particular the youths, on new media channels.

Citizens are encouraged to log on to www.lseb.gov.ng to follow instructions on how to participate at the ‘Google Hangout with BRF’ and toalso follow the Governor on his Google Plus Page @ Babatunde Fashola.

Citizens are encouraged to log on through the internet to participate live. However the conversations and call-ins will be viewable to all onthe LSEB YouTube Channel post-hangout session.

They also have opportunity to win a variety of gift items such as Energy Saving Bulbs, Solar Lamps, CESM pen-drives and emblems to incentivise them and emphasise the importance of energy conservation behaviours.

In anticipation of the Energy Conservation Month, the State Government through its Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the implementing agency, Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) has developed an Energy Conservation Campaign themed “Conserve Energy, Save Money” (CESM) by deploying Behaviour Change Communication materials that carry step by step, do it yourself instructions on energy efficiency and conservation improvements to save Lagosians money and make the megacity more energy efficient.

The first energy conservation activation was carried out at the E-Center, Yaba on Saturday September 21, 2013 and the second activation will take place on Saturday September 28, 2013 at the Mega Plaza, Victoria Island Lagos by 11:00 to 8:00 pm and back at the E-Center for Saturday October 26, 2013. At the activations citizens will have the opportunity to learn how they can calculate their energy consumption on the spot thereby aiding planning to conserve energy and save money (CESM).

    By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Yoruba African Orisas

*African gods and goddess

As the third Òrìsà said to have come to earth, Aganjú is an Òrìsà of great antiquity. Lukumi followers of this religion believe that Aganjú is a force that, like the sun that is his symbol, is essential for growth, as well as a cultivator of civilizations. Like the volcano with which he is also associated, he forms the foundation upon which societies are built and is the catalyst for the production of vast amounts of wealth and commerce needed for advanced development. He is most highly regarded by Lukumi practitioners for his role in assisting humans in overcoming great physical as well as psychological barriers. Like the volcano, Aganjú is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. His significance in Cuba in the past is most probably due in part to the fact that he was said to have delivered people out of bondage and helped one to carry the heaviest of burdens.

In the religious system of Orisha worship, Babalú-Ayé is the praise name of the spirit of the Earth and strongly associated with infectious disease, and healing. He is an Orisha, representing the deity Olorun on Earth. The name Babalú-Ayé translates as “Father, lord of the Earth” and points to the authority this orisha exercises on all things earthly, including the body, wealth, and physical possessions. In West Africa, he was strongly associated with epidemics of smallpox, but in the contemporary Americas, he is more commonly thought of as the patron of leprosy, influenza, and AIDS. Although strongly associated with illness and disease, Babalú-Ayé is also the deity that cures these ailments. Both feared and loved, Babalú-Ayé is sometimes referred to as the “Wrath of the supreme god” because he punishes people for their transgressions.

Erinle, also known as Inle or Eyinle, is an Orisha in the Yoruba religion of West Africa. According to the patakis or stories of the faith of the Lukumi derivative of the religion, he is a hunter. As a spirit of abundance, he is believed to serve as both a healer and the patron of gay people. He is said to live in the forest with his brothers Ogun, Ochossi and Osanyin for part of the time. The rest is spent in the farm with Orisha Oko. Usually depicted as being associated with both Yemaya and Otin, he has also been shown to co-habit with Ochun in her river. Finally, he is regarded as the patron and spiritual guardian of Ilobu.

IBEJI (twins) 

IBEJI (Scared twins)

The first of the twins to be born is traditionally named Taiyewo or Tayewo, (which means 'the first to taste the world'); this is often shortened to Taiwo, Taiye, or Taye. Kehinde, "the last to come", is the name of the last-born twin (It is now quite common among Yoruba's to also refer to Kehinde's as "b".)
It is said that Kehinde sends Taiyewo to check out what life is like on earth and to tell him (or her) whether it is good. Therefore, Taiyewo goes as sent by Kehinde, and becomes the first child to be born. He then communicates to Kehinde spiritually (believed to be from the way he cries) whether life is going to be good or not. The reply determines if Kehinde will be born alive or stillborn. Both return to where they came from if the reply from Taiyewo is not good enough for both of them.
The Yoruba traditionally say that Kehinde (or "Kenny") is the true elder of the twins despite being the last to be born, because he sent Taiyewo (or "Taiwo", "Taiye" or "Taye") on an errand, a prerogative of one's elders in Yorubaland

Olokun

 in Yoruba religion, is the god associated with the sea. It works closely with Oya (Deity of the Winds) and Egungun (Collective Ancestral Spirits) to herald the way for those that pass to ancestorship, as it plays a critical role in Iku, Aye and the transition of human beings and spirits between these two existences.

OBATALA

To the beliefs of the Yoruba people, Obàtálá (the king of White Cloth) is the creator of human bodies, which were supposedly brought to life by Olorun's breath. Obàtálá is also the owner of all Ori  or heads. Any orisha may lay claim to an individual, but until that individual is initiated into the priesthood of that orisha, Obàtálá still owns that head. This stems from the belief that the soul resides in the head. 

ODUDUWA

Oduduwa is considered as the first of the contemporary dynasty of kings of Ife. Cosmicists believe Oduduwa descended from the heavens and brought with him much of what is now their belief system. Migrationists believe Oduduwa was a local emissary from an all too earthly place, said to recount the coming of Oduduwa from the east, sometimes understood by some sources as the "vicinity" of Mecca, but more likely signifying the region of Ekiti and Okun sub-communities in northeastern Yorubaland/central Nigeria.

In the Yoruba religion, Ogun is an orisha (deity) and loa (spirit) who presides over iron, hunting, politics and war. He is the patron of smiths, and is usually displayed with a number of attributes: a machete or sabre, rum and tobacco. He is one of the husbands of Erzulie, Oshun, and Oya and a friend to Eshu (Esu). He is said to be the first of the Orisha to descend to the realm of Ile Aiye or the earth to find suitable habitation for future human life. In commemoration of this, one of his praise names is Osin Imole or the "first of the primordial Orisha to come to Earth".

OYA (the deity of the wind)
In Yoruba, the name Oya literally means "She Tore". She is known as Oya- Iyansan, Oya - the "mother of nine." This is due to the Niger River (known to the Yoruba as the Odo-Oya) traditionally being known for having nine tributaries. Oya is believed to have been Shango's favorite wife. She is also called "the one who uses air as her cutlass", "the one who wraps herself in fire, like a cloth", "the one who puts on pants to go to war", and "the one who grows a beard to go to war". She was known to lead Shango in battle, which makes sense physically as Oya is the Orisha of lightening, and Shango is the Orisha of thunder (lightning always precedes thunder)

Ori, literally meaning "head," refers to one's spiritual intuition and destiny. It is the reflective spark of human consciousness embedded into the human essence, and therefore is often personified as an Orisha in its own right . In Yoruba tradition, it is believed that human beings are able to heal themselves both spiritually and physically by working with the Orishas to achieve a balanced character, or iwa-pele. When one has a balanced character, one obtains an alignment with one's Ori or divine self.

Alignment with one's Ori brings, to the person who obtains it, inner peace and satistaction with life. To come to know the Ori is, essentially, to come to know oneself. The primacy of individual identity is best captured in a Yoruba proverb: "Ori la ba bo, a ba f'orisa sile". When translated, this becomes It is the inner self we ought to venerate, and let divinity be.

ORUNMILA

Orunmila is the Orisha of wisdom, knowledge and divination worshiped principally in West Africa. This source of knowledge is believed to have a keen understanding of the human form and of purity, praised as being often more effective than other remedies; his followers and priests are known as Babalawo (prist) .

Oshun, or Ochun  in the Yoruba religion, is an Orisha who reigns over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy.  She should not be confused, however, with a different Orisha of a similar name spelled "Osun," who is the protector of the Ori, or our heads and inner souls. ochun relates mostly to woman but also man.  Oshun is said to have gone to a drum festival one day and to have fallen in love with the king-dancer Shango, god of lightning & thunder. Since that day, Shango has been married to Oba, Oya, and Oshun, though Oshun is said to be considered his principal wife.

also known as the god of fire, lightning and thunder. Shango is historically a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as he was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom prior to his posthumous deification.

Òsùmàrè  is the proper name of the rainbow-serpent of Candomblé mythology, an Afro-American religion widely practised in Brazil. The rainbow-serpent represents mobility and activity, and it controls the forces that direct movement. Osumare is the Lord of all elongated things. The umbilical cord, for instance, is under its control. In Candomblé ritual, the umbilical cord is buried with the placenta under a palm tree, which becomes property of the newborn baby. The child's health will depend on the good conservation of this tree and on Osumare.

Delta to sponsor journalists, doctors on overseas training

HENCEFORTH, Delta State indigenes at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Ijanikin, Lagos, will enjoy sponsorship of their one-year residency training overseas to the tune of $20,000 per candidate.

   Disclosing this at Ijanikin during his honourary fellowship award by the college at its 31^st convocation yesterday, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said it had become necessary to support the institution and the Federal Government in efforts to produce well-skilled resident doctors, leveraging on international exposure available in the overseas training programme.

   Also, 16 journalists from the print and electronic media will next Monday begin a one-week training at the Thomson Reuters Institute in London under the state’s sponsorship.

   The training, which is on investigative journalism, will focus on ethics and principles of investigation in news writing. The training is the second to be sponsored by the state, which also sent 12 journalists to the institute for one-week training on news writing last year.

   Uduaghan said the training is in line with his administration's programme of building human capacity in all spheres of endeavour. He noted that the college plays a strategic role in medical training in the country and should be adequately supported by government at all levels.

   He pledged that Delta would partner the institution in the training of indigenes, noting that already, “all First Class Deltans in the state have scholarship to study anywhere in the world. Over 180 of them get N5 million yearly as grant.”

   President of the college, Prof. Victor Wakwe, had earlier lamented that since the Federal Government resuscitated the overseas training for resident doctors, with about 60 candidates benefiting last year, nothing has been heard of the programme.

   Canvassing support for the programme, he said that approximately 650 candidates passed the college’s Part 1 examination yearly, “and if the Federal Government sponsors 120 doctors for the overseas training, about 520 will be left behind hence the need to have more support for the programme.”

   Meanwhile, Wakwe revealed that Uduaghan’s honourary fellowship award was in recognition of his exceptional commitment to healthcare development in Delta State since he was Commissioner for Health, Secretary to State Government and now governor.

   Such commitments, the college noted, included the provision of world-class facilities in hospitals across the state and subsidy for kidney treatment, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging machines as well as tele-radiological services at the State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.

   Also of note was Uduaghan’s policy on healthcare, which was “adjudged the best in the country in the area of maternal and infant mortality, which is by far the lowest in the national average.” Others include free healthcare for all pregnant women and children under five in all government hospitals in the state.

By Wole Oyebade and Adeniyi Adunola

Rights group extends ultimatum for PDP, APC to Oct 1

RIGHTS group, Concerned Human Rights has extended to October 1 the seven-day ultimatum given by the group to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) over what it described a sorry state of university education in the country.
  The group has last week marched through some streets in Lagos carrying two coffins, urging the PDP-led Federal Government to resolve its trade dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) while also asking the APC-administration in Lagos to slash the high tuition fees of Lagos State University.  National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Declan Ihekaire said yesterday in Lagos, “it should be noted that on the 10^th of September we showcased two coffins and gave the so-called PDP to answer ASUU and APC in Lagos State to slash Lagos State University fees, today the ultimatum expired and no meaningful step has being taken by any of the political party.”  “They think we are noise makers but they (APC and PDP) should ask the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi of what became of him after we carried his coffin against N5, 000 note last year.”   PDP and APC are playing with fire. But we want to give them another chance till October 1^st, the fate of the two parties will be determined as both or one will be buried, but we appeal to them to hearken to the voice of the masses.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

In Rivers , US-based health mission tackles glaucoma, cataract

  *Amaechi procures over N1bn HIV/AIDS drugs

Dr Tosin Smith examining an eye patient while Rivers State Commissioner for Health,   Dr Sampson Parker looks on at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt, venue of the health mission

 

 

HEALTHCARE in Rivers State has  received a boost with the  recent visit by a team of United States-based experts to treat people with glaucoma and cataract eye problems and render other sundry medical services.
 The state commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker told reporters at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt on Monday that the US-based health mission–Hospitals for Humanity –  who are in the state on the invitation of  the state governor and chairman Nigerian Governor’s Forum, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was part of Amaechi’s specialist manpower development initiative instituted as a programme to enhance healthcare delivery in the State.

He said the Amaechi administration through the programme gets medical experts from all over the world to work with Rivers State Government medical personnel to deliver  top-quality healthcare. 
 According to him, the foreign medical experts would provide quality medical care particularly for glaucoma and cataract patients.
  He also said the administration recently procured over N1 billion HIV/AIDS drugs for patients in the state.
Parker said: “It’s part of this Amaechi administration’s goal to improve manpower and that is why when the governor came on board, there is this programme we instituted in the ministry of health called the specialist manpower development and on that programme we’ve done a couple of mission, that is where we have to bring in specialists from all over the world to come and work with our own persons. You know, we have had  previous missions, such as the heart and knee replacement before   this ‘Hospitals for Humanity’ came for the ophthalmology and heart . So it was easy for us to key into their programme”.
 The collaboration, according to him, provides opportunity for sharing experience between the two groups, stressing that Ophthalmology would be greatly improved in the state with the health mission.
 “It is an opportunity too to upgrade our equipment because the workers here are being exposed to latest equipment and they come with some which they are going to leave behind and some we have to procure with their guidance.

“We know that we are tackling HIV/AIDS and malaria now like the rest of the country and today, we are at the forefront in our fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria in the comity of states of Nigeria and recently we’ve procured over a billion Naira worth of HIV/AIDS commodities and in fact His Excellency, has told me that I should please give some to our neighbouring states so that they too can attend to their problems there”.
 An Ophthalmologist and member of the Health Mission, Dr Tosin Smith in an interview with journalists acknowledged that the Rivers State Government truly intended to meet the healthcare needs of the people of the state by securing their services, saying that her team would work in collaboration with medical personnel in the state to provide healthcare services for the people.
  “I think Rivers State has taken ownership of the needs of their population and have not only just invited us but they followed through with the invitation to bring us here to make sure that this mission is a success. “ She said their aim was to improve the current state of healthcare in the state and commended Governor Amaechi for the current quality healthcare delivery in the state.
  Also speaking, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Amaechi, Mr David Iyofor noted that the current health mission in the state again demonstrates Governor Amaechi’s passion for free, quality healthcare delivery to the people of the state.
“This current mission is all part of that policy of providing good quality health care for Rivers people and governor will not stop. He will keep on looking for new ways, new means to deliver better quality health care to Rivers people” he said.

Wukari varsity elevates four dons

IN line with the institution’s policy on staff development and rightful placement, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Wukari, Professor Geoffrey Okogbaa has confirmed the promotion of four university dons to the rank of professors.

  He stated that assessment of staff is an on-going exercise and assured that any claim for promotion or rightful placement would be carefully looked into with a view to implementing it accordingly.  He, therefore, congratulated the newly promoted professors and charged them to justify the new status conferred on them.

  Presenting the promotion letters to the four affected academicians, the vice chancellor reminded them that the university community was looking up to them to bring their ingenuity to bear on the institution. 

  Okogbaa said that students and staff would benefit from their fountain of knowledge and wealth of experience, which would undoubtedly propel the growth of the university to an enviable height.

  The newly promoted dons included:  Dr. Matthew Aremu, head of Chemical Science Department, Dr. Halima Buhari Sekula, dean, Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, Dr. Francisca Ogwueleka, head of computer Science Department and Dr. Victor Okaogo, head of Department, History and Diplomatic studies.

  Similarly, the VC has approved the appointment of a new dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  The Dean is Professor Ngozi Odiaka.  She has since assumed office.

    By Adeniyi Adunola

Rights activists protest against alleged abuse of power by PDP, APC

Activist with coffins protecting against high school fees in Lagos state University (LASU)and

 the strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities….. Yesterday.

 

 

 

HUMAN rights activists yesterday in Lagos protested against abuse of power in the country with mock coffins. They warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) to make urgent changes within seven days or be buried forever.
   National Coordinator, Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, said, “Today, we are gathered to showcase two caskets depicting the wickedness of those in them against the masses.”

   Their anger, Ihekaire said, was directed at the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the newly registered All Progressives Congress.

   “One casket is for PDP while the second is for ACN, now APC,” Ihekaire said.
   The activists gave PDP seven days to find solution to demands by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), who have been on strike for the past two months. They also warned the APC-controlled Lagos State to reduce high school fees at the Lagos State University (LASU).
   The rights crusaders said there was too much corruption, mismanagement and theft in the land, adding that they cannot keep quiet while the country is collapsing. They also called for a renewed and strong fight against corruption.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Union seeks cooperation of artisans for skill upgrading

Former president United Welder Association of Nigeria, Chief Showemimo Oladele,(left)

 inaugurating Adesegun Aregbe as the new president of the association , 

Chief Whip, Bakare Ajibola, Task Force Abanishe Omotayo and Lamidi Rasaq 

at the occasion in Lagos 

PHOTO BY: ADENIYI ADUNOLA 

The president of United Welders Association of Nigeria, zone 001, Mr. Adesegun Aregbe has urged his members to join hands with him to lift the technical capabilities of the association.

     Speaking inauguration service of the association in Ejigbo, Lagos, he said, to boast that we are competent welders, instructors, supervisors and competent welding co-ordinators we need to join hand and work together has a team to satisfy the needs of our customers.

He promised to work for the interest of his members, adding that the time has come for a change in the way of doing things, adding that he will do all within his power to bring positive changes to the association.

He said; “we are going to do our best for the good of this association. The time for bickering has ended and it is time for us to stand as one and move the association forward. we will do our best and promised not to disappoint you for the confidence you have reposed in us.”

Aregbe urged the executives to see the chance give to the as an opportunity to serve the association better so that they can have their names written in the book history of the of the association

‘‘For us to protect our job we need to provide excellent service to our customers”.

The immediate past  president of the association, Showemimon Oladele said the task ahead of the new executive is not going to be easy, but advised them to work together as one body, adding that it is only when they work as one indivisible body that the followers will queue behind them and support them in all they do.

He advised the association to always support government, saying it is not good for to be seen as criticizing the government because doing will hamper the development of the association.

“We have to stand behind them and continue to pray for them because if they fail, we fail and if they succeed we all succeed together. We will continue to pray for them so that they will know our needs better than we do,” he added.

By Adeniyi Adunola and Olasinde Toyin 

Group donates school uniforms, kits to 400 Lagos pupils

About 400 hundred orphans and vulnerable students from Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State will resume school  in the next few weeks with new school uniforms and kits donated by, Jakin NGO a nongovernmental organization.
The donation at Panda Event Complex, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos on Friday was in commemoration of this year’s World Literacy Day.
According to the president of the organisation, Mrs. Olubukola Adebiyi, Jakin NGO, the group has the objective to enlighten the children on the essence of education and  encourage them  appreciate their impact on the future of  the nation.
 The group also empowers young pupils with basic school items in order for them   to function effectively in the new academic session.
She said: ''The gesture of love will help them psychologically by boosting their morale and definitely spark a new light in them by encouraging them that there is still a light at the end of the tunnel.
 ''Jakin NGO’s  Dress a Child For School Project,  which has held in September of every year since 2010 will continue to put smiles on the  faces of these children by providing them two brand new school uniforms, a school bag, two pairs of socks, a pair of school sandals, a dozen exercise books and other school items.''
 Adebiyi urged the parents and students not to give up on education since ''education is the greatest legacy we can give a child. It is the valuable gift and greatest investment in a nation.''
''It is not too late, we can still save our world we must challenge ourselves to pull our resource together and jointly fight illiteracy, we need to fill the gaps repair the bridges and strengthen the various form and channels of literacy available in the society,'' she added.

Speaking on the theme of the year event, ''Literacy for the 21st century Nigerian child'' The Education Specialist, UNICEF,
Mrs. Justine Onifade said literacy in 21st century deals with the ability for a child to able to interact with computer systems.

''It mitigate the potential adverse effect of media and empowers children to make informed choice.''

She urged the government to provide computer systems to the government owned schools  since ''computer and media literacy is an essential part private school system.''


 By Adeniyi Adunola and Tolulope Okunlola