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Tag: Adeyemi Ikuforiji

  • South West speakers meet to fashion out legislative agenda

    South West speakers meet to fashion out legislative agenda

    Speakers of state Houses of Assembly and parliamentarians from the South West zone gathered at the weekend in Lagos to fashion out a legislative agenda to enhance the South West’s socio-economic and political fortunes.

    In attendance at the conference were the host Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his colleagues, Dr. Adewale Omirin (Ekiti), Suraj Adekunbi (Ogun), Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo) and Najeem Salaam (Osun). The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly was conspicuously absent.

    Delivering his welcome address, Ikuforiji reminded his colleagues that in setting a legislative agenda to re-invent the South West, they must not succumb to intimidation in keeping with the dreams of its founding fathers.

    Ikuforiji said, “When it comes to good governance, socio-economic development, wealth creation and advancement of their peoples, our parliamentary founding fathers were never intimidated by anything under the sun.”

    According to him, the parliament is the symbol-in-chief of electoral democracy anywhere in the world, while adding that Nigeria is also a consequence of parliamentary democracy, because in his words, “Our founding fathers were all parliamentarians and the unity of this country was birthed in the parliament; not the palace or barracks.”

    Ikuforiji stressed that Lagos State is not new to playing host to remarkable initiatives that has advanced the general polity and enlightened its people.

    He added, “More precisely, the Lagos parliament from inception has hosted historic transformation agendas; from the motion for National Independence to that which adopted a parliamentary system of government as the method of governance in early Nigeria.”

    He maintained that as progressives, the progress of the people in the zone should be paramount in the activities of the lawmakers in the zone, adding, “Our party leaders have set an economic agenda; it’s for us as parliamentarians to play our essential role. As legislatures, the torch we light should be that of hope for our people. Their expectations are high, believing that if as legislatures we set the right agendas, the tomorrow of their children will be okay.”

    The two-day programme will feature presentation on ‘Perspective/Overview of South-West Legislative Assemblies’, to be delivered by the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey; ‘Effective Leadership Communication’, by Mr. Dele Alake, former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy and ‘Deepening Legislative Relationships (agenda setting for a majority party in opposition)’ by Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi.

    In his presentation, Arthur-Worrey admonished the legislature to be more assertive in its legislative functions, reminding them that the executive is subject to the will of the legislature.

    “We must also realise that we have some common problems that can best be solved through common approach. We must speak with one voice on issues of environment, waterways, transportation, agriculture, social issues etc. There is need to co-operate on common issues to avoid wastage; we must research and look into existing laws that have become totally irrelevant,” Arthur-Worrey told the legislators.

     

  • Lagos Speaker, KSA for PMAN’s carnival

    Lagos Speaker, KSA for PMAN’s carnival

    Yesterday, another landmark event was recorded in the annals of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, as the much-hyped music exhibition and carnival organised by the Performing Musicians and Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Lagos State branch, kicked off at the open ground of the Lagos State Council for Art and Culture, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, is billed to speak on “The necessity for entertainment-enabling laws in Lagos State” on Wednesday, December 18, while ace Juju musician, King Sunny Ade, will speak on “Music, the big machine that will rank into any platform”. Also, former governor of Lagos PMAN, Dr. Adewale Ayuba, will deliver a lecture titled “Curbing the menace of piracy”.

    While speaking on this event, the incumbent governor of Lagos PMAN, Kabiyesi Ayinde Olomide, said the music exhibition and carnival is in conjunction with the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture.

    According to him, “The idea is a new innovation aimed at telling the history of the now buoyant music industry.  Some people don’t know the history of music. They don’t know where the industry is coming from. All these old format of music presentations will be on parade at the exhibition centre.”

     

    The new generation believes only in CDs. Through the exhibition, we will be able to show what the industry has gone through, in terms of changes and positive innovations. They will see gramophones, turntables and cartridges, among other musical gadgets. Music Label owners, Music Promoters Association of Nigeria (MUPAN); Music Advertisement Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Alaba CD sellers, among other stakeholders, will have their stands and will provide some of the exhibition materials. Companies will also be on ground to showcase other products. There will be a permanent stage for different artistes to perform throughout the period of the exhibition.”

    The Mainland based-Fuji artiste further said, “This is one of the ways we hope to make PMAN attractive to every artiste again. We want PMAN to regain its lost glory. It will be free for participants and exhibitors will have to see the organizers for allocation of spaces.”

    A member of the organizing committee and deputy governor, Lagos State PMAN, Alhaji Fatai Tijani, said the programmed is being supported by agencies such as LASSRA, LASRAB, Inland Revenue and Eagle Paints,

    Also, Comrade Ewetade Monsur, secretary, Lagos PMAN, said, “It is a bi-annual event and, at least, one thousand participants are expected at the maiden edition.”

  • CDHR protests ‘anti-people’ laws

    CDHR protests ‘anti-people’ laws

    Members of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday as part of the celebration of human rights day, challenging what it called anti-people laws emanating from the House.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, its Lagos State chairman, Comrade Buna Isak said those at the helm of affairs in the country should desist from dishing out anti-people policies to forestall possible revolution which may occur if government remain adamant.

    Isak said: “December 10 is set aside as the commemoration of human rights day, the truth remains that in Nigeria, we still have a long way to freedom. People are not contented with what is happening. There are indiscriminate arrests by officers of the Lagos State government security outfits, they include LASTMA, KAI, Task Force, the police among others and people are being subjected to unnecessary pains and hardship at different points in the state.”

    He urged the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji to urgently intervene to save innocent people that are being detained especially at the Task Force office, saying: “I am very sure if Mr. Speaker makes just an appearance at theses offices, those people will get their freedom.”

    Some of their placards read among others: ‘Lagos Assembly, stop making laws that are anti-people, and ‘Ban Tokunbo, ban democracy’ etc.

    Ikuforiji responded: “I want to reassure you that the House is yours, members are there to represent your interests and needs. Whatever we do is done as a result of the power you repose in us. I also believe as you have said that power belongs to the people.”

    He said he would set up a team of his colleagues to visit the Taskforce office to ascertain if there are truly innocent people detained, adding that after getting the report, he would do the needful.

  • Ikuforiji charges leaders on good governance

    Ikuforiji charges leaders on good governance

    SPEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has charged Nigerians in leadership positions at all levels to demonstrate love for the people by providing good governance.

    He said this in his speech at the 7th Annual Hijrah Lecture organised by the Assembly, which was held at the Assembly Complex. The theme of the lecture was: Governance: A Collective Responsibility-The Islamic Perspective.

    According to Ikuforiji, “Leadership at all levels must demonstrate its love to the people through good governance by providing them with life-changing infrastructure and facilities.”

    Ikuforiji said every Nigerian has a responsibility in ensuring that the society, its people and government were seen to be decent, good and worthy.

    The speaker added that it was imperative that the citizenry to shun evil deeds for the good of society, adding, “the same goes to the followership. We must strive hard to help the government in its bid to transform the society. We should not compromise but engage the government constructively on issues that affect the public. Let us keep our eyes open as we enter the Islamic Year.”

     

    The event witnessed posthumous award to foremost Islamic leaders including late Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu, a former Commissioner of Police; foremost industrialist, late Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo, among others.

     

  • Court adjourns Ikuforiji’s case till Jan 7

    Court adjourns Ikuforiji’s case till Jan 7

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned till January 7 next year for continuation of hearing in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the state’s House of Assembly Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

    The Speaker and his Personal Assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi were charged before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    Their lawyer, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), prayed the court to order the prosecution to identify the documents it intends to tender during the trial so as to save time.

    The judge directed the prosecution lawyer to sort out vital documents which he considers useful for the trial.

    EFCC accused Ikuforiji and his assistant of accepting cash payments meant for the Assemble without going through a financial institution.

    During the hearing yesterday, EFCC’s witness Adebayo Adedeji, led in evidence by Mr Godwin Obla (SAN), told the court that Atoyebi’s job schedule included running errands for the Speaker and collecting cash from the accounts department for the Assembly’s use.

    The witness added that on each occasion Atoyebi collected money, he acknowledged it by appending his signature.

    “On August 2, 2011, the second accused signed and collected about N4 million on behalf of the first accused, with the heading: ‘National Council for State Legislators Conference, United States.’

    “In the cash register, it was also discovered that on August 3, 2011, the second accused collected the sum of N10 million on behalf of the Speaker, and the payment was tagged: ‘Ramadan’. It was signed and dated August 4, 2011.

    “On August 23, 2011, the sum of N1.2 million was also collected by the second accused, on behalf of the Speaker, and the transaction was tagged: ‘Money for Orderly to the Wife of Speaker’. This transaction was signed and dated Aug. 29, 2011,” he said.

     

    At this stage, the court and lawyers agreed that Obla should isolate the transactions he intends to highlight from the voluminous cash book to save time.

    Oyetibo told reporters that the prosecution had not tendered anything incriminating against the Speaker.

    The number of witnesses to be called by the defence would depend on the “strength and character” of the testimonies of the prosecution’s witnesses, he said.

  • Lagos East should produce next governor, says Ikuforiji

    Lagos East should produce next governor, says Ikuforiji

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforijihas said that the Lagos East Senatorial District should produce the governor in 2015.

    He said, having produced the three Speakers, who brought honour to the state and party six times, the district is qualified to produce the next governor.

    Ikuforiji observed that there are competent men and women in the district, who can succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola, urging the people to intensify their agitation for power shift.

    The Speaker also reflected on his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying that he will triumph over the predicament. He said: “EFCC or not, it is vanity. They will reap vanity. You know me; I will always speak my mind. Because of that, I incur the wrath of some people. God always deliver me and he will continue to deliver me”.

    The Speaker, who is believed to be eyeing the governorship, spoke at the meeting of the Lagos East All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders held at the Somolu Local Government Secretariat last weekend. He however, clarified that he had no specific candidate in mind, stressing that he only echoed the patriotic views of the stakeholders.

    Ikuforiji said: “In this coming dispensation, Lagos East Senatorial District must produce the next APC governor. All our leaders should approve the proposal. I had a dream. The dream is that our leader will support the East District for the slot”.

    The Speaker’s remark has generated much interest and controversy among the APC chieftains. Ikuforiji, the Epe-born politician, has canvassed for power shift from the Central to the East District at a time he is representing Ikeja, West District, in the House of Assembly.

    A chieftain of the APC from the West, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said: “The legislator has found it difficult to champion power shift to the West, where he resides and currently benefits from. How would he want the people of Ikeja and the West to feel? Since he belongs to two districts, he should have allowed others to lead the agitation”.

    Since the Second Republic, power shift has not shaped governorship selection in Lagos. The three districts were only designed for senatorial elections. Although some politicians have canvassed a rotational principle, based on the five divisions-Lagos, Ikeja, Badagry, Epe, and Ikorodu, the political parties have never considered it. Lagos State has become one indivisible zone, based on the deep interactions among the indigenes and settlers.

    The first civilian governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, son of the Oluwo of Lagos, with an ancestral root in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, came from the Central District. For ethnic balancing, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) leader, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo put forward Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, an Awori, with an ancestral root in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as the running mate. He came from the West. The Lagos Central-born governor lived in Ilupeju, Lagos West.

    In the Third Republic, Sir Michael Otedola of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) was elected governor. He hails from Epe, East Central. Those who wanted to serve as the governor at that time, including Chief Dapo Sarunmi, the late Prof. Femi Agbalajobi and Chief Yomi Edu, also came from Epe. But the two parties-the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and NRC-did not zone it to Epe or East District. In fact, when Sarunmi and Agabalajobi were banned from the race by the military, the Jakande group in the SDP drafted Prince Abiodun Ogunleye from Ikorodu to the race.

    In 1999, when the Afenifere/Alliance for Democracy (AD) leaders endorsed Senator Bola Tinubu for the governorship, they did not bother about whether he is from the West or Central District. Merit was the watchword. The Tinubu family is from the Central, but Senator Tinubu started politics in Ikeja-Agege axis. His successor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), is from the Central, but his origin did not play any role in his emergence as the Action Congress (AC) flag bearer.

    Observers point out that Lagos is a cosmopolitan setting that has thrown up many actors, who are not indigenes of the state. One of the Speakers from the East, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, is from Ijebuland, Ogun State. A handful of state and federal legislators from the district are also not indigenes. There are interactions by marriage. In 2007, when the Ikorodu Division agitated for power shift, a Mushin, West District politician, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, showed up at the rally in Ikorodu, claiming that her paternal grandmother hailed from the division.

    Ikuforiji however, maintained that the agitation for zoning, rotation or power shift is legitimate, urging the people of the East not to relent in their efforts.

    He stressed: “Since 1999, Lagos East has produced the Speakers. The Lagos State House of Assembly has been the best in Nigeria. That means that Lagos East is full of materials. We have capable men and women in the East. The Legislature is the most difficult arm of government. It has been headed by people from the East. It is the turn of the East to produce the governor of Lagos State and it will be so”.

     

     

     

  • Ikuforiji assures foreign investors on sea transportation

    THE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has promised foreign investors willing to invest in the state’s sea transportation sector of a conducive and enabling environment.

    Ikuforiji gave this assurance while receiving a team of foreign investors from the United States of America and Spain in his office.

    The investors, who were led by the Chairmen, House Committee on Transportation and Agriculture, Bisi Yusuf Ibrahim Layode respectively indicated their willingness to invest in sea transportation along the coastal routes of Lagos.

    One of the investors, Mr. Arthur Polk, said the team had visited Badagry and Epe to see existing infrastructures for agricultural purposes.

     

  • Lagos Speaker’s aide is dead

    Mr. Olusegun Olusesi, the chief of staff to Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, is dead.

    Olusesi died on Sunday in North Carolina, United States (U.S.), after a brief illness.

    Though the nature of the illness was not mentioned, it was gathered that it started last year.

    Mr. Abiodun Tobun (Epe Constituency 1), who raised the issue under Personal Explanation yesterday at plenary, described the deceased as “a kind hearted man, who died when his services were needed most”.

    Mr. Ipoola Omisore (Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 2) said: “The news of Olusesi’s demise came as a shock to the House. He was a gentleman to the core and an amiable personality. The last time I saw him, he seemed to have recovered from the illness and it is sad that we are hearing of his death. May the Lord keep the offsprings he left behind.”

    Mr. Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu Constituency 1) said: “The late Olusesi was always ready to assist others. He was good at taking care of other people’s welfare.”

    Others described the deceased as “a peace-loving person, master strategist, great leader and humane fellow with a conscience”.

    Ikuforiji said the late Olusesi had battled the illness for sometime.

    He said: “As at June when the illness got to the peak, the surgeon told his wife that he should be taken off the life support machine, but she refused to give up.

    “Surprisingly, he recuperated tremendously and was walking about with ease. He spoke to me five days ago that he was returning to the country soon, but on Sunday night, at about 10:26pm, I received a phone call that he was dead. He was a man of many parts. He was fearless, forthright and straight forward.”

    The deceased, who is survived by his wife, Kofo, and three children, was honoured with a minute’s silence.

  • Confidence in, not on, Adeyemi Ikuforiji

    IN one of the different versions of my congratulatory essays on the golden birthday of Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, last Monday, I discovered my own slip: “…this Grand Commander was most loved and favoured of all her (his) mother’s five children.” (National Mirror Views Page, April 30) A testament to man’s fallibility!

    Yet another careless slip-up here last week: “…on the ascendancy” Get it right: in the ascendancy. Is there still printer’s devil in this computer age? Accept my apologies.

    “So it is high time Nigeria begins (began) to….”

    “Suarez: biting more than he can chew” This way, ThisDay: biting off more than he can chew

    “Golden gallands to a worthy friend @ 50: Minabelem Michael West, Esq., mni” (Full-page advertisement, THISDAY, April 27) Happy birthday: garlands

    NATIONAL MIRROR of April 30 murdered the English language: “Syrian Prime Minister escapes assassination attempt” The fact that the man escaped the attack presupposes an attempt on his life. So, Syrian PM escapes assassination

    “Aregbesola’s phone thief bags 45 years jail” All the Facts, All the Sides: 45 years’ jail term

    “Lawmakers pass vote of confidence on (in) Ikuforiji” Confidence in (not on) somebody—the ‘passing’ should not confuse anyone. For those who may not know, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji is the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    NATIONAL MIRROR Editorial of April 30 contained two school-boy howlers: “The issue of who occupies what political position in the country and under (on) which platform appears….”

    “In advanced (an advanced) democracy like the US….”

    “Dearth of funding slow job creation efforts” Business & Finance: …slows down job-creation efforts

    “The Alade Market incidence (incident)….”

    “Unknown gunmen raid bank, kill three policemen, two others” (THE GUARDIAN Headline, April 30) Yank off ‘unknown’!

    “The same pattern of foreign excesses and Nigerian laxity obtains when the operations of some foreign firms in Nigeria is (are) considered.” (The Guardian Editorial, April 30)

    “Minister commissions (inaugurates) Kwali micro-finance bank” (Source: as above)

    Still on THE GUARDIAN Headlines: “Zonal election into sports federations hold (holds) today”

    THISDAY Front Page Headline of April 27 fumbled: “Jonathan, Shettima in closed-door meeting over Bagga killings” Robust journalism: meeting behind closed doors (not closed-door meeting)! SATURDAY PUNCH of April 27 circulated this same blunder: “Falana in closed-door meeting with Jonathan”

    “The impending NGF election has polarized the 36 states (state) governors into two camps….”

    “…I had lot of contracts with many corporate organizations.” Global soccer: a lot of contracts or lots of contracts (depending on context).

    “Police arrest Oloko over (for) ex-Oyo SSG guard’s murder” (SATURDAY PUNCH Headline, April 27)

    “But industrial relations experts are apprehensive that currently the rate of strikes are (is) undeniably alarming.”

    “Strike actions: Lawful but inexpedient” We certainly do not need ‘action’ here. Simply strike. All strikes are action-based.

    “I am looking forward to the next Igbo summit to comprise of all the Igbo-speaking fragments irrespective of where they are located.” In order not to abort the language dream, delete the first ‘of’ and move to the next two errors from the same medium (name withheld like Nigerian newspaper reportage!).

    “And in Nigeria, subsequent military regimes which held sway finally culminated into (in) the most dreaded era of military rule in the country–-the Sani Abacha years.”

    “No wonder therefore that every inaction of these elected leaders only seek (seeks) to further entrench and protect the many years of brigandage on this nation.”

    “Its diverse composition reflected in (on) how its different peoples were organized prior to 1914.”

    “We have no genuine reconciliation in Nigeria even though the Oputa panel did its very best.” ‘Best’ is an absolute and, as such, does not admit qualification of any sort (very).

    “As the governor of Akwa Ibom, he has not reneged on both promises to his party and his electioneering campaign promises to the people of the state.” Either electioneering or campaign. Both cannot co-exist.

    “…before the advent of the Europeans in Nigeria, most societies or kingdoms have thriving and stable political system….” This way: kingdoms had (not have) a (a vital component) thriving and stable political system.

    “Somebody who can formulate policies and see to its execution to the minute (minutest) detail.” An eye for detail: policies and their (not its) execution.

    “As such (a comma) the little time that have been given to the politicians.…” Time that has….

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    ADVICE: Contributors to views expressed here or other related issues should cite authorities and references to support their positions. This is a research-based column for well-informed exchange of dispassionate ideas. There must be a cerebral basis for arguments and counter-views—not pedestrian, unscholarly, declarations which I am inundated with daily! I beg una, dear readers.