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  • 2019: Lagos APC to elect candidates through direct primaries

    ***as Ambode says it will deepen democracy

    ***Tinubu debunks division in state APC

     

    The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday resolved to elect the party’s candidates for next year’s general elections through direct primaries which will involve all members of the party.

    The party said it would immediately commence the process of registering new members, while the old members who have registered before now as well as the new members would all be issued membership cards.

    Addressing members of the party at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said it was gratifying to report that the party had resolved to register additional members, adding that membership register would be opened to facilitate the process, which eventually would be used for direct primaries.

    He said: “We appeal to all our members to update the membership registration and embrace the direct primary that has just been introduced and adopted by our party. We are committed to our party; we are committed to the values of the party; we see direct primary as President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption and internal democracy revolution.

    “We are going to embrace that in which the party is going back to the owners of the party and that is you the people. It is not we the few; it is we the people. We have embraced democracy and you have your decisions to be made but you have to be members of our party in the first place,” Tinubu said.

    Tinubu also dismissed the insinuation that the party is divided in the State, saying there is nothing of such, and that the party is intact.

    “We reiterate the fact that APC in Lagos State is intact. There is no division. I’ve heard some people conspiring to present a situation of division in the party in Lagos but let me assure you that it is just the coming together of adversaries which will have no effect on the party,” Tinubu said.

    Besides, he said the party at the State level also passed a resolution commending the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for taking decisive actions to save the party and the nation from any embarrassment.

    Tinubu said, “We commend his efforts; we stand with him; and we stand with all members of our party,” just as the party commended all the steps taken so far by APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

    The party equally urged members to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) before the expiration of registration deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In his remarks, the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode commended Tinubu for kick-starting the revolution for direct primaries, saying the process would go a long way to deepen democracy in the country.

    “There is no better time to appreciate our National Leader (Tinubu) than now. What we have just witnessed is the beginning of a revolution about the deepening of democracy in Nigeria. People might not understand what is going on but we are giving power to the people and it is starting from APC.

    “So, we want to collectively say a big thank you to Asiwaju for championing this silent revolution and it is very simple; what we are saying is that if we know that Lagos State is truly controlled by APC, we would champion a revolution that has never been witnessed before in this country and that means each member of our great party will now determine who becomes the President of this country and by so doing, we create the championship that Lagos State has the votes and Lagos State has the numbers to make things happen in this country,” the Governor said

    He said the party in the State, with the development, was laying a solid foundation, and that the onus was now on others to build on it and allow Nigeria arrive at its destined destination.

    According to the Governor, “So, for us to say that all the people should go and get their membership card, is going to now determine how many of us are really APC members. We want to determine what really controls political positions in this country and whoever has gone to defect, we are saying that there are no defectors in Lagos State and defection is a major loss to whoever has defected.

    “By the time we count ourselves; by the time we count all the members of APC in Lagos State, other parties will understand where APC is going and that is the assignment for all of us. Each member will get a minimum of 100 new members and by the time we do our count, we should be so sure that that is what should happen in other States and we would deliver the next general presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari by the grace of God,” Governor Ambode said.

    The meeting was well attended by chieftains and members of the party across the State.

  • ‘We shall begin test run in October’

    Dr Taiwo Salaam, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, speaks with ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE on the Bus Reform Initiative. He says a testrun of the initiative, which will revolutionise the state’s transportation architecture, will take off before the end of the year.

    Mercedes Benz would be deklivering 200 buses to Lagos by monthend. Can you shed light on this?

    The buses being expected are connected to his Excellency’s bus reform initiative, which is going to revolutionise transportation architecture in the country. Under the initiative, he intends to bring in 5000 buses. In the first phase, he would bring 800 buses; so the 200 buses that are being expected from Brazil this month end is part of the 800 that would be part of the first tranche. The buses would be coming into the state in tranches. A couple of months ago, the state took delivery of some buses, which are sitting at the Ikeja terminal. They are part of the first tranche and part of the 800, which the state is injecting into the system.

    How many buses do we have on ground?

    I do not have the details right now. But the plan is to take delivery of the 800 buses before the roll out in October. As you can imagine, they would be coming in tranches. The plan is to have the last batch before October.

    How many of the terminals are ready?

    We have two that are ready, which are the TBS and Ikeja. We have others that are in the final stage, for instance the one at Oyingbo is almost completed, the one at Yaba is also almost completed. You have others that are ongoing at Berger, NAHCO, Agege, and Oshodi. Oshodi is going to be completed before the end of the year and it is actually the flagship of the terminals in Lagos. It is in a very advanced stage and the plan is to have all thse infrastructure ready pending when the full operation would kick off. The terminals are the heart of the reform and you need to have all these in place before the buses roll out.

    When will the buses begin operation?

    We must ensure that we have all the critical elements ready before we start full operation. Without this critical operation in place, the roll out may get into avoidable hitches. We also must understand that there should be a pilot stage. You will appreciate that a project of this magnitude must have a pilot phase where you will have the opportunity to address all gray areas and a proper evaluation of the entire operation. The plan is to kick off with a pilot latest by quarter four of the year. By that time, we expect to have a critical chunk of the entire project in place in terms of having the number of buses needed for the first phase, with the drivers well-trained and we would have put in place an enabling technology to drive the whole process. In terms of timing, we are looking at quarter four. We would run the pilot phase, take our learnings, get the commuters buy in and begin the critical advocacy to promote the new phase.

  • 157 inmates set to write WASSCE, as two pursue PhD

    The Lagos Prisons Command says education behind bars is getting more interesting with two of its inmates already pursuing their PhDs at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

    The Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr Tunde Ladipo disclosed this in an interview with our reporter, on Monday in Lagos.

    According to him, there is a renewed interest in education among the inmates across the various prisons in the state.

    He said that the progress and courage exhibited by the two PhD inmates at the maximum prison had sparked off a new zeal for academic pursuit among other inmates.

    “The command is committed in ensuring that no inmate is left behind in terms of education, as this is part of the reformation we are carrying out.

    “Sometime around May or June, two of the inmates who have acquired their Masters degrees enrolled for their PhD in the newly established National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) centre at the Kirikiri facility.

    “One of the inmates is studying Business Management and the other, Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the Vice Chancellor of the NOUN who personally presented them with the letter approving their PhD courses said it is tuition free.

    “To us, this is ground breaking and very encouraging, as they have shown that they are not limited by the situation they find themselves. And that is part of the essence of our on-going reformation across the prisons.

    “As a result of this, the command is also witnessing an increase of enrollment of inmates into various categories of learning at the various prisons schools.

    “We are indeed happy with the establishment of the new NOUN centre at the Kirikiri Prison, with state-of-the art facilities such as ultra modern and well stocked library, computers and air conditioners,” Ladipo told our reporter.

    According to him, a total of 157 inmates across the prisons in the state have registered for the upcoming second series of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.

    Giving a breakdown of the statistics of the inmates from the various facilities, he said that 91 of the inmates were from the Ikoyi Prisons, 12 from the Female Prisons, 14 from from the Medium and 40 from the Maximum Prisons.

    Ladipo said that preparations were in top gear for the examination at the various facilities, to ensure that the inmates come out in flying colours.

    Read Also: 44 inmates get Oyo CJ’s pardon

    “I will like to commend the Federal government for its commitment in exposing the inmates to life-changing reforms that are ongoing currently in the prisons, through education and skills acquisition.

    “It is worthy to note that government, through the Controller General of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed, recently donated books to facilities across the country for improved research, teaching and learning for the inmates.

    “This, coupled with the new facilitators we have engaged to complement the existing ones in facilities, will go a long way in improving the performance of the inmates during the WASSCE examination.

    “Aside intervention from the Federal government in preparing the inmates for the examination, a bank also presented cash donation as well as some fans, in an effort to upgrade the facilities for conducive teaching and learning,” he said.

    The state controller said that empowering the inmates with education would go a long way in restoring confidence in them, as well as make them less dependent persons, whenever they regained freedom.

  • Lagos urged to move against roadblock

    A group, the Concern Citizens of Lagos, has urged the Lagos State government to move against roadblock and other hindrance of vehicles on Lagos Island.

    It said the hindrance was caused by commercial motorcyclists (okada riders), who have taken over the roads.

    The group’s Chairman, Mr Saheed Aderoju, who hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his transformation agenda, said: “We thank our amiable governor for the great work he has done in Lagos since he assumed power. With him in the saddle, Lagos is really working.

    “We urge the government and other stakeholders to move against the nuisance okada riders on Lagos Island, especially at Idumota under bridge, are causing everyday. “They make the place inaccessible during peak periods. We will be glad if the government intervenes. It should clear the place to ease traffic jam, which hinders movement of vehicles.”

    He said millions of naira were lost in traffic jam everyday due to unnecessary gridlock caused by commercial motorcyclists.

    The body enjoins youths to be law-abiding as the general election approaches.

    It pledged its support for the Ambode administration.

    The non-profit making group was established a few years ago to serve as a watchdog against vices in Lagos and its environs, especially Lagos Island.

  • Lagos charges parents on children’s health, education

    Parents and guardians have been urged  to feed their children and wards with nutritious foods. That way, their cognitive abilities will be well developed and their academic liives improved, the Lagos State Ministry of Education Director of Administration and Human Resource, Mrs. Folashade Lediju,  has said.

    Mrs Lediju, who represented the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule spoke at the ninth  Astymin children academic reward programme- Astymin Brilliance Reward held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    She commended Fidson Healthcare Plc for its commitment to the academic development of children through the company’s Astymin brand yearly flagship programme, Astymin Brilliance Reward.

    Mrs Adebule said Astymin’s contribution to the development of education and academic performance of the child was commendable. She said  Fidson and its Astymin brand are investing in the future of the nation through the provision of educational materials to the leaders of tomorrow, the kids.

    Mrs Adebule noted Fidson’s consistency in supporting children’s educational development in the past nine years.

    “It is good to know that this beautiful programme has been on for the past nine years. We want to encourage Fidson to continue to soar higher and higher. May the Lord continue to empower and enable them. We must also commend their focus on primary education, which is indeed, the foundation for educational development. We all know that once the foundation is solid, definitely, success is assured,” she said.

    Mrs Adebule also noted that Astymin as a food supplement is very important for every growing child, adding: “Once the children are healthy, they will be able to channel their energy into developing themselves, their education will not be a problem because only a healthy and sound mind will be able to access education and develop with it.’’

    Also, the Director of Co-Curricular Department, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Hakeem Olushola Olalekan, expressed gratitude to Astymin for the reward programme.

    “We are very grateful to Astymin for this brilliant reward. This is an encouragement to the pupils, teachers as well as their parents who put in so much effort to ensure their kids work hard and perform excellently in their academics,”, he said.

    The Astymin Brilliance Reward started in 2010.

    This year’s edition was attended by the best graduating pupils from about 210 private and public schools across the south-west and Southeast, as well as parents, teachers and stakeholders in the educational system.

     

    The Astymin brand recognised and rewarded the kids with certificates of excellence and valuable prizes, which were presented by Mrs. Lediju, Mr Hakeem Olusola Olalekan, Mrs. Ismail Morenike and other dignitaries and officials at the event.

    This year’s ABR event was colourfully adorned in an atmosphere of fun, friendship, sharing, networking andexcitement. The kids, as well as their parents, had so much fun with lots of music, dance, with so much to eat and drink.

    This edition of ABR is an evidence of Fidson’s unrelenting commitment to supporting the kids in all their academic endeavours, through its Astymin brand. This is in line with the corporate brand promise of valuing lives. It is the company’s attempt to bring back the glory days of Nigerian’s education by throwing its weight behind the children’s drive for academic excellence.

     

  • Lagos okays N466.85m for 187 retirees

    The Lagos State government said it has credited N466.85 million to the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of 187 of its retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for  last month.

    More retirees from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) benefited from this batch.

    Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke, said despite the paucity of funds, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode  ensured that he released funds monthly for their entitlements.

    He said 9,401 retirees had been paid about N38.5 billion.

    LASPEC Director-General, Mrs. Folasade Onanuga, said the government would continue to play the mother-hen role.

    She advised retirees on the importance of putting their houses in order in case of any eventuality by ensuring that they wrote their wills while they were alive.

    She also advised them to be active in retirement, because the more they moved around, the better for their health.

    Speaking on behalf of the others, two of the retirees, Mr. Orisayomi Olafemi and Mrs. C. B. Adewole commended Ambode  for accelerating the payment of their entitlements, which they said could not be compared with what obtained in other states.

     

  • 2019: Lagos APC unveils leadership programme for youths

    …says Its time for youths to have positive mindset about politics

    As the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections, the youth wing of the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a leadership conference to change the mindset of the youths to politics and governance.

    APC Youth Leader in the State, Mr Omotayo Sanyaolu, in a statement yesterday, said the leadership conference was part of activities lined up to celebrate the International Youth Day slated for August 12, 2018.

    He said the conference, with the theme, “Youths As Catalyst In National Development,” will take place on August 12, 2018 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja by 11am prompt, adding that the principal objective of the programme was to equip youths with basic leadership skills as the country is set for a crucial electioneering process in 2019.

    According to Sanyaolu, “For us in the Lagos APC, we believe that it is time for the youths to have positive mindset about politics and governance and that is the main idea behind the conference. We have lined up great speakers across broad spectrum of the polity to share ideas and experiences with the youths with the focus to arouse their interest and participation in the political process.

    “This is a programme to mark the International Youth Day which falls on the 12th of August and we just decided to bring the youths together through a leadership conference to change their orientation to politics as well as their mindset to how the political terrain and arena looks like.

    “By the conference, we are also telling the youths of our readiness to give them a sense of belonging in the scheme of affairs,” Sanyaolu said.

    He added that about 3,000 youths drawn from tertiary, political and religious institutions as well as the civil society organizations in the State, among others are expected to participate at the conference.

    Speakers listed to address the conference include a Special Representative to the United Nations and strong advocate of the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Campaign in Africa, Dayo Israel; social entrepreneur and human development expert, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji; young eloquent politician and another strong advocate of ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Campaign, Temitope Adewale and vibrant members of Lagos State House of Assembly – Jimi Lai Mohammed and Moji Lawal Meranda.

    Others are Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mayor Dele Oshinowo; and Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Hon Sesan Daini, while the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon Agboola Dabiri is to serve as Chief Host.

  • Two in court for stealing laptop, phone

    Two men, Michael Ibironke, 21, and Azeez Adedeji, 28, who allegedly burgled a house and stole a laptop and a phone, valued at N253,000 were on Monday docked before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Ibironke, an electrician; and Adedeji, a bet 9ja agent; both residing at No 8, Bode St., Agege, Lagos, are being tried for burglary, conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Victor Eruada, told the court that the offences were committed on July 7 at the same address.

    Eruada said that the accused burgled the room of one Mr Michael Adeleye and carted away a laptop and mobile phone valued at N253, 000.

    “The duo gained access to the room of the complainant through the burglar proof of the window.

    Read Also: Two in court for alleged gang rape

    “The duo stole a laptop and a mobile phone kept in the house,’’ Eruada said.

    The prosecutor said that the accused succeeded in stealing the items and were about escaping when they were caught by other neighbours.

    The offences contravened Sections 287, 306 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused, however, entered a not guilty plea.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Dan-Oni adjourned the case until Aug.20, for mention.

  • Buhari not materialistic – Oba Akiolu

    says Obasanjo’s party is dead on arrival
    Oba of Lagos, Riliwanu Akiolu I has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is not a materalistic public officer.
    He stated this while addressing a-3-day Conference of Speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Lagos yesterday as part of activities for the 2018 Conference of Speakers which commenced in Friday in Lagos.
    The speakers were led by the chairman of the conference and speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hons. Ismaila Kamba and Mudashiru Obasa respectively.
    He said, “God loves this country and we are very lucky. My appeal to you, my sons and daughters is that let peace return to this country. Nigeria is not going to break. If all of us will cooperate together, Nigeria will move forward. We are all one and we should regard ourselves as that.
    “If you watch the life of President Buhari, he is not materialistically minded like the other people. Cooperate with the national government. I believe in the corporate existence of Nigeria,” Akiolu urged the speakers on the challenges facing Buhari’s administration.
    Saying that former president Olusegun Obasanjo political party was dead on arrival, AKiolu said Obasanjo is a very intelligent and hard-working man but he is also very wicked.
    The Oba, who noted that politicians were the same, urged Nigerians to watch as 2019 elections approaches.
    Urging the speakers to see the giant strides of the Lagos Assembly and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Akiolu said that number one problem of Lagos was the concession of Apapa Port.
    The Oba, who said that Lagos has some peculiar issues added: “I beg all of you, give Lagos Special Status. You have seen our problem. This is not politics”.
    He urged the politicians to have the welfare of the citizens at heart and ensure security of lives and property.
    The Oba, who advocated funding for security agencies, called for cooperation in the area of intelligence for security agencies to end the ongoing security challenges facing the country.
    He commended Ambode for massive investments in security, saying that he had not hidden the fact that Ambode would serve the second term as governor.

    Read also: PDP, Saraki, Dogara, Mark, Atiku condemn planned impeachment

    The traditional ruler urged media practitioners to be professionally and avoid sensational reports in a bid to build a strong and united country.
    Kamba, the Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, said that apart from deliberations on national issues, the conference would discuss the autonomy for the legislatures.
    Obasa described Akiolu as a mentor, counsellor, father and benefactor, who had dedicated his life to public service.
    Obasa, who noted that the state was hosting the conference of Speakers for the second time, said that the conference aimed at discussing national issues as it affects various states.
    He said that Akiolu had worked to ensure peace and tranquility in the state, noting that the Oba has contributed immensely to the states’ political development.
    He urged other speakers to support the quest for special status for Lagos State.

  • Air Force drill personnel, hold 10-km walk in Lagos

    The Nigerian Air Force(NAF) on Saturday drilled its personnel and conducted a 10-km walk and jogging, aimed at keeping the staff fit to tackle security challenges in the country.

    The Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ekeh, who led the exercise from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Lagos, said that the walk would foster unity and develop all round physical fitness.

    He added that “as NAF personnel, it is very important that we are physically fit to be able to tackle challenges confronting us.

    “This is why we do this exercise annually just to keep our personnel in shape.

    “We must not relent in our effort at ensuring that physical fitness occupies a satisfactory standard in our routine programmes.”

    Ekeh urged the officers to always undergo physical training to keep fit and be combat-ready at all times.

    According to him, the walk and jogging are important moments for NAF and are marked yearly.

    He reiterated the force’s readiness to solve the country’s security challenges.

    No fewer than 500 officers and men participated in the exercise, which took off from Sam Ethnan Airforce Base, Ikeja, about 8 a.m. through local and international airport and back to the Base.

    Senior military officers, both serving and retired, as well as officers from other security agencies participated in the exercise.