One of the umbrella bodies of herdsmen in Nigeria, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, says South-West governors, with their anti-herdsmen stance, are creating problems for the All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his rumoured presidential ambition in 2023.

Saleh Alhassan, the Spokesman for the group on Wednesday stated this while featuring on PUNCH Online interview programme, The Roundtable.

Recalls that nomadic herders in parts of the country, especially in the South-West geopolitical zone, have been accused of trespassing on farmlands of host farmers with their cattle. Farm produce worth millions of naira have been destroyed in the last few months. Some herders have also been accused of raping women in host communities, kidnapping the rich and in some cases, killing host residents, amongst other unprintable crimes.

Governors in the zone under the aegis of the South-West Governors’ Forum chaired by Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, have come up with many proposed solutions including prohibition of open grazing, night grazing, under-age grazing, amongst others.

Many leaders in Yorubaland including leader of socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, had also said Tinubu was afraid to speak on the herders’ crisis because he does not want to jeopardise his 2023 presidential ambition and because he does not want to offend the President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the former Lagos State governor broke his silence on the matter on March 13, 2021 in a statement titled, ‘Tinubu’s Statement On The Herder Crisis’.

In the statement, the former Lagos State governor urged state governments to convert unoccupied public lands to ranches for herdsmen.

Reacting to the proposed idea by Tinubu as a way of solving the near-perennial farmers-herders crisis rocking the nation, the Miyetti Allah spokesman lauded the idea but said the country was not yet ready to embrace or implement “progressive solutions”.

Alhassan said, “I sympathise with him (Tinubu) because if he says more than what he is saying, they will say he is pushing for his presidential ambition. That is why he takes time before he even respond but I expected him to call all his political godsons —who are governors — that are causing this confusion to order. He should call them and say, ‘Hey, when I become president, I will solve this problem for us’ (and) not to create problem for him, for his ambition.”

When asked whether the farmers-herders crisis could affect the political ambition of Tinubu, Alhassan alleged, “When you have a group of people attacking citizens, does it translate to political love? When you have the supposed Amotekun joining militants to attack traders in Shasha (in Oyo State), burn their properties, does it give a good political value to whoever wants to get support from those people?”

He also said the crisis was being exaggerated to score political points, adding that the Fulani herders who are of the same ethnic stock as the President are not enjoying any special preference or benefits from the Buhari regime.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has affirmed the powers of the Lagos State Government to regulate the practice of real estate transactions within the State.

A statement signed by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), noted that the judgment delivered on March 22, 2021, by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, struck out the originating motion filed by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) and the Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors And Valuers (NIESV) to challenge the authority of the State government to regulate the sector.

According to him, the applicants – ESVARBON and NIESV – had filed the suit against the Lagos State Government and the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who were listed as first and second respondents respectively, claiming that they are the ‘sole body’ created by Law in Nigeria to determine persons who are to become Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

His words: “The first applicant claimed that by virtue of Section 2 of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria Act Cap E13 LFN 2007 and Section 1 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, it was unconstitutional for Lagos State Government to create an entity known as the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) that compels registration of all Estate Surveyors and Valuers practising in the State”.

“The applicants had also argued that under Section 4 (6) – (9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) or any other Section or Schedule of the same Constitution, the Lagos State House of Assembly lacked the legislative power to enact a bill to regulate the practice of estate surveying and valuation”, he added.

The Commissioner also averred that, consequently, the applicants sought an order of the court restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, servants and/or privies from implementing, enforcing, in any way or manner whatsoever and howsoever giving effect or further effect to the directives of compulsory registration with Lagos State Government.

Onigbanjo said Justice Aneke struck out the originating motion for lacking in merit and upheld the powers of the Lagos State Government to establish a Regulatory Agency for Estate Agents trading in Lagos State.

By the ruling, the Lagos State Government called on all practitioners to abide by the Lagos State Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) Law and register with the Agency in line with the determination of the Government to protect the general public and ensure genuine persons and organisations possess the required platform to practice their trade.

The popular grandmother figure in Nollywood’s Yoruba series, Alhaja Lanre Hassan, known by the stage name “Mama Awero”, got a surprise gift from Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday.

The veteran actor was on the verge of being ejected from her rented apartment when the Governor intervened. Mama Awero was presented with the key to a new three bedroom apartment in the 360 units Lagoshoms Phase 2 scheme completed by the Governor in Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

The housing project was formally inaugurated on Wednesday at an event attended by all Government functionaries and traditional rulers in Ikorodu division. He named the scheme after former Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) apex leader in Ikorodu, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye.

The scheme, which is sited on 6.24 hectares of land, was conceived in 2012 under the ex-Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration. It has 10 blocks each of 120 units of one-bedroom flat, 120 units of two-bedroom flat and 120 units of three-bedrooms apartments.

The project is bordering Oba Adeboruwa Housing Estate, which is the first phase of the housing scheme.

Sanwo-Olu said the decision to complete the Igbogbo housing scheme was in tune with his pledge at the commissioning of Lateef Jakande Estate, Igando in 2019, where he reiterated his commitment to deliver all housing projects inherited by his administration.

He said: “I am elated to be commissioning another housing project in Igbogbo, one of many delivered by this administration. Against all odds, our vision for a revamped housing sector has moved from the drawing table to the level of implementation and delivery. The completion and commissioning of this estate, comprising 360 units is a promise kept and sends a strong message about our determination to make Lagos a 21st century economy.

“This housing scheme symbolises our unwavering commitment to the Greater Lagos Project, and our determination to build and deliver modern homes so that irrespective of social or economic class, all Lagosians enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance. We will continue to bridge the housing deficit by providing decent and affordable houses to our people.”

The Governor said his administration recognised that provision of decent housing was a crucial component of sustainable development, which was why housing schemes were being funded through direct budgetary allocations, as well as public-private-partnerships. The financing model, he said, has yielded remarkable results.

Sanwo-Olu said the State Government had started to prepare for a population surge that would accompany the opening of the project, disclosing that the State had activated the revamping of socio-economic infrastructure on the axis. He said rehabilitation of Government-owned schools was being escalated to cater for additional students’ population.

He said: “We are doing extensive road infrastructure in Igbogbo and we are extending another road from Ibeshe, which will be commissioned next month. The Baiyeku Road needs to be fixed and we will look at it once we are able to push the ongoing Igbogbo road project to a significant progress.

“We are still working on Agric-Isawo and Oba Sekumade Road, while we are planning the redevelopment of roundabout at Ita Elewa. All these projects are being done to bring real development into Ikorodu division and improve the value of properties on this axis.”

The Governor also presented free three-bedroom apartments to two members of the State’s teaching staff honoured in national education awards for their quality services. They are the Principal of Government Junior College in Ketu-Epe, Mr. Dunni Ikuseyi (Principal of the Year) and recipient of Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Elusakin of Oriwu Model College.

According to the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai the housing project was the seventh scheme to be completed and inaugurated by the Sanwo-Olu administration, which catered for the high net individuals and low-income earners.

He said: “As can be seen, the scheme is completed with modern infrastructure that will enhance decent living. Apart from other intrinsic benefits that come with this scheme, we are glad to say that it will definitely change the statistics of housing deficit in Lagos and stem the usual drift to city centres.

“Our joy is only complete when more people, particularly the low- and medium-income earners become home owners. In line with present realities, the convenient mortgage system fostered through our Rent-To-Own scheme will be utilised to a large extent in delivering the homes to the end users.”

Mama Awero, in an emotion-laden voice, expressed gratitude to the Governor, describing the gesture as “unexpected gift”.

“Anyone who is compassionate to offer his fellow human a comfortable shelter such as this deserves nothing but prayers. I am short of words. Governor Sanwo-Olu, you have put smiles on my face in my moment of despair. May Allah support you and your Deputy,” the veteran actress said.

The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Kasali, hailed Sanwo-Olu for keeping his word on the housing scheme.

Some of the comfort features in the housing estate include expansive car parks, streetlights, water reticulation plant and modern sewage treatment plant.

The Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution for victims of SARS and other related matters on Tuesday heard the petition of a man who accused men of the Nigeria Police Force of battering him.

Monday Ojon was among the 10 petitions listed for hearing.

The panel reserved judgment till a later date in three of the petitions. It also heard the encounter between a petitioner Ojon and the Nigerian police.

Ojon testified that he was stripped naked and beaten by a police officer even when he did not commit any offence.

“On 4th December 2013, I was coming from CMS, going to Tinubu, a policeman Mr. Kabiru with force number 354962, he was coming with a stick and gun in both hands respectively, and he asked where I was going? I told him I was going to Tinubu. He said I should kneel down, I asked for what? He said I should kneel down now and he started to beat me with the stick until the stick got broken into pieces,” he said.

“He picked another plank and started beating me with it until I knelt down. He told me to remove my clothes, but I refused and started shouting which attracted passers-by, he said he would waste me and cocked the gunshot it into the air. He told me to undress naked, he then told me to start crawling from that point to CMS bus stop with others whom we met on the way.

“Some motorists who accosted him were threatened and they left. He also told a man and a girl to kneel down and when they refused, he shot into the air. A friend and motorcyclist who saw me asked what I did, when I told him what happened, he said he was going to report at Adeniji Adele police station.

“A fellow policeman who saw us, talked to him privately and asked for my cloth. I told him that my cloth was at the other end, he then told me to go and take my cloth and go. Suddenly, a lion building police patrol van with the DPO came to the scene and took me to lion building and told me to go and treat myself because I had been battered.”

According to the petitioner, efforts to get justice at the Lion Building Police Station did not yield any results. Instead he says he was offered a paltry ₦100, 000 which he refused.

The petitioner is seeking adequate compensation and he wants the panel to help him get justice against the police office, Mr. Kabiru who he alleged committed the assault.

The traditional ruler of Iwo, Oba Abdurasheed Akanbi Teluwo has attributed the agitation for Oduduwa Republic by some groups as a calculated attempt to deprive Yoruba of Nigerian president comes 2023.

Oluwo made this statement known yesterday during a courtesy visit to Sultan of Sokoto in his Palace.

“Scheming won’t work. Enemies within won’t succeed. 2023 project is a Yoruba assignment. The traditional rulers and Yoruba stakeholders have fundamental roles to play. The bottom line is to see Yoruba conducting the affairs of Nigeria in 2023 after the incumbent. Yoruba Obas, Stakeholders and all of us should rally round Yoruba son. Calling for division of Nigeria is synonymous with working against our near bright future. Let’s harmonize interest in canvassing support for a Yoruba as the number citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I pray we understand the politics behind division of the country. I’m a Nigerian. I spend her currency, Naira.Nigeria can’t be divided when it’s our turn to preside”, said Oluwo.

Paramount Ruler of Iwoland stated this today while talking to the Yoruba community in Sokoto, he further said

“The Yoruba Presidency coming up is the future of our children and it’s non negotiable … we should all fight for this great gesture coming our way “orire yi koni fowa ru” biwon bafun were ni oko odo ara re niyo rosi, nigba ti Yoruba baje president it’s the freedom we clamouring for”.

As part of efforts to address flash flooding around the newly constructed Agege Pen Cinema Flyover Bridge and other parts of the State, the Lagos State Government has called on residents of Agege community to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels.

Speaking against the backdrop of the recent flash floods experienced at Oke-Koto and environs after a heavy downpour, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye noted that the flooding was caused by clogging in the main collector drain conduits along Capitol Road.

Noting that the Agege Pen Cinema Flyover Bridge was designed to eliminate the perennial traffic gridlocks across the intersections at Agege, Adeyoye said the adjoining roads were also constructed by the State Government with an adequate drainage system to mitigate the recurrence of flooding associated with the corridor.

She added that the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels by the residents of Agege community was solely responsible for the severe clogging and siltation of the drains, thereby resulting in the flooding as experienced recently at Oke-Koto.

The Special Adviser warned residents to desist from the act of dumping refuse into the drains, stating that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs (EFAG) of the Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources have embarked on desilting of the drains to allow free flow of run-off/stormwater and prevent flooding on the carriageway.

Adeyoye said: “At the moment the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration is making efforts to reduce the number of bad roads in the State. A drive through the streets and highways of Lagos will reveal that roads had either been repaired or are being fixed across many locations as Government is making frantic efforts to provide infrastructural facilities that will ameliorate the suffering of the citizenry”.

“Any road is as good as its drains, once we clog the drains with refuse, we compromise the integrity of the pavement and overall riding surface. Therefore, as we continue to prepare for the rains, people must stop the various abuses on road transport infrastructure challenges associated with the rainy season”, she added.

Speaking further, the Special Adviser emphasised the need to ensure the sustainability of road assets and optimise the level-of-service outcome in return for the most cost-effective financial input, calling on community leaders to be actively involved in guiding against vandalism of public infrastructure.

“The State Government holds as premium the responsibility of strategic provision of road infrastructure across the State. Sustainability also requires we engage with the citizenry to register in their subconsciousness and seek their support in terms of taking ownership of the roads and to guide jealously these collective assets against misuse and abuse”, Adeyoye stated.