The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • Obaseki unable to account for 13% derivation fund, says APC chair

    Obaseki unable to account for 13% derivation fund, says APC chair

    Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Col. David Imuse (rtd.) has said it was wrong for Governor Godwin Obaseki to accuse President Muhammadu Buhari of mismanaging the national economy.

    He said the governor was unable to account for the huge 13 per cent derivation fund and humongous arrears paid by the president.

    Imuse asked Obaseki to halt his planned demolition of the press centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at 1, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion Way, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, to build Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA), to house the stolen artefacts being returned to Benin from Europe.

    EMOWAA is to rival Edo Royal Museum being built by Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, opposite his palace in Benin, to house the same artefacts, and fully supported by President Buhari.

    Imuse, yesterday at a news conference at the Edo secretariat of APC on Airport Road, Benin, said the clueless government of Obaseki had lost focus.

    Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare said Governor Obaseki had nothing to hide on the 13 per cent derivation fund, promising to give details soon.

  • Ogun, NNPC to build Ogijo-Sagamu road, says Abiodun

    Ogun, NNPC to build Ogijo-Sagamu road, says Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has disclosed the readiness of his administration to collaborate with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd to reconstruct Ogijo-Sagamu Road.

    Abiodun, who made this known yesterday at the inauguration of the 4-kilometre Oba Erinwole Road in Sagamu Local Government, said work would begin on the construction of Hospital Road in Sagamu during the week, expressing dismay that previous administrations abandoned Oba Erinwole Road despite its bearing on the socio-economic lives of the people.

    With the road fixed, it has become a major link to Lagos, the commercial capital, a major driver of economic activities to Sagamu and will access industries operating in the area.

    The governor said it was built to meet standard, improve the living standard of the people and open up the potential of Sagamu for more investors.

    He said the road was chosen by the people based on their needs.

    Abiodun said his administration would ensure local governments benefited from road projects.

    He said: “We realise that the majority of these roads have direct bearing on the economic activities of our people. One of such neglected roads is this Oba Erinwole Road. By the time we came into office, the road had become a nightmare; completely impassable, causing untold hardship for our people. Sagamu was becoming a pariah among cities because of this neglect.

    “I am therefore happy to be here today to inaugurate this same road that was meant to be a punishment orchestrated by the former governor and narrow-minded politicians of yesteryear towards the Remo people. This project is a touchstone to our commitment as a promise-keeping administration. We will continue to fulfil our promises in all parts of Ogun State.

    “In our approach to infrastructural development of Ogun State, Oba Erinwole Road was identified among other roads across the state as top priority for completion before the end of our first term. To date, over 80 major roads and others (federal roads inclusive) totalling 400km have been constructed, reconstructed or rehabilitated across the state. This administration in three years and six months has done more in terms of kilometres of roads than previous administrations.”

    The Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said the road, before the reconstruction, was one of the most deplorable roads in the state.

    He thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise.

    The Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Afolabi Odulate, said the road, which was one of the most important roads in the town, was in a poor state for a long time, adding that the intervention of the government in fixing it was something the people would be grateful for.

    Works and Infrastructure Commissioner Akin Adesanya said the road, which was built to meet acceptable standard, would promote economic relationship between the people of Sagamu and Ikorodu in Lagos.

  • Ekiti Assembly gets new Speaker

    Ekiti Assembly gets new Speaker

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday removed its Speaker, Gboyega Aribisogan, after spending six days in office.

    Seventeen out of the 25 lawmakers in the Assembly, who allegedly voted for Aribisogan’s removal, replaced him with former Chief Whip Bunmi Adelugba, representing Emure Constituency.

    The oath of office was administered on Mrs. Adelugba, who became the first female Speaker in the history of the Assembly since the return to democracy in 1999.

    With Adelugba’s emergence, the Ekiti State House of Assembly has had two Speakers in six days, following the death of Funminiyi Afuye, the erstwhile Speaker.

    Aribisogan was elected last Tuesday as the Speaker in a keenly contested election, after defeating Adelugba with 15 votes against 10.

    Following his election, the Assembly has been enmeshed in a deep-seated crisis and some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly preferred Mrs. Adelugba.

    Twenty-four hours after Aribisogan was sworn in, the police laid siege to the premises of the Assembly complex, following claims that some people were planning to attack the lawmakers.

    This caused tension around the Assembly as all the roads leading to the chambers were cordoned off by the riot squads of the Ekiti Police Command.

    Some suspected thugs, who were openly using banned substances and brandishing lethal weapons, gathered around the Assembly.

    The policemen prevented journalists and the Assembly workers from entering the complex.

    No fewer than 10 Hilux vans and anti-explosive vehicles of the police were stationed strategically around the Assembly complex.

    At an emergence plenary behind closed-door and presided over by Deputy Speaker Hakeem Jamiu, the embattled Aribisogan was suspended indefinitely for blocking the passage of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

    Six other lawmakers were also suspended for manipulating the election that produced Aribisogan as Speaker, among other allegations said to constitute a threat to the peace of the state.

    Those suspended are: Tajudeen Akingbolu (Ekiti West 1), Tope Ogunleye (Ilejemeje), Ajibade Adeyemi (Moba 1), Adekemi Balogun (Ado 1), Yemi Ayokunle (Ekiti Southwest 1) and Adegoke Olajide (Efon).

    Aribisogan and the six lawmakers were also ordered to maintain a distance of 1.5 kilometres to the House of Assembly complex.

    Their action was said to have offended the provisions of the House Standing Rules and the Nigerians Constitution.

    After departing the House of Assembly complex, the lawmakers visited the APC state secretariat on Ado-Ikere Road to pay homage to the party’s leadership.

    The lawmakers present included: Toyin Lucas (Ado 1) Femi Akindele (Irepodun-Ifelodun 1), Teju Okuyiga (Gbonyin), Ayodeji Ajayi (Ise/Orun), Lateef Akanle (Ekiti East 2), Arugbo (Moba 2), Babatunde Fawekun (Ido/Osi 1) Babatunde Joseph (Ekiti Southwest 2), Ademola Ojo(Ijero), Adeoye Aribasoye (Ikole Constituency 2).

    Others are: Akin Oso(Ido/Osi 1), Reuben Awoyemi (Oye 2), Tunde Idowu(Ikere 2), Bode Oyekola (Ekiti West 2), Deputy Speaker Hakeem Jamiu, and new Speaker Adelugba.

    Addressing reporters during the visit to the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti to introduce the new leadership, Adelugba expressed appreciation to the party for not allowing its name to be dragged in the mud, despite the tension elicited by the power tussle in the Assembly.

    But impeached Speaker Gboyega Aribisogan said he remained in office, while the new Speaker, Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba, has been receiving congratulatory messages from the party leadership, colleagues and other stakeholders.

    Leaders of the ruling APC yesterday intervened in the House of Assembly’s crisis, urging the feuding parties to sheathe their swords for peace to reign in the state.

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji, a source said, also moved swiftly to douse the tension and prevent the escalation of crisis.

    Aribisogan said the Principal Officers, led by himself, condemned what he called the illegal invasion of the chambers by “seven disgruntled members” at the un-parliamentary hour of 6 a.m to carry out the purported impeachment.

    The impeached Speaker recalled that the House of Assembly had adjourned sitting sine die after his election, adding that a detachment of policemen had taken over the premises since Wednesday, thereby preventing the legislature from undertaking its constitutionally prescribed duties.

    Aribisogan, who maintained that he remained the Speaker, said in a statement that the election of Mrs. Adelugba as new speaker cannot stand.

    The statement reads: “This morning (yesterday), seven disgruntled members of the House were shepherded into the Assembly Chamber by the policemen for a session that can only be described as an unlawful gathering and definitely not a plenary sitting because the gathering was not convened in accordance with Order V. Rule 18 (1) of the House Rules.

    “In view of the fact that the presence of the members in the Chamber was in contradiction of the House Rules, the purported impeachment of Mr. Speaker and suspension of seven (other) members is illegal, ultra vires, null and void and of no effect. The actions are not legally sustainable and would definitely be quashed be a court of competent jurisdiction.

    “Ekiti people and the general public are invited to note that Order II, Rule 9 of the House Rules clearly prescribes that before the Speaker can be removed from office, he must be served with a formal notice of allegations and given a period of 72 hours to respond.

    “The Rules further state that such a response would be reviewed by an ad hoc committee set up by the House for that purpose before a vote on impeachment of the Speaker can be taken on the floor of the House. The unlawful assembly of today was so steeped in illegality that the disgruntled members did not care to pretend to comply with these Rules in carrying out the purported impeachment of the Speaker.

    “It should also be noted that the members present at the unlawful assembly did not meet the statutory number of 17, which the House Rules state can impeach a Speaker. If the disgruntled members dispute this fact, they should provide the video recordings of today’s sham proceedings.”

    “In view of the foregoing, we hereby call on the Government and people of Ekiti State and all constituted authorities to note that Rt. Hon. Olugboyega Aribisogan remains the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    “While we urge Ekiti people to be watchful, they should remain calm in the face of the gross subversion of democratic principles which took place in the House of Assembly today. We remain confident that justice and the rule of law will prevail.”

  • Addressing climate change crucial to our future – APC National youth leader

    Addressing climate change crucial to our future – APC National youth leader

    All Progressives Congress(APC) National Youth Leader, Hon. Dayo Israel, has tasked the global, including Europe and America, to show serious commitment to climate funding obligations in Africa.

    He issued the challenge during a session at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in Egypt where he interacted with other global representatives, including Western delegates.

    Stressing the grave importance of addressing the challenge of climate change to protect the future of young people and achieve sustainable development, Israel lamented “a situation where words have replaced action and those primarily responsible for the problem are dragging their feet on making the required investments for meaningful progress.”

    He added: “Africa, including my home country Nigeria, has contributed so little to this problem but we are left to bear the worst brunt. We are witnessing record droughts, flooding, and other environmental disasters all linked to the warming climate.”

    “On top of that, we are asked to sacrifice growth opportunities and neglect satisfying pressing national needs in the interest of the planet even if those making the demand, the same people with a more significant share of responsibility for the problem, are dodging their obligations, especially financing the gaps the shifts they are demanding will cause.”

    Israel maintained the APC appreciates the impact of climate change on the future and sustainable development, particularly as Nigeria continues to count the loss of the devastating floods witnessed in several parts of the country this year due primarily to worsening rainfalls and weather conditions.

    Read Also: 2023: Marafa promises APC, Tinubu massive votes in Zamfara

    “I have been to numerous states in Nigeria where climate change has resulted in devastating floods to witness, first-hand, the extent of the damage recorded.

    “Many farmers have lost their means of livelihood and other families are now displaced because their homes are submerged in water.

    “This is a challenge we take seriously as a ruling party in charge of the government. We understand that solving it is crucial to our ambition to guarantee our youths a safe and prosperous future,” he said.

    In addition to the efforts carried out by the Buhari administration to provide succour to areas and citizens of the country suffering the negative effects of climate change, Israel noted that the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has also demonstrated his commitment to renewable energy and other innovations to keep the country on a positive track as far as the issue is concerned.

    However, he stressed that much is hinged on the West taking its obligation seriously, including the $100bn annual investment promised by the bloc to fund climate actions in Africa.

    “The West must take the lead on this issue. That’s the quickest and most effective path forward. We share the objective of protecting the planet and bequeathing to the future generation a safe and livable world.

    “But we must not be made to pay the biggest price for a problem we didn’t cause. Not when those making the demands and setting the targets are quick to resort to the same actions they condemn when they feel an energy pinch. He who comes into equity must come with clean hands,” he stated.

  • ‘Oyetola best in public expenditure efficiency’

    ‘Oyetola best in public expenditure efficiency’

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola is the best governor in efficiency of public expenditure, according to the World Bank’s States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS).

    The state also won an award of excellence as ‘TOP’ performer on Domestic Revenue Mobilisation.

    The awards were bestowed on the governor and the state in Abuja, at an event to celebrate the achievements of SFTAS since inception.

    According to World Bank, Oyetola clinched the award following his reforms which have impacted positively on the fiscal transparency and accountability in public resource management of the state.

    Read Also; Ekiti: Fayemi’s unfinished greatness birthing BAO’s strategic approach to governance

    SFTAS is a programme which encourages and motivates Nigerian states towards improvement of their public finance management systems, processes and institution aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency to help build trust in government, facilitate accountability in public resource management and ensure sustainability in the participating states.

    Finance Commissioner Bola Oyebamiji, who received the awards, said Oyetola has been able to manage the state’s debt such that it has not affected its present and future development.

    He said: “The awards show that all the accolades being showered on our boss, who prefers to call himself the team leader, is no fluke. Before we came in, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was N10.3 billion in 2018. But, by 2020, Osun’s IGR grew to N19.67 billion, placing it among the top 16 states with the highest IGRs. The state raised N9.6 billion in the first six months of the year and N9.8 billion in the last six months.

  • Adegboruwa to Lagos: improve land management with technology

    Adegboruwa to Lagos: improve land management with technology

    Human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has urged Lagos State to deploy technology to ease land registration and land management.

    Adegboruwa, at the first stakeholders’ summit organised by the Office of the State Surveyor-General (OSSG) in Alausa, Ikeja, noted that embracing ease and convenience in processing title documents for landed property will open the state for economic growth. He described the summit, with the theme ‘Emerging Technologies for Optimised Geospatial Application and Service Delivery in the 21st Century’, as ‘apt and in consonance with present realities in the country’.

    He added: “The process of bearing files from one stage to the other in the process of approval, rendering advice is cumbersome, not only to the judiciary, but even in survey departments, for us to do certain things. The people we are following have since moved ahead. The problem we have with the judiciary is our conservative approach to things and ways of doing things. A certain case lingered from 1997 to 2020, almost 30 years, yet the person is still in possession of the property wrongly acquired.

    “This cuts across all areas of our life, and the only solution is to deploy technology in tackling office management, thereby removing human intervention in governance to considerable level.”

    The legal luminary also urged the Federal Government to devolve power to the states, local government and grassroots level, as part of measures to check corruption among the elite.

    Permanent Secretary/Surveyor-General of Lagos State PS/SG (OSSG), Olutomi Sangowawa, said the maiden edition of the stakeholder’s forum was to forge a partnership that will strengthen ties between the government, property owners and stakeholders in the build sector.

    He added: “This initiative will foster a more cordial relationship among stakeholders, investors and regulators, just as it defines, in clear terms, the requirements for adopting 21st Century techniques for optimised geospatial applications and service delivery.”

  • Ekiti Assembly boils over plot to remove speaker

    Ekiti Assembly boils over plot to remove speaker

    • Speaker alleges impeachment, assassination

    • ‘Crisis will be resolved’

    Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday plunged into crisis following an allegation by the newly elected Speaker, Gboyega Aribisogan, that some party leaders were plotting his impeachment.

    The embattled speaker also alleged plans by some people to assassinate him if he refuses to leave as presiding officer.

    Aribisogan, who spoke on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, said he received news in Abuja where he was attending the Conference of Speakers, about a plot to impeach him. He was elected as Speaker last week with 15 votes, defeating his rival, Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba (Emure).

    He said some lawmakers who supported his bid last week were being influenced to desert him.

    Aribisogan urged credible Ekiti leading lights, including Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN), to intervene and save democracy in the state.

    He said he was not afraid of anybody, adding that he only fears God.

    Many Ekiti indigenes are worried about the conflict, which they fear may snowball into a predecessor-succesor crisis. They are particularly worried that the conflict may distract the governor, who is just settling down for the challenges of governance in the far-flung state.

    Observers also said the crisis may affect Ekiti APC’s preparation for next year’s elections.

    Last week, there was panic as police sealed off the House, following rumours of moves to impeach the Deputy Speaker, Hakeem Jamiu (Irepodu/Ifelodun 2).

    Sources also said aggrieved lawmakers who failed to secure return tickets were up in arms against the former governor and the party leadership.

    But Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s Special Adviser on Information and Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said there was no cause for alarm, adding that the miniature conflict is within the party’s ambit to resolve.

  • IITA DG bows out after 11 years, says Nigerians are most hospitable in Africa

    IITA DG bows out after 11 years, says Nigerians are most hospitable in Africa

    THE Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Dr Nteranya Sarginga, has described Nigerians as the most hospitable people in Africa as he bows out after 11 years of leading the largest agricultural research institute in Africa.

    Sarginga, who is the first African to lead the institute, hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He had initially served as a student researcher before returning as the first African DG in 2011.

    While giving account of his stewardship to select reporters at the weekend, the outgoing chief executive called on African leaders to invest more in agriculture to feed Africans and lead in exportation of farm produce to strengthen economies and provide jobs.

    Sarginga, who took over leadership in 2011, is famous for his ‘people first’ policy which saw the institute regain the trust of staff, a development that helped staff and other stakeholders give their best to the institute.

    The policy has helped IITA regain its position as the leading agricultural research institute in Africa attracting new grants and projects across the world. He said: “When I became the 7th DG of IITA and started work on 1 November 2011, 1 used the People Strategy to inform the Business Strategy (IITA Refreshed Strategy 2012-2020) as the best approach to lead and develop the organization. Both strategies had to work together to enable the organization to deliver on its mission and mandate of transforming the agricultural agenda in Africa.

    “Most staff in IITA and other organizations have asked me about my People Strategy. My answer has been that you will not find that in any annual report and probably not in any internal IITA document either. Yet we all agree that “people are the most important assets in any institution.” For me the people strategy is the link between the business strategy and the implications for human resources. It answers questions such as what are we good at, what capabilities do we need, and when and where do we need them? I spent a lot of time early in my administration to get answers to such questions from all categories of IITA staff at headquarters and hubs.”

    To his credit, IITA successfully introduced the youth agripreneurship programme which opens up opportunities for youths in agriculture. The programme makes youths see agriculture as a business instead of a punishment. They get trained by IITA and are supported with resources to succeed in agriculture business. Through the programme, some selected public secondary schools have been renovated, and supplied technology laboratories to help young tots embrace technology in farming.

  • Group mobilises 5000 women canvassers for Tinubu in Ondo

    Group mobilises 5000 women canvassers for Tinubu in Ondo

    A support group for the election of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of Nigeria, the Rontex for BAT has mobilised over 5000 women in Ondo State to serve as vote canvassers ahead for next year’s general election.

    The group said its mission is to ensure the message of power shift is spread to the grassroot.0ndo State Coordinator for Rontex for BAT, Mrs.Saratu Funke Adelakun,

    described 2023 as the year of power shift to the Southwest.

    Adelakun urged the coordinators to ensure registered voters within their vicinity get their voter cards. She said it was necessary for the canvassers to educate the voters on the need to vote for power shift and good governance.

    According to her, “This is the time to open the people’s eyes to the good work of the APC led administration under President Muhammadu Buhari. “We are to go out and ensure victory for Tinubu. We are not to take the voters for granted. Our mission is to get 90 percent of the voters in Ondo State.”

    National Chairman and Convener for RONTEX for BAT, Dr. Ronke Kolade Carew, urged the canvassers to be polite as they carry out their assignment.Dr. Carew said the focus was on issue based campaigns and not character assassination.

  • Tinubu: Oyetola inaugurates campaigners for 34,898 polling units in Southwest

    Tinubu: Oyetola inaugurates campaigners for 34,898 polling units in Southwest

    GOVERNOR Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State yesterday inaugurated grassroots campaigners to canvass votes for the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at 34,898 polling units in southwest states in 2023.

    The Presidential Campaign Committee(PCC) put in place the grassroots mobilisation engagement and orientation for southwest for Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima to mobilise support in Osun (3,763Polling Units), Ondo (3933PUs), Ogun (5042 PUs), Lagos (13,325 PUs), Ekiti (2445 PUs) and Oyo (6390 PUs) which is chaired by former governor of Osun, Mrs Titi-Laoye Ponnle.

    Speaking at the event held in Osogbo capital of Osun, Governor Oyetola commended the supporters for unrelenting passion, commitment, unparalleled dedication and sacrifice for spreading the message of Renewed Hope to Nigerians.

    He maintained that Tinubu/Shettima ticket is powered by tested and trusted hands and it offers renewed hope for all in all sectors.

    According to him, “The Grassroots Mobilisation, Engagement and Orientation Directorate of the Presidential Campaign Council is the principal channel for the expression of our conviction that reforming Nigeria answers to experience, competence and political will and not primordial considerations.

    “We are here as the Omoluabi contingent to support a team that symbolises the competence, integrity and experience required to further transform the nation and take it to the next level.  We are here to put South-west seal of excellence on a ticket that had been tested and trusted to deliver excellence in the throes of economic downturn in the past. We are here to support the ticket that promises to give renewed hope and sustainable development.

    The coordinator of the group, Mrs Ponnle said, “Every state is represented here, the governor will inaugurate the grassroots mobilisers. We will start from door to door, to units and ward levels across the states. We are determined to deliver 90 per cent of southwest votes for Asiwaju. I know you are all ready to deliver victory for APC presidential candidate’.