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  • Ashafa sponsors medical outreach to mark 70th birthday

    Ashafa sponsors medical outreach to mark 70th birthday

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa commemorated his  70th birthday with a commitment to community service, sponsoring a comprehensive medical outreach program in Somolu and its surrounding areas in collaboration with FS Club. 

    The health initiative, which targets hundreds of residents in underserved communities, offers free medical screenings, consultations, and basic treatments to address the healthcare access challenges facing many Lagos residents.

    “As someone who has dedicated my life to public service, I believe that accessible healthcare is a fundamental right for every Nigerian,” Senator Ashafa explained when asked about his motivation for supporting the program. “I saw this outreach as an opportunity to bring quality healthcare directly to the people of Somolu and surrounding communities.”

    The former senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District acknowledged the significant barriers many residents face in accessing proper medical care, including distance, cost, and lack of adequate facilities. His collaboration with FS Club demonstrates how private sector partnerships with civic organizations can address critical community needs while advancing grassroots development and community empowerment.

    The medical outreach focuses on addressing common health concerns prevalent in the community, including hypertension screening, diabetes testing, malaria treatment, and general wellness checks. Medical professionals will provide on-site consultations and basic treatments to participants at no cost.

    Beyond immediate medical intervention, the program aims to raise health awareness throughout the community and encourage residents to prioritize preventive care as part of their long-term wellness strategies.

    Ashafa emphasised that this initiative represents more than a one-time charitable gesture. “FS Club and I are committed to making this a regular event,” he stated, outlining plans for sustained community health support.

    Read Also: First Lady hails Senator Senator Ashafa at 70, celebrates lifetime of public service

    The partnership is exploring collaborations with local health centers to ensure continuity of care for patients requiring follow-up treatments. This approach aims to create lasting healthcare infrastructure rather than temporary relief.

    “Our goal is to build a sustainable model that other communities can replicate across Lagos State,” Senator Ashafa noted, highlighting the program’s potential as a template for community-driven healthcare solutions.

    The medical outreach reflects Senator Ashafa’s approach to celebrating his milestone 70th birthday through meaningful community service, demonstrating how former public officials can continue contributing to community development through strategic partnerships with civic organisations.

  • Ashafa applauds graduates of computer-based test training in Kosofe

    Ashafa applauds graduates of computer-based test training in Kosofe

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa delivered an inspiring speech yesterday at the graduation ceremony of the first batch of 200 students from the Computer Based Test (CBT) training programme in Kosofe, Lagos. 

    Organised by the Total Nucleus Foundation, the programme aims to equip individuals with essential digital skills for the modern world. The training gave participants the knowledge and skills to navigate computer-based systems effectively.

    Acknowledging fifteen graduates’ dedication and hard work,  Ashafa emphasised the importance of their achievement in today’s technology-driven society. He praised their commitment to learning and highlighted the transformative impact of initiatives like this on local communities. Additionally, he stressed the significance of such skills in today’s digital landscape, where technology plays a central role in various aspects of life.

    Read Also: Ashafa commends Mezovest for empowering female entrepreneurs in gas retail business

    Expressing gratitude to the Total Nucleus Foundation for its commitment to community development, Senator Ashafa commended the organisation’s investment in programs like this, which provide individuals with the tools they need to succeed. He also acknowledged the guidance and inspiration provided by Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the foundation’s patron, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Grand Patron of TNF, whose educational reforms paved the way for such initiatives.

    Ashafa urged the graduates to carry forward the lessons learned and to remain dedicated to continuous learning and self-improvement. He also pledged continued support for initiatives promoting community development and education, such as [specific types of support]. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts in building a better society.

  • Ashafa commends Mezovest for empowering female entrepreneurs in gas retail business

    Ashafa commends Mezovest for empowering female entrepreneurs in gas retail business

    Immediate past Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Senator Gbenga Ashafa has praised Mezovest for its contribution to women empowerment in the gas retail sector. 

    He spole event at the graduation of 50 women trained and empowered as entrepreneurs in the gas retail business through a partnership between Mezovest and APEX in Baba, Lagos. 

     Ashafa commended Mezovest for its commitment to fostering economic empowerment and gender equality. 

    He highlighted the importance of initiatives like this in bridging the gender gap in entrepreneurship and promoting economic growth.

    “Mezovest’s collaboration with APEX to train and empower women entrepreneurs in the gas retail business is commendable,” said Senator Ashafa. 

    “By providing these women with the necessary skills and resources, Mezovest is not only empowering them but also contributing to the overall development of our society,” the former Lagos East Senator said. 

    Read Also: Ashafa: FHA has sufficient assets to secure loans

    The graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of the 50 women who underwent rigorous training in gas retail business management, customer service, and financial literacy. 

    Through Mezovest’s support and mentorship, these women are now equipped to establish and manage their own gas retail businesses, thus creating economic opportunities for themselves and their communities.

    Ashafa urged other organisations to emulate Mezovest’s example and invest in initiatives that empower women and promote inclusive economic growth.

  • Ashafa: FHA has sufficient assets to secure loans

    Ashafa: FHA has sufficient assets to secure loans

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of Nigeria, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, has said the agency has enough assets to secure any loans it needs.

    He said the FHA was working with state governments to secure lands within or areas not far from city centres.

    Ashafa spoke in Abuja on the final day of the agency’s Golden Jubilee celebration.

    He said: “Before we start going to the extreme of demolition, we sit down at a round table. We can explore all other areas. Demolition should be the last option. In our own way, we have introduced what we call VRR, which is Verification, Regularisation and Recovery, and it is the FHA model.

    Read Also: Nigeria woos foreign investors with attractive forex repatriation, RoI

    “We have enough assets to be able to secure our loans. We all know that there is a deficit in the housing sector. What the deficit truly is we don’t know because there are so many unoccupied buildings left vacant, especially in the urban centres.”

    Commenting on the capacity of the agency to handle the nation’s housing demands, Ashafa said: “…FHA is more repositioned to do more for Nigerians by way of affordable housing. We have gathered so many experts who we would be able to reach out to for collaborations to give FHA an enabling Act that would make it achieve its mandate.

    “What we have been promised by Mr. President is that the blueprint on the strategic housing policy would be such that an average Nigerian would be able to get a house under a loan agreement and the payback would be over the years. If they are unable to meet the expectation, it would be for the family to continue the payment.

    “We are collaborating with state governments. Most of the state governments have seen the need to give us parcels of lands within the metropolis, areas that are not far from the city centres. For instance, the last 100 hectares of land that was given to us by Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State is in a very accessible location. These are the types of collaborations that we are seeking out.

    “We have the mandate of Mr. President that whatever estate that we are building, having done well in the rent-to-own model that we used in Zuba (Abuja), we are going to have rent-to-own sections that would take care of low income earners and the physically challenged.”

  • Ashafa, lawmaker canvass vote for Lagos APC candidates

    Senator representing Lagos East Gbenga Ashafa yesterday appealed to the coalition of estate residents in Lagos East Senatorial District to vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday.

    Ashafa, who kicked off the campaign for victory for the APC at Omole Estate, said the turn out for the presidential election was below expectation.

    The senator spoke as the lawmaker representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dayo Fafunmi, also urged over 100 youths he trained as fashion designers to canvass for votes for APC candidates in Saturday election and also go out en-mass to vote for them.

    Fafunmi gave the directive yesterday in his address at an empowerment programme for youths and students, which he organised in his constituency office at Ogba.

    Ashafa urged residents to appreciate the good efforts of the APC government in Lagos by ensuring that its candidates were elected.

    The politician said he was using the opportunity provided by the sentisisation of estate residents to remind them of their civic responsibility, noting that government would continue to serve them better.

    He said: “We are asking our people to come out massively, without fear or favour. Whatever ethnic group you belong, we want to assure you that you are safe. Lagos is going to be safe under Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and Babafemi Hamzat.

    “If we are able to achieve the landslide victory that we are talking about, which is just around the corner, the effects would be great on the people. We have identified about 42 different estates in the Lagos East Senatorial District alone.

    “We expect over 100, 000 minimum registered voters from the list. We discovered in the last election that only 19 per cent of them came out. We want to change the narrative in the coming election. I am appealing to you to come out and vote on Saturday.”

    Ashafa maintained that government had done well, stressing that the party would plug the loopholes responsible for the low turnout voters in the last election.

    “We are closing the loopholes; part of it is that we are giving recognition to those in the low, middle and upper income earners. Omole and all other estates are occupied by these groups. These people have their PVCs and we are making efforts to ensure that they come out during the election.”

    Speaking, the Chairman of Coalition of Estate Residents Mr. Dele Lanisa, said members approach issues on their merit, noting it could only be influence by genuine performance.

    He added that Ashafa had distinguished himself as a lawmaker, who love people and would go the extra-mile to assist them.

    “We simply want the government to be close to us after it wins the election. As long as the government collects taxes from us, we expect it to do the needful.

    “It is not possible for you to come here to offer us money to vote for you. This is not possible, all that we seek from you is to do what is expected of you, and the people will naturally come out to vote you.”

    The empowerment ceremony by Fafunmi featured the presentation of certificates and sewing machines to the youths as well as school bags to pupils and students in the constituency.

    The training lasted for more than a year at an institute of fashion designing.

    Though the lawmaker, who is a third term member at the State Assembly, is not contesting in Saturday election, he, however, urged the recipients to vote for APC so that empowerment programmes like the one they benefited from can continue.

    “I want you all to come out in large number and support APC, that I am not contesting does not stop me from campaigning for my party and those contesting.

    “Come Saturday, I want you to go out in large number and vote for our governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other APC candidates for the House of Assembly.

    “Canvass for APC, do not disappoint me, make sure the progressives are voted into office for programmes like this to continue”, Fafunmi said.

    He told the youths that they have been trained and they have acquired the skill, adding that they must “take advantage of the training to make a headway in life. The training you acquired has automatically taken you out of the labour market and if you are serious, you can become employers of labour yourselves,” he said.

    He stated that the programme was in fulfilment of the promise he made to his constituents last year.

     

  • Buhari sure of victory, says Ashafa

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity will deliver Saturday’s election in his favour.

    Ashafa, who spoke during the All Progressives Congress (APC) door-to-door campaign in Magodo, Lagos State, said the party was sure of victory.

    He said the President had delivered on his campaign promises, adding that the fight against corruption, infrastructure development and bringing insecurity under control are landmark achievements of the Buhari administration.

    Ashafa said Magodo residents would troop out to vote for the President, noting that the people were comfortable with President Buhari’s achievements in the past three and a half years.

    He said: “What we are doing right now is the drumming of support for President Buhari, who is sure of victory on Saturday. We are telling the residents of Magodo to disregard the campaign of calumny by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “We are here to also let them know that in the area of infrastructural development, agriculture, social welfare and passage of laws, the President has broken all records.

    “Only five days back, I was at Iju. We took a train from there to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. A standard rail gauge has been put in place in the Southwest and this is the first time we are witnessing that. We have one in Warri-Itakpe. We have one across the length and breadth of Abuja and Kaduna.

  • Ashafa to constituents: vote Buhari, other APC candidates

    SENATOR representing Lagos East Gbenga Ashafa has urged his constituents to ensure same spirit of continuity of effective representation in the senatorial district, the state and at the federal level.

    Consequently, he urged his constituents to cast their votes in the general elections for the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) – from President Muhammadu Buhari and across board.

    In a new year message he issued yesterday, Ashafa said: “Since the inception of the current administration in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN have set to work trying to correct the monumental flaws in our polity.

    “This government has brought us out of a recession foisted upon us due to years of monumental failure in governance at the centre.

    “Gradually but surely, the Buhari administration has focused on completing critical infrastructure projects across the country with particular focus on rail, agriculture, power, works and housing as well as the fight against insurgency and corruption amongst others.

    “Social investment programmes are thriving and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people that need it the most through the market money programme, school feeding programme, stipends for the poor, and other social capital initiatives.

    “For the first time in a long while, Nigerians have returned to ferrying people, goods and services on our revamped railway routes with several others nearing completion, like the Lagos to Ibadan standard gauge line to be completed in 2019.”

    In Lagos State, the senator said: “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has consolidated on the work done by his predecessors, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN in ensuring that Lagos State remains the leading light and centre of excellence. Now the baton is about to be passed to Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, who has a proven track record of service and reform.”

  • Buhari deserves second term, says Ashafa

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Gbenga Ashafa has urged Nigerians to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s elections.

    He said the president deserved a second term to enable him consolidate on his achievements in the last three and half years.

    Ashafa, who represents Lagos East District in the Upper Chamber, told reporters in Lagos that Nigerians will show appreciation to the president by giving him a second term, contrary to the subject assessment of his achievements by the opposition.

    He said it is gratifying that “the president has the unflinching support of our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,”

    Ashafa said Nigerians will not go back to the pre-2015 Nigeria, which was characterised by disillusionment and lack of hope.

    He said: “Buhari’s achievements cannot be disputed. He has lived up to expectation. Look at the cardinal programmes he is implementing, and look at the income of Nigeria, in terms of our oil proceeds. The price of oil has dropped. Yet, the government is not relenting in fulfilling its promises.

    “Let us look at the rail sub-sector. Buhari came in, he saw the need for an investment-friendly environment and legal framework. He knew that, without that, nobody will come and do business in Nigeria. That law can only come through a bill in the National Assembly. It was sponsored and it came to the committee headed by my humble self.

    “Everything, including lobbying my colleagues, was done to ensure that it passed through the due process. He organised public hearings, called for experts and stakeholders’ meetings. The bill, to call a long story short, has seen the light of the day. Ditto the Regulatory Act of Transportation, and the National Transportation Commission Bill.”

    Ashafa lauded President Buhari for fighting the infrastructure battle across the six regions, challenging the opposition to dispute his achievement in the critical sector.

    He said: “President Buhari saw the need to renew the infrastructure battle.  He renewed the railway paths. Look at the inter-city rail system connecting Abuja to other parts of the country. It may take time before you get to your destination. But, you will get there safely. You are kept busy and safe, enjoying your ride through entertainment. For those carrying cargoes, rail system is very efficient. President Buhari saw the future and decided to swing into action.

    He added: “Look at how the Chinese are now eager to do business with Nigeria. The counterpart founding have been provided and they are ready to supply the rest of the money and training our people in the art of maintaining what is put on ground. This is to boost maintenance culture. Young graduates, through the collaboration by the Nigerian and Chinese governments, were given scholarship to learn the rudiments of rail transportation in a manner that, when they come back, these young Nigerians who would have acquired the expertise can take over from the Chinese.

    “Buhari has done well. He has performed than his predecessors. He inherited many problems. He has been building roads and reconstructing those bad ones previously constructed. He has been generating employment through these activities; seven thousand employments have been generated between Lagos and Ibadan through the construction of the highways. Also, from Lagos to Abeokuta.

    “The governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, is corroborating with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to ensure the success of the rail project. Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has been removing the buildings from the right of way.”

     

  • Progressive senators will block veto of the electoral bill, says Ashafa

    Progressive senators will stand against any plan by the National Assembly to veto President Muhamadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the recent amendments to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018, Senator Gbenga Ashafa said at the weekend.

    He said the matter will eventually be subjected to vote and that the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has the majority, will frustrate any plan to veto the President.

    Ashafa spoke after a stakeholders meeting of the Lagos East chapter of the APC in Epe.

    Responding to questions on the next line of action for his colleagues in the Senate following the President’s refusal to assent to the Bill and threats by the National Assembly to veto him, Ashafa said: “I have had the opportunity of looking through the well thought— out reasons adduced by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for not assenting to the version of the bill which has been forwarded to him and I am quite in agreement with him. “Both the president and the National Assembly have shown good faith in the back and forth game caused principally by drafting inconsistencies that have delayed the bill till now.

    “We must all understand that both sides must be dispassionately painstaking to ensuring that there is no loophole in the final result of the proposed amendments, considering the sensitive nature of the Electoral Act and overarching effect of same on National security and stability of the polity.

    “It cannot be in tandem with any standard democratic ethos to introduce new rules to the field of politics less than two months to a general election, we must be fair to all concerned.”

    Commenting specifically on the possibility of a veto, Ashafa said:  “It is a game of numbers and to conduct a successful veto of the President’s position, the National Assembly would require a vote by two thirds of both houses, I am certain that the progressive block of senators who have already seen reasons with the President would not be in support of such a veto.”

    The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) has backed the President for declining to sign the amendment to the Electoral Act.

    The party equally faulted a threat by the Coalition of Political parties (CUPP) to boycott the 2019 general election following the President’s refusal to sign the act.

    In a statement in Sokoto signed by its National Secretary Abubakar Abdullahi Sokoto, the party posited that there was nothing to worry about President Buhari’s decision.

    “The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) is in total support of President Buhari’s decision to withhold (his) accent to the amended Electoral Act.”

  • Ashafa hails Fed Govt’s commitment to rail revival

    Senator representing Lagos East and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport Gbenga Ashafa has hailed the Federal Government for delivering on the Ajaokuta-Itaipe-Warri rail line after its abandonment by successive administrations.

    He spoke during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee to the Itakpe-Warri Rail line, which is presently undergoing a test run since Tuesday.

    Key stakeholders, who were present at the oversight function included members of the committee – Senators Osinakachukwu Ideozu, Olanrewaju Tejuoso and Yahaya Gamau Lawal.

    The Federal Ministry of Transportation was represented by the Government Inspector of Railways, A.B Yusuf, an engineer; Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation was represented by Deputy Director, Rail Mobilisation and Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Transportation B. Kehinde; and representatives of Julius Berger Nigeria and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC).

    Ashafa said: “I am excited by the fact that after many years of lack of commitment by successive administrations and failure by these administrations to revive this all-important rail route, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has finally been able to do the needful.

    ”You will recall that from the very beginning of our assignment in 2015, I assured you of the commitment of our committee to ensure that we work collaboratively with the executive to ensure that we deliver to the Nigerian people a functional railway system that cuts across the length and breadth of the country.

    “This we have done through the guarantee of appropriation for critical infrastructure as well as effective monitoring of expenditure as at when due. We have disagreed on processes, checked and balanced ourselves as should be, but most importantly our collective resolve to see a Nigeria that works, a railway that functions and an administration that succeeds far outweighed our differences politically and institutionally. This remains our commitment”

    He added: “In the past three years of this administration, we have been able to work together (the Executive and this committee), to deliver to Nigerians the Port-Harcourt to Owerri line, the Abuja to Kaduna Standard gauge line, a substantial rehabilitation of the entire narrow gauge rail infrastructure, which now include the Ajaokuta – Itakpe – Warri line. We also have in the works for delivery very soon the Lagos to Ibadan Standard gauge line.”

    Ashafa hailed and acknowledged the effort of Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and all those who played a role in ensuring that the Ajaokuta- Itakpe-Warri rail line becomes operational.