The construction of the 2nd Niger bridge is now completed and will soon be released to the public for use, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, confirmed on Wednesday.
He stated this at an ongoing press briefing to present the President, Muhammadu Buhari’s scorecard in Abuja.
According to him, the only factor delaying the commissioning of the road is the construction of the link road which the recent surge of flooding has impeded.
He said, “I can confirm that the second Niger bridge itself is finished. People can walk through the bridge now unimpeded. What remains is the four-kilometer link road on the Asaba side. “Right now, our dredger is in place, we have to rebuild the road by reclaiming sand, the recent surge of flood has slowed us down. On the Onitsha side, there is a 7kilometer road that links the bridge and the Onitsha-Owerri interchange.”
An EndSARS memorial has been planned at the Lekki area of Lagos tomorrow (Thursday).
This is to commemorate the killing of citizens at the Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
According to a flier shared by entertainer, Folarin Falana aka Falz the Bahd guy, on his Instagram page, the procession will mirror the first anniversary, where citizens drove, walked through the tollgate to remember the victims.
Part of the banner read, “#EndSARS Memorial 2.0 procession. In memory of those who were killed on October 20, 2022 and those we have lost to police brutality, we will walk and drive through the tollgate, blast horns, sing and chat in unison through the tollgate, wave our flags.”
There has been report of many injured and at least one feared dead as hoodlums and traders clash at Alaba International Markek, Lagos State.
The main reason for the brouhaha is yet to be confirmed but there have been claims that traders are against the unnecessary demand of money by the area boys also known as Agberos in the area.
However, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, says the police is working to restore order in the area.
There was serious drama as the prosecutor from the Commissioner of Police was not informed that the Office of the Attorney General has taken over the case through his counsel.
The prosecutor from the Commissioner of Police later withdraws from the case after forth and back arguments. Thereafter, the state counsel asked the court for 24hrs to study the bail application and apply for a counter, in a bid to further detain the Akoguns.
The court however has this to say: Since the police that was prosecuting the case had refused to file a counter application while still in charge, the state counsel cannot file it any longer, as such, the request of the state counsel is hereby dismissed.
Court to Prosecuting Counsel: “You should not waste our time, there is no counter application before me.”
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has informed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that it will render his counterpart in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, jobless in 2023.
Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, said it would have expressed disappointment if Wike had attended any event “without his usual rant of a drowning man who will clutch at straw.”
He said, “I only wonder how Governor Wike, who didn’t support Jandor and at the same time couldn’t stop him from picking the party ticket in Lagos, despite his supposed might within the PDP, would apportion to himself the decision of generality of Lagosians in the forthcoming election.
“While we won’t but acknowledge Governor Wike’s developmental strides in Rivers State which have witnessed influx of other state chief executives including Sanwo-Olu for commissioning, it is worrisome that Wike will call Sanwo-Olu a performer without asking how many times he has invited anyone to Lagos for the commissioning of ordinary borehole in his almost four years in office as Governor.
“My dear Governor and leader, we promise to render Sanwo-Olu jobless and send him to the club of you former Governors next year. Only God, who has seen Jandor and Lagos PDP this far, and the generality of Lagosians, can determine his fate at the polls in 2023, not your endorsement.
“We will continue to sell our breath of fresh air agenda to Lagosians with the promise of a better tomorrow. Lagos needs a breath of fresh air!”
The State Governor of Oyo, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, has pledged to provide buses to all Student Union Bodies and indigenous organisations in all higher education institutions around the state as part of measures to promote the welfare of students in the state.
Makinde made the commitment during a discussion with the heads of the Students’ Union Bodies from various colleges and universities in the state.
The ceremony took place in front of the Presidential Lodge at Government House in Agodi, Ibadan.
In his speech, Makinde thanked the students for their support of his administration and promised that the state’s current administration will continue to work closely with Student Union organizations around the state to advance the education sector, one of the four cardinal pillars of the state.
The governor stated that the state government is always willing to involve students and other relevant stakeholders in the launch of the ideas they have already incubated, noting that government alone cannot meet their needs. He also pledged to address a number of issues raised by the student representatives, including state bursaries and other welfare concerns.
Makinde also urged the state’s youth to take an active role in national affairs and change the country’s fortune because he believes they have what it takes to advance the country.
The Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Students’ Affairs, Hon. Victor Olojede, and some Student leaders had earlier praised the governor for being student-friendly in their various remarks.
While soliciting for employment opportunities and appointment of qualified student leaders into government, in order to create a basis for loyalty and recognize their moment of service, they called on the state government to remain sensitive to their plights
The programme was graced by political office holders as well as the cabinet members of the State governor.
Ten years after the demise of one of the proponents of Ijala Yoruba genre, late Chief Ogundare Foyanmu, a call has gone to the Oyo State Government to name a monument in honor of the Ogbomosho born musician.
The Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin made the call in a motion on the need to eulogize Late Ogundare Foyanmu ten years after his death.
Late Chief Ogundare Foyanmu who died on the 13th of October, 2012 popularized the traditional Yoruba hunter’s music.
He described him as an unsung hero who used his poetry to advance Yoruba cultural heritage and philosophies.
” Ojogbon Agba Dare Foyanmu was a highly talented Ijala Musician whose songs address many issues of life (Igbe Aye), human relations (Ibagbepo eda), good manners (iwa rere), Essence of time (pataki akoko), future (ojo ola), money (owo), position (ipo) jealous woman (ojowu binrin), betrayal (odale), fight (ija), war (ogun) among others. Late Chief Ogundare Foyanmu questioned injustice, bad governance, racism, advocated for the unity of Yoruba race, sand against all forms of dishonesty and oppressive domination”
The majority leader said through his various works, the late Music icon succeeded in putting the name of Ogbomoso on the world map of entertainment, adding that he received many outstanding awards for his ingenuity and creativity.
Hon Adedoyin hinted that the Oyo State Government in conjunction with the family of the deceased could turn his residence at Tara area of Ogbomoso into a museum and tourist center while a foundation can be established in his honor.
He urged the State Government to continue to promote and honor the late Ijala singer
” The Executive arm of Government through the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters can direct Local Council Chairmen in Ogbomoso zone, different sociocultural organizations, community foundations and others to organize annual memorial program in honor of late Foyanmu.
Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has dismissed the ambition of Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor.
He endorsed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term in office.
Wike was the Special Guest of Honour at the 2022 National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) with the theme ‘Spring Forth, Stand Out’ in Victoria Island.
He also donated N300 million to COWLSO.
According to Wike, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s performance in office has earned him a second term.
He commended him for giving women the opportunity to serve in various capacities in the state, especially the judiciary.
Wike noted that the involvement of women in politics and decision making in Lagos is helping the State continue to set the pace.
He expressed amazement at all COWLSO had been able to achieve, and promised to replicate all he has learnt from the conference.
“By the grace of God, you will be a second term Governor. Lagos State is doing better than other states in this country because Lagos has allowed women to participate in governance in various capacities.
” I am very happy to participate in this conference. I don’t play politics of ethnicity. Even if Sanwo-Olu is in my party but is not doing well, I wouldn’t have come. I do not regret saying I am in support of you,” Wike told Sanwo-Olu.
Wike added that his administration has emulated Lagos by ensuring a woman became Deputy Governor in 2015 as no woman had ever served in that capacity since the state was created in the 60s.
He added that all 22 local governments in Rivers State have female vice chairmen.
He also lauded Lagos First Lady, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for the several projects COWLSO has done under her chairmanship in the last three years.
Sanwo-Olu, who praised the organisers of the conference for their positive contribution to the state, said: “I must express how much I am proud of the achievements of COWLSO, especially in the way they have stood by us and contributed to promoting the ideas and objectives of our administration.
“The various philanthropic and humanitarian activities of COWLSO, in addition to their intervention in critical sectors such as health, education, environment and youth development, have continued to impact positively on the lives of Lagosians.”
He urged participants to vote for him for a second term in office, saying they should not be deceived by anyone.
“Don’t let anybody deceive and confuse you. They will come with all kinds of promises. How can someone, in this age be about Lagos4Lagos? How can someone be saying Lagos is only for the Aworis? This a Lagos that is for all,” he added.
