Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Metro

Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun Mourn Isa Funtua

Senate President Ahmadu Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; have mourned the passing of President Muhammadu Buhari’s friend and political associate, Isa Funtua.

They all paid glowing tributes to late businessman and condoled with the family and the President.

Expressing his heartfelt condolences, Lawan said the news of Funtua’s death left him with profound sadness, describing him as business mogul, community leader, social and political activist and nationalist.

Read Also….Buhari’s ally, Isa Funtua is dead, Ben Bruce reveals last conversation

“He was a man who touched many lives and impacted the development of Nigeria with his foresight, industry, enterprise, boundless enthusiasm, magnetism, friendliness and accommodating spirit.

“Mallam Isa Funtua made friends across tribe, religion, generation and class in Nigeria, and touched many lives in public service as well as in his private life. He was a man of many parts who brought to bear his great intelligence, energy and integrity on everything that he did.

“Late Mallam Isa Funtua was a pioneer and trail blazer who established an authoritative national newspaper and a giant construction company through both of which he has left indelible footprints on the physical and sociology-political landscapes of Nigeria.

“Even in death, Mallam Isa Funtua’s presence will continue to be felt for a long time by Nigerians.

“I heartily commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari who has lost a close friend, trusted ally and in-law as well as the Government and People of Katsina State over the loss.

Read also…. EFCC: More officials get suspension, one begs President Buhari for reversal

“I pray Allah to comfort the loved ones that Mallam Isa Funtua left behind, forgive his sins and accept his soul in Aljannat Firdaus,” said senate president.

In his tribute, Gbajabiamila expressed sadness over the death of the former President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

The speaker said Funtua, who was a lifetime patron of NPAN and the International Press Institute, lived a life full of service to humanity.

Condoling with Buhari over the loss, Gbajabiamila prayed Allah to give his family, the people and government of Katsina State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Tinubu, on his part, described Funtua as statesman, nationalist and renowned businessman.

“The passing of elder-statesman, nationalist newspaper publisher and prominent businessman, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, is a saddening national loss. He was a rare individual of immense talents, abilities and generousity.

Read Also….Isa Funtua, buried in Abuja today

“We spoke but two days before, as we often do. He spoke vibrantly, with his trademark logic and deep knowledge. We ended our conversation agreeing to resume soon again. There was no indication that this would be our last talk.

“I had the distinct honour of knowing this man for many years. Mallam Funtua loved our nation with uncompromising passion having served Nigeria with dedication and commitment at different times in many important capacities.

“He wanted the best for the country and its people and worked diligently in his private capacity to advance the course of Nigeria.

“As a long-time friend, associate and in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari, he served as a strong buttress of support for the president and for his progressive administration.

“I commiserate with President Buhari at this time for we have suffered the loss of another person of great intellect and extraordinary character. Our national family mourns deeply because of this unexpected departure, May Allah give our President the added strength and grace to overcome this loss.
I mourn with the immediate and extended Funtua family who have lost a father, patriarch and much more.

“My condolences to Governor Aminu Bello Waziri of Katsina State and the Funtua Community.

“We have lost too many outstanding Nigerians in such a short time. We cannot question why for the will of Almighty Allah is sovereign and supreme.

“Yet, we must dedicate ourselves to continue and to finish the work started by these excellent souls. We must carry on so that we lend even greater meaning to the lives they lived.

“I ask Almighty Allah to accept the soul of Mallam Funtua and admit him to Aljanna Firdaus. May Allah in His munificence also grant his family and all those he left behind the inner fortitude, peace and dedication to continue after him,” Tinubu said.

Sanwo-Olu described the death of Funtua as a great loss to Nigeria, happening at a time when the country is desirous of more men of good conscience to offer wise counsel in the nation’s drive towards socio-political and economic development.

The commiserated with the President over the passing of his close friend and political associate.

“Although the loss of a loved one is usually a painful experience, we should take solace in the fact that death itself is a natural occurrence and it is inevitable,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu added that late Funtua would be missed by a wide range of people and professional bodies, especially NPAN, noting that “the late elder statesman lived a life of purpose, championing the right causes such as a free press, which is the soul of democracy. He was a philanthropist of note, a well respected personality with a lot of knowledge and experience.”

The governor commiserated with his immediate family, the governor and people of Katsina State, praying Allah to grant the deceased Aljanah firdaus and give those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Also, Ogun State Governor has commiserated with Buhari, the government and people of Katsina State over the demise of elder statesman and Second Republic Minister.

Abiodun described the former NPAN president and chairman of Bulet Intentional Limited (an indigenous construction company) as “a quality icon who will occupy many good pages in Nigeria’s history. His footprints are in the public service, journalism, entrepreneurship and indeed all spheres of our national life and living.”

He added: “Mallam Isa Funtua was a man of honour and a great achiever. He lived an exemplary life; he was a democrat and a fine gentleman whose idea of power was that of being a tool to serve his6 fatherland and humanity. He was an elder statesman in the truest sense of the word in and out of Government – as a technocrat in Northern Nigeria and later Minister in the Second Republic.”

The governor qualified the late Funtua as “an ideal businessman and a big player in the construction industry and across the various boardrooms, where he served meritoriously. I respect him for his contentment and as a man who did not abuse the goodwill of his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari. Of course, as a newspapers’ man, his contributions cannot be forgotten as a Life Patron of both the International Press Institute (IPI) and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). I commiserate with all the members of the fraternity of the pen on the death of this media colossus.”

Abiodun said Buhari has lost a worthy friend and brother, adding that Katsina State has not only lost a father-figure but one of its most prodigious products and Nigeria as a whole has lost one of her best.

“This is a further depletion of the tribe of quality Nigerians,” he said, adding that “Ismaila Isa Funtua was at once a frontline newspapers’ man, detribalised statesman, leading businessman entrepreneur and focused public intellectual rolled into one and he acted his parts perfectly.”

He prayed Allah to grant the soul of the industrialist a cozy place in Aljanah Firdaous.

Idowu Sowunmi

July 22, 2020
Isa Funtua, buried in Abuja today

The remains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s friend and political associate, Isma’ila Isa Funtua, would any momemt from now be committed to mother earth in Abuja.

Funtua, a prominent member of the alleged Aso Rock cabal, died Monday night at an Abuja hospital at the age of 78. He was said to have suffered cardiac arrest.

Reacting to the development after news of Funtua broke yesterday, Buhari said he received “with deep sadness on Monday evening information on passing of his longtime friend and associate, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).”

The President condoled with family members, government and people of Katsina State, and all associates of the former NPAN president, especially the media industry, on the loss, describing him as “greatly admired and respected.”

Idowu Sowunmi.

July 21, 2020
Court jails man for internet fraud, seizes properties

A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has sentenced one Festus Gbenga Ajayi to one year imprisonment for internet fraud.

The convict was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on one-count charge of criminal impersonation, having been arrested on October, 2019 in a raid conducted in his hideout in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Investigations conducted by the Commission linked him to series of internet-related frauds which formed the ground for his initial arraignment on eight-count charges, bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence before the charges were amended to lone-count, to which he pleaded guilty.

Apart from the jail term which takes effect from the day of conviction, the judge, Justice Ibrahim Watilat ordered that the convict to forfeits his uncompleted one-storey building, located in Ado-Ekiti, a Toyota Corolla car, one gold-colour iPhone, among other proceeds of and tools of crime to the Federal government.

He had earlier refunded N1,400,000 (One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) to the government, through the EFCC.

– Radio Nigeria

July 21, 2020
[Photos] Third Mainland Bridge: FG, Lagos rehabilitate alternative roads

Barely four days to the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for rehabilitation, the Federal Government assures residents of Lagos that massive rehabilitation of alternative routes is progressing as scheduled.

This assurance was made by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Olukayode Popoola, during an assessment tour of work progress on alternative routes on Monday.

Popoola noted that the Federal Ministry of Works and Lagos State Government embarked on the rehabilitation works together but on different access paths.

He said that the projects were embarked on after a stakeholders’ meeting, where the participants reached an agreement on the need for urgent interventions across major access roads that would serve as alternative routes for motorists during the Third Mainland Bridge closure.

Ongoing Rehabilitation of Herbert Macaulay Way, Oyingbo to Adekunle section by Oando fuel station

The Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde explained that the Lagos State Government agreed to fix bad portions around the Iganmu Bridge and some other roads through its Public Works agency.

Oladeinde assured that adequate arrangement has been made for effective traffic control throughout the six months partial lockdown of the Third Mainland Bridge, stressing that about 600 LASTMA personnel would be deployed to direct traffic to ensure free vehicular movement.

Ongoing Rehabilitation of Herbert Macaulay Way, Oyingbo to Adekunle section by Oando fuel station

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, expressed the importance of the State Government’s intervention on alternative routes so as to alleviate the inconvenience imposed by the partial closure.

While appealing to commuters to obey traffic rules during the period of the closure, she maintained that the State Government would ensure that all the alternative routes are in good condition before the commencement of repair works on the bridge.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government says the Oyingbo Bus Terminal will begin operations soon.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State, Gboyega Akosile, disclosed this in a statement posted on his Twitter page on Monday.

According to him, “some new 27-seater buses which fall under the Bus Reforms Initiative of the Lagos State Government, will make transportation across the State easier”.

Photos:

July 20, 2020
LASEMA warns of waterways safety ahead 3rd Mainland Bridge partial closure

Ahead of partial closure of 3rd Mainland bridge on Friday, 24th July, 2020, a joint inspection of strategic jetties and terminal has been conducted Sunday, by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) to monitor safety procedures.

The exercise, which is coming 5 days to the closure of the bridge was announced in a statement by the Head, Public Affairs, LASEMA, Nosa Okunbor.

Okunbor, stated that the inspection was a result of series of meetings between LASEMA and other safety agencies, where the DG/CEO LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, declared LASEMA’s state of readiness alongside its first responders who have all been placed on high alert with appropriate equipment, for the period of closure.

According to Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu, the collaboration between LASEMA and other Lagos State safety agencies involved in the Inspection of jetties was a necessary move to ensure implementation of safety protocols ahead of this week’s partial closure of the 3rd Mainland Bridge from Friday 24th July, 2020 to 24th January, 2021.

This action, he revealed was in line with other strategies mapped out by LASEMA for deployment of its highly trained and efficient staff which will be backed by the maximal application of its equipment and supported with appropriate technology to ensure all-round safety of Lagosians on land and water during the period of partial closure of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.

The joint inspection team visited the CMS terminal; Ebute-Ero Marina; both on Lagos Island and the Bariga Waterfront Jetty in Ilaje area of Bariga.

While speaking at the Bariga Waterfront Jetty in Ilaje-Bariga, the LASEMA Director-General said that the joint inspection was aimed at ensuring that all operators abide by the stipulated safety regulations for safety of all.

Dr Oke-Osanyintolu who said roads leading to the jetties have been repaired while reeling out government’s stringent measures, reiterated that night journeys would not be permitted, just as he advised residents to cooperate with government to ensure smooth operations and at the same time reduce the anticipated stress the partial closure of the 3rd Mainland Bridge would cause commuters.

“We are going to deploy Safety Marshals and Water Guards to ensure that operators keep to the rules and regulations and also enforce the use of Life Jackets and ensure that they do not use our waterways after 7pm”, Oke-Osanyintolu said.

The LASEMA DG, who stated that boat operators would maintain stipulated capacity and ensure they have the mandatory life buoys as part of necessary safety measures; revealed that the agency would position its ambulances and rescue boats at strategic locations in conjunction with the Lagos State Waterways Authority and maintain a 24-hour watch by its Marine Unit, especially between the peak periods of 6:30am and 7:00pm daily as a lot more passengers would travel the alternate routes and waterways, during the partial closure of Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.

In the course of the joint inspection, a boat carrying four passengers without life jackets was seized and sanctioned, while the passengers were educated on the need to use life jackets during every journey on the waterways, no matter how short.

The LASEMA DG, however reminded Lagosians to reach the agency in case of emergencies through the 767 or 112 toll free emergency numbers, or call 08060907333, his personal line.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

July 20, 2020
Ondo Primary: Akeredolu, Ajayi ‘throw fireworks’ at each other, tension rises

As political gladiators prepare ahead of primary election in Ondo state, there is heighened anxiety among the two major parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC, despite internal wranglings over the decision to adopt indirect primary will today, Monday elect it’s governorship candidate with 3,127 delegates, while PDP will on Wednesday elect its governorship flag bearer.

However, the media war between the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his enstranged Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi intensified on Sunday.

The Deputy Governor, who defected to the opposition party PDP alleged that Akeredolu had run the state aground. In his reaction, the Governor vowed not to be distracted from clinching his party’s ticket to run for second term in office at the primary election today.

A major crisis, however, has erupted within the PDP after some youths alleged that one of the aspirants was wooing each delegate with $1,000, raising the alarm that the party’s primary election might not be free and fare but go to the highest bidder.

As tension rises in both camps, the Ondo State Police Command has cautioned against thuggery and violence, urging parents to warn their children and wards.

Similarly, the Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, advised APC and PDP chieftains to embrace peace before, during and after the election.

In his response to a statement credited to Governor Akeredolu saying the selection of his Deputy Governor as running mate in 2016 was an error of judgement, Ajayi, said Akeredolu was only frustrated over his failure to employ the state House of Assembly to impeach him from office.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Babatope Okeowo, Ajayi understood the self-inflicted pain of running the state aground through inflated contracts, clannishness, nepotism and malfeasance.

“These and many injuries Governor Akeredolu caused himself and cannot be blamed on his deputy Agboola Ajayi, whom he sidelined, shortly after the administration was sworn in.

“It must be put on record that Akeredolu contested the 2012 governorship election and came a distant third in the election won by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Labour Party.

“It was the experience, weight and political capital, which Agboola Ajayi brought into the 2016 gubernatorial election that produced the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state.

“If there was any wrong choice, it’s the choice of Arakunrin Akeredolu, who has refused to take all-wise counsel not only from his deputy but from other cabinet members.”

But the Ondo State Government said it would not take up issues with Ajayi, adding that its focus was on how Akeredolu would win today’s APC primary election.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Ojo Oyewamide, said: “We would rather concentrate on our primary election than decipate energy on a vicious distraction and one cancerous being. We wish him all the best.”

July 20, 2020
LASEMA averts explosion, recovers burning 46,000-litre full fuel tanker Intact

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says it has successfully extinguished fire which gutted an oil tanker at the Secretariat Bus Stop, Ikeja in the early hours of today.

In a statement by the agency’s Director General, Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyitolu, on Saturday LASEMA’s Response Team responded to the distress call at 1:17am and recovered the tanker, which was fully loaded to capacity of 46,000 litres of fuel intact.

Osanyitolu noted that the incident recorded no loss of lives, nor injuries, while the over two-hour operation lasted in the battle against the burning truckhead in order to curtail the fire and stop a highly probable explosion.

“While the LASEMA Response Team successfully recovered the gutted Petrol Oil Tanker without any human loss, the feat was achieved without further loss of properties nor damages, with the full content of 46, 000 litres of fuel salvaged intact, at the Secretariat Bus Stop through deployment of its heavy duty equipment, the Super Metro and support of men of the Lagos State Fire Services and other stakeholders”, he said.

The LASEMA DG added that the remains of the gutted oil tanker was safely recovered off the road to avoid any secondary incident, while also restoring the road to normalcy for vehicular activities.

Photos:

July 18, 2020
Update: Five children die in Katsina bomb explosion

A bomb explosion at Yammama village in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State have killed five persons and left about six others injured on Saturday.

Confirming the incident, Katsina State Police command said a suspected bomb explosion killed five children and injured six others at a farm in Malunfashi local government area of the state.

In a statement by the Public Relations officer of the command, SP Gambo Isa, the command said the DPO of the area received a report of the explosion and led the operation puff adder team to the scene where the victims who are the children of one Adamu Yammawa were cutting grass when the bomb went off.

The command added that the injured have been evacuated to Malunfashi General hospital, while detectives are presently conducting their investigations.

July 18, 2020
Sanity, Transparency, Accountability Will Return to NDDC, Buhari Assures

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday broke silence over the ongoing unfolding drama over the probe of the budgetary allocations to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Speaking for the first time on the attacks and counter attacks between and around persons, institutions, and the commission, Buhari expressed his strong determination to get to the root of the problem undermining the development of the Niger Delta and its peoples in spite of enormous national resources voted year after year for this singular purpose.

Read Also….. NDDC Drama: Pondei walks out on Reps as Wike rescues Nunieh from arrest

The President directed that there should be better coordination among security and investigating agencies with the National Assembly to ensure that his administration’s effort to bring sanity, transparency and accountability to the management of the large amount of resources dedicated to development of the Niger Delta sub-region is not derailed.

According to him, auditing firms and investigative agencies working in collaboration with National Assembly Committees to resolve the challenges in NDDC must initiate actions in a time-bound manner and duly inform the Presidency of the actions being taken.

The President also directed timely sharing of information and knowledge in a way to speedily assist the administration to diagnose what had gone wrong in the past and what needs to be done to make corrections in order to return NDDC to its original mandate of making life better for people in Niger Delta.

Read Also… NDDC Crisis: Acting Finance Director is dead, sources suspect poisoning

Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the administration wanted to bring about “rapid, even and sustainable development to the region.”

The President gave firm assurance that his administration would put in place a transparent and accountable governance framework, not only in NDDC but in all other institutions of government.

Idowu Sowunmi

July 16, 2020
Lagos, USAID sign pact towards new electrification plan for residents

The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government, Nigeria and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme (PA-NPSP) have signed a Letter of Cooperation to develop new electrification plan for the Centre of Excellence.

The agreement was reached on Tuesday during a virtual signing event involving representatives of Lagos State Government and USAID PA-NPSP.

The Letter of Cooperation is aimed to formally launch Lagos State Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) initiative.

IRP, which would be developed in close coordination with PA-NPSP, would serve as a roadmap to guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive electrification strategy that is best suited to the long-term needs of Lagos State.

READ ALSO: Photos: First female Nigerian Air Force combat helicopter pilot is dead

The plan, when developed, would be an effective tool towards improved planning and decision making in accelerating successful investment in the electricity sector and ultimately increasing electricity accessibility and reliability in Lagos State.

In support of the Integrated Resource Plan, PA-NPSP would provide an analysis and review of the power sector in Lagos State to develop a state-of-the-art planning mechanism that is best suited for the long-term electricity needs of the state’s residents, businesses, industries, and public/government premises such as hospitals and health clinics.

This roadmap would assist Lagos State Government and the state’s energy stakeholders to predict power system requirements for the next 20 years, enabling the effective and efficient management of energy resources.

Speaking during the virtual signing ceremony, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the Integrated Resource Plan is a priority initiative for his administration.

“To improve access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, there is no better place to start than in Nigeria.

“The Integrated Resource Plan is a priority initiative for Lagos State Government and it underpins our electricity strategy to ensure access and reliability to Lagos residents is a reality,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also expressed his administration’s gratitude to the Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme for leading the initiative and also commended all the local stakeholders for providing support to ensure Lagos Integrated Resource Plan becomes a reality and for their continuous support towards making Lagos greater.

In his opening remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Olalere Odusote, said the development is a significant milestone in the implementation plan of Lagos State Government towards improving electricity access in the state.

READ ALSO: Gokada founder, Fahim Saleh gruesomely murdered in US

Odusote underscored the importance of an energy plan for sustainable economic development.

“It is impossible to have a sustainable economic plan without an energy plan.

“The objective of Lagos State Government is to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to Lagos residents, a key enabler for the vision of making Lagos a 21st Century economy.

“The Integrated Resource Plan will be a sustainable, long-term electrification plan for Lagos,” he said.

USAID’s Mission Director, Stephen Haykin, on his part, explained that “Power Africa recognises the importance of reliable electricity supply to Nigeria’s present and future.”

According to him, “From energy perspective, I can’t think of a better way to accelerate access to electricity than to actively partner with Lagos State Government for the development of a robust Integrated Resource Plan.

“To this end, it is vital that we support this initiative, as it serves as a critical planning process to meet consumers’ needs for electricity services in a way that satisfies multiple objectives for resource use.”

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief of Party for PA-NPSP, Tunde Gbajumo, emphasised the importance of collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions.

He explained that PA-NPSP and Lagos State Government would work closely with various stakeholders in Lagos State power sector to develop the Integrated Resource Plan and have already formed a Study Team composed of gas suppliers, the two Lagos distribution companies, generation companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Rural Electrification Agency and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

READ ALSO: US withdraws controversial policy to eject foreign students studying online

Gbajumo said: “The Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Program is excited to be part of this landmark event for the partnership between Lagos State Government and USAID and hope that this event will serve as a further testament to the productive and sustainable growth of Nigeria’s energy sector.”

Other participants at the event included Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board; key representatives from Transmission Company of Nigeria; Rural Electrification Agency; Egbin Power Plc; Ikeja Electric Plc; and Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

Photos:

Idowu Sowunmi

July 15, 2020