The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council boss

  • Council boss empowers 300

    The executive chairman of the Badagry Local Government, Hon Olusegun Onilude, on Tuesday put smiles on the faces of about 300 residents of the council area as part of the empowerment programmes of his administration.

    Speaking at the second phase of the series of the programmes, Onilude said the resolve of his administration to embark on the empowerment programmes which would be on quarterly basis was to reduce poverty in the local government area and enhance the economic potential of the people towards self-sufficiency.

    ”We want to empower not fewer than 300 people and they would be going home with well-packaged hampers, cash support, poultry, fish and pig feeds, fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, maize mixed with apron plus and herbicides. This covers a wide range of the populace comprising farmers, youths, the aged, vulnerable women, the physically challenged and widows. This is meant to turn their lives around for the better, “he said.

    The council boss, who also used the medium to tell the people of the local government area how far his administration had gone in transforming the council area in terms of projects executed that would soon be commissioned, said an ultra modern market at Ikoga, ultra modern primary school at Gberefu, full rehabilitation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Vocational Skills Acquisition Centre at Ajara Iluda and the commissioning of adults literacy centres in ten wards of the council area is expected in the next few months.

    Onilude noted that his resolve to empower the people on quarterly basis was to make dividends of democracy available at the door steps of the people and appreciate them for supporting policies and programmes of his administration from time to time.

    He advised the empowered people to make proper use of the items.

  • Council boss presents 2019 appropriation bill

    The Executive Chairman of Oto Awori LCDA,  Ijanikin, Prince Musibau Asafa, has presented two billion, three hundred and sixty – eight million, nine hundred and sixty – six thousand, four hundred and five naira, eighty kobo (N2,368,966,405.80k) 2019 appropriation bill to the legislative arm of the council at the chamber.

    Prince Asafa tagged the 2019 appropriation bill: ‘Infrastructural Transformation Bill’.

    According to the council boss, his administration has excelled in major areas in the previous year, and, therefore, is determined to make the people of the LCDA feel the dividends of democracy more in all ramifications.

    He said the bar should be raised to accomplish more in education, health, security, social amenities, agriculture and acquisition of skills, just to mention a few, to bring better governance to the grassroots.

    In his words: “We shall re-sensitize our people on the importance of prompt payment of levies and rates.”

    The Leader of the legislative arm of the council, Hon. Moses Aina, said they were committed to giving the electorate excellent delivery of service.

    Aina commended the chairman, the executive members and the management team for all the laudable projects which are visible to all since the inception of the current administration.

    The leader also expressed his appreciation to all the party leaders and people for their co-operation while promising quick delivery of the budget as planned.

  • Council boss warns youths to shun crime

    Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Alhaja Funmilayo Akande-Muhammed yesterday distributed free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms to 100 pupils.

    She said the gesture was to improve literacy and relieve parents from financial burden.

    “This is a golden opportunity aimed at giving you the opportunity to excel in life. Education is one of the key programmes of any good administration and by this gesture we are empowering you for future. Your destiny is in your hands.

    “Every candidate knows that to qualify for admission into any higher institution, you must score high marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). JAMB is the stepping stone and it is my prayer that you will all pass your exams in flying colours and pursue your dream in life. This will give us the zeal to do more and also help in moulding future leaders,” Akande-Muhammed added.

    She warned youths to shun violence and concentrate on their studies.

    “Let me take this opportunity to remind the youth that election is around the corner. Please stay away from violence, fighting, hooliganism and all kinds of nefarious activities and crimes.

    “Don’t allow yourselves to be used as thugs. If you look around, you will see security operatives at all strategic junctions. Anyone caught will be prosecuted.

    “We are available for any hint or information that will promote peace and security,” the council boss said.

     

  • Council boss advises mothers on immunisation 

    Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State Frank Ilaboya has appealed to mothers and caregivers to ensure their children are immunised.

    Ilaboya spoke at the weekend in Sabongidda-Ora, while opening the first round of the national immunisation at the Michael Imoudu Comprehensive Health Centre.

    He noted that immunising children is the surest way of preventing most childhood-killer diseases.

    Ilaboya urged immunisation officers to ensure they get into the nooks and crannies of the council, saying he would monitor the exercise.

    The five-day exercise will end tomorrow.

     

  • Council boss lifts 264 indigent students, aged

    No fewer than 264 persons have received financial assistance from the Eti-Osa Local Government.

    The council chairman, Adesegun Bankole presented cash to 100 indigent students, 140 aged and 40 Federal Government N Power N Agro 2017 candidates posted to council and four facilitators.

    He described the presentations as manifestations of his love for people and the desire to reduce poverty in his area.

    “Our administration has decided to use the little resources at our disposal to address the seeming challenges facing the students, youths and the aged to complement the efforts of the State and Federal Governments. A sum of N20,000 each was given to 100 indigent students. Similarly, a token of N10,000 each with branded bags containing some food items were given to 120 aged men and women while a token of N10,000 was also given to 40 N Power N Agro candidates and four facilitators,” he said.

    He implored all beneficiaries to spend the money wisely.

    According to the council boss, more projects are on ongoing, promising to complete them in earnest.

    “We are rehabilitating roads in Baale Street by Igbo Efon, Olukolu Junction and constructing culvert at Olukolu Junction and Imeh Mike Close. We are also constructing Primary Health Care Centre at Mayegun,” he said.

  • Council boss vows to tackle Apapa gridlock

    NEWLY elected Apapa local government chairman, Owolabi Adele, has assured his administration will tackle the protracted traffic congestion in the axis.
    He spoke after taking the oath of office at the Local Government Secretariat, Apapa, Lagos.
    Adele said a one-lane parking plan will be enforced for all tanker drivers to maintain.
    He stated any driver who disobeys the parking order would be prosecuted.
    The council boss said: “whoever misbehaves will be arrested to face the wrath of the law.
    “We’ll detain them and will only be released after signing an undertaken not to flout the law again.
    “Although we don’t have the right to shutdown any company whose tanker driver flouts the law, we will impound the vehicle and until the owner pays the necessary fine, we will not release it.”
    He revealed security measures would be put in place to checkmate any possible flout of the order by the drivers.
    “We’ll ensure that all the tankers and trucks coming into Apapa maintain a-one lane policy.
    “I believe within four months in office this traffic situation will be a thing of the past,”Adele assured.

  • Judge orders arrest of council boss

    A Benue magistrate court has issued a warrant of arrest on the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Council, Hon. Francis Ayagah, over criminal conspiracy, fraud and dishonestly receiving money to perpetrate continuous payment of salaries, despite resigning his position at SUBEB to contest.

    The complainant, Mr. John Wasega, who contested the Chairmanship primaries in the local government with the accused, alleged that Ayagah, as a candidate of the APC, resigned his appointment with SUBEB on the 31st of March, 2016 but was paid extra four months salary after.

    Wasega said the accused First Bank salary account was credited for the months of April, May, June and July of 2016, while also alleging that the SUBEB cashier, Paul Mella issued a fake receipt to the council chairman, indicating that the money was returned to the coffers of the state government.

    The complainant Wasega, is also urging the court to punish the accused person for criminal conspiracy, fraud and dishonesty.

    When the case came up for mention for the first time, the first accused person, Francis Ayagah, was not in court while his lawyer H. F Utange, said his client, was sick and was receiving treatment, while the second accused person,  Mella, who appeared in court, was granted bail for two hundred thousand naira in the like sums and two sureties, while the judge adjourned the case till 28th of June, 2017for further mention.

    When the case came up for second hearing, Hon. Francis Ayagah and his counsel were conspicuously absent in court, while the 2nd accused person, Paul Mella was in court.

    Counsel to the complainant, Akosu Terfa informed the court that after the arraignment of the first accused person on the 1st day of May, 2017, the accused person absented himself from the court even when he had been served on the 31st day of May, 2017. Akosu thereafter brought an application for the issuance of a bench warrant on the first accused person, arguing that he has no right to be evading arraignment.

    The Chief Magistrate, Dan Ugoh, granted same by ordering that the first accused person be arrested.

    Counsel to the second accused person, Akor Atoo did not oppose the application. The judge also granted bail to the second accused person.

    Wasega, who also spoke to our correspondent after the proceeding, expressed confidence in the judiciary and called for calm among his supporters, saying justice shall prevail. He said the case is also before the ICPC, Police and EFCC.

    Efforts to talk the first accused person, Hon. Francis Ayagah proved abortive.

  • MELAYE: POLICE ARREST KOGI LG CHAIR, 5 OTHERS

    MELAYE: POLICE ARREST KOGI LG CHAIR, 5 OTHERS

    •Senator stage managed attack, suspect alleges

    The police yesterday paraded the local government chairman of Ijumu, an ex-policeman and four others for allegedly attempting to kill Senator Dino Melaye

    The Senator’s residence was attacked by unknown gunmen at Iyara, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State on 15th April at about 0030hrs.

    One of the suspects paraded admitted to reporters he informed police operatives about the gang and its activities.

    To avoid suspicion, the police said the gang conveyed its members in an ambulance with the inscription General Hospital Iyara to the Senator’s residence.

    Those paraded are: 54-year-old chairman of Ijumu, Taofiq Isah ; Ade Obage, 29; Abdullahi Isah aka Eko, 32; Ahmed Ajayi, 45; Michael Bamidele26 and ex- Sgt Ede James, the 35-year-old orderly to the chairman at the time of the attack.

    The police also revealed that other suspects linked to the operation are still at large.

    They include  Abdulmumini  aka Iron; Osama  (SNU); Lukman aka General/Commander, China aka Lie down flat and Adamu Aloha according to the police.

    Items recovered from them include one ambulance Hyundai bus, five AK 47 rifles, one Berreta pistol,  two locally- made single barrel shot gun, 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, 13 expended shells of 9mm ammunition and twelve expended shells gauge cartridge

    The police also displayed certificate of the ballistic expert examination, test and analysis carried out at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Lagos.

    Pictures from the scene of the attack were also revealed to reporters.

    Some of the pictures showed several bullet holes on walls and cars.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood highlighted the various roles played in the failed assassination of Melaye.

    He said: “Taofiq Isah, according to the investigation so far, is the mastermind of the executed attempted assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye.

    “He was alleged to have directed one Abdulmumini aka Iron, now at large (who was said to be his Personal Assistant) and who in turn recruited other members of the vicious and notorious hired assassins’ gang.

    “Ade Obage voluntarily informed the Police that he has the knowledge and information about the attempted assassination/murder attack of Senator Dino Melaye after the attack was carried out.

    “He further informed the investigators that he was contacted to join the gang by Abdullahi Eko a principal suspect now in Police custody.

    “Abdullahi aka Eko, a native of Adavi town in Adavi LGA of Kogi State was arrested and he confessed to the crime and admitted to the criminal roles he played along with the other suspects in carrying out the attempted assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye.”

    On the role played by the dismissed policeman, Moshood said: “Ex- Sgt Ede James is the police orderly to the principal suspect whose phone was used for communication for the planning of the failed assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye.

    “He was arrested with a serious criminal link to another principal suspect Abdullahi aka Eko who is an active member of the gang.”

    But Isah said the whole attack was stage managed.

    He admitted having political issue with Melaye but denied involvement in the attack.

    According to him: “This is a stage managed show. This interrogation has been on for long and when they brought me here today, I thought they wanted to take my statement again because I have written over seven statements since the commencement of the case.

    I have never seen the suspects paraded with me. There is so many political situations going on around in Kogi State and you can see that most of the people involved are Ebira people.

    “They have problems linked to the political situation in Kogi State.

    “This is just blackmail against the people of Kogi. I was shocked that I was linked to this because I am the Chief Security Officer of Ijumu LGA and the ALGON chairman of Kogi State. I will never involve myself in this kind of shabby deal.”

    On the allegation that the ambulance was found in his house, he said: “I was called when I travelled to Ilorin for APC membership registration and we went to purchase some items for the registration but I was called that my uncle was sick.

    “I told them that they should use the ambulance to take him to the hospital because he was an old and needed to undergo surgery. Before I returned, they did the operation but my uncle still died.”

    Isah maintained he had nothing to do with the attack.

    According to him: “It is a charade show because a statement by someone who went to the Commissioner of Police claimed that Dino brought in thugs to the village and he went and lodged them in a hotel.

    “It is the responsibility of the police to balance their investigations. He mentioned four names and the hotel they were lodged but they are yet to be arrested. This is a planned work.”

  • Council boss lifts pupils

    The Sole Administrator of Agbado/Oke Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Shola Akande, has distributed exercise books and school bags, to pupils of 23 public elementary schools in the council area.
    The items were handed over to the Education Secretary of Alimosho Local Education Authority, Mrs Alirat Alamu, for onward distribution to pupils.
    The gesture was part of activities marking his 299 days in office.
    The council boss also presented certificates to graduates of skills acquisition programme funded by his administration.
    The occasion also witnessed a free medical check and distribution of drugs to people.
    Akande said the initiatives were part of ”the need to give the dividends of democracy to the residents for their unflinching support for his administration and the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).
    ”We have been able to provide educational materials to meet the needs of our children in all the 23 primary schools in the area. We are here to present them with school bags and exercise books. This gesture would go a long way in assisting both parents and pupils in their educational needs.
    ”We have trained over 160 women and youths on various skills and arts such as soap making, bead making, catering services, fashion designing, among others.”
    Mrs Alamu thanked the council chief for the gesture, urging him to address other challenges in the educational environment.’

  • Death toll of Rann bombing rises to 236, says council boss

    Death toll of Rann bombing rises to 236, says council boss

    The death toll of last Tuesday’s accidental Rann bombing in Borno State has risen to 236.
    Already, over 200 of the deceased have been buried by their relations.
    Chairman Kalabalge local government area Babagana Malaria stated these yesterday while briefing the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was on an on-the-spot assessment tour of the affected community.
    He also demanded adequate compensation for survivors.
    Malaria said: “With what happened, we are begging Mr. President to compensate us.
    “Many people have lost their lives; most of them were the bread winners.
    “About 234 people and it’s not a small number; we need to compensate these people.
    “Yes! 234 buried by the community. And it’s even more than this.
    “The report I received from Maiduguri this morning was that two who are in the hospital have also died. Therefore we need to be compensated seriously.
    Buratai, who was in Rann to assess firsthand the level of the Air Force operational bombing error, appealed to the indigenes not to lose hope in the Army.
    He assured the incident will not occur again.
    Buratai: “These are the terrorists that came to attack here yesterday almost around 6pm on Thursday so they were able to repel them.
    “The intelligence information we got from our partners was that Boko Haram terrorists were moving into this place and indeed the information was that they are already in this place.
    “It’s not unconnected because you saw them coming to attack them here.
    “Probably it must be the information that was passed to the air component for them to take necessary actions and unfortunately a mistake happened and it has happened before in other places and we pray it doesn’t happen again.
    “They are believed to have been among those sighted by a partner Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance plane and the information sent to the Nigerian Air Force before the error occurred.”
    Also, The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) informed it has raised two surgical teams in collaboration after with Nigerian surgeons to take care of the wounded.
    ICRC said over 100 injured people were evacuated from Rann to Maiduguri.
    The surgical teams in Maiduguri have been operating on the most seriously wounded, including more than 20 children.
    “Patients were taken to operating theatres based on medical priority.
    “By Friday morning, 24 of the most critically injured patients had been operated on.
    “Forty-four more patients will be operated on later today and tomorrow,” said ICRC surgeon, Dr Laurent Singa.
    “One of our challenges was that there were many children, some of whom did not have a family member with them.”