The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lawmaker

  • Group lauds lawmaker

    A group under the aegis of People’s Mandate has lauded Hon Tajudeen Obasa representing Ojo Federal Constituency for implementing people oriented programmes in the area.

    Speaking through its coordinator, Mr Isiah Micheal, the group said: “Obasa’s style of leadership, channels of expression and the feedback mechanism which he adopted to feel the pulse of the good people of his constituency is exemplary.

    “As a first timer, we can categorically tell the world we are impressed with his representation because he is on track with the promises he made to the electorates.”

     

  • Lawmaker empowers 300 in Ondo

    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 organized mainly for rural people.

    The training, which was sponsored by  a member of House of Representatives, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde and coordinated by Prince Timothy Korede, was  designed in helping the government to reduce the rate of unemployment in the society.

    Beneficiaries of the programme were trained on production of body and hair cream, traditional cloth-dying; soap manufacturing among others.

    Speaking with The Nation, Hon. Kolawole, who is a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), said:” Available statistics revealed that unemployment rate in Nigeria is increasing geometrically and if urgent intervention is not procured to reverse the trend, it may induce social upheavals and increase criminality in the society. ”

  • 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 passing through Ojulegba, Masha and finally ending at the stadium.

    During the walk, paramedics and other health officials were on ground 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.

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

    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 well. 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 womenfolk 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 to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged. Nothing gives pleasure than making people happy through the provision of empowerment 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 refuse 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 stop to take us to where we are going to. We will appreciate 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 work. I must say a big thank you to him and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

    “The test and medication are useful. I was given a pair of eye glasses. I had tested for 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 say a big thank you to the lawmaker for the opportunity,” she said.

     

  • Lawmaker, LASTVEB sign pact to train Epe youths

    Lawmaker, LASTVEB sign pact to train Epe youths

    A lawmaker representing the Epe Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja, Mr Wale Raji, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) to train youths in technical and vocational trades that would make them self-reliant.

    A hundred youths from Epe would learn an array of trades including barbing/hair dressing, masonry, electrical installation, shoe making, mobile phones repair, painting, photography and vulcanizing, within a six-nine month time frame.  They would also gain entrepreneurial/financial training, health and safety and project management skills.

    At the signing held last week at the LASTVEB Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, Raji said the initiative tagged “Hon Wale Raji Youth Empowerment Scheme” (YES) is his response to checking the high rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

    “The rate of youth unemployment at 40 per cent is worrisome – more so as youths account for 70 per cent of our population.  If 40 per cent of 70 per cent are unemployed, it calls for concern of everyone.

    “I am aware of the high rate of unemployment in Epe, Eredo Local Council Development Area and Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA.  I am of the opinion that we should do something to support the government.  That is why we are having this talk with LASTVEB on skills acquisition,” he said.

    Raji said the training would begin at the Government Technical College, Epe, in about three weeks once selection is completed.  He added that those who excel would be empowered with equipment to start small businesses.

    Also speaking, Mr Olawumi Gasper, LASTVEB Executive Secretary praised Raji for the initiative aimed at preparing youths for opportunities that would come when the state government implements its master plan of massive development for Epe.

    “If you have seen the master plan for Lagos, Epe is the new Lagos.  We don’t want to sit and wait for development to happen.  We want to start identifying and training young people for opportunities coming.  That is why this collaboration is dear to our hearts,” he said.

    Gasper, an engineer, noted that after the training, which would span between six andnine  months, those that excel would be presented with three levels of certifications that are recognised by industry.

    “We will certify them.  They will get the Basic Trade Test Certificate, the NABTEB Modular Certificate or the LASTVEB Competency Certificate, any of which can serve them well in the labour market,” he said.

    Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Alhaju Tajudeen Seriki was full of praise for the scheme.  However, he urged that the youths be sensitised to take it seriously.

    “This is a fantastic initiative.  The only problem is that you need to educate our youths becuase they don’t want to work but want money,” he said.

    Principal of  GTC, Epe, Mr Olufemi Olayiwola lauded the initiative, saying it would increase awareness about the training offered by the college and provide opportunity for people seeking to be positively engaged.

     

  • Group condemns sack of Edo lawmaker

    Group condemns sack of Edo lawmaker

    A socio-political group, the League of Young Edo Professionals (LEYEP) has condemned the sacking of Gowon Jerry, the lawmaker representing Etsako West 11 Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Jerry was sacked by the Court of Appeal based in technicalities and declared Sylvanus Eruaga of the Peoples Democratic Party winner of the election.

    The group described the court’s ruling as a miscarriage of justice.

    It said the sacking of the APC lawmaker based on technical issues and not on electoral malpractice or loss of votes was a disservice to the people of Etsako West 11 Constituency.

    A press statement signed by the group’s Secretary-General, Dr. Osatohamwen Nosakhare, the league said the people endured harsh weather conditions and intimidation from all areas to cast their votes for the APC candidate.

    Dr. Nosakhare said it stood reason on its head for the Election Petitions Tribunal to declare a candidate who garnered 4,001 votes winner against that of a candidate who polled 14,373 votes.

    The group noted: “The league of Young Edo Professionals finds it discomfiting that the Tribunal relied on mere technicalities to annul the 14,373 votes legitimately won by Mr. Jerry and gave victory to Mr. Sylvanus who polled a mere 4,001 votes.

    According to the statement, “While we admit that the APC may have erred as it failed to meet the required 21-day sent to INEC to hold its primaries, we make bold to say that the candidate who went through the full electoral process should not have been made to suffer the negligence of a few.

    “The reliance on technicalities to nullify the 14,373 votes freely given to Gowon Jerry by the good people of Etsako West 11 is therefore a travesty of justice.

    “It is disheartening that the PDP and its candidate are celebrating the nullification of votes freely given to another candidate when they should hide their heads in shame for the poor outing in the election and seek ways to worm themselves into the hearts of the people for the next elections.

    “The League believes that although the Courts have sacked the APC candidate, the PDP really has no moral right to claim a victory they could not win at the polls, but through court technicalities.”

  • Lawmaker’s empowerment excites constituents

    Lawmaker’s empowerment excites constituents

    The number of the unemployed keeps increasing, even as white-collar jobs are hard to come by. Those in position of authority encourage the jobless to be self-reliant through the provision of empowerment items. OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports that the lawmaker representing Ohaozara-Onicha-Ivo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Linus Okorie has given empowerment items worth N65m to some of his constituents.

    As the country grapples with the challenge of unemployment as a result of lack of white-collar jobs, wealthy individuals and those in position of authority have been encouraging individuals, especially young school leavers and graduates to redirect their attention from being job-seekers to job-creators and employers of labour.

    Lawmakers are not left out in the quest to empower members of their constituency through skill acquisition programmes and empowerment items.

    In the circumstances, the countrified town of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State sparkled as residents shirked all their commercial and other activities to converge on Isiama-Onicha, the country home of the member representing Ohaozara-Onicha-Ivo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Linus Okorie. They gathered to join several distinguished guests who came from far and near to witness a unique moment when many members of the lawmaker’s constituency were empowered with various items to make them self-reliant and, possibly employers of labour.

    For them, it was a rare opportunity to witness such an event which, they said, was the first in the state since the return of democracy in 1999.

    During the event, Hon. Okorie gave out empowerment items valued at over N65m to some of his constituents.

    Great crowd of members of his constituency witnessed the event which was described as unprecedented. What made the exercise remarkable was that some members of his constituency went home with cars, motorcycles, tricycles, hairdressers, power generating sets and other empowerment tools worth millions of Naira.

    Tagged “Hon. Linus Okorie Empowerment Scheme,” the items distributed included 245 motorcycles, 30 tricycles, 18 cars, 20 grinding machines, 20 industrial sewing machines, 98 power generating sets, 30 hair dressing sets, 10 barbing sets; 10 vulcanising machines, two Dorman sawing machines and 18 computer sets.

    Speaking at the event, Hon. Okorie advised his constituents to form agricultural co-operative societies in order to take advantage of the Federal Government’s policies and programmes towards boosting the agro sector as alternative economic base.

    Okorie promised to assist co-operative societies that were able to acquire large expanse of land to access Central Bank of Nigeria’s low interest agric loan and other commercial bank loans.

    He said with the dwindling price of oil in the international market, Nigeria, which operates a mono-economy based on oil, has no choice than to embrace agriculture which he insisted holds the key to the nation’s economic diversification.

    The lawmaker said the Federal Government and banks should do away with collateral as prerequisite to accessing agricultural loans. Instead, he said, it should use lands as the basis for granting of loans.

    Hon. Okorie, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, announced that he secured 56 federal jobs for youths in his first and part of his current second tenure.

    Okorie praised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state governor, Chief David Umahi, noting that there is no amount of empowerment he could provide that could be commensurate with the mandate given to him by his constituents.

    He appealed to members of his constituency to make good use of the empowerment items to boost-up their welfare, adding that he will tap from his oversight functions to enhance agricultural practice in his constituency and in the entire state.

    The state Governor, Umahi who was represented at the occasion by his Special Adviser on Rural Development, Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa commended the lawmaker for the gesture, saying it was the first of its kind since1999.

    One of the beneficiaries, who identified himself as Bernard and who received a motorcycle, said he was grateful to Hon. Okorie, saying he would possibly go into commercial motorcycle business.

     

     

  • Lawmaker tasks Lagosians on civic duties

    Lawmaker tasks Lagosians on civic duties

    Chairman, House Committee on Works, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) Hon. Abiodun Tobun has urged residents to live up to civic responsiblities. He said they must desist from emptying waste and other toxic fumes into drainages.

    He said Lagosians should support government efforts to transform the mega-city, noting that everybody must imbibe the culture of ‘continuous road maintenance’.

    Tobun said government would not fold its hands to allow the colossal damage done to its edifice and roads to continue.

    He added that in advanced countries, the public works department ensures compliance on roads maintenance, stressing that the House would back government efforts to ensure sanity on roads.

    He said: “We have Public Works Corporation that is expected to perform the functions. We will make sure we strengthen them, give them all the required necessary resources and a plan of action to follow.

    “Once we do this, surely they will perform. Then we will equally monitor those people that use to damage our roads; some mechanic operating on the roads side, pour oil on the roads and you know what that means to the durability of the roads. Those who violate the law will be punished.”

    The lawmaker explained that  the complaints on bad roads in their areas are receiving attention, urging the people to exercise patience with government.

    “Government is no magician; we have gathered their complaints, requests and we are working on them.

    “The government had approved a minimum of two roads to be constructed across each of the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.

    “By the time the roads are completely constructed, we will be having 114 roads that will spring up across the constituencies. This will be complemented by the direct labour, LAMATA to give helping hands.”

    He urged residents to live up to their civic responsibilities in order to ensure that government delivers.

    “Our mission is to look inward; to see how best we can generate revenue. Our appeal would be to residents, the indigenes of Lagos and citizens of Lagos to ensure they pay their dues.

    “The little token you pay in time of tax will go a long way to ensure that money is generated. We will judiciously utilize the money for the purpose it was meant for.

    “We are not expecting oil revenue but our derivations, value added tax is enough to survive us and other revenues that will come to the Lagos state covers. We do not have too much money, but Lagos can survive.

    “You can see that we recently assisted some of our sister states who had financial predicaments as a result of the Boko Haram. So generating fund to service our people will not be too difficult; it will not be too much, but what we want is for our people to be ready to play their own role,” he said.

    He added that plans to rehabilitate Lagos roads were structured in such a way that both the elites and non-elites residential areas would be positively affected.

    “So, the idea of elitist government, working for the development of areas like Ikeja, Victoria Island, Lagos Island will not be there because people of Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, Alimosho also want development and that has been done in the new calculation.”

  • Lawmaker empowers constituents

    Lawmaker empowers constituents

    In fulfilment of his campaign promises, member representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bamidele Baderinwa has given empowerment facilities to members of his constituency. DAMISI OJO reports.

    During his campaigns, Bamidele Baderinwa  representing Idanre/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives promised to make life better for members of his constituency. The people were sceptical. Their disbelief emanated  from their experience with  other politicians in the past.

    But Bamidele’s power of persuasion was so strong that he convinced residents of Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency to vote for him.

    With his performance in the House of Representatives and his empowerment programmes for his people, the people are thanking their stars for voting him into office. Bamidele has been fulfilling his campaign promises.

    One of the first things he did to prove to his people that he could be trusted was the donation of a Mercedes Benz Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the traditional ruler of Ero community and two Camry cars to leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifedore Local Government Area.

    Barely three months after the donation, Bamidele has, again, reached out to members of his constituency through the provision of empowerment facilities. This time around, he allowed his philosophy to come play. He has constantly maintained that it is better to teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish.

    Bamidele said: “Empowerment of the masses outweighs transitory material gifts to them which serve mainly as gratification.”

    The event coincided with his 100 days in office which held at Igbara Oke, the headquarters of Ifedore Local Government Area.

    The lawmaker presented two Hilux  vans to the Divisional Police headquarters in his constituency, provided cocoa treatment chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and spraying pumps for 200 farmers and 30 units of wheel chairs for the physically-challenged persons.

    He said: “It is my covenant to competently represent my people at the National Assembly and do resoundingly well for my constituents through the intervention/constituency projects’ platform provided for us by the National Assembly as representatives of the people who know the spots where shoes pinch the masses.

    “I will use every medium available to me to bring benefits of democracy to the door steps of my people. In the next couple of years, issues of youth unemployment, empowerment and quality education of our pupils will be given priority attention in the scheme of things in order to secure their future.”

    While recounting his achievements while representing his people, he listed the extension of rural electrification project to Aba-Aro community in Isarun/Erigi Ward of Ifedore Local Government Area, provision of mechanised borehole for the CAC Grammar School, Odode-Idanre in Idanre Local Government Area and grading and maintenance of roads leading to Ero community, among other programmes.

    The empowerment items were inaugurated and presented to beneficiaries by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was represented by another member of the House Representatives, Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim.

    Other APC lawmakers present when Baderinwa assured his people of his commitment to deliver more dividends of democracy to them were Kolawole Babatunde and Akintayo Gafaru representing Akoko Southwest/East and Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituencies in Ondo and Osun states respectively.

    The lawmakers expressed their delight at the people-oriented initiatives of their colleague, describing them as awesome projects for the people of the two local government areas.

    The two Hilux Pick-up vans presented to the state police command were for the two police divisions in the constituency. He promised to provide two additional vans to the command.

    On why he presented the vans, the lawmaker said they were meant to enhance the performance of the police in securing the lives and properties in the constituency better.

    He said: “While canvassing for the people’s votes across the nook and cranny of our constituency, I did promise to work tirelessly and selflessly to better the socio-economic lots of our people through competent and quality representation if elected into office.

    “This is my covenant with the people of the constituency. Today’s event marks the beginning of the official fulfilment of this covenant which spans a period of four years.

    “I believe the patrol vehicles will enhance the performance of policemen in the constituency. We need to assist law enforcement agents to secure lives and properties of our people better.

    “It is also my belief that a thorough application of the empowerment items by our farmers will, no doubt, increase farm produce in the next couple of years.

    “In our estimation, if the chemicals are well distributed, over 200 farmers within the two local government areas will benefit from it. It is important to state that I funded all enumerated projects and empowerment items.”

    Baderinwa had earlier inaugurated a motorised borehole he provided for CAC Grammar School, Odode-Idanre in Idanre Local Government Area and inaugurated his Constituency Office in Idanre town.

  • Lawmaker advocates incentives for teachers in rural areas

    Lawmaker advocates incentives for teachers in rural areas

    A lawmaker at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade, has advocated for a 20 percent increase in the remuneration of teachers and doctors working in rural areas as incentives.

    This gesture, he said, would enhance the growth and development of the affected communities.

    Olulade, who represents Epe Constituency 2, made this plea at the maiden edition of his programme tagged ‘Eleniyan Ambassadors,’ designed to recognise and reward pupils from public primary schools that came first to third in primaries four, five and six respectively in his constituency at Epe.

    Olulade noted that such development would not only enable the rural dwellers access dividends of democracy, but would also enhance migration from urban centers to rural areas.

    He added: “We are working with the governor (Akinwunmi Ambode) to see how best to approach the shortage of teachers in schools in Epe and other rural communities. We should introduce incentives to teachers in rural areas in order to encourage those who are there.

    “Additional 20 percent of their remuneration should be given to teachers, doctors and others who provide essential services to encourage the workers in the areas.”

    The lawmaker who is also chairman of the House Committee on Health, urged teachers and other essential service providers to work in rural areas, saying that it was economical and safe.

    Highlight of the event was the distribution of educational materials, which included branded school bags, exercise books, mathematical sets, food items among other things to 324 pupils who took first to third positions from the 36 public primary schools in his constituency by the lawmaker.

    According to him, the exercise which he assured would be held annually, will create a healthy academic competition amongst pupils in the area.