Sarah Adong Dreams Came to Life Thanks to the Opportunities Created by The Flash Dryers Installed in Uganda

24 year old mother of 3, Sarah Adong at the factory

Sarah Adong is 24 years old and a single mother with three children.  Currently, she works as a peeler at Adyaka Wholesalers Limited, a cassava flash dryer factory in Apac district. In a day, she earns between 4000 to 5000 Uganda shillings.  The factory employs various labourers including 10 women peelers for its day to day operations.  “The life changing moment of my life was when I was taken on for this job at the cassava factory. I know my future is brighter now, for I am able to make money.” With this employment, Adong is assured of a daily meal for herself and her children. But being young, thrilled at her first job and seeming inexperienced with handling money, Adong has a plan. “I intend to join a community generating income program to guide how I will spend my earnings. I now have responsibilities around food supplies and school fees for my children. And for safety purposes, I also have to save up some of my earnings for emergencies that could arise.” 

Adong, after peeling, carries the roots to the washing area 

She feels rather relieved that she is not yet tied down by demands for school dues. Her eldest child is in primary one, the second is in baby class and the youngest is still at the breast. “Fees is not yet as demanding because my children are still quite young. This gives me the opportunity to plan accordingly and save up as much as I can for their tuition and scholastic materials.” Says a smiling Adong.  Aside from her responsibilities, Adong has even much bigger plans.  “My dream is to one day own a business of my own and become an influential woman in society. This clever idea (being in a group) provides me with hope.” She added. 

Born in Lira district, Adong is the second to the last of 6 siblings. Due to poverty and its related challenges, she was forced to leave their birth home 3 years ago in search of a job to have a better life. That is how she ended up in Apac district. Her life in Apac is however challenging, and being a single mother with no assured income to survive on, her dreams seemed hopeless for some time.  But now, employed and earning, many of her dreams are coming to life including that of looking after her younger sister. “Growing up as orphans was very challenging especially for me and my two sisters. We were under our elder step brothers and life was not smooth. When I got to 21, I moved out of home to try and make a living. It was however hard leaving my little sister (our last born) behind. Now that I have a job, I plan to bring her here and help her get a job as well.” She adds “I know that by the end of the year, I will have saved up enough money to and go get my little sister and give her hope in the future she seems to have given up on.”

Adong’s story is one relatable to many youths in Uganda out there that are faced with life’s challenges and are looking for a better life through employment. For Adong, her dreams are coming to life, thanks to the Cassava Adding Value for Africa Phase II (CAVA II) Project that has extended such opportunities to the youth and other people through beneficial community projects.  The CAVA II Project facilitated the successful installation of the two cassava factories of Windwood Millers  and Adyaka Wholesalers Limited in Lira and Apac districts respectively. Each factory needs about 16 tons of Fresh Cassava Root (FCR) per shift which is dried into 4 tons of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) per shift.

CAVA II is implemented in five African Countries; Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) through the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, (NRI). 

Residents of some communities in Saki West Council area of Oyo State on Wednesday abandoned their homes in panic following reported earth tremors.

The affected communities included Medina, Balako, Salam Salam, Dauru-Salam as well as parts of Oke-suna.

Some of the residents, who relocated, said that with the threat, the likelihood of earthquake was not impossible as the noise being heard from beneath the earth surface was frightening.

According to Fatima Ishola, a housewife, the persistent noise from below the earth surface had been on the increase in the last couple of months.

“But it got to an alarming level this week and particularly today (Wednesday) when the underground noise and movement became too enormous and unbearable,“ she said.

Another resident, Mr Ismail Muideen, appealed for urgent government intervention, noting that many residents had fled their homes.

Various government agencies had visited the affected areas several times in the last two months.

The Deputy Speaker of Oyo State and indigene of the area, Mr Musah Abdulwasi, confirmed the development.

“ I have been to the affected areas with very senior members of the Geology Department from University of Ibadan.

“They hinted that there is likelihood of heavy movement of rocks in the water channel beneath the ground in those affected areas.

“They also advised that evacuation of residents of affected areas is the only solution to tremor and possible earthquake after establishing degree of tremor.

“Honestly, they told us that no one could ascertain for now the degree of the tremor and whether it will lead to earthquake or not,“ he said.

Also speaking, the Caretaker Chairman of Saki West, Mr Kareem Adekoge, said that some agencies which visited the affected areas had already allayed fears.

“Apart from the state Ministry of Environment, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) had also visited the area.

“They promised to plant a device that would be used to monitor the tremor level; they also said that the situation might not be as bad as thought,“ he said.

Adekoge, however, confirmed that a middle-aged man lost his life as a fallout of the incident.

He said: “I think the man was hypertensive and could not bear the threat of the noise and movement, so we lost him to the incident.

“I also heard some people are relocating but it is only tenants that can do that; will a landlord relocate leaving his property behind? ‘’

Source 

Oyo State Government 

NOA ALIGNS WITH MILITARY TO END INSURGENCY

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is committed to aligning its programmes with the

Nigerian Armed Forces to constructively engage citizens and ensure the on-going clean-up of Boko Haram insurgents and the containment of emerging security threats across the country are successful.

Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari disclosed this in his office when he met with the

Acting Director, Defense Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, stressing that the Agency will design and implement programmes in the coming weeks that will assist the military to totally deradicalize insurgents in the North East. He said NOA will also engage in sensitizations to check the security concerns posed by violent agitations in the South East, South South and by herdsmen across the country.

Commending the Armed Forces for what he described as “selfless, diligent, competent,

patriotic and professional prosecution of the war against Boko Haram, leading to the subduing and degradation of the insurgent group”, Abari described himself as a living testimony to the successes of the military in the North East, having lived and worked in the region until his appointment as NOA Director General. 

He was therefore optimistic that the nation will soon record total victory in the war against terror.In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Abubakar conveyed the Chief of Defense Staff’s felicitations to the NOA boss on his appointment while commending the Agency for its role in public enlightenment on security issues in recent times. He said NOA has been instrumental in foiling the frequently changing antics of Boko Haram by alerting the public, thereby helping the military win the war.

He said the military will continue to rely on NOA’s expertise, spread and resourcefulness as the nation approaches final victory against the insurgents. Reiterating the Armed Forces’ commitment, the Defense Information chief said “the military will not rest until the last insurgent is fished out”. He however urged NOA to extend its efforts towards educating Nigerians on the economic and environmental dangers of oil installations vandalism and herdsmen attacks with a view to mitigating the security challenges.

OYO NOA SENSITIZES IBARAPA PEOPLE ON NEW OIL PRICE REGIME

The Oyo State director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu has solicited for the support and cooperation of Nigerians for the new oil price regime introduced by the federal government. Speaking at a sensitization programme for the people of Ibarapa zone at the Eruwa town hall cum advocacy visit to the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola Akindele, Mrs Dosunmu who was hosted by the Caretaker Chairman of Ibarapa East Hon.Adelore Atanda stated that the new oil price regime was aimed at improving the economic fortunes of the country.

While noting that the proceeds from the oil product would be diverted to education and

agricultural sectors of the economy, she said there were a lot of advantages in the full

deregulation of the oil sector. She explained that it would allow wealthy Nigerians to import the product and build refineries with a view to making fuel available to Nigerians and cheaply too. The NOA boss also disclosed that palliative measures aim at cushioning the effect of the fuel price hike had been included in the 2016 budget which includes employment for the unemployed youths, improved electricity supply and some social

welfare packages for the aged not leaving out school children's feeding programme. Speaking on the strike by the labour union, Dosunmu charged parents not to allow their children to be used for acts capable of destroying the peace of the country. She also called on the labour unions not to allow the strike to be hijacked by hoodlums, saying that they should not be violent by destroying governments property.

Responding, the Ealeruwa of Eruwa Oba Samuel Adegbola Akindele 1 called on the federal government not to pay lip service to palliative measures aimed at cushioning the effect of fuel price hike. The monarch who noted that this was not the first time Nigeria will experience fuel price hike, said the product still remained cheap when compared to other

countries. 

The Eleruwa of Eruwa therefore appealed to labour unions in the country to allow government to implement the palliative measures which he believed will improve the living

standards of the people. "Let us support and cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to give dividends of democracy to the people," he said. He urged government to pay more attention to sustainable agriculture as a major achievement recorded in the south west by the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo through from the proceeds of Cocoa products. 

He said government should encourage farmers with necessary support so that many people will be able to return to the farms.

Source

Okunlola Ibraheem Akinwale

THE MARRIAGE COUNSELLOR AND THE MARRIAGE ITSELF

It is quite disheartening the way and manner many unions are collapsing like pack of cards, so many marriages are always dead on their inception. More worrisome is the new trend of domestic violence of high proportion which in some occasions lead to death. One wonders why this trend when most of the partners would readily tell anybody that cares to listen that they were properly guided by marriage experts before delving into the 'adventure'. 

Most relationships are built on deceit and attempt to live their lives beyond their means. Why must a man insist on having honeymoon in US or Canada when his means could not afford such? What happens to Yankari Game Reserve or Old Oyo National Park or countless conducive areas within the country? Must a lady travel to UK or US for delivery? 

Neither Jesus Christ nor Muhammad (SAW) were born with silver spoons. What is the logic in throwing millions into a wedding when the husband is yet to have a job? My Sisters, look for the man you truly love, take him for whom he is, build your home together, be practical, be moderate, life is not like a bed of roses, the difficulties of today will later give way for a better future. 

Listen to all pieces of advice from your friends but believe and act on those that 'll not crumble your relationship. My brothers, be honest in all ur dealings with ur partner, don't promise heaven and earth because you are not the custodian, be prudent in your spending, remember the ants and their colonies, spread love and not lies. 

There is no and there cannot be a template for a successful Marriage, what works between Mr and Mrs XYZ may not necessarily work for Mr and Mrs ABC. If ur friend always shop with his wife but your own wife always try to spend your entire annual salary in a few minutes, shop alone until you are able to broker an understanding from her. Build your relationship on honesty, love, care, understanding, overlooking your misdeeds and above all, fear of God.

History of Saki

Saki is one of the most ancient Yoruba town and it  is located on longitude 30. 42 East and Latitude 8.41 North it is about 1,500 meters above sea level. There are many hills in and around Saki. Asabari which is the highest among them is above 2,000 meters above sea level. Saki is about 184 kilometers North-West to Ibadan (The capital of Oyo state) and is the largest town on the border of Nigeria with the Republic of Benin. It is situated in the Savanna land with scattered trees.

An important stream called “Taba” flows through the town. It is this stream that supplied water to the citizenry of Saki throughout the year before the provision of pipe-borne water. The stream is still very useful until today. Another important stream which still flown through one side of Saki is “foofoo” which is now dammed to provide pipe-borne water for the town and villages. It has a population of over 350,000 inhabitants. Ogun, the eldest son of Oduduwa was said to have founded Saki between the period of late 12th and early or half of 13th centuries.

The historical fact behind this was that Lamurudu, the father of Oduduwa and his followers migrated to Niger area Bussau from Egypt this was as a result of religious crisis. At Bussau, Lamurudu assigned Ogun to go and make proper survey of “Yoruba kingdom” which he had been hearing before. Ogun rise up for the assignment and went to Saki where he discovered that Saki was a small villages and it was just like a hunter’s camp.

From Saki he went to Ibarapa, Lagos, Benin, Ife and again back to Saki. After the completion of the journey, Ogun came out with a report given to Lamurudu that there was a powerful group which was called “Igbo”. He said that the group was not easy to govern.

As a result of this, Ogun and Orisanla were sent to rule these people at Ife with a charm

(Gbetugbetu) but because of excessive drinking habit of Orisanla he could not carryout the

assignment.

The charm was taken from him by Oduduwa and both Oduduwa and Ogun went straight to

establish Yoruba Kingdom at lfe. After the establishment of Yoruba kingdom, Oduduwa sent his children to different four corners of Yoruba Kingdom. Ogun was in Saki ruling. But it came to a time when Oduduwa became blind and Ogun took effective control of the kingdom. Saki, the ruling town of Ogun was taken temporarily as a seat of government of

Yoruba kingdom. 

All directives came from Saki to other Yoruba towns because the acting head of the kingdom was at Saki. But eventually, the blindness of Oduduwa was cured by Ajibogun

However, Oranmiyan (the last son of Oduduwa) and Oke-kisi (the cousin of Oranmiyan) jointly founded old Oyo Empire. But traditions reveal that there was conflict between Oranmiyan and Oke-kesi over a woman and this caused Oke-kesi to leave old Oyo for Saki hiding at Asabari hill. 

With this, Oranmiyan sent some of his people to persuade Oke-kesi and return him to old Oyo off handed and Oranmiyan pronounced that “leave him” he’s running about”. (Onsakiri). It could be therefore adducted that from the statement of Oranmiyan “N Sakiri” that “Saki was derived. More over, this time, Ogun was at Ife assisting the aged-man (Oduduwa) in the administration of Yoruba kingdom. Later, misunderstanding arouse

between Ogun and his wife Efunseeke over an act of adultery between Efunseeke and Gbayegborun (a Goldsmith) was committing adultery with his wife Efunseke who was a trader in gold silver rings and other articles. 

Ogun was annoyed with his wife Efunseke she later packed her bag and baggage’s and went back to Saki. Ogun looked for her and he could not locate her where about. When Ogun knew that his wife returned to Saki, Ogun too went to Saki. When Efunseeke saw

Ogun coming towards her she knew that Ogun would either forced her to go with him or kill her. But Efunseeke didn’t wanting either force her to go with him or kill her. Efunseeke sank into the ground at what is now Ogidigbo. Ogun saw his wife sinking down, and he also sank at the same place. 

The place where hunters and other Ogun worshippers sacrifice to Ogun annually. Saki was

the first settlement of Ogun and there he ended his life. This is the reason why people usually say; Ogun is a stranger at Ire but a native of Saki”. Akinbekun was said to be the first king of Saki. He was the son of Oranmiyan whom Egilolo (daughter of Kisra, the king of Ibadan) bore to him. Tradition reveal that Akinbekun met Oke-Kesi at Saki acting as the head of the town, but with arrival of Akinbekun from Ibariba to Saki, Oke-kesi

handed the post of the king over to Akinbekun and he became the first recognized Okere of Saki.

Further more, a very important event was attached to the period of Akinbekun as a king of

Saki because the emergence of River-Ogun was as a result of conflicts between the king

(Akinbekun) and his wife (Ekunsimi). It was said that Ekunsimi entered a forbidden room and she was rebuked with her heavy breast by the king. This caused Ekunsimi entered to leave the town and became a river (River Ogun near Iseyin).

Since that time, it has been forbidden for any reigning king (Okere) to look at the river while

passing through it. When Akinbekun was the king of Saki then, Oke-kesi happen to be (OniSaki) because Akinbekun met Oke-kesi at Saki.

May 2 at 9:18pm · Public

NSCDC nabs seven for diverting fuel to Niger Republic

The Oyo State Command of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested seven men for their involvement in the diversion of 66,600 litres of Premium Motor Sprit from Saki, Oyo State to Niger Republic.

The suspects are Hakeem Amidu, 42; Sarafa Aloyinlapa, 30; Sulaiman Adeniji, 27; Hassan Ayiki,26; Abdulrauf Abidin, 26; Sola Goke, 25; and Noel Yemi, 24. The state Commandant of NSCDC, Adewoye John Oyedokun, told journalists while parading the suspects in Ibadan, that 300 drums filled with petrol were loaded into two trucks but that the command acted promptly after receiving an intelligence report.

The owner of the product, simply identified as Alhaji Towobola, an indigene of Saki in the state, was said to be at large with ther accomplices. The commandant said, “We got an intelligence report from Saki that some people were drawing fuel from a tanker into drums and loading them into two trucks. They were taking the trucks to Niger Republic from Saki. We informed the Nigerian Army to provide backing for us in the operation. There were 300 drums of fuel, each of them containing 220 litres of petrol.

“They were not arrested without resistance. The suspects were many and they tried to attack the team of security operatives. But we had the upper hand. Seven men were arrested while the owners and other accomplices were at large. Soon, we will catch them. They were actually caught in the act and we will charge them to court after our investigation.” Oyedokun added that the price of the product in Niger Republic, which was in triple fold as against the price in Nigeria, attracted the suspects, stressing that it was not the first time the perpetrators of the act would be dealing in the illegal business.

One of the suspects, Adeniji, said they were only contracted to load the drums into the trucks at the rate of N150 each.

Source

PUNCH.