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  • Bayelsa primaries: Thugs attack PDP chiefs’ homes

    There was tension in Bayelsa State at the weekend after thugs allegedly loyal to an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threw explosives into the homes of two party chieftains in Yenagoa and Brass Local Governments.

    The aspirant does not belong to Governor Seriake Dickson’s Restoration Caucus, it was learnt.

    The attack is creating panic ahead of tomorrow’s primaries.

    Party chieftains, whose homes were attacked, are Obuku Oforji (representing Yenagoa I) and the Executive Chairman of Brass, Victor Isaiah. Both houses were reportedly attacked on Saturday evening.

    There has been quarrel in PDP between the Restoration Caucus and others, especially after the ward and national congresses, to elect delegates for the primary. Some aspirants protested outcome of the delegates elections.

    It was learnt that the explosions were reported to the commissioner of Police and the state Director of the Department of State Service (DSS) in Yenagoa.

    Read Also: Bayelsa PDP primaries: Uncertainty over Dickson’s anointed aspirants

    Isaiah described the attack as unfortunate, saying the matter was promptly reported to the police and the DSS. He added that the DSS director and Police commissioner visited his home for confirmation.

    He said his younger brother, who witnessed the incident, said he saw and overheard three boys on the premises making suspicious calls to determine if people were in the house. A few minutes after the call, the explosion went off.

    Investigations have begun into the attack to identify the culprits. It was learnt security operatives would probe supporters who openly protested the party congresses.

    A PDP governorship candidate, Ndutimi Alaibe, has said he had no fundamental issues with Governor Dickson ahead of tomorrow’s primaries.

    Alaibe insisted there was nothing wrong with his relationship with the governor.

    He said: “There is nothing wrong with my relationship with Seriake Dickson. We do not have any fundamental issues. It is political time and people will be suspecting different things. He is the governor of our state and we will give him that respect. He is also a leader that we all adore. So, we will continue to give him that respect.”

    Alaibe said his team had put issues from the delegates congresses behind to focus on the primaries. He vowed to go full blast at the primaries and hope to win the party’s ticket.

    The aspirant, however, promised to support whoever won in a transparent contest, saying he was not a desperate politician.

    He described himself as an apostle of non-violence, saying he would never depend on people to make him governor through bloodshed.

    “We will face the primaries and we will go full blast. By the grace of God, we will win. The delegates elections are past, and I don’t want to comment on them. We have passed that stage.

    “I have been a contender for many years and I told you why I do that because I love this state. I am not a desperate politician against what some people think. I have stepped down for people at various times when people wanted to run amok with violence. I don’t have anything to gain for the blood of any Bayelsan to become a governor otherwise I won’t sleep well and that blood will be on me. And I have been a victim of such circumstances where I was attacked. So, I preach non-violence and I insist on non-violence with everybody working with me.

    “Do not carry guns to make me governor; I am not interested in that. I am interested in ensuring that we conduct a free, fair, transparent process that will enable a leader emerge. If a leader emerges from that, I don’t have any choice but to support such a leader.”

  • Youths ‘should seek’ vocational skills

    Youths in Ogun State have been advised to acquire vocational skills, irrespective of their level of education.

    Guest lecturer John Odueko gave the advice at the weekend during a programme, tagged international youth day, organised by Ogun East Senatorial Youth Coalition in Ijebu-Ode Local Government.

    Speaking on the theme: “Transforming Education Through Technical & Vocational skills Inclusion”, Odueko said this would make them independent, and turn them into employers.

    He noted that such youths with technical skills would be an asset to their communities and contribute to society’s development.

    Read Also: ‘Lagos will empower women, youths’

    “Technical and vocational skills make our youths responsible and independent because technical programmes contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation. It can also turn around the unemployment situation, empower the unskilled youths and give them better future and career prospects,” he said.

    Odueko added that vocational courses offer a fast-track education that promises job placement and growth in the workplace.

    A prominent politician in the state, Mr. Ladi Adebutu, urged the government to provide a platform where youths could develop their skills.

    Said he: “Our youths need enlightenment; they need people to teach them the way. I believe our youths are good and responsible; they want to make something good out of life. Hence, the need for partnership between the government and youths. The youth are not asking for too much, it is just that the government should play its roles.”

    President of Ogun East Senatorial Youth Coalition Oriyomi Olufemi, said to achieve greatness, youths in the senatorial district and the state must form a workable synergy to achieve collective goals.

  • ALGON’s president slams sack of Oyo council chiefs

    National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Mr Kolade David Alabi has promised to meet with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on the dissolution of council chairmen.

    Alabi spoke with the state’s chapter of the association in Ibadan.

    He urged members to unite in their quest for justice.

    Alabi noted that dissolution of elected council chairmen by new governors was unhealthy for democracy.

    “We need to make our institution work and eschew politics of bitterness. The dissolution of Oyo State local government chairmen by the governor of the state speaks no good of our democratic system.

    ‘’We ought to have moved our democracy beyond partisan pettiness. The occupiers of the seats at the council level are citizens of the state, irrespective of the party they belong to.

    Read Also: Local govts’ dissolution: Oyo ALGON urges governor to obey court order

    “It is time we make democracy more working in Nigeria. Democracy is endangered when the local government chairmen are dissolved illegally because the chairmen do not belong to the party of the state governor.

    “We will critically look into the local government administration law and come up with our stand on it, which will be equally presented to the Presidency and the National Assembly.”

    The ALGON president advised the leadership to be more constructive and peaceful in its approach and presentation towards actualising victory in and outside the court of law.

    He said the case of Ekiti State local government chairmen is a good example.

    “Their case was settled out of court and Governor Kayode Fayemi returned eight out of the 16 dissolved chairmen, which by God’s grace in earnest, others are expected to be returned. I assure you that we are strongly with you; we will do everything possible to support you, we will meet with your governor soon, and hopefully the situation will be corrected,” he said.

    ALGON’s National BOT Chairman Odunayo Ategbero hailed the chapter’s leadership for steps takenr.

    “We are satisfied with your steps; we won’t relent in our effort to making sure the local government autonomy is accomplished. With autonomy, tenure of council chairmen is certain,” Ategbero said.

    State’s ALGON Chairman Prince Abass Aleshinloye hailed the national leadership for its advice and support.

  • APC, PDP trade words over alleged attack on Fayose

    The Ekiti State chapters of the All Progressives Congress and that of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have traded words over the alleged attack on former Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    The PDP alleged that that the ruling party was behind the attack on the former governor – an allegation APC swiftly denied.

    The PDP made the allegations in a statement on Sunday by its chairman, Gboyega Oguntuase.

    He alleged that some hoodlums loyal to the party on Friday attacked Fayose in an attempt to kill him.

    Oguntuase said intimidation and harassment of opposition have been the hallmark of APC, saying hiring thug to silent opposition was obviously the next level in advancing violence in a supposed democratic period.

    He said: “Government is transient. To underscore the reality of this statement, the Zik of Africa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, said: ‘No condition is permanent’. The major lesson in the statement is for rulers to beware of what they do. Those who sow wind reap the whirlwind.

    “We must note that a man so consumed and corrupted by power today will by tomorrow become an ordinary man.

    Read Also: Ekiti Assembly summons Fayose, ex-Speaker, others over alleged financial impropriety

    “It is an irony that leaders, who in obedience to a summon by a legislative body, can be ambushed shortly after the visit to be harassed and threatened with dangerous weapons.

    “We don’t deserve it because nobody harassed the opposition under our watch.

    But, the APC Deputy Chairman, Sola Elesin, dismissed the PDP’s allegation, describing it as a spurious and baseless accusation lacking content of validity.

    Elesin said the opposition party is economical with the truth, saying violence is not one of the ideals of the APC.

    The APC vice Chairman countered the opposition party, saying it is a well-known fact that nobody attacked Fayose, but he “only wants to use it to lay a foundation of violence because they thrive in violence”.

    “Nobody attacked him. He went on a surprise visit to the House of Assembly, when he has not been officially invited. It is a blatant lie.

    “He came to the House and was not harassed, but to hear now that he was attacked by APC is an embarrassment to us. It has not happened in the history of progressive governance in the state to harass or intimidate political opponents.

    “We have not done that in the past and we are not ready to do it anytime. If he is saying he has been attacked, it will be tantamount to falsehood.

    “Nobody attacked him and if anybody attacked him, he is on his own. It was done not at the premises of the Assembly. He said he has street credibility, if that is true, would he be harassed at the market place?” he queried.

    The Assembly had at its plenary session last Thursday summoned Fayose to appear before its committee on Public Account over alleged misappropriation of local government funds while in office without fixed date.

    The ex-governor stormed the Assembly on Friday at about1:15 pm less than 24 four hours after the summon and went straight to the office of Speaker Funminiyi Afuye.

    But the speaker told him to go back and await the official invitation letter from the legislative chamber.

    Fayose alleged that he narrowly escaped being attacked after he left the Assembly as some APC thugs in an unmarked black Hilux Jeep trailed and hauled stones at his vehicle.

  • Abiodun expresses worry over scourge of depression

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has expressed worry over the scourge of depression in the society and its tendency to instigate sufferers into doing the unthinkable.

    Abiodun advised people to undergo regular physical fitness as part of prevention and remedy for depression as well as ensuring optimal mental functioning.

    The governor gave the advice at the weekend at his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Abeokuta Sports Club during the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the club’s new executive members with Deacon Atilade Bolarinwa as new the President.

    Abiodun, who spoke on the theme of the investiture: “Sound mind in a healthy body”, noted that people cannot be prosperous, if they do not have wholesome health.

    Read Also: Abiodun to reposition public service for effectiveness

    He explained that achieving a healthy living goes beyond medication and diets to include recreation as a vital part of healthy living.

    The governor lauded the club for the honour conferred on him, saying it was an acknowledgement of his modest contribution to the growth and development of humanity.

    He reiterated his administration’s commitment towards ensuring an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    Abiodun added that his administration was poised to turn around the economy of the state for the better, which, according to him, would contribute to individual prosperity.

    The club’s president pledged that it would keep contributing to sports development through organising and sponsoring competitions for both young and the old.

  • NAFRC trains soldiers to mould blocks with charcoal

    Soldiers undergoing pre-retirement training at the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) at the weekend displayed blocks and bricks they moulded with charcoal.

    This innovation was among skills exhibited at the centre’s 2019 inter-workshop competition attended by military and security chiefs in Lagos.

    The blocks which are lighter than those made with sand, are said to be health friendly, economical and durable. They are said to have advanced strength to weight ratio and lower coefficient of thermal expansion when compared to normal blocks.

    Already being used in countries like the United Kingdom, these bricks are good sound and heat insulators, thanks to the air voids within them, said NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar-Sadick Liman.

    He explained that they were manufactured using 60 to 65 per cent of unavoidable waste from coal, even as he urged Nigerians to patronise locally made products to boost industrialisation.

    Read Also: Philanthropist renovates Army quarters in Rivers

    According to the Commandant, the need to promote entrepreneurial skills cannot be over-emphasised, noting that the centre has since inception trained over 45,000 soldiers on post-retirement skills.

    He said: “Our workshops are capable of designing and producing a wide array of customised products. In order to achieve our training objectives, the centre has 39 workshops grouped into 10 main training wings. The training wings include Agro-Allied, Property Development/Maintenance, Equipment Insulation, Fashion Facility/Designing, Creative Arts and Music and Bodycare.

    “Others are management, automobile, fabrication, nutrition and dietetics wings. The centre conducts its bi-annual exhibition exercise at the end of every course of training. At such events, the trainees’ exhibit different products from their individual workshops.

    “It is gladdening to note that every product and material at our exhibitions are the products of our trainees themselves.”

    At the event were the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Maj.-Gen Olu Irefin, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command AVM Abdul-Ganiyu Olabisi and other senior officers.

  • Oyetola sympathises with flood victims

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state in combating flood disaster.

    He made the appeal on Sunday when he braved the odds of the torrential rain to inspect the flooded areas in Osogbo, the state capital, with a promise to find immediate solution to the disaster.

    Some communities in the state were ravaged by flood following the downpour that ran through Thursday to the whole of Friday, Saturday and parts of Sunday.

    The governor, after due consultation with experts, promised that the government would bring dredging machines to immediately clear the flooded sites  and create necessary expansion to allow for free flow of water.

    He described the challenge of flooding as enormous, saying the Federal Government’s support was needed in finding a lasting solution to the disaster.

    The governor added that the state government had earlier requested for support from the Federal Government through the office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, adding that the government had promised to support the state in that regard.

    Read Also: NEMA provides relief materials to Daura flood victims

    Sympathising with the affected residents, he also urged them to stay away temporarily from the flood-prone areas.

    Oyetola warned the residents against bad practices of dumping refuse in the canals and river.

    He said the act has been found to be partly responsible for flooding since the blockage arising from the bad habit would prevent water from flowing freely to the appropriate destination.

    The governor said the state environmental task force would be deployed immediately to start monitoring the state to prevent residents from dumping their refuse in the canals and rivers.

    “We are deploying dredging machines to the affected areas to cushion the effect and with that, we can’t have such occurrence again.

    “Though the issue of flood control is not about dredging alone, it entails the need for the people to imbibe the sanitary culture of disposing wastes properly.

    “If one looks at the topography of this place, it appears sloppy, and what that means is that it is easy for water to flow to our state from neighbouring states. That is why we have the river overflowing its bank.

    “Our approach to flood control is to ensure that no part of the state is being ravaged by flood incidence and as a matter of fact, we are on the verge of giving succour to the victims of the flooded areas.

    “With this visit, we have seen that there is a need to reconstruct some of the bridges by raising and expanding them to avert similar incidence.

    “I have consulted with the relevant agencies as regards this incidence, and I have been assured of a permanent solution,” the governor said.

  • ‘Lagos will empower women, youths’

    Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to implement and support the initiatives targeted at empowering women and youths to become useful and responsible citizens.

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mrs. Cecelia Dada, who spoke at the weekend in Alausa, Ikeja at the launch of the Girls’ Skill Up Programme of Jaebee Furniture, designed to train 10,000 girls in furniture upholstery, said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration would spare no effort to equip women and youths with the requisite skills aimed at transforming them into wealth creators and key contributors to national development.

    She said: “Empowering women and youths has been a major focal point of this present administration.

    “It is in line with this that the government established 17 skill acquisition centres under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    Read Also: Keystone Bank empowers youths, business start-ups

    “Ten vocations are being taught here and these include hairdressing and cosmetology, catering and hotel management, computer training, textile designing/hats making, beads stringing, barbing, printing technology, shoe making and leatherwork, furniture and woodwork, welding, block laying, adult literacy, to mention a few.”

    Dada hailed Jaebee Furniture for championing the unique girl-focused initiative designed to build up and empower young women in upholstery business, hitherto regarded as the preserve of men.

    She enjoined beneficiaries to take the opportunity to start their business and impart the knowledge gained to others.

    The convener of the initiative and Chief Executive Officer of Jaebee Furniture, Joy Shittu Igbodike, said the programme was conceived to groom, mentor and equip young girls with technical and business skills in furniture upholstery.

    “I believe young girls can thrive in a field like furniture making. When they are supported in this sector, we will be empowering them to create jobs, live their dreams and build a better society for generations to come,” she said.

    Igbodike said despite the huge financial benefit in the furniture and upholstery industry, which worth $675billions worldwide, it was unfortunate that Nigeria still grappled with unmet requests for upholsterers, adding that the initiative was designed to bridge the gap and tap into the potential of the sector.

    She advised the girls to take the opportunity and make the best of it.

    “Be focused on your training, make a commitment to learn all that you can and be disciplined enough to go out there and be a good ambassador to the people who are supporting and counting on you,” Igbodike told the first batch of about 200 girls.

  • Commissioner seeks 21st century compliant workforce

    Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle has said the vision of the government for a 21st century economy can only be achieved with a dedicated 21st century compliant workforce.

    Ponnle, who spoke at the weekend at her maiden meeting with agencies, departments and units in the ministry comprising Office of Establishments and Training, Civil Service Pensions Office, Lagos State Pensions Commission and Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo, said it was imperative for the agencies and workers to be prepared to complement the vision of the government in its quest to achieve a greater Lagos.

    Ponnle added: “The mandate of the ministry must be collectively pursued.”

    Read Also: Lagos Govt., NGO partner on free surgery to mark Sanwo-Olu’s 100 days in office

    She urged officials of the ministry and agencies to shun unhealthy rivalry, stressing that the ministry can only be adjudged to be successful when the agencies under its supervision excel.

    The commissioner said plans were being made to organise a retreat for the officials of the agencies, to synergise, strategise and devise methods of meeting the needs of the citizens and also to surmount the challenges that lie ahead.

    She craved the support of the workers in the areas of sense of duty, collective ownership, dedication to duty and sense of purpose.

    “Let me assure you that the commitment of the present administration under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to human capital development, career management, institutional policy reforms, pension matters and maintenance of harmonious industrial climate cannot be underestimated,” Ponnle said.

  • Airtel Africa crosses 100m subscribers’ mark

    Airtel Africa, a leading telecoms services provider with operations in 14 countries across Africa, said it has crossed the 100 million customers mark across its operations. Airtel Africa is the second largest mobile operator in Africa by number of active subscribers.

    Commenting on this milestone achievement, Raghunath Mandava, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to report that Airtel Africa has crossed the 100 million subscriber mark. This achievement is testament to the hard work of our employees and a clear reflection that customers value our network, service offerings and customer experience. The positive momentum we have seen in customer acquisition, further underpins our medium-term aspirations for revenue and profit growth. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams that have worked hard to get us here.”

    Airtel Africa’s footprint is characterized by low but increasing mobile connectivity, with a unique user penetration at 43 per cent, highlighting the potential for growth across its footprint.

    The company believes in enhancing connectivity and digitizing the countries in which it operates and has invested to expand its network footprint and number of 4G sites to enhance network capabilities and support its future business growth.

    A combination of an under-penetrated telecom market, a young addressable population and rising smartphone affordability, along with low data penetration and an underbanked population, will drive the growth opportunities for the data and mobile money segments moving forward.