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Tag: Ashafa

  • Ashafa decries jungle justice

    Ashafa decries jungle justice

    Lagos East Senator, Gbenga Ashafa has decried the rising cases of jungle justice in Ikorodu where people are being lynched for allegedly being Badoo members.

    Ashafa praised the people for saying no to the existence of the group within their community, saying: “I commend the resilience of the Ikorodu people who have unequivocally said no to the presence of such a nefarious group within the Ikorodu community. Also, I commend the efforts of the Lagos State Government, Commissioner of Police, various vigilante groups including the Oodua People’s Congress and the Onyabo who have mobilised with the police to flush out, neutralise and prosecute as many of such criminals as exist within the Ikorodu environment.

    “Unfortunately, I have also received the news that in the process of resisting the members of the Badoo cult, the residents of Ikorodu have taken the laws into their hands and resorted to jungle justice.”

  • Ashafa preaches unity, love

    Ashafa preaches unity, love

    The senator representing Lagos East in the National Assembly, ‘Gbenga Ashafa, has urged Muslims and non-Muslims to use this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration to pray for the nation’s unity and show love to one another.

    In a Sallah message, Ashafa congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of fasting during Ramadan.

    The senator urged Nigerians to pray for those at the helm of affairs in the country.

    According to him, Nigerian leaders need prayers to take the nation to the Promised Land.

    He said: “The time to pray for those at the helms of affairs is now, especially on the completion of Ramadan fast. The leaders must be helped with prayer.

    “I felicitate with Muslim faithful for their perseverance during the Ramadan fast. It is my prayer that Allah will continue to sustain them.

    “I also pray that Almighty Allah will grant unto them the blessings of Ramadan fast, which is purity, self-denial, love for one another and generosity to the poor and needy in our society.”

    The senator urged Nigerians to shun those fanning the embers of disunity, saying the strength of every nation is the unity of its people.

    Ashafa said: “Those clamour for secession is unpatriotic as the lives innocent citizens were lost to keep the country one during the 1967–1970 civil war.

    “This is the time to pray for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has demonstrated genuine sincerity to restore the dignity of Nigeria in the comity of nations.

    “Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe and where they live, must imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance, peace and unity by being one another’s keeper.”

     

  • Mark, Ashafa, Deputy Senate Whip express shock

    Mark, Ashafa, Deputy Senate Whip express shock

    Immediate past Senate President David Mark, senator representing Lagos East Gbenga Ashafa and Deputy Senate Whip Senator Francis Alimikhena havemourned the senator representing Osun West, Isiaka Adeleke.

    Reacting to Adeleke’s death yesterday, Mark, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Paul Mumeh, said: “I am shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my colleague, Senator Isiaka Adeleke . It is just devastating that he is no more.

    “Senator Adeleke was a peace-maker. He always craved for peace, equity, justice and national unity. Whenever we had challenges and tension in the Senate, Adeleke was always a ready hand to calm  frayed nerves .

    “A highly principled, focused and resourceful parliamentarian, he always identified with the ordinary people. He fought for the welfare of citizens without compromise. He practised inclusive politics that provided the greatest benefit to the largest number of his constituents.

    “For him, politics is noble, a game and a call to serve without bitterness”.

    Ashafa, in a statement, said: “It is with a deep sense of loss and shock that I received the news of the passage of my distinguished colleague, brother and friend earlier this afternoon.

    “Late Senator Adeleke, a former Osun StateGovernor was a man of uncommon passion for his constituency, state and Nigeria.

    “I enjoyed the benefit of his wise counsel time and again and would definitely miss his sagacious personality on the floor of the Senate.”

    Alimikhena, in a statement signed by his Personal Assistant, Benjamin Atu, said Adeleke died at the time in Nigeria’s democracy when his services and wisdom would be mostly required.

    Noting that his unique style of leadership would be greatly missed by the nation, he said the people of Osun State, to whom he had given a worthy representation, would miss their first civilian executive governor.

    “Senator Adeleke died when his services and wisdom was needed most by both the Senate, Nigerians and the people of Osun State where he has serve as the first civilian Governor with remarkable contribution and impact.

    “Senator Adeleke was a leader of rare character. He was an honest man, an extraordinary politician, a great leader and a man of principle. His character was legendary, particularly the demonstration of his vast knowledge and elderly wisdom in expressing his contributions in the Senate.

    “Nigerians will certainly miss the man, who left a lasting stamp in Osun State. Adeleke will be remembered for his very unique and purposeful leadership. He will also be remembered by Nigerians as a brave leader, who has given the people of Osun State a worthy representation in the Senate.

    “While we joined the family to mourn the painful departure, I encouraged the people of Osun to find consolation in the fact that Senator Adeleke lived a life worthy of emulation and his contributions to humanity can’t be forgotten.

    “It is my prayers to our Heavenly Father to grant our great colleague and brother eternal rest. May God also comfort his family at this very difficult moment of grief”, the statement added.

  • Ambode, Ashafa, others bid APC leader, Sunmola final farewell

    Ambode, Ashafa, others bid APC leader, Sunmola final farewell

    Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chief Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudasiru Obasa  and hundreds of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, yesterday bade a deceased chieftain of the party,  Alh. Safiriyu Abiodun Sunmola final good bye .

    Sunmola died last  Thursday in Lagos and was interred at his country home, off Obalende area of Ijebu – Ode, Ogun State yesterday. He was 77.

    Dignitaries including  politicians and members of the Muslim community in Ijebu – Ode as well as the Mende – Maryland area of Lagos who were still pained by the shock of his passage, said Sunmola would be “greatly missed.”

    Governor Ambode, Senator Ashafa and Senator Olurunnibe Mamora all maintained mournful mood all through and unwilling to speak with journalists but some other dignitaries said Sunmola’s manner of exit was “like a  joke and play” to them.

    The Chief Imam of Ijebuland, described the late  Sunmola as a man of “good character,” saying even when he was not holding any elective office  or appointment, his death and burial drew the presence of people cutting across all strata of the society.

     

  • Ashafa greets Christians

    Ashafa greets Christians

    THE Senator representing Lagos East Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa has felicitated with Christians as they commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ.

    In a statement yesterday, Ashafa said: “I am sure that the solemn period of fasting and prayer at Lent must have given all Christians the opportunity to reflect on issues of life and afforded them all the opportunity of a closer fellowship with God.

    “While Easter is a Christian celebration, I enjoin all Nigerians, Christians, Muslims and traditionalists alike to learn from the lessons of the season –  love and sacrifice. I am conscious of the fact that the feast of Easter is synonymous with the love that Christ had for his followers that he sacrificed his life for them.

    “Hence, I urge us all to move forward in love and sacrifice towards our dear country and ourselves. Love and sacrifice are two important values that we need more of in our society today.”

  • Why we must not despair, by Ashafa

    Why we must not despair, by Ashafa

    The Senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, has advised Nigerians not to despair in the new year.

    He noted that “it is in challenging times in the course of human history that people have been forced out of their comfort zones, to create new economies, new opportunities and enhance the course  of modern civilisation”.

    Ashafa, in a statement, said: “In 2017, we cannot despair. Rather, we must keep faith with the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of change. While we must continue to constructively challenge the government to do better, the citizenry must also play their part by remaining law-abiding, creative, positive and industrious.

    The statement also reads: “Lagosians and Nigerians, we all know undoubtedly that 2016 hasn’t been without its challenges. However, all thanks to God for the things we were able to achieve during the year.

    “In the area of land transportation, we have been able to record some successes in the year 2016. First was the passage of the Nigerian railway bill, which is expected to open up our railway sector for private sector participation in a bid to create an enabling environment to revamp the railway sector.  This is vital in no small measure to our economy.

  • Why NDLEA Act must be amended, by Ashafa

    Why NDLEA Act must be amended, by Ashafa

    Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa has advocated the amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to provide for harsh punishment for traffickers.

    Ashafa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Land Transport, noted that arbitrary application of the law by judges would not serve any purpose.

    In his lead debate on a bill to amend the Act, Ashafa said: “The arbitrariness that is being perpetrated by the trial judges by not following the NDLEA Act can lead to corrupt practices. As a matter of fact, it only encourages illicit drug practices

    “The Act specifically stipulates the maximum sentence of life imprisonment and minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment for the above-mentioned offences. There is nowhere in the provisions of the NDLEA Act that gives to the judges discretionary power to reduce the minimum sentence stipulated in the Act.

    “However, rather than a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years or maximum term of imprisonment for life as stipulated in the Act, for some unknown reasons, some judges of the Federal High Court have continued to pass varied/discretionary sentences short of what is prescribed by the NDLEA Act.

    “As the news of these light sentences spread, more people are encouraged to go into the drug trade, hence the phenomenal rise in the number of youths engaged in the illicit abuse of narcotic substances and of course this also contributes to the negative image of our country in the international community.”

    He said the act when amended would make it mandatory for judges to apply the penalties as stipulated.

    Ashafa proposes that the the word ‘heroin’ wrongly spelt in the principal Act as ‘heroine’ be corrected and the fine for those obstructing the agency from discharging its statutory duty raised from N20,000 to N100,000.

    He cited cases in which the Federal High Court found persons guilty of an offence under the act but imposed lesser sentences in clear disregard of the law.

    “Worse still is the fact that when some of the judges pass these light terms of imprisonment, the convicts in some cases are further given option of fine which is only available for those found guilty of obstruction of the agency or authorised officers, not for actual perpetuators of the offence.

    “The purpose of the stiff punishment provided by the Act is to deter people from engaging in drug related activities. Where a person caught with cocaine is sentenced to few months’ imprisonment or given an option to pay a fine as can be seen in certain cases, one wonders what signal the country is sending to drug dealers and traffickers, their countries, our youths and the international community.

    “This is the kind of problem created as many people believe that even if they are caught and sentenced to Jail, they will be out in no time. The deterrent nature of the punishment, which the NDLEA Act seeks to provide, is therefore defeated.

    “You may have noticed that there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of drug couriers apprehended at our airports, this is a direct consequence of these illegal unholy sentences adopted by some judges.

    “The government or NDLEA could appeal these obvious cases of unwholesomeness being perpetrated by these Judges, but the process is very long, tedious and expensive as the cases go right up to the Supreme Court meaning that they could take up to 7 to 10 years for final adjudication.

    “The proposed amendment will close any loophole by having a clear, unambiguous and unequivocal provision that Judges cannot vary the sentences provided by the Act by reducing the penalties or giving option of fines which the NDLEA Act has not provided.”

  • Ashafa tasks IGP on security

    Ashafa tasks IGP on security

    Inspector-General of Police and the commissioners of police got a wake-up call from Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa at the weekend. They were urged to double their efforts in rescuing those kidnapped at the Lagos Model College, Igbonla in Lagos last week.

    Ashafa, who is representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, visited the school at the weekend and held talks with the Principal of the Junior school, Mr. O.O Osideru and some teachers.

    The school’s Vice Principal, Mr. A.O. Oyesola, English teacher Lukman Oyerinde and four pupils identified as Abu, Emmanuel Okonkwo, Jeremiah Ruth and Isaac Adebisi, were abducted by gunmen, who invaded the school in the early hours of last Thursday.

    The kidnappers, who had earlier demanded a N120 million ransom for the release of their victims have reduced the ransom to N30 million.

    But the senator urged security operatives to ensure that the victims are rescued safely and without delay, calling on the IGP to rid the society of criminal elements perpetrating such heinous crimes.

    Stressing the need to have full-time security personnel within the premises, he promised to aid the internal security of the school with two tricycles.

    He informed that a Bill for an Act to provide for Punishment of the Offences of Abduction, Wrongful Restraints and Wrongful Confinement for Ransom and other related offences is pending before the Senate.

    According to him, he is supporting the Bill which prescribes stiffer punishments for kidnappers and imprisonment for up to 30 years for recipients of any proceeds therefrom.

    “I urging all his constituents in the Epe division to remain security conscious and to note that communal security is everybody’s collective responsibility,” the senator said.

  • Ashafa seeks support to end domestic violence

    Ashafa seeks support to end domestic violence

    To completely eradicate sexual and domestic violence in Lagos, Senator Gbenga Ashafa said residents must  complement government’s effort in exposing offenders and protecting the victim.

    The senator, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, traced the rising wave of domestic violence to the erosion of family values and intolerance, adding that the prevalent economic condition of the country compounded the menace.

    He spoke yesterday at the second Town Hall Meeting and empowerment programme held in Ikosi-Ketu, where he presented his six months score card to constituent.

    Ashafa said: “I strongly believe that incidences of domestic and sexual violence can be linked to the downward spiral of family values, as well as economic downturn. We have seen that there is no age limit to sexual assault. This is alien to our culture and tradition, but it is happening in our society.

    “We need to commend Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for taking drastic measures and leading a crusade against this menace by ensuring that appropriate laws are put in place to check it. The laws will be effective if people complement the government’s effort to expose offenders. This is why we are sensitising our constituents circulate this information in their communities.”

    He urged members of his constituent to embrace communal system, warning that social segregation could destroy the core values of child upbringing. He praised the Lagos State Governor for establishing Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) to eradicate the scourge.

    DSVRT Head Mrs Omotola Rotimi, said the state government set up the body to protect vulnerable children and women from abuse. She said the team has responsibility to prosecute offenders and give free post-incident treatment and counselling to help victims overcome the trauma.

  • Establish wealth creation ministry, says Ashafa

    Establish wealth creation ministry, says Ashafa

    •Agunsoye empowers 200

    The senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, yesterday urged other states to emulate Lagos by establishing the ministry of wealth creation and employment to tackle employment.

    He said the country may be wrecked by joblessness and its attendant consequences, unless urgent steps are taken to engage the youth and steer them into productive endeavours.

    Ashafa spoke in Lagos at an empowerment programme for 200 youths organised by the member representing Kosofe in the House of Representatives, Rotimi Agunsoye.

    The beneficiaries, many of who are graduates, will be trained to acquire professional and technical skills in many areas under the Nationwide Apprehenticeship Scheme for Tehnicians, Artisans, Entrepreneurs and Agro-Entrepreneurs (NASTAA).

    Lauding Agunsoye, the senator said his move has trailed the gesture of Governor Akinwumi Ambode, who established the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment to cater for the youth.

    He added: “Governor Akinwumi Ambode is a man of ideas. He has set up the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment to tackle unemployment among youths. I urge the other 35 states to emulate him.”

    Agunsoye said: “Unemployment is a terrible thing. Unfortunately, there is an abundance of workers, but not enough jobs to match.

    “On the other hand, there are plenty of jobs, but workers do not have the right skills or experience for the jobs.

    “These have made unemployment to be on the rise, a trend that further plunges the economy downward.

    “Our young people often lack the requisite job skills and experience for specific job openings and would most often be unqualified for the available jobs and are unable to build careers in certain fields.”

    House of Representatives Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, who declared the programme open, described Agunsoye as a dependable ally.

    At the event were Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment Durosinmi Etti; Special Adviser on Food Security Sanni Okanlawon; Kosofe All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Pa Abiodun Sunmola; Ketu monarch Oba Oyero Balogun; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Lagos APC Women Leader Chief Kemi Nelson; Jide Jimoh; Ayodeji Joseph; Toyin Omidiran; Mrs. Yinka Agunsoye; Jide Sanwoolu; Princess Olasumbo Ajose; Tunde Braimoh; Desmond Elliot; Obafemi Durosinmi; Jide Odekunle; Olumuyiwa Sosanya; Afolabi Sofola and Lagos white cap chiefs.