The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senator Oluremi Tinubu

  • Align with govt programmes, vision, First Lady tells youths

    Align with govt programmes, vision, First Lady tells youths

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerian youths to align with programmes and visions of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    She said doing so would enable them to maximise the various opportunities that are available under the current government.

    Senator Tinubu said this when she hosted executives and members of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) in her office yesterday at the State House in Abuja.

    A statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, said the First Lady also urged the association and the Church to intensify the preaching of unity among Nigerians.

    “We should promote our ‘Nigerianness’ rather than ethnicity or culture. Yes, we are not saying we should not recognise these, but we should realise and promote our togetherness. We are first and foremost Nigerians. We need that place of unity.

    “There is a need for you youths to have role models who will teach you what to do and how to do them, just as the Bible talks about in Titus 2 and 1 Timothy that the older ones should teach the younger ones,” she said.

    Read Also: Why we did not recover $69.4 million electricity debt, by NBET

    Senator Tinubu admonished her guests on how to share the message of investing in lives.

    “Technology is very good but we must let the youth know that they should use it positively,” she said.

    The First Lady shared some of the programmes of her office, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

    These, she said, include the Unity Fabric competition with a N25 million prize money and the Every Home A Garden competition with a prize money of N20 million.

    Senator Tinubu also prayed for her guests and other youths across the country and elsewhere.

    YOWICAN National Chairman Enwere Belusochukwu lauded the various initiatives of the First Lady, especially those under her Renewed Hope Initiative.

    He sought the First Lady’s inputs into the proposed quarterly Breakfast Prayer Meeting of both Christian and Muslim youths and the proposed National Christian Youth Resource Centre, which will have a skills acquisition centre, among other facilities.

    Senator Tinubu was presented with an Easter card and YOWICAN uniform by the association’s executives.

  • Residents hail Senator Tinubu for project at Coker-Aguda

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has inaugurated a drainage system at Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

    The Lagos Central Senator said God used her to attract the project, which was approved by the Eighth Senate, to the community.

    She, however, noted that it was not the duty of National Assembly members to execute infrastructural projects, but that of the executive.

    The duty of lawmakers, she said, was to make laws and oversight projects.

    “Lawmakers, however, took on the added function of embarking on constituency projects to meet the expectations of the people,” she said.

    Read Also: Medal for ‘slapping senator’ sparks outrage

    Senator Tinubu urged the Federal Government to support the state with projects, as its population keeps growing.

    She enjoined the residents not to dump refuse inside the drainage.

    The government, the senator said, was mindful of their welfare, adding that it would do everything to address it.

    She asked Coker-Aguda LCDA Chairman Mrs. Omobanle Akinyemi-Obe for the list of schools in the area that needed toilets to enable her address the issue.

    Akinyemi-Obe thanked Senator Tinubu for making the project a reality.

    She said the lawmaker always responded to people’s needs.

    The residents hailed the senator for attracting the two-side open project to their area, saying it would tackle flood.

  • Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s day of glory

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame at the Women Development Centre, Abuja. Joke Jacobs, who highlighted the significance of the event, extols the virtues of the senator representing Lagos Central in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

    THE is endowed with beauty and brain. Senator Oluremi Tinubu is a third term senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Abuja on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). An epitome of great leadership, she is following the footsteps of other renowned women leaders elsewhere in the world, like Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, former President of Liberia, Mrs. Eileen Johnson-Sirleaf, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, who was the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria and several others who have excelled in various fields of human endeavour.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu, an educationist of note and great politician, was on Monday June 10, 2019 inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame at the Women Development Centre, Abuja. This is due to her numerous achievements in the society. She is the first woman in the national history to be elected into the Senate for three consecutive times. She is admired and loved by all and sundry. Graceful and elegant, Senator Tinubu was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with 22 other women who have excelled in various fields of human endeavour. Some of the inductees are Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the First Lady of Nigeria, Dr. Stella Adadevoh, Professor Adenike Osofisan, Chief (Mrs.) Folorunsho Alakija, Senator Binta Garba, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa and the late Professor Dora Akinyuli.

    Senator Tinubu was born on September 21, 1960. She attended St. Annes’ Secondary School Ibadan, Oyo State and proceeded to Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State, where she bagged a National Certificate of Education (NCE). Senator Tinubu did not relent in her efforts for further studies; she gained admission into University of Ife, now known as the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, where she obtained a degree in Education.

    Her antecedents as the dynamic First lady of Lagos State speak for itself. Senator Oluremi Tinubu who is happily married to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former senator on the platform of Social Democratic Party, a former Governor of Lagos State (1999 to 2003) and presently APC National Leader kept the home-front aglow when she was the First Lady. She set up New Era Foundation, people-oriented foundation geared towards building the capacity of children, who as leaders of tomorrow, are encouraged to develop leadership traits through the Spelling Bee Competition. The first prize winner is allowed to act in capacity of the state governor for one day. The great idea has produced students who have taken their turns as acting governors.

    Read Also: Oluremi Tinubu: Let’s rededicate ourselves to democracy

    New Era Foundation sensitizes the people to engage in voluntary community service in nation-building and encourages public awareness on environmental health issues. The foundation has established vocational centres for school drop-outs. Resident camps were also established to train girls to be well mannered and responsible. New Era Foundation equally organized workshops on HIV/AIDS and participation in politics.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu is quite hardworking, resolute, humble and unassuming. She provided a shoulder to lean on during her husband, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s two term tenure as the Governor of Lagos State. She was the Rock of Gilbratar. She played the role of a dutiful wife and good mother when her husband was on exile abroad during the struggle for the actualization of June 12 Mandate in 1993 after the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate was massively voted for by Nigerians.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been a pillar of support. She persevered during her husband’s travails. A man of courage and vision, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others like the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin (former Governor of Ondo State), the late Pa Alfred Rewane, the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Frank Kokori, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Chief Alani Akinrinade, Chief Olu Falae and several other members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) are heroes of the struggle.

    Complementing her husband’s efforts at restoring democratic values for the nation during this year Democracy Day celebration, she urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the cause of democracy.

    She says: “I felicitate with all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and in particular, the trail-blazing tenacious and law-abiding citizens of the Lagos Central Senatorial District who along with other Lagosians played such courageous and significant role in the events that made June 12, 1993 historic and consequential. It has taken twenty six years to witness the very first observance of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.”

    She said it was on June 12, 1993 that Nigerians from all tribes, walks of life and religious affiliations indicated their clear and resolute preference for democracy and all its ideals.

    Senator Tinubu recognize and salute the man who personified everything lofty and laudable that June 12 now represents Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola of blessed memory. The quintessential female leader claims: “I honour the men and women who sacrificed their freedom, resources, safety and properties in the struggle for the actualization of the mandate of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola which was freely given on June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy day.”

    Commending President Muhammadu Buhari whose government deemed it fit to recognize June 12 as the date that truly deserve recognition as Nigeria’s rightful Democracy Day. She says the nation cannot but recall and honour the memory of those who paid the ultimate price in the struggle.

    A patriot and firm believer of democratic values, she called on all Nigerians and all political office holders to be challenged by the sacrifice of Nigeria’s heroes past and use the occasion of the first observance of June 12 as Democracy Day. She urged them to rededicate themselves to the ideals of unity, peace and progress on which our nation is founded.

    Senator Tinubu is a force to reckon with in the senate. In the 7th and 8th National Assembly, she moved a motion in 2018 on the grid-lock along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos State. On her motion for special economic assistance and special status for Lagos State she says: “Special economic assistance came from the point that Lagos state gives a lot through taxes and Value Added Tax to the federal government. Special economic assistance is requesting that even if it is one percent of money that is being taken to Lagos state which can help things like the grid-lock and infrastructure damage we are experiencing. According to her, the money is supposed to be used to augment most of the projects in the state be it education, health or roads. The National Assembly she says will determine the percentage to be channeled back to Lagos State and the State Assembly will appropriate for the money for state use.

    She campaigned vigorously in the 2019 election in a bid to return to clinch the Lagos Central Senatorial ticket for the third time thus warming her way into the hearts of the electorate. Senator Tinubu was voted for en – masse by the electorate. One of the secrets of her victory is that she emulated the door-to-door campaign style of former American President, Barrack Obama, by engaging her foot soldiers. In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, ‘Every calling is great when greatly pursued’.

    A strong advocate of women emancipation, she believes that the sky is the limit for women who want to hold public office. She said: “I have always canvassed for women to be in elective positions, but most women would rather opt for appointments. “She attributed the apathy among women who run for elective political positions to a number of reasons and urged President Muhammad Buhari to display magnanimity, by appointing many women into his cabinet.

    During her induction into the Hall of Fame at the Women Development Centre, Abuja on Monday, June 10, 2019, she noted that the award would encourage the coming generation, adding: “I hardly do award ceremonies but this one is quite different in the sense that it is like raising the bar higher for the younger generation that if God can allow me achieve this feat, then they can do better in a world where you hardly see women getting into elective positions.”

    She shares in the belief of John D. Rockefeller Jnr. who says: “The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well”. Women, she says, should be able to strive to reach their goal and also contribute to the development of the nation. Senator Tinubu affirms that she is a source of encouragement to the younger generation. Her words: “I am in the Senate to encourage the younger generation to reach for the sky. It has been seven or eight women in the National Assembly. The National Assembly is turning into exclusively a gentleman’s club and I think that is what it will turn out to be and it is quite sad.”

    Worried by the dominance of men in politics and clamouring for women to strive to be at the helm of affairs, she gave the recipe: “I think women have to start raising boys that is gender friendly, the coming generation should begin to raise men that would not feel threatened by women who are in top positions.”

    She advised women not to rest on their oars and that they should be ready to serve and make the necessary sacrifice. In the words of Samuel Johnson: “Perseverance is a great element of success. Clear your mind of cant.” Women in public office, she advised, should be honest, hardworking and transparent.

    A philanthropist, who is also a role model to the younger generation, built a skill acquisition and drug rehabilitation centre in her senatorial district. Through various empowerment programmes that she organised she gave out vehicles, tricycles, offered scholarships, organised town hall meetings and engaged in other programmes to alleviate the suffering of the needy. She supported many indigent ones and offset medical bills. She has touched the lives of several people.

    Due to her tireless and selfless service to humanity, Senator Tinubu’s name has been immortalized through the inauguration of a Primary Health Care centre that is named after her by the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area Chairman, Mr. Fuad Atanda Lawal, who said Senator Tinubu was honoured because of her humanitarian gesture. According to him, the facility is named after a godly, tireless, hardworking woman who has spent the better part of her life to serve humanity. Senator Tinubu has dedicated her life to sustainable humanitarian projects he claimed.

    In recognition of her various contributions to the development of the nation, she was bestowed with National Award (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    This writer first came across Senator Tinubu when has husband, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was aspiring to contest for the Senate in 1993. I had gone to their Victoria Island residence to interview Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the senatorial election when I was the Woman Editor of Today’s Choice Magazine. Senator Oluremi Tinubu welcomed me into their cosy home with open arms. She was warm and hospitable. She cut the picture of a perfect hostess. Later, I became a regular visitor in her home. She inspired me greatly in my pen profession. I can remember how she counseled me to take publishing a serious venture. In fact, this inspired me greatly and since then I have been writing books. I still reminiscence the day she gave me a jolly ride in her red sports car from Victoria Island. I was heading to Ikeja, she dropped me off at Ojuelegba bus stop and gave me a handsome cash gift. With nostalgic feeling, I remember her grace, tenderness and kindness.

    The Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Sam Omatseye, in his widely read column IN TOUCH published on Monday June17, 2019 praised the laudable efforts of this rare gem. Quoting from the column, “Her Hall of Fame status is kudos to an elegant woman with a heart for gender, the dispossessed and the generation in the bud”.

     

  • Tinubu to constituents: thank you

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has commended the people of Lagos Central Senatorial District for electing her to represent the district in the National Assembly for the next four years.

    The senator renewed her commitment to move Lagos Central and Nigeria moving forward.

    Senator Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 131, 725 votes to defeat her closest rival, Adesunbo Onitiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 89, 107 votes.

    In a statement released yesterday in Lagos and personally signed by her, Mrs. Tinubu said she was humbled by the support and confidence reposed in the perspective she brought to bear on to the Senate.

    The statement reads: “In an overwhelming show of patriotism and loyalty to Nigeria, the people have through their votes, exercised their power to elect leaders and determine the course of our Nation for the next four years. Nigerians have let it be known that we are willing to put in the work necessary to get Nigeria moving forward.

    “The good people of Lagos Central Senatorial District have once again elected me to represent them at the Upper Legislative Chamber. I am humbled by the support and confidence reposed in the perspective I bring to the Nigerian Senate.

    “I am honoured to represent Lagos Central for another 4 years and I remain dedicated to ensuring that our youth are sufficiently empowered, that social security is a priority, and that the Nigeria of our dreams is realised.

    “Thus, I want to extend my gratitude to my family, members of the Appreciation 2019 Campaign Team, and volunteers who have served, knocking on doors, going from market to market, shaking hands and mobilizing the electorate to exercise their civic rights. It is time to get to work, consolidating on the foundations we have put in place.

    “It is time to address the critical issues of infrastructure development, accessibility and affordability of education, and increased employment among others.

    “The victory of the APC in today’s elections is a victory for our democracy and the protection of our commonwealth. Thus, I urge the electorate to come out en masse again on Saturday 9th March, 2019 for the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections.

    “I would also like to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on ensuring that the elections were well organised, free and fair; and our security agencies for keeping the peace.”

  • Senator Tinubu opens library

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has inaugurated a public library for the youth and elderly.

    The library, built by Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), will also be used for research.

    The one-storey building, tagged: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Modern Library, is equipped with modern facility and educational tools of international standard.

    It is located at the central point of the community for accessibility.

    After opening the library, Senator Tinubu hailed the council Chairman, Alhaja Funmilayo Akande-Muhammed for her interest in education.

    She described her scorecard as impressive.

    According to her, Akande-Muhammed has proved that women can deliver good governance if given the opportunity.

    She urged the youth of Apapa-Iganmu to be law-abiding and be of good behaviour.

    She assured them of her support if they can do away with violence acts.

    She promised the residents that more dividends of democracy and basic grassroots amenities will come their way.

    She urged them to support the council chairman’s kind gestures and laudable projects.

    A member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Eliot, praised Alhaja Akande-Muhammed for her the developmental strides in the area of youth development and education.

    Alhaja Akande-Muhammed said she is inspired by Senator Tinubu’s outstanding performance especially in the area of education

    She promised to revamp the education sector in her council.

    The carnival-like event featured presentation of a cake by the council staff to Senator Tinubu.

    Among the dignitaries at the event are Ojora of Ijora Oba Fatai Aromire, Senator Muniru Muse, All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos Central Senatorial Leader Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, House of Reps. member Ayodeji Joseph, Muftau Egberongbe, APC chieftain Toun Adeniran, Owolabi Adele Elijah, Wahab Jimoh, Comrade Salau Bashua, Chairman, Iru-Victoria Island LCDA Princess Rasheedat Abiodun Adu, Owolabi Olorunoje among many others.

  • Tinubu: Why I’m re-contesting for Senate

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu represents Lagos Central District in the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She spoke with reporters in Lagos on her legislative activities, achievements, vision for good governance, re-election bid and preparations for next year’s polls. Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu was there.

    Despite moving a motion three years ago on the gridlock along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, the problem has not ameliorated. Don’t you see this as a negligence of the executive to Senate proposals, including your zonal intervention projects?

    You have seen that the Minister of Works recently flagged off the work which is being done in partnership with Dangote. I was honoured to have been invited for the ceremony. This was the aftermath of such motions and that is why for me to raise a motion in the Senate is something that should be thought out; it is not something that is to seek attention. We really look at what is affecting the district.

    Actually, that motion was supported by all the senators. It was something very, very sensitive and important for us and I believe that the resolutions were part of what we are witnessing, even if it has taken some time.

    Even, if we raise a motion, that doesn’t mean that the Federal Government is not attending to it. At times, motions can be political, but that of the gridlock, I can tell you that as we speak, Dangote is giving us a time frame of two years. So, we are hopeful. Alhaji Dangote is a credible man; he has the money to do it. So, we are quite hopeful and I particularly, I am quite excited at the move and I can tell you that it would have stemmed from the motion in the Senate.

    On the zonal intervention projects, I cannot speak for my colleagues, but mine is for me to be true to what I have been given in the Senate and what has been my own allocation. I have even gone beyond what I receive from the Senate (appropriated for constituency) to assist in the work in my district and that is why whatever I do, I stay true to it and be God -fearing in the process and even if the people don’t see me, God sees me. And as a Christian, I believe that He that sees in secret will reward us openly. I am not saying that I am perfect, but I am striving for perfection.

     You have been passionate about special status for Lagos…

    These two concepts are two different things. They are never the same. When I introduced the Special Economic Assistance, they twisted it out of context. When we are looking at the Special Status, we are talking of money being taken from the Federation Account and if you had followed what my colleagues did in the Senate, they gave the Northeast Zone, I think about 2-3 per cent from the Federation Account and this is like a special status given to the Northeast Zone because of the security situation.

    Special Economic Assistance came from the point that Lagos State gives a lot through taxes, VAT to the Federal Government from Lagos. Special Economic Assistance is requesting that, even if it is 1 per cent of money that is being taken to the Federation Account from Lagos State should be given back to Lagos State, which can help things like the gridlock and the infrastructure damage that we are experiencing.

    So, these monies are supposed to be used to augment most of the projects in the state either; education, health sector or roads. That is what we are asking for. The National Assembly will determine the percentage to be channeled back to Lagos State and the State Assembly will appropriate for the money for state use.

    However, my colleagues took it out of context; maybe because of the mood of the Senate. If you witnessed what happened, I had never seen such hatred for a bill in my life and I think that bill sparked very, heated argument in the Senate. They were even telling me to bring it back, but I said no; that somebody else can take it up, that I am done because since 2011 I had been advocating for it.

    What about the Zonal Intervention Programmes?

    I can tell you that the day that we were launching the compendium (compendium of her projects), we sent a copy to our party chairman and you know our party chairman is a dynamic man and he went through it and by the time he came; he actually gave a thumb up to zonal intervention programmes.

    One of my husband’s colleagues, Ambassador Kazaure, I gave a copy to him. He read it and he was really, really proud. He said you did these?

    Immediately we get back by the grace of God, if I am voted back to represent my people and even if I am not, I am going to be giving that book to every senator. And I believe that not all the senators are retuning and that has been the trend in the Senate. There is a lot of brain drain in the Senate. We lose a lot of people who are very cerebral men and women. But you see, politics is really a game of being able to inspire your people, inspire them in the sense for them to trust you enough for them to say, please represent us.

    So, my message to my colleagues and people who are running for office is that you cannot take people for granted. Even if you win well, you want to go back to do well for your people, you can’t take them for granted.

    How can the leadership crisis in the Senate be prevented?

    For the leadership (issue) in the Senate, I experienced it and I believe the president also learnt from what happened. We don’t have to say that we are preventing it, because most of the work he could have done, if we had the right leadership we wouldn’t have been going through what we are going through today.

    So, I believe that the president would have learnt one thing or two because when he came in, he said he doesn’t belong to anybody, but I know that by this time, he knows those people who belong to him. He will know that some people have his best interest at heart and some don’t.

    What can the president do to smoothen relations between the executive and the legislature between now and May 29, 2019.

    I don’t think much can be done now. It will lead to blackmail. For me, we are going to run and walk with what we have and I don’t think a PDP administration has much to offer us. They are the ones who got us into this rot in the first place and we are trying to get out of it.

    To me, there is hope returning back to this nation and Nigerians should give the APC led administration another four years and they can decide thereafter. Four years is not enough for any president to make….He is not a magician to just wave a wand and everything is back to normal. We didn’t get there overnight. Executive and parliamentary parley I think is gone. The president will still try and I think he is doing that, but that is why I said that it is more of blackmail but politics is like blackmail and I think he would be able to handle it.

    But, I don’t see our president yielding to blackmail and I think Nigeria needs such people. And I pray that he would remain focused and continue to steer the ship so that we can have a safe landing.

    You have been away for two terms and you are going for the third term. Who has been taking and will take care of Asiwaju?

    You know and that was why I didn’t even want to go for the third term, but you can see how busy even Asiwaju too is. I may look very tiny, but to God be the glory, I am somebody that God has given the little strength that I have to take care of family. My family is not like every other family. I have gone to women who have the same calling like my husband, I have spoken to them, I have learned from them how they manage the home front. For me going to the Senate, you can see that Asiwaju doesn’t really have any assignment to speak. What he is doing is somebody just fighting for the masses and making sure that things go well. Not that he can stay at home if he wants to.

    I am here in Lagos every weekend, I never regard Abuja as home, it is a place of work.

    You once said you were the new face of labour. What is your position on the new minimum wage demanded by labour?

    My antecedents will tell you that I was in the trenches with my husband and I have been through a lot. I am with the people and relate well with the boys and girls on the streets. These are the people that will show you their voter’s cards. I owe them much. I speak their language. At times when they come home to tell my husband and he says my wife doesn’t talk like that, I just look!

    Sometimes when I speak their language, they will say, why are you talking like us? Like yesterday. I will speak truth to them like a mum and they listen! I was there, I asked why are you all smoking weeds here?

    The audacity with which crime is being perpetuated in our society is alarming. Am I scared? No! And that is the soul and heart of a comrade. Whatever I wear, they all trust me and believe that I am with their cause, I understand their pain and do the bit that I can for them.

    On the minimum wage, I will say that I support people to be taken care of. Leadership is about sacrifice and I believe that the president too supports the minimum wage. If all of the big executives can cut down on their allowances, we can make it. You know Lagos does not have such problem, they will pay and that was why I said even my Work Experience Programme, I am going to pay even more than the monthly minimum wage and this will come through my salaries and allowances.

    If I am going to take like 100 youths, I will look for good corporate organizations that can employ them, they don’t have to pay them, but they will just come in as interns and I could pay them about N40,000 for lunch and transport and to dress well to go. That could be my contribution. Like the boy we set up a barber shop for, somebody gave me a slot to go to Mecca, I gave it to him! So, I have to change one life at a time, it doesn’t have to be a lot, but if I am in the executive, maybe I can do more, but as a legislator, your hands are tied.

    What would be your message to critical stakeholders  in the campaign ahead of the 2019 elections?

    With my campaign director-general, I decided that I wanted to do things differently.

    We can learn from best international practices. How do they run campaigns? We are starting with door-to-door campaigns. Door to door is how Obama got there. And we have gotten vehicles because we are not going to be making noise and we have foot soldiers who will be in uniform, and they are going to homes and whatever campaign materials we have, we share.

    I am trying to see that we are still getting to the people but using different methods.

    You see, why we have this fear about election campaign is because we have people who are afraid of losing. When you are afraid of losing, you try to threaten people and I think we should go past that and play fine politics.

    What are you doing to ensure that more women come into politics?

    This is one question I have tried to avoid without sounding very harsh. Most people will say because you are married to Asiwaju, you are so privileged and that. Yes, I am privileged to be married to him, but it has been the work of two, not one person. So, whatever I am enjoying being married to him, I have also worked for it. So, it wasn’t something that came cheap. I have always advocated for women to be in elective positions, but most women would rather opt for appointments. With appointments, you cannot really do much. You will see that there are people who get these appointments, but they don’t impact other women.

    How have they impacted other women? They select the women they impact. They impact women who are like them. They call the elite together and they even write books. I don’t have to write books. You can see the types of books I do. I do books all the time and when I write, I talk about my struggles. I am very real to the people, I mentor young girls for the next generation. I don’t give up on girls. But you see the women we have, they have to have the proper orientation of service, they don’t have it and that is why when they fall, they fall on their paws, nobody to pick them up. You can see the case of Dino and myself, you can see how the women rose up. When you impact the life of other women, it will speak for you. In fact, some were calling me from the barracks, saying we want to join the protest! That is why I said if you do things in secret God sees you and it will help you one way or the other.

  • Law to ban petrol vehicles coming in 3years – Sen. Tinubu

    Law to ban petrol vehicles coming in 3years – Sen. Tinubu

    Senate Committee Chairman on Environment, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has said the committee in three years will sponsor a bill banning vehicles that run on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Tinubu said it is the responsibility of the Senate to promote legislative superstructure that will help the nation achieve Green economy.

    She spoke at the 10th Anniversary of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and 11th National Stakeholders’ forum themed: “Environmental Governance, a key to achieving green economy,” held at the weekend in Abuja.

    She said: “When we are discussing the environment and greening the economy for sustainable development, there has to be a legislation on ensuring all industries in Nigeria are running on green fuel, solar energy and other alternative systems.

    “We need to strengthen NESREA. We also need a law that says in the next three years, all automobiles in Nigeria must use gas and other non-fuel systems, fuel cells, solar power and the rest.

    “The time to set the framework is now, if we don’t do that now we would delay dooms day, other countries have setup their green policies economies and Nigerians cannot drive their cars to such countries. India today, all the tricycle and all the public transport systems go on compressed gas.

    “The standard needs to be set in Nigeria. The European Union (EU) have set their own standards that in less than 10years, we would not have anything to do with petroleum products as sources of fuel except compressed natural gas or natural gas as it is in the air.

    “If we don’t get it right through the law and penalties set in that law that will punitively punish those who disobeyed it, we would not get to where we want.”

    Represented by the Committee Vice Chairman, Ogola Foster, the committee chairman, said it was imperative because of the implication of gas emissions in the nation, unlike other progressive countries that adopts renewable energies.

    The NESREA Director General, Dr. Lawrence Anwuka, in his remarks described the action against pollution and protection of the environment as a collective responsibility.

    Anwuka expressed optimism on supports from the lawmakers stressing that proper legislative framework will smoothen operations of the agency.

    However, he noted that the 34 regulations have so far been enacted and being implemented since commencement of their operations.

  • Town hall meeting tackles Nigeria’s diversity

    Town hall meeting tackles Nigeria’s diversity

    As she has done periodically in the last six years, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central District in the upper legislative chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), interacted with her constituents last weekend at a town hall meeting in Surulere, Lagos Mainland. The meeting, the 23rd in the series, took place under the theme, ‘Embracing Our Complexity and Diversity.’ Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI was there.

    THE 23rd Town Hall Meeting of the Lagos Central Senatorial District came on the backdrop of the agitation and anger from the Southeast, the eviction notice issued by some youths demanding that fellow Nigerians vacate the North as a result of ethnic disparity and the quest for restructuring as a way forward for Nigeria.

    It was perhaps to bring the meeting in tandem with the state of the nation that Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represents the district in the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), chose the theme, “Embracing our complexity and diversity”.

    She said despite the seeming tribal animosities, Nigerians can live happily together, if they see their complexity and diversity as a blessing, rather than a curse.

    Senator Tinubu said this was only possible, if governments at various levels used an inclusive governance approach, where opportunities were provided to all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic groups, social standing and religious affiliations.

    She said Lagos has proved that this is possible, because the different ethnic groups that make up Nigeria reside peacefully within the state. Her words: “This is only possible because of the practice of all-inclusive governance by the Lagos State Government; and provision of opportunities for all regardless of ethnic groups, social standing or religion.”

    The lawmaker said Nigeria and other states have a lot to learn in this regard. She added: “We must be able to raise a new generation of compatriots – Nigerians united in the need to embrace diversity, while creating a blueprint for the younger generations to follow, educating our children and unlearning stereotypes.”

    Indeed, the senator said there was nothing wrong with ethnicity. Her words: “It can make and create avenues for healthy competition in economic development as exemplified by the period after independence that witnessed robust competition when the Southwest led in cocoa production; the North in the production of groundnuts, cotton and cereals; and the production of palm products and root crops dominated the economy of the Southeast; and where properly harnessed can be gainfully employed for the well-being of all.”

    She listed some of the advantages of Nigeria’s diversity. “With this comes the potential to greatly benefit – inter-tribal marriages, opportunities to travel, positions and employment opportunities that will have been otherwise unobtainable, other traditions, cultures and languages abound and are accessible to us,”  she said.

    Senator Tinubu said over the years, Nigeria has been faced with ethnocentrism, religious intolerance and allegations of marginalisation of minority groups. The result, she added, had been the absence of unity and a viable nation. She blamed the political class for the growing ethnic tension in the country, saying they have been riding on tribal animosities, sentiments and differences to access political office, gain constituents’ support and fulfill personal political ambitions.

    Alluding to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidential Broadcast of Monday, August 21, the lawmaker said most Nigerians agree that it was better for the country to remain indivisible. She commended the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) for withdrawing the quit notice earlier issued by the Coalition of Northern Groups, saying other groups should follow suit, by taking back statements capable of leading to hostilities and apprehension.

    The APC lawmaker said while it was impossible for Nigerians to erase their ethnic origins and affiliations, “focusing and obsessing over them will only serve to deepen ethnic rifts, differences and entrench parochial consciousness to the detriment of growth and development”.

    She said it was amusing that such dichotomy exists even among people of the same ethnic group. Her words: “I have heard certain Yoruba people discriminate or refuse to intra-marry with some other groups of Yoruba people. I have also heard of certain Ibo communities refusing to intra-marry and being weary of dealing with others, due to certain pre-conceived notions.”

    Senator Tinubu said Nigerians should re-evaluate their perception and that of others around them to adequately benefit from the diversity of ideas and experiences that are important for the development of the nation. “Thus diversity in all facets of our lives – education, sports, governance, economy etc – must be encouraged to ensure that all citizens participate, contribute and perform optimally,” she added.

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Wale Edun, was full of praises for Senator Tinubu, saying: “We need to keep supporting her in what she is doing in Lagos Central.” He added: “There is a particular reason we should be thankful to her: the theme of today’s town hall meeting. That is the topic of the moment.”

    Hon. Edun said restructuring or true federalism is not just about revenue sharing. “It is much more complex than revenue sharing; it is about the future of this country and the future of our children,” he said.

    In his welcome address, the APC Lagos Central District leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, also said the theme for the 23rd town hall meeting was apt, against the background of recent developments in the country.

    Prince Olusi said with the APC trying to articulate its position on restructuring, party chieftains should deliberate on the matter, to find out what kind of federal structure they would love to live under.

    He alluded to the quest for a special status for Lagos under the Nigerian federation, saying it is only fair for the state to be compensated for catering for citizens from virtually all ethnics groups in the country. He added: “Any gain that would come to Lagos would not be for the indigenes alone; it will be for the benefit of all Nigerians resident in Lagos.”

    Olusi said it was not fair that Lagos accounts for as much as 70 per cent of the Value Added Tax (VAT) that goes into the coffers of the Federal Government, but is not adequately rewarded for providing the enabling environment to generate that revenue.

    Senator Tinubu also briefed her constituents about developments in the upper legislative chamber, including activities at the committee level. For instance, a motion sponsored by 108 senators on June 17, on ‘The need for national unity and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria,’ Senator Tinubu said, urged, among others, that Nigerians should embrace patriotism and nationalism, as well as shun divisive comments.

    She added: “In contributing to the motion, I stressed on my ties to different ethnic communities, the importance of the different parts that make up the whole, and how we all have something to contribute to the development of Nigeria.”

    The senator representing Lagos Central District in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly sponsored the Police Act Amendment Bill within the period between the last town hall meeting and this one. The bill was first read on Thursday, June 15, and debated on Tuesday, July 11. “The bill, among other things, aims to bring in line with current realities, the punishments and fines contained in the act; and to eliminate institutionalisation of bias against women who seek to serve our great nation via the Nigeria Police Force,” she added.

    The lawmaker also highlighted other developments in the Senate, including the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill, which was considered and passed; and the ongoing attempts to amend the constitution. On constitutional amendment, she said until Nigeria achieves a system that caters to the most unlikely situations and allows for strong institutions, the work must continue.

    Senator Tinubu said: ‘’There were 33 Amendment Bills, including: “Composition of members of the Council of State, to allow for inclusion of former heads of the National Assembly in the Council of State. This was overwhelmingly supported.

    “Authorisation of expenditure, reducing time frame within which a President or Governor may authorise expenditure pending appropriation from six months to three months. This was voted for by the majority.”

    The amendment bills also include the one that deals with devolution of powers, to move certain items to the Concurrent List, thus enhancing federalism and strengthening the states. Unfortunately, she said, the proposal did not get the required two-thirds majority votes.

    In all, she said since the last town hall meeting 34 bills had been presented to the Senate, while 30 bills and 15 motions were considered.

    At the committee level, the lawmaker representing Lagos Central District briefed her constituents about the four committees she belongs to: Environment; Employment, Labour and Productivity; Tertiary Education and Tetfund; and Constitution Review. For instance, on environment, she said the report of the Committee on the Erosion Control and Prevention Commission Bill (SB 32) was considered on Thursday, July 6, and subsequently approved and read a third time.

    As witnessed in previous town hall meetings, last weekend’s event attracted a lot of distinguished Nigerians, including members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA), the newly-inaugurated local government chairmen, chieftains of the APC at various levels, as well as supporters of the APC at the grassroots, traditional rulers, market men and women, artisans and students.

    Some of the personalities are: the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, who was accompanied by a retinue of white cap chiefs; the Deputy Speaker, LSHA, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun; former Deputy Speaker, LSHA, Adetoun Adediran;   Surulere Local Government Chairman, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide; and former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Tunde Balogun.

    Others include: Oba Owolabi Adeniyi of Igbobi-Sabe, Princess Abba Folawiyo, Alhaja Olufunke Gbajabiamila, Senator Muniru Muse, Hon. Mutiu Aare and Hon. Yahya Dosunmu.

     

  • Senator Tinubu Seeks true federalism

    Senator Tinubu Seeks true federalism

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial District has called for an amendment of the constitution to make Nigeria a true federal state.

    She said while the nation’s laws and constitution expressly declare that Nigeria is a federal state, the practical application of most of the laws effectively makes Nigeria more or less a unitary state.

    Speaking on the theme: “Governance and National Development: Issues and Implications” at the University of Lagos 12th Annual Research Conference and Fair on Tuesday in Lagos, Senator Tinubu defended the current clamour for true federalism in some quarters.

    She said the different ethnic tribes were independent and relatively politically-sophisticated before the advent of the colonialists.

    She lamented that the incursion of the military into politics in 1966 upended the near-perfect fiscal arrangements agreed to by the founding fathers at independence in 1960 and that subsequent constitutions have tended to perpetuate this anomaly.

    “For a country as diverse and large as Nigeria, only the practice of true and fiscal federalism can engender equitable development of the constituent units and make effective governance easy,” she said.

    The Senator recommended that the power over some of the items listed in the Concurrent Legislative List in Part II of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) like prisons, antiquities and monuments, archives and public records, university and technology as well as some of the items in the Exclusive List should be exclusively vested in the states of the federation.

    According to her, this will bring development closer to the people and ensure that policies formulated for the execution of these functions are those that are informed by the local conditions of the people.

    Tinubu charged governments at all levels to endeavour to work in the interest of the people, saying all government’s policies must ultimately be judged by whether they deliver on the promise of the government to the people under the ‘Social Contract’.

    In attendance at the conference were the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello, the Registrar of the university, Dr. (Mrs) Taiwo Folashade Ipaye, and Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, among others.

  • Senate raises alarm over rising spate of suicides

    Senate raises alarm over rising spate of suicides

    …Tinubu seeks urgent remedy

     

    The Senate Tuesday raised the alarm over the rising spate of suicides and suicide attempts in parts of the country.

    The upper chamber asked the ministries of health at federal and state levels to immediately embark on mental health sensitization and awareness campaign to tackle the problem.

    It also asked the health ministries at federal and state levels to set up free and accessible mental health stations in all government owned hospitals and clinics across the country.

    It urged Nigerians to look out for possible symptoms of unhappiness, depression and to seek professional help where necessary.

    The resolutions which were unanimously adopted followed a motion by Senator Oluremi Tinubu on the “Need to ensure affordable and accessible mental health care for Nigerians.”

    Senator Shehu Sani who seconded the motion said lamented that it is obvious that many Nigerian families can no longer cater for themselves.

    Senator Tinubu in her lead debate noted that the country was ranked 78th happiest nation in the world and 4th in Africa in the 2015 world happiness report.

    The Lagos Central lawmaker further said that the report published in March 2017 rated Nigeria as 95th happiest nation out of 155 countries.

    She expressed concern that suicide and its attendant causes namely-depression, social and economic problems, low self-esteem, traumatic experiences, physical and emotional abuse, substance abuse, bullying are not alien to Nigerians.

    She noted that societal ills, economic difficulty, crime rate which are prevalent in Nigeria are sufficient to send anyone over the edge.

    Senator Tinubu expressed sadness that in spite of the dominant presence of suicide catalysts, Nigerian’s mental health support system is barely existent.

    She said that access to mental health specialists is expensive and almost nearly out of reach of the poor and middle class.

    The effect, she said, is that ‘where pressure becomes overbearing for these persons, they attack people around them or attempt to take their own lives.”

    She said that Senate should be concerned that “the incidences of these suicides are made worse by lack of attention, and the belief that depression and other personality and mental disorders are the white man’s sickness and thus does not affect Nigerians.”

    Senator Tinubu said that it is sad to remember the case of Ariyo Taiwo who posted on Facebook, indicating that he had a few hours left to live.

    “Instead of his post being seen as a plea for help, comments in response mocked and encouraged him. He was said to have taken his life a few hour later,” she said.

    The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the wellbeing of citizens is the primary duty of government.

    She reiterated the fact that accessibility of mental health care will also ensure that the teeming number of psychological and psychiatry graduates across the country can put their knowledge to use and be gainfully employed.

    Senator Sani (Kaduna Central” said that there is connection between the turbulent polity and the mental state of Nigerians and connection between economic inequality and health of Nigerians.

    Sani said that the thinking of the people is that if their situation cannot be addressed that alternative will be to take the law into their hands.

    Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North) said that the economic hardship the country found itself is biting harder.

    Barau said that government must perform its functions of providing the welfare of the people.

    Senator Emmanuel Paulker on his part said that the bitterness in the country is very high.

    Paulker said that government at all levels, private sector and individuals should address the problems of the people.

    Attempt for the issue to be addressed at a public hearing was defeated.