The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • Mushin council boss unfolds agenda

    The Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, has said his administration will place a high premium on integrity, dedication, equity and hardwork.

    He said the new administration will embark on progressive programmes, including massive infrastructural development.

    Addressing staff, political supporters, market men and women and others stakeholders, following his resumption of office,  Bamigboye said he would focus on environmental sanitation, education, women and youth development, poverty alleviation and market development.

    He said security of lives and property and aggressive internal revenue generation will also be his priorities.

    He therefore, solicited the support of the stakeholders to bring these lofty ideas to fruition.

    The council boss waived the olive branch to aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members, urging them to team up with his administration in its bid to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.  to enable them

    He reasoned that as a party, all hands should beon deck to actualize the promises.

    Bamigboye said: “As the government that is the closest to the people, local governments are better placed to bring the desired change to the doorstep of Nigerians.”

    Bamigboye said it was gratifying that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had set the ball of providing democracy dividends rolling at the state level, saying it was was worthy of emulation.

    He said Mushin local government under his leadership will take a cue from Ambode leadership to deliver democratic dividends to the grassroots.

  • Lagos Polls: Don’t complain if you didn’t vote, says Remi Tinubu

    Lagos Polls: Don’t complain if you didn’t vote, says Remi Tinubu

    Senactor Oluremi Tinubu on Saturday said that eligible voters in Lagos State who did not cast their votes in the local government elections would not be justified to complain against local councils. Oluremi, representing Lagos Central, said this in Lagos in an interview with journalists in her residence in Bourdillon, Ikoyi. The wife of a former Governor of the State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bola Tinubu, spoke with newsmen after casting her vote. “This is the time to show solidarity for the government; we believe that this government is working; this is the time that everybody should perform his/her civic duty,’’ she said. The senator said that voting was a way to hold governments accountable. “It is not for you but for your generation yet unborn so that things can be put in place. “We have set the standard in Lagos; every elected candidate does not have any choice but to work,’’ she said. She said that she had been working as a people’s representative for the past six years and would continue to do so till the end of her tenure. Mrs Tinubu commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for efforts in conducting the polls. “LASIEC has done well; security personnel are on ground ensuring that there is peace and order.’’ Also, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, who voted at Ward E, Olonade Street, Yaba LGA, commended voters who turned out in spite of the downpour. “Voters have shown support for democracy by coming to vote in spite of the rain. “Starting the election behind schedule is understandable due to the downpour; it is impressive. “I believe that APC will carry the day,’’ he said. Mr Jide Jimoh, representing Lagos Mainland in the House of Representatives, told journalists that the elections had been peaceful. “The election process is fantastic so far, and I commend the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for that. “I won’t want to make any judgment on LASIEC because we are just starting. Taking off does not matter; it is landing that is the most important thing. “We have taken off; at the end of the day, we will see the result. I expect a positive result,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Downpour, thunderstorm delay take off of council polls

    Downpour, thunderstorm delay take off of council polls

    Downpour which began at 5a.m. in many parts of Lagos State left many areas flooded and affected early commencement of voting in the local government polls in many areas.

    The rain, accompanied with thunderstorms, lasted for more than two hours, confining many residents to their apartments early in the day, until it later subsided.

    The flooding of the roads compelled road users to drive against traffic in some areas as people rushed to beat the 7a.m. restriction of movement time.

    At the Berger end of Lagos-Ibadan expressway, many motorists trying to get out of Lagos, apart from contending with the rain, were caught up in  the restriction of movement time which took off at 7.ooa.m, causing a heavy traffic gridlock.

    In Badagry, only few voters were at some polling units where security personnel, electoral officers and materials were on ground by 8a.m..

    At Polling Units 007, 008 and 009 in Ward A, Badagry Local Government, voters were seen by 8a.m, while at Polling Unit 8 in Ward B, few voters got accredited and began voting by 8.25a.m. .

    Only two voters were at Polling Unit 007 in Ward D at 8.30am.

    Mrs Verona Chike, the Polling Officer in the unit blamed the low turnout on the downpour.

    “I am sure that more voters will come out as soon as the rain stops,” she told NAN.

    However, in some areas of Ikotun/ Igando Local Council Development Area, electoral officers and materials had yet to arrive as at 9.30a.m, with only agents of political parties at some poling units visited by then.

    In Ward B, Unit 005, on Apapa Road, in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, electoral officers arrived at 9.25 a.m. shortly after the rain stopped in the area.

    In the Alimosho Local Government,  NAN correspondent reports that the premises of the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat was a beehive of activities as several commercial buses were being still loaded with electoral materials and officials at 9:30 am.

    NAN observed that vehicles carrying the materials escorted by security operatives began filing out of the LG compound which doubles as the LASIEC secretariat at 9:45 am.

    Mr Bakare Olagoke, the Electoral Officer of the Alimosho Local Government branch of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) told NAN that the rain delayed the process.

    “We are leaving now. It is heavy rain and only God saved us that the communication mast did not fall on our office or anyone because the rain was too heavy,” he said.

    Lagos residents are at the polls to elect chairmen and councillors in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state. (NAN)

  • FUNAAB council, unions meet

    Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr Aboki Zhawa, has set a six-month target to enhance the council’s relationship with unions in the institution.

    Zhawa spoke when he met with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

    He said as leaders, they had to work together to promote the university’s growth.

    “If you can’t contribute to the system, don’t ground the system. God didn’t put you in that position to destroy, but to lead. If we must serve together, we must start leading together,” he said.

    On his part, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ololade Enikuomehin, lauded the Pro-Chancellor for mooting the idea of informal interactive session, adding that the University had never had such an opportunity.

    He said the Governing Council was desirous of providing a meeting point for the system to move forward.

    The Chairman, ASUU-FUNAAB, Dr Adebayo Oni, assured the Council and the University administration of the union’s commitment to collaborating with them to move FUNAAB to greater heights.

    However, he urged the Council to “ensure transparency, fairness and compliance with our extant laws”.

    Chairman, NAAT, Comrade Oluremi Olurinde, described the meeting by the council as starting well and prayed for the relationship to continue.

    “For us, these Council members are starting well and I pray you will end well. By the time this Council would be handing over, we shall all gather like this, to celebrate the achievements recorded,” he said.

    He however prayed the Council to stop to the practice of locking up laboratories by 4pm, as opposed to the practice of running laboratories 24 hours.

    NASU Chairman, Comrade Ishaq Odunjo, underscored the importance of peace, saying: “There is no doubt in it that we need peace, not only between unions, Management and Council, but also among the respective unions.”

    Similarly, SSANU Chairman, Comrade Rotimi Fasunwon, said it was rare for all the unions to come together, adding, “In my 14 to 15 years of working in this University, I have never partaken in this kind of programme”.

    Other members of council present lauded the meeting, which they said provided a platform for reconciliation and unity.

  • Ekiti promotes 6,993 secondary school workers, 2,590 council workers

    The Ekiti State government has promoted 6,993 teaching and non-teaching workers in public secondary schools and 2,590 in local governments.

    Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Abiodun Falayi, who gave details of the promotion, said it affected 3,963 teachers and 1,586 non-teaching workers.

    Falayi, who regretted that the Ayodele Fayose administration inherited what he called abnormalities in cadres, un-harmonised structure as well as inaccurate nominal roll and seniority list, said several complaints were considered and rectified during the promotion.

    The agency chief noted that issues about adjustment of inter-cadre transfer and conversion were settled.

    According to him, the interview was decentralised in six zones for administrative convenience and to ensure that it did not interfere with academic activities in schools.

    The Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission Mr. Sola Omotoso said the promotion was meant to motivate workers as well as engender efficiency and effectiveness in public service.

    He urged workers to live up to their responsibilities and support government’s efforts to improve the public service.

  • Council poll’ll be walkover for APC, says Rep

    Council poll’ll be walkover for APC, says Rep

    A member of the House of Representatives, Jide Jimoh, has said Lagos State Governor  Akinwunmi Ambode’s sterling performance would make it impossible for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to win any seat during the July 22 local government election.

    “The coming council poll will be a walkover in favour of our great party, All Progressive Congress (APC), it will be a no march and it will be just a mere formality,” he said.

    Jimoh, who is representing the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, described Ambode’s achievements as, “superlative, outstanding and out of this world.”

    According to him, PDP will have difficulty in persuading the people of Lagos to vote for its candidates with what Ambode has put on ground in terms of infrastructure, job creation, security apparatus and social welfare.

    The governor, he said, also carries all stakeholders along in the running of government.

    The lawmaker urged Lagosians to vote en masse for the APC, reminding them that, “it is through that, that the efforts of Governor Ambode to bring more democracy dividends to the people’s door step will be a reality.

    “It is payback time for the good work he has been doing and which he still does,” Jimoh pointed out just as he wants the Lagos residents to vote for all the APC candidates as a sign of appreciation for Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s satisfactory performance.

  • Onu: Lagos APC should unite to win council polls

    Onu: Lagos APC should unite to win council polls

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Prince Nwaeze Onu urges the members of the Lagos State chapter to put the primaries behind and unite to win the local government elections.

    On May 27 and 29, 2017 the Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi-led Local Government Election Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) organised primaries for chairmanship and councillorship aspirants for the local government elections to be held on July 22 across the state. After the primaries, there were drama, protests and even violence. Nothing less was expected from the primaries of a party in government in the state and at the centre and whose leaders have, since the return of democratic rule in 1999, been calling the shots in the politics of Lagos state.

    The APC and its progenitor parties have, in fact, never lost any election in Lagos state. It was therefore not surprising that the party had, in some cases, as much as thirty persons vying to fly the party’s flag in the polls to elect the chairman of a single local council. Even after giving automatic tickets to some18 immediate past chairmen, no fewer than 200 party members contested for the chairmanship tickets of the remaining 39 local councils.

    While the APC expressly forbids imposition of candidates, it nevertheless recognises and validates consensus candidacy provided their emergence does not lead to division and bitternes. The concluded primaries did leave a lot of bitterness in its wake although a lot of reconciliation has taken place already.In focus here, is the god-like stature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Henry Ajomale. Love or hate him, the lion of Bourdillion has played and continues to play a pivotal role in the democratic and political development of Lagos state, the SouthþÿWest and indeed Nigeria. Despite initial hold – outs by some self-acclaimed Awoists, the Asiwaju has successfully wrestled the mantle of leadership of the South-West as vacated by the revered late chief Obafemi Awolowo. His rise from a National Democratic Coalition, NADECO activist to the founder and leader of Alliance for Democracy, AD, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and now the All Progressives Congress APC has marked him out as a consumate politician, astute organiser, bridge builder and leader. In the course of his rise, Tinubu has identified, trained and positioned a lot of other regional and national leaders who are not only following his footsteps but are capable of stepping up the leadership ladder whenever called upon to do so.

    Ajomale is indisputably a long standing associate of Bola Tinubu. Since they got together in 1990, like siamese twins, they have remained inseperable in the progressives camp. This speaks volumes in an environment where politicians lack vision and convinction and generally prostitute themselves from the left to the right and centre of the political spectrum at the drop of a hat. Bucking the trend, Tinubu and Ajomale have been in the trenches together from the days of Alliance for Democracy (AD) through Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the present day All Progressives Congress (APC). Between 1999 and 2003, Ajomale served under Governor Bola Tinubu as special adviser and commissioner in Lagos State.

    He was the Lagos state chairman of the Action Congress (AC) and later Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from 2003 up till the merger that gave birth to the APC and still continues as the APC chairman today. It is trite to say that the understanding and trust between Ajomale and Tinubu is legendary. Working together, they have made Lagos state a fortress of progressive ideals and governance that not even the president Obasanjo – led PDP onslaught of 2011 could overcome. Ajomale has become an institution with a lot of clout in Lagos state and beyond. So much is to be said and admired about his steadfastness and loyalty to the cause. Considering the volatile and merchantilist nature of Nigerian politics and politicians, only one guided by principles can stay true to a cause for so long. Lawyer and administrator, Ajomale has led his party to victory in four general elections into the local governments, state House of Assembly and governorship. Surely, the story of progressive politics and the emergence and victory of the APC can never be told without the names of Tinubu and Ajomale taking centre stage. Boasting such track record of success, it is foolhardy to think that their alleged actions in respect of the Lagos APC primaries was actuated by anything other than the general interest of the party and the people of Lagos state. Having come out tops in four previous elections as chairman, Lagosians must trust Ajomale to deliver once again. Consensus candidacy was much loved and promoted by the late sage, chief Obafemi Awolowo in the days of the Unity Party of Nigeria.

    If Ajomale and the Asiwaju had endorsed the consensus candidates, it goes without saying that they must have considered all variables before coming up with what they considered to be in the best interest of the party. The duo has produced political stars that have performed beyond people’s expectations. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Rauf Aregbesola, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Babatunde Fowler, Ben Akabueze, Lai Mohammed and Akinwunmi Ambode are just a few of such stars who owe their political ascendancy to the mentorship of Tinubu and by extension, Henry Ajomale.

  • ‘I didn’t issue statement on Lagos council poll’

    The Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has urged the media and the public to disregard a statement purportedly issued by him on the state’s APC primaries.

    He said the statement was a forgery and the figment of the imaginations of its writers.

    Igbokwe said: “I read with utmost consternation, the statement allegedly issued by me, warning candidates for the forthcoming councillorship and chairmanship election in Lagos and whose names have gone to the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) that they may be changed anytime.

    “I wonder on what premise I could have issued such a horrific statement, given that I am a well-known party man who abides by the party’s rules and regulations. Even as the cowards who hacked that issued that statement did not mention me in their statement, by issuing same in the name of State Publicity Secretary, they inferred that I issued such press statement which is false, deceitful, dangerous and reckless.

    “I wonder why anybody who has any issue with the party’s primaries cannot muster enough courage to state same rather than hide under cowardly masks to issue a false statement and credit same to me. That proves that they are hideous characters who can adopt any foul means to achieve their evil intent. I denounce such tactics as it does not show courageous and faithful party men. I believe that like in any contest, primaries are bound to throw up diverse reactions but I also believe the party has enough in-built mechanisms to tackle these challenges. Why some people will be hiding behind others to manufacture and trade bare lies to achieve their detestable purposes still confounds me…”

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.