Category: South West

The Federal Government yesterday inaugurated 72 units of the National Housing Estate situated at Abere in Osun State.

It redeemed the outstanding allocation of houses to 22 members of the Super Eagles, the 1994 team, at the National Housing Estate located in their states of choice.

President Muhammadu Buhari, speaking during the inauguration of the Housing Project under the National Housing Programme (NHP) Phase 1, said the motive of the Federal Government was beyond improving the human condition of living through the housing projects, adding that it also provided an opportunity to fulfil its pledge to the citizens.

Buhari, represented by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said: “There is more to our message of change and improving the human condition in these housing projects. They make possible, that which had seemed impossible. It provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles, to whom our country made a promise of providing housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled before now.

“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is a great honour for me to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly. Any one of them can pick houses from any of the 36 states.

“It is better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocation to 22 members of the Super Eagles at National Housing Estate located in their state of choice, and their keys and title documents will be handed over at the inauguration in their state, while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public.”

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, represented by the Director of Urban and Regional Development in the Federal Ministry of Works and House, Mr. Moyoade Olasunkanmi Dumoye, said the 72 units of housing comprise 24 units in condominium (1 bedroom-4, 2 bedroom-16, 3 bedroom-4), 28 units 2-Bedroom and 20 units 3-Bedroom bungalows.

The Zonal Director (Southwest), National Housing Programme, Dr. M. K. Muhammed, said the National Housing Project was promoting local content in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5.

 

Former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has advocated the need for people to give back to their alma mater that gave them the platform to become who they are today in the society.

He made this known in a speech he gave at the bi-annual conference of Epe Grammar School Old Student Association. He attended the school decades ago.

Ikuforiji said: “I am particularly elated that our school is in its 69th year and we are alive to witness it. Epe Grammar School moulded us; the education and nurturing we got here shaped our trajectories; most of our journeys began here, and there is no better time than now to focus on giving back to this school even as we play our part as nation builders in our respective fields.”

The former lawmaker added: “Not everyone here is a politician; not everyone here will become a lawmaker; not everyone here will become a council chairman, governor or the President of Nigeria. But everyone here is a human being, and everyday we are presented with diverse opportunities to make our impact felt by giving back to the society.

“I have, therefore, come with a charge: in addition to what we have been doing, we must make 2022 the year in which we must be more committed to giving back to the society including our dear Epe Grammar School.”

He said since the school imbued in them a thirst for lifelong learning by providing access to superior education and the opportunity to cultivate lifelong friendships that had stood the test of time, it was their duty to ensure that future generations also had the same opportunities they had.

“We can only achieve this by giving back.

“For example, Harvard University in the United States sits on an endowment of nearly $53.2 billion- the largest in the world. It is not surprising that the institution has some of the best facilities in the world, its alumni are some of the best educated in the world, it is able to provide excellent education with the best pedagogical tools, and it has the capacity to engage in world-class academic research that helps to maintain its tradition of excellence.

“The good news is: giving back does not always have to involve money. Our goal as patriotic Nigerians and Epe Grammar School alumni is effective nation building: we can help to stop the palpable moral decadence in our society by giving our time- to counsel the youth. We can ‘donate’ our expertise by mentoring our students. Human capital is a valuable currency. Some of the best brains are in this room as I speak. The objective is to positively change our country’s story through little acts of benevolence that will ultimately make a difference,” Ikuforiji said.

 

The chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, yesterday called for a concerted efforts at repositioning the chapter.

Describing the new party officers as a rescue team that would breath life into the chapter, he said Lagos APC was in dire need of genuine help it could muster from members for the chapter to rise again into a beacon of hope.

Ojelabi, a one-time council chairman, commissioner and federal legislator, said since members were involved in dragging the party to its current ignoble position, they also have the responsibility to bail it out and make it a truly progressive circle where oppression and partially will no longer be the order of the day.

To Ojelabi, the collective interest of Lagos APC should override the interests of antagonistic caucues drawing the chapter backward.

The chairman spoke at the inauguration of members of state executive committee at the party office along Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, following last week’s swearing in of state chairmen in Abuja.

The officers include Mayegun Olanrewaju (Deputy Chairman), Lanre Odesanya (Secretary), Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye (Vice Chairman, East), Folashade  Bakare (Legal Adviser), Seye Oladejo (Publicity Secretary), Dr. Muritala Seriki (Youth Leader), Jumoke Okoya-Thomas (Woman Leader), Kehinde Babalola (Assistant Women Leader), Israel Akiode (Physically Challenged Leader),  Ayodele Adewale (Organising Secretary), Idris Aregbe (Youth Organising Secretary) and Wasiu Banjo (Financial Secretary).

At the ceremony attended by Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members-Prince Oluyole Olusi, Pa Olorunfunmi Basorun, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Alhaji Akanni Seriki, Prince Murphy Adetoro, Senator Tony Adefuye, Otunba Oladele Ajomale and Alhaji Mutiu Aare-the oath was administered on the party officers by former APC National Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala (SAN).

The event was also witnessed by Senator Ganiyu Solomon, former federal legislator Dayo Alebiosu, Abu Akilapa, representative of Eleko, Obanikoro of Lagos, Chief Ajayi Bembe, Sesan Olanrewaju, Lateef Ibirogba, Abiodun Mafe, Hakeem Bamgbola, Valentine Buraimoh, Ahmed Seriki and Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara.

Ojelabi asked the officers to reflect on the weight of responsibilities before signing the oath.

He said priority should always be given to justice and equity so that the hope and aspirations of the party can be fulfilled with relative ease.

Ojelabi said: “Today’s event marks a new dawn in our party as we are signing on to putting our collective interest above personal preferences and giving every member  his due.

“We shall, henceforth, give priority to justice and equity so that everyone’s hopes and aspirations can be fulfilled with relative ease. “We will do all within our powers to develop the party so as to further deepen our democracy and bring our party back to its winning spree. Therefore, as you are about to take your oath of office, let me charge you to take a second look at the responsibilities of that office and decide whether you want to change your mind or you still wish to continue with us.”

He added: “This team is saddled with the responsibility of getting the party back on track. We, need everyone to work together to regain our lost glory. Therefore, we need to be friendly with the people, win their confidence to be able to get them to work for us.

“So, go to your various constituencies and commence a process of harmony and genuine reconciliation. Take every member of our party and the public as your people who should be respected and cared for.

“We must find ways to arrest the current nosediving trends of our votes and take Lagos back to the days of quality voting.”

Olusi, Second Republic federal lawmaker and one-time commissioner, described the exco as an elected representative of the party.

He said: “You have been given a hectic responsibility; the control; the running of the party. I am not happy about the running of the party. Many party leaders are not aware of the party manifestos. How can they explain to members? We have problem at the national in respect of convention.”

Ogunleye, former deputy governor of Lagos State, said the state executive committee represents an array of competent people, urging them to maintain fairness, equity, strongwill to do what is right and be sympathetic to the feelings of party members.

He added: “You should focus on issues, not personalities.”

Ajomale urged party members to adopt the slogan of “APC my party, APC your party and APC our party.”

Turning to Ojelabi, he said: “Not all our members are grassroots people. You will need to organise seminars where they will understand the rudiments of political party.”

 

Residents of five communities in Badagry, Lagos State, have appealed to the Federal and Lagos State governments to prevail on the Army over a plan to take over their land.

On March 6, the residents trooped out to protest over the planned land encroachment at the palace of Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1.

The monarch assured them that the matter would be settled by the authorities involved.

The communities include Apanuko, Wharatome, Agblimakaku, Whawu and Jijoho, all along Samuel Ekundayo road in Badagry.

The landlords and residents of these communities marched to the Badagry Local Government Secretariat at Ajara to register their displeasure to the Chairman, Mr. Olusegun Onilude.

Chief Viavoh Mobee, the Bale of Apanuko, said they came to register their displeasure over Army’s planned encroachment on their land.

He said the protest was to send a save our soul to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Onilude.

Mrs. Helen Adebayo, a landlady at Jijoho, alleged that the Army had put marks on five communities in the area, indicating that the land belonged to them.

“Seeing the Army marks on the houses, the blood pressure of many landlords has risen and many of them are in hospital.

“The houses we built with our gratuity and cooperative money is about to be demolished by the Army.

“If the Army takes over our land, where do go from here. Some of us are widows and retirees. We borrowed money from cooperatives to build the houses. We are yet to finish paying the loans,” she said.

A senior military officer at the Nigeria Army 243 Recce Battalion, Badagry, who preferred anonymity, said the Army had gazetted all its his landed property in the country.

He said most of the protesters knew that they built their houses on military land.

He said the Army settled most of the land owners long time ago, but because the land were not fenced, some people were selling the land to people.

“The Army delegates and the House of Representatives Committee on Land will soon come to Badagry to resolve the problem,” he said.

 

 

Lekki Concession Company (LCC) has announced the reopening of Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza, after 18 months of tolling suspension.

According to the operators, tolling will begin on April 1, but commuters plying through the route will not pay for the first two weeks until April 15.

In an advertorial placed in The Nation yesterday, LCC Managing Director Yomi Omomuwasan noted that the resumption of operations was necessary after consultations with key stakeholders, including Lagos State Government, resident associations, traditional rulers, community leaders and others.

He said: “We have introduced new technology and innovations to make passages at the Toll Plaza seamless and faster for commuters. We are replacing old toll devices with upgraded ones for faster throughput at the Toll Plaza.

“The new devices have been configured to synchronise with the newly upgraded tolling systems and will improve functionality, while enabling a better experience at the Toll Plaza.”

The devices, according to Omomuwasan, can be installed at any of LCC Customer Service Centres at the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza, Conservation Toll Plaza or the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.

They can also be delivered to customers preferred location, while the devices will only be installed on the vehicle by LCC’s authorised personnel.

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has said he will not renege on his promise of full payment of salary and pension if re-elected.

He spoke yesterday in Osogbo at an engagement programme with members of the Triangular Group of Pensioners.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the governor said those spreading false information that he would stop payment of full salaries were enemies of progress, whose minds were not always with positive development.

Oyetola, who said his priority was to ensure the happiness and productivity of the workforce, added that the era of half salary was gone.

He assured the pensioners that nothing would stop the payment of their monthly pension, noting that their positive contributions to the development of the state would never be forgotten.

The governor, who said his administration, since inception, had not failed in the payment of the monthly stipends to the retirees, added that he would not stop putting smiles on their faces through prompt payment of their pension.

He urged the civil servants to support his administration and shun those bent on turning the labour force against the government.

Oyetola, who noted that the payment  of salaries was one of the core responsibilities of any reasonable government, said he would prioritise the welfare of the workers and the citizenry.

The group Chairman, Prince Rotimi Adelugba, hailed the governor for the prompt payment of pension and gratuity to the retirees.

He said since the inception of the Oyetola administration, pensioners had been collecting full stipends as and when due.

A new staggering star prize money of Twenty Milion Naira (N20,000,000.00) is to be won in the repackaged ‘Who Want To Be A Millionaire, as the ace TV game show series 2 gets new sponsors.

The new sponsors are; UP, Payattitude, Payarena and HopePSBank. The companies are members of UP Group-Nigeria’s premier Payments and Financial Technology Company and Leaders in Digital Payments Innovation.

The new sponsors were unveiled at a special sponsor and host reveal event held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, recently. The Popular TV Broadcaster, Frank Edoho, also returned as the show host, as he was revealed to the guest and audience who watched the event on live stream amid cheers and applause.

Delivering his keynote speech at the event, the Managing Director of UP, Agada Apochi, explained the group’s decision to sponsor Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Series 2-The Rebirth’ was borne out of the desire to educate, excite and entertain Nigerians by bringing back the game show that keeps families at the edge of their seats.

Apochi further stated that the investment in the game show is not only aimed at promoting the brands in the company’s portfolio but geared towards building a better future for Nigeria by informing, educating, and entertaining them.

“Entertainment brings people together, whether it is football or show. It brings families together colleagues together. It is for that reason we are investing in entertainment. For that reason, we are bringing back Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. For us in the UP group, we should invest in this TV game show not only because we want to promote our brands but also because we want to see a better Nigeria. You would agree with me there is no better way to build a better future for Nigeria than investment in education”, he said.

According to him, the show would help promote knowledge acquisition and allow Nigerians to realize their economic dreams by winning cash prizes every week for 52 weeks.

He further disclosed that the company would be leveraging its expertise in technology to open up the space. Nigerians can now participate in the show from the comfort of their homes using the Payattitude USSD code *569# or USSD codes of Payattitude partner Banks. “This is the first of its kind. With ease from your hand-held device, you can download the Payattitude app or dial *569#, and you can then link your Banks’ accounts to Payattitude. For the first time, you no longer need SMS code to play a game of this kind, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria,” he added.

In his remarks at the event, Hakeem Condotti, the Chief Executive Officer of BLK Hut, the franchise owner of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? In Nigeria, explained that Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Series 2-The Rebirth is produced in Nigeria by BLK Hut under the license of Sony Pictures. He noted that BLK Hut is ready to deliver international, creative, and quality content for the admiration of Nigerians.

“It is a great deal of excitement for us to be involved in the production of the iconic game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? which a lot of Nigerians have been looking forward to gracing their TV screens. We are aware of the expectation, and we can assure everyone that the quality of the content week in week out would be superb. We have the capacity and the resources to deliver entertaining and educative content that lives long-lasting memories,” he said.

Speaking immediately after his unveiling as the host of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ Series 2 — The Rebirth,  Frank Edoho announced that the show comes back with some latest innovations, including a new staggering star prize money of Twenty-one you can Milion Naira ( N20,000,000.00)

Edoho also announced that apart from the usual three lifelines which lovers of the show are familier with. ’50/50′ – where the computer eliminates two random wrong options leaving the right option and the other remaining wrong option.

‘Phone a Friend’ – where the contestant has 30 seconds to call one of their five prearranged friends read the question and four possible alternatives to the friend who then has the remaining time to offer input. And ‘Ask the Audience’ – where the audience members use touchpads to designate what they believe the correct option to be, the percentage of the audience choosing each specific option is then displayed to the contestant —  a new lifeline has now been added for this Series 2, ‘Ask The Host.’ This lifeline gives the contestants one chance to ask the host to answer the question.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said the ongoing 19-kilometre Atan-Lusada-Agbara road project in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government will be ready for inauguration in September.

He spoke yesterday after inspecting the level of work done on the industrial road.

Abiodun noted that the contractor had divided it into three sections: O-6, 6-11 and 11-19, for ease of execution.

The governor, who expressed delight about the quality of work done so far, said the contractor had agreed to add one mare gang to the existing one, to expedite the progress of job.

He said; “One lane of the road is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of this year, while the whole road project will be completed in September.”

Stressing the importance of the industrial road, Abiodun said the road, which had been in a very bad shape for a long time, would be provided with fire station and an ambulance to take care of emergencies such as accidents.

“This road is what earns us the industrial capital of this country. Before now, the condition of the road was nothing to write home about. It was in a total and complete disrepair, rendering a lot of business moribund. Companies were closing down and going somewhere else. Some even left the country and we thought this was not good enough.

“I made a presentation to President Muhammadu Buhari to take over the road because it is a road of economic importance and we cannot claim to live up to our responsibility without taking up the repair of the road.

“Apart from leading to the industrial hub of the state, the road also serves as a link to Lagos, neighbouring states and some states in the North, so, it became imperative for us to put the road in good condition,” he stated.

Abiodun, however, said a team to be headed by his deputy would be set up to look into Adesola Market as well as the abandoned flyover in the area, reiterating that his administration would complete projects that had direct bearing on the lives of the people.

He said his administration had awarded the building of Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye and Ilaro-Owode roads, while talks were on with the Dangote Group to construct the Papalanto-Ilaro road.

The governor restated the commitment of his administration to complete the Agro Cargo Airport at Ilishan-Remo, which, according to him, is expected to be completed in December.

The Olodan of Odan, Oba Teslim Nosiru, said the road was very important, as it served not only the companies operating in the area, but also the residents.

 

 

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the weekend attributed the challenges facing the nation to the faulty foundation laid by the colonial masters.

Speaking as a guest speaker at the launching of the N250million Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje Lecture Theatre and Award, at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the governor lamented that the faulty foundation laid by the colonial masters was done to actualise their personal interests, instead of Nigeria’s development.

Ganduje, who received the Most Distinguished Alumni Award of the university, said the colonial rule divided Nigeria into North and South without concern for the peculiarities of the two regions.

He said the division was without concern for the difference in land tenure systems, local government administration, education and judicial systems.

The governor noted that Nigeria’s challenges should be a matter of concern to its citizenry, adding that there was need to reflect on the journey so far so as to leave better legacy for future.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said decaying infrastructure was one of the major challenges facing the institution.

He hailed Ganduje for donating the theatre hall, which, according to him, would aide students’ learning.

Adebowale, on behalf of the Governing Council, workers and management of the institution, thanked the governor for his gesture.

Dignitaries at the event included the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, Sen. Gbenga Kaka, UI Alumni President Prof. Elsie Adewoye, politicians, families and friends, among others.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said given his military orientation, he has never looked for political power, having known all along that soldering and politics do not go together.

He added that despite this, it was power, which actually looked for him and found him.

Obasanjo spoke while giving his remarks during a symposium organised by the Kegite Club to celebrate his 85th birthday on Saturday evening, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.

Two renowned journalists, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Dr. Festus Adedayo, as well as Prof. Kolawole Kazeem spoke about the theme: “Depreciating Cultural Values and Virtue in the Era of Social Media: Causes, Challenges and Solutions.”

The elder statesman, who was reacting to Farounbi’s paper, which described him as someone, who at no time ran after power, explained that while he maintained a reluctant disposition, it was power that had routinely been chasing him and not him after power.

“I was at a time, as you mentioned, reluctant to be in political power. I was trained as a soldier. One of my trainings is that soldiering and politics don’t go together and I stuck to that.

“As you rightly said, while I stuck to separation between soldiering and politics, power started chasing me and I ran, and I ran and I ran until I could not run out of the reach of power. I believed that without being immodest, the fact that I was not looking for power, power was looking for me, made a drought of business,” he said.

Farounbi said Obasanjo rejected a call for him to become the Head of State in 1976, after the coup that claimed the lives of Gen. Murtala Muhammed and other military officers.

“I also know that he did everything possible to reject becoming the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ultimately the president in 1999.

“I can say authoritatively because I was involved. He had no interest in pursuing power, but power was interested in pursuing him because of the much needed cultural values inherent in him.

“He was like David in the Bible. He did not want to be a king, but he had the values of a king. He had demonstrated bravery by killing a bear and lion with bare hands,” Farounbi said.

Obasanjo, who was Nigeria’s president between 1999 and 2007 on the platform of the PDP, said today, his allegiance is to Africa and Nigeria, and will not be part of anything outside them.

He said the sterling values and virtues on the continent and the country made him a Pan-Africanist and Nigerian to the core.

He expressed joy and satisfaction about the honour given to him by members of the Kigite Club, saying it would not be taken for granted.

Obasanjo advised them to strive towards unity at all time, saying their unity was part of what would be needed to make him an eternal grand patron of the Kegite Club.

“If anything that should be Nigeria is not Nigeria, I will not be part of it. Or, if anything that should be Africa is not Africa, count me out of it. I am a Pan-Africanist. I am Nigerian to the core.

“I will only be your Kegite eternal grand patron if you all bury your hatchets. So, the honour you all that are here will do me is to come together now, so that by my next birthday, we will all be together again, and that will gladden my heart,” he said.