The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ex-Deputy

  • Lagos immortalises ex-deputy governor with Park

    Former Lagos State deputy governor, the late Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, has been immortalised by the government. Last week, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration named the renovated Shasha recreational park after the late Jafojo, who served with the first civilan governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said it was in line with his government’s idea of recognising leaders that have contributed to the meaningful growth of the state, making it first choice destination among the states.

    Besides, Ambode said the transformation of the state is one of the cardinal policies of his administration, adding that his administration is committed to transform Lagos into Africa’s smart and industrial haven where individual economic and social aspirations can be met always.

    The governor, while inaugurating the Park, explained that the state was  embarking on massive landscaping and greening projects, as well as establishing more recreational parks and gardens with the ultimate desire to establish parks and gardens in all the 57 local government areas in the state.

    In a similar vein, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr Babatunde Humpe, described Shasha Recreational Park inuaguration as another landmark achievement of the present administration aimed at consolidating the smart city status of the state.

    According to him, the hustle and bustle experienced by the residents within the metropolis   daily  require that the state evolves a strategy to improve the general well-being of the people to reduce  stress that people go through while searching for their daily bread.

    Hunpe gave an insight into the features of the park.

    “Shasha Recreational Park occupies approximately a total land area of 15,447 square meters with soft and hard landscaping and recreation facilities for basketball, children playground, gazeboes, and water fountain and commercial stand, among other facilities.

    Also adorning the facility are ornamental plants, palms, garden seats, trees of various types, rotunda, garden lights, gazeboes with seats, multipurpose court, children playing ground, irrigation facilities, toilet facilities and parking area.

    The administration, he said,   emphasises on the need to implement policies and programmes that would enhance the aesthetic of the environment and promote health and wellbeing of the citizenry.”

    The Special Adviser said the objectives of the new Environmental and Urban renewal laws, including the campaign on tree planting, are designed to achieve a serene, healthy, beautiful and conducive environment and reduce stress on the citizens.

  • Ex-Deputy Governorship candidate denies N4b fraud

    A former deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, Mr. Kantigi Lima, has denied link with N4billion allegedly recovered recently by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Lima, who said the report was misleading, also threatened to take legal action against some media organisations.

    He made the clarifications through three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, chief Akin Olujimi, Chief KarinaTunyan and Sam Ologunorisa who are his solicitors.

    He said it was “sheer mischief” for anybody to associate him with the ownership of the alleged money in two companies’ accounts.

    The statement said: “Therefore, if not for mischief purposes, how can anybody reasonably attach ownership of funds in the accounts of a company to a particular person.

    “Our client concedes the right of news media to publish news reports but denies any rights in them to malign his name as they intend to take appropriate legal steps in due form of law to seek redress for their client as it is necessary.”

  • Ex-deputy governor Jafojo’s remains buried

    Ex-deputy governor Jafojo’s remains buried

    •My dad lived well, says son

    •Jakande, Ajomale, others mourn 

    The remains of the first former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Rafiu Jafojo, were buried yesterday at his residence in Ikeja, Lagos at 3.15pm.

    Jofojo served in the Lateef Jakande administration from October 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983 during the Second Republic under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

    The funeral prayer was led by the Tesfir of Ikeja Central Mosque, Alhaji Addulafeez Ololagba.

    Jakande said the late Jafojo was a loyal deputy, who was committed to party affairs.

    “During our days, he was committed to service. He was a nice man, who gave his best to the people of Lagos. I am sure Lagos State and the country will miss him.”

    House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the late Jafojo was one of the founding fathers of modern Lagos.

    He said: “His efforts in the Second Republic laid the solid foundation from which the Centre of Excellence has evolved and developed over the years.

    “Papa was a very patriotic Nigerian who was well known for his progressive pro-democratic idea and promoter of equity and justice.

    “Together with Alhaji Jakande and other members of the 1979-1983 class, they laid a solid foundation for the development and growth of the state,” he said.

    State APC Chairman Otunba Dele Ajomale said the deceased was a political strategist, whose immense contribution brought victory to the party, particularly in his domain at Ikeja.

    Ajomale said: “He excelled in his service to mankind. I pray that God will welcome him to His paradise.

    “ His death is going to affect us in so many ways unless we get grip of his followers.

    “We are not losing anything because he has made all arrangements for his supporters to remain with the APC.

    “We are grateful to God that he was able to do that for the party. We thank God for his life and for his achievements.

    “He and Papa Jakande opened positive impact on the poor people of Lagos that is why all the other governments have followed Jakande’s footsteps. They created the new Lagos.”

    APC chieftain Tajudeen Olusi said Jafojo was a great man. “He was loyal and hard working, a devoted public servant, who did his best for humanity, the country will definitely miss him because he was concerned about the development of humanity.”

    His son, Adewale, who is Obasa’s Chief of Staff, described the life of his father as a life well spent.

    Adewale said nobody wants to lose their parents or their loved ones even if they live more than 200 years on earth.

    Praising the late former deputy governor, he said the deceased has contributed his own part to the state’s development.

    At the occasion were Deputy Governor Mrs. Idiat Adebule, Deputy Speaker Wasiu Eshinlokun, former Deputy Governor Abiodun Ogunleye, Senator Bode Olajumoke, former Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Lanre Odubote, Commissioner for Environment Babatunde Adejare, Commissioner for Home Affairs AbdulHakeem Addulateef, Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business DistrictAgboola Dabiri, Deji Jakande, Tajudeen Durosimi-Etti, representative of the Oba of Lagos and others.

  • Ex-deputy governor to aid elderly

    Ex-deputy governor to aid elderly

    Former Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere has promised to institute a welfare scheme for the elderly, if elected governor next year.

    Ekere, who is one of the leading governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the scheme would care for people aged 65 and above.

    Addressing a crowd yesterday at Ikot Abasi, he pledged to build on the “world-class infrastructure” put in place by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    Ekere said he had an industrialisation blueprint for the state, adding: “We have built infrastructure, now is the time to build our people.”

    He said he had consulted far and wide on the possibility of running for governor and the outcome was positive.

    Ekere said he had not started campaigning because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not given the go-ahead and thanked stakeholders of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency for adopting him as their sole candidate.

    He pledged to do them proud.

    The member representing Urue Offong/Oruko Constituency in the House of Assembly, Bassey Etienam, declared his support for Ekere and urged the people to support him.

    His Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo counterpart, Uduyok Aboh, and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Deputy Chairman Johnson Essien Ibok also pledged their support for Ekere.

    The Chairman, Steering Committee of the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Project (AKCP), Joseph Effiong, said Ekere enjoyed massive support of

    Akwa Ibom people, urging Ikot Abasi people to remain united in supporting their son.

  • Lagos ex-deputy gov urges UBEC to invest in literacy

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Sosan, has urged the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to invest more funds in literacy skills training for both teachers and pupils.

    She spoke at the opening of a five-day literacy workshop for 1,000 lower primary teachers in Maryland.

    The training was facilitated by GFR, an educational consultancy firm owned by Mrs Sosan.

    She appealed to Alhaji Yahaya Amuda, UBEC’s Southwest Zonal Coordinator, who was present at the event. She said the leadership of the commission should focus on literacy skills at the grassroots to boost learning outcomes in schools.

    “I have a message for UBEC. Literacy skills should be given more attention. It is good to distribute books, but if the pupils lack literacy skills, they cannot read these books. UBEC should allow more counterpart funding for skills training and you will see a lot of changes.

    “Some of the teachers do not have these skills. If we don’t get it right and our students and pupils don’t have these skills, then we will be wasting our time distributing books,” she said.

    She also urged teachers to counsel parents to pay more attention to the education of their wards.

    Yahaya promised to take Mrs Sosan’s appeal back to the UBEC leadership in Abuja.

    The SUBEB Chairman, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, urged the teachers to utilise the knowledge they gained from the workshop to improving literacy skills of their pupils. She said the government had been committed to teacher development for the five years she has been in the saddle.

    “Within the last five years that I have been here, I always make bold to say that the state government has spent a lot of money when it comes to building capacity of teachers. I am always happy when the teachers respond to this gesture with interest and commitment,” she said.

    After this batch of 1,000 completed their training, Mrs Daodu said 2,500 more teachers were scheduled to undergo the same training in various centres across Lagos soon.

    Mrs Sosan promised cash rewards to the best three participants of the workshop. She said they would be appointed master trainers and would benefit from further training.

     

  • Amosun mourns ex-deputy governor

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has commiserated with the family of the first civilian Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Olusesan Soluade, who died at 80.

    Amosun said it was sad that Soluade died at a time his experience was mostly needed to develop the state.

    In a statement by his media aide, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Amosun described the deceased as “a seasoned administrator, teacher and politician, who devoted his life to the service of humanity.”

    He said: “Ogun State has lost an illustrious son. As the first civilian deputy governor of the state during the administration of the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, he served our people diligently.

    ‘’Even at the ripe age of 80, he was still politically active. He has certainly left his footprints on the sands of time.”

    Amosun prayed to God to grant the late Soluade eternal rest.

  • Jang condoles with ex-deputy Tallen over father’s death

    Plateau State Governor Jonah David Jang yesterday visited his former deputy, Dame Pauline Tallen, over the death of her father, Pa Paul Katiem. He was 102.

    Jang led a high-powered government delegation to Dame Tallen’s home in Rayfield, Jos, the state capital, at 11.30am.

    Jang and her erstwhile deputy had not met since 2010, when they fell apart over political ambitions.

    They shook hands yesterday at Mrs Tallen’s sitting room. The governor was received by the most senior member of the Katiem’s family, Pa Anthony Homsook.

    Jang expressed the condolences of his administration and the people of the state to the bereaved family.

    He said: “The people of Plateau State and the Geomai people should be celebrating the death of late Pa Paul Katiem for lasting over 100 years on earth.

    “The late Pa Katiem accomplished his life’s desires before death; he was no doubt the oldest man in the state until his death. And he died in the Lord.

    “I, therefore, wish to, on behalf of myself, my family, Plateau people and entire Nigerians, commiserate with the family and Geomai people for this death. I encourage the family not to mourn this death but celebrate it.”

    Jang assured the family that the late Pa Katiem will be accorded a state burial.

    The governor waa accompanied by his deputy, Amb. Ignatius Longjan; Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Shedrack Best; Chief of Staff to the Government House, Pam Bot; Commissioner for Information and Communication, Yiljap Abraham; Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Sylvanus Dangtoe Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olivia Dazyem; as well as Commissioner for the Environment, Mrs Serah Yusuf.

  • Ex-Deputy Governor urges govt to create jobs through agric

    A  former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr Abiodun Ogunleye, has advised the Federal Government to promote agriculture, through better funding, to tackle unemployment in the country.

    Ogunleye gave the advice in Ikorodu in Lagos, at the fourth edition of the free computer training organised for youths in the area by a state lawmaker, Mr Sanai Agunbiade.

    He said agriculture could be the largest employer of labour in the country, adding that the neglect of the sector by successive governments had contributed to the economic woes experienced in the country.

    “’When a country that has large scale arable land cannot feed itself, it is a big shame and calls for urgent attention,’’ he said.

    The former deputy governor in the Tinubu administration, said agriculture would have to take the “centre stage’’ to eventually eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

    He commended the lawmaker for the yearly event, which, according to him, was to empower youths in Ikorodu and its environs.

    Earlier, Agunbiade (ACN-Ikorodu I), said that Information Technology is dominating the world, adding that the training will afford the beneficiaries the opportunity to earn a living.

    Mr Taiwo Hassan, one of the beneficiaries, praised the lawmakers for giving youths in the area the opportunity to acquire skill in computer appreciation.