Category: South West

Widow of Abayomi Kinyomi, ex-Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Oluyinka Abeni, has narrated her husband’s last moments.

She gave the insight yesterday when Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, led senior members of the Assembly on a condolence visit to the family.

According to the widow, her husband was constantly checking the time and saying he wanted to go home.

She said: “He was always checking the time. He kept complaining that he wanted to go home. He would complain about the bed, but we didn’t understand. When the pressure on his health suddenly increased, and we were taking him to the hospital, I looked at him in the car and knew he could hardly make it.

“When we got to the hospital, the doctor checked him and told me we’ve lost him. I can’t forget that day.”

Mrs. Abeni described her late husband as a ‘loving and caring man who planned everything about him’. She thanked Obasa and the House’ leadership for constantly supporting the family even while Pa. Kinyomi was alive

Pa. Kinyomi’s daughter in-law, Mrs. Adeola, described the deceased as a man who was ‘very passionate about the development of Lagos, especially in its pursuit to become a mega city’.

Obasa noted that the former speaker played important roles for the development of Lagos.

“Even after leaving the House, he continued to assist with his wisdom. We consider him one of us because once a lawmaker, always a lawmaker. To us, it is the celebration of a life well-lived. However, we will miss him,” Obasa said. He also promised that the House of Assembly will continue to support the family.

Kinyomi, who served as Speaker of the House of Assembly between January 1992 and November 1993, died at 82 on Tuesday after a brief illness.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has mourned Kinyomi’s death.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, described the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain as ‘a trustworthy and committed party member’. According to him, the former lawmaker spent his life in the service of humanity and Lagos State, particularly as a lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The statement reads: “The death of Abayomi Kinyomi is a big loss to Lagos State government, our party, his family and friends.

“Papa Kinyomi did his best by serving Lagos State passionately as Speaker of the House of Assembly during the Third Republic. He was also a committed member of our great party, APC, till his death.

“I pray God will grant his soul eternal rest and comfort the families he left behind.”

The APC candidate for Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency, Prince Lanre Sanusi, also described the deceased as ‘a very intelligent person who has high regard for the legislature’.

He said: “Pa. Kinyomi remains one of the leading lights in Amuwo-Odofin, being a former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly. He has one way or the other, made his mark. I cannot forget in a hurry my courtesy call with my campaign team to his residence. Hon. Kinyomi is so youthful at heart that recouched our slogan to read ‘PLS, YES WE CAN DO IT BETTER’.

“He is not someone we can forget easily, given his love for positive developments in his constituency. He will never delay in giving his best to issues that demand deep reasoning and elderly counsel. Pa. Kinyomi will be sorely missed.”

The main challenger in the Osun Governorship election, PDP’s Ademola Adeleke, parades himself as the harbinger of light, his campaign slogan being “imole de”, a Yoruba phrase that translates to the light is here. But his plans and vision for the state lack clarity and illumination.

At campaign stumps and during media rounds, he has stuttered and floundered, failing to articulate any real point as to why he deserves a shot as Governor, not even with the support of prepared notes, an almost clownish feature of his media appearances that all but reveal his astonishing inability to convey even the most basic understanding of his supposed policy actions extemporaneously.

Surely a serious candidate for the high office of Governor should be able to answer questions on the important matters of education, finance, and infrastructure without a constant glance at a prepared note every five seconds. His observed failure in this regard underlines an alarming ideas deficiency.

One is reminded of an exchange he had with a prominent aide to a former Speaker of the Senate during which he completely ceded policy proposals to the young man, unable to assert himself in the conversation, thus confusing the public on who the actual candidate was. A man who cannot demonstrate thought leadership in an exchange with young aides is definitely not one who should be placed in charge of a state.

Besides, it is clear that if Ademola Adeleke does indeed have ideas for governance, they were most likely sourced from external sources who perhaps didn’t care enough to familiarize him with them. And if he has no understanding of these ideas let alone ways to execute them, how exactly does he intend to set governance goals, assess performance and lead a cabinet?

Contrast this comical mess with the campaign of the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola who has premised his appeal for another term on his faithful devotion to his ‘Ileri Oluwa’ pledge to continue and expand the revamp of the critical sectors of the state and, through the facilitation of new growth and economic investments, fortify it against external shocks that hitherto crippled ambitions and threatened state obligations to the main drivers of the economy.

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Determined in his goal to wean the state off the perilous reliance on federal allocations, particularly at a time when oil’s decline in the global markets cut the country’s earnings and hamstrung the federal government, Governor Gboyega Oyetola signaled positively to the private sector and global investment community with the state’s first-ever International Economic and Investment Summit where he advertised Osun’s economic potential and reiterated his administration’s commitment to enabling the flourish of private enterprise.

It wasn’t just rhetoric. The Oyetola-administration did more than any other administration in Osun since 1999 to cut red tape and attract private capital inflow through strategic and targeted investments that directly addressed the concerns of private investors.

As a result, Osun moved up 11 places in the Nigeria Subnational Ease of Doing Business Ranking and ranked 3rd, behind only Lagos and Abuja, as the state with the highest capital inflow in 2021 ($29.9million), according to the NBS.

The investments and the accompanying uptick in economic activities created meaningful and dignified jobs and opportunities for young residents of the state and led to a significant reduction in the poverty rate. Indeed, Osun state under Governor Gboyega Oyetola posts a poverty headcount ratio of 8.25%. Only two states can boast of a lower headcount in the entire country.

Additionally, the arrival of the private capital and the productive engagement of its youthful population has strengthened government finances. Osun’s annual internally generated revenue, an indicator of the health of its economy and government administrative competence, grew to over 21BN in 2021 from 17BN in 2019.

With the additional revenue, the administration increased its investments in education, health, MSMEs, and critical infrastructure. For instance, Osun State devoted over 17% of its annual budget to health in 2021, the highest percentage by any state in the country and a record figure in the history of the state. For those who may shrug cynically that budget proposals are simply proposals, Osun state recorded a budget performance of 86.48% in 2021, up from 58% in 2018.

Backlog of pension debts inherited by the administration are cleared monthly, new schools are being built, frustrating queues at public hospitals are disappearing – due to the construction of new PHCs, particularly in rural communities where access represented a serious challenge. The state has undergone a remarkable shift borne of a serious approach to governance and outstanding fiscal discipline.

Yet Ademola Adeleke wants to halt this forward motion. All for what? A misplaced conviction derived from his ability to take the dance floor and familial ties with a famous celebrity. Unfortunately for him, dancing as a skill ranks very low in the consideration for public office, otherwise Micheal Jackson would have been president of the world, succeeded at death by Usher Raymond.

Nigeria and indeed Osun State must manage an uncertain period wrought by a pandemic that continues to rankle in the Global North to unabating inflation and persistent supply chain disruptions that affect local trade and economic growth. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine also looms large with serious consequences for food supply and global trade. The country is the middle of an important conversation on its governance architecture. This moment calls for serious and skillful government management, not clownery. It is not the time for a dancing mascot.

–
•Peter Adeshina is a member of the APC Media and Publicity Subcommittee for the Osun 2022 Governorship Election.

The Contenders

1. Abdul Rashidi Adewale Gbadegesin
2. Dr. Abidoye Gbadegesin
3. Abdrasak Adegoke Gbadegesin
4. Kabiru Adebayo Gbadegesin
5. Isiak Olatunde Gbadegesin
6. Basiru Adeniyi Gbadegesin
7. Monjeed Abiola Gbadegesin
8. Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin
9. Babajide Aderoju Gbadegesin
10. Abdmonjeed Adekunle Gbadegesin
11. Ajibade Adebayo Adeladan
12. Tella Biliaminu Kolawole
13. Tiani Hammed Adebayo
14. Salami Saheed Babatunde
15. Ladigbolu Adewale Aderemi
16. Adekunle Mutahir Adegboye
17. Alh. Tesleem Oriade Ladigbolu
18. Adekunle Kamal Adeyemi
19. Adebisi Jeleel Adeniyi
20. Oluokun Kasali Agunloye
21. Adekunle Gafar Adebayo
22. Tella Meroof Adeniyi
23. Owoade Wahab Folorunso Aderemi
24. Adewusi Mukaila Olanrewaju
25. Olaide Dauda Oladimeji
26. Tella Adeniyi Kareem
27. Agunloye Adelayo Aderemi
28. Aderogba Idowu Agunloye
29. Morounranti Hakeem Alayoayo
30. Gbadegesin Taofeek Agunloye
31. Remilekun Enitan Adeniya
32. Razak Alayoayo
33. Akinade Abdul Rahman Alayoayo
34. Archbishop Prince Lawrence Sanda Ayo Ladigbolu
35. Lukman Alabi Olugbenga Ladigbolu
36.Hakeem Abiodun Adeyanju Ayinde Ladigbolu
37. Ayobami Adewumi Sanda Ladigbolu
38. Amidu Abiodun Ladigbolu
39. Muideen Adekunle Ladigbolu
40. Kolade Tunde Saani Ladigbolu
41. Adegboyega Ibrahim Ladigbolu
42. Abdulquadri Opeyemi Ladigbolu
43. Ismaila Aderemi Belawu Adekunle Ladigbolu
44. Adebimpe Wasiu Abiodun Ladigbolu
45. Taofeek Adewumi Ladigbolu
46. Rasaki Kamorudeen Osuolale Ladigbolu
47. Owoade Hakeem Babatunde Adetunji
48. Owoade Ibrahim Abiodun Olayiwola

The process to fill the vacant Alaafin of Oyo stool has begun.

No fewer than 48 princes have been nominated by the next ruling house, Agunloye royal family.

The late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola (Adeyemi III), joined his ancestors three months ago.

Head of the Agunloye family, otherwise known as mogaji, Pa Samuel Adeladan, has handed over letters of intent of the 48 prequalified candidates to Baba Iyaji, who will in turn present them to the Oyomesi, a group of seven kingmakers who are expected to consult the Ifa oracle in the process of selecting the right candidate for the throne.

National Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria (PAN) Prince Adewale Oladigbolu has also joined the race.

Oladigbolu said he deserves the stool, judging from his wealth of experience in cultural, traditional and contemporary issues.

He said: “I belong to the Agunloye ruling house. I am a bonafide Prince of the Oyo kingdom and entitled to the Oyo throne as the next Alaafin of Oyo.”

Prince Adewale also believes there is nothing strange about 48 princes vying for the stool. He recalled that during the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi’s time, 54 princes contested the throne before the Oyomesi chose one person.

“Having 48 contestants in this modern time is a fair number. I appeal that all the princes remain calm and hopeful for whom the Oyomesi will choose.

“It is a huge sacrifice for the person who will wear the crown because he will carry the burden of the Oyo kingdom and the entire Yoruba race on his head. There should be no acrimony,” he added.

Prince Adewale admonished the Oyo people to offer prayers for the Oyomesi not to make a mistake that might take the kingdom 50 years backwards.

“The Oyomesi have a lot of responsibility in their hands, and this contest should not be about how deep your pocket is, but about what you have done and the little things that show what character you possess, including the leadership roles you have held.

“We need a king who is forward-looking; a king that is technologically savvy, financially intelligent and not absolutely oppressive.

“We need a king that will prioritise the needs of the people, the town and the kingdom over his own private needs. We need a king that is also a warrior, a promoter of culture, a lover of his people,” he said.

LOTUS Bank has celebrated its first year anniversary by partnering the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) for tree planting, and opening its 20th branch in Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos State.

The bank also launched its first agency banking, LOTUSMART, to help expand the campaign for financial inclusion.

LOTUS Bank launched on July 7, 2021, as the third Non-Interest Bank (NIB) in Nigeria, obtaining its regional license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to operate as a commercial bank.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Kafilat Araoye, underpinned the significance of the exercise on the core values of the institution since its foundation a year ago. According to her, the commitment of LOTUS Bank to environmental friendliness is beyond just a symbol on its logo, but also reflects on its modus-operandi and architecture.

She said: “If you look at our logo, it is a tree, and this is not by accident. We believe in helping the environment and sustainability. What you see happening around the society is alarming, instead of people planting trees, we are cutting them. And part of our core believes as a bank is that we must support growth in all its ramifications. Having trees in our environment adds so much value, such as absorbing carbon dioxide which is hazardous to human health, creating shade and being productive, generally.

“Due to its growth significance, we choose a tree as our logo and committed ourselves to supporting environmental friendliness. In our bank, just to show that we support afforestation and not deforestation, we have paperless devices. We have tablets where you can make transfers without filling out forms to encourage people on the need to protect the environment. Part of the cause of climate change is the fuel we are burning. To mark our anniversary, we decided to support a cause that we believe in…”

General Manager of LASPARK Adetoun Popoola, at the tree planting ceremony, described the bank’s partnership as a critical plan in helping the United Nations’ and humanity to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We have planted trees in commemoration of the first-year anniversary of LOTUS Bank. I believe it is the beginning of a bigger partnership where we will be planting more trees around Lagos, as well as embarking on beautification and landscaping in Lagos. It’s very important for organisations like LOTUS Bank to partner the Lagos State government because it shows that they are conscious of their environment, and that they want to ensure the environment is preserved for future generations…”

The Oyo State Fire Service has said the Monday morning fire at the Bodija Market in Ibadan was aided by several kegs of petrol stored in some of the shops.

Director of Operations Ismail Adeleke, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, said the agency was still investigating the main cause of the incident.

According to him, one Ayo Akeredolu from Yemetu Police Station, Ibadan, called at 5.35am on Monday to inform the agency about the inferno.

He said: “We responded quickly with a 27,000-litre capacity truck with water to the market and started putting the fire under control. Another 10,000-litre capacity truck also joined in our operation to finally put out the fire.

“However, in the course of our operation, we discovered that grinding machines were in most of the shops with some kegs of petrol, which contributed to the spread of the inferno. But we thank God we were able to put out the fire before it spread to the fourth block.”

Adeleke added that further investigations will reveal the main cause of the inferno.

He, therefore, cautioned residents, especially traders, to desist from careless storage of inflammable substances, not minding the scarcity of petrol as currently being experienced in the state.

Three blocks, comprising 11 lock-up shops per block, situated at Ori-Igi Lane in the market, were affected by the fire. Property worth millions of naira was also estimated to have been razed.

The upgraded Lagos State Resident Identity Card (LAG ID Card) will be launched on July 20, General Manager of the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), Mrs. Ibilola Kasunmu, has said.

The launch will hold at the Police College in Ikeja, and will happen simultaneously across the five divisions of the state – Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

Kasunmu noted that key highlights of the day will include live demonstration of the smart card and its benefits, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to her, the new card is embedded with more features and functionalities to offer holders wider and faster access to services provided by the Lagos State government.

She said: “The new LAG ID Card is a multi-application smartcard that offers registered residents access to services ranging from personal security and identity verification, applying for loans from Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).

“Card holders can also use it as a payment card for services across multiple vendors including buses and ferries, supermarkets, as well as cash withdrawals from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).”

Kasunmu appealed to residents who have not registered to do so by visiting the website www.lagosresidents.gov.ng.

She noted that once registration is activated online, residents will need to visit any LASRRA Registration Centre nearest to them for biometric capturing to complete the process. Registration is absolutely free, Kasunmu stressed.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has described the PDP ticket as laughable.

The party said the choice of Funke Akindele as running mate by the candidate, Jide Adediran, underscored the unserious disposition of the opposition party.

APC Spokesman Seye Oladejo said in a statement that the choice has amounted to trivialising the importance of the governorship election by giving political neophytes, who have absolutely nothing to bring to the table, tickets.

He said:”It also shows lack of depth in the party as regards quality members to put forward for elections if they could give a member who crossed-carpeted a few days before their primaries the governorship ticket and now went to the make-believe industry to fetch a deputy.

“The reason for voters’ apathy is, undoubtedly, due to lack of credible alternatives by the moribund opposition party.

“I was amused to read that the deputy governorship candidate said she was suspending her acting career for the elections whose result is highly predictable. I guess she’s suspending a lot more because she has been in the news of recent for all the wrong reasons.

“Lagosians will certainly not allow governance to be turned to a needless experiment or a sitcom. Governance is serious business not a circus.

“Congratulations in advance to the duo of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat.”

Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olajide Adediran has said his choice of actress Funke Akindele as running mate was strategic to his party’s chances.

Adediran, who featured yesterday on the Channels Television programme ‘Politics Today’ said: “People call her an actress, but I’ll say I picked a lawyer who finds joy in acting. My running mate is a film maker, who has been an employer of labour for the past 14 years and somebody who has huge followership.

“I believe she will add value to my chances of winning the election, which is the primary reason of any political party. I have chosen somebody who will bring fresh breadth in Lagos. Both of us are 44 years old, and we don’t need any third approval before we go ahead to do things for the people of Lagos. My running mate is an Ikorodu born.

“Funke Akindele has huge following on the cyber space. We have some structure already. In our group, we have some politicians who understand the nitty-gritty of the political game. This is no joke because our movement in grass-rooted.”

Adediran, who also confirmed Akindele’s candidacy on Twitter, noted that the actress will add more value to his candidacy in the 2023 general elections.

He said: “I appeal to the entire populace to work with me and my running mate, who will add more value to my candidacy. My choice running mate is from the clear understanding of the task ahead, and the need to work with a co-visionary with shared passion for the emancipation of the good people of Lagos.

“This journey demands focus, resilience and tenacity. My running mate is someone who is large-hearted with a well-known history of service and advocacy.

“An Ikorodu-born success story who has, through several of her projects, positively transformed our society. I am proud to present Barrister Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele as my running mate and Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos for the 2023 general elections. Together, we will serve and offer you a breath of fresh air.”

Akindele, in a video on her verified Instagram page yesterday, said she is suspending her acting career to take on her new assignment, which she described as a ‘sacrifice to rescue the people of Lagos State’.

She said: “I see it as an opportunity to help liberate and improve the wellbeing of our people, particularly the deprived youth, women and the girl-child. My decision is not just to accept this huge responsibility, but to also work tirelessly and complement Jandor’s burning desire to see our dear Lagos live up to its full potentials.

“I am not unaware of the cost of this assignment on my vibrant career, which I must now necessarily put on hold. It’s a huge personal sacrifice. My resolve is that no sacrifice is too huge for the actualisation of the urgent mission to rescue our people and our dear state.”

Some celebrities have congratulated and wished Akindele well. They congratulated and celebrated her in the comment section of her post.

Veteran actress Joke Silva wrote ‘Well Done Girl’. Dakore Egbuson said: ‘Congratulations my sister. May God grant you wisdom in this new endeavour’ while Juliet Ibrahim wrote: ‘Queen Congratulations. #WomenLeaders #WomenInPolitics’.

Veteran actress Shan George also took to the comment section, saying, ‘I find this truly awesome, the joy I feel right now is making my eyes teary. Yes I Believe’, while popular digital creator, Eni Adeoluwa, wrote ‘women in politics towards representation and empowerment. Well done, Queen!’.

Story by Emmanuel Badejo, Alao Abiodun and Samuel Oamen

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has shown enough commitments to public welfare and development to deserve a new mandate, Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR) said yesterday.

Speaking during the yearly Bareke (traditional homage) at Government House in Ilorin, the Emir said the achievements of the administration are visible while the Governor’s hands-on approach to governance was commendable.

“I have seen that Your Excellency is performing, and you are ready to work more to better the lots of Kwarans. You have just started. It is my wish and prayer that you are given another mandate to achieve more,” the Emir said, praying Allah to grant the Governor more strength, good health and required wisdom to fulfil his dreams for the state.

The Emir also expressed delight at the Governor’s posture on the horseback during the Durbar and the government’s support that made the socio-cultural event a huge success, describing AbdulRazaq as a true son of Ilorin Emirate.

He called on all descendants of Ilorin to continue to exist in love and unity, which he noted are parts of the cardinal objectives of the Ilorin Durbar.

AbdulRazaq said the administration has institutionalised the Ilorin Durbar and several other festivals in the state by making them important items in public expenditure under culture and tourism.

“This will get better in the coming years as we ramp up investments in tourism and culture,” he added.

“Our visual arts centre and the international conference centre will play prominent roles in promoting culture and tourism in Kwara State. In the future, we look forward to bringing the world’s oldest manuscripts of the Qur’an and other historical relics for exhibition at the visual arts centre.

“We are in fact not leaving any stone unturned in our drive to make Kwara more prosperous and livable. Among many other initiatives of our administration, the new Ilorin Master Plan should be ready for presentation next month. This will bring many benefits to the entire state.”

The Governor commended the Emir and all the traditional rulers and religious leaders in the state for their support in rallying citizens for peaceful coexistence.

He congratulated the Emir on the successful hosting of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar which took place on Saturday.

With the Emir accompanied to the Bareke by a retinue of royal chiefs and aides, the programme was attended by cabinet members, community leaders and many chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress, including Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Controller General Federal Fire Service Engr. Jaji Abdulganiyu; Acting Grand Kadi of Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen; Kwara Central Senatorial candidate (Central) and Turaki of Ilorin Mallam Saliu Mustapha; and IEDPU President Alhaji Aliu Usman Ota.

The Oyo State government yesterday said it has begun registration of motorcycle riders across the state to curb insecurity.

The government noted that considering the level of insecurity in the nation, there is a need to guard against an influx of Okada riders who were believed to have come from neighbouring countries threatening the security of the state.

Speaking in Ibadan at the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Executive Assistant to governor Seyi Makinde on Administration and General Services, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, maintained that the security of lives and prosperity of the people is one of the priorities of the Makinde administration in the state.

He noted that over 5,000 motorcycle operators have been captured so far, while many would still be registered.

“Okada business is a means of livelihood for some people in the state, it will affect them if their operations is stopped outrightly, any Okada rider who want to operate in the state should register, anybody who failed to do so shall be sanctioned.”

He lamented that one of the major problems facing the current administration in the state is the lack of funds, adding that the effect of covid 19 pandemic and the shortfall in the price of crude oil on the two major sources of revenue for the state government (federal government allocation and internationally generated revenue) was enormous.