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  • Ondo PDP loses Woman Leader, 13 days after auto crash

    A woman leader in the Ondo state Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mrs Toyin Ajinde who was involved in a ghastly road crash with the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Nicholas Tofowomo penultimate weekend has been reported dead.

    She was said to have sustained serious injuries in the accident and had since been on admission in University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo.

    Sources said she underwent series of surgeries but unfortunately could not survive due to the degree of the injuries sustained in the accident.

    The PDP family was thrown into mourning on Thursday as news of her death filtered in.

    Members of the party were also in grief at the party Secretariat at Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital discussing Mrs. Ajinde’s death.

    Besides Mrs. Ajinde and Senator Tofomo, other people who were involved in the car crash were a 2020 governorship aspirant of the party, Banji Okunomo and Mrs. Yetunde Dada.

    It was reported that the car in which they were travelling crashed along Igbara-Oke near Akure while returning from Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The senator and others occupants of the vehicle were immediately rushed to the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo by officials of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    According to a statement signed by PDP’s Director of Media & Publicity, Zadok Akintoye, Mrs. Ajinde was described as one of the party’s foremost women-leaders.

    The statement entitled: ‘Toyin Ajinde: An Unbeatable Loss’ reads in parts: “Our party expresses deep sadness at the news of the death of one of our foremost women-leaders, Mrs Toyin Ajinde.

    “Her demise, which was due to injuries sustained after a vehicular accident along Ilesha-Akure expressway, remains a loss that would be long felt by our party and citizens who met and benefitted from her magnanimity and good nature.

    “Toyin was a great mobilizer and dedicated party woman who blazed the trail for greater inclusion of women in politics and governance.”

    The party, however, pray that God would grant her husband and children the fortitude to bear the great loss.

  • Warner Bros Studios hosts Del-York Creative Academy

    One of the largest landmark entertainment studios, Warner Bros. Studios, will host Del-York Creative Academy(DCA) in Burbank, California.

    The two-day event organised by the Business Resource Group BE@Warner Bros. will take place in Burbank, California.

    Selected students from the 2019 class of the Del-York Creative Academy and alumni will participate in the two-day workshops focused around the entertainment industry.

    Projects from DCA students will be screened on the lot, followed by a panel discussion featuring DCA, University of Southern California (USC) Warner Bros. and other partners from various studios.

    Also, DCA alumni and special guests will be taken on the full Warner Bros. Studio tour experience for a peek behind the curtain into the operations of one of the world’s largest and most successful studios.

    Read Also: “Game of Thrones’’ director offers Nigerian actor role in Warner Bros film

    The Del-York Creative Academy is Africa’s foremost capacity building institution for film, media, animation & technology.

    It is pioneering the growth of the African Creative Industry through intensive hands-on training programs while bridging the gap between creatives in the United States and Africa.

    The academy has successfully flown in 85 lecturers from Hollywood to Africa and trained 1,800 students in over a decade of existence.

    DCA President and founder, Linus Idahosa, said: “Jack Warner, the esteemed head of Warner Bros. for many years was once quoted as saying, “If I am right 51% of the time, I am ahead of the game.

    “I believe this visit will give voice to the potential that lies within Africa’s Creative economy. The knowledge exchanged here will also prove itself profitable in the years to come when Africa not only becomes the largest market for media consumers in the world but creates the largest and most effective outsourcing workforce.”

  • Edo Commission of Inquiry grills College of Education ex-provost, others

    A former Provost of the College of Education, Igueben, in Edo State, has testified before the Commission of Inquiry set up to probe the activities of Colleges of Education, Ekiadolor and Igueben; Michael Imoudu College of Physical Education, Afuze; the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and the College of Agriculture, Agenebode.

    The commission of Inquiry was set up by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to investigate activities of the colleges in the last 10 years, with a view to revamping and repurposing the colleges for optimal service delivery.

    Speaking at the inaugural sitting of the Commission, holding in Government House, Benin City, Chairman of the Commission and former Head of Service, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, said the commission will work assiduously to unravel issues that negatively affected the optimal operations of the institutions and make recommendations that will assist the state government to take appropriate decisions.

    She noted, “The commission is not out to witch-hunt anybody but to assist Edo State Government with vital information that will help in repositioning the colleges to achieve the objectives they were set up to achieve. It is our sincere hope as a commission that this engagement will yield the desired results in the state’s effort to reposition the colleges for optimal service delivery.”

    Testifying before the commission, former Provost of the College of Education, Igueben, Prof. Justus Ehigiator Ebhoaye, gave an account of financial transactions, appointments and promotions between 2006 to 2014 when he headed the college.

    He testified that the management under his leadership carried out financial transactions including allocation of allowances without approval from the appropriate authority.

    READ ALSO: Commission commences public hearing on probe of College of Education, Igueben

    During cross-examination on the alleged illegal amendment of the law setting up the college which allows allowances to be paid to staff members on committees, undue promotions and salaries awarded to favour some staff without the knowledge of either the supervising ministry or the governor, he admitted that the actions were taken in ignorance.

    The chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Igueben Chapter, Abiola Olatunde, while testifying before the commission, said some decisions taken by the Governing Council affected the school negatively.

    He noted that even though he possessed requirements for promotion, he did not attain the required three years before he was promoted.

    Other witnesses who testified before the panel at its inaugural sitting included a senior lecturer in the Department of General Education, Esther Ukpoma and Secretary of the ASUP, Ben Ali, among others.

  • Alaro City: Nigeria’s benchmark for innovative infrastructure, design

    Alaro City, the inclusive, mixed-use city-scale developmentin the Lekki Free Zone, has adopted innovative infrastructure building systems that serve as a benchmark for new cities in Nigeria.

    The City is currently building its first 3.5km road– a four-lane, asphalt thoroughfare with a four-metre median that has adopted modern best practices and delivered an efficient drainage system.

    Speaking to journalists during a tour of the city, Alaro City’s Construction Manager, Bailey Ligtas , said that the road, designed by leading engineering firm Over Arup & Partners, is the first of four major access points from the Lekki-Epe Expressway, just metres from the gate of Alaro City.

    “Alaro City is also developing an independent power plant solution by connecting to a nearby gas pipeline. Water supply for the first phase is also at an advanced stage,” he said.

    Launched in January 2019, Alaro City is planned as a 2,000-hectare new city located in the North West Quadrant of the Lekki Free Zone.

    The city will include industrial and logistics locations, complemented by offices, homes, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and parks and open spaces. The project is a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and Rendeavour, the largest new city builder in Africa.

    In building Alaro City, Rendeavour has provided solutions to urban planning and city-building problems unique to Lagos.

    According to Ligtas, to ensure effective flood management, Rendeavour have adopted a rain garden drainage system that not only provides a unique landscaping opportunity but ensures the development is not afflicted by open drainage systems.

    READ ALSO: Alaro City, Veritas partner on construction quality

    Green areas, parks and open spaces at Alaro City total over 150 hectares and form part of the drainage strategy of the city viafive “greenways”. These are designed to provide an area for leisure activities and also carry surface water to the lagoon.

    Alaro City has gained increasing recognition for its world-class master plan and the innovation it represents in modern city building. In July, the city’s master plan won the international Architizer A+Popular Choice Award, besting prestigious projects such as the Amazon HQ2 supersite in Dallas and the 5M project in San Francisco. In September, AlaroCity was voted “Emerging Project of the Year” by PropertyPro.ng at the Africa Real Estate Awards.

    Odunayo Ojo, CEO of Alaro City, said the city has already sold out phase one of its residential “buy-and-build” plots, with phase two well underway, adding that several Nigerian, regional and multinational companies are building commercial and industrial facilities in the city. “Alaro City lies in the growth path of Lagos and aims to serve as a model for what a modern mixed-use city looks like,” he said. “We have partnered with renowned experts in various fields to ensure that our culture of high standards is sustained.”

  • Kogi guber: Adeyemi’s appointment as DG campaign well-deserved, says minister

    Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, has congratulated the newly appointed Director General (DG) of Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC), Governorship Campaign Organisation, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, describing her appointment as well-deserved.

    Aliyu specifically tasked the DG to use his wealth of experience to galvanise the electorate to vote massively for the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Governor Yahaya Bello and his running mate, Comrade Edward Onoja in the November Kogi governorship race.

    She noted that with the political experience of Adeyemi, the coast is clear for APC’s victory, while calling on him to unite all aggrieved groups.

    The Minister, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Austine Elemue, said Adeyemi will work assiduously towards the victory of APC in the state.

    READ ALSO: Melaye declines PDP’s appointment as DG Kogi Guber Campaign Council

    “The Smart Adeyemi I know is a trustworthy character that can deliver in any assignment given to him. I sincerely believe that with his appointment as the Director General, of Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Organization, the camp of the enemy is in disarray.

    “However, I call on him to use his wealth of experience to galvanize all stakeholders of the party to ensure the victory of the party in the November governorship elections. I trust, we will not be disappointed in the choice of Adeyemi as the head of the campaign team”.

    She, however, called on other leaders of the party to team up with the campaign team to sell the candidacy of Governor Yahaya Bello and Comrade Edward Onoja.

  • Jilted 25-year-old commits suicide in Lagos

    25-year-old Kehinde Muse has committed suicide after his 21-year-old lover dumped him.

    The incident occurred at 56, Modele Street Surulere, Lagos Mainland.

    His case brought to five, the number of suicide incidents reported to the police since July.

    It was gathered that his lover, Rasheedat Animashaun, had dumped him two weeks ago because of his alleged high libido.

    The Nation gathered that the young woman had complained Muse liked sex and she could not cope with it.

    Another issue, it was gathered, stemmed from the fact that the young man was not working and depended on the girl financially.

    “The guy was not going anything. It was the girl that was working as an office secretary.

    “She was the one taking care of him financially. He was even sent to learn how to repair air conditioners but he did not achieve much there.

    “So, two weeks ago, the girl said she was tired and dumped him. She complained that all he does was sit at home, eat free food and then have sex countless times,” a source said.

    Unable to accept their breakup, Muse was said to have sent a message to Animashaun threatening to commit suicide if she insisted on leaving him.

    She was said to have notified his parents about the message who ran to his room only to discover that Muse had drunk a poisonous substance suspected to be sniper.

    READ ALSO: Indian woman commits suicide after husband stops her tobacco intake

    His parents were said to have rushed him to a hospital but he died on arrival.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said: “Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased person earlier sent a suicide text message to his ex –girlfriend, informing her that he will take his life since she decided to quit the relationship.

    “The said girlfriend promptly informed his family about the text message he sent to her and they rushed to his house, broke the door and found him unconscious.

    “He was rushed to the hospital but did not make it. His corpse has been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.”

  • Oyo LG poll: Makinde appoints electoral commission

    In fulfillment of his plans to conduct local government elections by the first quarter of 2020, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday approved the composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC).

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor, in a letter dated 18 September 2019, forwarded the names of eight individuals to the House of Assembly for consideration as chairman and members of the commission.

    The letter reads in parts: “I wish to inform Your Rt. Honourable and other Honourable Members of the composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC). The following personalities have been considered suitable, based on their track records, to oversee and conduct elections into the Local Governments in the State.”

    READ ALSO: Oyo Assembly to expedite passage of anti-open grazing bill

    The letter also sought for the consideration and confirmation of the nominees by the lawmakers.

    According to the letter, Barr. Isiaka Olagunju was nominated as chairman of the commission, while Comrade Adeniyi Afeez Babatunde, Alhaja Ganiyat Saka, Mr. Olanrewaju Emmanuel, Chief Kumi Agboola, Mr. Remi Ayoade, Mr. Sunday Falan and Mr. Adeojo Elias, were nominated as members.

  • EKiti SIEC chairman unfit to conduct council polls-PDP

    Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the chairman of Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Jide Aladejana, is unfit to conduct elections into the 16 local government areas in the state.

    The party berated Governor Kayode Fayemi for appointing Aladejana as the head of the electoral body despite his “tainted integrity”, saying the appointment has created a constitutional burden on the Commission.

    In a statement on Thursday in Ado Ekiti by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, the party queried how a dismissed judge in the State judiciary could be made to superintend over a sensitive body that is supposed to be chaired by people of unquestionable character.

    The party said all attempts by Aladejena to overturn his dismissal was overruled by courts at different level, stressing that he is not qualified to occupy such position.

    PDP said that Fayemi’s action has shown that he has no regards for democratic consolidation but only preoccupied to cast a pall on the electoral process.

    But the SIEC’s Commissioner in charge of Media and Publicity, Chief Soji Oloketuyi, debunked the allegations, describing them as spurious and baseless.

    Oloketuyi said claim of Justice Aladejana’s dismissal from the bench coming at a time when elections are few months away was targeted at distracting the commission and detail the electoral process.

    The party alleged that many of the members of the SIEC are card- carrying members of the ruling All Progressive Congress.

    “it’s unfortunately ridiculous that the Governor could assembled people who are constitutional barred to conduct elections in the State.

    “It was on this basis Government Fayemi was stopped to conduct Local government elections in his first term when Oloketuyi membership of SIEC then was proved to be inappropriate because he is a card carrying member of the ruling party which he is till today and also member of the electoral body.

    “It is evident he’s deliberately erecting wall of disruption in the way of the election so that he could continue to pocket the allocations to the council in absence of democratically elected officers.

    READ ALSO: Ekiti varsity student ‘kills’ boyfriend over hair money

    “However we want to assure him that PDP will go into the election with all seriousness unlike the coward Party that decided to boycott the previous Local government elections in the State”.

    SEIC Commissioner said: “To the best of my knowledge, Justice Aladejana was never dismissed from the bench. He remains one of the most credible Ekiti men with dignity. So to us, we consider this a distraction.

    “If those making the allegations are sure of themselves, let them show the proof of their accusation”, he said.

    Oloketuyi also said he was eminently qualified to be a member of SIEC , contrary to the position canvassed by the PDP, insisting that he was never a card carrying member of any political party.

    “I was appointed as an Electoral Commissioner under the first term of Governor Ayodele Fayose and now reappointed by Governor Kayode Fayemi. This was an eloquent testimony to my integrity as a former Public servant.

    “I worked in the civil service and retired as the immediate past Public Relations Officer at the Federal Polytechnic , Ado Ekiti, so I never carried the card of any political Party,” he said.

  • Photos: Former Gov Akande presents book

    Public presentation of the book. The Bisi Akande Phenomenon.

  • Ex-senator didn’t defect from our party, says PDP

    The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that a former Senator, who represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Nimi-Barigha Amange, did not defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Chairman of the PDP, Chief Moses Cleopas, said in a statement on Thursday that Amange ceased to be a member of the PDP shortly before the last general election elections when he defected from the PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Cleopas explained that Amange defected from the PDP to the ADC to contest against the PDP when he failed to secure the Senatorial ticket of the party for Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

    Cleopas said that Amange’s claim that he defected from the PDP to the APC because of Governor’s Dickson’s style of leadership was unfortunate and a mischievous attempt to create a false Impression of an implosion in the party.

    He said: “There is a misleading report that Amange has defected from the PDP to the ADC. The fact is that Amange is not a member of our party. He defected from the PDP to the ADC, to contest against us in the February 16, 2019 National Assembly election and lost.

    Read Also: Ex-Bayelsa PDP senator joins APC

    “Sen. Amange is not a PDP leader and the public should discountenance this misleading claim. This unfortunate claim is part of a calculated attempt to create an erroneous impression of an implosion in a party that is stable.

    “The PDP in the state knows those who are genuine members. Amange is not one of us and he should desist from misinforming the public with the intent to cause mischief.”

    Cleopas said that the Bayelsa State Chapter of the PDP was too strong to be bothered by a false defection masterminded by people troubled by the strong internal cohesion within the party.

    Cleopas who debunked Amange’s accusation against the governor stressed that he had never seen a leader who had adopted a more consultative approach to the resolution of issues than Governor Dickson.

    He said that before his defection in January, Amange was the one producing the councilor from his ward.

    He added that the governor, who he wrongfully accused of dictatorial tendencies could not identify the PDP candidate for Nembe Local Government Area in the last local government chairmanship election, West Alalibo, until after the poll.

    Cleopas added Amange surreptitiously sponsored a candidate who lost to the PDP Candidate, Ms Dorcas Kuku, a daughter of PDP Board of Trustees member, Mrs Remi Kuku in his Ward in Nembe Local Government Area in the last election.

    He added that contrary to lies being peddled against Governor Dickson by Amange, the Vice Chairman òf Nembe Local Government Area, Alison Abel, was collectively nominated by the Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, Amange and other stakeholders.