NEWS
NDLEA, Ogun destroy 15 hectares indian hemp farm
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with Ogun State Government has destroyed 15 hectares of Indian Hemp farm in Imosa enclave in Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the State.
The exercise, carried out under the supervision of the State Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun and the State Commander of NDLEA, Commander (Mrs.) Archie-Abia Ibinabo with the Chief Security Adviser to the State Governor, AIG, Olusola Subair (rtd), the Commander of the State Security Outfit (Amotekun Corps), Commissioner of Police, David Akinremi (rtd) and some top government functionaries.
Speaking, Engr. Oludotun said the exercise was borne out of the State government and NDLEA determination at eradicating illegal activities, especially planting, harvesting, and marketing of narcotics in any part of the State.
The Commissioner, in a statement signed by the Press Officer, Ministry of Forestry, Mr. Kayode Oduyebo, added that the development formed part of the reasons the government directed all Baales in the enclaves to take census of the people living among them and their occupations to ascertain dwellers who have no legitimate means of livelihood.
He said , “the State government has been magnanimous to have allowed people to engage in farming both for subsistence and commercial purposes in its forest reserves, and that should not be taken for granted”.
Oludotun assured that the exercise would be sustained to rid the State of anti-social elements and illegal activities, noting that a similar one had been carried out by men of So-Safe Corps at Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the State.
Also speaking, the NDLEA boss, Mrs. Ibinabo said the Agency got wind of the plantation as a result of the information provided by members of the public,
which necessitated the action put up by the officers of the command to set the farm on fire after it discovery.
The Commander said the Agency would continue to perform its responsibilities in line with the law, applauding the efforts of men and officers of the State Directorate of Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police for their cooperation.
It would be recalled that the Commissioner had a meeting with heads of enclaves at Imoba community, saying the government would hold them responsible if activities of illegal dwellers were not checked.
Lagos based Non-Governmental Organization, the lovezone Creative Foundation has boosted the morale of students of schools in Ikeja Lagos with donation of books, uniforms, pencils and other stationeries to welcome them back to school as a new term begins.
Making the donation at the Ikeja Primary school, Lagos, founder of the organization, Princess Ivie Andrew stressed that every child had a future but what many of them lacked was the opportunity .
“A large number of parents/guardians cannot afford to send their wards to school, a situation worsened by the economic downturn.
Many children have been forced to drop out of school and sent to the streets to help their families’ (and their own) survival. This calls for intervention by well meaning people and organizations”. She disclosed.
lovezone Creative Foundation has been working in consonance with the Project Zero initiative of the Lagos State Government designed to tackle the menace of out-of-school children in the State by enrolling pupils back into government-owned primary schools, in the regular provision of exercise books and writing materials, school uniforms etc., to encourage and stimulate learning.
In his address, the Education Secretary of Ikeja Amosun Akeem Abolore who is also chairman of all Education Secretaries in the zone, said the government was investing a great deal on pupils/students in the state to bring the best out of them. He thanked the foundation for its continued support and
prayed God to continue to bless its founder who has always been looking ahead of the children.
Education stakeholder Mrs. Lolade Taiwo Bello who is also the SW Coordinator of The Asiwaju Group (TAG), in conjunction with whom the event held, explained to the pupils, the need for them to take their education seriously and advised them to judiciously use the items given them which also included refreshment packs.
The pupils also had a stint with Miss Ahuva Victoria on psychology; basically, interaction with peers; dos and don’ts, bullying, good self-esteem etc.
It will be recalled that the lovezone Creative Foundation reeled out various food items to indigent residents of Ikeja during the yuletide to help them also celebrate the season.
