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Tag: Council

  • Council elections free and fair, says Oshiomhole

    Council elections free and fair, says Oshiomhole

    •’Rigging synonymous with PDP’  

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday declared that the April 20 local government election was the freest and fairest ever in the state.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Oshiomhole said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was victorious because he and some patriots destroyed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) rigging machine.

    Stating that he believes in the one-man-one-vote principle, the governor said the people voted for ACN because of the progress and infrastructural development in the state.

    According to him, many PDP leaders and members have joined the ACN as they now realise it is possible to conduct a free and fair election under the ACN platform.

    Oshiomhole said: “Well, the first question to ask is who is complaining? If a robber is complaining of being robbed, it is your choice as to how much weight to place on his complaints.

    “The history of rigging election in Nigeria is as old as PDP. It has lived on it, it has perpetuated it, it has deepened it, it has feasted on it, and it has even celebrated it.

    “I thank God He used me and all other patriots to dismantle the PDP’s rigging machine in Edo State. And do recall that July 14, last year, I contested election in Edo State and I won in all the 18 local governments, including Chief Tony Anenih’s local government. I defeated him in his local government; I defeated him in his ward.

    “Mike Onolomemeh, the Minister of Works, I defeated him in his polling booth, I defeated him in his ward. Itulah, the lawmaker, I defeated him in his ward; I defeated him in his unit.

    “Where are the PDP guys? This is the end of the PDP godfatherism. So, God has used us to dismantle it, if it is evil, it can’t stand.”

    He continued: “After that election, more and more people have joined the ACN because they were completely demoralised. When they joined, they said when a child keeps failing, a responsible person will say my friend go and learn work, ‘e be like say your brain is not good for this kind book work.’ So the truth is more people have left PDP.

    “Now, we conducted local government elections. The only reason it can be an issue is because we chose to fight on the side of democracy because that has been our lives.

    “When some of these guys who are feasting on the system today were embedded in the military, we were on the streets demanding democracy and therefore for us, it is not a choice that we launch the campaign of one-man-one-vote, we need it and without it Nigeria’s democracy is not on.

    “And so when they are talking, I ask them a simple question and you can ask them, who among those talking came to Edo State to campaign?

    “Edo people are not fools, how will they vote for rogues? People whose philosophy is share the money. Those days are gone. All they have tried to do in this election is clear and that is what I went to tell the President.

    “They tried to create the impression of a state that was out of control. They tried to use some criminals, some armed gangs to create trouble here and there and the police were looking the other way.”

    Oshiomhole continued: “Of course, since I had this altercation with the police over the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde and the shoddy investigation that they did, I am not the police’s best friend.

    “But I don’t need to be best friend with the police. What I need is to be loved and appreciated by the Edo people. And when Edo people are on, no force external to Edo can rig the election and that is what has happened.

    “Now look at the contradiction. I have seen them, yesterday I watched NTA, Itulah was saying that the election conducted in Esan East Local Government was the best ever and that the result should be announced.

    “But the same people are saying that the election conducted is a sham. How do you reconcile that?”

     

  • National Council on Sports meeting holds in Kwara State

    AS A follow-up to one of the outcomes of the Presidential Retreat on Sports, the National Council on Sports meeting has commenced in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The meeting which involves the National Sports Commission, the 36 States and the FCT, Military and Para-military sports representatives and other critical stakeholders will discuss amongst others: Key performance Indicators of Sports(KPIs); Constitution of National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM); Introduction of National Youth Games and the National Open Sports Festival; Elections into non-concessioned National Sports Federations’ Board and Situation Report and Efforts of NSC towards the concession of the National Stadia.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Director-General of the NSC, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed noted that the plenary of the Council which is the Technical Session is expected to “prepare and discuss all memos and issues related to the business of sports in Nigeria for the Council”.

    He further said that the meeting will also harmonise all the memos and make appropriate recommendations to Council.

    In her opening remarks, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Kwara State, Ramat Adeshina Abaya stated that though sports has remained a strong tool that binds and unifies together the entire citizenry irrespective of our cultural, political, religious and social status, it has however like other sectors of the national economy been confronted with enormous challenges which “if left unresolved will continue to reflect in the nation’s unimpressive performances”.

    She therefore charged participants to evolve strategies that will navigate a new path of success for sports development in Nigeria.

    Acknowledging the efforts of past contributors to sports development whose actions had been of immense benefit to the growth of sports in the country, she decried the situation where Nigerian Youths consider sporting activities as being only for school drop outs instead of an avenue for building a career, purse and fame.

    Earlier, in his address of welcome, Director, Sports Planning Research and Documentation (SPR&D) Gregory Iyogun expressed appreciation to the government and people of Kwara State for hosting this edition of the National Council on Sport.

    He emphasized the relevance of the National Council on Sports, noting that “as a gathering of key players and professionals that you will do justice to the issues that would be discussed and invariably chart a successful pathway to move sports forward in our great country”.

    The meeting is scheduled to hold from 21st – 26th April, 2013 at the Banquet Hall of the Kwara State Government House.

     

  • Council boss provides jobs tools for widows, the elderly

    Council boss provides jobs tools for widows, the elderly

    THE leadership of Somolu Local Government Area, Lagos State, has cheered up the aged, widows, artisans, market women, among others, in the council.

    The chairman of the council, Hon. Gbolahan Bago-Stowe provided them with various jobs tools.

    The event took place during the inauguration of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Recreation Centre in the area.

    He said: “As a responsible and responsive government, it is our duty to put in place a good, secure and comfortable  recreation centre for our citizens. It will also provide a platform for the people to learn indoor games such as scrabble, chess, dart, snooker, ludo, Ayo, etc.”

    Bago-Stowe stated that the recreation centre will have 24-hour security and floodlight for the comfort and safety of users.

    He also said: “The economic recession has created more hardship for our people due to an increase in unemployment. In view of this problem, the executives have to come up with an empowerement programme so that our people can be self-employed in order to meet up with the present challenges.”

    The items donated included sewing and grinding machines, generator sets, hair dryers, clippers, among others.

    Hon. Bago-Stowe advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of their equipment in order to justify the aims of the council.

    Professor Tunde Samuel who represented former governor of Lagos State Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ceremony, said that the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was unable to attend the event owing to his busy schedules.

    Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Ademorin Kuye described the ultra-modern recreation  centre built by Somolu Local Government as another monument, reflecting the conscious effort by “our local governments to show that grassroots administration in Lagos  State are purpose-driven, people-oriented and are set out to complement the unparalleled efforts of the state administration in creating a functional, secure, prosperous and liveable environments for  investors and tourists for the attainment of a mega-city status.”

    He said that the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State are in a keen competition in their quest to enhance the standard of life in the state.

     

  • Council acquires Abuja Art Village

    Council acquires Abuja Art Village

    The National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC)  has acquired the over three hectares of land of Commonweath Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Arts and Crafts Village, in the Central Business District (CBD) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    A new Certificate of Occupancy(C of O) has been issued to the council by the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS).

    NCAC Executive Director Mr Mwajim  Maidugu handed over the C of O to the Minister of Culture, Edem Duke in Abuja last Friday.

    The Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Teritory Administration (FCTA) has been engaged in a long drawn battle with NCAC over the ownership of the land.

    The Secretariat has said the structures on the land were erected by the FCT as a social safety net for talented young men and women to exhibit their craft skills and to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage to the world.”

    Duke said the ministry, on its renewal programme, would collaborate with the private sector to make the place vibrant as a craft market.

    Located strategically adjacent the Abuja Sheraton Hotels and Towers, the Arts and Crafts Village, covering about 22 hectares, was originally allocated NCAC in 1987 for the construction of its permanent site and other facilities.

    For lack of funds for immediate development, the piece of land was fenced by NCAC but activities did not start there until 2003, when the Federal Government initiated the construction of round tents that would serve as arts and crafts market for expected visitors during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

    The village played host to dignitaries from all walks of life during the event, including Queen Elizabeth 11 of England and wives of heads of states as Africa’s emerging market for indigenous arts and crafts.

    According to Maidugu, the intrigues to revoke the land by the former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir el ‘Rufai persisted and the culture agency temporarily lost its ownership.

    “But we did not fold our hands; we continued to meet subsequent ministers with all the documents indicating that the piece of land legitimately belongs to us.”

    Interestingly, by the time the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed returned the land to NCAC, what remained of the 22 hectares was barely 3.24 hectares.

    Maidugu added that between 2003 and 2010 when the remaining portion of the land was returned to the council, the tents occupied mostly by visual artists and arts and crafts dealers was entirely under the management of FCT, which used the opportunity to sell a greater part of the land.

    He recalled: “After CHOGM, when el-Rufai revoked the land, we believed it was not done properly and that is why we must praise the present FCT Minister for trying to right the wrong in terms of land allocation. He has seen that this land appropriately belongs to us and has found it, in his wisdom to re-allocate it to us.”

    As for the arts and crafts dealers, Maidugu said the relationship between NCAC and its tenants would remain cordial considering their passionate desire to promote the enterprise.

    He hoped that with the development of the village through the private/public partnership more customers would be attracted both from within and outside the country to the centre.

    “Our relationship with the present tenants would be very cordial. Part of our coming is to add value to the efforts of the tenants. We will encourage them to stay while we think of how to improve the facilities here and enhance patronage.”

    When the village is fully developed, Maidugu assured that even the roadside artists would also be accommodated as a studio would be constructed and experts in various arts sector hired to train and retrain younger generations of artists. “More importantly, there would be a research and products department that would see to it that the products are of international standard.”

    The place, when fully developed, the NCAC boss stated, would accommodate, among other facilities, the Council’s permanent office block, exhibition centre, semi-permanent pavilion for the yearly regional market (Arts and Crafts Expo) as well as performance theatre.

    Duke expressed delight over the return of the centre to the Ministry. His concern now, he said, was getting investors from the private sector to collaborate with the ministry, not only to ensure that the place is immediately developed but also to promote the activities of arts and crafts dealers to the international community, using modern communication technology.

    “I do not know how many of them have access to Internet. Foreigners who buy arts and crafts do so through the Internet.  I don’t think anybody has spoken to these people about entrepreneurial development, about skills and about new technologies with which to develop their products. That is where the ministry comes in — to help promote their business and improve the quality of their products.”

    The Minister reiterated that his tour of the village was not to disrupt the on-going business of crafts dealers but to move them from the basic element of low earnings to the practical generation of revenue for themselves and the nation at large.

    He said the fact that the place was given out to entertain wives of heads of states made it an important landmark for the nation’s arts and craft industry and as such, should be developed beyond its present status.

    “We are going to develop and improve this facility on a collaborative platform with banks and other private sectors so that it will become a modern art and craft market with conferencing facilities, first class restaurants, improved theatre for performances and lots of varieties that will make the place a complete and unbelievably beautiful venue,” Duke assured

     

  • Council, bank partner on climate change

    Council, bank partner on climate change

    First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has struck a partnership with Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to establish a culture of sustainable environment within the council area.

    The agreement, which is for a two-year period, will see FCMB supporting climate change initiatives of the council as it collaborates to remedy the depreciation of the environment from all forms of gas usage.

    To kick start effort aimed at promoting sustainable environment, a Climate Change Unit and Special Green Brigade were inaugurated on Monday, April 8 at the council secretariat along Osolo Way, Isolo.

    Already, the council in conjunction with FCMB, has recruited 25 special green brigade personnel who will be trained to monitor waste collection and disposal as well as ensuring there are greens where they should be. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Hon. Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye, expressed delight over the collaborative effort, stressing that FCMB has really lived up to its billing as a responsible corporate citizen that is mindful of the effect of climate change on the environment as well as the well-being of the people.

    “Climate change is a global problem and we are glad that FCMB has offered a helping hand in our quest at ensuring a sustainable environment in Isolo. They are indeed a responsible corporate citizen who really mean well for the people of Isolo,” says the council chief

    Olaleye explained that the inauguration of the Climate Change Unit and Special Green Brigade would facilitate the LCDA’s alignment with the global green movement.

    He added that the unit will be working towards emission reduction, with the initial priority on waste management and sanitation. The Special Green Brigade will also ensure that members of the public are adequately sensitised on environmental sanitation and waste management.

    Also speaking, the bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Olufemi Bakre, said “the immediate and further dangers posed by climate change are the basis upon which we are proud to partner with Isolo LCDA towards the realisation of the laudable objectives of establishing a Climate Change Unit and inaugurating a Special Green Brigade”.

    He further stated that the project would go a long way to adequately enlighten and educate the public on environmental and waste management issues so as to combat these problems.

     

    Also, as a demonstration of FCMB‘s commitment to these initiatives, staff of the bank, Isolo LCDA workforce, market men and women as well as community leaders defied the early morning rains to turn out en-mass the following day, 9th April 2013 to clean the popular Aswani Market and its environs.

    This cleaning up exercise is under the auspices of FCMB’s “Committed To Green” (C2G) initiative, which since 2009, has become another platform which First City Monument Bank uses to express its deep interest in environmental sustainability in all its hosts communities nationwide.

    In showing gratitude to the effort of the council’ s administration and FCMB, Iyaloja of Aswani market, Mrs. M.A Aderounmu, said that the project would go a long way in bringing sanity in terms of cleanliness and hygiene to the market and its environment.

    “On behalf of the marketers, I sincerely appreciated this effort by Hon. Olaleye and FCMB, for bringing this opportunity and making our market more hygienic”, she added.

     

     

  • Tribunal to rule on Agbado-Okeodo council poll today

    The Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal sitting at the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, will today rule on the appeal filed by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) against a verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal (EPT).

    LASIEC is challenging the judgment of the EPT, which nullified the commission’s declaration of the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Augustine Arogun, as the winner of the chairmanship election in Agbado-Okeodo Local Government.

    The EPT declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Busari Akande, winner of the poll.

    The Justice Opeyemi Oke-led appeal panel, was supposed to give its verdict yesterday, but shifted it till today.

    The tribunal also adjourned judgment till April 17 in the councillorship tussle in Ward E, Ikoyi-Obalande Local Government Area.

    The appeal was filed by Mr. Bisi Anibaba against Mr. Emmanuel Omoaigberadion and 23 others.

    Justice Oke said the judge assigned to write the judgment was in Abuja on an official assignment.

  • Council chief promises to put people first

    The Chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, Alhaji Owolabi Yisa, has promised to always put the people first.

    Yisa spoke during the presentation of the budget to the LCDA’s legislature.

    He said any development without the people being its cornerstone is doomed to fail.

    Yisa said his administration would computerize activities in the council for efficiency.

    He said: “It is one of the core objectives of this administration to computerize the local council for efficient and effective performance, to this end, a total sum of N5,767,901.89 is allocated for this project.”

    He added that security would be given attention.

    “This is very essential and critical to our lives and properties. This administration is to totally commit to protecting the community against attack of any sorts. The security operatives have been detailed to be on their guards. I implore everybody to be security conscious. I pray for the guidance and protection of Almighty God in this local council.

    “I am of the opinion that, the community at large will join my administration on achieving these laudable programmes and projects. As you are all aware that the local council has a lean financial resources to actualise all the projects, l enjoin you to contribute positively, so that we shall both lift this local council to a state of pride as we desire,” he said.

    He pleaded with the councillors to always support him and implored community leaders to stand by him.

    Yisa said: “The Leader of the Legislative Arm and all the councillors have been very supportive to this administration, please let us continue in that manner.

    “However, l implore our residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to sincerely perform their civil responsibilities by making prompt payments of their taxes and rates so that we can implement our programmes and projects successfully.”

    The Leader of the Eti-Osa East legislative Council, Hon. Kabiru Sulaimon, thanked the chairman for his achievements.

    Sulaimon said: “It is common knowledge to the generality of the public that the Council Secretariat is wearing a new look and also some part of the Local Council Development, Area for example the construction of Modern Primary Health Centre in Araromi, Modern Medical Laboratory in Ogombo, blocks of classrooms in Olomu Primary School Ajah and Okun-Ajah primary School and other areas within our locality have started enjoying the dividend of democracy within our one year and few months in office, I want to believe that with this successful passage of year 2013 budget vis-à-vis its implementation will bring more development to the people and our environment.

    “I am using this opportunity to advise that you should continue to maintain your open door policy and cordial relationship with the public, the party (A.C.N) and also to this hallow chamber, as doing these sets of activities would enhance greater achievement. “

  • Council presents budget

    Council presents budget

    The Chairman, Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr M.O. Ogidan has presented a budget proposal of N1.8billion to the legislative arm.

    Before breaking down the budget, he made a review of 2012 budget and admitted that the council performed below expectation because of poor internally generated revenue and dwindling statutory allocations.

    For 2013 budget, about N13 million is expected as internally generated revenue (IGR) and N1.849.720.000 as statutory allocation.

    The projected staff salary is put at N223.5 million while teachers salaries will be N115.1million. Both salaries will be N338.713,534.44.

    The overhead/running cost of the local government will cost N685,800.000. This amount covers expenditure on running cost by all departments and units, provision for security, traditional and chieftaincy matters, payment of non-pensionable staff, provision of drugs at primary health centres, maintenance and fuelling of vehicles including general servicing of meetings and other sundry expenses.

    The council has allocated N838.2million to capital projects. Under this, works, Housing and Infrastructure will take the lion share of N498.2 million, education follows with N152 million while Agriculture, Rural and Social Development will spend N73million as Planning and Budget as well as Commerce, Finance, Cooperative and supply will take N20 million each.

    On electrification, he said the administration places premium on provision of street light at strategic location, therefore all the five wards would benefit to enhance security in the various communities. This exercise will cost N10 million. The count has allocated N10 million as well to landscaping and beautification.

    Olaginju added that new roads will be constructed in some areas as old ones will be rehabilitated generally, road construction will gulp N145 million.

    In a similar vein, N30million has been set aside for the construction of drainage channels and culverts.

    The council chief said his administration has finally broken the yoke of poverty and hopefully this will translate into more dividends of democracy for residents.

  • Council kicks off debate contest

    Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos State, yesterday flagged off the maiden edition of the Chairman’s Quiz and Debate Competition, an initiative of the council’s chairman, aimed at promoting the educational development of all youths in the area.

    At a press conference held in the council’s area office, the Chairman, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, said the competition is aimed at bringing together over 50 public and private primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools in the council to compete with one another and exhibit their hidden literary talents.

    He said: “The competition is aimed at fostering greater understanding, unity and scholarship. We intend through the competition to encourage scholarship in the students, as any one of them who would be representing their schools must read widely.”

    Oke, who said the council was partnering with Ostrich Entertainment Ltd to put the programme together, praised the sponsors which include Diamond Bank Plc, Dufil Foods Manufacturing Ltd, makers of Indomie Noodles and Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd., for supporting the council in adding value to grassroots governance

    He said the competition which would run for six weeks and would have as judges, notable educationists and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

    Diamond Bank’s Regional Manager for Ikeja Region, Mr. Benson Oraelosi praised the council for its ambitious attempt to raise the standard of education through the competition.

    He said the bank partnered with the council because if its commitment to the promotion of youth-focused projects in line with the principle of the bank.

  • Council presents budget

    The Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon. Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh has presented the sum of N2.6 billion budget for 2013.

    Muse-Ariyoh presented the appropriation bill to the council’s legislative arm at the council’s secretariat.

    Reviewing the 2012 budget, the council chair highlighted the various achievements of his administration such as, development of hospitals and healthcare centres, constant poverty alleviation and human empowerment programme, improvement of the education sector, several road and drain construction as well as renovation of the secretariat and offices.

    He reiterated that the proposed budget will be channeled towards people-oriented projects in tandem with the Local Economic Empowerment Development Strategy Document.

    During the budget analysis, he listed various projects earmarked for implementation during the 2013 fiscal year.

    Such projects include; road construction, rehabilitation and surfacing, provision of borehole water and solar lights, construction of drains and culverts, purchase of patrol vans and bus, among others.

    “The N2.6 billion will be generated through N1.275 billion allocation from the federal and N10 million from state government, while N114 million will be the revenue to be internally generated. N980 million will be generated through Value Added tax (VAT) and a special grant of N225 million is expected to balance the budget,”he said.

    He further explained that N467 million will be expended on workers, N312 million on teacher’s salary with an overhead cost of N645 million. “There is about N274 million outstanding on capital, with N71 million as capital expenditure and the loan re-payment on capital is put at N192 million,”he added.

    Residents and stakeholders of the council were urged to render their civic responsibilities by paying their rates and fees to facilitate the implementation of the budget.

    On his part, the Speaker of the legislative council, Hon. Shobayo AbdulAzeez assured of speedy consideration of the bill.

    “We will scrutinise the budget, call all departments to defend it, know how they intend spending the money and we will monitor them to ensure all projects are well executed,”he said.