The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • Council boss preaches peace

    The Sole Administrator, Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Adedoyin Yakubu Salami, has urged residents to be security conscious at all times especially during the Yuletide period.

    Salami Spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting with security personnel and Community Development Associations.

    He said Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode takes the security of the citizenry, irrespective of where they live within the state serious.

    He said the security of the area is a collective responsibility of both the government and the governed.

    According to him, the invitation of the security men to the meeting was meant to consolidate on the peace currently being enjoyed in community and the need to seek the full cooperation of the community leaders in the discharge of their duties.

    On the nation’s economy recession, Salami appealed to the people to pay their rates to enable the LCDA provide the needed infrastructural facilities, adding that the council cannot do anything without the support of the people.

    He said: “As you are all aware of the present economic situation in the country, the council is financially challenged, so, we need to look inward to help ourselves and the only way to do this is through our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and for this reason, I appeal to you to tell our people to pay up to enable the government provide their needs.” A Task Force has been constituted to track all reluctant revenue payers.

  • Council chair decries Utako Market rot

    The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon Abdullahi Adamu Candido has bemoaned the deplorable state of Utako ultra-modern Market.

    He said the market is generally in a poor state, and “this is not the intention of the initiator of this concept, so we must come back to the real intention of the market.”

    To this end, the AMAC chairman urged the management of the market, the unified managers in the market and associations of the traders to do all it could to fix the market within the next three months.

    Speaking while leading top AMAC officials on an unscheduled inspection of the market, Candido lamented that the market had become very dirty and unorganised, which the council  can’t tolerate any longer.

    He said, “From the findings by the management committee we set up for the market, our assessment has not changed, as the market is still in its deplorable state.

    “Therefore, we have decided that we cannot continue to allow this market initiated with good intention to go the other way round, so we have to ensure that there is proper measures will be put in place, in order to bring back the lost glory of the market.

    “Also, you are hereby urged to ensure that all the identified makeshift shops put in place in the market through fraudulent acts, should be done away with. Get us the payment tellers, and let’s see whose account got money from the concerned traders; and their money must be refunded back to them.

    “Because it was a fraud, and whoever was behind the erection of makeshift shops will be prosecuted, irrespective of status or position, in as much as we have discovered that it was fraud, as it was never designed and approved by the council. We will never allow our traders to be shortchanged.”

    He continued, saying, “I will hand over the market to the standing committee on market of the Legislative arm, because they make the laws, which we abide by. The elected councilors will be working in synergy with the Council Market Management Committee, to tidy up and standardise the market.”

  • Council chief seeks transparency in government

    It was a night of many awards as serving and retired staff members of the FCT Administration, and others stepped forward, one after another, to collect awards for service to their fatherland. The Gala and award night, held at the Abuja Sheraton and Towers, was the grand finale of the press week organized by the FCTA NUJ Chapel, last week.

    By seven o’clock in the evening last week the hotel’s Ladi Kwali Hall was filled to capacity with top government functionaries from the FCT Administration, as well as the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chair, Hon. Adamu Abdullahi Candido with his entourage, among several others.

    First on the list of the awardees was a former Director of Information and an erudite speech writer, Mr. Ezeako Odi, who bagged the Most Outstanding Pioneer award for his effectiveness in the management of information in the Administration, as well as engineering the employment of many staffs in the department.

    While Hon. Adamu Candido was enviably given the Outstanding Leadership award for his wonderful performance in office so far, Alhaji Ibrahim Biu was awarded for his meritorious service to the country.

    Mrs. Victoria Umana, Director of the FCT department of Science and Technology grabbed the Most Innovative Director award. It was revealed during her citation that Umana initiated numerous innovative programmes, bothering on modern agriculture and production of household items, among others.

    Another retired Deputy Director of Information who served with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Ikokwu Okonkwo also received an award for his commendable service during his days in charge of FCDA information.

    Others who were also awarded on the event include the General Manager, Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Alhaji Muhammed Tukur Arabi, who got Community Service award and Mrs. Helen Odika of the FCTA Permanent Secretary’s office –the youngest of the awardees who was commended for commitment to duties.

    Mrs. Umana while responding on behalf of the awardees expresses gratitude to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and the Permanent Secretary for permitting the Chapel to elaborately organize the event. She therefore prayed God to guide the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), especially at such a time when the truth was not only lacking but was also difficult to identify in the society.

    Representative of the Permanent Secretary who is Director of Information, Mrs. Stella Ojeme noted that the three-day event provided the opportunity for the Information Officers to learn a lot, urging them to put in practice what they learnt for the betterment of the FCT Administration and the entire territory.

    The Permanent Secretary therefore urged the audience to have a nice time during the gala night.

    NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Mr. Paul Ella who also spoke at the event pledged the continued support of his colleagues to the FCT Administration, even as he commended the efforts of Malam Muhammad Musa Bello “who has been doing wonderfully well” and the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye for his efforts.

    In an interview with journalists after the event, the AMAC Chairman stated that the award was a “call for further service to the citizens of Nigeria” and called for “transparency, truthfulness” and the maintenance of the mandate of public office, but not to abuse it.  He also tasked public servants to imbibe “the spirit of humility in service.”

    Earlier, Chairman of the FCTA NUJ Chapel, Comrade Nnachi Okafor in his welcome address said that the event provided an opportunity for reflection on the challenges of the journalism profession and commended his colleagues for laboring so hard to fight corruption in the society and wielding through economic challenges.

    The event was also attended by Mrs. Joy Okoye who represented the Director of FCT Treasury, Acting Secretary, Agriculture Secretariat, Alhaji Musa A. Aliyu, among others.

     

  • Ogun LG Polls: APC wins 53 chairmanship seats

    Results of the Chairmanship and Councillorship elections into the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 newly created Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ogun State in 53 Councils have been released.
    The candidates of the All Progressives Congress(APC) won 53 chairmanship seats based on the results so far announced on Sunday afternoon by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission(OGSIEC).
    The ruling APC also won 99% of the councillorship seats in the 53 LGAs and LCDAs announced by OGSIEC Chairman, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi.
    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has however only won a councillorship seat in Yewa South.

  • Council election holds in Ogun, Speaker, others hail voters turn – out

    Council election holds in Ogun, Speaker, others hail voters turn – out

    Chairmanship and Counllorship elections into the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 newly created Local Council Development Areas(LCDAs) held seamlessly across Ogun State with each voter getting accredition and casting of ballot paper simultaneously within three minutes.
    About 17 political parties are participating in Saturday Local Governments polls in the state with the trio of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN) showing dominant visibility.
    In Ayetoro, the Headquarters of Yewa North Local Government Council in Ogun West Senatorial district of the state where The Nation monitored, officials of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission(OGSIE) arrived all the polling units early with election materials while the voters too were also enthusiastic to vote for parties and candidates of their respective choices.
    At Ayetoro ward 1, Mechanic junction polling unit, where the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, voted, the turn out was relatively impressive.
    Same scenario was observed at the AUD 1 polling unit, Ayetoro ward 3 and other locations visited by The Nation – the turned out to vote while PDP and APC party agents were also present.
    Adekunbi who in his Ayetoro ward 1, Mechanic junction, voted few minutes after 10am, expressed satisfaction with the exercise, saying it was a reflection of the confidence the people reposed in APC government in the state.
    He noted that the system adopted this time by OGSIEC made it stress- free and removed cases of crowding as voters voted immediately upon accredition unlike the usual method of accrediting voters, asking them to wait or go home for a while and then return to cast their votes later.
    The Speaker expressed the confidence that the candidates of the APC would all have a successful and emerged winners when the polls is concluded.
    Also, former Information Commissioner and leader of APC in Ogun West Senatorial district, Kunle Elegbede, described the exercise as “flawless.”
    According to the ex – Editor of Daily Times, victory is sure for APC and its candidates adding that the performance of Governor Ibikunle Amosun has made things easier for them.
    At Ita Bada polling unit, Igbogila town where the APC chairmanship candidate, Alh. Abdulrahman Alebiosu voted, many of the registered voters came forward and voted in a hitch – free atmosphere.
    Alebiosu who described the election are “free and fair,” said because the electorate voted and left for home without congestion at the polling units, it tended to give the impression to casual observer that there was an apathy whereas the contrary was the case.

  • Battle of governing council chiefs

    Battle of governing council chiefs

    Did the immediate past governing council of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) squander N1.5billion? Yes, says the council chairman, Prof Tunde Samuel, who claims to have inherited an empty treasury. No, says his predecessor Prince Abiodun Ogunleye who is asking Samuel for details of the ‘mismanagement’,. The council has since sacked some top officials of the Ogunleye administration over the matter. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA reports 

    For a college of education with infrastructure challenge, the money at stake is huge. About N1.5 billion was said to have been squandered by the immediate past governing council of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED). The council chairman, Prof Tunde Samuel, is locked in a war of words with his predecessor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, also a former deputy governor of the state, over the cash.

    Some workers have gone with the crisis.

    Early this month, some principal officers in the immediate past administration were sacked for their involvement  in the ‘deal’.

    Ogunleye has challenged Samuel to prove his allegations. According to him, the figure being bandied in the media by the Council is not true. But Samuel dismisses his claim, saying the councul’s investigation was through, asking the aggrieved to go to court.

    Those sacked are the immediate past provost and registrar. Bashorun Wasiu Olalekan and Bola Disu. Others are the immediate past bursar, Mr Fatai Ipaye, current registrar, Coker Charles Olumuyiwa and bursar Oyewolu Sunday Babatunde.

    Although a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar (Information) Odunayo Adebowale, described the step as a “part of restructuring” of the institution, The Nation can reveal that it may not  be unconnected with the ‘scandal’.

    Some of the affected officers, Disu and Coker and a clerical officer Adekunle Ahmed Arinle, are geering up for a legal battle with the management.

    They claimed that the process leading to their termination was skewed in favour of those accusing them of mismanagement. Their accusers, they asked, were also members of the panel that investigated them.

    Last April during the probe, Samuel released the  report of an audit by Lagos State University (LASU) Audit Unit. The affected officers are challenging the veracity of the report.

    Three weeks ago, Arinle petitioned the government,  accusing the council of bias and pleading for his reinstatement. Arinle, who gave his petition to reporters, claimed that some workers who committed more grievous offences such as rape, plagiarism,  going on sabbatical and collecting salaries in more than two institutions, among others, were either pardoned or given a slap on the wrist because they are “the untouchables”.

    But Samuel punctured Arinle’s claims. He told our reporter how  the council took its decision.

    On the rape and plagiarism allegation, Samuel recalled that the matter had been settled before the Ogunleye-led council was dissolved in June, last year, adding that his council, which took over last October ratified the recommendation of its predecessor.

    But, Ogunleye dismissed Samuel’s defence. He said there was need to correct some misconceptions to preserve his reputation.

    The College of Education Academic Staff (COEASU) and Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SUCCOEN)  of AOCOED which spearheaded the case, have pitched their tent with the Council.

    COEASU Chairman Michael Avosetinyen said the principal officers’ punishment was light, compared to what they did.

    On the punishment for rape, he  said management’s action smacked of incompetence, and that it was “premeditated”.

    He said: “Rape is a criminal matter and the union will not condone criminality. “We understand the lady (victim) in question claimed to have been raped about 8pm that day and she later made a complaint to the college security unit; but why was she not taken to the school clinic or any hospital around for examination immediately after the incident? So, if management is saying there was an allegation of rape, that simply means they are incompetent.

    “As a union, we are being lenient with management, otherwise we would have actually taken up this case because it is premeditated against our member; but we felt let sleeping dogs lie.

    Avosentiyen also debunked the rumours that certain workers were being treated as untouchables at the expense of others.

    “As far as I know, COEASU is one and all the talk about factionalisation is not true,” he added

    “My role as chairman is to protect our members’ interest.’’

    Bashorun, in a phone interview, said the time was not ripe for him to talk.

    “I know a lot of people have been saying a lot of things (about mismanagement) and asking me to talk. I have made consultations and I realised it is not yet the best time for me yet.

    “Under my tenure, and for the first time in the history of this institution, AOCOED was ranked the best college of education nationwide. The record is still there. No one can contest it. At the appropriate time, the truth will come out. I have so much to say but when the time comes, I will.”

    The college’s Provost Dr Ladele Aina, told our reporter on phone that the allegations were true,  adding that investigation began before her appointment last January.

    “The case occurred and investigation started last year. I assumed the leadership of this college in January,” she said in response to a question on why management did not immediately conduct a medical test on the said rape victim.

    “The case was referred to Council’s Disciplinary Committee, which deliberated on the matter and had made its recommendations,” the provost said.

    For Arinle, there is no going back on his seeking redress in court.

    “Initially before council commenced investigation, we objected to the inclusion of the chairmen of COEASU and SUCCOEN on the committee because they cannot be the accuser and the judge at the same time. Besides, the manner the investigation ran shows that they (council) were acting out a script by some superior hands,” he said.

     

  • Council recruits vigilance groups

    The Chairman of Kuje Area Council Alhaji Abdullahi Galadima has disclosed plans to recruit vigilance members that would collaborate with the security agents to checkmate any form of crime in the council.

    Galadima while addressing journalists in Kuje after a closed-door security meeting with traditional rulers and security agencies, urged the youth in the area to continue to remain law abiding to all constituted authorities.

    He however, called for the continued support to the council and noted that plans were underway to recruit vigilante members that would also collaborate with the security agents to checkmate any form of crime in the entire council. while urging residents to remain law abiding to all constituted authorities.

    Galadima said the issue of security was a collective responsibility of everybody, hence it had become necessary to rid the council of any form of crime and criminality.

    He advised residents to always partner with security agencies by giving them useful information.

     

  • ‘We must rid councils, satellite towns of waste’

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello has directed that a comprehensive waste evacuation exercise be undertaken in all the council areas as well as satellite communities of the territory.

    The operation is scheduled to last seven days.

    The Acting Director of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) Mrs. Victoria Imande disclosed this, saying that the STDD has concluded arrangements to commence the seven-day exercise.

    Mrs. Imande stated that the FCT Administration is poised to clean up all the nooks and cranny of the satellite towns.

    She solicited for the cooperation and understanding of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory particularly those resident in the Satellite Towns, by keying into the exercise to make it a success.

    The Director urged the residents to take personal interest in the exercise by owning the initiative and making personal hygiene part of their daily personal lives.

     

  • Council recruits vigilance groups

    The Chairman of Kuje Area Council Alhaji Abdullahi Galadima has disclosed plans to recruit vigilance members that would collaborate with the security agents to checkmate any form of crime in the council.

    Galadima while addressing journalists in Kuje after a closed-door security meeting with traditional rulers and security agencies, urged the youth in the area to continue to remain law abiding to all constituted authorities.

    He however, called for the continued support to the council and noted that plans were underway to recruit vigilante members that would also collaborate with the security agents to checkmate any form of crime in the entire council. while urging residents to remain law abiding to all constituted authorities.

    Galadima said the issue of security was a collective responsibility of everybody, hence it had become necessary to rid the council of any form of crime and criminality.

    He advised residents to always partner with security agencies by giving them useful information.

     

  • Minister inaugurates school as council marks 100 days

    Minister inaugurates school as council marks 100 days

    The FCT Administration would continue to support and encourage any Area Council in its domain which initiates people-oriented projects.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello gave this assurance while commissioning a primary school in Iddo-Ma’aji, a village located along Airport Road.

    The new school was constructed by the Abuja Municipal Area Council chaired by Abdullahi Candido in his 100 days in office.a

    Bello said that what the people in the rural areas need is thae basic necessities of life and insisted that the Area Councils that are closer to the grassroots must strive to achieve more of such laudable projects.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the Minister emphasized that his Administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for all the Area Councils to perform optimally.

    He reminded the council officials that the people were anxiously watching how they would fulfil the campaign promises they made.

    The Minister, who lauded the AMAC chief for bringing education to the doorsteps of the people that genuinely desire it, also urged other Area Council chairmen not to betray the confidence reposed in them by the voters.

    Bello remarked that education remains the bedrock for any meaningful development; adding that the choice of the project embarked upon by the AMAC Chairman will go a long way in liberating their minds.

    The Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abdullahi Adamu Candido appreciated the kind gesture of the Minister who took time out of his busy schedule to personally commission the school.

    “This shows that Malam Muhammad Musa Bello is truly with the people despite his exalted position in the society,” he added.

    Several APC leaders in the Federal Capital Territory like Hajiya Ireti Kingigbe, Hon. Tanko Abari and a host of others also attended the ceremony.