The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lawmaker

  • Protesters want detained lawmaker released

    Protesters want detained lawmaker released

    Some youths in Ekiti State yesterday staged a peaceful protest to condemn the continued detention of the House of Assembly member representing Efon, Afolabi Akanni, by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Acting under the aegis of the state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), they converged on Fajuyi Park from where they marched on some major streets of the town.

    They called on the DSS to release Akanni immediately to prevent what they called “possible death in custody”.

    Led by the state NYCN Chairman, Olumide Fasuba, the protesters claimed that the protest was not politically motivated but a call for justice to prevail.

    Some of their placards read: “DSS release Akanni now”; “Nigeria belongs to all of us” and “Gov. Fayose is our man”.

    Fasuba said Akanni’s continued detention without trial was undemocratic, describing it as impunity.

    “This is a peaceful protest and we are gathered to express our displeasure on the continue keeping of our lawmaker in DSS custody.

    “This demonstration is against the impunity, abduction and detention of our lawmaker. It is Akanni today and it can be anybody tomorrow, it can even be you or me.

    “We, therefore, call for his release. He must not die in custody.”

    Corroborating Fasuba, the President of Hausa Community in Ekiti, Nuhu Lawal, urged the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.

    “We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to kindly intervene in the matter, so that the detained lawmaker could regain his freedom unconditionally.

    “DSS should act according to the constitution. Release Akanni or charge him to court, if he has committed any crime.

    “We do not want the current peace being enjoyed in Ekiti to be tampered with,” Lawal said.

  • APC blasts Fayose, aides over ‘dead’ lawmaker controversy

    APC blasts Fayose, aides over ‘dead’ lawmaker controversy

    The Ekiti State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed Governor Ayo Fayose and his aides for allegedly employing lies and falsehood to create tension and divert attention from alleged crimes against the constitution and the people.

    The party said the claim of the Fayose administration that the lawmaker representing Efon, Afolabi Akanni, has died in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) was an attempt to blackmail the Federal Government.

    In a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the APC said three other lawmakers declared “missing” by the House of Assembly are hiding in Fayose’s home in Afao-Ekiti.

    The APC said the recent claim by Fayose’s men that DSS officers invaded the House of Assembly “was one in the series of the governor’s shameless lies to set Nigerians against the security agency.”

    According to the party, this is even after security report and workers of the Assembly had said “there was no invasion and shooting anywhere”.

    “The spreading of the rumour of Akanni’s death bore the mark of usual blackmail stunts by the governor to create tension among the people to cause mayhem.

    ”This is to divert attention from his alleged criminal acts, including court invasion to beat up a judge, attacks on the opposition and criminal manipulation of electoral process that gave him victory.”

    Olatunbosun urged Nigerians not to see Fayose’s behaviour as a standard conduct among Ekiti people.

    “The governor’s special behaviour is the price of electing ‘unserious people’ into honourable positions of authority.”

  • Alake, Awujale’s feud not in Yoruba’s interest – lawmaker

    Alake, Awujale’s feud not in Yoruba’s interest – lawmaker

    The lawmaker representing Epe Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Segun Olulade has expressed displeasure over the current supremacy feud between the Alake of Egba-Land, Oba Israel Adedotun Gbadebo and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

    Olulade said the show of class among the first class and highly placed Obas in Yorubaland is uncalled for at a moment when the nation is battling with more serious national issues ranging from poor state of economy to security issue and Mr. President’s relentless fight against corruption and indiscipline in the country.

    Olulade said there are better roles for royal class to play at this trying moment than to engage in fruitless royal battle that is of no immediate or remote benefit to the Yorubaland, our people and the nation.

    “The royal thrones are our sacred authorities in Yorubaland which we hold in high esteem; taking them to the public place for disgrace and insults are disgraceful to the entire Yorubaland and uncalled for,” Olulade said.

    He, however, appealed to the two royal fathers to sheath their swords and engage in royal responsibilities that brings honour, dignity and development to their people and the Yoruba race.

    He also applauded the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Enitan for playing unifying role among the Obas in Yorubaland and providing empowerment for the people to support government’s efforts at achieving sound economic growth and development.

    “I have the highest number of royal fathers in my constituency in Lagos State or possibly in the entire country, but there is peace because the Obas are very conscious of the current situation of our country and the need to help promote peace and harmony in the land.

    “The Yoruba race earns its global respects from the refined class of its royal authorities and it will be so unfortunate to see same dragged in the mud for mere supremacy fight. Every royal father should administer its constituency with best practices in leadership rather than cross-carpet fight over who is higher than the other.

    “The royal authorities all have histories that make each unique; therefore, the best way to show supremacy is in deploying exemplary leadership and not in media war and unhealthy fight amongst the royal father,” he added.

  • Lawmaker gives N5m to 250 traders

    The lawmaker representing Ibadan North East/South East in the House of Representatives, Adedapo Lam-Adesina, has given N5 million to 250 women, traders and artisans.

    The event took place at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The beneficiaries who collected N20,000 each, were drawn from markets, associations and religious bodies within the wards in the constituency.

    According to Lam-Adesina, the gesture was not based on party affiliation but for every indigene of his constituency, adding that it was meant to also celebrate the 2016 International Women’s Day.

    He said the gesture was aimed at reducing youth restiveness and poverty in the society, noting that it is not a loan and does not attract collateral or interest rate.

    According to him, “This is meant to thank the people for the show of love and support during elections. It is also meant to empower our people economically and make their lives meaningful.

    “It will be a thing of joy to see all the beneficiaries doing well with these donations. We would continue to sustain this initiative that is why we urge the beneficiaries to make judicious use of this opportunity to better their lives.”

  • Lawmaker laments undue delay, manipulation of corruption trials

    Lawmaker laments undue delay, manipulation of corruption trials

    The lawmaker repre-senting Epe Consti-tuency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade, has said that the unending legal prosecutions in high profile corruption cases in the country may prevent Nigerians from seeing a nation of their dream anytime soon.

    Olulade, who is Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, stated this while reacting to what he described as “snail trials” concerning high profile corruption cases in the country.

    He explained that Nigerians are very pessimistic that justice will be done in the on-going series of trials of high magnitude crime, which has affected thousands of lives in near genocide situations.

    According to him, “It is disheartening that in spite of the stern body language of President Muhammadu Buhari against corruption and criminal acts, the judiciary will determine whether the nation will witness a turn-around from the status quo whereby trials last endlessly without anyone becoming a deterrent for committing grievous offences against the nation and humanity.”

    While pointing out that he does not believe in jungle justice; Olulade lamented that undue delay and manipulations of trials to create escape for perpetrators by systematic judicial delay of sensitive and celebrated cases are worse than the crimes committed by the actual culprits.

    “I am still hesitant to say I have absolute confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system because the common man on the street defines confidence in the judicial system as ability to see a guilty person serve jail term like James Ibori is doing in London after been pronounced guilty, a situation that is yet to happen in Nigeria on any high profile and celebrated cases in the country.”

    He said strong evidences against the likes of Col. Sambo Dasuki, Olisa Metuh, Abah Moro and host of others, are enough for the judiciary to decide their matters without over-stretching the trials.

    “If we want a new Nigeria to emerge, the judicial system is a bridge to cross. There are fair judges and there are judges that are reputable for snail speed in trying criminals in Nigeria. Nigerians are waiting for a nation that will be premised on fairness, justice and hope for every citizen,” he added.

  • PDP has no future in Lagos, says lawmaker

    PDP has no future in Lagos, says lawmaker

    Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi is the former Secretary of the Lagos State Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Special Adviser to the former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain is representing Ojo Constituency 11 in the House of Assembly. He spoke with ENITAN SERIKI on the Ambode administration, the controversy over the proposed council poll, the anti-graft battle and other issues. 

    How have you fulfilled your mandate to your constituency as a member of the House of Assembly?

    If you are looking for the mandate of any member, first  and foremost,  the most critical of it is a state wide mandate not limited to the constituency and that is ensuring that we make good laws that will enhance a better standard of living for our people; laws that will engender good governance and ensure the provision of adequate  social amenities to the people because that is the essence of governance . The welfare and security of the people  is what is upper most to governance. But, if we now want to narrow it down to the constituency, we would be saying what impact have I brought  in terms of employment generation for my constituency, in terms of empowerment, in  terms of ensuring and also influencing the provision of social amenities from the state to my people and I think in all of these, I have done so well. The truth of the matter is that my fulfillment of the mandate gave the constituency the confidence to give me a second term in the House of Assembly.

    What are the problems of your constituency  which you have articulated on the floor of the House?

    Our problem  might be peculiar to our constituency in some circumstances, but in all of the general circumstances is the usual problem of accessible road and there  are on-going  road projects, which are expected to be completed in no distant time. Of course, we know that the problem of unemployment is a very big one. It is a problem that  is confronting our youths in the constituency and we also talk about the protection of life and property. Recently, we had some upsurge in crime rate, but we thank God that the governor has put  so much money into providing security instruments and apparatus for the security outfit in Lagos. My constituency is about  55 per cent riverine and 45 per cent upland and I will say that we have a link bridge between the upland and the riverine area. Our riverine communities will be provided with more adequate facilities . There is electricity in some of these communities, but we can do more. Also,  there is lack of adequate schools in our riverine communities and government needs to also provide incentives for  teachers who teach in the riverine communities and the rural areas. These are some of the problems we have raised over time on the floor of the House and I think our government is doing it beautifully in the face of contending requests and demands all over the state for funding of developmental projects.

    How do you access the Ambode administration in the last nine months?

    This administration has done well and I am not saying this because I am an insider. I am saying it because of the evidences  that are on ground. You will see that one of the policy trusts of his administration and campaign promises was that the government was going to address the issue of unemployment, particularly amongst  the  youths in Lagos. In this year’s budget, the governor proposed N 6.5 billion for employment trust fund. The programme of street is on. Lagos is beginning to wear a new look. Thus, the city is safer now at night. The 24-hour economy is being brought back. Also, the government is  doing so much in the direction of ensuring that we provide employment for youths. For example, in education, the teaching profession would  witness  the recruitment of 1,500 teachers in the primary schools. Other sectors like LASTMA, the fire service, just to make sure we open up the space and create opportunities for a lot of people to have one job or the other. These are some of the things that the government is doing. Beyond that, government is looking at the fire sector to give them enough equipment and resources. So,  the government is doing a lot to make sure that it surpasses the previous performance of the former administration. Ambode has a very good rating, an above average performance. At the the local government level, the government has also kick-started the construction of 114 roads, that is, two roads per local government /LCDA. If you look at the Alimisho axis , the Ikorodu axis ,virtually everywhere in the state, the government is making sure that on-going projects are completed and new ones are started . So, this is a government  that is focused and determined to make sure that we improve upon the rating that Lagos has had as a Center of Excellence .

    The PDP is boasting that they will take over from the APC in Lagos in the next election. What is your opinion?

    Well , it is a pipe dream as far as I am concerned. They are used to boasting. In the past, they boasted that they will rule Nigeria for 60 years. But, that has collapsed. They have boasted that they will capture Lagos before and up to now, they keep falling like a pack of cards.  So, I think that the PDP, as it is now, is a completely disoriented party. It is a party that is in total disarray and Idon’t know what surgery can be performed on that party. Nigerians have not forgotten the corruption that has prevailed these country in the last five and the half years ,we see mind whooping amount of money that PDP sternwards have carted away from the treasure of these country so Nigeria don’t forget easily and you now think that Nigeria will want to return that kind of government into power no it just a pipe  dream like i said and it will never manifest

    How prepared is APC for the local government election

    If you talking about the preparation of the party, I would say the party will speak to that. But, I know with the benefit of insight and as a leader in the party, we are always prepared  for any election any day and any time. We have the structure, linkage, network to win elections in Lagos. So, we are fully prepared for the local government elections and a lot of people are really looking forward to it. The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission has also approach the House wanting to amend certain parts, of the law and particularly the one that talks about the issuances of notice of election. They want to change that from 60 days to 90 days.

    That is the pipe line and, prior to now, we never had appeal tribunal they also have to look at that so that they can give more window for opportunity of fear hearing by people whom I want to appeal against their  lost at election so we are  look how to help amend these areas that  they are bringing for now and once we are able to do that for LASEC and the government give it the back up and of cause INEC that is suppose to issue LASEC with the voters register do so, I want to believe that we should be able to hold local government election this year

    What your position on the anti-corruption battle of the Federal Government

    I think it very good if we must bring Nigeria out of the woods ,the state of our economy  is near comer tones and it is mind bugling .the amount of money that has been stolen from the coffers of these country which ordinarily should have gone to provide infrastructure and made life better for the average Nigerian  so i think the president is doing well because if you look at our national budget , how do we fund all of these proposal that we are talking about and what is our internally generated revenue capacity ,we are looking at borrowing to also serves the budgets and i was also help when the EFCC chairman said we have gotten billion of stolen funds have being recovered and i think is good for our country if the government should go ahead and fight corruption headlong and make sure that everybody that has stolen the resources of these country should be brought to justices and be made to account for  every penny they have stolen because it is that way we can provide infrastructure in electricity ,road ,good education even the one bill per day that  the federal government is proposing children in school is realizable if we have the fund so these are some of the fund that are here that i think that the corruption drive of the federal government is commendable and any Nigerian who fails to support it is not a patriotic Nigerian.

    What have being your achievement so far

    i have  done a lot of empowerment to my constituency , i am an accomplished political leader , i empowered widows, i have assisted  the student ,i have provided assistance to many of my constituency and have being to commandeer  state president in my constituency in some areas for examples ,the state government have provided transformer to some communities who are n need of it and distributed free life jacket to the riverine area ,some of our schools are also getting  state presence in the area of information technology and provision of solar power in electricity option

     

     

     

     

  • Lawmaker leads disabled on walk for life

    Lawmaker leads disabled on walk for life

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Desmond Elliot has led women, the physically-challenged and youths of his Surulere Constituency 1 on walk for life, good health and vitality.

    He said the walk would keep the people fit to contribute their quota to the progress and development of the constituency in particular and state in general.

    The almost two-hour walk began at 9:30 in the morning at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere trasversing through Ojulegba, Masha and finally ending at the stadium.

    During the walk, paramedics and other health officials were on hand in case of any emergency, even though there was no incident suggestive of danger throughout the walk.

    The trekkers gyrated and danced to the rhythm of music emanating from mobile speakers during the walk.

    On why he organised the walk, Elliot said: “A couple of months ago, I was very ill due to overweight. Adhering strictly to doctor’s advice, I had to design a method to shed weight. This was one of the methods I adopted.”

    The lawmaker explained that leading the people on the walk for life and vitality was in response to medical prescription.

    “A lot of people get ill because they did not take their health seriously.’’

    He said apart from the walk, the paramedics equally carried out various tests and prescribed drugs to the people.

    “They do the heart test to know if their blood is circulating properly. They tests were to ensure they do not have hypertension, their sight is good, breathing and hearing are functioning optimally. This is basically to make sure that we have a healthy Surulere,” he said.

    Elliot gave kudos to the women for coming out en masse to participate in the programme, noting that the inspiration to embrace the women folk for the exercise came from his wife.

    “My wife is the main motivator of the programme and that is why it is good to marry someone who is good. When we do something, we should always seek the advice of the women because they are our mothers,” he said.

    The lawmaker, who personally wheeled some of the physically-challenged persons during the walk, explained that he had set up skill acquisition and empowerment programme for them.

    “Nigerians should try and enhanc the well-being of the less-privileged. Nothing gives pleasure than making people happy through the provision of empowerment programmes and other facilities,” he said.

    One of the participants, Edo State-born physically-challenged Short-put Silver medal holder, Hanah Ogie said the lawmaker is a true friend of the disabled people.

    “For me, the walk is lovely even though I am physically-challenged. We have to thank the Hon. who facilitated the walk. There are Nigerians who are well placed, but who have not thought it wise to make impact in the lives of the physically-challenged persons.

    “He has organised empowerment programme to make life easy for us. He should equally fight for us through the enabling laws. For instance, when I was coming, I had to pay extra money for a taxi cab to bring me here.

    “Nigerian commercial drivers most of the time don’t like            carrying us to where we are going to. We will appreciate it if a law could be passed to make life easy for us,’’ she said.

    Another trekker, Mrs Jokotade Olayori said: “Elliot is doing a good job. I appreciate his efforts to make us feel like human. We also Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

    “The test and medication are useful. I was given a pair of eye glasses. I had tested positive for diabetes, and my BP is high. So, they recommended medicine for me to reduce it.

    “They made me to know that my cholesterol is high and advised me on what to eat. I thank the lawmaker for the opportunity,” she said.

  • Lawmaker empowers 300 constituents

    Lawmaker empowers 300 constituents

    No fewer than 300 women and youths selected from Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency in Ondo State have benefited from a five-day skill acquisition programme organised for rural people.

    The training, which was sponsored by the lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde and coordinated by Prince Timothy Korede was aimed at complementing government’s efforts in reducing the rate of unemployment in the society.

    Beneficiaries of the programme are trained on various skills such as making of body and hair cream, kampala making (four different types); juice processing (four different types), soap manufacture, hot drinks, hydrogen peroxide, spirit production, hand set repairs, manufacturing of television antenna, air freshener, stove tread and making of liquid soap.

    While speaking with Southwest Report, Kolawole, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said available statistics revealed that unemployment rate in Nigeria is increasing geometrically and if urgent intervention is not made to reverse the trend, it may induce social upheavals and increase criminality in the society.

    The lawmaker noted that skill acquisition programme was one of the interventionist schemes designed to fill the gap in the nation’s quest to stem the tide of unemployment, encourage manpower development initiative and self -reliance.

    He said: “We recognise that skills don’t depend solely upon a person’s fundamental innate capabilities but must be honed and developed through training, practise and experience.”

    He said the fact that formal education alone could not address the challenging menace of poverty and unemployment inspired him to contribute his own quota on ways to reduce unemployment rate.

    Kolawole however said there are arrangements to support those trainees financially so that it would be easy for them to establish themselves after training.

    He also said those trainees are expected to train others in their communities and wards on what they have learnt during the five-day programme.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Gbenga Ogunbi commended Kolawole who he said was the first lawmaker ever produced in the constituency that has not distanced himself from the electorate after election.

    Ogunbi said the programme would make many people self-reliant rather than chasing after white collar jobs.

  • ‘Ikpeazu, lawmaker can help me’

    ‘Ikpeazu, lawmaker can help me’

    Knowing there is dignity in labour, Mr Sunday Ezema, who is paralysed in one leg, rides a tricycle to earn his keep. In this chat with SUNNY NWANKWO, he says he can do with some help from the Abia State government or a lawmaker cum philanthropist. 

    He lost the use of his right leg after an injection and cannot walk except with crutches.  Still, Mr Sunday Ezema, who hails from Opi, Nsukka, Enugu State, will not sit and moan or beg. He learnt to ride a tricycle and soon acquired one with which he ferries passengers round Aba, the commercial heart of Abia State.

    His parents, he said, are peasant farmers back “in the village,” as he put it.

    He also spoke about his deformity, saying, “This condition happened  when I was small; that was at the age of 10. I took ill and was taken to a clinic to be given injection and after that, the deformation set in. the injection was given to me in my village.”

    He said he could not afford to go to school “because my parents are poor; they didn’t have the money to train me. I stopped at Primary Five…I came to [Aba to] hustle like others, at least to see how I could make both ends meet and be useful to myself. I came to Aba in 2010. I was leaving with one of my brothers who encouraged me to learn how to repair phones. I was doing that until I met someone that wants to sell his keke and indicated my interest, at least to gradually be paying him and he accepted. I started driving this keke in 2013.”

    How much does he make in a day?

    “Due to my condition, I don’t work in the morning. You see that I have to cross my leg to enable me apply the brake, so I usually find it strenuous to start working from morning hours. What I do is that, I start working between 3pm and 4pm and close for the day as soon as my leg start paining me. So, sometimes, I make between N1,500 and N3,000  that depends on the level of patronage for the day and the much my strength can carry me.”

    Would he stop riding the keke if he got any help?

    “Yes,” he replied, “because it gives me great pain and stress driving this keke. I am using this opportunity to thank the Governor of the state, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu for  what he is doing to transform Aba. I want the governor of the state and the member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon.  Ossy Prestige who I have been hearing all the good things he has been doing for the people he is representing to please come to my help and assist me. Prestige has been touching the lives of people in Aba North and South and I want to also be part of the lives that he will touch.”

    What would he do if government or individuals came to his aid?

    “If I get help from the governor, Prestige or any other individual, I will like to open up a shop. I will like to open up a boutique or provision store. All I want is to get a shop where I can stay and be doing business to be getting small money.

    “I am the first male child of my family. We are five in number; three girls and two boys. And you know that as the first son, I need to take care of them and others. One of my sisters is married, but unfortunately, she and her husband are not that financially buoyant. It is putting more pressure on me and my health condition has not being helpful for me to fend for myself and other members of the family.

    “So, I will be very glad if the governor, Prestige and others will look my way and I promise to make judicious use of whatever they would give or provide for me.”

     

  • Lawmaker cares for the needy in Abia

    Lawmaker cares for the needy in Abia

    The lawmaker representing Aba North and South at the House of Representatives has brought relief to the poor and ailing members of his constituency. On his 51st birthday, Hon. Ossy Prestige funded a medical outreach programme which involved blood pressure checks, eye and dental exams, among other procedures. Some were treated or given eyeglasses, some drugs, some referred to better equipped facilities.

    The outreach took place in Aba while the beneficiaries were drawn from communities in Aba North and South Federal constituency, though some from neighbouring Obingwa, Osisioma, Ugwunagbo also turned up.

    At the end of the event, about 100 persons were scheduled for eye surgery in Aba while those with complicated or serious cases were referred to various hospitals where they will be attended to.

    The beneficiaries said that it was the first time a lawmaker would celebrate with the poor in their constituency.

    They also called on other elected representatives and well-to-do to emulate Prestige.

    The lawmaker also announced his plan to sponsor eight members of the constituency for this year’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

    He said, “I felt that I should have my birthday with this category of people who are bedridden; those who are sick in Aba North and South Federal Constituency where I represent at the Federal House of Representatives, so as to give them hope and sense of belonging, that they have not been forgotten. These are the calibre of people that I want to celebrate my birthday with, because I felt that they would not have the best of life if they were on their various sick beds. I know that when they are healthy, they will thank God and that is part of the way I want to return the glory to God who has kept me alive and healthy until this period. My expectations are that a lot of people will go home healthier than they came.”