The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fashola

  • Folawiyo, Fashola, Sego others lead Lagos Island residents’ walk for peace

    Folawiyo, Fashola, Sego others lead Lagos Island residents’ walk for peace

    Defying the heavy downpour, residents of Oko Faaji Community in their numbers, recently walked for peace and unity in the Lagos Island area of the state. 

    Oko Faaji Community is one of the oldest on Lagos Island and it has over the years, maintained peaceful cohabitation with the rest of its neighbours.

    According to the organisers of the event who spoke to The Nation, the peace walk was aimed at sensitising residents, especially, youths, on the effect of drug abuse, shunning violence, and the need to live peacefully with one another irrespective of differences.

    He said despite the heavy rainfall, the massive crowd walked from Ita-Faji to Bar Beach (Glass House) back to Onola Playing Ground.

    The walk had in attendance Mayor Muibi Alade Folawiyo (Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area), other dignitaries.

    Others including aspirant for 2025 Lagos Island LGA chairmanship, Jamiu Folorunsho Fashola (JFF); prominent members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) – Adekunle Mustapha Sego, and Azeez Lawal, popularly known as ‘Kunle Poly’, and other dignitaries were also in attendance.

    Members of the community who spoke to The Nation, including youths, called for collective action and conscious efforts to sustain and strengthen social cohesion and pervasive peace for which the community has been known over the years.

    Also, programmes including free medical checkups, free barbing service, eye tests, and others were provided for residents before the walk.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Fashola, Bamidele, others for colloquium

    “This initiative is designed to ensure the well-being of all the community members. The walk aims to extend these values not only within Okoo Faji but also to neighbouring communities in Lagos Island.” A member of the committee noted.

    Chairmanship aspirant, Jamiu Fashola who was part of the sponsors for the walk, advocated for peace and harmony among residents.

    Fashola urged youths to shun social vices, including drug abuse, and also embrace ethical behaviour that would help build a functional society.

    He reiterated his commitment to further advancing the cause of residents, and also empowering youths to enhance the socio-economic growth and development of Lagos Island.

    While speaking to journalists, the Chairman of Media and Publicity Committee, Lateef Ajida applauded leaders and other stakeholders for uniting the community over the years.

    Impressed with the turnout, he said: “We are amazed by the number of people who came out even beyond the Oko Faaji community, it is more than what we expected.

    “We are grateful to God for the massive turnout. The reason behind this walk is for all of us to continue to live in peace, love, and unity. We advise youths to shun violence, drug abuse, and other vices. We appreciate the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other stakeholders for making this walk a success.”

  • Fashola, others to receive UNIBEN’s honourary doctoral degrees

    Fashola, others to receive UNIBEN’s honourary doctoral degrees

    A former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; Edo First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; and five others, will on November 25 this year be honoured with the prestigious and coveted honourary doctoral degrees of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), at the Federal Government-owned university’s 48th convocation.

    The other eminent personalities to be honoured during UNIBEN’s 53rd Founders’ Day include Chief Charles Owensuyi–Edosomwan, SAN; Olukayode Dotun-Adegbulugbe; Osaro Isokpan; Gbenga Olu Komolafe, an engineer; and Paul Enebeli, a pharmacist.

    UNIBEN’s tenth substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, who made the disclosure at the higher institution’s Senate Chamber, during media briefing, disclosed that 178 students bagged first class.

    She revealed that on November 23, there would be convocation lecture, titled: “Governance and Crisis of Development in Nigeria,” to be delivered by a former Vice-Chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja. Prof. Mike Kwanashie.

    Salami, the second female vice-chancellor of UNIBEN, disclosed that on November 24, there would be award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates and presentation of prizes, with the 48th convocation to climax on November 25, with the award of higher degrees, postgraduate diplomas and the conferment of honourary doctorate on the outstanding Nigerians.

    Read Also:Fashola, Smith, others hail Olugbile on new book

    She said: “It is gratifying and something to be proud of that four of the doctoral honourees are illustrious alumni of UNIBEN (including Fashola), who have been exemplary in serving the university and the country.

    “Since the last convocation, so much has been accomplished by this administration in the spheres of academics and infrastructure development.  This is in spite of the numerous challenges that have resulted in the operation of two sessions in one year, in order for students not to lose valuable academic milestones.  This has happened at great costs, sacrifices and commitment by all staff, especially academic staff of the university.  Even the students have exhibited resilience.  We salute them all.

    “At this 48th convocation, 14,254 graduands of the 2020/2021 academic session will be conferred with first degrees, diplomas and certificates in all the faculties and schools of the university. 

    “At the post-graduate level, the university’s Senate approved 4,045 results, including 545 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 2,697 Masters and 804 Post-Graduate Diplomas. We congratulate all the graduands, and urge them to fly the university’s flag higher.”

    The vice-chancellor also stated that the accomplishments could not have been achieved, without the commitment of staff, and the deliberate efforts by management to put in place requisite academic infrastructure that ensured that graduates of UNIBEN continued to shine and to positively influence their world. 

    She said the university could boast of cutting–edge Information Communications Technology (ICT), advancement of its centres of excellence, successful accreditation of UNIBEN’s programmes and courses by the National University’s Commission (NUC), and other professional bodies, as well as compliance with the New National Education Policy on Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), and provision of modern infrastructure.

    Salami noted that staff of the higher institution’s academic planning unit worked round the clock to ensure that UNIBEN meets all academic requirements to attract high global assessment and ranking, while the welfare of staff and students of the university had also been top on the agenda of the management.

  • Fashola’s wife to pupils: shun drug abuse

    Fashola’s wife to pupils: shun drug abuse

    Former Lagos State governor’s wife, Dame  Abimbola Fashola, has urged youths to shun drug abuse and see a counsellor, if addicted to drugs.

     Mrs. Fashola, said this at the second Inter-Secondary School Debate on Drug Abuse, organised by Nigeria Youth Parliament, Lagos Central.

     “You should not take drugs and if you are tempted, or know someone who has acquired this habit, speak to them to seek help by going to a counsellor or therapist.

     The programme, which brought together 154 pupils in  30 junior and senior schools, represented a policy action serving as a peer-to-peer advocacy to address drug abuse among pupils.

    Pupils engaged in thought-provoking debate on the theme, “Preserving the future with clean health”.

    Read Also: Wike approves funds to maintain Abuja Nat’l Mosque, Christian Centre

     Eko-Akete Senior High School won senior category; New Era Girls’ Junior School topped the Junior category.

    Representative of Lagos Central at Nigeria Youth Parliament, Abdulmumin Edidi, said: “This is a peer to peer education. We are getting pupils to own the conversation about drug abuse.’’

     “Prisons are congested already. If you look at the issue of drug abuse, most of the people who peddle drugs, don’t use drugs. They’re business people. It is the victims. So, if you are sentencing the victims to jail. They should sentence those find peddling and consuming at the same time, to community services, while those who are just victims should be sent to rehabilitation.”

    Chief Host of the event, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, urged the students to abstain from drug abuse and make right choices for their lives.

  • Fashola seeks societal reflection, engagement for change

    Fashola seeks societal reflection, engagement for change

    To promote change in the society, former Minister of Works and Housing, Tunde Fashola, has called for reflection and engagement.

    Recognising the influence both clubs and individuals hold, he emphasised the need to reassess their positions and roles in society.

    Fashola spoke at the kick off of Island Club 80th anniversary in Lagos Island.

    The former governor of Lagos State urged clubs as Island to reposition and provide alternative forums of expression for more people, countering the proliferation of detrimental associations.

    He encouraged citizens to engage with these clubs, appreciating their history and contributing to their success.

    Expressing delight at his presence, he commended the office bearers, including chairman and management, for upholding the club’s torch of excellence.

    He acknowledged the weight of legacy they carry and hoped in their ability to pass it down to future generations.

    He stressed importance of recognising the club’s longevity, noting surviving eight decades is not easy. He challenged those who question the country’s capacity to produce enduring institutions to visit Island Club.

    According to him, the walls of the club are embedded with history of Nigeria, with many individuals, including ministers, commissioners, and public servants, among its members.

    “For those of us members, there’s a lot of history embedded in these walls.There are ministers, commissioners, public servants as members of this club…’’

    Read Also: UPDATED: Tinubu seeks Senate’s confirmation of three new ministerial nominees

    Many policies that shaped this country were first inaugurated or unveiled at the annual Christmas or New Year’s Eve occasions of this club. In those days, this was the place to be if you’re anybody in Nigeria, this was where so many positive things happened in the development of our country. It was also a conscience for government, barometer for government, some of the debates within the club filtered back to government in shaping policy and opinion”, he said.

    The chairman of the club, Prince Rabiu Oluwa, emphasised the importance of members upholding the traditions established by their forebears. He underscored the need for continuous reinvention that embraces the interests of all Nigerians for the club to remain relevant.

    He said the club was founded in a private residence of Oladipupo Odunsi and the subsequent rise of its significance and prestige after Nigeria gained independence.

    “Our Club attracted the interest of both the Colonialist and the colonized. While the

    primary focus is social, we have since being intervening in national debates aimed at shaping the trajectory of our collective peaceful struggle for political and economic emancipation. Our Club and members are staunch advocates for unity and peace, promotes combined and even development, we are interracial, and stands for fellowship and comradeship”, he said.

    He disclosed that to commemorate their Oak Anniversary, the Premier Social Club has planned a series of events throughout the month.

    He said: “There will be an anniversary lecture on October 29, 2023 with the renowned Kenyan lawyer, Activist and Pan Africanist Prof Lumumba as the Guest Speaker.

    We hoped our Grand Patron, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,top government functionaries, and a foreign Ambassador from the Carribean will grace the event which will end on Sunday 31 October with a Church service”.

  • Fashola condemns ‘Nigeria shouldn’t happen to me’ statement

    Fashola condemns ‘Nigeria shouldn’t happen to me’ statement

    • Ex-minister urges positivity among citizens

    Former Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola has criticised the use of the phrase: “May Nigeria not happen to me.”

    He urged Nigerians to address reservations about the country with less negative criticisms.

    “Those kinds of statements that ‘Nigeria should not happen to me’ or whatever it is, should not have any place again in our public broadcast,” Fashola said yesterday.

    The former minister spoke on Channels Television’s “Empowering Tomorrow” with the theme: A New Vision for Nigeria, a special programme on Nigeria’s 63rd Independence celebration.

    “The image and the pride of the nation is the public relations work of all of the people.

    “It is not enough to begin to valorise things that Nigerians do outside the country. That is an important ambassadorial work that those people do. I take nothing away from it,” he said.

    Fashola stressed that Nigeria needs to start emphasising on minor but important things and use them to inspire hope.

    Read Also: I don’t need title to serve in Tinubu administration — Fashola

    “Hope is the most important currency that sustains human civilisation, that sustains harmony, and the expectation that I can make it,” he said.

    The former minister also advised fellow citizens to stop focusing on Nigeria’s flaws rather than its assets.

    “This is the time that all of us must put our hands on the plough. For those who want to denigrate the country, you must first ask them: ‘Do they have another country?’ I don’t have another one,” he said.

    Fashola urged the Bola Tinubu administration not to fear criticism as this is a necessary step in improving and furthering the benefits of the country.

    “It is not just the work of government and it is the right to criticise the government. Criticism has helped serious governments. Criticism helped me when I was in government and I believe that this government will listen to criticisms and use them as fire to build a better and warm place for all of us to be.

    “In the name of criticism, there must be no negative word about this country, even if it has negatives. I remember a conference I attended, and the theme around which we discussed was: ‘Can we all agree never to put forward Nigeria’s negative?’

    “I have held to that commitment I made solemnly as much as I can,” he added.

  • I don’t need title to serve in Tinubu administration — Fashola

    I don’t need title to serve in Tinubu administration — Fashola

    Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) says he does not need a title to serve in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, which in his view, is birthing the next generation of leaders.

    Fashola, a close aide of Tinubu, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Lagos State University, Ojo, on Tuesday.

    He was at the University to deliver a keynote address at the institution’s fifth research and innovation fair.

    The former Lagos State Governor, who also served as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff when the President was governor of the state. was responding to a question on his role in the present administration at the federal level and possibility of an appointment.

    Read Also: Fashola: probe judgment drafting claim

    He said, “I do not need a title to serve: the president can only appoint at least one minister, for example, from each state which he has done that.

    “There are just enough places in parastatals, they are doing that; we are estimated to be 200 million, so there are not enough offices to take everybody.

    “All of us must play our roles as citizens, and a citizen does not need a title to serve.

    “The biggest title you need is that of being citizen and play our role; we are also talking about the next generation.

    ”If some do not move on, where is the place for the next batch?”

    He said there was the need to bring more outstanding public spirited people to occupy spaces as they evolve.

    Fashola said he looked forward to a lot  more youthful people being part of the administration.

    (NAN)

  • Fashola, Aliyu, a perfect team

    Former Head of Yobe State Civil Service Ibrahim Abdulrahman has described the choice of former Deputy Governor Abubakar Aliyu and Babatunde Fashola as ministers in the Ministry of Works and Housing as a wise decision. He described the duo as a perfect team for the transformation of infrastructure in the country.

    Abdulrahman said he had known Aliyu since 1999 when he served under him as a supervising engineer in the Ministry of Integrated and Rural Development in Yobe State when he was the permanent secretary.

    He said Aliyu  was “a competent but a dedicated engineer who is always punctual, and proactive to any assignment giving to him”.

    Abdulrahman added: “When in set out to get a competent engineer, we had two candidates. One had HND, The current minister of State, Works & Housing had HND plus degree in Civil Engineering. We conducted an interview and from the look of things, he proved to be a more competent and more perceptive of what the government wish to do at the local level.

    “After the ministry took off, we made request to the government base on his own assessment which we sent him to the rural communities and those assessment were correct because there was no time that we went back to review his assessment. The costing was so clearly done by him. When we started construction, contracts of each construction site were giving a time limit. For instance, from A-B should be finished in three week or so. He proved not only to meet the date lines but actually completed the jobs before date lines.

    “First, his material assessment was correct. Secondly, he was a competent engineer. Thirdly, he never relents and make sure he reaches his objectives clear. As time progressed, government was aware of the impact we made in the communities.

    “We actually had no problems of funding because Bukar Abba graciously approved every fund that we made request and the Abubakar D. Aliyu did all the work with dedication and precision with all his staff and by the time we completed the project, we invited journalists to look at what we did and make their own assessment. That was the first impact of the Bukar Abba Ibrahim administration and everyone was talking about his government that he is transforming Yobe State rural communities”.

    On Aliyu’s appointment, he said: “Not only has President  Buhari made  the right choice, the president  has got the right man in Engineer Aliyu. He is always punctual. He insists on completing any job giving to him before completion. He is always proactive in all his assignment and I am sure him and Fashola will make a perfect team because I know that Fashola is also a very serious minded person. I am sure they will work as a team.”

     

  • Fashola promises completion of N120b Bonny project

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, SAN,  has said Bodo-Bonny road would be completed as scheduled. Fashola, represented by the Director, High Way Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr Yemi Oguntiminiyi said this while inspecting Bodo-Bonny/Port Harcourt-Aba road project in the state.

    In a tripartite agreement between the Federal Government, Nigeria LNG and Julius Berger Nigeria PLc (contractor), the decades-long abandoned N120b Bodo-Bonny was recently rejuvenated .

    Fashola said the project was one of the critical projects in the country that needed to be completed due to its economic importance. Tagged the biggest community social responsibility (CSR) initiative by a private company in Nigeria, the 34km road passing Bodo, Afo, Opobo and Nanabie to Bonny, is expected to contribute to the development of the Niger Delta region and open up opportunities for rapid socio economic development.

    Bodo-Bonny project, which commenced on October 20, 2017, is expected to be completed in August  19, 2022. The 35.68kilo metre project is being handled by Julius Berger at the cost of N120.6 billion. Agency reports have it that the company has put in 60 per cent of the work.

    The minister said the Federal Government would fund the project to ensure its speedy completion. Managing Director, Nigeria Liquefied Gas, Mr Tony Attah  said the company had contributed N60 billion to ensure execution of the project.

    He said the Executive Order of 007, signed recently by President Muhammadu Buhari, had encouraged the company to contribute financially to the project.

    Project Manager, Julius Berger, Mr Thomas Haug said the road had about seven kilometers in swampy areas of Opobo channels. He, however, said the company would ensure completion of the project as scheduled despite some logistic challenges

  • FG approves execution of multiple power projects – Fashola

    The Federal Government has approved the execution of several power projects aimed at achieving more improvement in electricity distribution in the country.

    The Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja by Mr. Hakeem Bello, his Special Adviser on Communications.

    Fashola said principal among the approvals, received from the Federal Executive Council meetings on memos presented by him, was that for Aso Villa to benefit from the Eligible Customer Policy.

    He said the council also approved a distribution expansion programme to take-off part of the stranded 2,000 MW to provide dedicated power to the Villa.

    “The ministry had earlier obtained approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), following its letter to the Bureau, intimating it of the council’s approval of the distribution expansion programme,“ he said.

    Fashola said the intention of the ministry was to procure civil works that would facilitate uninterrupted power supply to the Aso Rock Villa.

    “The project is to be executed by Messrs Dextron Engineering Ltd, has a completion period of six months under the distribution expansion programme.

    “An arrangement has also been put in place such that a GenCo, North-South Power Company Limited will procure the dedicated supply to the Villa from the National Grid.’’

    He said that Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had indicated interest to ensure success of the project.

    The minister said also approved were the Afam 240 MW power plant in Rivers state, construction of a dedicated solar power system for the federal ministry of power, works and housing headquarters in Mabushi.

    Other project approved, according to Fashola is the concession of five hydro dams to facilitate electricity supply to rural and agrarian communities across the country.

    “The approval of final payment for completion of Afam 240 MW power plant is sequel to a memorandum by the ministry seeking council’s approval for award of contract for additional works at the 132KV switchyard.

    “The switchyard was for the evacuation of power from the 240 MW Afam Three fast power projects.’’

    Fashola said the approval for concessioning five hydro dams to facilitate electricity supply to rural and agrarian communities in the country was sequel to the recommendation of the ministry and its water resources counterpart.

    “The ministries had recommended that six hydro power resources be concession to private sector investors to increase the nation’s power supply by 16.49MW, to cater for the power needs of their immediate and essentially rural communities.

    “However, the five small and medium hydro power plants approved to be concessioned, include the 6-MW Ikere Gorge Dam in Ekiti state, to be concessioned to Messrs Power Control and Appliances Limited.

    “2MW Omi-Kampe Dam in Kogi, to be concessioned to Messrs Quaint Power and Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, the 300 KW Zobe Dam and 4 MW Jibiya Dam in Katsina state to be concessioned to Messrs Pan-African Global Infrastructure.

    “The 3-MW Bakolori Dam in Zamfara state to be concessioned also to Messrs Pan-African Global Infrastructure.’’

    Fashola also said concessioning of the dams was to increase renewable and clean electricity supply for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “The ministry has already concluded negotiations with the concessionaires and letters of notification have been issued to them accordingly to facilitate necessary action for early delivery of the project in compliance with regulatory procedures.”

    He said the memorandum seeking FEC’s approval for the construction of dedicated solar power system for the ministry’s headquarters was intended to achieve uninterrupted power supply to the offices.

    This he said would supplement the existing energy supply from the National Grid facilitate clean and renewable energy. (NAN)

  • FG to create employment, reduce poverty via maintenance culture -Fashola

    The Federal Government has revealed that it will be creating long term employment and reducing the poverty rate in the country through the maintained of its public infrastructural assets.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola stated that this administration is redeveloping and maintaining road networks in the six geopolitical zones in the country.

    He added that the government is also involved in the maintenance of all bridges on federal roads, rebuilding road networks in Federal Universities and building power stations in Federal Universities.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja, at the quarterly lecture series organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Fashola who was represented by the Deputy Director Rehabilitation in the ministry, Arc. Augustine Ocheje said that a process is ongoing to amend procurement laws.

    He added that the major focus of the current administration happens to be the development of infrastructures in pursuit of the key objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    His words, “A mayor focus of the current administration happens to be the development of infrastructures in pursuit of one of the key objectives of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Accordingly, government has invested heavily on road infrastructures, airports, water resources. power, public buildings and housing etc.

    “At the same time, the government is concerned about protecting these investments and maintaining existing public infrastructure assets which are under performing as a result of inadequate maintenance and lack of coordinated approach to maintenance of public infrastructure. I believe most of us are aware of the enormity of infrastructure deficit inherited by this Administration.

    “Redevelopment and Maintenance of Road Network in the six (6) geopolitical zones in the country targeted at connecting state capitals as well as agricultural/economic activity centres;

    “Maintenance of all bridges on Federal roads in Nigeria, Rebuilding road networks in Federal Universities, Building of Power stations in Federal Universities and a process is on-going to amend procurement laws to encourage small businesses and entrepreneurs.

    “A maior focus of the current administration happens to be the development of infrastructures in pursuit of one of the key objectives of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Accordingly, government has invested heavily on road.

    Read also: Fashola: we can’t cover every road in Nigeria

    “I would like to emphasize that there is a direct link between infrastructure development, poverty reduction and employment creation. The maintenance of public infrastructural assets will create sustainable long-term employment and poverty reduction while the life span and functionality of public assets will be elongated and improved.”

    Acting Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr. Louis Eriomala stated that the lecture themed, ‘Maintenance culture: a panacea for sustainable infrastructural development in Nigeria’, was chosen considering the poor state of our nation’s infrastructural architecture.

    He said this has been largely due to the country’s poor maintenance culture as a people.