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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Lagos-Ibadan rail: CCECC pledges to fix community roads, bridges on rail line

    THE China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) has assured residents living on the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor that it would implement its welfare and primary infrastructure obligations before the completion and handing over of the project.

    The company, which is handling the 156-kilometre standard gauge rail line, said it is presently in talks with relevant government officials to address community infrastructural needs.

    The company, in a statement in Abuja by its Media Adviser, Dr. Eshemokha Maho, noted that the clarification became necessary, following recent agitation by some communities on the rail corridor over an overhead bridge and a flooded link road.

    Two of the affected communities in Ogun axis of the rail line – Laderin and Alagada – recently went on protests over the state of infrastructure in their areas.

    Read Also: Lagos-Ibadan rail project cost below $2b, says Fed Govt

    Laderin residents, during the protest, demanded that CCECC should build an overhead bridge across the rail line to connect villages in their area to the main road. Alagada community urged the company to fix the link road in the community, which has been rendered unpassable as a result of flooding.

    The Chinese firm, while noting that the construction of an overhead bridge in Laderin was not captured as part of the rail project, said CCECC as an ethical company was committed to the development of local communities in its areas of operations.

    The company added that machineries have been put in place towards addressing the communities’ complaints.

    “We are working based on designs given to us by the contracting authority, as you know we cannot go outside the design without appropriate approvals; it would be going outside the scope of the project and we could be sanctioned.

    “However, we have long taken note of the concern of the communities and have taken it into consideration and are working with relevant government officials to ensure that the issues raised by the communities are appropriately channelled and addressed.”

    On the issue of link road raised by Lasada community, Maho noted that CCECC is a company built on integrity.

  • Oyetola urges citizens to pay tax

    OSUN State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has urged his people to support the administration by paying their taxes regularly.

    He said for the government to actualise its set objectives, people must begin to prioritise their civic responsibilities and ensure prompt payment of their taxes.

    Oyetola spoke yesterday at the 2019 ‘Gbagede Oba’ festival at the Aragbiji’s palace in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area.

    The governor, who represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji, said the state’s economy demands support from the people, hence, the need for the residents to join hands with government in its bid to build a virile economy.

    Oyetola, who described tax as a veritable instrument for socio-economic prosperity, said his administration would not relent in its efforts to improve on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    He pledged to continue to improve on the welfare of the people through the execution of people-oriented policies and programmes.

    Read Also: Oyetola warns youths against cybercrimes

    Congratulating the people of Iragbiji on the occasion, the governor enjoined them to maintain peace, which the state is known for.

    “As we all know, our administration had taken the bull by the horns to bring about the desired development to the state. We have launched revitilisation into all sectors, particularly in the health sector, to ensure that the citizens have access to quality and affordable healthcare.”

    The governor’s wife, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, also expressed gratitude to the people for being supportive of the administration of her husband.

    She congratulated sons and daughters of Iragbiji on the occasion.

    The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, lauded the administration for the maintenance of peace and stability in the state.

    He described ‘Gbagede Oba’ festival as an annual event aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between and among the people of the town.

    Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Wahab Adewoyin urged the people of the town to join hands together in developing and taking the town to an enviable height.

  • Sanwo-Olu nominates Igbokwe, Elegushi, Ahmed, others as exco members

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday transmitted the final list of 13 nominees for commissioners and special advisers to the House of Assembly for screening.

    Prominent among the new nominees are the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe and former commissioner and member of Lagos state House of Assembly, Mrs. Lola Akande.

    The governor had four weeks ago sent the first batch of 25 nominees to the Assembly and they were screened by the ad hoc committee set up by the House for that purpose two weeks ago.

    They are yet to be finally cleared by the House.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu’s wife urges Lagosians to be united

    According to a statement signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the other commissioner-nominees and special adviser-designates are: Mr. Oladele Ajayi, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, Mr. Olanrewaju Sanusi, Mr. Bonu Solomon Saanu, Arc. Kabir Ahmed, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, Mrs. Solape Hammond, Mr. Moruf Akinderu Fatai, Mrs. Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu and Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.

    The statement added that the second list has names of accomplished politicians and technocrats, who “understand the current need of Lagos” and the governor’s development agenda.

    The governor’s media aide said the selection process was rigorous, because of the need to constitute the best team that would serve Lagos in line with the Sanwo-Olu administration’s vision of delivering a city-state that will rank among the top most livable cities in the world.

    Sources confirmed that the list has been received by the Assembly.

  • Osinbajo to inaugurate NDPHC substations in Ogun

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is billed to inaugurate the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited’s new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation and associated 132KV transmission lines tomorrow in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    According to a statement, the Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun will join the vice president to inaugurate the Otta/Papalantoro/Abeokuta composite project that is made up of a new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV relief substation for Abeokuta; line bay extension works and old Abeokuta 132/33KV substation.

    He will also commission a new 77.5KM, 132K double circuit line, replacing the old and worn-out single circuit lines between Otta, Papalantoro old Abeokuta and the new Abeokuta substation.

    Read Also: Osinbajo to inaugurate W/Africa’s largest LPG cylinder manufacturing plant

    According the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, the new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation in Abeokuta, when it fully comes on stream, will provide reliable power off-take via six 33KV distribution feeders to the state capital and its environs.

    He added that the 1×60MVA transformer at Otta will provide additional power supply through three 33KV feeders to Otta and its environs.

    Besides, Ugbo underscored the importance of the projects and said they would impact positively on power supply to Abeokuta, Otta axis and Ogun State.

  • Oyo governor living to expectation, says Southwest PDP

    THE Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed delight at the performance of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in less than 100 days in office.

    A statement by its spokesman, Ayo Fadaka, said the people are savouring a new lease of life.

    The statement said: “This is becoming evidently so in view of the quality of policies, legislations and managerial acumen of Governor Makinde.”

    The party said Makinde is impressing it on the people that it cannot be business as usual in the Pacesetter state.

    The statement read: “We note with sadness a statement credited to the state’s immediate past governor to the effect that the issues of missing government vehicles is a “minor issue” and that such was not “worthy” of the attention of government.

    Read Also: My administration will patronise indigenous contractors – Makinde

    “We equally note that his attempt to whimsically dismiss fraudulent and sharp practices of this magnitude clearly underscore the levity with which the state’s resources were carelessly frittered under his watch.

    “The Oyo State Government continues to maintain that many of the cars procured in February 2019 by the Ajimobi administration remain missing and such vehicles, in view of their age, cannot be classified and described as unserviceable.

    “We, therefore, demand of Senator Ajimobi to take due cognisance of what posterity will say concerning him and his tenure and immediately impress it on his appointees to return those vehicles to the new government.

    “We also recall that the Ajimobi administration awarded a N7 billion contract for an upstart contractor who is nowhere to be found after the sum of N2billion was paid to him.

    “This is grand larceny and it is sad that this happened in Oyo State.

    “In view of the foregoing, Governor Makinde must do a proper audit of what transpired in the Ajimobi years, as it will help the people of the state to realise how criminal actions were perpetrated under the guise of governance.”

  • Ajimobi: my wish is for Makinde to succeed

    FORMER Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has expressed his wish for the success of his successor Seyi Makinde in office.

    Ajimobi, in an interview with reporters during Sallah holiday, said he and the state would gain nothing from Makinde’s failure as governor.

    He explained that he spent the last eight years building a good foundation for the state’s progress and development, noting that he can only wish his successor to continue from where he stopped so that the state could maximise its potentials as the pacesetter.

    His words: “I think Governor Seyi Makinde is lucky because we have a very good structure in terms of security. He should just leverage on it and I want to advise that there are many good things that we have done, let him leverage on them. Anything that we have done that is not good, let him repair and that is life. Nobody is perfect. Only God is perfect.

    Read Also: Makinde’s, Ajimobi’s rift deepens over ‘missing’ govt vehicles

    “In fact, people believe that some of the imperfections of God came out of the evil men that we see. Some even ask why God did not create all of us to be good. They ask why God allows some evil men to thrive. So, I think Governor Makinde, like I said, I pray that he succeeds. His success is our progress in Oyo State. If he succeeds, it is good for us, if he doesn’t succeed, what do we gain?

    “Some people will come and say they don’t want the new governor to succeed, why not? I pray that he will succeed and anytime, I am ready to support him to succeed because in supporting him, we are helping the state and he himself is now seeing that we have done well in some areas, in education, roads, among others. There are many things we have done very well. No governor has ever done as much as we have done. But it doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes.”

    He also told The Nation in a chat yesterday: “As a statesman, you can’t wish your state or country to be stagnated or to retrogress. You can only wish to see continuous progress. That’s how the society gets better. It is not about one person or personal interest. Every good leader is interested in seeing a better society where his people enjoy opportunities to be the best they can.”

    On moves to reconcile members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, the former governor said: “You know the funniest thing, those that I believe have genuine cases, I have spoken to them. Some, I will not speak to them. They must come. I am the leader. If a father offends the son, it is the son that will beg the father. No matter how it is, a father will not say for the sake of his son in heaven, that God should bless him. No. It is the son that will always say that ‘for the sake of my father in heaven’, please bless me, even Jesus Christ was always referring to His father.”

  • Foundation seeks partnership with AU on political internship for youths

    An education-focused organisation, Baywood Foundation, is seeking collaboration with the African Union (AU) to run an internship programme for youths across the continent to enable them gain experience in governance and political leadership.

    Its founder, Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, stated this when he addressed reporters yesterday at Regent Hotel, Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.

    He said the programme, which is expected to kick off next year after getting the nod of AU and other political and corporate bodies, seeks to train youths to actively participate in governance with a view to taking leadership roles.

    Ibe said: “Beginning from 2020, 200,000 youths from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, gender and academic disciplines under the auspices of the Baywood Foundation will participate in a special internship programme for a period of 12 months. During this period, the candidates, each of whom will undergo a strict vetting process prior to selection, would be placed in an internship role in a relevant institution, such as a political party, legislative body, government agency, among others.

    Read Also: ‘How N-power has empowered Nigerians’

    “The focused objective is to position the candidate within an environment which provides opportunities to establish networks, upgrade knowledge levels and chart a career path in Government.”

    With young people making up over 60 per cent of the population in Africa, Ibe said the system must provide an enabling environment and affirmative action for them to participate in leadership. To this end, he said road blocks in their paths should be removed.

    Though praising President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the not-too-young-to-run bill into law, Ibe said more work needs to be done.

    He said: “Part of the challenges, as identified by Baywood Foundation, include neglect/abandonment of youths, lack of engagement and lack of collaboration with youths.

    “All these have culminated in the lack of opportunities for youths to actively participate in governance. These problems are lamentable, anti-democratic, including the exclusionist disposition of African leaders who capitalise on ethnic, religious as well as socio-economic divisions in their countries to perpetuate themselves in office.

    “The African continent is riddled with Presidents who have spent over 35 years in office and are aiming for 40 years or more. The statistics in this regard make for very sober reflection indeed; hence, the clarion call for affirmative action. “

    “The consequences of this characteristic of African leaders have led to the gross socio-economic under-development of the continent, corruption, genocides and the exclusion of many generations of youths from governance.

    “Baywood Foundation commends President Muhammadu Buhari who signed the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill to law in 2018 to reduce the age limits across political offices, including the Presidency. This is a step in the right direction but is however not enough because it does not address the systemic constraints to youth participation in governance.”

  • Presidential group praise Nigerians for opposing #RevolutionNow protest

    The Presidential Support Committee (PSC) on Tuesday hailed Nigerians for opposing the idea of #RevolutionNow protest spearheaded by Mr. Omoleye Sowore.

    In a joint statement by its National Facilitator Gideon Sammani and Media Director Kailani Muhammad, the group said the call was an attempt to bring confusion into the nation’s polity after a stable 20 year experience of democratic rule.

    It noted that while Sowore was defeated resoundingly in the last election he contested for the position of President, “his call for revolution was nothing but an attempt to set the country ablaze, using gullible Nigerians to achieve his selfish goal”.

    PSC added: “While it was glaring that only the disaffected elites are not happy with the positive changes introduced by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the idea of a revolution was brought to deceive innocent Nigerians by making them to set the country into unending political turmoil, like it happened in some other countries.

    Read Also: #RevolutionNow: we didn’t plan to topple govt, says AAC stalwart

    “In fact, most of the countries where such senseless revolutions were experienced are no better in terms of peace and stability.”

    The statement noted that the rejection of the idea indicated maturity of Nigerians and their love for democracy.

    PSC also expressed appreciation to the Senate for clearing the ministerial nominees whose names the President submitted to the Upper Chamber for clearance and confirmation.

    The group was happy that its members, including its National Coordinator, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Women Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Mr. Uchechukwu Orgah and Senator George Akume, were among the 43 ministerial nominees screened by the Senate.

    The development, PSC said, would further support the attainment of the goals of the present administration’s Next Level.

    It said all the four nominees from PSC have tremendous experience in governance and leadership, which would add positive values to the good plans of the President in addressing the nation’s challenges.

    “The clearance of all the 43 ministerial nominees was an indication that the characters and leadership qualities of the ministers-designate were exemplary,” the statement said.

  • Jonathan’s ex-aide gets flak for attacking Buhari, others

    Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based lawyer, Princewill Dike, has berated a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, for his incessant verbal attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari; minister-designate Rotimi Amaechi and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

    Dike, yesterday in Port Harcourt, wondered why Omokri uses what he called gutter language on the three leaders of the governing APC, instead of addressing challenges facing the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “It is rather disturbing how the former Special Assistant (SA) on Social Media to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has condescended to the despicable level of using gutter language on the change elements who democratically dethroned his principal. More worrisome is the fact that he is a pastor and lawyer.

    Read Also: Jonathan’s ex-aide, senator linked to Iwu’s N1.2b cash

    “One would have expected the man who, has constituted himself into an ignominious Internet troll, to address issues in his party. But alas! That is not Omokri. Rather, he, like an adult playing with toys, often resorts to the fallacy of argumentum ad hominem – evading the topical engagement to an abuse to the person.

    “Today, God is punishing them through the Sheriff, President Muhammadu Buhari. Still, Omokri cannot see anything wrong with the government he served. Sadly, he is stopping at nothing to deride the God-sent messengers (Buhari, Amaechi and Oshiomhole), who rescued Nigeria from the claws of the Augean stables.”

    The lawyer noted that even as a cleric and lawyer, Omokri had refused to see efforts of the Buhari administration to reinvent Nigeria and put it on the path of real development.

    He said: “Omokri is going mad against President Buhari and his change agents because they removed food from his table. If not, why would he not hide his head in shame that he was a part of the pillage of the common patrimony of the long-suffering Nigerians, as witnessed by the humongous jaw-dropping fraud that characterised the government he served and today defending to the point of insanity?

    “For a lawyer and pastor to descend to the level of paranoia and blindly refusing to see anything good in the genuine efforts being made by President Buhari to reinvent Nigeria and put it on the path of real development truly convinces me that he …needs help.”

  • How drug abuse worsens HIV, hepatitis infections, by NDLEA

    Drug abuse worsens the severity of the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis infections because of the peculiar behaviour and quality of life of drug addicts, it has been learnt.

    The Head of Drug Reduction Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Adamawa State, Shehu Dankolo, stated this in an interview with our correspondent.

    Dankolo noted that HIV and Hepatitis B & C infections among drug abusers are more acute than the public realises.

    “Drug abuse badly worsens the cases of certain diseases, including HIV infection and hepatitis B & C,” he said.

    Explaining how this happens, Dankolo said: “Drug abuse lowers immunity very seriously. People taking drugs contract HIV more easily because indiscriminate drug intake lowers their immunity to it.

    “Number Two: The danger is intravenous drug use: the use of syringe by drug users. I was shown seven secondary school pupils who were using a single syringe to inject themselves. This one would inject himself and give it to another one, and pass it on. That way, it is very easy to contact HIV and Hepatitis B & C.

    Read Also: ‘Drug abuse behind worsening mental disorder crisis’

    “Number Three: Carelessness that comes with intoxication. If people are intoxicated, they adopt careless lifestyles. They meet commercial sex workers without protection. That is how it makes it easy to be infected with HIV. And, of course, fluid is often passed on through sex; it is a source of Hepatitis B & C infection.

    “Number Four: If someone is HIV positive and placed on anti-retroviral drugs, the drugs do not work. In fact, currently, they have converted the anti-retroviral drugs to substances of abuse.”

    The NDLEA official said progress was being made as sensitisation against drug abuse was becoming high.

    “People are widely aware of the consequences of drug abuse, some of which I have highlighted. Many youths, who would have taken that path, are abstaining. The enlightenment in the media has been high,” he said.