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“Sanwo-Olu Is In Your Face When It Is Demolition, But when It Is Flooding, There Is No Emergency” – Rhodes-Vivour

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour

By Akinwale Kasali

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour,  Labour Party,  LP, Governorship Candidate at the 2023  Gubernatorial Election in Lagos State has taken a swipe at the Lagos State Government, and lashed it for not being proactive in disaster management in the State.

Rhodes-Vivour said the approach of the Lagos State Government in addressing the flooding that submerged several areas in the State was not well managed by the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu led Government. He faulted the Lagos Government ’s flood and disaster management efforts.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Rhodes-Vivour advised the Government to initiate wetland protection policies that would mitigate and manage the impact of annual flood.

He said: “What is more painful to me is that I see a Government that is in your face and very active when it comes to demolition but you have this kind of thing (flood) you don’t see any emergency response or protocol.

“We are not seeing men on the ground. We are not seeing intelligence being given out early: ‘avoid these routes’. There were no diversions.

“I don’t feel a sense of ‘I told you so’. Anybody who loves Lagos well enough and has looked at the history of Lagos would see these things way before they happen.

“Which is why it is very painful to see the government pass the buck to the citizens when they have no forward planning or when they show no empathy for the destruction that happens to Lagosians every year.

“We need a wetland protection policy. Wetlands are nature’s sinkholes and indiscriminate sandfilling is pushing water away and the city has to deal with it.

“We also need to address this issue with a forward-thinking mindset by bringing in innovations like the flood protection canal in Japan.

“We cannot just be talking about gutters anymore. We need to have a well-managed mechanised hydronic system.”

Rhodes-Vivour made this statements on the heel of the flooding on Wednesday following a downpour that ravaged the commercial capital of the country, rendering several persons homeless, and Cars submerged.

Imo Set To Complete Abandoned IMSU Multi-Million Naira Water Treatment Plant

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Professor Uchefula Chukwumaeze

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Vice Chancellor of the Imo state University, Owerri  IMSU, Professor Uchefula Chukwumaeze, has assured that all necessary support  will be given  to the State Government to ensure the completion of the institution’s multi-million Naira water  project.

This is even as the Imo State Government said getting the moribund project back on stream will ameliorate the water supply needs of the University community and Owerri environs.

To this end, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Ozo Obinna Ogwuegbu, informed that  the Imo State Government has put all necessary  machineries in motion to complete the construction processes of the water scheme .

He emphasised  the crucial role the project will play in the lives of the IMSU students, staff and residents of the University environs when fully functional.

The Commissioner who spoke in Owerri ,the State capital on Friday July 5, 2024, while addressing the Media, said the reactivation move, will also ensure that huge resources already invested in the scheme in the past do not go down the drain.

Ogwuegbu expressed the readiness of the State authorities to explore partnership with all relevant entities in the task of rejigging and completing the water project.

According to him, the Governor Hope Uzodinma- led administration in the State is committed to providing essential amenities and creating enabling environment for the citizens and residents to  realize their full potentials .

When completed the multi million naira Imo state university water scheme will serve the university community and its environs within  the capital city.

“The Imo State University Water Scheme mini- treatment plant is crucial to the health and over all wellbeing of the students, staff and other residents of the city” the Commissioner noted .

The IMSU Vice Chancellor, promised that the University Management will provide all the necessary support needed to ensure the successful completion of the water scheme.

Consequently,, Prof Chukwumaeze directed the University’s Director of Work Services and Physical Planning to work out the areas the University could assist in fast tracking the processes of completing the project.

Fulani Herdsmen Attack Amotekun Officers In Ondo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Amotekun Corps

By Ayodele Oni

Fulani herdsmen have attacked men of Amotekun security corps in Ondo state leaving some of them seriously wounded.

The incident which happened Friday evening, along a village at Akure/ Ado Ekiti highway, forced some of the officers to make a retreat following heavy bombardment from the herdsmen.

Jimoh Adeniken, Public relations officer Ondo Amotekun, explained in a statement on Saturday that “Upon constant complaints from many farmers in the Igoba and Osi areas of Akure North Local Government since the 6th of May 2024 till date, the agency of Amotekun corps from the Headquarters in Alagbaka Akure, responded today dated 5th of July 2024, at about 1600 hours.

“During the operation, the corps surveillance team was led to the farms by the owners. On getting there, they met over one hundred and twenty cows ravaging the farms and there was nobody with the cows.

“Determined to enforce the anti-open grazing law of the State, the operatives of the Amotekun corps moved the cows out of the farms, and while passing by the Sango Area, at Igoba, along Ado Road in Akure, groups of armed Fulani herdsmen attacked the officers with stones, bottles, cutlasses, and guns.

“Thereafter, the corps retreated based on the order from the state Headquarters of the Amotekun corps.

“Furthermore, the assailants continued to throw stones and bottles till they invaded the main road and hacked one of the Amotekun officers to a coma, while attempting to disarm the officers and men of the Amotekun corps.

“Sequentially, the officers of the Amotekun Corps shot into the air to dislodge them and move back to the office.

“Unfortunately, other officers sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack and they are currently receiving medical attention at the Hospital.

“Hence, the owner of the cows have been identified while investigation continues by the corps.”

The government of Ondo state had on August 31st, 2021,  signed the Anti-Grazing Bill into law.

The decision, which was is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum, was aimed at stemming needless instances of skirmishes, conflicts as well as infractions on the enviably peaceful disposition of the good people of Ondo State.

The statement added that “Government will continue to pursue with vigour, through lawful means, to ensure strict compliance of the law with a view to ensuring, that the efforts of farmers would not be truncated through destruction of their farmlands by herders and their cows.

“Officers of the Corps will however, continue to carry out its legal functions of protecting people of the state as well as their properties.”

Ondo Gov Election: Gov Aiyedatiwa Wants To Buy Over Opposition Candidates – YPP Alleges

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Young Progressives Party, (YPP) in Ondo State has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using State resources to buy over opposition parties which field candidates for November poll.

Apparently reacting to the collapsing of structures by the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) and throwing support behind Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, YPP noted that this could jeopardize the integrity of the current democratic process.

A statement by Ayodeji Oluleye Director General, YPP governorship campaign team at the weekend alleged that the incumbent government is exploiting its power and control over state resources to undermine opposition parties through a political merchandising strategy.

“This tactic is designed to weaken and absorb opposition structures, thereby jeopardizing the integrity of our democratic process.

“Central to this alarming situation is the alleged collapse of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) into the incumbent’s camp.

“Such political maneuvering betrays the principles of fair competition and undermines the fundamental tenets of democracy upon which our nation was founded.

“The Young Progressives Party views these actions as contrary to democratic values and a dangerous precedent threatening to erode the foundations of governance in our state.

“It is regrettable that opposition politics in Ondo State is being reduced to a commercial venture, where principles are sacrificed for expediency and power.

“The commercialization of our political landscape threatens to strip away our liberties and diminish our democratic rights.

“The Young Progressives Party unequivocally condemns the practice of commercializing opposition politics.

“It catalyzes totalitarianism and regression in governance, stifling dissenting voices and subverting the people’s will. Elections should be a solemn exercise where citizens freely choose their leaders based on merit, integrity, and vision for development.

“As a party committed to the ideals of democracy and good governance, the YPP reaffirms its dedication to the people of Ondo State.

“We are resolute in our mission to offer a viable alternative rooted in serious, people-oriented, and development-driven governance.

“Our candidacy in the upcoming gubernatorial election on the 16th of November represents not just a political ambition but a pledge to uphold transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.”

Court Ruling On Pro-Wike Lawmakers: Gov Fubara Cites Psalm 23, Says “The Worst Is Over”

By
Ayodele Oni
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Siminalayi Fubara
Governor Siminalayi Fubara

By Ayodele Oni

Rivers State Governor, Similanayi Fubara, has said he is not deterred by the Appeal Court ruling that reinstated the 23 pro-Wike lawmakers.

Speaking to Journalists in Khana, Khana Local Government Area on Friday, Fubara who went biblical expressed his confidence in God’s guidance and provision, citing Psalm 23:5.

He assured the people of Rivers State that his administration remains committed to delivering good governance despite challenges.

He said: “I know that a lot of you will be wondering what is going on and all that. Government has its own challenges.

“If you go to the book of Psalm 23 verse 5, in the Bible, it said that God prepares a table before you; it can be before anybody. But there is an underlined word that should be noted there: it said ‘in the presence of your enemies’. So, it means that nothing comes easy.

“I want to assure everyone of you and the good people of Rivers State, that we are not deterred. We have made our promises, we will continue to give you good governance, no matter how difficult it is.

“But, like I said before, the worse is over. We are moving on to ensure that we continue to provide what is needed for the development of our state.”

Governor Fubara also highlighted his administration’s priority sectors: health, education, and agriculture. He announced plans to visit project sites in Degema, Ahoada, Omoku, and Rumuigbo to inspect the progress of the Modern General and Psychiatric Hospitals.

The Governor expressed satisfaction with the ongoing zonal hospital project in Khana, which will benefit not only the people of Khana and Gokana, but also his own constituency, Opobo/Nkoro.

He assured the people that his administration would complete and utilize the facility for quality healthcare.

The Governor noted that his administration inherited non-functional zonal hospitals and released funds last month for the reconstruction and expansion of four zonal hospitals to provide quality healthcare facilities for the people.

“Any Further Misinterpretation Of My Rulings, I Will Jail You” – Judge Warns Gov. Yusuf’s Spokesman, Other Govt.  Officials

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano Sfate

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“I know that the Governor  has immunity, but I have the liberty to jail any of his aides for unguarded utterances against the decision of the Court” – Justice Simon Amobeda

With the above words, the Justice of a Federal High Court sitting in Kano fired a warning shot at the Kano State Government and some of its aides for their perceived penchant for misinterpreting Court pronouncements.

Justice Amobeda issued the warning on Thursday July 4 2024 while delivering his ruling on the application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, challenging the the constitution of a Panel to probe State finances during his regime.

While delivering his ruling on the motion on notice Justice Amobeda specifically order a Certified True Copy, CTC, be served on the State Government and/or any of its Representative at the Court.

This, he said, is to prevent the State Government and/or its privies from further  misrepresenting his pronouncements.

He ordered that the CTC be served on the Governor’s Media aide, Sanusi Bature    Dawakin Tofa, who he pointedly accused of being one of those in the habit of twisting his rulings.

The trial Judge, also, threatened to commit the  Governor’s Spokesperson   to jail should he fail to purge himself of the tendency to misrepresent his judgements.

He noted that the continued misinterpretation of judicial pronouncements by the Kano State Government has tended to undermine the  integrity of Court verdicts

The Source reports that in his ruling, Justice Amobeda had, among others, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to two serving High Court Judges, Farouk Lawan Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf, to rescue themselves from the roles assigned to them  by the Kano state Government or face National Judicial Council NJC disciplinary action.

The two Justices, were in  early May, 2024,  separately appointed at the Head of two Probe Panels constituted by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to investigate the activities of the immediate past administration of Dr Ganduje, now the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress APC .

He had, also, declared illegal

the continued investigation and prosecution of the APC National Chairman on charges of corruption

against an earlier High Court ruling to the effect that only the Federal Government and its agencies are constitutionally empowered to carry out such an inquest.

Kogi Assembly Extends Tenure Of LG Transition Committee Chairmen

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen in Kogi State will not vacate offices on Saturday, when their six months tenure expires but are to leave in January next year.

This followed the decision of the State House of Assembly to extend the tenure of the Local Government Transition Committee members by another six months.

This was part of the resolution of the state legislature during the house plenary on Friday.

The extension of the tenure of the Transition Committee Chairmen is sequel to a letter to the House by the state Governor, Usman Ododo.

Ododo explained in the letter that paucity of funds, high wage bill are some of the reasons why Local Government election cannot be conducted in the state.

Speaker of the House, Umar Yusuf, who read the letter, charged the transition committee chairmen to be good ambassadors of their respective Local Governments.

“In the next six months, it will be interesting at the local government level as there will be mostly submission of reports to the Assembly. The Chairmen henceforth should take note of this.”

It was gathered that the tenure of the 21 Transition Committee Chairmen in Kogi State is expected to expire on the 8th of July, 2024.

Following the approval by the House, the Transition Committee Chairmen are now expected to vacate their offices on 8th January 2025 when the local government election will be duly conducted.

Anambra: 59 Dead People, 40 Pensioners, Five “Japa”, 400 Ghost Workers, Drawing Salaries From LGAs – Govt

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

Six out of 14 IMSU Certificates presented by Staff were fake

59 dead persons, 40 pensioners and five individuals currently residing abroad are among a total of 400 ghost civil servants still drawing salaries and other allowances from the coffers of Anambra State Local Government Service Commission.

Besides, a sizable number of workers under the system are parading fake academic credentials usually procured for them by some certificate racketeering cartels operating in the Local Councils.

These startling revelations were made on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Awka the State Capital by the Chairman of the Commission, Vincent Ezeaka.

The 400 ghost workers were discovered in the 21 Local Councils of the State during a recent verification exercise, he disclosed.

Ezeaka who noted that the exercise is neither politically motivated, nor meant to witch hunt, further stated that two persons who are in the employ of two tertiary institutions, after voluntary retirement, are still collecting salaries.

He maintained that the exercise was principally informed by the desire of the Government to ensure the reign of sanity in the system.

“It is our duty to sanitize the system in line with the mandate given to us by Governor Chukwuma Soludo so that the genuine workers who sacrifice their time and energy can get value for their services and not looters who do not contribute anything to the development of Anambra State.

We are waiting for the Verification Committee to conclude its findings, then we move into action . I want to be thorough and that is why the Governor appointed me . The system is bleeding.” the Commission’s Chairman lamented .

According to him, those whose certificates are currently under scrutiny were first indicted, thereby prompting a full scale investigation into their trajectories.

“Those indicted were identified and we started investigating the certificates they presented to the committee and went as far as going to the universities that they are brandishing their certificates .

“We set up a Committee which came up with a report on people with suspicious certificates working in the various Local Government Areas of Anambra state.

“We then set up a Screening Committee that indicted so many of them

“Out of 20 persons who tendered Imo State University Certificates ,we discovered that out of the 14 so far screened six were fake” Ezeaka noted .

The Chairman lamented that there are many certificate racketeering syndicates within the system that help in procuring fake credentials for needy local council workers.

He, however, assured that the authorities will take all necessary steps in visiting the full weight of the law on all those found culpable in the whole criminal activities going on at the local council levels

Lagos: GAC Meets LAHA On Proposed Lagos Electricity Law

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Akinwale Kasali

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has met a delegation of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, in a closed door meeting, which afforded both parties a fruitful discussion concerning the proposed Lagos Electrification Agency Law which recently scaled its second reading during plenary.

The GAC delegation at the meeting included Cardinal James Odumbaku, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Otunba Henry Ajomale, Dr. Yomi Finnih, and Otunba Femi Pedro.

On Tuesday, June 25, Obasa committed the bill to the Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources with a two-week mandate for the latter to report back to the House.

This was after Lawmakers at the day’s sitting debated the pros and cons of the bill which targets to repeal the Lagos Electric Power Reform Law, 2018, to provide for the creation and administration of the Lagos Electricity Market.

The bill further seeks to establish a commercial and technical regulatory framework for the electricity market with the purpose of ensuring reliable and universal access to electricity for all residents of the State.

Also, the bill seeks to establish the Lagos State Electrification Fund for the delivery of reliable electricity supply to the underserved areas of the State.

Speaking about the bill, the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Sobur Oluwa, had said it was “very essential as it gives room for Lagos State to regulate its power supply and transmit electricity at its own pace.”

CAPPA Launches Healthy Food Policy

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, is insistent on promoting healthy living among Nigerians. To this end, it
has inaugurated the Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard, HFPYV, programme with a youth-focused public health and food justice advocacy.

At a two-day event held in Lagos, CAPPA trained and inducted no fewer than 28 young Nigerians as HFPYV pioneers from across the country.

Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA’s Executive Director, stated that the HFPYV is designed to equip youths to promote healthy lifestyles and resist attempts by corporations to–through food and dietary products or practices–jeopardize public health.

He emphasised that HFPYV is particularly youth-focused because young people’s dietary and lifestyle choices are the target of corporations that prioritise profits over health.

He said: “We take on campaigns that are targeted at the youth. Today, if you look at the food justice campaign, you’ll find out that the most targeted group are the youth. When you look around, look at their adverts, you’ll see that they are targeted at the youth.

“Digital and social media have become one major tool that they use and have been using for this recruitment of consumers, and who are the most active on those platforms? They’re the youths.

“So, it behoves on us too as we embark on some of these campaigns to get the youths actively involved. We would have loved to bring close to 100 youths or more to this kind of gathering and, hopefully, we will be able to do more in different parts of Nigeria.

Oluwafemi charged the youth to “see this as a call to duty, at a very young age, to dare to be different, to date to think critically, to not to see things the ordinary way people see things, to question everything and dig out facts and be informed, most informed about the choices we make, the choices of food, choices of lifestyle that we embark on because corporations are trying to turn us to robots that only respond and do what they make us think. They do that by sending certain signals to our brains and we react to those and ultimately those things affect our lives.”

Expert guests and facilitators at the event included In-Country Coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Initiative, GHAI, Joy Amafa, Public Health Specialist, University College Hospital and University of Ibadan, Dr. Francis Fagbule and In-Country Coordinator of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Michael Olaniyan, among others.

Amafa, a public health professional with experience overseeing public health programs for the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Nigeria, noted that GHAI supports civil society organisations that advocate for health policies to reduce deaths and diseases.

“Youth advocacy is an integral part of our work. As a matter of fact, recently it’s been gaining a lot of traction because as we all know, youths have the unique opportunity to make life-lasting impacts. A lot is going on around the world and I’m really excited that this youth vanguard is being launched. I’m really looking forward to what we will achieve, the impact we will make in Nigeria and beyond,” Amafa added.

Other participants included representatives of civil society organisations and youth groups, among others.

The inductees expressed satisfaction with the training and pledged to use the knowledge gained to promote healthy diets and lifestyle choices.

ThankGod Ochai, Deputy Coordinator, YALI Network Ekiti, said: “As a member of HFPYV, I’m committed to driving positive change in Nigeria’s food landscape.

“The two major things I’ve learned from the training are the impact of sugar consumption on public health and strategies for effective policy engagement and the role of youth in driving change.

“I intend to use the organisation I’m currently working with as a platform to collaborate with schools and promote healthy food choices. I also have a social media platform called Volunteer Compass on Facebook, which I will use to raise awareness about the impact of sugar consumption on public health through campaigns.”

Daniel Ibikitan, Teens Leadership Coach/Monitoring and Evaluation expert, said he gained “a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence and impact of diet-related diseases in Nigeria among young people. This includes the rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases linked to poor dietary habits.

“The training highlighted the role of processed and ultra-processed foods in contributing to poor health outcomes. These foods are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, leading to increased risks of chronic diseases.

“I plan to initiate and participate in campaigns to raise awareness about the health risks associated with poor diets and the benefits of healthy eating. Using social media, community workshops, and school programs, we can educate the public on making healthier food choices.”

Ibikitan identified schools as an excellent platform for “promoting healthy diets among children. I plan to collaborate with schools to implement nutrition education programs and improve school meal standards.”

He added: “As a monitoring and evaluation officer, I believe that continuous monitoring and evaluation of implemented policies and programs are essential to assess their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. I will advocate for the establishment of systems to track progress and impact.

Oluwaseyi Ademo Olayemi, a researcher and youth development advocate from Osun State said: “I learnt about food justice and why it is important that everyone is able to eat healthily. It is believed that access to healthy food will improve the general well-being and strength of young people to demand for good governance.

“I was also able to broaden my knowledge of why the government must increase the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax to reduce people’s access to it. Habitual consumption of SSBs by Nigerians will only lead to an unhealthy population.

“Lastly, the digital advocacy session opened my eyes to the various ways through which social media can be used to advocate for a diseased free nation.”

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