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  • 8th Assembly’ll place emphasis on culture, history – Majority leader

    8th Assembly’ll place emphasis on culture, history – Majority leader

    Honourable Sanai Agunbiade is the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly. In this interview with Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, he spoke of why he is interested in the resuscitation of the cultural and historical values of the various towns and divisions in Lagos State.  He also explained that the 8th Assembly is willing to see to the promotion of arts and culture in the state.

    You emerged as the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly after much anticipation and permutations. How will you describe the current leadership of the House?

    Well, we prayed that God should guide us right and he did. What we have are capable crisis managers who are able to anticipate crisis of opinions, ideas, and perceptions and act accordingly.

    The new leadership has been able to unite both the new members from the PDP and the old and new members from the ruling party in the state, APC. We have brought all the lawmakers together both new and old, legislators of the ruling party and those of the opposition party. We are futuristic and we know where we want the Assembly to be at the end of the 8th Assembly; it should be higher than where we are now. We will uphold the principle of the Lagos State House of Assembly being above the common standard of excellence.

    What we have now is a leadership that can bring about the enabling environment for the Governor in the state; we are organising the institution of the legislature such that it would help the new executive to surpass the achievements of the former executive of the state. So, at the end of the day, the people of Lagos State can say ‘thank God, we are getting better than we were in 2015.

    Of late, you have been speaking much on the need for Lagos State government to show more interest in its culture and history, why this interest?

    The Culture and Tradition of a people, is the embodiment of the identity of the people and when the culture and tradition of such a people go into oblivion the people are divested of their identity and they are as good as non-existent.

    For quite some years, I have observed with trauma, the dwindling awareness and unconscious erosion of the culture and tradition of most part of indigenous Lagos. In my native Ikorodu for example,amongst the present generation of our youth, very little is known of our culture. Surprisingly, the older generations that should enlighten the youth and stand in the vanguard of the propagation of this culture are displaying attitudes of cold complicity and mute indefrence.

    Ikorodu as a native town has a lot of natural endowment that should be the tourist attractions to this native town and accelerate our economic growth and infrastructural development.

    We are a people with very huge cultural and traditional history. We have varieties of indigenous festivals that could be propagated and packaged for tourism. We have traditional infrastructure and cultural institutions that have rich and outstanding history that could be listed as tourist sites.

    As a state legislator, what effort are you making in this direction?

    My concern has propelled me into taking a decision to set in motion, a mechanism to prosecute a rebirth of the culture and tradition of Ikorodu that is fast going into oblivion. This mechanism is branded as Ikorodu Renaissance Project (IREP).

    Towards this project, I have persuaded some young and determined individuals, who have interest in historical research with journalistic perspective and academic flavour, to join me in scouting for historical facts about the traditional, cultural and natural endowment of ikorodu that could be propagated to achieve tourist attraction of the ancient town of ikorodu.

    These dedicated young men are prepared to serve as Renaissance Scouts. They will have to be guided on this mission, by elderly indigenes that are deeply knowlegeable and very verse in our culture and tradition and are very acquinted with the terrain.

    What are the objectives of the renaissance project?

    It is largely to identify and propagate the numerous tourist potentials of the ancient town of with a view to awakening consciousness to them. It is also to document and publish the cultural,traditional and natural monuments and festivals that could attract tourism.

    It is also to seek the attention of the Government and secure the assistance and support of the Government and the Corporate Business Sector for the propagation and projection of outstanding monuments and traditional festival. I am proud to tell you that the project was recently inaugurated by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi.

    In my candid opinion as a principal officer of the House, I see the house showing a lot of interests in projects like this across the state in order to save our culture and history from going extinct. Don’t forget that we once canvassed the introduction of our indigenous language into the proceeding of the Assembly.

  • Benue community leader dies

    Mama Nyiwan Uja,  the step mother of The Nation reporter in Benue State, Emmanuel Uja, is dead.

    She died last Thursday at Sabon Gida Takye in Gassol Local Government. She was 70.

    The woman is survived by two daughters, Ade and Nyimar.

    A statement by his step son said Mama Nyiwan Uja would be buried on October 17 at Tse Dzungwe, Mbakorya, Tommbo ward, Gaambetiev, Logo Local Government.

  • OPC seeks release of leader from Ekiti prison

    The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Ekiti State has appealed to Governor Ayo Fayose to ensure the release of its chairman Adeniyi Adedipe from prison custody.

    Adedipe is on remand for alleged complicity in the murder of former state Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Omolafe Aderiye, on September 25, last year.

    The OPC chief and six others appeared at an Ado-Ekiti High Court last Thursday, but the case was adjourned to September 28 and 29 by the trial judge, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, for definite hearing.

    But the group insisted that Adedipe had no hand in Aderiye’s killing, describing the duo as “brothers and business partners with long years of close bond”.

    Making the appeal at the weekend at a briefing, an OPC executive member in the state, Segun Egunlusi, urged Fayose to reconsider Adedipe’s case because his remand was “political”.

    He noted that Adedipe had used his office to collaborate with successive administrations and security agencies to fight crime and would never be involved in any criminal act.

    Egunlusi expressed sadness that Adedipe’s remand in prison custody prevented him from participating in the funeral rites of his late father.

  • NANS hails former leader on appointment

    NANS hails former leader on appointment

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B has congratulated one of its own, Comrade Jerry Ehiwario, on his appointment as Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Students’ Affairs.

    NANS felicitated with Ehiwario in a statement issued at the Delta State University (DELSU) in Abraka by its Public Relations Officer, Comrade Pedro Obi.

    Obi described Ehiwario’s appointment as a reward for hard work and loyalty to a worthy cause.

    The statement reads: “To students in Delta State, Jerry Ehiwario is synonymous with hard work. He is a grassroots students’ leader and we in Zone B believe he will definitely bring his wealth of experience to bear as he coordinates the activities of the students’ community in the state to ensure education policies of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa are achieved.”

    Obi said NANS had unshaken belief in Ehiwario’s capacity and ability to deliver on his mandate, pointing out that his appointment was a round peg in a hole.

     

  • APC leader accuses Dickson of diverting N15bn flood money

    APC leader accuses Dickson of diverting N15bn flood money

    • Allegation frivolous, fallacious –Dickson

    A leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Bodi Arerebo, yesterday challenged the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, asking him to account for over N15bn he allegedly received from donors after the 2012 flood that devastated the state.

    Arerebo, who is a kinsman of Dickson, recalled that after the flood disaster, philanthropic individuals and organisations, including international donors, gave billions of naira to the state for the resettlement of victims and rebuilding of structures.

    He, however, expressed concern over the money, which he alleged must have been mismanaged, especially as Dickson had yet to tell the people how the flood fund was spent.

    Arerebo, who while addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, insisted that there was nothing on ground to show that the money was used to rebuild damaged structures and resettle victims of the disaster.

    He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the money Dickson got from generous Nigerians and other international donors.

    Arerebo remembered that multi-billionaires, such as Aliko Dangote, Wale Adenuga and others were among persons who donated money to the state.

    He said: “Since 1999, the PDP government has not provided good leadership for Bayelsa State. The case of current Governor, Seriake Dickson is the worst.

    “Dickson has yet to tell Bayelsans how he spent the money for floods victims in the state. The state was ravaged by floods in 2013 and as a result, donations came from Nigerians and international donors to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims.

    “But from the look of things, the governor ate all the money. We do not even see what he used all the money to do. He should come and tell Bayelsans how that money was spent. We are calling on Buhari to investigate the money Bayelsa got from international and local donors for the flood victims. Let him come and tell us how he spent the money.”

    But reacting to the allegation, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Mr. Fyneman Wilson, berated Arerebo, saying his allegation was frivolous and fallacious.

    Wilson said: “We have a governor who is very careful in the management of resources. If such funds were sent, he would put it back to direct project execution for the purpose of the floods.

    “You are aware that there was a flood management committee that was put in place in this state. They did a lot of remedial work. In Sagbama and many other places, the areas the water passed through to cause floods were blocked.

    “The governor did not tamper with that money and such money did not come to this state. The Federal Government did not give such money to the state.”

    Speaking further, Arerebo said that the APC was ready to sweep the Peoples PDP and Dickson out the Government House, adding that the PDP had failed the people.

    He noted that the APC would provide the needed change for the people, asserting that the defeat of the PDP was imminent.

    “By the next governorship election, APC will win in Bayelsa State. We will win because we have every machinery on ground for us to win,” he said.

    He also said the leader of the party in the state and former Governor, Timipre Sylva, has promised not to join governorship race.

    He said:  “Our leader, Timipre Sylva, confided in some of us that he was not going to run.  We know that the candidate we are going to field for the election will be a person of impeccable character.

    “We know that by the time we present him to Bayelsans, they will appreciate and love him. By February 14, 2016, we will be in the Creek Haven (Bayelsa Government House).”

    He said the gale of defections that had hit the PDP was an indication that the party was finished.

  • Save us from cult groups, Rivers community leader, youths call on Wike

    Save us from cult groups, Rivers community leader, youths call on Wike

    Following another round of killings by rival cult groups in Rivers State, the monarch of Ubima in Ikwerre Local government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Highness Eze Chima Ofurum and the youths of the community have called on the state governor,  Nyesom Wike, to come to their rescue.

    which has made the total number of people killed to four in Ubima community  in Ikwerre Local government Area of Rivers State, the monarch and Youths of the community have pleaded the immediate intervention of Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Eze Ofurum said the supremacy fight between the rival cult groups has got to stage where the government should act to restore peace back to the community.

    It will be recalled that the Degban cult fraternity and the Axelander cult group, last week engaged each other in a deadly fight in the area, during which four cult members were killed, while scores of villages were left various degrees of injuries.

    Ubima community, the home town of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Sir Celestine Omehia has been engulfed in serious cult war since 2014.

    Reacting yesterday to the spate of clashes between cult groups in the community,  Eze Ofurum said he is hopeful that peace would return to the community if government intervenes and put a stop to the activities of the cult groups.

    The monarch noted that if Governor Wike truly loves the people of the community, he should mobilize security operatives to the area, adding that some of the villagers who could not withstand the heat of the fight between the rival cult groups have relocated to neigbouring communities.

    The youth leader of the community, Michael Amaechi, said the youths are ready to work with security operatives to ensure that peace is returned to the community.

    A member of the Degban cult group  who pleaded anonymity, said the latest spate of fighting started when one of their leaders, Chinedu Umezurike a.k.a Biggi,  was murder  by  the Axelander cult group.

    But a member of the Axelander, who also pleaded anonymity, while speaking with our reporter on phone, accused the Degban group of committing a lot of atrocities in the community.

     

    Abducted Delta poly lecturer regains freedom

    n Polycarp Orosevwotu, n Ughelli

     

    Abducted Delta Polytechnic lecturer, Mr. Chike Gbemudu, has been released after spending two weeks with his abductors.

    Gbemudu, a lecturer in the Directorate of General Studies department of the institution, was kidnapped in the early hours of July 3, 2015, at his residence, in the Ozoro metropolis.

    The kidnappers demanded a N20 million ransom fee for his release.

    A source in the institution, who revealed that Gbemudu was released on Wednesday, said he was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    He said, “A certain amount of money was paid to the kidnappers as ransom, but I cannot say precisely how much was paid.  The good thing is that he has been released and we thank God that for keeping him alive.”

    Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, confirmed that Gbemudu had been released.

  • APC leader pleads with workers

    APC leader pleads with workers

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain has appealed to public servants in Osun State that their salaries will be paid soon.

    The APC leader in Alimosho Local Government of Lagos State, who hails from Osun State, Bola Adeyemi Smart, said efforts were on to pay the accumulated salaries and arrears.

    He enjoined the workers and pensioners to always maintain the peace and shun violence that may derail their existing relationship with the government.

    He admonished the government to always give urgent attention to salaries as soon as the monthly allocation from the federation account is released.

  • ‘Tinubu’s undisputed Yoruba leader’

    ‘Tinubu’s undisputed Yoruba leader’

    Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Ogun State Chief Babatunde Fadun has explained why the party crashed out in the general elections, his defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) and the re-election of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The former Ogun West senatorial candidate described the political tie between the North and the West as an enduring solution to political instability in the country. He spoke with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN.

    What was responsible for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s loss in the general elections?

    There were so many reasons for the party’s defeat. PDP failed because of its culture of impunity, use and dump; lack of internal democracy and disrespect for fairness, equity and justice. At a stage the party was commercialised under the former Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. Under him justice went to the highest bidder. Many members were frustrated and punished unjustly.

    Will you attribute the defeat to the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan?

    Yes poor performance of President Jonathan contributed largely to the defeat. There is no substantial achievement that he can point at except the resuscitation of the old generation railway. I can lay my hands on anything he has done other than the entrenchment of impunity and favouritism in the system. His inability to take prompt decisions when necessary contributed to his failure. He runs administration of committees. He set up so many committees which show his weakness and lack of direction.

    Why are you leaving PDP for All Progressives Congress (APC)?

    Many aggrieved highly placed members have left the PDP. Remember, it started with seven governors usually referred to as G7 who pulled out because of what they called lack of internal democracy within the party. Although two of them, Governors Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and his brother from Jigawa, Sule Lamido went back to PDP for selfish interest, the remaining five Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and AbdulFattah Ahmed (Kwara) stood their ground and called it a quit with PDP. These governors contributed immensely to the victory of APC. Generally, Nigerians were tired of poor leadership and arrogance of the PDP leaders, hence the party was voted out.

    When are you making formal declaration for APC?

    I will do that very soon. It’s not me alone. My supporters and I have resolved to move en-mass to APC, the party of the moment, the party that Nigerians are celebrating, the party that will bring a lot of hope for Nigerians.

    Why did you prefer APC among other parties?

    The leadership qualities of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu make APC to be attractive. He was the brain behind the merger of major opposition parties that transformed into APC.  He has performed a miracle; a new party put together within one year defeated the ruling party. It has never happened in this country for an opposition party to unseat the ruling party. Tinubu should take credit for that feat. Tinubu is a political giant of our time. He is a national leader. No Yoruba man can rival him. The Afenifere leaders should face the reality, they should accept him as our leader. The Yorubas should not ask who their leader is. Tinubu is the undisputed leader. He delivered five out of six states in Yorubaland to the APC during the presidential election. What else can be used to determine the leadership of Yoruba race?

    The political tie between the North and the Southwest is an antidote to political instability. With this realignment, there will be stability and the country will achieve tremendous progress.

    Do you think Ogun West stands a better chance of producing governor in 2019?

    We are hopeful that the next governor would emerge from Ogun West Senatorial District in 2019. Governor Amosun has expressed at different forum that he will support an indigene of Ogun West to succeed him in office. We sincerely pray that the governor will help us in this age-long struggle.  We are optimistic that whoever the governor support in 2019 will win. Our hope lies on Governor Amosun and we are optimistic that he will reciprocate the total support we gave him in his re-election bid.

    Since the creation of Ogun State in 1976, Ogun West has never produced governor. In 2011, both the PDP and Progressives Party of Nigeria (PPN) led by former Governor Gbenga Daniel picked their governorship candidates from Ogun West. This year again, PDP fielded an Ogun West indigene for governorship, so also the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    How would you assess the performance of Amosun?

    He has transformed Ogun state within four years. He turned Ogun into a giant construction site. There is no part of the state that has not benefitted from his massive road construction. He has also done well in the field of education with the construction of model classrooms across the state and provision of health facilities.

    The landslide victory he recorded in the governorship election is a testimony of his service delivery. The wide margin showed that he was a man of the people. He won the election convincingly despite the crisis within APC that led a faction to pull out. I think this will encourage him to do more in his second term.

    Are you worried with the development in Ekiti State?

    It is unfortunate that Governor Ayo Fayose has turned Ekiti State known to be one of the most peaceful states in the country, to a theatre of violence. I thought he would be wiser now given his first experience in office as governor, but he is not. His passion for hate campaign is a case in point. He bank rolled the hate campaign against the president-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to curry favour from President Jonathan so that he can be protected when he runs into trouble. He is a political rabble-rouser, he thrives on political violence.

    I understand he fell out with Asiwaju Tinubu in 2011 over senatorial ticket. He ran to Labour Party and lost the election. He went back to PDP and won the governorship primaries and the governorship election. Today PDP has been relegated from national to regional party with its stronghold in Southeast and Southsouth. When the chips are down both Fayose and Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State would soon realise that their political relevance have diminished. Fayose may have to seek refuge in APC. I will not be surprised if Fayose runs back to Tinubu whom I believe will accept him as a prodigal son.

    What is your advice to the in-coming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari?

    Gen Buhari is a highly experienced statesman with high integrity. I will advise him to work closely with his party leaders and implement the party programmes. He should not allow people whose motive is to enrich themselves in his government. He should not hesitate to apply sanctions against those found wanting no matter their status. That will assist in his fighting corruption.

  • Leader Ikechukwu gets first baby after 12 years

    Patience, indeed, is a virtue. But for patience and providence, it beggars understanding how a couple, a Nigerian couple at that, with family interferences and all, would stick with each other, through the maelstrom of childlessness in the hope that one day, God would answer their prayers.

    The General Manager, Finance and Strategic Planning, Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited, Leader Ikechukwu Williams, and his medical doctor wife, Ifeoma, had to wait for 12 odd years for a fruit of the womb. Now, it is a frenzy of celebration in their home as they dedicate their first child, Chigoziri Izzy Williams. Friends and family members are rejoicing with them after years of intercessory prayers.

    From the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, to the Executive Chairman, Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited, Sir Daniel Chukwudozie, his wife, Lady Ada Chukwudozie and many others, everyone is extolling the faith, patience and perseverance of the couple.

    Little Izzy was recently dedicated at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Pen-Cinema, Agege, Lagos. The Williams, who are from Itungwa, Obingwa, Aba, Abia State, treated their guests to a lavish reception at Excel Events Centre, Billingsway, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • Ndigbo mourn leader

    Ndigbo mourn leader

    The Igbo have marked the passing of politician and educationist, Ozo Dokwe Chukwunwike Okam of Enugwu-Agidi, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State. He was aged 83.

    In Enugwu-Ukwu, his country home, Awka, the state capital, Onitsha, the commercial nerve of the state, posters and banners bore tributes to the late leader.

    In some of the tributes, the people wrote “Ozo Okam, we will miss you,” “Dokwe Chukwunwike Okam, the father of politics is gone,” “APGA grand patron, farewell,” and “Ozo Oswald Dokwe Okam, rest in peace”.

    Ozo Dokwe Chukwunwike Okam was born to the family of the late Paramount ruler of Enugwu-Agidi, Chief Ezeugborimiri Okam, on 20th July, 1931.

    He attended St. Barnabas Primary School Enugu and Hope Waddel College, Calabar between 1937 and 1947 before proceeding to the Kings College, University of London in 1957 to study Medicine, after working briefly with the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Enugu.

    Apart from serving as political adviser to the governor of the old Anambra State, the late Chief Christian Onoh and his deputy, Chief Austin Ezenwa, the Agbalanze of Abagana, Dokwe Okam, the APGA grand patron was leader of the controversial Ikemba  Front of Nigeria, a political pressure group that was formed by the late Biafran Warlord, the Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, with the primary purpose  of checking the excesses of the former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo.

    During his political career which spanned over sixty years, Chief Okam, who held three Ozo titles in Enugwu-Agidi, also served at various times as the treasurer of PRP in the defunct East Central State of Nigeria, PTA chairman Bishop Crowther Junior Seminary Awka and went further to represent the Parents Teachers Association Anambra State branch at the Federal Government conference on primary and secondary schools under the era of Prof. Ben Nwabueze as minister for education.

    He will also be remembered for founding the first textile company in the old Anambra State, the defunct NERIDOC Textile and Knitting Industry Limited and Neridoc Transport Company both based at Enugwu-Agidi, Anambra State.

    At critical condition, however, the political heavy weight was taken to the Neo International Hospital Enugu, where he died of protracted terminal medical condition.

    A burial programme jointly released by Dr. Chukwuemeka Okam and Dr. Izuchukwu Okam on behalf of the family, said there would be service of songs on May 21st while a funeral mass would be held in his honour at St. Marks Anglican Church Enugwu-Agidi, before being committed to mother earth the next day, even as condolence visits by sympathizers continued.

    A tribute by his children read: “Wonderful dad, your death came to us as a shock, we love you, but God loves you more. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

    Ozo Dokwe Okam was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.