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Tag: achievements

  • Guinness boss reels out achievements

    As Guinness Nigeria, a subsidiary of Diageo turns 69 years of its operations in Nigeria, its Managing Director/CEO, Baker Magunda has catalogues its achievements in the past years.

    He said that currently Guinness Nigeria’s local content sourcing stands at 75%, and there are plans in place to increase this significantly in the coming years.

    “Guinness Nigeria Plc also supports agriculture through the company’s ‘Grow with Nigeria’ program, a local raw material sourcing scheme, which empowers indigenous farmers,” he added.

    Noting that Guinness Nigeria Plc is the first and only total beverage alcohol company in the country offering a wide range of products across categories, he said the company has been contributing to the economic and societal development of Nigeria for nearly seven decades.

    “As the first country to produce Guinness outside of Ireland, Nigeria is an extremely important market to Diageo. This year, we also celebrate being the first Country to launch and produce Baileys Delight, a variant of the popular Baileys Cream liquor and also the first country to produce Guinness Gold, a premium lager beer product,” he said.

    He said that through various initiatives and investments in community development and sustainability, Guinness Nigeria continues to be committed to the social and economic growth of the country as he said through its ‘Water of Life’ initiative; the company has provided clean water facilities to over 1.5million Nigerians in Communities across Nigeria.

    “Most recently to the D’Ka community of Kebbi State where, prior to the intervention, locals travelled about 10kms daily to access clean water and the company also works to consistently create awareness on the dangers of drink- driving, and encourage road safety,” he added.

    Further demonstrating its commitment to the health of Nigerians, the business has built three Guinness Eye Hospitals, which have impacted the health of thousands of people.

    Two of them still bear the Guinness name in Lagos and Onitsha. These are just a few of Guinness Nigeria Plc’s many initiatives which confirm the company’s commitment to not just do business in Nigeria, but to always support the country’s growth and its people.

  • Ortom to Akume: showcase your achievements

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has challenged Senator George Akume to showcase his achievements in his 11 years sojourn as a senator “instead of castigating me at every opportunity”.

    “Akume should showcase his score card. He has been in the senate for more than 11 years, and the constituents want to hear what he has done. He appears obsessed with abusing me every minute; that is not what the people want to hear,” Ortom told reporters yesterday in Makurdi.

    The governor spoke through his media aide, Tahav Agerzua, at a special interaction with reporters.

    He said: “The man (Akume) keeps insulting me at every turn. But, while he is raising questions about me, more questions are being raised about whether he has been an asset or liability to the people.

    “Nobody should boast that he can make someone governor; only God can do that. Mr Aper Aku became the first civilian governor without anyone’s support; Rev. Fr Moses Adasu moved from the Church to the Government House without a political godfather.

    “So, it is wrong for anyone to claim that he made me governor and could unseat me.”

    The governor dismissed claims he gave N2 billion to eight governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He wondered where such money could have come from.

    He rejected claims he is afraid to contest the PDP governorship primary, saying he won the primary before picking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.

    The governor alleged Akume is struggling to pit him against PDP governorship aspirants because he rejected the automatic ticket offered by the APC.

    “PDP will not force Ortom on its members. Let all aspirants canvass for votes from the delegates and refrain from media wars,” he said.

    The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Cultural Development, James Bemgbator Mede, has resigned his appointment. He vowed to remain in APC.

    Mede, who was at the APC secretariat in Makurdi, cited the absence of focused political ideology and synergy of political participation among appointees as reasons for his resignation.

    He said he could not continue to work with “strange bed fellows”.

    The ex-special assistant  vowed not to leave APC, and thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to work, even as he promised to work hard for the victory of APC.

  • Our achievements divinely inspired, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday attributed the achievements recorded by his administration in the last three years in all sectors and sections to the hand of God.

    According to him, the feats attained across the length and breadth of the State were divinely inspired.

     

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at a Special Thanksgiving Service held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja to mark the third anniversary of his administration, said it was obvious from the upward trajectory of the State that God was involved in the process of thinking, planning and executing policies and programmes for the people, which according to him, had resulted in wonderful accomplishments for the State.

     

    “In two days time, we will be three years in the saddle of this major task. There is no other way  to celebrate and that is why we are doing this service because we believe strongly that there is no way we would have made the level of progress so far made without some supernatural hands and we want to give God all the thanks.

     

    “No matter how much strategy that you have read in school or how much work you have done in the public service, it is not possible for you to put a plan up, strategize and try to implement and it works. If it is working back to back and consistently, there has to be some other source that is making it work because you are just one out of several others and why it works for Lagos is the more reason why one has to be very sober and humble to actually know that there is something that is making that to happen and that has to be God,” the Governor said.

     

    He said notwithstanding the complexity of managing the massive population of the State, it was evident that Lagos had been hugely prosperous, just as he thanked all those who have helped in managing the State rightly in the last three years.

     

    “I just want to say a big thank you to everyone that has actually been a co-traveler in this journey that we have had in the last three years. It has not been easy but somehow to the glory of God, it is evident that there is huge prosperity in Lagos.    

     

    “In all these, the complexity of managing 24 million people, there has to be something else driving it and in all situations, we give glory to God; in all situations, we are grateful that He has given us the opportunity to become a source of joy to the rest of Nigeria because Lagos is like the last hope for the country,” Governor Ambode said.

     

    Justifying the need for the service, the Governor said it was important to appreciate the almighty God and indeed the people of the State for their support which facilitated the achievements, assuring that more infrastructural projects would be implemented in the next one year.

        

    According to him, “We are doing this Church Service to celebrate three years of our administration in office. Just last Friday, we had the same service across all our Mosques in Lagos State. We are very grateful for the support Lagosians have given us in the last three years and then coincidentally today is Children’s Day and so it is more or less double celebration and most people must have forgotten also that today is marking the 51st anniversary of Lagos State. This same time last year, we marked the Golden Jubilee of Lagos@50.

     

    “So, for me, the last three years have been very eventful and very fruitful. You can see remarkable progress going on across the length and breadth of Lagos and so we can only do better and then render more services to Lagosians in the next one year,” he said.

     

    In his exhortation, Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin commended Governor Ambode for the infrastructural strides and progressive development of the State’s economy, saying it was laudable that Lagos economy remains one of the strongest in Africa.

     

    “I want to appreciate His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the tremendous work he has led and inspired across Lagos State both in the public and private sectors and especially with the infrastructural development and the progressive development of our economy that it remains one of the strongest economies in Africa and for that we are truly grateful,” Adefarasin said.

     

    He said there was an oath of God upon the Governor’s life to continue in office for another four years beyond 2019, saying more infrastructural strides and development would be witnessed in the State.

     

    “Mr Governor, there is an oath of God upon your life; this seat, you will remain in it for another five years and the excellence and progress that we have seen in the first three years will only increase and abound to the betterment and the strengthening of Lagos institutions, infrastructure and the powerful economy that has been built in three successive administrations,” Adefarasin said.  

     

    Speaking on the theme “The Power of An Unstoppable Promise,” the clergyman said God is limitless, infinite and can never be diminished or depleted, adding that when He makes a promise, He would surely deliver it, just as he admonished the people not to be perturbed by the enemies in holding on to God’s promise.

  • Our achievements, by Kazeem

    Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem has given an account of his ministry’s achievement in the last one year in commemoration of the third anniversary of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration. ADEBISI ONANUGA was there.

    Last Thursday, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, like other ministries in the state, marked the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration and the 50th since the state was created.

    The event, which held at the Bagauda Kalto Press Centre, Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja, brought together all heads of the agencies under the ministry and other stakeholders.

    At the event were the Attorney-General Adeniji Kazeem, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary Mrs Funlola Odunlami, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information Mr Idowu Ajanaku, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs Kofowora Awobamise.

    According Kazeem, Ministry of Justice plays a very significant role in the administration’s vision of managing Lagos as a mega city which rests on the tripod of security, infrastructure and poverty alleviation through effective administration of justice and upholding of the rule of law.

    Evans case

    One of the ministry’s major feats between last May and April, under review, according to Kazeem, was the notable case of the alleged notorious and billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, and his some members of his gang.

    The case is one of the 1,180 criminal duplicate files received through its Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from the Nigeria Police Force, out of which 1,178 legal advice have been issued while two are pending because of further investigation.

    The offences range from homicide, robbery, sexual offences to fatal motor accident.

    Evans and some members of his gang had been arraigned in different courts for offences including kidnapping of several victims at various periods, and for alleged murder and attempted murder.

    Kazeem said the defence counsel filed several applications at different courts most of which have been dismissed, clearing the coast for the prosecution of Evans and accomplices.

    DPP

    Kazeem said the DPP was engaged in ad-hoc roles to assist the state in prosecution and delivery of justice to the public. It set up a Legal Advice Review Unit to review Legal Advice issued by the Directorate where the need arises.

    It also established a Crime Data Register to assist and enable the directorate monitor cases between the Police Force, Prisons and the Ministry.

    In addition, a case tracking team was set up to update cases being prosecuted by the directorate and which enables the state to solve the problem of prison congestion.

    Sexual offences unit

    Kazeem said the Sexual Offence Unit  was created by the ministry to monitor the prosecution of sexual offences.

    Its first recorded judgment in the sexual offences Court was against Gabriel Obinna & two others, where one of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement upon arraignment and was sentenced to 60 years imprisonment by  Justice Sybil Nwaka.

    Also, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) has galvanised strategic actions and responded appropriately to formal and informal reporting of incidents of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect and maltreatment in the State.

    “To date, the DSVRT has received a total number of 138 cases in this regard. Overall, a total number of 1771 cases were reported during the period under review,” he said.

    He said that the team also provided free medical services and psycho-social therapy for over 700 survivors of domestic/sexual violence, conducted capacity building trainings with 220 police officers across the state, and successfully secured the conviction of seven perpetrators.

    The ministry noted an increase in report of domestic abuse against men as more victims are coming out and making disclosures.

    DNA centre

    The Attorney-General recalled that the DNA and Serology sections of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Center (LSD&FC) were commissioned by Governor Ambode last September to enhance public safety and support criminal investigations.

    The centre, he said, performs DNA and serology testing services to support the Nigerian Police, lawyers and domestic violence and sexual assault response teams.

    “Since the commissioning, a total of 316 inquiries have been received. The Center currently has over 71 active cases bothering on homicide, rape, toxicology, child trafficking, serology amongst others,” he said.

    He said the state DNA Database (LSDD) and the Lagos State DNA Index System (LSDIS) have been established.

    This database, Kazeem said, would allow the curation and storage of authorised DNA profiles for use in fighting crime and criminal investigations.

    To ensure that LSD&FC is fully leveraged by all stakeholders, specialized enlightenment and training programs have been organized for Judges, Police, Lawyers and Emergency Responders”.

    He said following the successful completion of the first phase of the DNA centre, the state approved the establishment of the Forensic Toxicology/Chemistry, General Administration and Perimeter Security Enhancement as Phase 2 of the project.

    This phase, he said, will involve: Development and operationalisation of the Toxicology and Chemistry disciplines at LSD&FC; hardening of the perimeter security to protect personnel and evidence; establishment of the Centre administration.

    He said this new project will expand the ability of LSD&FC to support the police and other stakeholders ways.

    According to him, toxicology section would allow the testing of human specimens (blood, urine, saliva, tissue, among others) to check for chemicals, poisons and toxins that may be harmful or responsible for death while the Chemistry section would allow the testing of suspicious and controlled substances recovered from individuals or from crime scenes among others.

    Mediation centre

    Kazeem said within the period under review, a total number of 47, 292 new cases were filed at the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC).

    The centre promotes the use and practice of mediation as an alternative to litigation in conflict resolution. Its services include matters relating to landlord/tenant issues, employers/employees disputes, family matters (including marital disputes, child custody among others. Others are property inheritance and land matters, monetary claims, local disputes and commercial laws.

    The Attorney-General disclosed that 25, 191 cases have been resolved with rest  at various stages of resolution. He put total value of settlement of debt related matters achieved by the centre during the period under review as settlement between parties was N1,352,745, 391.

    Civil litigation

    According to Kazeem, the Justice ministry through its Directorate of Civil Litigation (DCL) recorded a total number of 61 concluded cases out of which 38 rulings and judgements were delivered while 23 matters were struck out in favour of the State.

    He cited the case of National Inland Waterways vs Lagos State Government & others delivered on July 18, 2017 where the Court of Appeal held that the Lagos State House of Assembly is competent to make laws in respect of intra-inland waterways in Lagos State as one of such landmark civil cases delivered in favour of the State in the period under review.

    OPD

    Kazeem said the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) received 4,282 petitions, concluded 2,264 while the others are at various stages of review, investigation and conclusion. He said the office through its efforts received the sum of N5,669,927.06 on behalf of the complainants/petitioners.

    He said the OPD also took up various cases, including those of 77 inmates at Badagry Prison, 104 inmates at Kirikiri Prison and 81 inmates at Ikoyi Prisons, while five children who were discovered in Ikoyi Prison were transferred to appropriate Homes and eventually released from custody.

    While the department, to further facilitate easy access to Justice, has continued to firm out pro bono matters to private chambers and legal practitioners under the Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP) program.

    Citizens rights

    Kazeem said the Directorate of Citizen’s Rights (DCR) received a total of 1,308 petitions out of which 1,070 have been resolved with 228 at various stages of resolution.  While the Human Rights Protection Unit of the directorate  treated a total number of 3,418. He said the figure encompasses cases treated at the taskforce unit, Human Rights Violation, and such other matters that affected the integrity and dignity of person’s resident in Lagos State.

    He said the Directorate also settled disputes on marital issues, domestic violence, maintenance and inheritance of property through mediation. He said 150 of such matters were received out of which 132 were resolved and 18 matters are at different stages of conclusion.

    Advice Centre

    The Public Advice Centre (PAC) received and treated a total number of 50,829 petitions during the period under review from residents in distress seeking advice and help on various issues varying from violation of human rights, child abuse, work benefits and pension, social welfare and child rights, inadequate security, domestic violence, kidnapping, environmental and related matter., among other landmark feats.

    Kazeem said the ministry launched an E-Real Estate Litigation Database, www.lagoslispendens.com.ng to enhance due diligence in property transactions in the State.

    The first of its kind in Nigeria, the E-Real Estate Litigation Database provides ease of access to information to anyone who wants to deal in a property with information primarily on whether the property is subject of litigation.

    Mobile Court

    The Special Offences (Mobile) Court began operations in March 2016, with several offenders arraigned and prosecuted. The court has also embarked on series of enlightenment campaigns to make residents aware of the need to obey traffic rules and keep the environment safe and secure.

    The state has also handed over 750,000 criminal suspect forms to the Police Command. This was aimed at bringing about ease of justice delivery and aid in quick record keeping of criminals in the State.

    Kazeem assured residents Ambode’s commitment towards the attainment of effective justice delivery, security and good governance in the state.

  • Southsouth youths hail ex-Amnesty chief’s achievements

    The youth wing of a socio-cultural organisation, Southsouth Chiefs and Elders, has commended the ex-Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh for his achievements.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja yesterday, the group’s president, Mr Christopher Odhomi, said Gen. Boroh left an indelible legacy. He urged the President to give him a higher responsibility.

    According to him, Gen. Boroh succeeded as coordinator of the programme because he is a peace builder and a grassroots person, who understands the challenges of the region.

    He said: “The records bear clear testaments of how Brig. Gen. P.T Boroh (rtd) efficiently managed the ex-militants and directed their energies to innovative ventures, which contributed meaningfully to the productivity of the region and the expansion of our economic frontiers.

    “Instructively, despite Gen. Boroh’s military background, he did not resort to the use of force in tackling the Niger Delta challenge, but concentrated on redirecting the energies of youths to meaningful ventures giving them no room for exploration of devious tendencies.

    “Today, a vast majority of the youth trained under the watch of Gen. Boroh are contributing to the food security of the region through innovative agricultural engagements.

    “Several others trained in manufacturing, fabrication, automobile building, among others, are contributing to the growth of the region, thus giving the administration a good name before the people of the region.

    “On this note, and in the same vein, we herein call on Buhari to give Boroh higher responsibility in his administration because we need a creative thinker and a technocrat in the region and the nation as a whole in order to maximally utilise his developmental and peace building strategies which have and will still do much good.”

  • ‘Lagos to record landmark achievements’

    ‘Lagos to record landmark achievements’

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has assured residents that the state will record landmark achievements in major sectors  this year.

    In a statement yesterday in Ikeja, the capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, the governor noted that the state witnessed a massive leap in infrastructural development in 2017.

    He said the reforms in key sectors of the economy would take full flight from the beginning of 2018.

    Ambode said: “We have good reasons to be very optimistic about what 2018 holds in stock for our state and every Lagosian.

    “The commencement and realisation of some of our reform programmes, especially in the public transport, environment, tourism and health sectors, will transform the landscape of the state and improve the quality of lives of all Lagosians.”

    The governor said his administration would continue to up the ante on infrastructural renewal.

    He said the 2018 budget of N1 trillion, currently at the House of Assembly for approval, would be dedicated to completing some ongoing critical projects as well as some new ones.

    Ambode listed some of the key projects as the Oshodi Transport Interchange, reconstruction of the Oshodi International Airport Road, Pen Cinema flyover, 181 local government roads and other network of roads.

    He added: “Given the fact that 2018 will be last full fiscal year of this administration’s four-year tenure, our major focus will be the completion of most of the ongoing projects.

    “We will also pursue the objective of strengthening the financial base of our state through various measures aimed at boosting the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    “We believe very strongly that this is achievable without necessarily increasing taxes but by widening the tax base and ensuring that all revenues due to the state are collected through technologically driven tax collection and management system.”

    The governor urged residents to continue to support his administration’s quest to transform the state by voluntarily paying their taxes as and when due.

    He said: “The dream of a new Lagos, which we all desire, is unfolding; we all have a role to play in this project.

    “Our government is open to new ideas and partnerships. We will welcome suggestions for better ways to do things and improve on service delivery to the people.

    “We will continue to provide responsible and responsive leadership, which is the hallmark of sustainable development in modern, functional and liveable cosmopolitan city like Lagos.”

  • Presidency lists Buhari’s 17 achievements in 2017

    Presidency lists Buhari’s 17 achievements in 2017

    The Presidency yesterday listed Nigeria’s exit from recession,bumper food harvests  and the emergence of the  stock market as one of the best-performing in the world,as  some of the major achievements   of the Buhari Administration in the outgoing year.

    Seventeen such achievements were listed in a statement in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President,Mr.Femi Adesina.

    The statement reads:

    * Nigeria exited its worst recession in decades. After five quarters of negative growth, the economy bounced back into positive territory. Agriculture was one of the stars of 2017, posting consistent growth levels even throughout the recession. Also, inflation fell for ten consecutive months during 2017 (February to November).

    *The Naira stabilized against the dollar, after the Central Bank introduced a new forex window for Investors and Exporters. The stability has attracted billions of dollars in portfolio investments since April 2017.

    *On the back of a stable Naira and increased investment inflows, Nigeria’s stock market emerged one of the best-performing in the world, delivering returns in excess of 40 percent.

    *Nigeria saw bumper food harvests, especially in rice, whose local production continues to rise significantly (States like Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kano leading the pack, with Ogun joining at the end of 2017). The price of a 50kg bag of rice – a staple in the country – has fallen by about 30 percent since the beginning of 2017, as local production has gone up.

    *The Federal Government launched a N701 billion Intervention Fund (‘Payment Assurance Programme’) aimed at supporting power generation companies to meet their payment obligations to gas and equipment suppliers, banks and other partners. The impact is being felt, the amount of power being distributed is now currently steady at around 4,000MW – higher than previously recorded.

    *The Federal Government began paying pensions to police officers who were granted Presidential pardon in 2000 after serving in the former Biafran Police during the Nigerian Civil War. These officers, and their next of kin, have waited for their pensions for 17 years since the Presidential pardon.

    *Nigeria rose 24 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, and earned a place on the List of Top 10 Reformers in the world.

    *Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves grew by $12 billion, reaching the highest level since 2014. Nigeria also added, this year, an additional $250m to its Sovereign Wealth Fund. Also, Nigeria’s trade balance crossed over into surplus territory, from a deficit in 2016.

    *Nigeria successfully issued two Eurobonds (US$4.5bn), a Sukuk Bond (100 billion Naira), a Diaspora Bond (US$300m), and the first Sovereign Climate Bond in Africa, raising billions of dollars for infrastructure spending.

    *The Federal Government launched a Tax Amnesty scheme expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenues when it closes in March 2018.

    *The Federal Government successfully commenced implementation of a Whistleblowing Programme that has so far seen recoveries of tens of millions of dollars.

    *The Social Investment Programme – Nigeria’s most ambitious social welfare programme ever – rolled out across dozens of states. (Currently, 5.2 million primary school children in 28,249 schools in 19 states are being fed daily; 200,000 unemployed graduated enlisted into the Npower Job Scheme, and a quarter of a million loans already distributed to artisans, traders, and farmers).

    *The number of Nigerians facing food insecurity in the northeast dropped by half, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

    *The Nigeria Customs Service recorded its highest-ever revenue collection, crossing the One Trillion Naira (N1,000,000,000) mark. [The target for 2017 was 770 billion Naira (N770,573,730,490); 2016 Collection was just under 900 billion (N898,673,857,431.07)]

    *The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), under the new management appointed by President Buhari in 2016, remitted 7.8 billion Naira to the coffers of the Federal Government. The total amount remitted by JAMB between 2010 and 2016 was 51 million Naira.

    *2017 was also the Year of Nigeria’s Agriculture Revolution, embodied by the successes of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) and the Anchor Borrowers Programme. More than a dozen moribund fertilizer blending plants were revived under the PFI this year.

    * Finally, 2017 will be the Year that laid the foundation for a 2018 that will be Nigeria’s Year of Infrastructure. A number of important infrastructure projects, in power, rail and road, are scheduled to come on-stream or inch close to completion next year.

  • APC youths to enlighten Nigerians on Buhari’s achievements

    APC youths to enlighten Nigerians on Buhari’s achievements

    A coalition of youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the auspices of National Youths Leadership Congress (NYLC), has unfolded plans to embark on a nationwide sensitisation rally on the achievements of the APC-led administration in January next year.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja, NYLC National President Emmanuel Orgwu said through the programme, Nigerians will become conversant with the giant strides of the administration.

    Orgwu said the group was interested in setting the pace for a robust APC campaigns, ahead of 2019 through effective grassroots mobilization, sensitisation and opinion sampling.

    He said: “We have resolutely resolved to organise and embark on a nationwide sensitization rally on the achievements of the APC-led administration across the states of the federation from January 7th to April 7th, 2018.

    “NYLC aims among others to stimulate and sustain accelerated programmes that will librate all youths from ignorance and illiteracy and to complement the efforts of our leaders in promoting and sustaining true democracy at all levels of government.

  • Council boss lists achievements in 100 days

    Chairman, Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Mr Adeniyi Saliu has reassured the residents of more developmental projects.

    He disclosed this while listing his administration’s achievements in 100 days.

    The council, he said, has recruited additional Gardeners and upgrading of their salaries from N10,000 to N20,000 monthly.

    “We have constructed six ultra-modern toilets with borehole and electricity generating set to power the borehole at Mojoda market. We have renovated the Ajebowale market at Ibowon as well as the housing department in secretariat administrative block,” he said.

    He added that the administration has offered free eye screening and given free eye glasses to women and children, adding that Local Vigilante Group has also been trained.

    He noted that his administration would continue to develop the community through agriculture.

    He said: “Our focus has been to make use of the available agrarian land resources in our council for agricultural purposes and our main thrust shall be livestock farming.

    “We would continue to develop the markets. We would develop security, tourism and ensure our environment is clean, healthy and well protected.

    “In the health sector, we have upgraded some of our primary health centres to meet the health challenges of our people and in the education sector, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria opportunity Industrial Cooperation for 15 students to be sponsored and admitted in January into different vocations.

    “Also, the council library will be rehabilitated and necessary books would be stocked in for proper use. This administration has hosted campaign against cultism in Secondary Schools. We would also empower our people through our Poverty Alleviation programmes,” he said.

  • Security: South West Youths Laud Buhari, Army Achievements In 2017

    Youths From the South West region under the umbrella of the Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress have commended the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt gen. Tukur Buratai in tackling the various security threats the nation faced in the outgoing year.
    Recall that recently, the army said the country faced over 14 various security threats, ranging from terrorism, militancy, kidnapping, among others. But the youth group said the President and the Army have demonstrated capacity in handling the security situation in the country.
    Addressing journalists in Lagos,

    President of the Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress, Hon. Desmond Abiona said the choices of the President in appointing his security chiefs played critical role in the fight against terrorism and other security threats.
    He explained that the Youth Congress has taken stock of what has transpired in Nigeria in 2017, especially around the security circle because of its importance to economic development and concluded that the Buhari administration deserves to be commended.
    He said, “It is common knowledge that security was the biggest challenge for Nigeria before President Muhammadu Buhari came into office. The worst form of the insecurity that bedeviled the nation was the insurgency being waged by Boko Haram as a terrorist group. Its reign of terror was such that people had expected that the whole of Nigeria would have been under sustained attacks from the terrorists by now.
    “There were also militant groups and separatists that those wishing to destroy Nigeria have primed to replace Boko Haram. To the glory of God and to the credit of President Buhari, these threats have all been managed and Nigeria’s integrity maintained. It must be acknowledged that this remarkable feat was no accident even when it has God’s blessing written all over it. The military chiefs appointed by Mr President brought the needed experience, skills, dedication, and commitment to the job to ensure that the country returned to being secured.
    “We have seen results by way of a Boko Haram that is not able to spread its terror further than what it did before President Buhari came to power thanks to the Army that has denied its fighters breathing space. We have seen a Boko Haram that has been flushed out of areas once touted as its stronghold. We have also seen several other aspiring terror groups consigned into undertaking exercises in futility as they try to stake claims to being notorious terror groups.
    “We commend the President for restoring security to the land through the instrumentality of the Nigerian Army and other military and security services. It is a singular achievement for which we are grateful as Nigerians.”
    According to Abiona, the army under Buratai is one that has been rated as the best in recent times and it is something Nigerians are happy to identify with especially when it has done much to secure the country.
    He stated further, “We declare that Mr President has demonstrated capacity in handling the security situation in the country as we recognize the leadership he has provided as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. This in our view was what trickled down to the Nigerian Army which has adjusted itself into the new role as Guardian of democracy.
    “We salute President Buhari for appointing Lt gen. Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who has proven that the administration must be thanked for the appointment and responsible leadership as he has demonstrated. The army under Buratai is one that has been rated as the best in recent times and it is something we are happy to identify with especially when it has done much to secure the country.”
    He noted that the Exercise Crocodile Smile organized by the Army that just ended in some parts of the south-west addressed the challenges that were threatening to destabilize the region.
    He said challenges like those of cultism and ritual killers were dealt with by the exercise.