Category: Politics

More work is needed to attract private investments to the Lagos waterways transportation sector, lawmakers at the State House of Assembly have said.

The lawmakers, who belong to the House Committee on Transportation, made the position known during a recent visit to the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY).

Led by its chairman, Hon. Temitope Adewale, the committee agreed that the government had to improve the environment that would enable such business thrive.

Hon. Adewale noted the interest of the House of Assembly in the success of waterways transportation as an alternative to the ever-growing traffic challenges faced by residents of the state.

To this end, the lawmaker urged LASWA to ensure the security of the state’s waterways through effective collaboration with security agencies.

Adewale expressed belief that securing the waterways would help increase public confidence and boost chances of Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Commending the agency for the success so far recorded, the committee chairman appealed for more efficiency while advising that the waterways must not become escape routes for criminals.

He, therefore, urged for more patrol boats to monitor waterways in the state.

Describing LAGFERRY as one of the agencies that had added value to the governance of the state and the transportation sector, Adewale pleaded for more activities that would help attract investors.

He also promised that the House would continue to assist in areas that would ease the job of the agency and help it meet its goals.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Oluwadmilola Emmanuel, General Manager of LASWA, enumerated the achievements of the agency to include the creation of a control room to monitor the various routes on the waterways.

According to him, this strategy has helped to keep the waterways safe and secured just as he added that the agency currently has two patrol boats for the patrol of waterways to avoid criminal activities on the waterways.

He said the agency had provided 294 life jackets and was expecting 845 more.

The agency, Emmanuel said, also collaborates with security agencies for the protection of the waterways.

He, however, said the Marine Police can be equipped further for effective enforcement.

On his part, the Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Hon. Ladi Balogun, said his agency with a mandate to provide ferry services to ease pressure on road transportation, currently has a fleet of 20 boats.

He noted that at least, 480,000 waterways users routinely patronise the boats.

While explaining that the agency was already setting standards for other operators in the industry, he lamented that recurrent expenditure appropriated for it was not enough as the price of fuel affects business.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has revealed the reasons why the aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should not work against his administration.

Makinde made the disclosure known today while unveiling a homegrown digital television outfit, SATVIEW Network.

He said as the only PDP Governor in the South West, working against him would go against the interest of the party in the zone.

According to him such a move stood against the grain of good sense.

He also said that only a restructured Nigeria will help the nation regain her past glory adding that it was unbelievable that Nigeria, which had the first television station in Africa, now has to rely on foreign television networks if its people must watch clear signals.

He said : “So, I came here today to let our people know that all is not lost. We are pushing for a restructured country because when we achieved all of these firsts, the country was not overcentralised at that time. We believe that when we push through the agenda to restructure the country, we will be in a better position for people to unleash their talents, not just the local economy, but also to place us where we really belong in the comity of nations right across Africa.”

“So, the SATView Network is not the first network to bring programme to our people but what is unique about this offering is, once you buy the decoder, you are not going to pay any money. That is the difference.

“Oyo State, Ibadan precisely, hosted the first TV station in Africa. Almost all of us here have DSTV at home and the money we are paying to DSTV is going directly to South Africa because that is where the parent home is.

“We missed the road but we believe that, with the talents that we have, if we nurture them, we can get our position back as truly the first in Africa.”

He eulogized the contributions of coalition party members in the build-up to his election in 2019, adding that Chairman, Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, Pastor Akin Alamu, and his colleagues in the Alliance for Democracy (AD) stood out.

He also said that since Alamu was chosen as TESCOM chairman, he has had no reason to second-guess his duties.

He said: “I saw a replica of myself coming up in SATVIEW NETWORK. I started my private business at 29 and it is still in existence today. So, I want to encourage the management and other members of staff that this may be a small beginning but you can change the world with it.

“I came here to, first of all, validate my position that there are several young talents within us that we need to encourage. They may be doing their things in the smallest of our villages, I will go there, seek them out and support them.

He commended Pastor Alamu for withstanding harassment and intimidation during the 2019 election, adding that though “voters were threatened not to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) at the man’s polling unit, he withstood the challenge and voted his conscience.

“They told everybody(in his polling unit) that, look, if you don’t want to vote APC here today, leave. “But Baba said such cannot happen because he was supposed to vote there and would not disclose whom he wanted to vote for. So, Baba voted because they saw him as an elderly person. But they saw that Baba voted for PDP and did not leave there.

“Anyway, majority of the people there voted APC. Out of about 60 people, it was only Baba that said he was going to vote for his conscience and they allowed him. They tried to harass him but he stood his ground. “Majority of the people voted APC. Because of Baba’s presence, they voided all the other ballot papers and when they counted the actual votes I think we got 24 votes”.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has called for urgent restructuring of the country to reflect the diversity and address the various misunderstandings and high rate of criminality in the polity.

The Governor made the call on Friday in a statewide broadcast in commemoration of the 2021 Independence Day Celebration.

Governor Akeredolu, who said the current system adopted in the county does not encourage ingenuity, noted that it is time for all patriots to unite and speak with one voice .

He maintained that the current system in the country does not take into account the diverse status of the people, adding that the country faces serious challenges bordering on redefinition.

“It has become imperative that the current structure be tinkered with in a fundamental way. It is no longer sustainable,”Governor Akeredolu said.

While noting that the country must not shy away from the reality of her diversity, the Governor said the unique diversity which should ordinarily be a source of strength is gradually becoming the country’s albatross.

He said: “Our country is blessed abundantly. There is hardly any part of this vastly endowed space that should not be self-sustaining. This land should not be a place where hunger, poverty and a general sense of lack predominate.

“We must be bold enough to interrogate why these challenges appear perennial. We must not shy away from the reality of our diversity which should, ordinarily, be a source of strength but is gradually becoming an albatross.

“We must inquire for the reasons why those who regarded themselves as brothers and sisters no longer feel comfortable seeing or accommodating one another. We must be willing to confront whatever system which has reduced the once self-reliant sub-national entities to perpetual dependencies practically.

“The states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appear independent nominally at present. Serious attempts must be made to return our country to the path of progress trodden by the founding fathers. Conscious efforts must be made by both the political and communal leadership in all the parts of the country to reorientate the people to embrace the pristine values which held lofty promises for advancement.

“Consequently, I am of the firm view that this occasion affords us yet another opportunity to reflect deeply, on the current difficulties and proffer frank suggestions which will assist in addressing our fundamental challenges of nationhood.

“Our people must strive under a system which recognize their God-given talents and promotes unique initiatives. All federating units must be less dependent on the Federal Government for basic survival.” He said.

Governor Akeredolu, who commended the Federal Government for the current victories recorded in the war against insurgents and terrorists in the Northern region, also acknowledged the great strides taken in abridging the infrastructural deficits in the country.

“We must, however, admonish on the immediate necessity to restructure the polity in a manner that will engender progress and amity. There is no other way to solve the current socio-economic problems facing the country.

“The security challenges bedeviling the country will become a thing of the past if proper devolution of powers is undertaken. The over centralization of the security architecture is a major impediment.

“Having a police command structure in a country of over 200 million is not sustainable. The attempts by some states to complement the efforts of the security agencies are at best tokenistic. Let each State be in charge of internal security in its locality.

“As a corollary to this submission, each region must be encouraged to take charge of the resources in its area. A system which permits strangers to take over the mineral resources in a place without any recourse to local authorities encourages dispossession and promotes misery and want. Development of any given space must be about the people,”Governor Akeredolu noted.

He called on the legislators at the National Assembly to look critically into the 1999 Constitution as amended with a view to expunging and amending relevant provisions of the document which militate against the march towards nationhood.

Arakunrin Akeredolu also called on Citizens to rededicate themselves to the ideals which assisted other nations to establish abiding systems.

The Governor said: “We must restructure the country to reflect our diversity. We must pursue policies which support rebirth. We must interrogate, continually, an arrangement which ensures that a country richly like ours endowed continues to wallow in abject poverty and want.

“We must make the country work for posterity. It is time to renegotiate, restructure and reinvent Nigeria for the good of all.”

He congratulated the people of the State for witnessing this year Independence anniversary, saying it is his hope that the next one year will record remarkable progress for the benefit of the people.

Northern Caucus of Nigeria’s House of Representatives led by Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase visits the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in London on Friday, 1st October, 2021.

The Representatives of the State Caucuses from the North East, North West and North Central geopolitical zones were also part of the delegation.

Recall that the erstwhile Lagos Governor was said to have been flown to London to receive medical attention from his doctors.

Since his arrival in London, some political gladiators, governors and his allies have been storming his residence to pay him visits.

Governor of The State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola has sent warm greetings to former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Chief Akinyemi Bamidele Farounbi, on his 77th birthday anniversary.

In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola said he was pleased to join family members, associates and wellwishers to celebrate the elder statesman and thank God for his life.

The Governor, who described Farounbi as a seasoned diplomat, veteran journalist and respected elder statesman, lauded his sterling contributions to the development of Nigeira

He appreciated the celebrant for his constant wise counsel and support for his administration while also acknowledging his interventions at promoting good governance, democracy and sustainable development.

Oyetola prayed God Almighty to continue to strengthen Ambassador Farounbi and bless him with many more years in good health and sound mind.

Protesters under the banner of #TakeItBack Movement and #RevolutionNow on Friday stormed the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos.

The protesters registered their displeasure against insecurity, poor economy, lawlessness, and other challenges in the country.

The protest coincides with the nation’s 61st Independence Anniversary.

The police during the week said no official letter had been received to notify the command of any protest, adding that it ought to be notified so security could be provided to prevent miscreants from taking advantage of the

Protesters at the scene chanted and displayed banners and placards that read, ‘Buhari Must Go’.

Security operatives including RRS officers, over 10 hilux vehicles of the Nigeria Police Force were present at the venue of the protest.

Security operatives were also stationed around Maryland axis to forestall any breakdown of order.

Festus Ogun, a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, who spoke to The Nation, said: “Nigerians are still in bondage, there is bad governance, unemployment, poverty and anger in the land.

“This is a reflection of how bad we’ve been treated. What we are agitating for today is an end to bad governance and insecurity, and the betterment in the situation of the country.”

Nigeria, according to Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre in London, is an oxymoron, a country without direction.

He claims that the country lacks the ability to develop its youth.

The prominent gospel preacher made the claim on Thursday at the Redeem Christian Church of God’s (RCCG) Youth Convention, dubbed “Exceeding Expectations.”

Authorities in the country, according to the man of God, have favored cows and herders above younger Nigerians who need to be pushed towards new technologies.

He believes that being born in Nigeria was an accident, and that the country lacks leaders that care about the people.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday re-emphasised the need for Nigeria to think in the direction of true federalism, saying it is one of the major solutions to the county’s many challenges.

Obasa made the call at the 13th annual Hijrah Lecture 1443 A.H (2021) organised by the House with the theme: “The Role Of The Youths In The Emerging Socio-Economic And Political Realities.”

According to the Speaker, it is very obvious that citizens and leaders in the country intensify efforts to salvage the economy, especially as it relates to the increasing poverty rate, the need to make the country secure and peaceful as well as the dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian currency as against the dollar.

The Speaker, who noted the topic of the event as very important at this time of the country’s journey, further urged the federal government to see the current situation as an opportunity to address the issue of the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) in favour of the states.

He said if Nigeria was to make progress, the country should follow the steps of the United States of America and China which relies on the provinces.

“The topic of this event is very important. What is the situation of our country? What is the situation with the youth? How do we live our lives? What is the health and educational situation of the country?

“We talk about youth unemployment, but what is the state of education and qualifications?

“The topic is important, especially with the argument that the economy has become seriously challenged.

“The standard of living and the rate of poverty are biting. Months ago, the dollar rate was still welcoming at a little above N300 but today, it is more than N500.

“This current situation of the country is an opportunity for the federal government to address the issue of VAT.

“China today relies on the provinces of the country. USA practises true federalism. If we are practising federalism, we should be consistent. We should operate in a way that Osun State would explore its resources and Zamfara would do same,” Obasa said while expressing hope that Nigerians would be proud of the country which marks its 61st independence anniversary.

He noted that Lagos State House of Assembly has always been youth-friendly in relation to bills passed by the House.

He named some of the bills as the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Child Right Bill, the Employment Trust Fund which provides loans to youths ready to make progress and the Sports Commission bill amended by the House.

The Speaker said Hijrah affords Muslims the opportunity to thank Allah and continue to have faith in Him.

Obasa recalled how COVID-19 had affected the world and caused fears and deaths just as he remembered Nigerians who became victims of the pandemic.

In his lecture, Shaykh Muhyideen Ajani Bello, Chief Imam and Missioner, Ansar ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Northern States Council, urged the youth to know that they would one day lead the country just as he slammed leaders for relegating the youth for too long.

He also advocated for women to be given more important roles in governance of the country.

On his part, Dr. Sa’eid Ahmad, Consultant General Surgeon and Imam, also spoke about moral decadence in the society, the rot in the education and other sectors of the economy.

He said the youth must be diligent and hardworking even in the face of the country’s challenges.

Addressing the guests after the lecture, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the points raised by the lecturers would be considered and their suggestions implemented.

He described the topic of the event as thought-provoking.

President Muhammadu Buhari has claimed that a member of the National Assembly is responsible for the agitation of the breakup of the country.

The president made this known while addressing the country as part of the independence day celeberation.

“The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals.

“We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the National Assembly”.

The female aspirant for the post of Federal House Of Representatives under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2023, who was birthed and brought up in Lagelu Local Government Area has joined the well-meaning Nigerians in celebrating 2021 Independence Day in glorious way with her people.

This was contained in a press statement signed and sent today to Oduduwa News by Ramata Agberemi.

She stated that words cannot adequately express her joy and pride to be privileged to come from Akinyele/Lagelu constituency and, It is a unique privilege to be a Nigerian which she would always remember forever, and it gives her strength and courage as she dedicates her life to the service of Nigeria and Oyo State in particular.

In furtherance, RAD used this year Independence day to charge the good people of Oyo State to fervently pray for the unity of our dear country Nigeria and uphold the good works and wills of our founding fathers.

In her message to her constituents, RAD urged them not to relent in doing their best for the state and pray more for the success of H.E Engr. Sèyì Makinde’s administration and finally soliciting for their supports and prayers towards her ambition come 2023. She was also quoted as saying in prayer to Nigeria.

“And, finally my prayers for my country:
Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign
Amen! Amen! Amen!”.