The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ex-council

  • Ex-council chiefs endorse Ambode

    The immediate past Sole Administrators of 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LG/LCDAs) a.k.a SOLADS 57 yesterday passed a vote of confidence and endorse Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second in office.

    A communique signed by the trio of Princess Abiodun Elegushi, William Lawanson and Sanya Oshijo, said Ambode’s tenacity to do great things and strategic thinking to solve problems in every sector has been unprecedented.

    The group said: “Therefore, we unanimously support his candidature for a second term based on our conviction on various projects and massive infrastructural developments he has embarked upon in the state such as the completed 114 roads, the newly approved 181 roads and various bridges in all rural areas either completed or under construction, the yearly entertainment One Lagos Fiesta which has impacted positively on our youths, the Light-Up Lagos, Cleaner Lagos Initiative, primary health care, schools, women empowerment, transportation and on-going rail construction, the Lake Rice Project and lastly the Lagos City Marathon which is now a global event to mention but a few.

    “We are proud to be associated with you and particularly, your strides in combating and curbing crime in the state which culminated in the construction and equipping of the first ever high-powered DNA Forensic Laboratory in Nigeria, which means that we do not need to embark on a trip to South Africa or United Kingdom to solve crime, paternity issues and other associated vices in Lagos State.”

    The group also rejoiced with All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his birthday.

  • Ex-council chair gets freedom

    Former Transitional Committee (TC) Chairman of Aba South Local Government of Abia State, Chukwudi Dike, has been freed by his captors.

    The Nation learnt Dike was kidnapped last week from his home at Ogbor Hill in Aba North Local Government, off Ikot-Ekpene-Aba Expressway.

    Information about his release was sketchy last night.

    Efforts by The Nation to speak with Dike was futile, as a man, who introduced himself as his younger brother, said the ex-council boss was indisposed.

    It was not clear if a ransom was paid, but a source close to the family said the kidnappers demanded N6 million when they first spoke to the family.

    Relations, it was gathered, told the kidnappers they didn’t have such money, but appealed to them to release the victim.

    The source said: “The gunmen came to his house at Ogbor Hill and started shooting. The dogs in the compound prevented them from entering, but they later entered the house and whisked away the chairman in his Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). We learnt they dropped the car somewhere and used another car to whisk him away to their den.

    “What beats our imagination is how the gunmen passed through army and police stop-and-search checkpoints undetected. We are sad that despite shots fired at the dogs, soldiers and police, whose posts were nearby, could not foil the kidnap.”

    Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna said he was yet to be informed about the kidnap and release of the victim.

  • Ex-council chief declares support for House hopeful

    The immediate past chairman of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, has thrown his weight behind a candidate for the House of Representatives, Hon. Danladi Zhin in next year’s election.

    Muhammad, who also contested for the House, but lost out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election, said this when the party’s candidate Zhin visited him at his residence in Kuje.

    Mohammad said he would mobilise his supporters across the four area councils, including residents of the Abaji Rural Areas Development Association (ARADA), to vote him at the polls.

    “We are reasoning together before the election and God willing, we are going reason together after the election. I want to assure you of my complete support, even if you do not come to visit me. My supporters and I have started working for you,” he said.

    He also harped on the need to shun tribal and religious politics, saying that for some people to show hatred against another tribe is a sin against God.

    “It is a sin for one to hate another tribe, because of his tribe or religion. It is an offense before the eyes of God, “he said.

    Earlier, the House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Danladi Zhin, said he decided pay him a visit, in order to seek for his support, saying any person that attached politics to tribe or religion is out cheat his people.

    “Therefore, you should count on me that I shall ensure that the voice of people of the Abuja south federal constituency is heard in the House of Representatives of the National assembly by the grace of God, “he said.

    The chairman of Kuje area council, Shaban Tete, appreciated the effort of the former council chairmen for playing politics without rancor and bitterness during the party’s’ primary election.

  • Ex-council boss abducted

    A former Chairman of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nicholas Akinbiola, has been abducted.

    Akinbiola was kidnapped at his filling station on the Benin/Ore Road.

    The kidnappers were said to have been trailing the former council chairman two days before his abduction.

    Sources said the kidnappers were demanding N20 million. Police spokesman Wole Egodo said they were working to rescue the politician.

    He said: “We are hopeful that the victim will be liberated soon. We are working to rescue him. We may not tell you our strategies for security reasons but I can assure you that very soon the man will be freed and his abductors apprehended.”

  • Ex-council chief joins assembly race

    Ex-council chief joins assembly race

    Pioneer chairman of the old Ajeromi Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dr Abiola Ajijola, is vying for a seat in the state House of Assembly in the forthcoming elections.

    He is a major contender for the slot from the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency 1 which is currently being occupied by the Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Hon Kolawole Taiwo.

    Explaining his return into the contest 17 years after leaving office as chairman, Ajijola, a successful medical practitioner said: “Though I left office in 1997 after a remarkable 16-month experience in grassroots administration before a military coup cut it short, I have always remained a card-carrying member of political parties of progressive inclination. I was in the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressives Congress (APC). In fact, I belong to the party’s apex leadership body known as G10 in my local government area.

    “I am in the race to step up my commitment to bringing the fruits of governance to the people of my constituency. I firmly believe that with patriotic representation at the assembly, my constituency should be better than it is today and it takes selfless representation driven by undiluted patriotism to turn things around for the people. This is my concern.”

    When reminded that he would have a major opponent in Hon Taiwo who is gunning for re-election, Ajijola said: “He (Taiwo) is no threat to my ambition; in fact, most people see my coming out as his greatest challenge because of my popularity based on what I did when I was chairman and my unbroken relationship with the people. This is democracy, a system that gives room for freedom of choice by the electorate.

    “Most importantly, Hon Taiwo has served four terms in the assembly and people have seen what he could do. I feel it is simply fair for someone else to have a shot and bring his acumen to bear in further serving the constituency in the best interest of the people.”

    On the chance of APC in the coming elections in the area, the state and indeed, the nation, the aspirant said the exemplary services delivered by the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu when he governed the state and the current Governor Babatunde Fashola’s exploits are enough to convince anyone that the party is the need to develop the society.

  • Ex-council chair praises NYCN

    Ex-council chair praises NYCN

    YOUTHS have been urged to plan their future if they want to live purposeful lives.

    The first chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Development Council Area (LCDA), Lagos,  Dr Christopher Anago  gave the advice during a visit by executives of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) led by the LG chapter of the group,  Comrade Franklin Nero.

    He said also the youth should not peer groups that could tarnish their images. ‘Per groups influence them. They want to get rich at all costs. That is why at 18 or 19, they carry guns. They do not want to be patient, ‘’ he said.

    He said parents have a major role in the growth of the children, adding that these days some parents are more concerned with money making than playing their roles at home. “In a balanced home, parents should be able to groom their children. But some parents do not have for their children. How do these children get good home training? Such children end up being bad from home,” he said.

    On bad companies, he said when children are not good at home, they could join bad companies. “Such children go out and return any time they like or late at night. Yet, their parents would ask why,” he added. Noting that children are the ambassadors of their parents, he said: “If any child misbehaves, the bad news will be in the name of the parent.  Unfortunately most parents do not look at this aspect.”

    He asked the youth not to remain idle, saying an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. “They should engage in meaningful jobs, no matte menial, saying the bottom line is money. Citing himself, he said, as a pupil  he carried loads and used the money he realised to support his education. “When I left school, I carried loads and I made money from it. I built my life from the beginning. I didn’t depend on my parents,” he recalled.

    These days, he said youths complain of poor earnings. He said it should not be so as one had to start from somewhere. “They should know that they have to start from the bottom, and not the top,’’ he said. “They need to endure and take good advice. Listen to elders, respect their parents if they want to live long.”

    He called on the rich to assist the youth by establishing firms that would employ them.

    Anago praised Nero and NYCN for their programmes, especially in educating the youth to avoid bad habits and live good lives. He promised to partner with them on their upcoming event titled: Role of  youth in 2015 election. He recalled his relationship with the youth group during his days in office, saying that he was happy that they still remember him six years after he had left.

  • 5,000 jog with ex-council chief

    5,000 jog with ex-council chief

    Over 5,000 residents of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State have jogged and walked with a former chairman of the council, Hon. Afeez Ipesa-Balogun.

    A two-term chairman, Ipesa-Balogun was renowned, among other things, for his health policies and programmes, among which was his half-marathon “Jogging with the Mayor.”  Jogging with the 5,000 was aimed at re-awakening the ex-council chief’s fitness plan and inculcating healthy living in the people. It was also to mark Ipesa-Balogun’s 50th birthday.

    The exercise, put together by friends of the former council chair, took place on March 1, 2014.

    A health talk flagged off the event followed by a free medical screening for diabetes and hypertension in addition to a table tennis competition.

    The occasion was not about merry-making, drinking and eating, the ex-council chief warned. “It is about staying healthy and fit which is most important in one’s life; that is why I chose to open the day with a jogging/walking exercise around the council area with the people.

    “The people responded very well, they were enthusiastic about it. The registration exercise for the event saw over 5,000 people indicating interest to participate within and outside the council area.

    “The exercise commenced at 6:30 a.m. at Owoseni Primary School, Adeyemi Street, behind Oshodi/Isolo Council Secretariat, Oshodi, Lagos and took us through Oyetayo Street into Bolade, then Agege Motor Road where we made a detour to Airport Road and moved until we got to Ajao Estate Junction along Airport Road before we turned into Garage-Oshodi Road, beside Zenith Bank and raced down to connect Church Street and then Adeyemi Street to return to our starting point to terminate the long exercise,” Ipesa-Balogun stated.

    The former Chairman further said ambulances were on hand at every point of the exercise just as security agencies, including the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) were contacted to ensure that it was hitch-free. The programme climaxed with prize presentations to the first 10 winners with the first three getting the main prizes and the next seven, consolation prizes.

    The event, according to him, was chaired by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu while governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola of Osun State were Special Guests of Honour.

    An aircraft engineer, Ipesa-Balogun joined politics a little after higher education. Barely 27 in the early 1990s, he was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party. In the wake of the struggle to actualise the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Afeez Ipesa-Balogun teamed up with others in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to wage the battle. He later fled into exile with the likes of his party leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to form NADECO abroad to continue the battle against military rule. He remained in exile until the return of democratic rule in 1999.

    He was elected chairman of the council for two tenures of six years. His administration was popular for roads and drainage rehabilitation and re-construction. He also initiated and built the Legislative Council Building, the Beko Ransome-Kuti Public Library, equipment of public primary schools with benches and desks, and maintenance and supply of health centres with drugs and other necessities.