News

Lateef Agboola: The Man Osun NUJ Secretary’s Cap Fit

Published

4 years ago

February 9, 2020

Editor

“Whether the union will run a peaceful and smooth tenure, all depends on him. The union to face one crisis or the other will be to an extent determined by him. He is the middle man; he is the interface between the union and the members. He is likewise the interface between the union and the general public.”

The above quote from a colleague of mine recently gives credence to the role the secretary office plays in an organisation or union partucularly the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). NUJ is a body without a Public Relations Officer hence the secretary bears the burden of that office and that of his primary office (secretary). He is the brainbox of the Union. This is why this office must be entrusted on someone with the ability and experience. Someone who has the charisma, professional skills, and the human relations and not on ‘who know man or long leg.’

As members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State council warm up to elect members of executives that will pilot affairs of the Union for the next three years, Lateef Agboola is the man best fit for the secretary office. He is capable and reliable and likewise accountable.

Lateef is no accidental journalist. He is a well trained and professional journalist. He is a graduate of mass communication and Masters degree holder of Communication Art. So, Lateef is no push aside or push over person in the field of journalism.

Lateef, popularly called CLAM, has all the experience needed to take Osun NUJ to a greater heights. He is not a new comer or toddler in running the affairs of any union. This journalist cum musician (Fuji music) is a well experienced person in the position he is currently vying for at the state level. He had served as secretary of his chapel two times and presently serving as vice chairman of the same chapel. If Leteef is not good and capable, members of his chapel wouldn’t have entrusted him that sensitive position for two times and now the vice chairman. Least I forget, Lateef is a staff of the state-owned broadcast outfit (Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), Osogbo, a leading broadcasting firm in the state and Southwest at large.

Lateef Agboola for secretary, Osun NUJ

Giving Lateef Agboola the secretary office is putting a round peg in a round hole. Lateef Agboola is the right man; no one amongst his co-contestants can do it better than he does. Lateef can deliver. He has the human relations; he has the skills. 2010 was the year I had opportunity to work with this man as intern in the state-owned broadcast station, but after leaving the station for several years, Lateef and I relationship is still very cordial and intact. This tells how friendly this man is! This is the type of person Osun NUJ needs as secretary.

NUJ secretary office is a sensitive one that must be occupied by someone like Leteef. Someone who is friendly and has a listening hear like Lateef Agboola. Someone who will be ready to welcome and listen to the least member when he or she has something to say. Someone who can speak for the least member when the need arises.

Interestingly, Lateef is not just a journalist or Fuji artiste, the Lateef I know is an activist. For the short period I worked alongside with him, I saw this in him. He will never allow you to be denied of what is due for you. As an intern back then, I can recall many instances where he exhibited this even in assignment but time will not permit me to list such instances. He makes sure what was given to full staff was given to us as intern. Lateef is a team player that everyone loves to work with back then. He will definitely speak for Osun NUJ members if given the opportunity.

Yoruba bo woni, bi awo’o ka’ju ilu, yiya ni o ya. Awo Lateef kaju ilu. Eje ki Lati se; Lati lo le se.

Agboola Lateef is the right man for the secretary position. He had handle this office at the chapel level, he performed excellently. Please entrust him the state council’s office. Lateef will not disappoint you. He is up to the task.

Osun NUJ members, as you walk towards the polling boot, please put Lateef Agboola of OSBC at the back of your mind and cast your votes for him.

A vote for Lateef Agboola is a vote for accountability, transparency and equity.

Joseph Kanjo, a journalist, online publisher, wishing Osun NUJ members a peaceful election.
editor@infodailyng.com

News

Shettima Launches NEDC’s School Enrollment Drive Programme

Published

5 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched the Accelerated Senior Secondary School Education Programme (ASSEP) initiated by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with the office of the VP to enhance child enrollment drive in schools within the North-East sub-region.

Speaking during the launching of the programme in Bauchi on Saturday, the VP said that consequences of the nation’s action and inaction were evident in all indices used to assess development.

He said while primary education provides a foundation, secondary education is a bridge, adding that the Northeast sub-region has been the victim of inability to enforce a uniform policy to drive school and the persistent cultural perversion to formal education in the country.

“We in the Northeast occupy a quantum of position in ranking of essential services. Education being a key sector of this country, this is especially pronounced in the post primary education, while the Northeast secondary school enrollment drive stands at 19 percent, far below the nation’s 39 percent,” he said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, said that the primary education completion level of 85 per cent in the Northeast is among the best in Nigeria, but secondary school enrolment is a mere 15 per cent, the second worst nationally.

According to him, due to the challenges in the post-primary education segment, JAMB UTME applications and admissions into tertiary institutions in 2019 were the lowest for the Northeast compared to other regions.

He added that, nationally, the Northeast has the lowest number of teachers and the highest percentage 55 per cent of those available are without literacy skills.

The MD also revealed that the challenges in the post-primary education segment include weak quality indices and a wide demand-supply gap driven by economic and cultural factors.

“The Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme seeks to boost the post primary education rating across the North East region through improved enrolment into tertiary institutions.

“It’s also to improve skills development as well as the elevation of teacher quality. It would pay special focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and communication.

“These would foster creativity and critical thinking; motivates and inspires young people to generate new technologies and ideas to learn from inquiry-based tasks,” he said.

Alkali also explained that the programme would also raise awareness about after-school possibilities and the potential for diligent students to become successful and prominent contributors to the North East region and Nigeria at large.

He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government especially, the Vice President for the deep interest and commitment to human development in the North-East.

News

Edo Police Break Silence On Operatives Fighting Dirty In Viral Video

Published

6 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Edo State Police Command says a trending video showing two operatives of the command engaging in a fight is a handiwork of mischief makers.

In the video which has gone viral on the internet, two policemen are seen fighting themselves, while a voice commentary in the background claims they are from the Igueben Decisional Police Station headquarters in the state.

A writeup also attached to a version of the video sighted by Info Daily also claims that the policemen were fighting because of sharing formula of money collected from motorists on the highway. The writeup also claims that the incident happened yesterday, May 17th, 2024.

But reacting to the viral video in a statement issued by SP Chidi Nwabuzor, Police Public Relations Officer, the command said contrary to the claim, the incident happened in 2020, adding that disciplinary measures were taken against the erring policemen.

The statement which issued electronically to newsmen in Benin on Saturday evening partly reads: “Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that it’s aware of a video trending on the internet showing two policemen that engaged themselves in a fight in public spaces and wishes to state as follows that;

“The now trending video happened in April 2020 in a community called Ebelle in the Igueben local government area of Edo State.

“The two erring policemen, namely; (i) F/NO.491112 CPL Ozimeade Aidonojie and (ii) F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen were attached to Ebelle Police Divisional Headquarters.

“They defaulted, tried in an orderly and upon conviction dismissed from the Force for the offence of discreditable conduct contrary to Paragraph ‘E’ Sub Section 111 of the Police Act and Regulations 370 Cap. P19 of Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Nwabuzor in the statement reiterated the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, commitment to “making Edo State a desired secured state where the law abiding citizens and the general public go about their lawful businesses in making Edo State economic hubs of Nigeria without fear or intimidation.”

News

Excitement, Dance As ‘Looted Ancestral Stools’ Return To Oba Of Benin

Published

6 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

It was a moment of joy, excitement and dance at the palace of the Oba of Benin as the revered monarch, Oba Ewuare II took custody of two looted royal stools from the German government.

They were handed over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM on behalf of the Nigerian government by the German authorities in 2022.

The Director-General of
National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government on Saturday May18, 2024 in Oba of Benin Palace, Benin City.

According to history, the artefacts — Bronze and wooden Royal stools (Ekete), made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several Centuries ago, were looted from Oba Palace during the punitive expedition in 1897.

Addressing the Benin Throne during the presentation of the artefacts, Mr Holloway, pledged on behalf of NCMM, to work-hand-in hand with the Benin Royal Court in uplifting and displaying Edo heritage.

He revealed that as the Benin Bronzes and other art works are gradually making their way home (Nigeria), “NCMM will join hands with the Royal Court to create a befitting destination for people around the world to come and appreciate these works”.

“What you see before us were originally taken away from the Royal family in 1897.

“We have a stool made of Bronze and a wooden stool.

“I speak for every member of my team, to say that we remain loyal to the Royal Court. And if there is anything we can do, we will do to support this laudable initiative.

“This heritage is not just Benin heritage, but Nigeria’s heritage.
When we speak of Benin heritage, there is nobody that doesn’t know the great works of ours.

“I appreciate you, we will always do what we can do with our powers to make His Royal Majesty lineage in memory”, he said.

After unveiling the repatriated Artefacts, Oba of Benin, who danced joyfully to Benin traditional rendition in dramatic dance steps, with excited Chiefs and members of the Royal family, offered prayers to Almighty God and his ancestors.

The traditional ruler, who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, appreciated the German government and the Federal Government and the NCMM leadership for their efforts.

The royal father, thereafter, in a historic move, sat in one of the royal stools (Ekete), and personally presented a chunk of white, which, according to belief, symbolizes peace and blessings to the Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway.

Oba Ewuare II also prayed for Mr Holloway and his team, accompanied by the Curator, National Museum, Benin, Mr Mark Olaitan, Director, Legal Services, NCMM, Barrister Babatunde Adebiyi on the visit where Royal Drummers gave a good account of their stewardship.