The Nation Newspaper

Tag: commissioner

  • SPORTS COMMISSIONER’S REMOVAL Uneasy calm in 3SC camp

    SPORTS COMMISSIONER’S REMOVAL Uneasy calm in 3SC camp

    • Players vows to win for him

    There was an uneasy calm in the Lafia Camp of the Shooting Stars Football Club (3SC) of Ibadan, after receiving the news about the dissolution of the Oyo State Executive Council which affected the state commissioner for youth and sport, Mr Adedapo-Lam Adesina.

    It was a news that dampened the morale of the players who are worried about the fate of the relegation hunted club, now that the club’s number one supporter has been affected in the cabinet reshuffle but with fervent prayer for the return of the young administrator.

    Camp source further indicate that the team received the news last night on their way to Lafia but had to stop over in Keffi to pass the night when it was obvious that the shattering news had taken the better part of all the players and officials.

    However, the administrative secretary, Demola Alabi (head of delegation) had to work on the psyche of the players on the need to stay focus and win the match in the commissioner’s honour.

    On his own part, the official team captain, Abayomi Adigun after a prayer session meeting with his colleagues has promised to stay focus and sustained the positive impact of the commissioner on the team in recent time by winning the remaining matches to achieve the retention of premier league status of the club as advocated by Adedapo-Lam Adesina.

    Meanwhile, Lam-Adesina has tasked players and coaches of Shooting Stars to keep up the momentum and ensure they win their remaining matches.

    He said it has become more important for the players and coaches not to allow the news of his departure to affect them as victories in all the remaining matches is the only gift they can give him.

    He charge them to continue with the renewed winning spirit which they have demonstrated since he fully took over the team while urging them to go all out against Nasarawa United on Wednesday in Lafia saying he is fully with them in spirit.

    Lam-Adesina, who said the players must keep to their promise to give their all for the club and the State, also called on the supporters to rally behind the team and never to lose hope, saying nothing has changed.

     

  • Three arrested for attack on commissioner

    Three more suspects have been arrested by the police in Delta State for their alleged complicity in the attack on the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof Patrick Mouboghare.

    Mouboghare was attacked by youths from Uwheru community, Ughelli North Local Government during the inauguration of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward executive members at the party secretariat.

    He was accused by the youths of manipulating the executive list of the ward congress held last year.

    Earlier a suspect, who hails from Ohoro-Uwheru, was arrested.

    It was gathered that an ex-President General of Uwheru community, Clement Osieta, who is on the run, has been fingered for the attack.

    He was reportedly implicated by one of the suspects in police detention.

    Muoboghare was ambushed as he made to enter the party’s secretariat and stabbed in his right arm and upper abdomen.

    He is recuperating at the State Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government.

  • Fawehinmi’s son condemns attack on commissioner

    Son of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Mohammed, has condemned last Thursday’s attack on Lagos State Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa. In a statement yesterday, he said: “It is highly regrettable that the ugly incident at the Jabita Hotel, Ikeja, occurred. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi fought for the masses of this great country until his death on September 5, 2009. He was an advocate of the people and adopted the non- violent stance of attack on various governments, using the instrumentality of the law to make his point.

    “I was reliably informed of the violent attack on Opeifa, who was a close associate of the late Fawehinmi, the late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti and the late Mr. Chima Ubani. It is disgusting to know that the incident was recorded and posted on Youtube.

    “On behalf of the Fawehinmi family, I apologise to Opeifa, who was violently attacked with sachets of water. The act was crude and uncouth and the perpetrators acted on their own volition and without the knowledge of the Fawehinmi family.

    “September 5 will always be a memorable day in remembrance of the late Fawehinmi. As much as we strive to correct the mistakes of the government, whether at state or federal level, violence will never be adopted as an option.

    “I hail Opeifa’s maturity and discipline for leaving the hotel in order not to escalate the mishap. The Fawehinmi family condemns this act and would ensure that such a disgraceful incident does not occur again in future.”

  • Gunmen shoot Rivers commissioner

    Gunmen shoot Rivers commissioner

    The Rivers State Commissioner for Sports Fred Igwe was at the weekend shot near Port Harcourt. He was taken to an undisclosed hospital where he was receiving treatment last night.

    Igwe, who was with two other persons in the Toyota Corolla saloon car, marked: GCG 11, was shot by the gunmen on Sunday evening at Akpajo-Eleme (near Port Harcourt) in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers state.

    It was learnt yesterday in Port Harcourt that the commissioner’s vehicle was riddled with bullets. The attack took place around 8:15 pm.

    Rivers police Spokesperson Angela Agabe, who confirmed the shooting, said Igwe sustained “minor” injuries.

    Agabe assured that the police would soon apprehend the criminals and prosecute them.

     

  • Court urged to restrain AG, commissioner, others over stool

    A MEMBER of the Kimise branch of the Ikuporosi chieftaincy family of Ilasamaja, a Lagos suburb, Mudashiru Idowu Dauda has asked a Lagos High Court to restrain the Attorney-General, Lagos State and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs from installing one Fatai Salau Aberejo as the Baale of the Ilasamaja community.

    Joined as defendants in the suit are the Joint Chieftaincy Committee, Oshodi/Isolo and Ejigbo Local Government and four others.

    The claimant in suit No-ID/667/2013 is asking the court for a declaration that the activities of the defendants violated section 23 (1) (2) (and (d) of the Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State Law 2002.

    He therefore urged the court to invoke Section 23(1) of the Obas and Chiefs and set aside all the processes leading to the making of the first defendant (Aberejo) as Baale of Ilasamaja community.

    The claimant in his 80-pragraph statement of claim filed by his lawyer, Matti Olalekan averred that he was nominated by the Ikuporosi chieftaincy family as candidate to fill the vacancy stool of Baaleship position in Ilasamaja community.

    The claimant added that the stool of the Baaleship of Ilasamaja is exclusively for the four branches namely; Kimise, Ikujeniya, Olaosi and Akinsowon.

    He alleged that the five former Baales of Ilasamaja have been within the Akinsowon branch alone while the 6th Baale did not relate to the original four branches of the chieftaincy family.

    The claimant who traced his family lineage from one Dauda Gbadamosi claimed that the first defendant and his relations are monopolizing the chieftaincy stool, which rightfully belonged to the four ruling houses.

    He further averred that in order to prevent other recognised family from benefiting from the Baaleship stool, the Fabiyi family allegedly shifted the stool to an independent family not related to the Ikuporosi family.

    The claimant further alleged that one Chief Mojeed Jimoh Aje who was installed as Baale from 1982 to 2004 was not a member of the Ikuporosi chieftaincy family and did not relate to the original four branches of the chieftaincy family.

    He further stated that there was no existing registered law that regulates the nomination, selection and appointment of Baaleship in the community except the state Chiefs Laws and the existing norms and customs.

    The claimant added that having held several family meetings, the entire four ruling houses unanimously accepted his nomination before his family presented his name to the consenting authority, Osodi/Isolo Local Government Joint Chieftaincy Committee.

    The claimant stated that although his family presented him as candidate to the stool, the Chieftaincy Committee allegedly refused to accept his candidature.

    Consequently, he urged the court to order a perpetual injunction restraining the consenting authority from recognising the first defendant as Baale pending the determination of the suit.

     

     

  • Youths attack Edo Commissioner

    Youths in Evboriaria community have attacked the Edo State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Osikhena-Boih Donald, who led officials of the ministry to demolish the houses built on government’s land.

    Sources said the youths pelted the commissioner’s convoy with stones when the caterpillar began the demolition.

    The presence of heavily-armed policemen did not stop the youths from attacking the commissioner and other government officials, which made them to leave the community.

    It was learnt that the youths told the government officials that the land belonged to them and no land was acquired by the government in the locality.

    A top official of the ministry, who confirmed the incident, said they left to avoid clashes that might lead to death.

    The commissioner, however, said it was disappointing the rate people encroached and built on government’s land despite several warnings and notices.

     

     

     

     

  • Fashola swears in new finance commissioner

    Fashola swears in new finance commissioner

    Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, restated the commitment of his administration to serve the people of the state.

    He made the pledge in Ikeja at the administration of the oath of office on Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, the new Finance Commissioner.

    The governor said that he and other members of his team would continue to pursue the developmental aspirations of the people of the state.

    Fashola, who congratulated the new commissioner for the elevation, however, added that Gbeleyi now had more responsibilities, not only to the state government, but also to Lagosians, in general.

    The governor pledged to give the new commissioner all the needed support to do his job.

    He called for the understanding of his family, saying the new responsibilities would demand more time out of home.

    Gbeleyi thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him with his appointment and promised to break new grounds for the financial sustainability of the state.

    He promised to work with other members of the state cabinet, to bring more development to the people of the state.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the inauguration of Gbeleyi followed his clearance by the State House of Assembly which had received his nomination from the governor.

    The nomination followed the resignation of the former commissioner, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, on July 24, to take up a board appointment at First Bank of Nigeria PLC.

    The new appointee was until his inauguration, the Special Adviser to Fashola on Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

    The inauguration was graced by members of the executive council, as well as family members and friends of the new appointee.

  • Fashola hails Finance Commissioner

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has accepted the resignation of Finance Commissioner Tokunboh Abiru.

    He hailed him for rendering a meritorious service to the state.

    Speaking at the Executive Council meeting after the presentation of the outgoing commissioner’s letter of resignation, Fashola said Mr. Abiru, who is leaving to take up an appointment as the Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc and a board member of FBN Holdings Plc rendered a commendable service to the state within his short but memorable stay in office.

    He wished him well in his new challenge as the Executive Director of one of the leading banks in the country and hoped that Abiru would prove his mettle as a seasoned banker, bearing aloft the state’s flag.

    Abiru, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a professional banker, joined the state’s public service from the First Bank of Nigeria Plc where he has had over two decades of a successful career, serving as the Group Head, Corporate Banking and Business Development Manager, among others.

  • Ex-Ebonyi commissioner arrested for ‘N79m scam’

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the weekend arraigned a former Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Henry Aloh, in connection with a N79 million alleged contract scam.

    A statement by the commission’s Head of Media, Folu Olamiti, said the former commissioner allegedly committed the offence in 2005.

    The statement said: “Aloh was arraigned before the High Court of Ebonyi State presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice A.N Nwankwo.

    “Also arraigned was a manager of one of the branches of Intercontinental Bank plc (now Access Bank) in Ebonyi State, Sam Agbo.

    “ICPC investigations revealed that the offences were committed in 2005 when the Ebonyi State Government awarded a contract for the renovation and construction of Amasari General Hospital to the tune of N79 million.

    “The former commissioner was alleged to have conspired with Agbo to divert the sum to an account allegedly opened in the name of John Okoli, who was falsely presented as a representative of the company awarded the contract to renovate the hospital. This was contrary to Section 26 (1) and punishable under Section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000.

    “Part of the allegations was that Aloh procured John Okoli who was his patient and Patrick Chukwu, his personal assistant to be signatories to the account opened in the name of the company, which is contrary to and punishable under Sections 26 and 19 of the ICPC Act 2000 and Section 473 (2) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    “The Prosecution Counsel, Raheem Adeshina, did not oppose the bail application moved by M. Erhenede and Emeka Uwake, counsels to Aloh and Agbo.

    “The accused were granted bail of N50 million and one surety who must be resident within the courts` jurisdiction.

    “The case has been adjourned to October 22nd and 23rd.”

  • Ex-Ondo commissioner’s mum’s abductors demand N50m ransom

    The abductors of Mrs. Olufunke Olatubora, mother of former Ondo State Commissioner for Education Remi Olatubora, are demanding N50 million ransom for her release, it was learnt yesterday.

    The octogenarian was kidnapped on Sunday at her home in Iyansan, Irele Local Government, around 1am.

    Sources said about six gunmen took the woman away into the creeks in a speed boat.

    Sources said the family and the kidnappers are negotiating the ransom.

    Olatubora said he had faith in God that his mother would be freed soon.

    He declined comment on whether the family was negotiating with the kidnappers or not.

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo assured the family that Mrs. Olatubora would be rescued soon.