Author: oduduwanews

… Charges Residents to Guide Public Infrastructure against Abuse

In fulfillment of the promise to complete all outstanding projects inherited by his government, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on Friday commissioned a network of four roads in Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA in the second phase of the Lagos/Ogun State Boundary road projects.

Speaking during the commissioning, Sanwo-Olu expressed satisfaction at the quality of the job done on the road projects, noting that the construction of Lagos-Ogun State Boundary Roads in Alimosho Local Government Area was in recognition of the need to improve connectivity within Alimosho LGA and neighbouring State communities, thereby reducing travel time, loss of man-hours as well as boosting trade, commerce and investment opportunities in the area.

The Governor said, “Having realised the critical importance of road infrastructure to the opening up of the State, our administration, in accordance with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, especially the Traffic Management and Transportation Pillar, decided to demonstrate the attendant impact of road infrastructure on business and commercial activities, welfare and productivity of the people”.

“The delivery of this road will boost trade, promote commerce and investment opportunities for our people. Consequently, the construction of Phase II was necessitated by the need to complement the Network of 21 roads and two Bridges executed in Phase I and abate perennial flooding in this axis”, he added.

Sanwo-Olu stated that the commissioned network of roads, apart from being capable of boosting the economic activities of both communities in the two States, was in direct response to the urgent need to provide an alternative route to Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to reduce constant traffic bottlenecks often experienced on the highway due to bad road and commercial bus activities.

“The newly reconstructed roads, which are parallel to Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, is a functional alternative as motorists can now connect Ota from Abule-Egba-Ekoro through this network of roads. Without doubt, these projects provide massive connectivity, shorten distance, improve travel time, reduce the man-hour loss in traffic and the stress of commuting along the Expressway” he enthused.

He explained that the brief for new road projects entailed creation of new road alignment and expansion of existing pathways, including massive earth movements and relocation of public utilities such as water pipes, electric poles and transformers within the Right of Way, to achieve the road linkage.

Commending traditional rulers and other community leaders for coming out en-mass to receive him, Sanwo-Olu urged them to take ownership of the roads by enduring adequate and regular maintenance and prevent them from any form of abuse or misuse, reminding that public infrastructure is provided with taxpayers’ money.

His words: “As beneficiaries, we must note that adequate and functional maintenance of the provided road is the responsibility of not only the Government but the Society at large. We will continue to collaborate with the community both at the Local Government and CDA levels to promote and develop local initiatives for the community to participate in the maintenance”.

“Let me use this opportunity to urge you to refrain from such acts that could undermine the durability of the road. We know we can stem down and reduce the rate of theft of electrical cables and careless damage of the road. The road was provided from yours and other taxpayers’ money which could be used to provide other projects for other communities”, Sanwo Olu stated.

Earlier in her welcome address, Special Adviser for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, noted that Agbado Oke-Odo is a settlement with a fast-growing population, thus requiring infrastructural upgrade and renewal.

Adeyoye disclosed that the Governor had during the commissioning of a network of 31 Strategic Roads in Ifako-Ijaye, a year ago, directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to speed up the completion of the Lagos-Ogun State Boundary Roads Phase II, adding that the commissioning of the Phase II of the projects were in line with the quality service delivery of the State Government.

According to her, the commissioning of Lagos/Ogun State boundary road projects are a demonstration of the commitment of the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration to improve the quality of life of the residents and economic growth of the State.

She promised that her Ministry would work harder to deliver quality road infrastructure in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda and the Greater Lagos Vision of the State Government.

Also present at the commissioning was the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, members of the State Executive Council, top officials, community leaders and other stakeholders.

South-West Governors, Traditional Rulers and Security Chiefs converge in Ibadan, Oyo State on peace building and security matters. Below are the pictures taken at the event.

There was encomium last week when the Methodist Grammar School, Deaf and Dumb Unit started the usage of projector donated to them a year ago by The Baby Blue Angels Foundation.

You will recall that the NGO had donated projector and other educational materials to Deaf and Dumb Department of Methodist Grammar School, Ibadan during official launching in 2019 as part of its community and social development service aimed at ensuring that the disabled are not hindered from having access to quality education due to their disability.

The projector was donated to aid learning process of deaf and dumb students at Methodist Grammar School, Ibadan.

Ambassador Ramata Agberemi, the founder of BBA while handing over the projector and other educational materials to the beneficiary said, it behooves on them as non-governmental organization to contribute their own quotas towards the development of education of both abled and disabled in Nigeria.

“As NGO, our priority should not be centered on abled persons alone but to the disabled who have ability to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria if given an avenue to develop their God-given potentials.

“We don’t have to be waiting for government at all times before we could be stretching helpful hands to one another. Nigeria can only attain its desired level of growth and development if only we can be helping ourselves”, said Ramata.

The head of the school while setting the projector for operation and the use of students last week said the disabled have contributed alot to the development of Nigeria and that all stakeholders must come together to ensure that they are not left behind in the development process of the country.

He therefore appreciated the benevolent act shown to them by the Baby Blue Angels Foundation as such gesture will go a long way in reshaping the lives of the students for better.

He prayed for the Founder of the NGO, Ramata Agberemi and the entire team members while charging them not to relent in their effort at ameliorating the suffering of the needy.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Saturday accepted Court Verdict delivered last week nullified Park Management System established by the State Government to take over National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW.

The governor admitted that the state government was wrong to have appointed park managers for the state.

Speaking at the quarterly media chat, Governor Makinde said the government was wrong to have appointed park managers since it is within the jurisdiction of local government.

During the week, an Oyo State High Court presided over by Hon. Justice M. A. Adegbola nullified the appointment of Park managers in the state.

The Park Management System, PMS, was introduced by the Seyi Makinde -led Oyo state government following the proscription of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the state.

Delivering judgement in the case filed by the former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Oyo State, Alhaji Abideen Olajide (a.k.a Ejiogbe), Justice Adegbola described as illegal the collection of rates by the park managers appointed by the state government.

The Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has dismissed media report that listed Osun among states in the country that were yet to implement the new national minimum wage.

A newspaper had erroneously reported that during the last Central Working Committee and National Executive Council meeting of the NLC held in Abuja between 17 and 18 of February, 2020, Osun was mentioned among states in the country that are yet to implement the new minimum wage

However, a statement by the State Chairman of the NLC, Jacob Adekomi, described the reports as malicious and misleading, stressing that there was no time at the meeting Osun was mentioned among states that were yet to implement the minimum wage.

According to the NLC Chairman, it is glaring that Osun State is among the few states in the Federation that have implemented the new minimum wage.

“The media report is not only malicious but misleading because the State Council of NLC duly represented in the Meeting and there was no time that States that had not started implementing Minimum Wage was mentioned. This is verifiable through the Comminique released at the end of the NEC- in Session.

“Therefore, the reports should be discarded and thrown into the dustbin because it does not emanated from the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress,” the statement reads in part.

Adekomi said workers in Osun appreciate Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for approving the implementation of the new minimum wage and annual salary increment for them.

“The State has moved beyond the issue of Minimum Wage for now and we are awaiting other largesses promised the workers via the agreements signed between the Government and Joint Labour Force in the State.

“We shall continue to appreciate all the good workers in the State for their support, perseverance and commitment during the time past,” he added.

It will be recalled that Governor Oyetola in October, 2020 approved the payment of minimum wage to civil servants in the state beginning from November 1, 2020.

He also lifted the embargo on annual salary increment, promotion and conversion, which he said, was in fulfillment of his administration’s pledge to give the welfare of workers the deserved attention.

The Ogun state governor met with President Muhammadu Buhari on the farmer-herder crisis – Abiodun presented the reports of the crisis to the president and the measures his government has taken to stop ethnic violence.

Governor Dapo Abiodun on Friday, February 19, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Aso Rock villa over the farmer-herder crisis in Ogun state. The governor brought the report of violence that ensued over the weekend between host communities in Yewaland and the herders, and measures put in place by the government to put an end to the ensuing bedlam in the state. It would be recalled that the Governor Abiodun-led government on Monday, February 15, facilitated a town hall meeting with necessary stakeholders in a solidified effort to tackle and finally curb the ceaseless farmer-herder crisis.

…says it has concluded 21 out of 34 cases so far

The Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings on Friday ordered a subpoena compelling two officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to appear before it for being allegedly involved in the killing of one Master Idris Ajibola on September 15, 2020.

The panel also ordered the State Ministry of Justice to provide relevant documents in respect of the petition filed by one Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adetona whose kids were allegedly murdered by Police officers in Ilesa, Osun State, in 2016.

Recall that the parents of the late Idris Ajibola had approached the panel to seek justice in the gruesome murder of their son who was allegedly chased to death by the members of the Joint Task Force comprising soldiers, police, DSS and NSCDC officers.

The deceased alongside two other occupants who were in the car on the day of the incident were allegedly chased along East-pass Dual Carriage Circular Road, Osogbo, by the JTF personel.

It was reported that the car of the chased victims swerved off the road and rammed into a ditch and crashed leading to the instant killing of the deceased.

When the case was returned for further hearing on Friday, the counsel for the petitioner, Barrister Kanmi Ajibola, filed an application and prayed the panel to order the appearance of the two identified NSCDC officers who were among the JTF personel that were involved in the incident.

He said the appearance of the two erring officers would aid the investigation and give support to the prosecution of the case as the petitioner was able to identify them by name.

In his ruling, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji (rtd.) granted the application and ordered the two erring officers -Inspector Jimi Awoniyi and Togun Babatunde -to appear before the panel on March 5th, 2021, the adjourned date.

Justice Oladimeji ordered the immediate issuance of subphoana to the two officers for them to appear before it for defence on the adjourned date.

He said the appearance of the two officers would give more credence to the defence of the case and further strengthen the principle of fair hearing and equity that has been the hallmarks of the panel.

Justice Oladimeji however adjourned the case to March 5th, 2020 for further hearing.

Similarly, the panel ordered the Ministry of Justice to provide all the necessary documents regarding the prosecution of the case filed by one Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adetona against the Police.

Mrs. Adetona approached the panel to seek redress in the murder of her two kids by Police officers in Ilesa.

Adetona had in her petition alleged that two of her children were killed by police officers who drove recklessly at her residence in Ilesa.

She explained that the deceased who were playing in the front of their house were killed by the electric pole hit by the Police Patrol Vehicle.

The mother of the deceased, who had prayed the panel to prevail on the police to fish out the killers of her kids, said she was not convinced that the erring officers had been brought to justice as claimed by the police authority.

Ruling in the case, Justice Oladimeji ordered the Ministry of Justice to provide all the necessary documents in respect of the case to enhance smooth prosecution just as he ordered the Police authority to provide relevant documents to substantiate the status of the alleged officers if truly they have been dismissed by the police.

The panel disclosed that it had concluded 21 cases out of the 34 cases before it.

According to the panel, 10 cases out of the finalised 21 cases are awaiting final recommendation to the government while the remaining 11 were struck out on the basis of different irregularities.

The panel further revealed that 13 cases had reached different prosecution stages just as it reiterated its commitment to dispensing justice before the stipulated time allocated to it.

The cases heard by the panel on Friday were: OS/JPIPB/08/2020 Chief Adegboyega Agbaje & 1OR versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/12/2020 Alhaji Dele Nafiu versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/27/2020 Mr. Ibrahim Olagoke versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/01/2020 Alhaji Ayo Dauda Adigun & 1OR versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/11/2020 Mr. Kehinde Ajibola versus Osun State Commissioner of Police.

Others were: OS/JPIPB/28/2020 Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adetona versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/31/2020 Good Governance and Leadership Assessment Initiative versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; to and OS/JPIPB/32/2020 Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji versus Osun State Commissioner of Police

The Lagos Judicial Panel has awarded N2m each to two petitioners each as compensation on Restitution and Inquiry set up to investigate cases of police brutality especially involving officers of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The two petitioners, Kudirat Abayomi and Hannah Olugbodi, were awarded the compensation on Friday.

The panel also recommended the prosecution of the erring police officers in the case involving Abayomi.

Apart from the N10 million compensation to the family of Abayomi, who was killed by a police stray bullet in April 2017, scholarships were also awarded for the children of the deceased.

The panel also recommended that a letter of apology be written to the family of the deceased by the police.

Olugbodi, a 35-year-old hairdresser, had in November 2020, narrated how she ended up on a crutch after her left leg was shattered by a stray bullet fired by some men of the disbanded police Special Anti-Robbery Squad who were attempting to arrest a young man with tattoos in June 2018 at the Ijeshatedo area of Lagos.

She said the SARS operatives were at one Ogun City Hotel, to demand money to fuel their vehicle when they saw the young man with tattoos among a group of persons watching a football match at the hotel.

A pan-Fulani group for cattle breeders, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has alleged that Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, created the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, to kill the Fulani and northerners residing in the South-West.

National Secretary of the Association, Saleh Alhassan, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Alhassan called for calm among his people, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to proffer a permanent solution to the challenges.

He urged state governments to quit enacting laws that will widen cracks in the unity of Nigeria, but rather promote steps that will further strengthen the fragile peace and unity in Nigeria.

Alhassan, however, lauded Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for constantly speaking for the Fulani pastoralists who, he said, are being persecuted in many states through the enactment of negative obnoxious laws against their means of livelihoods, and issuance of illegal eviction notices from their places of abode against the constitutional provisions.

Alhassan also accused Akeredolu of being “the brains behind the creation of Amotekun” allegedly unleashing terror on herders and northerners in the Southwestern states of Ondo and Oyo”. 

He said, “Akeredolu created an ethnic militia (Amotekun) that is now unleashing terror and mayhem on innocent herders and northerners living in the South-West against unconstitutional and blanket eviction notices for herders to vacate places where they earn their livelihoods (sic). 

“Akeredolu will be held accountable for the ongoing genocide against innocent pastoralists and northerners living in the South-West.”

Akeredolu had last month issued a seven-day quit notice to the herdsmen operating illegally in the state’s forest reserves.

The governor also banned underage grazing, night grazing, and movement of cattle within cities in the state and on highways.

The issue generated an uproar and after a meeting with different stakeholders, Akeredolu asked herdsmen to register with the government so that they can operate unhindered in the forest reserves.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday flagged off the construction of Olaiya flyover in Osogbo.

He said the project was in swift response to the need to secure the future population explosion, meet traffic needs, eradicate needless auto crash and enhance the quality of lives of the people through timely and prompt infrastructure development.

The proposed flyover, which will be handled by Messrs Peculiar Ultimate

Concerns Limited, is a 4-span of 15m each, with two Underpass bays for U-turning to Fakunle/Justrite and MDS/Post Office.

It is a 295.95m length of Bridge Approach Ramp, 196m long Fakunle Ramp, 99.95m long MDS Ramp, with slope of Ramp being 3 percent.

Similarly, the project is designed to accommodate articulated vehicles with intelligent lightening devices and smart traffic control devices.

The project is expected to be completed in nine months.

Addressing the people at the ceremony, Governor Oyetola disclosed that the project would cost the State a total sum of Three Billion, One Hundred and Eight Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira, Seventy-Six Kobo (N 3,108,379,829.76).

The Governor said the expenses comprised the net sum of N 2,688,748,552.74 and a 13.5 percent statutory deductions which include the percentage withholding tax, 7.5 percent Value Added Tax and 1 percent stamp duty deduction.

Oyetola diaclosed that the project would be funded through the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA).

According to him, the APFA entails that the contractor will fund the project, while the State repays the contractor over a period of time so as to enable government to free up resources for other important obligations.

He added that the construction of the flyover would not in any way stop the government from delivering on other dividends of good governance, including citizens’ welfare, regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, completion of ongoing projects and initiation of more.

“Indeed, the adoption of Alternative Project Funding Approach is another leg in our model of creative funding of projects in a depressed economy and an assurance that we shall always keep our pact with our people.

“The Olaiya Flyover project is in response to the need to enhance the quality of lives of our people and improve the infrastructure our city, which in recent years is becoming more populated and boisterous on account of increasing business activities.

“The implication of this is the growing traffic around major routes in the State and specifically, the Olaiya axis, leading to waste of man hours by residents in our State.

“Sadly too, there have been countless cases of accidents of commuters. I have personally witnessed few of these unfortunate incidents. We cannot afford to waste more lives.

“Besides, response to the infrastructure needs and demands of a growing city is a proactive exercise. Therefore, this flyover is a project for today and the future because when the project is completed, we are assured that it will significantly eradicate traffic hassles and make the lives of our valued citizens more secured.

“Just as I promised in my inauguration speech, our Administration is committed to providing relevant infrastructure that supports the prosperity of our people. With this project and many more across our State, we are keeping faith with that promise,” he added.

Governor Oyetola, who assured the residents, particularly business owners around the site, of government’s consciousness to their livelihood, said, “we are therefore appealing to owners of businesses around the project site to bear with us, as we will try as much as possible to minimise inconvenience.

“Realising that the closure of this road will bring some temporary difficulties, we have made enough provision for alternative routes to serve vehicular needs.

“The demonstration we carried out a few weeks ago has provided us relevant information with which to plan and make life easier for you all.

“I urge you all to bear with us as we strive to improve the socioeconomic status of our State, and I assure you all that this project will be completed in record time,” Oyetola added.

Earlier, the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, lauded Governor Oyetola for giving Osun, particularly Osogbo, a facelift of socioeconomic and infrastructural development.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Remi Omowaye, said the idea to construct the flyover was conceptualised as part of efforts to reduce traffic, lessen accident rate and advance the infrastructure development in the State.

He said the project would as well go a long way to complement some of the new roads approved for construction and rehabilitation by the Oyetola’s led administration.

Also speaking, the Chairman/CEO Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited, Mr. Abel Adeleke, assured the government and residents of quality and standard service that can stand the test of time.

Adeleke who promised to bring his repository of experience in civil engineering to bear on the construction of the flyover, pledged that the project would be delivered within the stipulated record time.

“What we are operating in Osun is based on integrity and this project will be done in such a way that will not impact negatively on the debt profile of the State. We are glad to have this opportunity and I assure you that we will deliver the project within the stipulated time,” he stressed.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, applauded Governor Oyetola, for taking the welfare and well-being of the people as priority just as he commended the government for deeming it fit to build the flyover as part of efforts to complement the existing road infrastructure.

Also speaking, a frontline Osogbo indigene and business mogul, Chief Olatunde Badmus, said the project is a confirmation of the fact that Osun has always been blessed with good leadership.

He commended Oyetola’s concerted effort to engender good governance as reflected in the monumental achievements the Administration had recorded so far despite the socioeconomic challenges occasioned by global realities.

Those in attendance were the Wife of the Governor, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola; the Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon.Timothy Owoeye; former Osun Deputy Governors, Chief Adeleke Adewoyin; Senator Christopher Iyiola Omisore and Mrs. Titilayo Laoye Ponle; and Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; traditional rulers among others.