Opeyemi Aremu-Gbemiro

An Ekiti born geo-scientist, Ayo Omotoso, on Monday distributed tractor, motorcycles, refrigerators, clothes, food and other items worth millions of naira to youths and women in Ado-Ekiti.

Omotoso, who distributed the items at the inauguration of his foundation, “Ayo Omotosho Foundation” (AOF) in Ado-Ekiti said that the gesture was to give the community a sense of belonging.

He said his Foundation was out to help serve the people, mostly the needy in the society.

Omotoso, who gave a tractor to a group of farmers, and motorcycles to 15 youths, also gave generating sets, clippers, hair driers, fans to young men and women to start salon businesses.

He said that bags of rice, garri, noodles, salt, groundnut oil, tomato paste, seasonings and other staples were to assist the women, especially the aged and also to cushion the effect of COVID-19 among the residents.

“As we know that some families have not recovered from the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) with the second wave gradually being reported across the globe.

“It is also the best way to identify with them as they are our brothers, sisters and parents; I always have the mindset of giving no matter how little,” he said.

He said that he was inaugurating the Foundation to enable him show love to the needy from the little God had blessed him with.

Omotoso, who promised to be of benefit to the generality of the people of Ekiti, said that the exercise was in phases, stressing that other communities would benefit in the subsequent phases of the programme.

He listed other programmes by his foundation in the New Year to include educational reform and improvement, through quiz and other academic competitions amongst schools in the council area.

others he said included bursary awards for best students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, poverty alleviation for farmers and petty traders, less privileged and the aged.

“AOF will henceforth have one or two events monthly and more especially during festive and national holidays to felicitate with people with our programs which we will be unveiling as the year rolls by.

“My foundation will start giving bursary awards to the best science students in Christ school and the overall best student of the school because I am a product of that secondary school,” he said.

According to him, with time, the foundation will also sponsor an educational competition among schools; the competition is going to be a reality TV show and the overall best school will always have our gift.

“The gift will not just go to the school, but to the individual students that participate in the competition will directly benefit, this is to encourage the pupils academically.

He said that best geologist and overall best graduating students from Ekiti State University where he graduated from would always get his foundation award.

Omotoso said that the kids in the primary school where he graduated would not also be left out.

He said, “Special attention will be given to the less privilege and the aged.

“Medical programmes by the foundation will be available periodically, some medical bills will be paid, we will partner with organizations that can make eye glasses, wheel chair, and it will cut across the whole state.

“AOF lastly, will key into small scale infrastructural development, not very big, but it will go a long way, for instance filling of potholes, parking the drainages, provision of street lights and a lot more”.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke at the event thanked Omotoso for the gesture, saying that it was not only an expression of gratitude and good manners but rather a way of building relationships.

Femi Awolumate, a beneficiary, commended Omotoso for the gesture.

He said that it would go a long way in alleviating the beneficiaries suffering.

Also, an octogenarian, Mrs Foluso Ademiloyo, thanked the donor, whom she said she had never met before.

“I want to thank my son for this gift because I have never met him, God Almighty will continually be your guide and protect your going out and coming in,” she said.

Also, Toyin Onileowo, Tope Aladesihun and Tosin Oloruntoba  who are also beneficiaries,  at separate chats thanked the donor and assured him of their prayers and support. (NAN)

By Christian Ogbonna

The Ebonyi government on Monday ordered the arrest of circulators of a video on social media that Fulani herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of the state.

Gov. David Umahi said at a news conference in Abakaliki that the video was faked.

He ordered security agencies to investigate the source of the video and arrest the circulators.

The governor said the video had caused panic and tension.

“Security personnel must ensure that those behind the circulation of the video, which has caused panic across the country, are brought to book.

“We must increase our security surveillance at the grassroots level. I urge the security agencies to step up and arrest persons circulating the video on social media,” Umahi said.

Mr Inusa Sani, Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ebonyi Chapter, condemned the misleading video, adding that “it is fake news”.

“The video is an orchestrated attempt by mischief makers and enemies of peace.

“What happened was that on Jan. 2, one of us, Alhaji Adamu, residing at Ozibo Village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri community, informed the association of his relocation to Taraba State.

“I use this opportunity to urge the general public to disregard the video in circulation and no Fulani herdsman was attacked or chased out of Ebonyi State,” Sani said.

He said herdsmen had co-habited peacefully with their host communities without any fear, molestation, threat or intimidation from any quarter.

The Police Command in Ebonyi had on Sunday issued a statement noting that Fulani herdsmen were not attacked or being chased out of the state.

Also speaking at the news conference, Mr Philip Maku, Commissioner of Police in the state, assured the public of the Command’s readiness to protect lives and property.

“The general public should disregard the video in circulation, which is misleading and fake. Keep going about your normal business and support the security agencies and state government at ensuring that those behind the evil plot are fished out,” Maku admonished.

Dr Keneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government, said the distorted and misleading video was propagated by the enemies of Ebonyi.

“We cannot keep quiet on any issue that is trying to tarnish the image of our dear state or cause disorder. We have enjoyed maximum peace with our Fulani brothers.

“The security chiefs are here and there is no incident of an attack on herders in the state; we therefor urge the general public to disregard the misleading video,” Igwe said. (NAN)