Category: Politics

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu today commissioned 66 classrooms in 4 schools as part of efforts to make learning more conducive for students in the state.

The classrooms are located at Fazil Omar High School, Iwaya, Onike Girls Junior High School, Onike-Iwaya, Igbobi Junior High School, Somolu and Akintan Junior School, Surulere.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor said: “Our Greater Lagos vision is hinged on delivering quality education. Our administration flagged off the upgrade of infrastructure in schools to deliver 300 classrooms, including seven new hostels across our boarding schools.

“All our efforts are geared towards expanding access to quality education for our children. The infrastructure will be complemented with competent, dedicated and passionate teachers.

“I assure you all that the standard of education will continue to rise until Lagos schools become a reference point across the globe.”

Ahead of the 2023 general election, the two splinter groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Ajimobi Legacy Forum and Unity Forum have closed ranks and have agreed to work together in unity with a view to possibly ousting the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Government House, Oke Oyinbo, Agodi, Ibadan.

The Ajimobi Legacy Forum comprises loyalists of the immediate past governor of the state, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019 and died on Thursday June 25, 2020. Also, the Unity Forum consists of members of APC that fell out with Ajimobi before, during and after the Saturday May 12, 2018 local government poll, which also include the loyalists of former governor of the state, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina.

The third splinter group is PDP Reform, comprising those who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC. But the third group was not invited to the meeting. But the leaders were quick to point out that the Ajimobi Legacy Forum and Unity Forum were the two groups that had misunderstanding, and it was imperative for them to come together to broker peace, adding that the all the three groups would henceforth work together as one with a united front.

Ajimobi’s wife, Chief Florence Ajimobi, reportedly initiated the peace move, which made leaders of the two splinter groups from all the 33 local government areas of the state to converge on the Banquet Hall, Premier Hotel, Ibadan, for a crucial meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting, which was co-chaired by chieftains of the party, Chief Kunle Sanda, and Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi, was graced by former Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu; Senator Olufemi Lanlehin; Senator Ayoade Adeseun; former deputy governor of the state, Otunba Moses Adeyemo; Chairman, National Communication Commission (NCC), Prof Adeolu Akande; Chairman, National Lottery Regulatory Commission(NLRC), Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting, and read by Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi stated: “The leaders of Ajimobi Legacy Forum and Unity Forum drawn from all the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, realising the need for peace, unity and progress of the party in the state, met on May 5, 2021, and resolved to bury their differences and henceforth work as one within the party (APC).”

The resolution stated that all members of the party should henceforth should henceforth collapse their meetings into one at all levels, and henceforth work together for the peace, unity and progress of the party. The meeting also commended Mrs Ajimobi and the leaders of the Unity Forum and Ajimobi Legacy Forum for the settlement of their differences.

The meeting that also commended the leadership of Chief Akin Oke, the Caretaker Chairman of the party in the state and pledged support for the caretaker committee, resolved “to sustain the enduring legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Lam Adesina, and Senator Abiola Ajimobi.”

They, however, affirmed their continued loyalty and support for President Muhammadu Buhari and his government, adding that all Nigerians should pray for the country “in these trying times. We pledged to work assiduously for the victory of the party at all elections in 2023 general elections.”

THE Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, said on Tuesday that he would convene and sponsor a national conference, christened ‘Summit of Hope’ as a way to find solution to the myriads of problems confronting Nigeria.

Babalola, who announced a donation of N50m for the confab, which he said was billed to hold soon at ABUAD hall and ABUAD Inn, said eminent Nigerians, including former Presidents and leading traditional rulers, would be attended to the confab to proffer solutions to the country’s problems.

 The ABUAD founder spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during the 10th Aare Afe Babalola Annual Public Lecture organised by the Ado Ekiti branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.

He said, “The situation in Nigeria today is gruesome and all hands must be on the deck to save it from total collapse. I am proposing ABUAD as venue of the summit because it is safe, has a Federal Ministry of Aviation-certified helipad, well equipped 400-bed multi-system hospital, among others.

Among personalities that Babalola said would be invited included the Sultan of Sokoto; Alhaji Saad Abubakar; Alaafin of Oyo; Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe and Obi Of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Bishop David Oyedepo; Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah; Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Gen. Theophilus Danjuma; Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Prof. Wole Soyinka; and Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Oba Ogunwusi, who chaired the programme, hailed Babalola’s decision, describing it as a patriotic decision targeted at restoring normalcy to the polity.

The monarch added that he would, in his capacity as Co-Chaiman of National Traditional Council of Nigeria, report the development to fellow rulers to seek support.

Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has hinted that the distractions created by the opposition elements in the State would not stop his administration from delivering on good governance in Oyo State.

The governor, who stated this at a Ramadan lecture, organized by Hon. Abdullah AbdulRasaq Ademola (Omo Sheu), representing Ibadan South-East 1 State constituency at Elekuro Ibadan, added that his government would not deviate from its promise of promoting the tenets of democracy and actualization of people-centered programmes.

Makinde, who was represented by the Chairman, Pacesetter Transport Company, Prince Dare Adeleke, urged the people of Oyo State to use the month of Ramadan to pray for the success of his administration and an end to insecurity in the country.

“God has blessed us with the month of Ramadan to ask for those things that are crucial to our existence, the first should be the progress of our State, while we also pray for the country to overcome insecurity.

“It is my belief that God Almighty will not desert us and our prayers are heard, let us keep the tempo of our prayer up, it shall be well in Allah’s name.

“The ranting of the opposition elements in the State however should not be seen as anything serious that can distract us, we are resolute to deliver on our campaign promises and those are the major pacts we made with the people, we will not let them down, we will not allow the noise of distractors get to us.”

The lecture was attended by leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, political appointees , members of the State House of Assembly, party supporters and hundreds of Islamic faithful, who stormed the 4th Annual Ramadan Lecture.

The programme was organized under the Jamuhiyat Allahu Rasaq Islamic Society of Nigeria, JARIS was almost turned into a political rally of sort as political leaders took turns to eulogize the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde and his sterling achievements since taking over in 2019.

While addressing the gathering, the Oyo State Deputy Speaker, Hon Muhammad Fadeyi, assured that the 9th Oyo Assembly will continue to give necessary legislative support to all the programmes and policies of Governor Seyi Makinde, which he said are geared towards enhancing the living standard of the people of the State.

Fadeyi described Hon Abdullah AbdulRasaq as a great grassroot mobilizer, who has continued to keep in touch with the people of his Constituency.

While speaking at the Ramadan Lecture, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun condemned in strong terms, those politicizing the issue of security in Oyo State, adding that the Government at the center has failed in the area of protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry.

Other Guests including the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Tourism and Culture, Hon Ademola Ige charged the people of Ibadan South East to remain united in order to consolidate on the gains of the party in future election.

In his Lecture, Fadilat Sheikh Ishaq Olawoye Tihamiy, said Ramadan is a period for true Muslims to renew their faith in Allah.

The Guest Speaker said the encomiums showered on Governor Seyi Makinde and Hon Abdullah AbdulRasaq Ademola (Omo Sheu) were well deserved, noting that the State lawmaker took after his late Father, Sheikh AbdulRasaq whose life impacted thousands of people spiritually in Nigeria and abroad.

In his address, Hon Abdullah AbdulRasaq Ademola said the program was meant to identify with thousands of Islamic faithfuls in his constituency, as well as to promote and showcase the laudable achievements of the PDP in Oyo State under Governor Seyi Makinde.

He prayed to Allah to ease the task of governance for the Governor, who he said has become the beautiful bride in the South West.

Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly at the event include Hon. Saminu Gbadamosi, Hon. Ademola Popoola, Hon. Akeem Obadara, Hon. Sola Owolabi, Hon. Ayo Fatokun and Hon. Akeem Adedibu as well as the Chairman, Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Abdul Wasiu Musah.

The Ramadan lecture was also witnessed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin , the Executive Secretary, state primary care, Dr Muhideen Olatunji , vice chairman board of culture and tourism, Mogaji Abass Oloko and other political office holders.

The Senator representing Ekiti North in the National Assembly, Olubunmi Adetunmbi speaks during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on May 3, 2021 mornitored by ODUDUWA NEWS.

The Senator representing Ekiti North in the National Assembly, Olubunmi Adetunmbi, has asked Nigerian politicians to forget political activities for the 2023 general elections and address the worsening security situation in the country.

Adetunmbi stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, noting that without security, polls cannot hold.

“We should suspend this issue of focus on 2023 and focus on how to salvage this country so that people who have the capacity, knowledge, vision and the solution to solve this problem, that is what we should interrogate and not scoring points,” he said.

“The people who want to use security as a means electioneering and edging out those in power for them to come back there, what do they govern when there is no Nigeria?

“When there is war in Zamfara, there is a problem in Katsina. In Ogun State, there are displacements. In Oyo, Ekiti, there are killings going on. In the east, everything is happening. In that kind of context, how do you govern regardless of what party you belong to?”

Speaking further, the lawmaker called on all Nigerians to collaborate to overcome the security issues facing the country.

As measures to tackling the security issues, President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this year replaced his four top military commanders in a bid to better combat the insurgency that has also displaced more than two million people from their homes since 2009.

ISWAP split from mainstream Boko Haram in 2016 and became a dominant group, launching attacks on military bases and ambushing troops while abducting travellers at fake checkpoints.

Since 2019, the army has mostly withdrawn from villages and smaller bases into so-called “super camps”, fortified garrisons meant to give better protection against attacks.

But critics say the strategy has left jihadists with more freedom to roam untouched in rural areas and made highways vulnerable to kidnappings and assaults.

The former Lagos State Governor, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the aggrieved persons and groups that are calling for the break-up of Nigeria to consider the result of war in countries like Sudan and Iraq.

Several groups from different regions in the country have heightened agitations for secession, with rallies being hosted lately for the freedom of Yoruba Nation in the South-West.

Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), pointed out that Nigeria was yet to recover from the Civil War which happened between 1967 and 1970.

Tinubu sounded the warning during his message at the Special Ramadan Prayer, “Tafsir” Lecture, held at the Lagos House in Marina, which held on Sunday.

According to him, the calls for separation are just war drums being beaten by some, which, if allowed to happen, would result in the disintegration of Nigeria like in Sudan and Iraq.

“For clamouring for war, God will not allow Nigeria to experience war. If we say Nigeria should separate, people should remember what war caused in Sudan and Iraq. Such war does not end on time. We are yet to recover from the civil war.

“We are better together. I have nowhere I am going. Whoever has experienced war in the past will not pray for such. Nigeria will not separate, it’s not acceptable to us. Our prayer is for prosperity and more wealth for the country,” he said.

Recall ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported that Lagos state had concluded plans to install no fewer than 2,000 cameras across the state to tackle insecurity.

The Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the revelation at this same event on Sunday, adding that the country would soon overcome its security challenges and the people would enjoy the dividends of democracy.

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that the Officers of the Nigerian Police Force from the Ogun State Police Command, on Saturday waylaid, and arrested 25 members of Ilana Omo Oodua as they were preparing for a peaceful rally in solidarity with the actualisation of Yoruba Nation in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Ilana Omo Oodua, under the leadership of
a renowned Historian, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, is the umbrella body of all the Yoruba Self-Determination Groups within and beyond the shores of Nigeria.

According to several eyewitnesses who prefered anonymity, the Yoruba Activists, arrested and packed inside a Black Maria, are currently being detained at the Headquarters of the Ogun State Police Command in Abeokuta.

In an electronic statement sent to News Men on Saturday morning, the Media and Communications Secretary of Ilana Omo Oodua, Maxwell Adeleye, gave the names of some of those arrested as Comrade Wasiu Iyanda, Comrade Makanjuola Adigun, and 23 others.

“This is to let the general public know that the centrally-controlled Officers of the Nigerian Police have arrested 25 of our Comrades as they were preparing for the Pro-Yoruba Nation’s rally scheduled to hold today in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“The arrested Yoruba Patroits were picked up in a commando style in front of the Alake Of Egba’s Palace in Abeokuta, the state capital by over 200 Armed-To-Teeth Officers of the Nigerian Police.

“We want to put it on record that those arrested did not commit any crime, rather, they are being vilified and harassed for exercising their rights to self-determination and peaceful assembly.

“We at Ilana Omo Oodua, renowned for peace and respect for the rules of law, are demanding for the unconditional release of our members with immediate effect or else, there will be mass actions against the Nigerian Police across Yoruba Land commencing from tomorrow.

“We also call on the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to ensure that his state is not used to oppress the Yoruba people in any manner. We want Mr. Governor to remember that whatever happens today becomes history tomorrow”, the statement, concluded.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has tasked heads of parastatals in the State on quality performance, urging them to work tirelessly as a team to make Lagos better than the way they met it.

Sanwo-Olu implored the State’s personnel to work as a team to deliver good governance and dividends of democracy to citizens of Lagos State, who they are appointed to serve in different capacities as heads of government agencies.

Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executive Officers of parastatals at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Tuesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu said they have crucial roles to play in Lagos project and therefore urged them not to rest on their oars until the greater Lagos is achieved.

“You must work as a team because you all have a role to play in good governance in Lagos State. The citizens are looking at us. There is a trophy to be earned. There is a medal to take away. There are people that truly believe that we can make their lives a lot better. Let us make Lagos better than how you met it. We must go out to do it and not disappoint them. If we work together, there is nothing we cannot achieve as a state,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the vision in Lagos is to make the state Africa’s model mega city, a global economy and financial hub that is safe and secure.

He therefore advised heads of parastatals in the State to relate with one another in order to succeed, adding that they must all scale up their activities in their respective agencies by springing up to their responsibilities.

In a paper titled “Private sector management strategies for government parastatals” presented by Publisher of Complete Football and Complete Sports, Dr. Mumini Alao, likened government parastatals to a football team where every individual has a role to play in delivering good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.

The Guest Speaker encouraged the state government to create more avenues to improve sports activities in the State by establishing Lagos Sports Special School and Lagos State Hall of Fame.

He said the Lagos Sports Special School will help in producing more talents in the sports industry while the Lagos Hall of Fame will encourage younger generations to go into sports owing largely to the State Government recognition of those who have made positive impact through Sports in Lagos.

In his welcome address, the Special Adviser, Parastatals Monitoring Office (PMO), Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, said the office is to promote good governance and therefore urged heads of the parastatals to work toward a better Lagos in line with the THEMES developmental agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

The Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin has described the late former Speaker of the House, Hon Michael Adeyemo as a great son of Ibarapaland whose death three years ago was unexpected and painful.

Hon Ogundoyin in a tribute to commemorate the third year of the death of the Former Oyo State Speaker recalled that the news of the sudden demise of Late Hon Michael Adeyemo in 2018 shook the State to its foundation.

He said the two term member of the Oyo State House of Assembly who represented Ibarapa East State Constituency was a great gentleman and committed public servant.

” My heartfelt sympathy again goes to the family of the late Speaker and the people of Ibarapa East State Constituency for the loss of this illustrious son at the prime age of 47. Though it is three years now, the good memories of the politician and legal practitioner linger on. It is on record at the Oyo House of Assembly that the late Adeyemo maintained in full degree the dignity and privileges of the Oyo State House of Assembly and he left behind good track records. As a Lawyer, he understood Legislative process and business, and this made the task easier. He was one of our finest. ” Oyo Speaker said.

According to him, the late Adeyemo’s name will forever be remembered in the hallow chamber of the Oyo State House of Assembly.

Hon Ogundoyin urged the people of the State and indeed Ibarapa to continue to remember the family left behind by the late Speaker in their prayers, describing death as the necessary end of all mortals.

He prayed God to continue to uphold his family

How far has Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gone in his journey to A Greater Lagos? This is the main question that will be answered as the administration marks its second year anniversary as from Tuesday, April 27. Mr. Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat mounted the saddle on May 29, 2019.

A series of activities have been put together to showcase the administration’s performance and impact on Lagosians. But it will not be all about what has been achieved; Sanwo-Olu will be offering Lagosians a glimpse into the future, which he often refers to as #AGreaterLagos. He will be unveiling new projects, which the administration will build to make life more comfortable for the citizenry.

The mid-term report will begin with briefings by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government rendering accounts of their achievements in the past two years.

Events of the second-year anniversary include media interviews and interaction of key members of the Lagos State Executive Council, including Dr. Hamzat, the media and various segments of the society.

Mr. Governor will unveil iconic projects in the Health, Education, Transportation, Housing and other sectors. These are in addition to the various infrastructure projects that have been completed during his tenure.

The ground-breaking of the New Massey Street Children’s hospital, which is billed to be the biggest in Africa, will be performed by Mr. Governor. New schools and housing units will be commissioned.

Since taking the oath of office, Governor Sanwo-Olu has commissioned roads across the State, such as the Tedi-Muwo Road and Link Bridge at the Lagos-Ogun State boundary that cuts across Alimoso and Agbado Oke-Odo; the 1.4km dual carriage Pen Cinema Bridge; the 13.68 kilometres Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT corridor; 31 network of roads in Ojokoro LCDA as well as six junction improvement projects to tackle traffic congestion under the Traffic Management Intervention Plan.

In Lekki, the Government is building the Regional Road and the Lekki-Epe Expressway. In Ikorodu. Work is progressing on Agric-Isawo Road; Bola Tinubu-Igbogbo-Imota Road; Ijede Road; Oba Sekumade Road in Ipakodo; and Itamaga to Ewu Elepe Town.

No less than 3,500 housing units have been delivered with thousands more to be completed before the end of the second quarter.

Major strides are also visible in water transportation as an alternative means of commuting passengers to reduce pressure on road infrastructure across the five divisions of Lagos State. No less than 15 jetties are in various stages of completion at the Ijede Waterfront and Offin in Ikorodu; Marina Waterfront, VIP Chalet, Apaa and Isalu Ajido in Badagry; Oke-Ira Nla and Takwa Bay, Eti-Osa; Liverpool Road in Apapa; Ebute-Ero on Lagos Island; Mile 2; Ijegun-Egba and Ilashe in Ojo; Ito-Omu in Epe, as well as Ilado in Amuwo Odofin.

Mr. Governor has just performed the ground-breaking of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line Project to complement the 29km Blue Line Project, which has reached 93% completion stage. Phase One of the project will be delivered in the last quarter of year 2022 to convey passengers from Okokomaiko to Marina.

In terms of social intervention, over 38,000 residents are beneficiaries of programmes that provide empowerment for youths and succour to other residents through agriculture; healthcare and grants for women in rural areas. There are many who have graduated from the State’s 19 Skills Acquisition projects. These figures exclude the residents who enjoyed free treatment in public hospitals during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, the Smart City Project is on course. About 3000km of fibre-optic cables are being laid in the first phase of the project, which will be 6,000km when completed. It will provide faster and more reliable internet that will improve education, security and commerce to boost the attainment of a 21st Century Economy.

Schools, hospitals, security agencies and members of the public can hook up to the internet connectivity to advance teaching and learning; consultation and treatment of patients as well as surveillance of crime and traffic violations across the State. Besides, thousands of cameras will be installed to check crime.

The recent acquisition of body cameras for security and traffic monitoring is an innovative approach to monitoring, identifying and checkmating criminals.

Governor Sanwo-Olu will round off the second year anniversary events by engaging the media, captains of industry and other stakeholders at an interactive session on May 28 when he will deliver a state of the State address.