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Tag: Awoyemi

  • Ladigbolu, Awoyemi for Afenifere conference

    Ladigbolu, Awoyemi for Afenifere conference

    Chairman of Yoruba Unity Forum and member of Afenifere Elders’ Caucus, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu, and governance expert, Dr. Ayo Awoyemi, are among the leading speakers at the forthcoming Southwest Stakeholders Dialogue scheduled to hold in Akure, Ondo State.

    The two-day regional forum with the theme: ‘Strengthening Democracy through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future’, will take place on October 29 and 30 at the International Conference Centre (The Dome), Akure.

    Convened by Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, the dialogue is designed as a citizen–government interactive town hall session that will bring together ministers, senior federal government officials, traditional rulers, civil society leaders and other stakeholders from across the six Southwest states.

    Ladigbolu will deliver a special address, while Awoyemi is billed to present the keynote address, both expected to provide thought-provoking perspectives on strengthening democratic governance and regional cooperation.

    The dialogue will be hosted by Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, with co-hosts including Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

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    Expected participants include current and former political leaders, professional associations, youths’ and women’s groups, civil society organisations, business leaders and traditional institutions.

    Discussions will focus on democratic consolidation, regional collaboration and the impact of federal policies on the Southwest.

    Programme highlights include Southwest Stakeholders Confab, Southwest Governors’ Forum session on ‘Regional Collaboration: Impact of Federal Government Reforms, Policies and Programmes on Southwest States,’ and a series of thematic engagement sessions aimed at defining a common development agenda for the region.

    Organised in partnership with Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, the forum seeks to foster cooperation among governments, institutions and citizens in building a more inclusive, accountable and prosperous Southwest.

    Enquiries are to be directed to Dr. Akin Onigbinde (SAN) and Dr. Seye Oyeleye, Director-General of the DAWN Commission.

    With Ladigbolu and Awoyemi leading key sessions, the Akure dialogue promises to generate far-reaching ideas on democracy, governance and future of development in the Yoruba-speaking Southwest states.

  • Lagos ‘Band A’ residents plead Ikeja Electric over prolonged blackout, faulty transformer

    Lagos ‘Band A’ residents plead Ikeja Electric over prolonged blackout, faulty transformer

    Frustrated by the prolonged blackout caused by a faulty transformer supplying power, residents and business owners on six streets — Raji Oba, Awoyemi, Folarin, Ajala, Olonade, and Akinshola — in the Alimosho area of Lagos State have decried and lamented the over three-month power outage.

    According to them, the power outage which occurred since second week of March 2025 is crippling businesses and severely impacting the quality of life in the communities.

     The residents called on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) to urgently look into the situation and address the prolonged power outage, especially fixing the faulty transformer.

    The aggrieved consumers said the streets fall under the Band A consumers’ category, and that they should enjoy a daily power supply of 20 to 24 hours. They complained that this has not been the case for over three months, since the transformer was removed.

    The residents said the prolonged absence of electricity has made them vulnerable to attacks from marauders who operate under the cover of darkness.

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    One of the residents, Michael, said the lack of power supply had worsened commercial activities in the community, adding that access to water had also been affected.

     Michael said: “So, we are pleading as a community, as one, for Ikeja Electric and the appropriate authorities to listen to our cries to save our communities. Olonade-Akinsola and other streets have always been a good community, and we want it to remain like this.”

     “We have been struggling in darkness,” another resident who identified herself as Mama Chioma said.

     “We have been in total blackout for over three months, crippling businesses. We are pleading with IKEDC to urgently address this,” she further pleaded.

     In a letter dated March 16 and addressed to IKEDC by the Olonade-Akinsola community titled: “Urgent request for Band A intervention on prolonged power outage in our community”, noted that several efforts and reports have been made to IKEDC’s customer service and local office, but the situation remains unresolved.

    The community association noted that the sad situation had also grounded businesses and other activities that rely on electricity.

    It partly reads: “The power failure has severely impacted our daily activities, businesses, healthcare services, and overall well-being in these six streets.

    “We are yet to receive a clear response regarding an estimated time for restoration. The continuous blackout has caused significant discomfort, economic losses,and  security concerns within our community.

    “In the light of the above, we respectfully request urgent intervention and a directive to the appropriate department to expedite the resolution of this issue.”

    The community further called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to urgently intervene.