Top Baker, Deola Layade Sets To Host Second Bread Exhibition Tomorrow

Adeola Layade, a Psychology graduate of University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD) turned cake maker is no doubt the hottest in Ibadan baking industry presently. This is because within a short period of time that she came onboard, she has been succeeded in making herself an issue on her field. She has turned around a small cake making business (Exquisito Cakes) she started out passion for cooking some years back into a brand. Her company, Exquisito has not only redefined the Ibadan’s baking industry, but has also become a channel through which several professional bakers has emerged. She also consults for top bakeries and other cake makers in Ibadan. Deola is one of the few young ladies blessed with brain and that are doing well in their chosen fields. She is very focused and determined in all she does, this is probably because of her upbringing and family background. She is from a very humble family and a princess from the popular Otutu royal house of Ile-Ife. Her late dad, Prince (Eng.) Adedotun Layade was a successful man in his lifetime. Her mum too is the daughter of the prominent Ijesha business mogul, Late Lawrence Omole. All these and the business acumen from both background perhaps shaped Deola’s vision in becoming a successful businesswoman too. It is with this vision and to also expand the scope of her business that made Deola to change her company name from ‘Exquisito Cakes’ to ‘Exquisito Confectioneries’. With more wider spread which include cake baking, Bread, Cookies, Sandwiches, Bakery Consulting, Confectionery Books, Confectionery Manufacturing and Exhibition. It is however also worth mentioning that, Exquisito was the first in Nigeria and indeed in Africa to organise Bread Exhibition tagged ‘’ ‘The Bread Connoiseurs’’. Which its second edition is set to hold come 1st Oct., 2014, at the Pentorise Event Centre, Bodija. The fair is going to showcase different bread from around the world, as well as avail bread bakers an opportunity to showcase their products to the world. And it will also serve as an avenue for bakers to meet and interact with their consumers one on one. The event which promises to be educative and entertaining will have top names in the society and in both entertainment and Yoruba movies industries in attendance. Nigeria’s frontline comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st is the anchor of the event.
 Meanwhile, there would also be launching of a new magazine (bread magazine), which of course is another vision of the Exquisito boss, Deola Layade. According to her,  ‘’the vision of having a bread magazine came about because of the gap in the industry that needed to be filled. Its to bridge the gap between the bread industry and consumers generally’’. ‘’The magazine will be unveil by her Exellency, Chief (Mrs.) Abiola Ajimobi, the first lady of Oyo State during the exhibition and it will be distributed free across the country. Also there will be games corner, 250 free goodie bags,
photo booth, gold carpet, gift vouchers, free sanitizers, music, dance, free wine and bread tasting, , free kids face painting and lots more.
’’, she concluded.

I AM SET TO GOVERN OGUN - OLAWALE OKUNNIYI

Veteran Olawale Okunniyi is a governorship aspirant in Ogun State on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). A delegate at the recently concluded national conference, Okunniyi also acts as the spokesperson for the Pro National Conference (PRONACO). In 2011, he contested as the governorship candidate for Congress for Progressive change (CPC) in Ogun State. In this interview with WALE ABIODUN, Okunniyi bares his mind on various issues including his gubernatorial ambition, crisis within the party in the state, assessment of the current administration, his developmental agenda and issues raised at the just concluded national conference.

How prepared are you for Ogun State 2015 governorship election?
I am very much prepared for Ogun State 2015 governorship election. Consultations and campaign are in top gear. I already have my structure in place in all the wards, local government areas and in the three senatorial districts of the state. Our branded campaign vehicles are also on ground in the three senatorial districts. You will recall that I contested for governorship in 2011 on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Despite the short time for mobilization and campaign at that time, I was still able to make a good impact in that election. But now, I am contesting on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). Our leader in Ogun APC is Aremo Olusegun Osoba, whose political philosophy and understanding tally with mine. I am prepared for the race, we have been rolling out the campaign materials, and we have appointed our coordinators in all the 20 local government areas. Things have turned out well for us and our structure is bubbling with activities. Our campaign slogan is Esoji 2015, meaning Ogun indigenes should wake up concerning 2015 gubernatorial election. Today, we enjoy tremendous grass root support to actualize our aspiration to govern Ogun. People have seen what I have done in national conference, and they have seen what I have done in PRONACO. So people are convinced that we can effect a positive change in Ogun State if given the mandate. People have seen my passion for the restructuring of the Nigerian state. I have gained a lot, working with well meaning and revered Nigerians leaders like late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Professor Wole Soyinka, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Prof Ben Nwabueze, the Afenifere leadership among others. I have a whole lot of experience from these respectable leaders. I have also worked with progressive political machineries in the country, through which I have been able to shape my political experience. There are certain things I think I have that others don’t have in terms of struggles that I have waged in the past. Every community in Ogun State is presently involved in our governorship project, and resources are already rolling in from various quarters, because our people have already taken this aspiration as theirs. In Nigeria, we, unfortunately, play the politics of highest bidder, where, if you don’t have the capital, you might not likely have the showing. We thank God that people are supportive, friends and associates are supportive and campaign funds are rolling in for us to prosecute this agenda. We have resources to carry out the campaign and educate the people ideologically. We believe that our campaign must be ideologically based.  By the grace of God, we are the next governor of Ogun State. We have various developmental agenda in our blue print, but we are going to have collective governance where the people in Ogun State will be adequately involved. From the first day, we are going to carry people along. We will carry every community along. We will go to every community and ask for their needs; that is, their priorities. This will help to know when and where government needs to come to their aid. We are also going to do a lot of direct labour, but we are going to monitor it properly and modernize it. For the first time, people are going to see the peoples’ government in action. Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has attempted to do something in that direction, based on his background. We are going to put into practice what we have learnt and what we have advocated for over the years. People are going to see a change and our government is going to be a model one. It is going to surpass what people have seen during the era of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I know that the structure is faulty and that is why I am among the people that are trying to restructure Nigeria, so that Nigeria will not collapse on our head. There will be no unemployment in Ogun State again. The era of poverty will be over in Ogun State. My aspiration is to effect positive changes in Ogun State. I know that I can think outside the box. Arising from the resolutions of the national confab, we are going to ensure that for the first time, Ogun people have their own constitution and that constitution will determine how our government will be run.

Don’t you think the present political differences between Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Governor Ibikunle Amosun might work against the success of APC at the poll?

Well, there are people who have been making efforts to resolve the matter, I think that is ongoing. Even at that, there are opportunities for political alignment, realignment and coalition. I am an expert in coalition building, if you look at my profile and my role in Networking the PRONACO coalition, Project Nigeria, Mega Summit Movement and so on. All these are coalitions buildings, where I was able to bring people together from different parties. We had the coalition of about 34 parties which was initiated through me by Chief Enahoro. I think I have mustered enough capacity to bring about the coalition in Ogun State concerning 2015 election. In 2011, despite the fact that the time was short for mobilization and campaign, I was still able to bring out a tangible coalition to power my campaign. I am not bothered about any crisis within the party. The issue is that, we want to achieve our objective, which is, we want to become the peoples' governor of Ogun State. We want to bring out a new life and the prosperity of our people. We must get the structure of government to be able to do that and that is our goal. What we need to do is to get the people of like-minds together and form a platform, but in any case I am not opposed to people trying to resolve any political differences within the party (APC). If it is resolved, fine for us, we will all go to primary election. I am not afraid of anybody or any so called power of incumbency. The moment I am convinced of something I go for it. We know that nothing will affect our agenda. When it is dawn on us that there is no resolution we take our decision.

Are you saying that the current government in Ogun State is not performing up to the expectations of masses of people in the state?
I think the government is stretched to the limit but their best is not just impressive enough to me and the people of Ogun State. We think that we can do better than what obtains now. I am coming out to bring about a model for the people of Ogun State. Late Chief Bisi Onabanjo tried his best, there are rooms for improvement. We think improvement will come through us. We are not supposed to be static; we believe that things should always improve for the people of Ogun State.

As a delegate of the recent concluded national conference, what is your assessment of the conference?
The national conference has helped to create a new template for Nigeria to move forward and it has also helped to create a process to resolve political conflicts in the country. The conference has produced a process that can give the people the ownership of the country. For me, I think it is the first step in resolving Nigeria’s problems by producing the constitution for the Nigerian people. My advice to Mr. President is to implement the resolutions of the conference in order to make the nation stable and stop the blood- letting and militancy that is going on in the country. The process has started and we have started well with the convocation of the national conference for the development of this nation.

What federating unit did you represent at the conference?
I did not represent any particular federating unit. I represented a pan Nigeria platform. I was among the advocates for national conference through Pro National Conference (PRONACO). I worked closely with late Anthony Enahoro, Professor Wole Soyinka and other well meaning Nigerians. Over the years I have become an expert on the convocation of a people's national conference. So I represented a serious pan-Nigerian platform at the conference.

Don’t you think this conference might go the way of the previous ones?
I think if we implement the recommendations of the conference it will not go the way of the previous ones. Also if we consider the efforts and consensus we reached on this conference, it may not go the way of the previous ones. What is left now is to ensure that people buy in into the conference resolutions. For instance, some recommendations are still being misunderstood by the people. Like in the area of local government, some people think that we called for the abolition of local government, no; that was not the case. What we recommended is that local government should now be the business of the state, instead of being the affair of federal government. The recognised levels of federation will be the states and the centre. What we have recommended is that the federating units and actual owners of the union should be in control of their local affairs and that the federal government. The major players in the Nigerian federation are the states, which are the federating unit. So i think we need to do a lot of advocacy, enlightenment and popularization of the conference’s recommendation before we move to referendum.

Some stakeholders are calling for the referendum to adopt the recommendations of the conference, what is your view on this?
The national assembly by the provisions of the 1999 constitution can only amend the existing constitution; it has no right to make a new constitution. It is only the people of Nigeria that can give a legitimate constitution to the country. It is an aberration to ask the national assembly to give the country a new constitution. Government or any of its organs cannot give the people a constitution, government can only make laws. Even if constitutional initiative is coming from an arm of government, it must still go to a referendum. The people must endorse it before it becomes a constitution. But I think Nigeria should adopt indirect referendum, which some of us have consistently canvassed because of the peculiarity of our own politics. We play a kind of politics where money rules. So we need to guide against a situation where money bag politicians will not have their way to buy the people over. Most of our people are impoverished and you know referendum is an issue of “Yes or No”. So that people will not be tempted to be ticking No, No, and if the Nos surpasses the Yes, it means that the whole exercise is thrown out. That is the reason I am canvassing indirect referendum. Furthermore, the people that are to endorse these recommendations should also be given time to study the resolutions; we need to do a lot of campaigns and enlightenment. Mass media campaign and mobilization should be initiated by government. Some of us are ready to help in that direction. We need to popularize the resolutions of national conference among Nigerians. After the campaigns and popularization of the resolutions, people can then go ahead and elect their representatives from their constituencies. These elected representatives will go and formally endorse the constitution on behalf of their peoples. These elected representatives for the purpose of endorsing the constitution will form an Electoral College or what we call a constituent assembly. These people would have to look at the draft constitution thoroughly and approve it by voting Yes or No on the recommendations. These representatives, having campaigned to be elected by the people, will be deemed credible to endorse the draft constitution on behalf of their people. Delegates may range from 400 to 500 in numbers. This will be easier than when you ask every Nigeria to go and endorse the constitution. Due to the kind of politics we play in Nigeria, the people might just be railroaded into voting ‘No’ to the entire draft constitution even if those resolutions are in their interest and beneficial to the nation. This is why we need what I call indirect referendum of an electoral college to endorse a new constitution for Nigeria.

Self acclaimed detective 'Alhaji' raids LAUTECH ( 38 yahoo boys arrested)

In a commando-style that brings to mind the popular Sylvester Stallone movie, Rambo a police informant, Razak Olatunji Olaniyi stormed the premises of the Ladoke Akintola University in Ogbomoso yesterday and arrested a truckload of students whom he labelled as 'yahoo boys' (internet fraudsters).
The informant who claims to be working for the Inspector General of Police was at a time arrested in Ibadan when he came on the trail of some young men who turned things odd for him and  accused him of stealing their money and other valuables.
'Alhaji' as he is popularly known is an enforcer and the dread of many young people who are involved in internet scam.
The man was said to have  started as a police informant before he got the backing of some superior police officers to be effecting the arrest of fraudsters and this he has been doing to perfection as he had on numerous occasions been alleged of demanding percentages from internet fraudsters and arresting them if they can't come up with his request.
Yesterday's operation was said to have angered a lot of people who claimed most of the students arrested were innocent and were in school to write their projects.
Alhaji was said to have stormed the city with armed policemen and went from house to house where he arrested 38 people.
City Info investigation reveals that those arrested were remanded at the Iyaganku Police Station, Ibadan before they would be taken to Lagos.
City Info in a bid to know if the self claimed detective has the right to be arresting fraudsters spoke with an official of the EFCC who hinted that the informant  is under investigation and that the commission is waiting for the perfect time to work on the many petitions that have been written against him.
The police informant was said to have at different occasions been questioned as to who gives him the authority to arrest and lead armed policemen and he has a ready made response 'IG ni!, e pe ke beere lowo e' (its the IG, call him and ask him'.
Alhaji's modus operandi is to bug phones, hack emails and contact whoever he was going to arrest with various accusations before he made his demand which the hapless victim would either fall or run into hiding.
The informant was alleged to have converted this practice into serious business and he makes money after he must have sorted out all the police officers that are also involved in the racket.
Yesterday's attack in Ogbomoso is said to have been his fifth this year as he frequents the school based on his understanding that the institution has the highest number of students who are involved in internet scam.

RIPPLES IN NIGERIAN POLICE AS VP’S PILOT GETS SERVICE EXTENSION

The new Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba is getting his first baptism of fire over an allegation of extending the service years of some officers.

A group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria some days ago sent a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan alleging irregularities in the Police Force where a small number of officers who were due for retirement were given tenure extension.

A source disclosed that the act was perfected by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro who is regarded as a politician who uses his position as head of the commission to influence and execute some unlawful practice in the force.

Okiro was said to have solicited the assistance of the former Inspector General, Abubakar to perfect a similar process for some officers, a move which the ex-IG opposed claiming it was not in line with the tradition of the force.

Investigations revealed that an officer, AIG Ilesanmi Aguda of the Department of Air Wing got his letter of extension last week, a move that irked many junior officers in the force.

The AIG is known in the force as ‘the Vice-President’s man’ as he pilots the Police helicopter for the Vice President, Namadi Sambo and Senate President, David Mark.

The AIG is said to have always used his closeness to high ranking government officials to curry favour and step up his promotions, the latest one been the service extension after he had spent the mandatory 35 years in service.

The disgruntled officers alleged that the acting IG is under the control of Okiro who is said to be very manipulative and uses the force to carry out the wish of his political allies.

The allegation was said to have reached the President who has called for an investigation into the matter.

THE LETTER

Dear Mr President,

                                                   CALL OKIRO TO ORDER NOW!

We want to call your attention to an ugly trend that has now found its way into the Nigerian Police Force and threatens to break the norms and tradition of the institution.

It is mandatory for any officer who had served in the force for 35 years to retire. This has been the normal practice known through the rank and file of the Police force.

But to the dismay of many of us, we found that some ‘favoured’ officers who are presently due for retirement have been granted a year extension.

This irregularity has created discord in the Police Force as the action has barred many officers from been promoted.

Our investigation revealed that this unfortunate incident is perfected by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro and the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba which proves that the Acting-IG is not independent as a letter of extension has already been given some days ago to an AIG in Abuja.

Mr President, we can confirm to you that a similar action was proposed to the former Inspector General of Police who vehemently kicked against it based on his understanding of the bad blood the practice could generate among the officers.

We now want to understand why the Acting Inspector General approved what his predecessor opposed during his tenure.

Your Excellency, we are made to understand that the officers who have their years of service extended are close to some influential politicians and we want to implore you to use your good office to correct this anomaly.

Mr President, we commend your good works and we know that Okiro and his cohorts are bent on tarnishing your good image with their selfish acts that will do no good to the force.

We call on you to act quickly and prevent this act of favouritism from taking place.

Long live Mr President! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!

                                                                                                  Signed: Concerned Citizens Association

Ajimobi Sack S.As, Caretaker aides

The governor of Oyo State this morning has sacked all the Caretaker members and S.As working with the Chairmen in the 33 local government areas in the State. The information further stressed that the appointment of new members and S.As will take effect as soon as possible.

Reason for this action is to give other party faithful who has been grumbling of neglect in the last 3 years which has made the party to have witness exodus of party members in the last few months.


More Details Later!

Exquisito Confectioneries Stage 2nd Bread Exhibition

One of the leading confectioneries in Nigeria that specializes in baking, Exquisito will again stage another power packed bread exhibition on Wednesday, 1st of October 2014 at PentoRise, Bodija, Ibadan.

The head of operations of Exquisito, Deola Layade disclosed this exclusively to cityinfo190 in her office that, this year edition will again be the first of its kind.

"This is what we know how to do and so far we are the best in it and that is why I am pushed to organise the second edition of the bread exhibition despite low patronage of sponsors".                     

"The main objective of this programme is to let our people see another innovation about bread baking that is line with the international standard and we are leaving no stone upturn to continually improve on or activities at every edition". She said.

She explains further that this year edition will feature so many side attractions that is different from last year edition.

She disclose that  several known hip-hop artistes are coming from Lagos to do command performance and thrill guests  while one of the leading comedian in Nigeria, Gbenga Adeyinka will  also be around.

Also there will be games corner, 250 free goodie bags,

photo booth, gold carpet, gift vouchers, free sanitizers, music, dance, free wine and bread tasting, , free kids face painting and lots more.

LAUTECH wins Google 2014 Online Marketing contest

Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Prof. Adeniyi GbadegesinOgbomoso has commended the Institution’s founding fathers for bequeathing to it, worthy legacy

Gbadegesin said this Ogbomoso while receiving a team of LAUTECH undergraduates, who won the 2014 Google Online Marketing Challenge Contest for the Middle East and Africa,

He said that the curriculum which makes it mandatory for all intakes to register and offer same courses at the 100 level has continued to put us ahead of our peers.

It was revealed that the representative was led by the Acting Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at LAUTECH, Dr Tayo Arulogun.

According to the statement titled ``2014 Google On-line Marketing Challenge results’’ the team worked with Automedics limited, an auto-mobile maintenance workshop offering free advisory care tips.

Among the members of the team are Adedoyin Jelili with matriculation no 084447, Olayanju  Abiodun (082509)and Adeosun Oluwole (100431) all of mechanical engineering department.

Others are Adesina Jamiu (103967) and Akadiri Olawole (104653) both of the Urban and Regional Planning Department with Salami Ismaila (082988) of the department of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Gbadegesin said that most of the ICT related awards coming the way of the university had been won most times by students whose courses of studies had nothing to do with ICT.

 He urged students of the institution to keep on being good ambassadors of their Alma mater, it was expected that the team would soon leave for Dublin anytime from now to see the workings at the Google office.

Silent Cry Hits Cinema Today

Silent Cry (Ekun Asunsinu) is set to make waves among thousands of movies in the Nigeria film industry has been premiere in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

The movie which was directed by popular nollywood act, Desmond Eliot has been slated for theatrical release today September 5th is being distributed across the select cinemas by FilmOne distribution.

The Managing Director of FilmOne, Mr. Kene Mkparu while addressing journalists on Thursday described the film as a "unique, intricately crafted story, delivered with dexterity by the finest of thespians in the Yoruba movie industry". 

Mkparu said the film will capture the visual attention of Nigerians irrespective of their sex,tribe and political affiliations.

He said, "we believe in good organic content whether told in the official or indigenous language, that can boast of good production values, we want to support diligent producers with fresh ideas whose works speak for themselves"

He said the film from the stable of Titan Productions is indeed poised to top the indigenous movie charts in 2014.

The story of the film, revolves around Tomiwa (Toyin Aimaku a popular Yoruba Actress), a young lady from a rich home who falls into the deceptive of a lover. Having eloped with her father money to assist the boy friend termed as unforgivable by her father Antar Laniyan, (another popular actor) she was thrown into the sea of loneliness and battles with waves of indecision, betrayal. 

Ibadan Stand Still as Akala Declare ambition,promised to run all inclusive govt

Former governor Alao- Akala has promised to run an all inclusive government and respect the right of all party members if voted into the government house come 2015.

Akala stated this today during his gubernatorial declaration held at water shed events centre at Old ife road in ibadan.

He said further that he came into the race after receiving hundreds of telephone calls, thousands of text messages and personal visitations from all and sundry asking him to come out once again to contest for the post of the governor of Oyo state.

Speaking earlier at the party office where he went to pay homage to the state executives of the party, Alao- Akala said the party should ensure there is level playing ground for all the guber aspirants’ vying for the post of governor.

“Some people have been parading themselves as the anointed candidate of the party saying the executives should look into the matter.

In his words, the state chairman of the Party Taiwo Oke promised a level playing ground for all candidates he later advised the elders of the party to come together as one in other to avert the mistakes of 2011 that cost the party.

After leaving the party office the motor arcade passed through different places like mokola, sabo, dugbe, molete, bere, oje market, Gate before heading to Watershed event cntre where the carnival like declaration programme was held.

Oyo Govt Gives Journalist 45congos of Rice for Eid filtri

Barely less than six months to the end of tenure of the present government in Oyo State led by Senator Isiaq Ajimobi, the state government  recently gave the Correspondent chapel of Oyo NUJ 45 congos of rice which is a bag and a half for the the eid filtri celebartion.

According to a source who xplained to cityinfo190 said the gift was rejected by this group and described it as an insult and a great embarrassment.

One of the journalist told cityinfo190 that one of the aide of the governor, Festus Adedayo was the one who put a call through to the correspondent office that the governor has largess for them.

However,  another information gathered by cityinfo has it that the rice was actually three congos and was share into two, a part was given to about 10 aggrieved members of the chapel while the other part was given to over 40 members of the journalists.

Meanwhile the State government recently gave out thousands of bag of rice to party members’ artisans in the state.