Diesel, Generator Dealers Sabotaging Electricity Supply- Ex-Power Minister

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October 19, 2023

A former Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji has accused marketers of Diesel in the country of sabotaging the government’s plan to achieve a stable power supply in the country.

The former minister who served under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan said as long as diesel suppliers and generator dealers continue with the act, the quest by Nigerians to enjoy stable electricity will remain a mirage.

Recall that the professor was unceremoniously removed from office in August 2012 by the former president after serious pressure was said to have been mounted on him.

For years, the efforts by the government to ensure stable power have remained elusive despite more than N7 trillion believed to have been spent to revive the sector.

Last month, the national grid collapsed twice as Nigerians expressed cast more doubts on the capacity of the current administration to turn things around in the sector despite its promise to do so.

But Prof. Nnaji said the situation could remain the same so long as the diesel and generator suppliers are sabotaging the efforts to revive the sector because they believe “stable power supply would destroy their business.”

He said, “Nigeria is a big user of generatorsr because of our enormous power need and those who are in the business would not want any interruption.

“The diesel suppliers feel that stable power supply would destroy their business.

“A graphic picture of how dangerous the diesel suppliers can be was experienced when we were in government, somewhere in this country, some men cut down 30KVA line to stop electricity supply to thousands of users.

“Unfortunately, the diesel supplying company sponsored the operation.

“Incidentally the power cable fell on one of them, who later confessed to the crime.”

Checks showed that Nigeria has the lowest access to electricity globally, with about 90 million persons out of the country’s 200 million population lacking access to power, according to the Energy Progress Report 2022 released by Tracking SDG 7.

Alaafin: Gov Makinde Sends EFCC After Oyo Kingmakers

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James Orji

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October 19, 2023

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Some Oyomesi aka Kingmakers have been quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over the ongoing contest for the Alaafin of Oyo stool.

The former Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi died over a year ago and serious contestation among qualified princes in the ancient town who are angling to succeed him has followed his demise.

The governor of the state, Seyi Makinde has been criticized for slowing down the process of installing a new Alaafin, an allegation the state government denied.

Sources to Agodi Government House had informed the magazine that the governor refused to install a particular candidate favoured by the kingmakers after he got wind that they have been bribed by him.

Governor Makinde promised to punish those involved in the bribery allegation.

On Wednesday, the anti-graft agency invited some of the kingmakers alleged to have taken bribes for questioning.

According to Punch newspaper, those invited by EFCC include Basorun of Oyo town, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Agbaakin of Oyo town, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda; Samu of Oyo town, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale; Lagunna of Oyo town, High Wakilu Oyedepo; and Akinniku of Oyo town.

It was gathered that the petitioner alleged that the kingmakers collected bribes running into millions of naira to favour a particular candidate, hence the decision of EFCC to summon the kingmakers for questioning.

Investigations further revealed, however, that only Oloye Agbaakin and Oloye Samu honoured the EFCC invitation while Basorun, Lagunna and Akinniku were said to be absent.

Those present were said to be accompanied by their lawyers and were asked to write a statement in defence of the allegation as stated in the petition before they were released.

As of press time, details of their defence were not known.

One of the kingmakers, High Chief Oyewale confirmed the invitation by the EFCC

“Yes, we were invited. We have gone and come back,” he said.

Fidelity Bank Takes Hip-Hop Star, Kcee To US FITCC Trade Expo

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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October 19, 2023

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Following the successful maiden edition that was held last November in London with over $200 million worth of deals closed, the bank is set for another edition of the globally rated expo.

This year’s edition follows the tradition of promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports as well as facilitating integrations to global supply-chain networks.

The second edition of the international expo will take place from October 24 to 25, 2023 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas.

Nneka Oyeali-ikpe, the bank’s chief executive said, “Fidelity Bank is very much invested in supporting export trade and has consistently demonstrated this by the interventions and innovations that we bring to the space.

“Beyond the instrument of financing, some of our key interventions in the space revolve around business management capacity development with initiatives like the Export Management Programme (EMP) which we host in partnership with the Lagos Business School and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and market access development initiatives like FITCC.”

According to the details provided by the commercial bank, guests would be exposed to exhibitions by some of the very best of Nigerian businesses operating in the commodities, agriculture, FINTECH, fashion, arts, and allied sectors during the two-day event.

Similarly, several panel discussions would be held across the various halls at the venue as stakeholders and leaders in the business, regulatory, and investment sectors of the US and Nigerian economies share ideas on bilateral trade opportunities.

FITCC Houston would climax with a gala dinner on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 which would feature award-winning Nigerian hip-hop star, Kcee amongst other entertainers. Registration for this event is still open at www.fitccusa.com.

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank with over 8 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank was recognized as the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards. The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions, BAFI Awards.

Abia: Don’t Appoint ‘Suspect’ Billionaires As LGA Chairmen, Group Warns Gov Otti

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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October 19, 2023

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The Coalition of Civil Society Groups has warned Governor Alex Otti of Abia state that his plan to appoint billionaires in the state as Local Government Caretaker chairmen will be counter-productive.

The group urged him to jettison the plan, saying some of those the governor is planning to appoint to the 17 councils may have integrity problems capable of casting a slur on his administration.

The former banker and governor during an event at the Aba Sports Club unveiled his plan to appoint billionaires as Mayors of the 17 council areas.

Governor Otti, three days ago appointed foremost Industrialist, Ide John Udeagbala as the Mayor Of Aba City, to drive home his point.

Reacting, the rights body said some of the names being mentioned for such positions are unfit for the positions, it demanded the state government conduct integrity test on such persons.

According to a statement signed by its chairman, Johnson Uzor Emeh, and Secretary, Veronica Ijeoma Nwogu, the group hinted that one of the candidates being considered has a certificate forgery allegation hanging on his neck.

The State House of Assembly has already been petitioned to investigate the unnamed candidate, the statement said.

Part of the statement said: “Recently, there is a viral video where you emphasized that billionaires will be appointed as chairmen of local governments.

“Your Excellency, we brought this to your notice because we are aware of your hard earned integrity and mage going by your antecedents. We will not like anything that will bring your reputation and that new Abia under your watch to disrepute. We struggled hard to ensure that the old order in Abia was chased away.

“The new Abia can’t thrive if we keep quiet when we notice some flash points of the old Abia.

“The rumours of appointment of these suspected persons are gaining ground. The rumours may be occasioned by your utterances eulogizing some of these billionaires who are under investigation of fake certificate and financial misappropriation in the last administration.

“We wish to reiterate that appointments as LGA chairmen should be based on integrity, notable antecedents, sound morals and good administrative acumen and a certain level of education and the fear of God to change the status quo. Most of these billionaires have looted public funds , forged certificates and are involved into many nefarious activities known to the society. So, just being wealthy without a critical look on their source of wealth will bring Abia back to the old days.

“We use this medium to demand that any appointee with allegations of corruption and fake certificate should be thoroughly investigated. It will not be good if such matters are not swept under the carpet.

“Recall that everyone is celebrating Prof. Nnenna Oti , the Vice Chancellor of the FUTO because of her courage to do the right thing during your election. She displayed integrity and capacity which should be our guiding principle in the new Abia, not on wealth. We are also confident that you will see the merit of this letter and not on the wealth and financial status of the writers.

“Truth is constant and will always be. We will always call your attention to issues that may hinder your mission to realize the new Abia of our dream.”

Tinubu Counters IMF, Plans $1bn GDP

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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October 19, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to grow the nation’s economy to $1 trillion in eight years.

Nigeria is among the top three economies in the continent with a Growth Domestic Product, GDP rate of over $450 billion, currently bigger than that of Egypt and South Africa.

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, recently said the nation’s economy is closely being trailed by the two other economies in the continent, with the possibility of Nigeria’s economy being overtaken by South Africa.

According to the IMF World Economic Outlook for October released last week, South Africa’s gross domestic product will reach $401bn compared to Nigeria’s $395bn and Egypt’s $358bn.

But, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said in a state statement on Wednesday that the administration will double the country’s GDP by the end of 2027.

The target is to raise the GDP to seven percent annually from the current 3.5 percent, the president said.

According to him, the country targets a GDP growth rate of seven percent from the current 3.5 percent.

The statement said, “With this new commitment to the real sector, the economy is expected to see a boost in job creation and a general increase in economic indices, especially GDP growth rates, projected to move from above 3.5 per cent from 2024 to 7 per cent.

“The ambition of President Tinubu is to grow our economy from the current $ 450 billion GDP to $ 1 trillion in the next eight years.

“To actualize this, the government devised a roadmap to stimulate industrial growth, especially catalyzing SMEs growth and reviving up the entire industrial sector.”

New Law Protects Ekiti Electricity Consumers Against Extortion – Gov. Oyebanji

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Ayodele Oni

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October 19, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that Electricity Distribution Companies would henceforth find it herculean to cheat electricity consumers in the State due to the enactment of a new law that shields them against brazen extortion.

The Governor revealed that the new law, now mandates the users to pay based on electricity used, thereby prohibiting the estimated billing system that subjects the citizens to outrageous bills monthly.

Oyebanji disclosed this at Omuo Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government Council on Wednesday, while commissioning the 33KV electricity network extended to communities in Ekiti East, Ayekire and Gbonyin Local Government Areas, that had been in total black out for over a decade.

The Governor said such ugly situation, whereby communities will be in perpetual darkness for years won’t reoccur in Ekiti again, particularly under his leadership.

Insisting that consumers of electricity are now well protected by law, Oyebanji said: “I have signed a new bill into law that will make it impossible for anybody to cheat electricity users.

“Let me also say openly here that the reconnection project was fully funded by the state government, the BEDC didn’t play any role in it.

“Estimated billing has been the problem, but if you pay for what you used, nobody will complain. The new law will never allow anybody to cheat us in Ekiti, because you will now be paying for what you use. That they will come and cheat us will not happen again.”

The Governor, who sympathized with the people for being plunged into unwarranted darkness for over a decade, said such tendency is capable of grinding the economic activities of the people to a halt.

“It is very bad that you were made to be in darkness for over a decade. We know the importance of light , we are not unaware that being cut off from the national grid can hinder economic growth of our communities.

“In concluding this project, we encountered a lot of challenges. Apart from the challenge we faced with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC), we also had other challenges to make this project successful. That is why we must protect all the facilities in our communities against vandalism.

“We did this because if we are able to solve the problem of electricity, our dams are functional and it will be easy for us to pump water into our reservoirs. There is a connect between the two.

“I want to appreciate the traditional rulers and other citizens for their calmness during the turbulent time. But try and protect those electricity installations.

“Let me give you assurances that your light will be regular and nobody can vandalize it . This ugly situation will never occur in our communities again.”

“Babachir Lawal, Failed Lightweight Politician, Damaged By Obi’s Presidential Loss – APC

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Adesina Soyooye

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October 18, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

In response to the garb thrown its way and that of President Bola Tinubu by Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed him as a politician without clout who thinks himself as big and important, when he is the opposite.

Lawal, a former staunch member of the APC who parted ways with the Party and its Presidential Candidate, now Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, in a statement on Monday said Peter Obi won the Presidential Election of February 25, 2023, not Tinubu. Obi is the Candidate of the Labour Party, and was supported fully by Lawal.

Lawal criticised Tinubu’s Government as well as his political appointees, especially, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Yemi Cardoso and Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle. He called them unfit for the job.

He said Tinubu was third in the Presidential Election behind Obi and the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and advised that given the controversies surrounding Tinubu and his Government since his Presidency, he should take the honourable path and resign from office.

But in response to Lawal, the APC, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Babachir Lawal is filled with bitterness because Tinubu refused to pick him as his running mate. The party noted that Obi’s defeat has done “incalculable damage” to the former SGF’s “psyche”, and dismissed him as one without any political clout.

The statement, also, accused Lawal of “peddling gibberish, rather than learn from his political misadventure with equanimity.”

Said Morka: “Clearly, the defeat of his principal, Peter Obi, at the poll has done incalculable damage to Mr. Lawal’s psyche and his capacity for rational thought as evident in his analysis based entirely on the figment of his warped imagination rather than on hard facts and figures. A clear sign of his disconnect from reality was his reference to the election held in May 2023, rather than February.

“We challenge Babachir Lawal to give a detailed breakdown of his so-called ‘aggregated facts sourced from independent sources,’ which he claimed proved that Obi won the election or forever keep mute.

“That he did not provide these facts to help Obi prove his case before the Presidential Elections Petitions Court is a massive disservice if not betrayal of his political principal.

“Babachir Lawal ought to have known that running a jaundiced commentary on a matter before the Supreme Court is the height of irresponsibility.

“But he is still nursing bitterness and vindictiveness over his failed dream of running on a joint ticket with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Indeed, Babachir Lawal is in dire need of professional counseling and deserves our collective pity. It is obvious he may never get over the pain of being tossed into the dustbin of political ignominy by President Bola Tinubu who, against all odds, defeated Mr Peter Obi that exploited our religious and ethnic fault lines in his campaign for the nation’s highest office.

“Thankfully, Nigerians across all ethnic and religious divides, saw through Babachir Lawal’s and Peter Obi’s shenanigans and voted for the best candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“Furthermore, it is very uncharitable for Mr. Babachir Lawal to call to question the professional competence of President Tinubu’s appointees, some of whom he cannot hold a candle to their political and professional accomplishments.

“Babachir Lawal is one lightweight politician who thinks himself a heavyweight. He failed spectacularly as a politician in his State of Adamawa where in three election circles he could not deliver his ward and local government in his Hong Local Government.

“Despite his legendary failure as a politician, former President Muhammadu Buhari in deference to diversity appointed him to the high office of SGF where he was unceremoniously sacked on account of very poor performance and dishonourable conduct. A man like Babachir Lawal is in no position to offer an opinion on the competence of President Tinubu’s appointees.

“We are convinced that these appointees would justify the confidence reposed in them by the President by delivering on the promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.

“And while they are at it, we would admonish Babachir Lawal to concentrate on managing his farm and stop constituting himself into a needless distraction unbefitting of his age and status.”

Lawal on Wednesday hit out again at the APC and labelled it an Islamic Party. As for Felix Morka, he called him “Mallam Felix” who will never be there when important decisions are taken.

Poverty Alleviation: How Fortune Smiled on 15 Million Households

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The Source

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October 18, 2023

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By Chidi Levi

Dr. Betta Edu, the young Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation must be a fulfilled lady. One of the poverty alleviation programmes of her Ministry- the Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) to the downtrodden- which she has passionately talked about has at last crystallized.

No sooner was she inaugurated as Minister than she hit the ground running, crisscrossing hard-to-reach areas of the country, slums, including Makoko in Lagos and IDP camps in parts of the North, promising a new lease of life for vulnerable Nigerians and intimating them about the various poverty alleviation schemes of her Ministry.

President Bola Tinubu represented Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume Tuesday launched the scheme in Abuja.

However, doubts about the feasibility and practicability of the programme persist. Critics alleged the current CCT under President Bola Tinubu is another conduit pipe for corrupt politicians given the fiasco that attended similar past programmes, including the School Feeding Programme.

For example, Mrs Benedicta Nwachi, a widow from Amagu, Oru-East council area of Imo state told this Magazine that “some people came to the village two years ago, gathered us women, especially peasant farmers, petty traders and widows, and took our names and other details and promised to return with some money for us but they never came back; we have not seen them till this moment”

However, the Minister has consistently doused such fears and doubts, assuring that the National Social Register has been thoroughly verified, updated and expanded to ensure that those who truly need the CCT receive it physically.

Notedly, in the current CCT, 15 million households will receive N25,000 for the next three months.

Speaking during the launching which coincided with the commemoration of the 2023 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a visibly elated Dr.Edu highlighted the need for all stakeholders including the private sector, development partners and other countries to support Nigeria in its aggressive drive to eliminate poverty.

“The cardinal goal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is to give the poor and vulnerable Nigerians a new breath of hope which is also in line with the SDG target.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not relent until vulnerable Nigerians are completely pulled out of poverty by 2030 “, she said

According to Dr Edu, a former Commissioner for Health in Cross River state, Conditional Cash Transfers is a proven way to alleviate poverty as they give household the financial support to start micro and small enterprises, provide basic health care, and food, keep their children in school and attend to the immediate needs of the households.

“Mr. President during the October 1st National Broadcast, announced this intervention, we have gone through a thorough rigorous process of verification for the National Social Register, giving us the lead way to begin payments. The beneficiaries are drawn from across all states in the country plus FCT and are been done in a transparent manner that is traceable and verifiable”

“Beyond this, the government will also be providing low-cost shelter for the poor and internally displaced persons as a form of providing that cover for them. Several other interventions, including the rural vocational skills Intervention, will be carried out at a country-wide scale. All of these are targeted at the various dimensions of poverty in the country.

The Minister assured that many more impact-driven poverty alleviation programs are set to be deployed for the betterment of the living conditions of Nigerians.

She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for adding Poverty Alleviation as a key thematic area of her Ministry, describing it as a first of its kind in the country.

Babachir Lawal Says APC Is An Islamic Party

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Ayodele Oni

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October 18, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, not deterred by criticisms which trailed his declaration, Monday, that Peter Obi, not Bola Tinubu, won the Presidential Election of February 25, 2023, has again come hard on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). On Wednesday, he said the party can best be described as a pure Islamic party.

In the Wednesday statement issued in Abuja, Babachir Lawal challenged the ruling party to be courageous enough to change the name of the party from the All Progressives Congress to Islamic Party of Nigeria.

He accused the party of being insensitive and taking Nigerians for granted in unlawful ways the nomenclature of the party was thwarted to suit their purpose.

“I really do sympathize with a Christian who finds himself in an Islamic party and is desperate to please his masters, and probably to be noticed, when the next round of political appointments come.

“When we founded APC way back in 2013/2014, we envisaged it will be a national party that would carry along all the different socio-political and religious tendencies of the nation.

“In those days, we were careful not to sideline any of the religions or tribes of the country in the composition of the membership and leadership of the party.

‘We wanted a party that will embrace all Nigerians. It was this that informed the principle that both the National Chairman and Secretary will not be of the same religion, tribe or region.

“Sadly, APC has now transitioned into an Islamic Party of Nigeria. All the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) from the North and some from the South are Muslims.

“They campaigned on an Islamization platform and are striving hard to run the government as such, but for the resistance of the other religions.

“All that is now left for the party is a change of name, but even this may not take long since it already has Kadmul Islam as its national chairman and a Muslim as its national secretary.

“The Deputy National Chairman North, who acts in the absence of the Chairman, National Organizing Secretary, National Legal Adviser, and three National Vice Chairmen and more, are Muslims. Good for them.

“And talking of electoral value, both the National Chairman and the National Secretary just dramatically lost in the February 25 election.

“Mallam Felix didn’t do well in his own constituency either. It is based on these considerations that I pity a Christian who finds himself in the position of a spokesperson of an Islamic party.

“Mark my words, all critical decisions will be taken behind his back during the afternoon prayer sessions, which he will be unable to attend.”

Babachir Lawal fell out with the APC and President Bola Tinubu over the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Until then, he was a close friend of President Tinubu and a strong chieftain of the APC. He switched his support to Peter Obi, the LP Presidential Candidate during the Election.

Governor Abiodun Gives N10,000 Transport Allowance To Civil Servants

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 18, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has approved the payment of N10,000 Transport Allowance to all Civil Servants in the State as palliatives to cushion the effect of the Petrol Subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

The Civil Servants would enjoy this palliative for the next six months.

The Transport Allowance was part of various interventions adopted by the State Government in the wake of the deregulation policy in July ought to have ended in September.

Governor Abiodun revealed when he met with Permanent Secretaries in the State. He disclosed that the extension would allow the State workforce to continue to cope with the effects of the subsidy removal.

He described the allowance as part of the temporary immediate-term interventions to allow the Government to come up with appropriate medium and long-term intervention plans for all categories of people in the state.

Apart from the N10,000, which also covers pensioners, the State Government also approved hazard allowance for Health and Medical Personnel, immediate release of letters of promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022, payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants and immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners.

The Governor recalled that Ogun was the first state to introduce the E-Mobility and Gas Mobility Programme with Compressed Natural Gas-enabled buses and electric-powered tricycles and motorcycles.

Governor Abiodun said the palliatives being distributed across the state have elicited applause across the country and beyond, except in a few instances where fifth columnists mischievously criticised the Government’s efforts.

According to the Governor, palliatives are not meant for people who are not in need, adding that it is impossible to distribute palliatives to the five million inhabitants of the state.

The State helmsman spoke of plans by his administration to leave legacy projects behind at the end of his tenure.

He hinted that a Special Committee on the rehabilitation of public schools would soon be set up, saying the committee would be funded through a trust fund.

Abiodun added that efforts are in top gear to improve mobility in the identifying and rehabilitating critical roads across the State.