Category: Featured

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday presented 10 cars to recognise public servants who have distinguished themselves in the junior and senior categories across the State Civil Service.

The Governor also announced a N5million cash gift for a Level 16 officer in Lagos State Civil Service for winning an impromptu quiz competition personally coordinated by the State’s Chief Executive.

Speaking at the luncheon with the Year 2019/ 2020 outstanding officers, (Junior and Senior categories) in Ministries Departments and Agencies, Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas held in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged officers in Lagos State Civil Service to continue to be change agents and outstanding public servants.

He also encouraged civil servants to continue striving for excellence and live as an example in whatever they do.

The Governor also urged them not to give up in being the best to justify the confidence reposed in them as well as letting people have something good and original to say about them.

Governor Sanwo-Olu while presenting keys and documents to the 10 recipients of the cars, which were drawn through a raffle draw commended the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola for his efforts, saying Lagos State Government is committed to the welfare and service it promised to deliver to the state.

The recipients of the cars who emerged through a raffle draw at the grand finale of activities lined up to commemorate the Year 2021 Public Service Day, comprised four junior and six senior officers.

Recipients in the junior category were Basirat Shogbola, Olalere Alaka, Kikelomo Ogunbiaro and Olufunmilayo Alase, while those in the senior category were Olanrewaju Jaji, Olayiwola Odukoya, Adekunle Ipaye, Waheed Alaba, Victoria Adegbite and Olanrewaju Disu.

A Level 16 officer in Public Service Staff Development Centre, Mr. Taofeek Oladiran Ajetunmobi won a N5million gift from the Governor.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, urged the awardees not to rest on their oars but continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, diligence, commitment to duty and unalloyed loyalty which are the qualities and values for which they have been recognised.

He said 166 out of 180 nominees were recommended for the Outstanding Officers’ Award, noting that the awardees comprised 101 officers in the senior category and 65 officers in the junior category.

The Head of Service said this year’s Public Service Week featured various activities, which included mass work for fitness, variety show, among others, adding that the objective of the best officer awards was in a bid to recognize and reward excellence.

The former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has made known his intention to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ifhis preferred candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loses the party gubernatorial ticket.

Fayose made this known on Monday while addressing his teeming supporters at Afao Ekiti having endorsed Bisi Kolawole as his preferred candidate for the election.

He had, in May, presented the former House of Assembly Member who represented Efon Constituency to his supporters across the 177 political wards in the state in preparation for his victory in the party’s primary.

With the primary billed to come up early next year, the former state governor encouraged his followers to work closely with the various delegates to ensure victory for Kolawole and see that those that won’t listen to him do not win the election.

He reiterated that he will rather pitch his tent with the incumbent governor, Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and go all out to work against PDP if his candidate does not get the party’s ticket.

His words: “My people, do not be afraid of the primary election ahead, you will all recall I bought the forms for the majority of the party’s executives from the ward level to the state level. I know some of them already betrayed me but I have no fear about that. Don’t forget I am Peter the rock, my anointed candidate Bisi Kolawole will do all his best to win and if the worst happens, I will pack my load and work with Governor Fayemi.

“I will better destroy the party than allow those who won’t listen to me to win the main election. I will advise you all to go home and work with delegates, don’t allow them hijack this my greatest asset which is the Ekiti PDP,” he said

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday to claims that the leadership of the National Assembly altered the report on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2020, still awaiting consideration by the Legislature.

The speaker dismissed the thought, saying that it existed only in the “realm of speculation.”

Gbajabiamila clarified that nothing had happened to the authentic report on the bill, adding that the House would pass it in the next few days.

Some media reports had lately conveyed the impression that the leadership of the National Assembly had altered the report, especially the provision on electronic voting, where it allegedly reversed the committee recommendation that election results should be transmitted electronically.

However, addressing a point of privilege raised on the floor on Tuesday on the allegation, the speaker said it was mere speculation and urged Nigerians to discountenance it.

Gbajabiamila expressed surprise that anyone would accuse the leadership of altering the report of a bill still in the custody of the Committee on Electoral Matters.

He stated, “I really don’t want to speak on a report that has yet to be presented to the floor….Ordinarily, I will not comment on a matter that is not before us yet.

“I don’t believe there is any alteration to the committee’s report.

“Only the authentic report of the committee will be submitted for consideration. So, all that is being said remains in the realm of speculation.

“I have asked the chairman of the committee and she told me that there has been nothing like that (alteration).”

Recall that both the Senate and the House had announced last week that the bill would be passed before July 14.

The former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was accused of diverting over N5.2billion.

Professor Adedibu Ojerinde has been ordered to be remanded in prison custody.

The order was given by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

This comes after the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was accused of diverting over N5.2billion.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling on Tuesday, ordered that Ojerinde be kept in a correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for July

Justice Egwuatu gave the ruling after Ojerinde, dressed in white native attire, was arraigned on an 18-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/97/2021, in which he was accused, among others, of complicity in the diversion of public funds estimated at over N5.2billion.

The prosecuting agency – the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission(ICPC) – said Ojerinde committed the alleged offences, contained in the charge, from 2003 when he served as the Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO) till 2021.

Ojerinde pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

His lawyer, Peter Olorunnishola (SAN), subsequently informed the court about a bail application he filed and served on the prosecution.

Olorunnishola however sought time to react to the counter-affidavit filed by lawyer to the prosecution, Ebenezer Shogunle, which the defence lawyer said was served on him late.

Shogunle, who did not object to Olorunnishola’s request for time, opposed the defence lawyer’s application that his client be allowed to remain on the administrative bail, earlier granted him by the ICPC, pending the hearing of his bail application.

Details shortly…

The Lagos House of Assembly on Monday passed an amended version of the Criminal Justice Law of the state barring the police from henceforth parading suspects before the media.

The bill was passed at a sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa.

Section 9(A) of the newly passed bill states: “As from the commencement of this law, the police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media.”

The bill further stipulates conditions under which a policeman can arrest without warrant one of which is that a person must be reasonably suspected to unlawfully be in possession of firearms or other such dangerous instruments.

A subsection of the bill also barred the police or any other agency from arresting a person “in lieu of any other person in a criminal matter.”

The bill adds that a person who is arrested “shall be given reasonable facilities for obtaining legal advice, bail or making arrangements for defence or release.

The bill stipulates that a suspect should be “accorded humane treatment, with the right to dignity of person; not be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment; be brought before the court as prescribed by this law or any other written law; or be released conditionally or unconditionally.”

After a voice vote, the Deputy Speaker directed the acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit the bill to the governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for assent.

The Southern governors have again asked Federal Government to speed up process that will enable the creation of state police to combat rising insecurity in the country.

This was contained in a communique released and signed today by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, Governor, Ondo State and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum after the meeting that was held in Lagos as read in part.

“Communique Issued at the Conclusion of the Meeting of the Governors of Southern Nigeria at the Lagos State Government House Ikeja Lagos on Monday, 5th July, 2021

“The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the meeting held on Monday, 5th July, 2021 reviewed the situation in the Country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

“Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following:

1. Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.
2. The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.
3. Security
   a. The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty;
   b. Re-emphasised the need for State Police;
   c. Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed;
   d. the forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights;
   e. Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and
   f. Resolved that Funds deducted from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the States and Federal Government to combat security challenges.
4. Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law:
   i. The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB;
   ii. the Forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives;
   iii. the forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins;
   iv. However, the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). The Forum disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.
5. In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.
6. The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the State”.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin says the Assembly has nothing to hide vis-a-vis the petition forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC by a former Prosecutor with the Special Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property, Tosin Ojaomo over the N1bn vehicle contract awarded by the House.

The Speaker while reacting to the invitation extended to some management Staff of the Assembly by the EFCC last week over the contract said the Anti-graft Agency was only doing its job.

Hon Ogundoyin said it was not out of place for the officials of the EFCC to question the leadership of the House in this regard.

” It was true that the EFCC invited the Clerk but her Deputy stood in for her , the Director of Administration and Supplies and the Director of Finance and Accounts last Week Thursday and they responded accordingly. To me, this is in continuation of their investigation on the petition. We are fully cooperating with the Anti-graft Agency and we will never hinder, disturb nor undermine the work of the commission. The 9th Oyo Assembly passed the Anti-graft Agency Bill and this led to the Agency being domiciled in the State.

” I am ready to visit the EFCC if invited. As the Speaker, I will surely answer any question relating to the Contract. We followed due process in the purchase of the Vehicles in line with the laid down procedures. We have since taken the petition in good faith. The petition is a strength to democracy. It is not strange to us as democrats who take transparency and accountability as our watchwords. We were transparent and we will continue to be” The Speaker said

According to him, quotations were received from three companies for the supply of the vehicles and the most satisfying amongst them was awarded the contract.

He stressed that the House will remain focused, undaunted and undistracted despite the smear campaign embarked upon by some paid elements within and outside the House of Assembly.

” Let me say that among the Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, Oyo State House of Assembly spent the lowest amount on purchasing cars for its members despite our large number. The vehicles supplied were of good quality and they are being enjoyed by our Lawmakers. This whole thing is giving me more drive and will. We will not relent until our people enjoy good government. At the House, we will make more laws that will have more direct impact on the people of the State ” He assured.

The meeting is a follow-up on the earlier meeting in Asaba hosted by the Delta state Governor where the governors agreed on far-reaching conclusions on open grazing, restructuring Nigeria, and calls for state police.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has started receiving the governors at Alausa, Ikeja, the venue of their meeting.

Some of those at the meeting include Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State; and Edo State deputy governor Philip Shaibu.

Others include Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Governor Seyi Makinde has announced the appointment of Honourable Segun Ogunwuyi as his new Chief of Staff.

This is coming few days after dislodging the former Oyo Central Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general election, Chief Bisi Ilaka from the seat as Chief of Staff together with some commissioners.

In a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, confirmed Ogunwuyi’s appointment.

His appointment takes immediate effect. Hon. Ogunwuyi was, in 2019, named Executive Assistant to the Governor on Investment.

The He was later appointed Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public, Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPPPA), following the passage of the law setting up the agency.

As the DG of OYSIPPPA, Ogunwuyi midwifed series of Investment initiatives including the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA), which has helped the state in the execution of complex infrastructure projects.
Ogunwuyi, served as a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly between 2011 and 2015.

He was, in 2015, elected as the member representing Ogbomoso North/South and Oriire Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He holds a B.Sc. degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
He is a certified Accountant and Financial