The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Omolara Akintoye

  • Village Headmaster bounces back

    Activities are in top gear by both The Village Headmaster Family (VHMF) and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), to hold a befitting series of events in honour of the 50th anniversary of the popular television series on 8th -11th October, 2019. The theme is “Sustaining our heritage”.

    Speaking at a press conference held at NTA Lagos to announce its activities for the 3 day event, Chief (Mrs) Ibidun Allison popularly known as ‘Amebo’ pointed out the programme will take off on the 8th Oct. with a Roundtable Discussion at Freedom Park. Presenters and discussants include: Professor Ahmed Yerima, Duro Oni, Joke Silver, Zik Zulu, Dr Danladi Bako, Kadaria Ahmed, Femi Odugbemi, Deborah Ogazuma will moderate. “A cross section of various professional industry guilds will also make valuable contribution to the discourse on Drama- a tool for national development”, she said.

    On the 9th of October, some members of VHM Family will make courtesy calls.

    In 10th October, 2 live stage performances featuring veteran cast members and actors are slated to hold at The Terra Kulture Arena, Victoria Island, Lagos. Also there will be a matinee for students and a command performance scheduled to hold at 6pm, that same day.

    The celebration will culminate in a commemoration dinner at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos on 11th October where management of NTA will present plaques, awards and certificates of participation to the members of VHM family. Posthumous awards will also be received on behalf of deceased members.

    The Village Headmaster ruled the nation’s air waves for more than two decades promoting national unity and through its diverse characters, proffered many solutions to educational, social and political situations.

     

  • 2019 Polls: Group task Govt to put in place appropriate legal frameworks

    The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of over 400 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), working to entrench electoral integrity and democratic governance in Nigeria, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigeria National Assembly to place the interest of the country above all other concerns.

    The election observation group while reacting to the ongoing debate over President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to decline assent to the amended Electoral Act as transmitted by the National Assembly, called on all actors in the political space to tread with caution by adhering to due process.

    According to the TMG Chairperson, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, “the best interest of the Nigerian voter, not political brinkmanship should determine the outcome of the amendment process”.

    Noting that a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered that all parties in the suit filed by the Federal Government to seek judicial interpretation on the amendment should stay further action pending the determination of the merit of the case, Akiyode-Afolabi called on the political actors across the executive and legislative arms to ensure that the rule of law prevails as they advance their various positions on the amendment process.

    “It is imperative to make the Nigerian electoral system better and it is our considered view that the best way out of the logjam, is to put the quest of the Nigerian voter for free, fair and credible elections at the Fore front of the discussions”, the TMG chairperson advised.

    There is a need for all relevant actors to immediately begin moves to de-escalate the growing controversy, and work harmoniously towards putting in place an appropriate legal framework for the 2019 polls. “Discharging that responsibility means removing the air of uncertainty precipitated by the current amendment controversy, and ensuring that all is in place to make the votes of all Nigerians count, come 2019”, she pointed out.

  • Group expresses apprehension over Lagos  LG Election

    Group expresses apprehension over Lagos  LG Election

    Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has expressed concern over the tension building around the coming elections for the Local governments and the LCDAs coming up in Lagos State on Saturday.

    In a statement signed by the Chairperson, TMG, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the group is particularly worried about the incessant violence in some areas of Lagos, particularly in Mushin due to issues surrounding the nomination of candidates and the tension building up in some quarters due to undemocratic activities of some of the major political parties in the run up to the election and the impact of such tension for the coming elections.

     “We are also concerned about the speed with which the Lagos State House of Assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos Electoral Law regulating the conduct of election to allow for the substitution of a party candidate before the elections”, she said.

    The group is also apprehensive of the implications of the multiplicity of court cases relating to party candidatures giving the fact that the election is just three days away. Such conflicting decisions could cast aspersion on the credibility and legitimacy of the elections.

    “We also express displeasure over the latest pronouncement by the authorities of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) regarding its planned accreditation plan and observer’s deployment for the Saturday Local Government Election in Lagos State”, said the South-West Co-ordinator, TMG, Sulaimon Arigbagbu. 

     As a flagship organization on election and governance monitoring in Nigeria, TMG, Arigbabu said is seriously concerned about plethora of allegations trailing the preparations for the election and the lopsided observer’s deployment plan adopted by LASIEC.

    The group therefore call on LASIEC to ensure highest standard in the conduct and administration of the coming Lagos LG/LCDAs elections, by carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with law, and without fear or favour.

     

  • LG Polls: We are set – female aspirants 

    LG Polls: We are set – female aspirants 

    Ahead of the local government election which will be held this coming Saturday in Lagos State, some of the female aspirants for Chairmanship position have said that they are ready for the election as they have all it takes to win.

    In an interview with some of the aspirants, they bare their minds on how ready they are to effect positive changes in their local government areas if voted for. For Morenike Adeshina Williams, an All Progressive Congress (APC) aspirant representing Igando-Ikotun, she is one of the favoured candidates who got automatic ticket to contest in the local government election, she is said to be seeking a second term in office as Chairman. According to Hon.Williams she got the ticket as a result of her passion for imparting her immediate environment.”If voted again, I intend making more positive impact in Igando-Ikotun area”, she said.

    The Chairmanship candidate for Ikeja local government Accord Party, Busola Olorundipe believes that she has all it takes to be the number one citizen of the area, having been actively involved in politics for over a decade.

    According to Olorundipe, there are lots of factors working against women in politics some of which are; imposition of candidates by party leaders, violence is still synonymous with our politics, financial constraint is another factor scaring women away from participating in politics. If elected into office, she promised to operate an open-door policy irrespective of political affiliation as she will be reachable.

    She goes by the appellation “The Amazon” due to her strides in women development, Hon. Titi  Alli-Lawanson is the chairmanship candidate of APC, Bariga LCDA. Lawanson who believes in actualizing her goal through hardwork and dedication resigned from her job to become an active politician. She is said to have earned respect of fellow party stalwart due to her financial commitment and women development. The desire to represent women overwhelmed her hence she resigned from Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria to fulfill her political ambition.

      She is not just beautiful; she is a grass root politician and a very strong mobiliser in her community, Doris Adebajo another APC Chairmanship aspirant, Mosan-Okunola LCDA, is an ardent believer in the fact that in any modern society, women should be allowed to be equal partner in the process of democratic development. Adebajo opined that women should be engaged in innovative programs that strengthen women’s political skills thereby improve the perception of women in political and social life.

    She is a firm believer in women empowerment and she lives to her passion by actively engaging women in her constituency.  An economics graduate from University of Lagos, she is a former special adviser to the governor in Lagos State.

     For Former chief whip of Lagos State House of Assembly where she represented Amuwo-Odofin constituency 2 in the House, Hon. Ramota Akinola Hassan, an APC Chairmanship Aspirant, Oriade LCDA feel lots of women are intimidated to join politics because it is perceived to be reserved for men. She was a classroom teacher before she contested for a political seat, she didn’t disappoint her people as a lawmaker and she is also ready to effects more positive impact in her area if elected as Chairman.

  • LG Polls: Aspirants canvass for local government autonomy

    LG Polls: Aspirants canvass for local government autonomy

    Political aspirants for the Chairmanship and Councillorship election which is slated for coming Saturday in Lagos State has made case for
    local government autonomy as panacea to the backwardness being experienced at the grassroots level across the state. Speaking today at the Political debate organised for the Chairmanship/Councillorship Candidates contesting in Lagos, the Chairmanship Candidate for All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) representing Amuwo Odofin local government Area, Honourable Chinedu Nwoye pointed out that while the incumbent governor of the state concentrate on developing the state capitals and some key local governments, other councils do suffer underdevelopment but if local
    government enjoys autonomy, those at the grassroots would be able to enjoy dividends of democracy to the fullest.
    The event which was held at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos was organised by Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Women Advocates Research and
    Documentation Centre (WARDC), Enough Is Enough (EIE) and the media. The Chairmanship candidate for Ikeja, local government Accord Party,
    Busola Olorundipe said that for local government autonomy to be credible it should be enshrined in the constitution for proper
    implementation.
    The aspirants while presenting their manifestoes, Hon. Nwoye, a Trainer and a Consultant intend empowering youths and women in the area as well as rehabilitation programmes, among others. For this to be achievable, Nwoye intends partnering with the all the corporate
    organizations in the area.
    According to Olorundipe, there are lots of factors working against women in politics some of which are; imposition of candidates by party leaders, violence is still synonymous with our politics, financial constraint is another factor scaring women away from participating in politics. If elected into office, she promised to operate an open-door policy irrespective of political affiliation as she will be reachable.
    Speaking on what the programme is aimed at, the Chairperson, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and the organizer of the event, Dr.
    Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, in her welcome address, said it is aimed at giving the electorates information that allows them to exercise their
    political choice. “The debate is to enable each individual to crystallize his or her autonomous opinion in the decision making process and to help promote credible and legitimate elections that are conducted in accordance
    with international standards”, said Afolabi.
    Other candidates at the event include Hon Akeem Olayemi Apena, of Accord Party representing Onigbongbo local council development area, Hon. Sunday Sodolamu representing Ojodu LCDA, among others.