Posts

Posted on

Ekiti Begins Recruitment of Special Works Programme September 7

Ekiti State Government is set to commence recruitment of qualified applicants for the Federal Government sponsored Special Public Works programme next Monday.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Chairman of the State Committee on SPW Programme and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Biodun Omoleye, said the recruitment process which would be handled by the state government and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) would take place between Monday 7th September and Wednesday 9th September, 2020 at the 16 local government councils in the state.

Omoleye disclosed that the recruitment exercise has no provision for online registration or registration by proxy; adding that interested applicants are to visit their local governments of origin with their local government attestation letters at 8am each day.

He however stated that those who had earlier participated in the pilot exercise need not apply as it would amount to double entries thereby disallowing fresh applicants opportunities to benefit from the programme.

Omoleye said successful candidates would be engaged in public works such as clearing of drains, sweeping, cutting of hedges and roads verges, traffic control, environmental sanitation and beautification.

Posted on

Sanwo-Olu Coronates Oba Gbolahan Lawal as 15th Oniru of Iruland

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has installed Oba Gbolahan Lawal as the 15th Oniru of Iruland.

Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat delivered a congratulatory message to the monarch.

This was contained in a statement released today by Sanwo-Olu via his twitter handle which read apart.

“At the coronation of HRH Oba Omogbolahan Lawal as the15th Oniru today, I was ably represented by Dr. Obafemi Hamzat who expressed my absolute confidence in the Oniru’s ability to bring about a transformation that will benefit everyone in Iruland.

During the installation ceremony in June, I enjoined the Oniru to strengthen the existing bond of unity within Iruland for the overall development of peace and progress of the kingdom. Two months on the throne and I’m pleased to note that the monarch took this advice to heart.

I urge all citizens of this great kingdom, as well as residents, to continue to stand firm and united behind the king in order to advance the development and prosperity of this kingdom for the benefit of all.”

Posted on

COVID-19: ASUU Warns Against Reopening of Schools

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, has warned against the reopening of schools without provisions for schools to meet COVID-19 precautionary guidelines.

Its chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, stated this in a release he made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.

Akinwole stated that the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools could  be enormous if responsibility was not taken to ensure safety.

He warned that no pecuniary gains would be more than the lives of lecturers and their students.

Akinwole noted that before COVID-19 pandemic, public varsities were overcrowded with students and hostel facilities took more than its capacity.

He then warned parents not to jubilate at the news of a possible reopening of schools.

However, they should ask the government to put measures in place so as not to have a surge in COVID-19 that might  happen as a result of ill-thought out reopening, he said.

“What we are simply saying is that the Federal Government should adhere to their own set guidelines.

Posted on

N100bn Prosperity Bond Tied To Capital Projects – Oyo Commissioner

Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun has reiterated the stand of the State administration on using the #100billion bond sought by the government on capital projects and not on recurrent expenditure.

The State government recently announced its resolve to embark on major projects like development of the Ibadan Dry Port corner, expansion project at the Ibadan Airport, Alakia, Ibadan Circular Road and construction of Iseyin-Ogbomoso road among others.

Olatubosun said the projects were well thought out to bridge the dearth of capital infrastructures that would ensure the State attain economic independence as Ibadan and other zones of Oyo State would be opened up for commerce.

While speaking on an interview programme on Pensioners’ FM on Saturday, Dr. Wasiu debunked the rumor that the State was obtaining loans to pay salary and gratuity, saying the rumor could only come from opposition quarters.

“The government in the saddles in Oyo State, led by Engr. Seyi Makinde has seen the wide gap in development caused by infrastructural deficit and the best way to tackle this is to find ways around financing projects that will benefit the State’s economy and expand commercial scope by attracting businesses.

“The projects at the airport, the Ibadan Circular road and the dry port at Akinyele will certainly attract local and international businesses to come and establish in our State, it was a well thought-out plan.

“Governor Seyi Makinde is looking at the possibility of attracting major businesses from Lagos and Ogun States among others to come down to Oyo State, the capacity is here with those projects, agriculture will thrive and employment opportunities will be on spiral scale.

“Those saying we want to use the loans for recurrent expenditure are those confounded by the possibility of the State government to pay salary as at when due and its resolve to pay the backlog of gratuities inherited from past administration.

“Do not blame them, it is left to us to prove nay sayers wrong, the governor promised to deliver all these when he was campaigning and today, he is doing just that.”

The Commissioner called on the people of the State to have faith in the administration’s policy and programmes as they were the outcome of the core need assessment inquiry from stakeholders for development.

Posted on

Exchange rate is affecting importation of petroleum – Marketers

It has been gathered that the independent oil marketers have not been fully incorporated into the business of importing petrol due to their inability to access foreign exchange.

Dealers stated that since the downstream oil sector was deregulated in March this year, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had remained the major importer of PMS into the country.

It was gathered that although some big players made imports in previous months, a large majority of marketers had yet to resume petrol importation due to the inaccessibility of the dollar.

The international petrol business is largely run in dollars and accessing the greenback had not been easy due to the fluctuation of the naira against the dollar for months now, the marketers said.

Asked whether oil marketers had resumed the importation of petrol, the National President, Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, replied, “How can we import when we do not have access to forex?”

He told our correspondent in Abuja that independent oil marketers had always been ready to import petrol, not just only few major marketers and the Pipelines Products Marketing Company, which is the downstream subsidiary of NNPC.

“We have storage tanks everywhere and so we can import but the problem here is that at what amount are we going to access the dollar?” Gillis-Harry asked.

He added, “How are we sourcing it, are we to source it at the black market rate? Or are we sourcing it at the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) rate?”

When told that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency had said it would ensure that marketers access forex at the same rate with the NNPC, Billy-Gillis said many dealers had yet to receive any correspondence on that.

The PPPRA Secretary, Abdukadir Saidu had observed in the past that the deregulation of the sector came with its pains.

Posted on

Petroleum marketers want full deregulation of downstream sector -DAPPMAN

In a statement on Sunday, Winifred Akpani, DAPPMAN chairman, urged the federal government to take a step further by fully deregulating the downstream sector to allow the sector enhance economic growth.

The government, in March, introduced a price modulation policy where international product prices and associated landing costs in Nigeria are used as input in the determination of final pricing to the local market by the government through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and disclosed periodically.

Commending the government for consistently seeking ways to reposition the sector for effectiveness and profitability, Akpani said DAPPMAN remained in full support of the implementation of a fully deregulated regime which will make the downstream sector’s operations more seamless, enhance transparency, competitiveness and sustainable growth.

DAPPMAN is mindful of the commitment of the government and the functional organs managing the sector to ensuring value to every Nigerian and we salute them for this as we are indeed up against uncertain times,” she said.

“However, we believe that full deregulation of the sector remains the most viable option for Nigeria to effectively navigate this period and ultimately safeguard the future of our economy and wellbeing of 200 million Nigerians.”

Akpani explained that deregulation will open up the sector for fresh investments and diversification which will translate in stable demand and supply regimes that will ensure that consumers have uninterrupted access to affordable quality products without the huge financial burden currently borne by the government.

Posted on

Ondo Guber: Oyetola implores Ondo voters not to change winning team

.Rallies Osun indigenes’ support for Akeredolu

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola Saturday urged the people of Ondo State to ensure they re-elect Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in next month’s governorship election, declaring that “you don’t change a winning team. “

Oyetola, who led a strong delegation comprising his Deputy, Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and some cabinet members to Akure, the Ondo State capital for the re-election campaign flag-off of Akeredolu, who is the All Progressives Congress, APC, standard bearer for the poll, noted that Akeredolu’s re-election will further engender socio-economic growth and development of the State.

Speaking with journalists in Akure, shortly before making his way to the stadium, venue of the rally, the Osun Governor, who had earlier met with the representatives of Osun indigenes resident in Ondo to rally support for Akeredolu, further said the Ondo Governor has opened up the State for economic prosperity.

“We can all see the Ore bridge built by him and several other roads. The Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, Ore, I understand led to the employment of over 4, 000 persons.

“The Deep Sea Port, the process of which I understand has reached 80 percent, will further enhance the IGR of the State and would make the State less dependent on FG’s allocation.

“Akeredolu’s projects are set up to secure the future for generations yet unborn in Ondo State. And because you don’t change a winning team, l urge the voters in Ondo to ensure our party’s resounding victory at the poll, come October 10. In sha Allah, we shall return for the victory party after October 10,” he added.

Speaking on the defection of Agboola Ajayi from the APC and the party’s electoral chances, Governor Oyetola, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of Ondo APC National Campaign Council, further said, “if you look at the APC in Ondo today, we are more united than we were four years ago.

“With all those who contested against Akeredolu four years ago at the primary with him today, I am confident that Akeredolu’s re-election will be seamless.”

Posted on

Lagos Reaffirms Commitment to Protection of Citizens’ Rights

The Director, Directorate of Citizens Rights, DCR, in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odusanya, has pleaded with all residents of the State to always approach the Office for the protection of their fundamental human rights rather than suffering in silence or resorting to self-help.

Odusanya, who made the plea recently during an interview session on a Radio Lagos programme called “Eda wa l’ohun”, described DCR as a place where masses with challenges find succour, saying that the present administration is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the citizens live in peace, love and harmony.

She said that the Directorate has the right of accepting petitions on alleged human rights violation and other matters affecting women, widows, orphans as well as child abuse victims.

“At DCR, there’s always protection for our women and men in terms of protecting rights against physical abuse, child abuse, exploitation, rape, incest and sexual assault, emotional, verbal and psychological abuse and more”, Odusanya reiterated.

According to her, DCR conducts prison watch services as a way of improving prison conditions and addressing human rights violation of inmates, especially those awaiting trial, adding that provisions also exist for amicable settlement of disputes between employers and employees, landlords and tenants among others.

In her words: “The protection of our children is not also left out, in terms of the right to life, survival, right to freedom, rights to free primary education, encouragement of secondary and tertiary education, right to health and health services and balanced development, all these and other rights are protected under the Child Rights Law of Lagos State”.

While saying that the Office can only intervene on matters brought to its attention, the Director implored residents of the State to explore the channels of complaints made available by the directorate.

She, therefore, assured all residents that the Directorate of Citizens Rights, under the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, is always ready to intervene in all wrongful acts towards providing an amicable solution.

Posted on

You are higher assassins, Mike Bamiloye chides people who dress seductively to Church

Today, social media was awashed with series of controversies trailing the statement credited to Mike Bamiloye, the founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries International.

Mike Bamiloye says people who dress seductively to church are “hired assassins.”

This statement was contained in his recent post on his social media page, the clergyman decried the trend where people dress “to kill” in churches, suggesting that such practice not only promote immorality but constitute distraction to other worshippers.

“You dress seductively to church. You decided to dress ‘to kill’. You dance suggestively to worship songs. You purposely dance ‘To slay’. And truthfully are you not a ‘hired assassin’ in the church?,” he wrote.

Bamiloye has made the headlines on numerous occasions for his comments on societal issues often interpreted from a religious perspective.

In March, he had claimed that Africa’s initial low record of the coronavirus was due to fasting and prayers.

He had also claimed that husband snatchers will be on the losing side if the lockdown introduced to combat spread of COVID-19 continues.

In another of such, Bamiloye said Nollywood movies bound people in the bondage of sin, immorality and violence.

“Gospel movies perform deliverance from the powers of darkness. Nollywood movies entertain and entangle with webs of human philosophies and ungodly principles,” he had said.

You cannot copy content of this page