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Tag: Nigerian news

  • Nigerians not getting enough from security agencies, says Lawan

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said Nigerians are not getting the best from the security agencies due to the way their structures were designed.

    Lawan made the observation while contributing to a motion on renewed activities of armed robbers and kidnappers on the Lokoja-Abuja road, moved by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

    The Senate President said the time had come to ban the Army, the police and other paramilitary personnel from using railway services.

    He said they should instead ply the roads and clear them for other Nigerians to travel safely.

    According to him, there is urgent need to review the nation’s security architecture and allocate more funds for security in the national budgets.

    Read Also: Why Nigeria should celebrate, by Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Mustapha

    Lawan said: “The issue of kidnapping, banditry and other security challenges is affecting all of us. I also agree completely that we need to do something differently.

    “You recall that before we went on recess, we mentioned that we needed to go back to that report on the ad hoc committee set up to review the architecture of the security in Nigeria, which the Eighth Senate set up.

    “In addition to doing something, maybe by way of a public hearing to ensure that we review the security architecture and the structure of our agencies today, because of the way they are designed, I think we are not getting the best out of them and we cannot go on like this.

    “Maybe we would be a little more radical. We need to give the security agencies some more funds, but we should insist on accountability.

    “It is not enough to give them money; we must see how they utilise the money. We must insist on that, and if we do that, we must insist that uniform people must not join the train because they are the ones that are supposed to protect us.

    “The military, the police and para-military agencies should allow the ordinary people to use the train.

    “Let them ply the roads because that would clear the roads for other road users to go on the roads.

    “We have to take these measures and take some responsibilities and obligations.”

    Also, senators decried the renewed kidnappings on the Abuja-Lokoja road and other highways in the country.

    They urged security agencies to immediately tighten security on the roads.

    The senators also urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to further protect the lives of Nigerians on the Abuja-Lokoja expressway and other highways across the country.

    In his lead debate, Senator Melaye drew the Senate’s attention to repeated kidnappings on the Lokoja-Abuja highway in September.

    The Kogi senator urged his colleagues to note that the highway is the gateway to about nine states and the only road that joins the South and the North.

    He said: “Specifically, between Aseni and Omoko village on that expressway, on September 11, there was a very serious issue of kidnap where about eight people were abducted on that road.

    “As if that was not enough, on September 18 again, they came more vociferous and kidnaped 11 people and destroying property of motorists.

    “As if that was not enough, on September 24, the gang of armed robbers came there and killed eight Nigerians, including one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who was commuting on that road.

    “They killed eight people and kidnapped 18 people. My worry is that it happened on September 11 and there was no special security attention to it.

    “It happened again on September 18 and it was fully demonstrated again on September 24, where the lives of eight Nigerians were unceremoniously taken.

    “In a country where there is law and order; in a country where the poor and rich pay their taxes, Chapter 2 of the Constitution and Section 14(2b) is very clear. And what does that part of the constitution say? It says the primary responsibility of the government shall be the security and welfare of the people…”

    Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe and Danjuma Goje supported the motion.

  • Border closure: Customs rakes in N9.2billion in one day – Ali

    The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) has declared the agency collected N9.2billion in one day as a result of the ongoing partial border closure exercise by the Federal Government.

    Ali, who was answering questions from members of the joint National Assembly Committee on Finance in Abuja, said the agency maintains an average revenue collection of N5billion to N6billion on a daily basis.

    The customs boss was at the National Assembly on the invitation of the National Assembly joint committee on Finance presently considering the 2020 – 2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) submitted to both chambers by President Muhammadu Buhari, last week.

    He said that most cargoes that used to berth in Benin Republic and later smuggle their goods into the country are now using Nigerian ports.

    Read Also: Customs boss lauds Ogun command over joint border security

    He said the agency’s revenue has not dropped but rather increased as the a result of the closure.

    Ali said: “When we closed the border my fear was that our revenue is going to drop. To be honest our revenue kept increasing.

    “There was a day in September that we collected N9.2billion in one day. It has never happened before.

    “This is after the closure of the border and since then, we have maintained an average of about N4.7billion to N5.8 billion on a daily basis which is far more than we used to collect.

    “What we have discovered is that most of those cargoes that used to go to Benin (Republic), shipped to Benin, continue and then discharged and smuggled into Nigeria, now that we have closed the border they are forced to bring their goods to either Apapa or Tin Can Island and we have to collect duty on them.

    “If that would continue to us it is a welcome situation. As a matter of fact to answer your question, our revenue has not reduced. As a matter of fact, it is increasing as a result of closing the border.”

    Ali also said that there has been a significant reduction in the amount of fuel supposedly consumed daily in Nigeria since the exercise began.

    “About 10.2million litres of fuel has now been cut down from what we have been assuming to have been consuming. This 10.2million litres of fuel is always going to across the border.

    “The issue here is that there is incentive because there is price differential. And that is why our people keep pushing this fuel. If you go to Ilaro today, the filling stations that are there…in Idiroko, there are over 50 tp 60 filling stations in one place and they are close to the border.

    “And what we have discovered is that they bring in fuel in the afternoon and in the night they siphon it. They do that everyday and this is why we keep saying we are consuming so many litres of fuel everyday.”

    The National Assembly has summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, to appear before its joint committee tomorrow by 9am tomorrow (today).

    This was sequel to the fact that despite having been invited by the Committee, the CBN Governor neither sent a representative nor a letter to explain his absence.

    Babandede also did not heed the Committee’s invitation on Wednesday.

  • N2b ‘fraud’: EFCC grills Maina

    Former Chairman of the Pension Task Reform Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Department of State Services (DSS), it was learnt on Wednesday.

    He was arrested in Abuja on Monday by DSS operatives.

    Maina, who was looking pensive, was brought to the anti-graft agency about 5.30pm.

    The suspect was quizzed over alleged N2 billion biometrics contract.

    It was also learnt that Maina was interrogated over his choice assets in Kado Estate, Abuja, some properties in Kaduna and a large farm in Keffi, the Nasarawa State capital.

    A source, who spoke in confidence yesterday, said: “Maina, who we had earlier declared wanted, was brought to EFCC by the DSS a few hours ago. The security agency handed him over after the completion of its profiling on him.

    “You know Maina has been hiding in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some neighbouring countries and there is need to de-brief him on certain security challenges associated with him.

    Read Also: N84.6m fraud: EFCC grills INEC accountant, three others

    “For instance, intelligence report indicated that Maina was asked how he always succeeded in sneaking in and out of the country and his connection with a safe house in Abuja.

    “But as soon as he was handed over to the EFCC, detectives isolated issues for him on the N2 billion biometrics contact. He was also asked to make statement on the funding of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team.

    “He has also been asked to explain how he came about choice assets in Abuja and Kaduna.

    “The investigation might also be extended to his activities as a former director in Customs, Immigration and Prisons Office (CIPPO), which he superintended with huge cash flow.”

    Replying a question, the EFCC source said: “He will soon be arraigned in court because we have already preferred charges against him.

    “As far back as July 21, 2015, Maina was arraigned at a Federal High Court on a 24-count charge with a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited.

    “He is expected to face trial for charges bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence.

    “What detectives are doing now is to obtain a statement from him on some findings about him before the court proceedings.”

    Asked of his status, the source added: “Maina was in pensive mood; he never expected that the law would catch up with him.”

    Also yesterday, Maina’s 20-year-old son Faisal, was alleged to have pulled a pistol on security operatives who arrested him and his father on Monday.

    DSS spokesman at the services national headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya, made the allegation in a statement.

    The statement titled: “DSS arrests Abdul-Rasheed Maina”, said the combined DSS operation, on September 30, arrested Maina at the Pennsylvania Avenue Hotel in Abuja.

    It explained that the arrest followed a request by the EFCC to apprehend the suspect.

    The statement said: “Maina was arrested in company of his 20-year-old son, Faisal Abdul-Rasheed Maina, who unsuccessfully tried to resist the arrest.

    “The lad even pulled a pistol against the security agents involved in the operation. He was, however, disarmed and arrested. He is a final year student at the Canadian University of Dubai where he is studying Telecoms Engineering.

    “Items recovered from the suspects, include a pistol with live ammunition, a bullet-proof Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a BMW saloon car, foreign currencies, a phantom 7 drone and sensitive documents.

    “The suspects and the recovered items will be handed over to the EFCC for further investigations and appropriate necessary actions.

    “It is instructive to note that the operation is as a result of a renewed interagency collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies.

    “The Service has always subscribed to such collaboration believed to be important in national security management and therefore, hopes to sustain the initiative in mitigating the current threats against public safety and national critical assets.”

    Maina, who was picked up by DSS operatives in a hotel in Abuja, had in 2017, been declared Maina wanted, following his refusal to honour the commission’s invitations.

    But in his bid to evade the long arm of the law, Maina, on September 5, 2018, in a suit  asked the court to decide whether the Commission can lawfully exercise powers of declaring him wanted, either on its official website or any other media platform, or ‘harass him.’

    But Justice Folasade Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court restrained the anti- graft commission from declaring Maina wanted.

    She also gave an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the EFCC and its affiliates or related bodies from further declaring Maina wanted in relation to the issue of the pension scam.

    The EFCC said the judgment must not be allowed to stand and headed to the Appeal Court.

  • Dangerous crave for ‘unviable’ airports

    The desire for airports is becoming attractive for states in Nigeria. Despite criticisms, more states are building or plan to build theirs. Are the airports viable? Are they of any benefit to citizens? Could the funds have been better used? KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR sought answers.

    The crave by state governments to build airports, especially the cargo variants, has come under intense scrutiny.

    Besides the huge cost of such critical air transport infrastructure, the viability of such projects has also become a subject of intense debate.

    Experts say one kilometer of airport runway could open a state to the world than one hundred kilometers of road.

    But, the existing airports built and managed by some state governments are not viable.

    Observers say there is need for cost-benefit analysis by states planning to build airports.

    Of the over 30 airports in Nigeria, 24 out them built by the Federal Government are managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The other airports were built and managed by states.

    States that have embarked on airports, whether for passenger or cargo operations, include Akwa Ibom, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe, Imo, Taraba, Katsina, Bayelsa, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Niger, Ebonyi, Nassarawa and  Yobe.

    The latest entrant in the state cargo airport initiative is Anambra, which intends to invest over N6 billion in the project.

    The Anambra State Cargo Airport, located at Umueri, near Awka, the state capital, according to Governor Willie Obiano, is expected to bring economic development to the state.

    Obiano, who launched the Umueri Cargo Airport Project in 2017, said it will be developed on a 1500-acre site with two runways, an aviation fuel facility, airport hotel, business park and international conference centre.

    The project, the governor said, is expected to generate 1200 direct and 3600 indirect jobs.

    The project, estimated to cost more than $2 billion, will be developed through a partnership between Anambra State Government, Orient Petroleum Resources and Elite International Investments.

    Elite International Investments is expected to provide all funds under a build, operate, manage and transfer agreement.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Anambra Airport City Infrastructure Limited has allocated 75 per cent stake to Elite International Investments , Orient Petroleum Resources Limited will hold a 20 equity stake while the Anambra State Government will hold five per cent equity.

    Necessary projects?

    But, the deal has thrown up many questions as some who are indigenous to the state see it as another white elephant project.

    They have faulted the viability of the project considering the closeness of Asaba Airport, Owerri Airport and Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu.

    Aviation experts including Managing Director of Centurion Securities Limited, Group Captain John Ojikuti (rtd); former Managing Director of Nigeria Airways Limited, Captain Mohammed Joji; Managing Director of Finum Aviation Services Limited, Engineer Sheri Kyari; Managing Director, IRS Airlines, Mr Yemi Dada and former Nigeria Air Force Flight Surgeon and Chief AeroSpace Medical Consultant, Dr Makanjuola Owolabi have cautioned state governments to weigh the options before they embark on construction of cargo or passenger airports.

    They noted that some airports built by some state governments, namely Jigawa, Kebbi, Taraba, Delta, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Nassarawa are case studies of unviable ventures.

    According to them, other  states  should not commit billions of naira supposedly meant for infrastructure and other developmental needs into construction of cargo airports.

    While many of the airports were envisaged as status symbols, propelled by political motivations and self-aggrandisement, others came up merely to facilitate the airlift of pilgrims.

    Joji said governors need to think deeply before embarking on construction of state cargo or passenger airports.

    Investigstions reveal that Birnin Kebbi Airport, built by the Kebbi State Government, is subsidised to the tune of N5 million monthly for maintenance.

    An official of the state, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The airport has a total workforce of 210 from the state and 22 from the Federal Government. For this reason, the state government had to approve N4.5 million monthly for salaries.”

    Joji said building airports should not be the priority of states in the face of dwindling revenues.

    He said: “The various states must first stimulate their economic environment, develop skills and develop agric/mineral resources on a mechanised/large scale.

    “They should set up industries before embarking on building airports, which to us all, are to serve the opulent lifestyles of few elite.

    “State governors must first address the poor state of the roads, dilapidated hospitals, schools, lack of water, sanitation, unpaid salaries still bedeviling these states.

    “Regional approach to infrastructural deficits should be initiated. States should  not go to capital market or issue bonds to build airports.”

    In spite of the unviable nature of these airports, other states such as Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Delta, Anambra, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Abia embarked on the project.

    Experts say Ekiti, with meagre Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), had no pressing need for an airport given its closeness to Akure, where there is an under-utilised airport.

    Investigations reveal that the Dutse Airport, built by Jigawa State government at a whooping N15.5 billion from the state’s loan purse, though inaugurated a few years ago, is yet to attract scheduleddomestic flights, except for charter operations and airlifting of pilgrims for Hajj.

    States should collaborate on airports

    Aviation and Security Consultant, John Ojikutu, said what is needed now is the establishment of specialised airports, adding that states could collaborate to establish airports based on their comparative advantages.

    He said: “You need money for landing and parking. You need money to pay for services and salaries. So, why building airports that will not be viable?”

    According to the retired Group Captain, to build an airport in a particular location, the promoters will have to take into consideration the availability of passengers and cargoes.

    ‘‘The state governments should look for technical partners, who are willing to invest in aviation.

    “They have to do a lot of business plan to know if their airport project will be viable.

    “The states that are neighbours too should come together to have a joint project.

    “Osun and Oyo can partner to buy Ibadan Airport and turn it into agricultural cargo airport.

    “Ondo and Ekiti can do the same and buy Akure Airport and turn it into international agricultural airport. Lagos and Ogun can develop another agric airport,” he said.

    Managing Director of IRS Airlines Mr Yemi  Dada said airports are built to bring air transport service to a particular locality.

    But he was quick to ask: “Is that airport needed in that area?”

    He added: “If the strategy of a state is to encourage tourism, fine. A larger demand for air services is a natural requirement for an airport.

    “You can create the demand for this service by making it a specialised airport. It can be for agricultural purpose.

    “One of the big challenges we have now is to set our priorities right. Looking at states as they are today, it is a misplaced priority to want to build an airport. Maybe they want to have it as a long-term project.”

    Recently, the Federal Government granted approval to Ebonyi State to construct its international airport. Governor David Umahi said the airport would boost economic growth.

    But, the move by Ebonyi State Government has drawn flak from industry experts who pointed out that the closeness of Enugu Airport was enough reason for a neighbouring state not to consider building an airport.

    But, a former Nigerian Air Force Officer, Chief Flight Surgeon and Chief Aerospace Medical Consultant, Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi, has a different view. To the renowned aviator, some of these states really need airports in their different states.

    Citing Ekiti State, for instance, Dr  Owolabi said the proposed establishment of cargo airport in Ado Ekiti, the state capital was desirable.

    Owolabi said farmers in the state would only earn justifiable income from their produce if they are evacuated.

    Speaking on the N15.5 billion Dutse International Airport built by his predecessor Sule Lamido, Governor Mohammed Abubakar hinted at plan to partner with investors to establish a flying training school in Dutse to make the airport viable.

    According to him, the idea is part of several measures being worked out to enhance the economic viability of Dutse International Airport.

    This, he said, was part of measures initiated by his administration to ensure effective utilisation of the airport for the benefit of the people.

    His words: “We have been discussing how best to utilise the airport. The state government is approaching investors who plan to have a flying school in Nigeria with a view to using our airport for training and build the school around the airport.”

    The Bauchi Airport, which was built at over N7.9 billion by the administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda, has been unviable and inactive.

    The airport stirred was in the news last year when passengers aboard an Aero aircraft disembarked using a wooden ladder.

    Taraba is another state in the Northeast that has built a N10 billion airport. The viability of the facility has been a big issue as only Overland Airways operates scheduled flights to the airport.

    In the same region, Gombe Airport was built a few years ago with over N7 billion.  It attracts limited flight operations.

    In faraway Kebbi State, an airport was inaugurated in Birnin Kebbi, its capital. It was built for N17 billion in 2015.

    The airport in Katsina State, built a few years ago for a whopping N11 billion, has remained under-utilised as no airline operate flights to it.

    States not relenting

    Despite the under-utilisation of existing airports and widespread criticisms, state governments are unrelenting in their quest to have airports of their own.

    In the Northcentral region, Nassarawa State is proposing a N20 billion airport in Lafia, the state capital.

    Writing off the multi-billion project, Captain John Okakpu believes the airport cannot stimulate the growth of air cargo.

    According to him, Nasarawa Governor Umaru Al-Makura may not have been properly guided before deciding to build such an ambitious infrastructure.

    Statistics, he said, shows that the airport will attract low patronage.

    Relying on International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics and market analysis for last year, Okakpu insisted that the airport would not be sustainable.

    His words: “To me, the government of Nasarawa ought to have devoted its strength to empowering farmers for agro-allied produce rather than building an airport.”

    In Lagos State, work has advanced on the proposed cargo airport at the Epe / Lekki axis. The project, which is expected to gulp over N102 billion, is being developed to service the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).

    Of all the airport projects being planned, only that of Lagos State has not attracted much criticisms. Many argue that a mega city state such as Lagos deserves an alternate airport to relieve the congested Muritala Mohammed InternationalAirport, Ikeja.

    In Osun State, construction worked which commenced a few years ago on the N11 billion Moshood Abiola International Airport billed for Ido Osun, has been enmeshed in controversy.

    Sheri Kyari, the Managing Director of Finum Air Services, welcomes the idea of building airports for as long as the facilities can be positioned in such a way that it would  be commercially viable.

    He said: “I think it is alright. But, looking at the economic challenges confronting the country currently, embarking on such projects at this point in time is a mere wastage.”

  • Navy begins enlistment for Direct Service

    The Nigerian Navy has commenced the enlistment of graduates and HND holders into the Direct Short Service Commission.

    Navy Director of Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun, announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Dahun said interested applicants, who must be Nigerians by birth, should possess a minimum of Second Class Upper Division for first degree holders and Upper Credit for HND holders.

    “Male applicants must not be less than 1.68 metres tall while female applicants must not be less than 1.65 metres in height.

    “Applicants must possess NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate and should be between 22 and 28 years by Feb. 20, 2020,

    Read Also; Navy nabs six rice ‘smugglers’ in A’Ibom

    “Except for Imams, Chaplains and Medical Consultants who should not exceed 30 years and 40 years respectively by Feb. 20, 2020,” he said.

    Dahun said guidelines for the enlistment could be accessed on the Nigerian Navy Enlistment Portal: www.joinnigeriannavy.com.

    He said the portal will remain open till Nov. 14, 2019 for interested candidates to apply online.

    “Candidates are to note that all the processes ranging from online registration, aptitude test and the selection interview are free of charge,” he said.

    He advised candidates to be wary of scammers and refrain from giving money to any individual under any guise.

  • Abiodun sets up business council

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said he will set up a Business Advisory Council to maximise the set objectives of his administration on Public Private Sector Partnership (PPP).

    According to the Governor, the council will be saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring and evaluating the framework to actualise the agenda his administration “considers fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun State.”

    Abiodun said the state government’s economic blueprint provided a conducive and competitive environment for business enterprises to thrive.

    He said this while addressing labour leaders, activists, unionists, students and market women at the OK Centre, venue of the reception ceremony for Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary.

    Read Also: How Ogun’ll remain top most investment destination, by Abiodun

    The council, he said, would set clear predictable standard of engagement that would apply to all development partners.

    He noted that a Public-Private Partnership office had already been created with the aim of ensuring that the business environment and partnership were system-driven, rather than being personality-driven.

    “We are sincerely committed to a Public-Private-Sector Partnership approach, in ensuring our resolve to have a sound PPP approach. We now have a Business Advisory Council that comprises stakeholders and focuses on ensuring that the business environment remains conducive and competitive for investments to grow in Ogun State,” the governor said.

    He also said that the state government was committed to attracting and retaining investments as well as promoting the prosperity of its citizens.

    His government, he said, had signed into law the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency Bill (Ogun Invest) to boost the facilitation required to invest in the state.

    “The purpose is to boost the facilitation required to invest in our dear state and commence operations e.g. land acquisition and ownership, community relations, statutory documentation, and linkages with the suppliers, especially farmers,” he said.

    The governor further informed the people, especially the Small Medium Enterprises owners, of the government’s determination to boost their capacity as major producers of raw materials.

    He assured them that he had engaged off-takers made up of big industries to which they could serve as distributors, adding that to provide incentives to them an Enterprise Development Agency would be established to assist in the facilitation of all available intervention funds from the Federal Government.

  • Ondo Assembly gets make-shift chamber

    Three months after a strange reptile reportedly appeared in the hallowed chambers of the Ondo State House of Assembly and sacked the lawmakers, the Assembly is now set for a ‘robust’ legislation.

    The incident was then blamed on the dilapidated state of the Assembly complex, especially the floor of the house.

    However, the state assembly yesterday inaugurated a make-shift chamber to be used as a temporary avenue for conducting the plenary sessions of the House.

    The inauguration of the temporary chamber was witnessed by the Assembly members, staff and invited Christian and Islamic Clerics, including the Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Rev. Simeon Borokini.

    Read Also: ‘Ondo Assembly worst in infrastructural facilities’

    The clerics, who prayed for the lawmakers, the staff and the Ondo State Government, highlighted the importance of the legislature to the sustenance of democracy.

    Borokini spoke on the mace and the covenant box in the Bible, noting that as important as the covenant box was to the Israelites, so is the mace to the assembly and the people.

    He urged the lawmakers to work in harmony with the Executive arm in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

    The Chief Whip of the House and lawmaker representing Owo State Constituency II, Adeyemi Olayemi hailed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his timely intervention by facilitating the renovation of the temporary chamber.

    He noted that it would further enhance the performance of their legislative duties.

    He said: “We now have a more convenient place to carry out our legislative duties pending the complete and total rehabilitation of the old structure by the Executive arm.”

    Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said the House was not standing akimbo as being insinuated in some quarters.

    He maintained that while the renovation of the temporary chamber was on , members were busy with other legislative assignments such as committee meetings and oversight functions.

    The legislators suspended all legislative duties in the old chamber sometime in July, following the dilapidated form of the Assembly complex.

    The state government came to the rescue by renovating a space in the assembly complex to temporarily facilitate execution of legislative activities, pending the rehabilitation of the old Structure.

  • ‘Why Makinde is reviewing inherited projects’

    The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, has revealed the reasons behind the cancellation and review of some projects inherited by the current administration.

    Ogedengbe explained that his principal had been canceling and reviewing projects after determining the motive behind their establishment.

    For Makinde, who he said had zero tolerance for corruption, Ogedengbe said any project, which establishment was motivated by personal gains or which was not serving the interest of the state and its people would be axed or reviewed to ensure public good and accountability.

    The cleric disclosed this while speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by the Special Strategic Group (SSG) for Makinde’s election at Maranatha Chapel, Iwo road, Ibadan, during the holiday.

    Read Also: ‘It’s unfair to assess Makinde now’

    Since his inauguration, Governor Makinde has cancelled the N3,000 annual levy paid by pupils in public secondary schools in the state. He has also cancelled the Ibadan-Iseyin road contract, among others.

    The executive assistant also said Makinde’s election was a fulfilment of a long time prophecy about Nigeria, pointing out that the governor came at a time God ordained a new Nigeria to emerge, starting from Oyo State.

    He explained that Oyo would not just be a pacesetter of a new nation of Nigeria, but that of Africa at large.

    According to Ogedengbe, Governor Makinde stands at a vantage position to carefully assess the achievements and mistakes of past leaders in the state to learn from them and move the state forward.

    While giving the assurance that Makinde’s achievements would surpass those of his predecessors, he admonished Christians to prayerfully consider going into politics once they had got the assurance that God was directing them.

    “There is nothing wrong for Christians to go into politics. Once you are sure God is leading you towards that direction, pray very well, join a political party, attend their meetings from ward level, make sure you participate actively in all the activities of the party of your choice and make up your mind to make a positive difference as a Christian,” he said.

    Speaking earlier at the meeting, the convener of the Special Strategic Group, Dr. Olatunde Oladoyinbo, thanked members for their selfless and relentless service at the time needed.

    He urged them to pray daily for the success of Makinde’s administration.

  • Xenophobic attack: Oyo promises to assist returnees

    Oyo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Rauf Olaniyan, on Wednesday formally received 30 victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, who are indigenes of the state.

    Olaniyan, who received the returnees on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, assured them of the state government’s assistance.

    He said the assistance would not be monetary “but a proper profiling of the returnees will be done to know specific areas to assist them; thereafter, they would make their proposals.”

    Olaniyan said that the state government would consider those that qualified for government jobs, when the state was ready to recruit workers.

    Read Also: Xenophobia: ECOWAS citizens seek access to African Court

    He enjoined the returnees to abstain from any criminal acts, but see their return to their home-state as an opportunity to excel.

    Olaniyan said the current administration in the state was working hard to provide favourable atmosphere for everyone to prosper.

    The deputy governor announced a donation of a token of N30,000 to each of the 30 returnees as transport allowance back to their respective towns and villages.

    Some of the returnees, Temilade Olakojo, Oluwaseun Okeleye and Bolatito Lawal, pleaded with the state government to assist them, saying they returned to Nigeria with nothing as they had lost everything in South Africa.

  • Council primaries: Ekiti APC aspirants, reject imposition

    The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress in Ekiti State on Wednesday deepened as some of its aggrieved local government chairmanship aspirants protested alleged imposition of candidates for the December 7 council election.

    The protesters led by two chairmanship aspirants, Mrs. Tosin Aluko and Tajudeen Gidado, besieged the party secretariat at about 9.30 am to express their grievances.

    The party had last week Saturday suspended primaries in Ado, Ikole and Ekiti East local government areas over alleged security threat and rumour that some members were planning to disrupt the process in a violent manner.

    It was gathered that the Deputy Governor and leader of the party in Ado Ekiti council, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, and 35 others, had picked Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi against the wishes of the two other aspirants.

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    The two aspirants faulted and rejected the consensus process that produced Fajuyi as the candidate, saying it was a flagrant violation of party’s constitution, which stipulates that there must be indirect primary, when consensus option fails.

    They said the decision didn’t reflect the interest and free will of the party members, saying the principle of internal democracy should not be inhibited, but rather strengthened.

    But the APC State Publicity Secretary, Hon Ade Ajayi, said the party was not interested in the imposition of candidates.

    Ajayi also exonerated Governor Kayode Fayemi of complicity in the crises that dogged the primaries, warning that nobody should bring the governor into the controversial issue.

    He said: “Some group of people came to protest here today and said they rejected the consensus option in Ado Ekiti. They were led by Mrs. Tosin Aluko and Mr. Tajudeen Gidado. They came with placards carrying inscription that they rejected imposition; that they wanted primaries. We have never contemplated imposition as a party.

    “The party will look into their protest vis-a-vis the letter signed by the deputy governor and 35 leaders. You know that the deputy governor is the leader of the party in Ado Ekiti and you know what it means for him to have signed for consensus. The state exco will meet on the issue and take a position.

    “We are not ready to impose anybody and nobody must bring the name of Governor Kayode Fayemi into this matter.”

    Ajayi said the party had set up intervention and reconciliation committees to interface with the aggrieved aspirants on how to resolve the crises trailing the conduct of the primaries in the three councils.

    He said the party took proactive measures by postponing the primaries in the three councils on Saturday upon realising that some hoodlums wanted to hijack the process and burn down some marked houses.

    On the efforts being made to pacify the aggrieved candidates, the APC spokesman said: “We are getting representations from various communities, because we recognise the right of every individual to contest in our party without being deprived.

    “We have invited leaders from Ikole, Ekiti East and Ado Ekiti; so all the issues are being attended to and it will be resolved amicably.”