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  • Lagos CJ’s score card in 100 days

    Lagos CJ’s score card in 100 days

    At her inauguration last October as the 16th Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, promised that the judiciary would uphold the rule of law, stamp out  corruption and ensure the speedy dispensation of justice.

    Justice Oke promised improved public access, transparency and accountability to boost confidence of the public in the judiciary. In addition, she promised to key into the vision of the governor to transform the Judiciary, such that it would stand shoulder to shoulder with any other  in any part of the world.  She said it was a new dawn.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who swore in the Chief Judge, had called for more reforms aimed at fast-tracking justice delivery without necessarily compromising the fundamental principle of fair hearing and the rule of law in the judiciary.

    On areas requiring improvement, Ambode called for a Judicial system that would improve speed of justice delivery so that the wheel of justice can roll faster without having to  compromise the fundamental principle of fair hearing and the rule of law. The governor charged the CJ to sustain and improve on the reputation that the state Judiciary had built over the years.

    About 100 days down the line, how has the Judiciary fared under her watch?

     

    Assumption of office

    The first task of Justice Oke, on assumption of duty, was to herald the 2017/2018 new Legal year tagged: the Golden Jubilee of the Lagos Judiciary. The five-day event had notable legal personnels, including members of the bar and the bench, in attendance. Highlight of the new Legal Year programme was a seminar held to determine the way forward and achieving a desirable judiciary system in Lagos.

     

    On corruption

    One issue stands Justice Oke out among her peers: her resolve to rid the state judiciary of corruption. Upon her assumption of duty, Justice Oke used the platform of the new legal year, her first official outing, to announce that it was no longer going to be business as usual. In her address, she warned the bar against unnecessary adjournments, saying that any lawyer caught in such unholy practice stands the risk of losing his practice licence.

     

    Arraignment of workers for alleged

    corrupt practices

    To match her words with action, Justice Oke disclosed plans to arraign some workers of the judiciary for alleged corruption.

    They include three workers in the Litigation Registry of the Lagos State Judiciary and a youth corper (names with held) arrested for alleged corrupt practices November. Also to be arraigned alongside the staff of the state judiciary was a tout who has been in the habit of impersonating as a staff of judiciary and defrauding court users.

    She said another court registrar is also going to appear before the Judiciary Service Commission soon for alleged corrupt practices.

    She said the magistrate the registrar was working with filed a report against him that he asked a party in a suit to pay him N50,000 to get the court to make an order in his favour.

    Justice Oke said the workers had appeared before the Lagos State Judiciary Staff Commission, which looked into the matter against them, adding that the incident marked the end of their career.

    “The bar is also determined to fight corruption with us. The members of the bar are the users of the court. They too have promised to report back to us”, she said.

    Justice Oke said the bar had also resolved to flush out “ accidental lawyers” in their midst in their determination to fight corruption in the Judiciary.

     

    Commitment statement

    As part of her efforts to change the face of the judiciary in the state, Justice Oke came up with a commitment statement which today has become a guiding principle of effective service delivery in the judiciary. It stated:

    “ We the staff of the Lagos State Judiciary are committed to Lagos State and the Community.

    “Our mission is to provide quality and professional service in a knowledgeable manner.

    “We take pride in our work and hold ourselves accountable to the highest standard of performance. “Our goals are achieved through mutual co-operation, a strong sense of integrity, a positive attitude and team work”.

    The commitment statement was unveiled last November at Ikeja, Igbosere and Ikorodu high courts’ premises, Justice Taylor Magistrate’s court house, Igbosere, Botanical gardens, Ebute Metta Magistrate’s court premises and Yaba Magistrate’s court premises respectively and is hung in every court room.

    Justice Oke said the Commitment Statement being inaugurated was intended to embolden  the public to challenge any worker of the Judiciary who asked to be paid before serving them and to make formal report against such staff.

    “We don’t want anybody to destroy the Lagos State Judiciary. The Judges are fully in support of the fight we are waging against corruption in the system”, she stated.

     

    Visit to Badagry Prison

    On  November 9, Justice Oke was in Badagry, with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the inauguration of the Justice Thomas Court House. She took advantage of the event to pay an unscheduled visit to Badagry Prison, which has become famous for having children as inmates.

    The visit paid off as she freed four sick inmates who were being held in custody after being convicted for “having no visible means of livelihood”. Justice Oke had then questioned where such offence existed in the laws of the state and admonished the police to stop charging children to court for non-existing laws and magistrates to stop sending children to prisons.

     

    Workshop for service delivery

    On November 28, the Chief Judge  organised a four-day workshop for workers of the judiciary which has as its theme: Towards an efficient and effective administration of justice system in Lagos State.

    Justice Oke emphasised  that it was a new dawn in the Judiciary as her administration would not tolerate  any vices from any worker. The CJ  restated her commitment to fighting corruption in the judiciary to a standstill.

    She urged judiciary worker to key into her commitment statement designed to ensure efficient and effective service delivery  as stated in her new legal year address or be shown the way out of the system.

    “Let me state emphatically that it is a new dawn in the Lagos State Judiciary as this administration will not tolerate such vices from any member of staff. This administration will by the grace of God Almighty have zero tolerance for corruption in whatever form. The new Lagos State Judiciary must epitomise discip-line, honesty, hard work. integrity, credence, dignity, honour and zeal for results and excellence”.

    She said:”The essence of this workshop again is to promote a new ethical orientation into the consciousness of all staff. It has become necessary to do away with the old spirit of doing things and for a new spirit which will give positive image to the Lagos State Judiciary.

     

    Courts visits

    Last December, Justice Oke visited  court premises across the states to examine the state of the facilities  and the challenges and rehabilitate them into structures befitting status of courts.

     

    New dawn in the judiciary

    On January 2, Justice Oke introduced oath of secrecy and allegiance for supporting staff of judges who she said are bound by the same rules as the judges they serve. She emphasised the need for judiciary staff working directly with the judges to swore to the oaths and be part of the oath regime to ensure accountability and transparency within the system.

     

    Committee to review High Court of

    Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012

    On January 22, the Chief Judge set up a 15-man committee to review the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 to eradicate delay in justice  administration, ensure efficient justice delivery and enforcement of judgement.The committee has Justice Kazeem Alogba as its chairman.

    The chief judge charged the committee to, for instance, “look into stipulation of timeline for handling of specific matters”. The committee is also  “to consider the viability of extending timeliness to probate, sexual offences and land related matters” to facilitate speedy dispensation of justice in these areas.

     

    Special Courts

    Most important event within the period under review was the inauguration of Special Courts  for corruption, economic crimes and sexual offences.

    Justice Opeyemi Oke  said four courts had been set aside as special courts.

    “We believe strongly that the special courts shall fast track the trial of these types of cases and encouraged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant bodies like ICPC to expedite the investigation and prosecution of such cases,” she said.

     

    Lawyers’ view of Justice Oke’s

    100 days in office

    Nigerian Bar Assocuation (NBA) Chairman, Mr A. S. Abimbola said the first 100 days in office of Justice Oke, as Chief Judge of Lagos State has been one full of activities, the most notable being her anti-corruption stance and her efforts to reposition the Lagos State Judiciary to be more used friendly to court users.

    “I applaud, particularly, the crafting of a mission statement for the Lagos State Judiciary (LASJ) as well as the conscious efforts to interface with the public. While lauding the achievements of her Lordship in these 100 days, I urge that she sustains  the tempo”, he advised

    Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Mr Levi Adakwaone said Oke’s decision and resolve to root out corruption from the state judiciary has earned her a place in the history book: her focus, doggedness, consistency in the fight is quite strange and incredible!

    Adakwaone said the CJ within her few months in office has emboldened the confidence of lawyers in the state, and beyond in the fight against corruption.

    “Officially, I followed her when she launched her pet project: vision, mission and commitment statement against corruption in the judiciary in all the courts in the state and the impact of this innovation and cause is so incredible: the judges, the magistrates, the litigants, the support staff, the paralegals, the lawyers and anti- corruption crusaders are better for it. On February 14, she executed a sting operation at the Probate Registry, Lagos and the exercise is something the lawyers  would forever be grateful for.

    “One unique quality about the Hon.Chief Judge is her ability to harness the resources around her: she has formed a strong synergy with the office of the governor, the Ministry of Justice, her professional colleagues (especially the Administrative judges), the leadership of the Bar in the state, the press and the people: I have no doubt in my mind that if she continues the way she is going, she would leave behind gargantuan legacies that would be very difficult to obliterate,” he said.

    Adakwaone however, urged the chief judge  to focus on infrastructure development: ‘’The judges and the magistrates must have a conducive environment to do their jobs. They should be provided with quarters not too far from their place of work. There is need to ensure that prosecutors in the state judiciary are all lawyers, the Probate Registry at Igbosere needs as a matter of urgency, a better office space with modern gadgets, ditto for its counterpart at Ikeja.”

    Former Chairman, Lagos NUJ and Chairman, Egbe Amofin ni Eko, Mr Martin Ogunleye also noted that the few months the chief judge has spent in office has been one full of activities, the most notable being her anti-corruption stance and her efforts to reposition the Lagos State Judiciary to be more used friendly to court users.

    Said Ogunleye: “I applaud, particularly, the crafting of a mission statement for the LASJ as well as the conscious efforts to interface with the public.

    ‘’While lauding the achievements of her Lordship in these 100 days, I urge that she sustains  the tempo.’’

    Former Chairman, NBA Ikeja, Mr Yinka Farounbi noted that had not derailed from the mission statement which enjoyed the approval of the Bar.

    He noted: “In the mission statement however, the fight against corruption stood out like the northern star and I believe it makes more impart in the minds of the generality of the people, particularly the lawyers and the litigants – and I think it ought to be on the nation as a whole because of its overall effect on our economy and perception by the outside world. In this regard, we have seen a number of judicial staffers facing one panel or the other for corruption. I reliably gathered that about five judicial workers had been dismissed for similar corruption cases.

    “Despite this, however, I venture to say that it is not yet uhuru for so many reasons. In the first instance, corruption as usual is fighting back. The Chief Judge will have to be resolute in the pursuit of the agenda of zero tolerance for corruption in the judiciary. Again, the fight has to be done and fought with special speed as if tomorrow may not come in view of the limited period at His Lordship’s disposal. More importantly, the judiciary as a whole must be the catchment area. Corruption is not limited to among the workers alone, we equally have corruption among our magistrates and judges that will need her attention. I, however, make bold to say that one can swear with heaven concerning the integrity and uprightness of some of our magistrates and judges. One rotten apple however makes the others to be bad,” he urged.

    Farounbi further urged the CJ “to enforce discipline among lawyers by making adequate use of the provisions of the Rules, particularly, as regard issues of cost in Order 49. I urge the Chief Judge to take the welfare of the judicial workers as a priority pointing out that a highly motivated labour force will be highly productive and less corrupt’’.

    ‘’So far so good the CJ is on the right path with the mission statement of the administration but with a lot of rooms for improvement. It is the continuous exploration of the improvement that will mark out the government as a special one which I pray it should be. In doing this, I urge the CJ to take the welfare of the judicial workers as a priority – a highly motivated labour force will be highly productive and less corrupt.

    ‘’Finally for now, I urge the CJ to involve all stakeholders in the administration of justice system in Lagos State – litigants, civil societies, labour, NBA and seasoned court room legal practitioners – in the ongoing review of the 2012 Rules with the view of having a befitting Rules. In saying this, l am not oblivious of the notice from the committee calling for memoranda from the public,’’ he added.

     

     

     

  • Buhari administration’s mid-term score-card

    As the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari clocks two years in office days from now, it is pertinent to take an X-ray of the regime in terms of its performance in the critical areas of its campaign promises and in those areas that Nigerians wanted action taken.

    The three critical areas where the nation had problems which needed fixing, were in the areas of national security, fight against corruption and revitalizing a non-performing economy whose future was hanging in the balance because of the twin problems of dependence on one revenue-earning product, crude oil and the more important fact that the price of that commodity, crude oil, had fallen very low in the world market.

    The task before President Buhari was daunting and he even confessed to the media that when he realized the enormity of the problems confronting the nation, notably the paucity of revenue to pursue much-needed development programmes, he considered at times to throw in the towel! The soldier in him of course made giving up, a non-option and he moved on doggedly, confronting the national problems head-on assisted by a cabinet in which he had confidence and a supportive Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

    Though Nigeria is still battling economic difficulties, the time for applause is coming slowly but surely as the nation commences the laborious march out of recession.

    The administration of PMB has performed fairly well in dealing with the insecurity problem that once loomed large on the national horizon. PMB got the nation’s armed forces to rout the Boko Haram, degrading the latter from a confident and rampaging band of insurgents to a rag-tag nuisance that now seek to ambush and throw bombs at the gallant soldiers of the Nigeria Army. Boko Haram can no longer stand and fight as in the days when they held sway. Today, they have lost the nerve and initiative to stand in battle and life in general is coming back to the troubled North-east zone of the country.

    The icing on the cake, which is a good anniversary package for millions of Nigerians and the people of the troubled North east, is the release into freedom of 82 additional girls hitherto kidnapped from the Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State on May 6. Freedom for this large number of girls is a source of great joy to anyone who comes from a family or community bearing in mind the long period of their captivity.

    Given the fact that there cannot be a 100 percent situation of security in any human environment, the security situation in the country today, is quite tolerable and is one in which meaningful life can take place. No more is the nation going around cap in hand asking for help from our foreign partners for security assistance and arms. The situation has fairly stabilized and the nation’s military have entered a phase of consolidation of the security situation.

    In the area of anti-corruption, it is a boom! Never before has the anti-corruption agencies in the country exposed so much graft, so much greed, so much wickedness and so much lack of compassion among the nation’s elite. It is a sort of bonanza. Everyone, including the ordinary citizen, now knows those who betrayed them, stole their patrimony, leaving the nation prostrate and incapable of providing them the basic means of existence, jobs, salaries and their meagre pension benefits. The whistleblower policy activated by the Buhari administration to enable citizen participation in the anti-corruption war, is the single most important catalyst now driving the war against corruption and given it a life of its own.

    The issue of concern to many Nigerians are, what kind of sanctions to mete out to the growing list of national robbers and looters so as to discourage others from towing similar path and prevent the poor and desperate citizens including the young, from holding up thieves as role models.

    The prevailing position is that forfeiture of stolen assets to the state is not sufficient punishment for the looters. It is recommended that the government working with the nation’s judiciary, should ensure compulsory jail terms of not less than 20 years for those who contributed to the nation’s adversity, as well as banning such dubious persons from seeking for office.

    To his credit, the administration of PMB, is battling recession and the good news is that the country will come out victorious by the time most policies being put in place today, start to germinate.

    First, under the Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the PMB government, thousands of indigent Nigerians across the country have been receiving the N5,000 stipend promised by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the campaign for the 2015 elections. While this does not amount to much in view of the high inflation in the economy, at least it gives confidence and promise of better days for this class of Nigerians. Second, thousands of unemployed graduates who would have remained a pain in the neck of their families have been massively employed under the emergency teacher’s programme of the present administration. This class of educated Nigerians would have the self-esteem of earning a salary with the expectation that as the economy improves in the nearest future and the nation exits recession, according to the skills and knowledge of these young and educated, they would be absorbed into other critical areas of the economy. This is the popular N-Power job scheme which as we are told, would be expanded in 2017 to accommodate a total of 350,000 young and educated persons of different grades.

    Perhaps, most revolutionary in the effort to revamp the economy and create employment is the steady and successful diversification of the economy. Agriculture and food production has taken the lead here. The administration has put in place the Anchor Borrowers Scheme under which farmers across the country are able to borrow money and improve their activities. So far, millionaires in large numbers have been created in a number of states across the country in the area of rice production. Rice farmers are not only becoming wealthy, they are able to provide employment to willing hands on the farms as they increase the acreage under cultivation. The magic that is happening here is that with the ban on rice imports, national revenue being used in the past to import the commodity are being conserved while steadily Nigerians have started to export the same commodity and earn foreign exchange.

    The determination of the government to ensure that Nigerians can feed themselves, gives hopes that the success recorded in rice production would be replicated with other food and cash crops. Most states in the country are now going seriously into agricultural production taking cognizance of their comparative advantage in certain areas.

    Recently, the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, announced that the administration of PMB would give support to the poultry industry. When this happens, it is expected that production would increase and the present high prices of chicken and eggs would come down. This would increase employment in the sector, contribute to the fight against inflation and improve the quality of nutrition of Nigerians.

    In view of the mess which PMB found in place in May 2015, the government is doing well so far on the economy. As more sectors are brought within the radar of government support, as envisaged under the recently-released economic blueprint, the Economic Reform and Growth Plan (EGRP), the new development agenda for Niger Delta and the new guidelines on ease of doing business among others, at both the national and state levels, it is certain that by the end of 2017, the present harsh economic climate would to a large degree have run its course, paving way for visible recovery of the economy.

     

    • Okoroma is a political analyst and lives in Abuja.
  • My Buhari score card, by Obasanjo

    My Buhari score card, by Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has rated President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance  high in  security and the battle against corruption.

    In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his hilltop residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the weekend, Obasanjo said the president had done his best to develop the country.

    “Whatever anybody says, President Buhari has not disappointed me from what I know of him,’’ he said.

    Obasanjo said the president had delivered on his core areas of strength and ability, particularly in the anti-corruption crusade and the war against insurgency.

    “In my book, I have said that Buhari is not strong on the economy and I did not write this to run him down.

    “I also used to think that he is not strong in the area of foreign affairs, but I have realised that he has improved very well.

    “He has actually done his best in the areas where we know him to be strong,” he said.

    The elder statesman urged Nigerians not to relent in their support for Buhari and not to give up on Nigeria.

    “Whatever you might see as bad in Nigeria, other societies have gone through the same at some period in their history.

    “It is not for us to begin to condemn but to begin to join hands together and consider how we can make the best out of our present.

    “Our present situation is a passing phase and we need to be resilient to ensure that we are not consumed by it.

    “I will be the first to admit that we have not been where we should have been, but note that we have also been far from where we could have been because it could have been worse.

    “It is the height of ingratitude for people to say Nigeria has not achieved anything or much as a nation.

    “The generation before mine fought for Nigeria’s independence; that is great.

    “My own generation, which is the next, fought to sustain the unity of Nigeria.

    “Since 1999, Nigeria has enjoyed 18 years of unbroken democracy.

    “We witnessed in 2007 a transition of power from one individual to another in the same party.

    “We witnessed in 2015 a transition of power from an individual in the ruling party to another individual in the opposition party.

    “All these should not be taken for granted,” he said.

    Obasanjo also decried the call for national conferences or assemblies to negotiate the continued unity of Nigeria.

    The former president who described such conferences as “distractions”, said he did not bother to read the report of the last one organised by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “ We Nigerians need ourselves and if anyone thinks he does not need another person, good luck to him.

    “What I see in all those groups trying to break away is that they want more of the national cake.

    “The fact that you want more of the cake means that it is good and you like it, else you will not be asking for more of it.

    “I do understand the agitations of the youths in that the increased facilities that now exist as against our own time have not translated to adequate opportunities for them.

    “But I think that rather than engage in violence, they should think of how to build on the sacrifices of the generations before them,” he said.

    The elder statesman, who will turn 80 on March 5, said he had no regrets at such an age.

    He said his hope that Nigeria would still be a great nation was intact.

  • Lawmaker presents score card

    Lawmaker presents score card

    The lawmaker representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ayo Omidiran has said that quality representation laced with focus, dedication, spirit of service and positive ideas engender human, infrastructural, economic and political development. These are, she said, very critical to the overall well-being of the people.

    Hon. Omidiran stated this while giving account of her stewardship in the National Assembly in the last six months during a Town Hall Meeting held in Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.

    The Town Hall Meeting, which is the second in the series since she won the election last year, gave the constituents the opportunity of having first-hand information about the goings on in the House of Representatives and to interface with their representative and suggest the way forward for the constituency’s development.

    Addressing the gathering, Omidiran said: “My topmost priorities as representative of the constituency include sponsoring life-changing bills as well as pursuing agenda that will attract development to the people.

    “My constituency projects as constitutionally and legitimately captured in this year’s budget will focus on provision of potable water in every nook and cranny of the constituency as well as renovation of major markets in the three local government areas that make up the constituency.”

    Hon. Omidiran, who sought the co-operation and support of the people at all times, promised to evolve policies and programmes that will bring succour to the people. She further called for their support for the Mohammadu Buhari-led administration as it has good intentions to take the country out of the present economic quagmire.

    The lawmaker also encouraged the youth to always enunciate ideas capable of securing their future, adding that she would always be ready to support such ideas in any capacity. She also encouraged them to take advantage of the N-POWER scheme of the Federal Government as it is part of plans by the government to fight poverty and hunger.

    Speakers at the event commended Hon. Omidiran for not letting them down. They, however, encouraged her not to relent in her commitment to take the constituency to an enviable height.

    They equally urged her to inform the Federal Government to accelerate actions that would ameliorate the suffering of the masses.

  • Council chief presents score card

    Council chief presents score card

    The Executive Secretary of Agege Local Government Area, Hon. Omofunmilewa Adejombo    has said that for the people to enjoy good governance, leaders must have a clear understanding of the needs of the people and make efforts to enhance their well-being.

    He stated this during the inauguration of projects carried out by the council to mark his administration’s one year anniversary.

    The council chief, who reeled off his many achievements at the ceremony said he realised from the onset that to make a mark in the local government administration, the series of problems on ground had to be confronted head on, adding that the determination to achieve had resulted in the successes recorded so far.

    On the education sector, he said the council provided uniforms and exercise books to all pupils, distributed desks and chairs to all primary schools as well office furniture for teachers in all the schools.

    The Executive Secretary also revealed that his council rehabilitated some roads that were hitherto dilapidated by grading and asphalting them. He said such roads as Bashorun Ilawe, Samuel Ajayi and Oshogbo Road were rehabilitated.

    The council’s strong belief that the youth are the future of the council emboldened its commitment to youth development. The council, he said, established and maintained a vocational centre located at the council’s secretariat.

    Various skills such as fashion designing, catering and home management, hairdressing, computer and secretariat studies were imparted to the youth of the council. Many have graduated after going through their programmes in the centres, even as the outstanding ones among them we’re presented with the tools of their trade to help them start off.

    Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudasiru Obasa commended the efforts of the Executive Secretary and the Head of Administration Mrs. Mayowa Ikuforiji, saying that their efforts have truly yielded commendable results for the local government Area.

    Other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the local government who were present at the ceremony included Prof. Tunde Samuel and Alhaji Ayoni Shittu, among others.

  • Council chief presents score card

    Council chief presents score card

    It is not how long, but how well as the aphorism goes. Achievements by agemates vary according to their strengths and abilities to turn unsavoury situations into laudable accomplishments. In the circumstances, therefore, the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area could be likened to an entity that has achieved much than its contemporaries.

    In the last 12 years of its creation, the Onigbongbo LCDA has witnessed tremendous development. The great achievements are not just a flash-in-the-pan, but based on the commitments of the various politicians and seasoned technocrats who were and still are obsessive about engendering development in the council area.

    It is not enough to work towards enhancing the well-being of the people, council chiefs in the area thought it wise to, from time to time, invite residents of the council to brief them on, not only what the council has been able to achieve, but also on some of the challenges it is experiencing and how to chart a way forward.

    Mindful of this, therefore, the Executive Secretary of Onigbongbo LCDA, Moshood Mustapha Abiola presented his score card to the people; detailing his achievements and constraints.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on year 2016 Budget held on Monday at the council’s secretariat, he said: “This year’s score card aimed at keeping the people abreast of what has been achieved so far and how we can become a formidable team to move this LCDA forward.

    “This administration is passionate about executing people-oriented programmes, even though paucity of funds has largely affected the execution of most people-friendly programmes it had earmarked. Even in the face of this challenge, the LCDA was able to achieve much.

    “This administration appreciates the obas, baales, management and staff of Onigbongbo LCDA, Chairman of the local government area, ward chairmen, women leaders, youth leaders, market men and women, members of the executive of Community Development Committees (CDCs), Community Development Associations (CDAs) and the entire people of Onigbongbo for their support to this administration.

    “I would encourage us all to pay our taxes and rates to enable the council to carry out more people-oriented programmes.

     

  • Asiodu, Alele-Williams, IoD chiefs, others grace Uduaghan’s ‘score card’ presentation

    Asiodu, Alele-Williams, IoD chiefs, others grace Uduaghan’s ‘score card’ presentation

    It was an event with the trappings of a formal setting. Guests turned out in formal dresses and walked quietly as they were ushered into the cool ambience of Iris hall, Eko hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The occasion was a ‘Government Meets Business Forum’ organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria held penultimate  Friday. The centre of attraction was the then governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was set to give a key note address on “Delta Beyond Oil: A Legacy of Sustainable Development”.

    It was a two-in-one package, which also featured the public presentation of a book which detailed the eight years stewardship of  Uduaghan, titled:  Uduaghan: Sustainable Development, edited by Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation newspapers, Mr Sam Omatseye, and a former commissioner for information for Delta state, Mr. Oma Djebah.

    Typical of a corporate event, the crowd was not massive as attendance was strictly by invitation but it was well attended judging by the number of eminent personalities who turned out for the occasion. Prominent among the guests were leaders of industry, foreign investors, top government functionaries from Delta state and leaders of the Nigerian media space.

    Dressed in a formal attire, Dr. Uduaghan was seated quietly on a high table parading eminent Nigerians such as former vice chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Alele Williams; the 1st Vice President, Institute of Directors, (IoD), Mr. Yemi Alade; The Chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation Newspapers, Mr Sam Omatseye; former Chief Economic Adviser, Chief Philip Asiodu; past president IoU, Chief Olusola Dada and others.

    Although many close to him would describe him as a quiet man, however, the engaging side of the governor came to the fore when he mounted the dais to address the gathering. Before reading his prepared speech, the former governor successfully captured the minds of the elite gathering as his speech was interrupted at intervals with applause and nodding of heads as a sign of approval to some of the points he raised.

    His address touched on various aspects such as  agenda setting for the APC government, the shelving of his political ambition for peace to reign, the various experiences which formed the agenda of his government when he came into power, the importance of peace and security in attracting investment, new sense of security in delta state and the various entrepreneurship schemes which the Delta Beyond Oil initiative is  hinged on.

    When it came to the time of the book presentation, the event took another turn for liveliness.  Mr Omatseye, a co-editor,  led the audience to a roaring laughter when he used the phrase “Boisterous Exteriority” to describe Uduaghan’s counterpart in Akwa Ibom state, Chief Godswill Akpabio while introducing the book as a corpus of quiet strength and grace of Uduaghan.

    Reacting, the governor, who fondly referred to the Omatseye as a brother and a friend, said their bonding was not on the basis of both of them being Itsekiris but on the basis of the critical analysis that the co-editor presents through his back page column on Mondays. Uduaghan also added to the comical atmosphere when he said he would join Omatseye in advocating  and analysing the pulse of governance as his tenure expires.

    The review of the book was done by no less a professional at the trade than Mr. Kunle Ajibade, the Executive Director of The News magazine. Bespectacled in simple native attire and an Awolowo shaped cap, he jokingly told the audience that there was nothing to review again since Omatseye had almost said everything in his introduction of the book. But this was to be a mock expression owing to the resounding applause which trailed his exit from the stage after his assessment of the book in due time. Even the compere of the event was mesmerised, saying that the review could qualify for another book on its own.