The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Obasa

  • Obasa to council chairmen: one project every quarter compulsory

    Obasa to council chairmen: one project every quarter compulsory

    Local government chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and other top officials of the 57 local government areas in Lagos state will henceforth be monitored to meet the people’s yearnings and aspirations, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said.

    Obasa berated the council chairmen for not meeting expectations. He warned that it will no longer be business as usual as the Assembly will now ensure strict compliance to serving the people’s interests.

    The speaker, who met with the council officials, frowned at their aloofness, berated the chairmen for personalising the councils’ allocations while their communities cry for development. He also warned the chairmen, council managers and treasurers against constituting themselves into a power bloc that run the councils without inputs from vice chairmen and councillors.

    He said: “I wonder how you sleep while your council cannot even build and equip a good maternity centre. You can’t justify the fact that in six months, there is no meaningful project done by you in your community.

    “Some councils have no single project for over two years, you treat the vice chairmen and councillors like they must be subservient even when you are going astray. Some of your councillors have not received official vehicles up till now.

    “Some of your councils do not have legislative chambers, meaning that the councillors have not been holding sittings.

    “How then do you get approvals for the money you spend? We are aware of how some of these councils go ahead to borrow money up to nine-digit figures without approvals or due process, and how they lease council property without caution. We won’t allow these to happen again.

    “It is now strictly going to be true governance at the grassroots. If you don’t develop your communities, where would you fall back to when you leave office? How would the people see you?”

    Obasa maintained that having a well-equipped maternity centre in every ward of the local governments for residents to easily access healthcare is not impossible.

    Read Also: Igbo tribe migrated from Ile-Ife, says Ooni

    He also enjoined the chairmen to embark on creation of parks and gardens for the people’s wellbeing.

    He added: “Going forward, each council chairman must, every quarter, show something to confirm that you are truly in office. Let there be something to commission/inaugurate.

    “If you’re to build a road, it shouldn’t be one that would last for a month or a year. It should be something that would make people pray for you each time they drive or walk through it. Let’s truly serve our people.

    “The governor cannot do it all alone. You are, therefore, supposed to be the nearest to the grassroots and help him with your own efforts. We must try to move with the moment. The world is moving and we can’t continue to do things like we live in the past.”

    Chairman of Conference57, Kolade Alabi, hailed Obasa for the admonition, and promised there would be changes.

  • Lagos speaker urges Sickle Cell foundations on partnership

    Lagos speaker urges Sickle Cell foundations on partnership

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, has called on Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) foundations operating in the state to partner the assembly towards accelerating awareness of the health disorder. 

    He spoke at a sickle cell summit held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, organised by TonyMay Foundation (TMF).

    TMF, a non-profit organisation, provides care, awareness and advocacy for people living with Sickle Cell Disorder in Nigeria.

    Obasa was represented by a member of the assembly, Desmond Elliott, a Nollywood star.

    He urged TMF to coordinate other SCD foundations in the state.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Obasa, others salute industrious Nelson

    He said the state lawmakers are interested in the people they represent, which is why they are set to address SCD. 

    Said: he: “SCD situation is a very serious matter and a lot needs to be done. Most people are not very much aware of SCD regarding how persons living with SCD feel, what they pass through and what it entails. The truth is that we are not saying enough and we are not doing enough about it.

    “For me, the much I do know, as a father who has been to hospital before more than once when my wife gave birth, they always ask for the genotype and I think that’s how far it stops. But the way and living condition of people going through this condition, a lot of us do not know.”

    Obasa said the assembly was willing to listen to SCD foundations on how to change the narrative of SCD in the state.

    “Lagos State is willing to listen. At present, we don’t have a chairman, committee on health, but in the next few days that will happen. We want a situation where SCD foundation experts can come to the house. We do not know everything, but you know, you are the experts in SCD. So we will be hoping that in the next few weeks, you can come up with something good so that we can start up the initiative. Come to the assembly and discuss with the house and see how we can work it out together with the executives and the Ministry of Health, to tackle SCD challenges in the state,” he said.

    The speaker advised that SCD foundations should leverage social media to drive home the SCD narrative by engaging influencers. 

    The foundation’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Andrew Otokhina, said the theme of the summit: ‘Sickle Cell: Changing Perception’, was borne out of the reality of how people living with SCD were perceived.

    He said: “Before now, people see SCD more like a disease and there was a lot of myth surrounding it. Some say they are ‘Ogbanje’, among others. But over the years, perceptions have changed, and we now know that it is a disorder. A disorder of the black man. It is not a myth. We can do more. We have gradually moved away from the myth to accept that it is a genetic disorder and not a spirit from any world. It is now known that sickle cell is an inherited abnormal blood cell disorder from both parents.”

    He added that for more to change about the disorder across the country, the government needs to be involved.

    “All over the world, for instance in the United Kingdom, they have a very comprehensive policy on SCD and it is not even a Whiteman disorder. SCD is an African and African-American problem and some Asia.”

    In the area of research in driving policy and change, Otokhina said haematologists in the country who are supposed to be at the forefront of researching SCD are not doing enough in the area of Sickle Cell. “Their concentration is more on HIV and AIDS and the other non-communicable diseases.”

    The summit was sponsored by Vitafoam, Swift Oil, Iron Products Industries Limited (IPI) and Christ’s Love Compels Us. 

  • JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu, Obasa meet Lagos GAC over rejection of 17 commissioner-nominees

    JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu, Obasa meet Lagos GAC over rejection of 17 commissioner-nominees

    Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa have met with the State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC). 

    GAC is the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

    The meeting which held at Lagos Assembly, attracted former Deputy Gov Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Dr Yomi Finnih, Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, APC Lagos Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi and other party stalwarts.

    Observers believe it may not be unconnected with the rejection of 17 nominees that Governor Sanwo-Olu submitted to the Assembly.

    Of the 39 nominees screened, only 22 scaled the hurdle while the others, mainly returning former commissioners, were rejected. 

    The recent development caused an uproar, with many insinuating that the Governor and the Speaker are at loggerheads.

    Obasa had queried the qualification of some persons nominated by Sanwo-Olu for appointment as commissioners. 

    He said two of the nominees were rejected and the rejection was not based on their qualifications, experience or exposure.

    In July, Sanwo-Olu transmitted a list containing 39 nominees to the legislative arm for screening for appointment as commissioners. 

    The House cleared 22 of the nominees and rejected 17 others, including six former commissioners of the governor in his first tenure.

    The former commissioners include Gbenga Omotoso (Information and strategy); Akin Abayomi (Health) and Sam Egube (Economic planning and budget).

    Others are Cecilia Dada (Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation); Olalere Odusote (Energy Eesources) and Folashade Adefisayo (Education).

    Obasa had said the decision of the Assembly o  the cabinet is final.

    “But if there is any reason for us to reverse our decision, if there is and it is germane and convincing, maybe we may but it is not by threats.

    Read Also: Why we dropped Sanwo-Olu’s nominees, by Obasa

    “And in our own estimation, if they (technocrats) have not done well, we have the right to say no and we have said no.

    “And it is good to advise the man living in a glass house not to throw stones, if not the glass may be shattered,” he said. 

    Giving an update about the meeting on Wednesday evening, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile on his verified X handle said: “Governor @jidesanwoolu, Mr. Speaker @mudashiru_obasa and GAC members today after a meeting at Lagos House, Marina. 

    “This is Lagos, a place where the finest democratic culture reigns supreme for a Great Lagos Rising”.

  • Lagos speaker calls on Adeleke to support Oyetola

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has urged the defeated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to prove his commitment to the residents of the state by supporting Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

    Speaker Obasa said this in reaction to the Supreme Court judgement which, on Friday, July 5, reaffirmed the ruling of an appeal court which earlier upheld the victory of Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a personally signed statement, Obasa expressed happiness at the decision of the apex court and Adeleke’s reaction in which the latter said he never took the September 2018 governorship election as do-or-die.

    “I join other Nigerians in congratulating Governor Gboyega Oyetola over this historic victory. I also thank the people of the State of Osun for remaining resolute in their support for our party and the governor.

    Read Also: Osun: Jubilation as Supreme Court upholds Oyetola’s election

    “I want to urge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have a broader focus of joining hands with Governor Oyetola to move Osun to a higher height.

    To the people of the state, Obasa emphasised that this was the best time to sustain their trust and support for the government which is confirmed to have hit the ground running.

    The Lagos Speaker also commended the leadership of the APC, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the party’s victory in Osun just as he noted that the doors of the ruling party are wide open to receive as many well-meaning Osun people as possible.

  • Lagos Speaker Obasa wins, Ogundimu returned

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has been re-elected to represent Agege State Constituency 1 in the state Assembly.

    Equally, colleague from Agege Constituency 2, Hon Oluyinka Ogundimu was returned to the House to represent the constituency. Both Obasa and Ogundimu were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Announcing the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation centre in Agege, the Returning Officer for Agege Constituency 1, Prof Saibu Olufemi Muibi of the University of Lagos stated that Obasa scored 17,665 votes to beat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Auwalu Taure Maude who scored 4,743 votes.

    The Returning Officer for Agege Constituency 2, an Associate Professor also from the University of Lagos, Anthony Kayode Adebayo declared Ogundimu the winner of the election in the constituency having polled a total of 19,489 votes to beat his closest rival from the PDP who scored 3,479 votes.

  • Breaking: Tinubu resolves Lagos impeachment crisis

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other party chieftains on Sunday resolved the conflict between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Lagos State House of Assembly.

    The resolution was at a Special Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC) meeting in Marina, Lagos.

    Ambode, his deputy, Dr (Mrs.) Idiat Adebule, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, his deputy, Wasiu Esinlokun and Lagos central Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi attended the meeting.

    Emerging from the meeting, Tinubu said: “We held a meeting on behalf of entire Lagosians. In the last one week or so, there has been some talk about a conflict between the Executive and the Legislature in Lagos.

    “This is of great concern to us. We looked at the source of the conflict, which is normal in a democracy and that is why there are also conflict-resolution mechanisms.

    “We examined the grievances on both sides. As leaders, we also looked into areas where there has to be compromise.

    READ ALSO: Breaking: Protesters besiege Lagos Assembly over alleged Ambode’s impeachment plot

    “In order to build institutions and encourage consensus-building, we have to do what is right.”

    He added: “There is no impeachment. Let there be more communication and consensus-building and understanding. All these are inbuilt in the democratic system.

    “We thank the Speaker and the leadership of the House. We thank the Governor and the Deputy Governor.

    “They have all demonstrated respect for the party leadership in Lagos. You know when Lagos sneezes, other areas catch cold.

    “We are happy that we are able to resolve the conflict and things will start moving well going forward.”

    Olusi said: “The APC leader has spoken. This is just to further confirm the decisions that we reached.

    “Conflict is an institutional part of the governance. The Executive/Legislature must work together.

    “We have reached a decision that they must work together amicably. And very soon the Legislature and the Executive must resolve the grey areas in their relationship.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Restructuring: Kolade chairs VOR roundtable

    In a bid to further consolidate on the demand for restructuring of Nigeria’s Political, economic and political structures, a renowned Yoruba Interest group, Voice of Reason (VOR) will on Wednesday January 30th 2019 host all the candidates of major political parties in South West, Nigeria to a roundtable meeting at Oranmiyan Hall, Airport Hotel, Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
    In a statement made available to News Men on Wednesday in Lagos, the Chairman of the group, Dr Olufemi Adegoke said the roundtable, with the theme: ‘Imperatives of Restructuring For National Unity, Development and Security’ will be chaired by a former Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, CON.
    On the aims and objectives of the roundtable, Adegoke said the town hall meeting is being convened to sensitise all aspiring candidates for elections to the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in South West on why the restructuring of Nigeria’s Political, Economic and Social Structures is key to the progress of Yoruba Land.
    “We want to lobby all aspiring candidates for election to the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in South West for their support to back the restructuring of Nigeria for the sake of the future of Yoruba Land and the survival of Nigeria and to also find out from the candidates on how they plan to get this constitutional request actualized if elected in 2019.
    “Most importantly, we want to foster Unity, Harmony and Cohesion among Aspiring Candidates in South West so that Yoruba Land can speak with one voice on Restructuring”
    The statement further said that the draft of the proposed constitution written by VOR for Nigeria will be introduced to all the candidates during the roundtable for a possible adoption when they get the insignia of power.
    According to the statement, invitation has been sent to all the Candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) across South West geo-political zone through their state party chairmen.
    “Governors who are running for Senatorial elections like that of Oyo and Ogun States, Senators Abiola Ajimobi and Ibikunle Amosun respectively and former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and the Governorship Candidates of APC, PDP and ADP in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, Jimi Agbaje and Babatunde Gbadamosi respectively are expected to grace the event” the statement said.
    All candidates are expected to be seated at 9am.

  • 2019: stay away from violence, Obasa warns Nigerians

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has called on Nigerians, particularly youths, to stay away from violence and acts and utterances that can cause breach of peace, particularly as the 2019 General Elections draw near.

    Obasa spoke on Sunday, during the flag off of the campaign for the general elections organised by the Agege Federal Constituency chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “I want to advise Nigerians particularly youths, to stay away from violence. We should do away from any act and utterances that can lead to violence and cause any breach of peace,” he said.

    The Lagos Assembly Speaker stated that there is no gain in thuggery and violence saying the country can only flourish, grow and develop an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. “When there is peace and tranquillity, the country will grow and develop. The development and growth of this country is a collective effort between the government and the governed. Without peace, we can’t develop, neither can we grow,” he said.

    The campaign flag off was attended by prominent leaders in Agege. Apart from the Speaker, the representative of the Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Taofeek Abiodun Adaranijo; member, state House of Assembly for Agege Constituency 2, Hon Oluyinka Ogundimu; the state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure and APC candidate for House of Representatives in Agege, Dr Samuel Babatunde Adejare; the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi; his Orile Agege LCDA counterpart, Hon Johnson Sunday Babatunde; APC chieftains in Agege: Chief Shafari Adaranijo, Professor Tunde Samuel, Chief Owolabi Dada and Chief Ayeni Shittu among others.

    The campaign flag off cum solidarity trek took the Speaker round the major areas in Agege: Mulero, Adealu, Dopemu, Mangoro, Okekoto, Alfa Nla, Capitol, Isale Oja, Papa Uku, and back to Mulero.

  • Obasa seeks devolution of powers for national development

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has recommended devolution of powers as the fastest way to bring about development and growth.

    Obasa made the recommendation in a remark at the opening of the ongoing consultative meeting on the Review and Harmonisation of the Standing Orders and Rules of Business of the State Houses of Assembly in the Southwest, holding at Park Inn Hotel, Abeokuta.

    He said: “While the oneness of Nigeria is non-negotiable, one thing we will need to speedily work on is the issue of devolution of power vis-à-vis fiscal federalism. Nigeria is made up of diverse ethnic groups which have similar goal of moving Nigeria to the Next Level but at times have different ideas on how to achieve it.

    “No doubt, centralisation of power at the Federal level as it exists currently in Nigeria is not the most ideal approach to accomplish genuinely necessary rapid development. Devolution of power from Federal Government to state and local governments is the way to go.”

    Stressing the need for devolution of powers, Obasa noted that the Federal Government was detached from the people at the grassroots.

    He said devolution of power will not only enhance development, take dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of rural dwellers.

    Obasa explained: “It is obvious to all and sundry that Federal Government is simply too far away from the masses and cannot cover the whole country in an effective manner.  There is an in-built limitation on what a government so far away from the people can achieve. People in each locale know their area far much better than a federal minister or president located in Abuja.

    ”The only panacea to some of our present economic challenges as a nation is through restructuring where every state will look inward to generate revenues to take care of their individual needs.

    “For instance, if individual states are constitutionally empowered to generate and distribute power, it will aid massive industrialisation, which is a catalyst for technological advancement and economic development.

    “The present Nigeria Police system is inadequate to address our enormous security challenges in the country. Hence, it becomes imperative to have community policing, which is the hallmark of state police.”

  • Obasa: A bridge builder at 46

    Musbau Rasak extols the virtues of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who clokcs 46 this week.

    On his election as the Speaker of the Eighth Lagos State House of Assembly on June 8, 2015, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, assured Lagosians that he will preside over a legislative arm they will be proud of.

    Obasa assured that under his speakership, the Lagos State House of Assembly will always rise far and above the ‘common standard of excellence’.

    As he celebrates his birthday on November 11, it is pertinent to note that more than three years after his election as the head of the legislative arm in the state, his achievements in that period stand him out as the leading lawmaker in Nigeria.

    That Obasa is committed to legislative excellence is an open secret. It is well known that the Lagos House of Assembly Speaker is a leading light in the struggle for the emancipation of the legislative arm of government and giving the parliament its rightful place in governance.

    “The parliament is the bastion of democracy and for me, it’s the most important arm of government. Without the parliament, there won’t be anything called democracy. Hence, it’s our collective duty to ensure the protection of the parliament so that the interest of the people is protected,” Obasa had submitted in many interactions with the people and the media.

    More than three years into his tenure, Obasa has indeed been making waves as a legislator per excellence. As the the captain, the speaker has led by example in term of legislative duties. To date, he has initiated about six private member bills, the first and only speaker to have achieved that in Lagos history. It is also pertinent to note that most of his private member bills have had direct positive impacts on the people of the state.

    The Neighbourhood Watch Law is an example of such. Apart from encouraging and promoting community policing in the state which has reduced crimes, the law has led to the establishment of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), which has given employment to thousands of Lagos youths.

    Another law worthy of note is the Anti-kidnapping Law which has reduced cases of kidnapping in the state.

    Yet, another law is the Cancer Institute Law which sought to create an Institute for research, prevention, detection and treatment of various types of cancer in the state.

    Perhaps, one of the greatest laws that emanated from the Lagos Assembly under his watch is the Yoruba Language Preservation & Promotion Law. This Law, which was promulgated to preserve, promote Yoruba Language and prevent it from going into extinction, is another Private Member Bill from the Speaker and today it has improved the use of the language by youths especially students. Today, Yoruba is a compulsory subject in Lagos schools and this has improved the promotion of the language.

    As an administrator, Obasa has ensured that he kept with and improve on the tradition of constant training of lawmakers and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly making them arguably the most trained in the country.

    He introduced the live streaming of plenary sessions of the House, the first parliament in Nigeria to do that and second in Africa after South Africa. He introduced and ensured the presence of the House on the Social Media with all its icons very active.

    One of his greatest achievements is the introduction of the annual Stakeholders’ Meeting which takes place simultaneously in all the state’s 40 constituencies. This is the barometer for measuring the performance of each lawmaker annually while also giving the constituents the opportunity to lay their grievances and demands before the government. The reports from these stakeholders’ meetings thus, have served as annual major components of the state budget.

    His leadership qualities are not in doubt and today, he had steered the affairs of the state Assembly successfully making it the most peaceful Parliament in Nigeria.

    As a bridge builder, he is not only a man of peace. He also upholds the philosophy of love sharing among the people. When he successfully engineered the defection of seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) two years ago, the defecting members were unanimous on why they joined APC.

    They said: “Obasa is a bridge builder who had not only welcome them into the House with open arms but has also given them real sense of belonging in the affairs of the House despite their being members of the opposition party. His leadership qualities are unique and we love the way he is leading us in the House.”

    Many still remember the leadership roles he played in bringing peace and tranquility to the fold of APC in Agege and beyond.

    It’s noteworthy to add that his achievements have not gone unnoticed as he has been honoured locally and outside the country for his efforts in promoting the Institution of Parliament and ensuring legislative excellence.

    In February, Obasa was named the Best State Legislator in Nigeria by the Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily, Saturday and Sunday Independent newspapers.

    In July, he was honoured and presented with a Certificate of Recognition by the African Bar Association (ABA) during their conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

    In August, he was elected the Chairman of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria during their conference in Lagos.

    Today, Obasa ranks as the most experienced lawmaker in Lagos State, having started his career as a lawmaker at the grassroots level when he served as a councillor representing Ward E in Agege Local Government Area between 1999 and 2002 before his election into the House of Assembly to represent Agege Constituency I since 2003.

    Indeed, Obasa is worth celebrating.

    • Rasak is the Chief Press Secretary to Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.