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Lagos #EndSARS Report: Olu-Adegoruwa Says His Life In Danger; Witness Matcheted

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun Olu-Adegoruwa, one of the members of the  Justice Doris Okuwobi-led Panel Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of Special Anti Robbery Squad Related Abuses and Other Matters, has raised an alarm over the alleged plan to take his life.

The alleged attempt on the life of the Human Rights Activist is as a result of the report by the Panel that protesters were killed at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020, as against the claims of the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government that no life was lost.

In a statement by Adegboruwa titled;  Nigerians Should Hold Government Responsible If Anything Happens To Me,

he alleged that two prominent lawyers of the Government have openly incited opinions against him on national television, with mindless accusations.

He also said a prominent #EndSARS protester who testified before the Panel, Kamsiyochukwu Ibe, was attacked on Sunday night, as he called on his colleagues in the Nigerian Bar Association, Civil Rights Movement and the good people of Nigeria, to hold the Government responsible should anything happen to him.

It would be recalled that Counsel to Lagos State Government, Abiodun Owonikoko, last week on ARISE TV said that Adegoruwa had already taken a position before he was made a member of the panel.

He also alleged that there were over 40 discrepancies in the Panel report, and also, Adegoruwa was not always present at the Panel sitting.

Adegoruwa statement Monday, 22nd November, 2021, reads: “I have not committed any crime beyond joining other eminent Nigerians with unblemished integrity, to accept the nomination of government on behalf of my constituency, the Nigerian Bar Association and the civil society and the indeed the masses of our people, for a national assignment.

“Two prominent lawyers of the government have openly incited opinions against me on national television, with mindless accusations.

“I have, however, refused to be intimidated or bend to the tactics of government to be silenced.

“I urge the good people of Nigeria, my professional colleagues in the Nigerian Bar Association, my comrades in the civil rights movement and the people of Nigeria, to hold government responsible should anything happen to me.

“Just last night, one of the prominent EndSARS protesters who testified before the Panel, Miss Kamsiyochukwu Ibe, was attacked and dealt serous machete blows, in what was clearly an attempted murder, as reported by her counsel, with very disturbing photos.

“I heeded the clarion call to serve by the government with the honest believe that the Panel was meant to say the truth and nothing but the truth, which is what we have done. It is left for government and Nigerians to do the needful with the report of the Panel. God bless Nigeria”.

Counsel to #EndSARS protesters at the Lagos state Panel of Inquiry, Adesina Ogunlana, took to his Social Media handle to disclose that a prominent protester and one of his witnesses at the panel, Kamsi, has been attacked by suspected hoodlums who used a machete on her.

Adesina who shared horrifying photos of Kamsi with a deep cut on her hand wrote;

”LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE CONFIRMED LEKKI TOLL GATE MASSACRE , KAMSI, A LEADING ENDSARS PROTESTER/ PETITIONER/ WITNESS/CAMPAIGNER MATCHETED VICIOUSLY IN LAGOS . HER ATTACKERS SHONE A TORCH LIGHT ON HER FACE BEFORE ATTEMPTED MURDER , SAYING IN YORUBA AND PIDGIN ENGLISH ” OH WE KNOW YOU , SHEBI THEY HAVE WARNED YOU PEOPLE TO STOP, BUT YOU WILL NOT STOP .WHEN YOU DIE NOW, CONTINUE.”

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has set up a five-man Committee to produce a Whitepaper on the report of the Panel.

The United Nations, United States of America and the United Kingdom have urged for the implementation of the recommendations of the final findings by the Panel on the sad incident.

Finally, Uzodinma Nominates 17 As Commissioners; Northerner, Included

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

By Charles Igbo

About eight months after he dissolved the State Executive Council, Imo State  Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, finally submitted 17 names to the Imo House of Assembly as Commissioner-nominees.

The Speaker of the House, The Rt. Hon. Kenneth Ibe confirmed receipt of the nominees when he read out the names to the whole Assembly at a special sitting on Monday, November 22, 2021.

He, thereafter, referred the list to the appropriate Committee for screening.

The list includes four women, and a Northerner, Hauia Rabbi Ibrahim. Also on the list is a former Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly, Goodluck Nana Opia.

Since after the dissolution of the State Executive Council, the Governor had come under pressure from the opposition to reconstitute the SEC. But, seeing that he was not the only Governor who did not immediately reconstitute his Cabinet soon after dissolution, including Governors of the opposition party who dissolved their Cabinet before him, he rose above the pressure and instead, took his time.

He, however, soon after the dissolution recalled a couple of them holding very key positions, including the Commissioners for Finance, Information and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

He, also recalled a couple of Special Advisers and Special Assistants, including his Chief Press Secretary/Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, and his Security Adviser.

Following is the list of the new nominees.

PROF.  DURU EMMANUEL  JOSEPH CHUKWUMA

  1. PROSPER OHAYAGHA SUCCESS OBINNA CHINONS0

PROF. IFUNANYA OKORODUDU

PROF. C.O. NWOSU

  1. KEZIECHI OGAZIECHI

BARRISTER  REX ANUNOBI

LADY LOVE INEH

MRS. RUBBY EMELE

SIMON EBEGBULEM

  1. ANUKWUEM OKECHUKWU CHUKWUNYERE

CHIEF FORD OZURUMBA (ETODIKE)

HON. STANLEY OBIDIEGGWU

  1. HON. GOODLUCK NANA OPIA

MRS. ANN DOZIE

PROF. KENNETH AMAESHI (CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER)

HAUIA RABBI IBRAHIM

  1. ELIAS EMEDOM

 

Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

22/11/2021

N250M Donation: Davido, Failed To Help Me When I Was Helpless – Baba Fryo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Baba Fryo

By Akinwale Kasali

Veteran Nigerian Ghetto Musician, Friday Igwe, popularly known as Baba Fryo, has criticized Nigerian Hip Hop sensation, David Adeleke (Davido), over the N250 Million donation to Orphanages across the country.

The “Dem go dey pose” crooner, knocked Davido for, allegedly, playing to the gallery and unnecessary show off, stressing that when he needed help as a result of depression, he reached out to the “Ema Dami Duro”, crooner for financial assistance but was neglected and rejected.

Baba Fryo, opined that the multiple award winning Hip Hop singer neglected him, ‘a known face’, in his trying times, only to gift “unknown orphans N250m.”

In a reaction via his Instagram account, the Galala dancer said, “There is something that I have been seeing on social media that someone gifted orphanages N250m. To me, the thing is funny. I remember when I was depressed, they tagged many of my colleagues; they tagged Davido, Tuface, and others but none of them responded. It was people that have never seen me in this life, people that do not know me that responded.

Davido
Davido

“This N200m that I am hearing about and seeing on social media is surprising to me. If someone like me who is popular and well known was not helped, it is people and orphanages that no one knows that is being helped; they are been given N250m, it is so funny. I will advise Nigerians and Black people to be wise and stop all these things.

“White people do not do all these things. All what we are doing will look so funny to them. I am not saying that giving money to orphanages is a bad thing because I am an ambassador to an NGO that I do not collect a dime from. But funny enough, when I was depressed and had problems, the NGO did not respond. You see how we are. Now I am seeing N200m and they are posting it everywhere; Davido gives money to orphanages and inaugurates a five-man committee to distribute that money. Everything sounds funny to me.

“If I see someone doing good, I appreciate them; I am not saying it is a bad thing. I just want to ask people why someone like me that people know, who cried out; why did they not help the person that they know? It is the people that they do not know or can see their faces that they are helping out with N250m. Let’s all think; will we call that wickedness or ignorance?

“I tagged the Delta, Rivers and Lagos State Governments, none of them came to my aid. Is that wickedness or ignorance? But today I am seeing that N250m is going to be distributed to orphanages all over Nigeria. I will advise Nigerians to open their eyes.”

It would be recalled that few days ago, Davido asked his friends and fans to donate a million naira each to him for his birthday.

With the likes of billionaire, Femi Oyelola, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Alex Iwobi, Obi Cubana, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Obafemi Martins, Asisat Oshoala among others doling out millions to Davido.

The singer had said he planned to use the money to ‘clear’ his newly acquired Rolls Royce.

Interestingly, days ago, the FEM singer garnered about N201m which was donated to his Wema bank account.

However, in a twist of event, the singer announced that he would be adding N50m to the N201m and donating it to orphanages across Nigeria. He further inaugurated a committee that will disburse the funds.

CPM Founder, Ezekiel, Dies, Aged 78

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Obiora Ezekiel - CPM General Overseer

By Adesina Soyooye

The Christian Pentecostal Mission, CPM, has announced the death of its founder and General Overseer, Obiora Ezekiel.

Married to Pastor Mercy Ezekiel, the main spirit behind the Church, which its sprawling Headquarters is located in Ajao Estate area of Lagos, was aged 78 years.

Announcing the passing of the Cleric on CPM’s Facebook Page in a statement,  Rev. John U. Ezeh, a member of the Board of Trustees, and Coordinator, CPM International Imo State, said:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am saddled with a responsibility  to all sons, daughters, friends, and lovers of Christian Pentecostal Mission International, (CPM), to make an official announcement by the authority vested on me by the National/International Coordinator of CPM International, that our father, mentor, our General, our Field Marshal, the man that saw the vision, the man that began the race, the man on whose shoulder we’re all climbing, the Founder and General Overseer  of Christian Pentecostal Mission International, REV. DR. O. EZEKIEL, has gone to be with the LORD just a few days ago.

“Before his departure, he had been telling us to keep the vision alive, and the fire burning: that the mantle is with us; the glory is with us while he goes to wait for us to come over when the time is ripe.

“This was a man whose doggedness in the Gospel gave him a title, ‘Demon Destroyer’;  the man who is best known as a teacher of DIVINE NATURE. He has left his mantle with us to continue where he left CPM to the next level. He came, he saw, he conquered, and triumphantly he left. Transform Triumphantly, our General, till we meet at Jesus’ feet.”

Ezekiel was for years, visually challenged.

The Church did not, however,  announce when he died, or when the funeral will be.

But a source in the Church said he would be buried within the Church premises.

2023: Osinbajo’s APC Supporters Unveil Members, Abuja Campaign Office

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

The Progressives Consolidated Group, PCG, a group within the All Progressives’ Congress, APC supporting the presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has opened a campaign office in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to reports, members of the PCG include Dr Aliyu Kurfi who is the Chairman; Musa Liman (deputy chairman North), Dr Ebenezer Faji (deputy chairman South), Dr. Eli Eberechukwu Dibia (Vice-Chairman), Dr. Ahmed Muhammed (National Coordinator), Dr. Usman Ibrahim (Organizing Secretary) and Barrister Emmanuel Pippa (Publicity Secretary).

The new campaign office, the magazine learnt is located at No. 15b, Buchanan Crescent, off Aminu Kano, near Emab Plaza Wuse 2, Abuja.

Osinbajo has yet to declare his interest to run for the nation’s highest office, but rumour lingers that he’s interested in the top job, particularly as the party has decided to zone the presidency to the south.

The decision to zone the office to the south has elicited interest from APC politicians from the southern part of the country. Apart from Osinbajo, those said to be interested include Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos state Governor and APC National Leader, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state. The trio, however, have not declared their interest.

In spite of this, some APC leaders have been urging the vice president to run for the presidency to succeed his boss, President Muhamamdu Buhari and consolidate on his achievements.

Speaking on the campaign office, Emmanuel Pippa, PCG Publicity Secretary said in a statement that the campaign office said the campaign office was opened for Osinbajo’s presidential quest, even though without his approval.

Pippa said the campaign office was opened with the hope that Osinbajo will decide to vie for president.

Part of the statement reads, “we wish to clarify that the said office belongs to our coalition of support groups which strongly believes in Professor Osinbajo as the leader Nigeria needs in 2023, and is determined to get him to declare an interest in running for the office of President as early as possible.

“Solely for this purpose, our recently acquired administrative office is located in the heart of Wuse area of Abuja.

He said the vice president is not aware of PCG decision to open a campaign office for him, adding that the office will be used to coordinate all efforts at making Osinbajo’s presidency a reality.

According to Pippa, “even though Professor Osinbajo is yet to be acquainted with our activities, we intend to operate through a new organ, The Progressive Project TPP to coordinate youth, women and other groups across the federation.

“Ours is therefore not a campaign office but a venue for coordination, handling of an increasing volume of correspondence and meetings in readiness for the time when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo accedes to our request for him to run and consolidate gains made under President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Party chieftains will of course lead the real campaign when that time comes. Being a heartbeat away from the number one job, there are countless APC members and even, non-partisan citizens across the federation who are pushing for Professor Yemi Osinbajo to succeed or highly revered President Buhari, solely in the interest of the nation.

“We are convinced that Osinbajo’s level of familiarity with the vision, achievements, and challenges being handled by President Buhari is second to none and that such insight would enable a new APC administration to hit the ground running in 2023.

“We anticipate that various new and existing pro-Osinbajo platforms will become part of the group to which their focus appears more relevant”.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson to the vice president, Laolu Akande has described as fake, reports that Osinbajo has opened a campaign office to actualize his presidential ambition.

NIMASA DG Calls For Staff Cooperation

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Fola James

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has inaugurated an 18-member staff joint consultative forum for the purpose of strengthening the relationship between the Management and the entire workforce of the Agency.

Jamoh said while inaugurating the forum at the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos that communication between management and staff was key in the efforts to move the maritime industry forward.

The Director General, who was represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Ronke Thomas, acknowledged the recent achievements in the Agency’s core mandates, saying they have been driven by the motivation of the workforce.

He stated, “Management is not about us and them; effective management is the ability to get the best out of the workforce and this we have always championed since we took leadership of this Agency.

“We want to further give the workforce a voice, which will be another milestone in the history of this Agency.”

Stressing the importance of the consultative forum, the DG stated that as someone who rose through the ranks and spent over three decades in the industry, he was aware of the yearnings of the staff. He said he would prioritise anything that would grow maritime in Nigeria.

“My experience in this industry is a unique one,” he said, adding, “having risen through the ranks, I know what the staff need to be more motivated and the ripple effect of what we are doing would be felt in the entire maritime sector. Let me assure you that this management is committed to doing whatever will drive the Nigerian maritime sector to an enviable height.”

Executives of the consultative forum were enjoined to maintain a cordial relationship with staff and Management.

With the forum, all staff matters or grievances are to be presented to the Management in a civil manner, as guided by extant laws and the guiding policy.

In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the forum, Abdullahi Yelwa, thanked the DG and the Executive Management team of the Agency for the internal communication initiative. Yelwa said the forum would strengthen the trust the staff had built with the Jamoh Management.

The NIMASA Joint Consultative Forum has Mrs. Shielibe Abe as Vice Chairman. The forum has representatives from all cadres of the Agency.

PDP Faults Closure Of Schools In Ekiti For A Week During NAFEST

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
NAFEST

By Ayodele Oni

The National Arts Festival, (NAFEST) hosted by Ekiti state, ended officially on Saturday just as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State said the festival was not worth closing public schools for a week.

The opposition party berated  Governor Kayode Fayemi for ordering students to stay at home for a week just because  the state was hosting NAFEST.

The State government had announced vacation of a week for primary and secondary schools, both private and public as a result of the festival.

NAFEST, an annual event, attended by the 36 States, was held between 14th and 20th November with some of the schools facilities, especially hostel accommodation put into use by the participating states.

But, the PDP, said it did not warrant closure of schools saying the development was ridiculous and unexplainable.

The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Raphael Adeyanju, in a statement, pointed out that it was appalling that Ekiti children have been made to stay at home since for a week just because the state is hosting NAFEST.

“While we are not against the celebration of our culture and tradition, it is unexplainable that a government who goes about claiming to be restoring our values in Ekiti could close schools for a week just because the State is hosting NAFEST.”

According to PDP, education, which is the pride of Ekiti and its people, has been sacrificed for a mere festival of arts and culture by the APC government ostensibly because Governor Fayemi and his party do not value education.

“Up till now, we are still unable to fathom out the reason any government will close primary and secondary schools, including private ones for two weeks simply because Festival of Arts and Culture is holding in the state capital.

“Here in Ekiti, pupils were simply told to stay at home until further notice with no explanation from anyone.

“We wonder the benefits of NAFEST in which the only activities that can be seen at the venue is display of wares, including used clothes and shoes, to Ekiti State such that the future of thousands of our children will be put into jeopardy.

“Most importantly, even if NAFEST has become so much a priority to Governor Fayemi and his APC government, what is the rationale behind closure of schools in other towns where the event is not being held? Or is NAFEST holding in all the towns and villages in Ekiti State?

“In all these, what we have seen is a clear misplaced priority on the side of a party and government that do not care about the future of Ekiti children and by the power of God, just like all the afflictions of the Israelites, this phase too shall pass next year.”

However, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, said the one-week vacation was declared to prevent students from sneaking out of schools, if attracted by the festival.

He explained that the period was also used to observe their midterm break and this prevented the students from cohabiting with strangers, who occupied some hostels owned by public schools.

The APC spokesman insisted that Governor Fayemi has not committed any crime for declaring the holiday for students.

“Let me remind the PDP that the holiday was declared to prevent students from sneaking out of schools to go and watch the cultural fiesta.

“But if they are under the custody of their parents, nothing of such would happen. Again, it is also a time for them to observe their midterm holidays, having got to the middle of the first term.

“How can they expect visitors to be cohabiting with students in hostels? Because the contingents are using the school hostels. There was no governor that has been education-friendly like Governor Fayemi.

“He was the one that removed the pupils out of tax net. These show that the governor is a caring leader.

“We all know the economic value of NAFEST. It amazes me that the PDP could be talking now after the expiration of the vacation. For Fayemi’s love for education, school enrolment has gone up, teachers’ salaries are paid regularly, they can access loans easily and they are given incentives like training and workshops to sharpen their performances.”

Ekiti state won the first position in the week long festival, adjudged to be the best ever held by participants.

Listen to Amaechi, Release Kanu, Osita Okechukwu Tells Buhari

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu, has called on President Muhammdu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Kanu has been under custody since he was extradicted from Kenyan  to Nigeria.

Last week, a nonagenarian former Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi, led some Igbo leaders of thought to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to appeal for Kanu’s unconditional release from President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari told them it was a difficult request to make, but said he would consider it, a statement hailed by Ohaneze ndi Igbo.

Okechukwu is a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Sunday, Okechukwu said the Federal government should honor Amaechi’s request. To balance the issue, Amaechi appealed to IPOB to support the actualisation of Igbo Presidency come 2023.

“I join Ohaneze Ndigbo, eminent constitutional lawyer and Chairman, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, and people of goodwill nationwide in commending President Muhammadu Buhari for accepting to consider the release of the held leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

“I also appeal to IPOB to support Nigeria President of Igbo extraction 2023 project. Methinks IPOB’s support will kill two birds with one stone,” Okechukwu said.

“Mr President said during the visit, ‘You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years since I became president, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. I said that the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from the outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity'”

Okechukwu said IPOB’s support for Nigerian president of Igbo extraction 2023 project is not precondition for the release of Kanu.

“Capital no, it is not a precondition,” he said in answer to a question, “all I am saying is that Mr President and a host of other Nigerians are silently in support of Nigeria President of Igbo extraction 2023 project, but are wary and reticent of IPOB stance.

“Therefore, in my little opinion, IPOB support of our project will kill two birds with one stone,” Okechukwu said.

He said that the release of Kanu will restore economic activities in South East and IPOB support will increase support for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction come 2023.

“My understanding of IPOB agitation is to end Igbo marginalisation”, he said.

Governor Fayemi Mourns Gbenga Aluko

By
Ayodele Oni
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Senator Gbenga Aluko

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said that the news of the death of the former Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Mr Gbenga Aluko is “shocking and devastating.”

Gbenga Aluko, one of the children of the reknowned Economist, late Prof Sam Aluko, slumped in his office in Abuja on Saturday and died. He was aged 58.

He was among those that contested 2018 Governorship primary with Governor Fayemi. He was also reported to be preparing for forthcoming election as a Governorship aspirant.

Dr Fayemi, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Aluko’s death as a colossal loss to Ekiti State and the Nation.

“I have lost a dear brother and friend. Senator Aluko’s death is not only a loss to the State but a personal loss to me.”

The Governor added that he had close and cordial relationship with the deceased spanning four decades.

Dr Fayemi stated that the late Gbenga Aluko was not only a brother and friend but also a patriotic Ekiti indigene whose contributions to the development of the State cannot be overstated.

He described the former Governorship aspirant as a successful private sector player, refined gentleman and a decent politician who made great impact in almost every aspect of life.

The Governor recalled how the deceased influenced the establishment of a Chest Clinic at the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital in Ado Ekiti, a project which he described as being of great benefit to the State’s health sector.

He also noted that the deceased served selflessly in the Ekiti State Covid- 19 Response Committee.

The Governor who pointed out that with the  deceased’s brilliance and generosity of spirit, he served his fatherland diligently and made Ekiti proud through numerous achievements.

“Senator Gbenga Aluko invested his time, resources and energy on many laudable initiatives that impacted positively on the lives of the people and was always ready to support any worthy Ekiti cause with his wealth of experience and extensive national and global contacts.

“For us in Ekiti, this is a huge loss. And it is a personal loss to me. We, however,  cannot question God but we are consoled by the fact that he lived a decent life of service and made great impact in the lives of the people. He shall be sorely missed.

“On behalf of my wife, the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Aluko family and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Late Gbenga Aluko, was elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic  in 1999 at the age of 36 years on the ticket of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).

COVID-19: LASG Suspends ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021’; Fourth Wave Looms

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The  Lagos State Government has suspended the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021 over fears of  Covid-19 Fourth Wave. The fear has also led to the reintroduction of restrictions in Europe and other Western Countries.

The Lagos State Government had earlier announced that there could be restrictions of movement into Lagos from other States and International borders as the Fourth Wave of the deadly Coronavirus looms.

However, the Lagos State Government has also now considered it imperative to follow the latest proactive advice from health authorities to suspend all activities earlier announced for the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021.

In a Press Statement signed by the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Government said the decision to suspend the fiesta followed sound advisory from health authorities in consideration of the mammoth crowd expected at some of the gatherings as well as the dangers associated with attendance by members of the Diaspora community, who may be returning from Europe and other parts of the world now experiencing the fourth wave.

Her words: “We have seen Germany, Austria, and Greece reintroduce restrictions to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Germany is particularly a country in Europe with many Nigerians, who typically return home for the Christmas holidays. This is what science enables us to predict to forestall the tragic experience of last December when scores of our citizens died during the pandemic around yuletide. Our emotions favour going ahead with the plans but we must, as a responsible government, submit our will to the predictive intelligence and overriding power of science.

“The strategic intent of the State Government in wanting to hold the fiesta was to accelerate the process of reflating the economy of Lagos State by putting money in the hands of our people through the deluge of commercial activities planned to take place during the fiesta. But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations”, she added.

Expressing her profound appreciation to all the corporate sponsors who have so far indicated interest to support this year’s edition of the fiesta, Akinbile-Yusuf said the LASG will not forget their rare demonstration of goodwill towards the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and, indeed, the people of Lagos State at a challenging time when businesses are battling with limited resources. You will remain our partners for this and similar initiatives that are in the works”.

The Commissioner, therefore, counselled and urged event organisers and owners of event centres in the State with plans to host events in December to seek the guidance of the Lagos State Safety Commission, as well as the Ministry of Health, and enforce strict adherence to all COVID-19 health safety protocols.

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