Sanwo-Olu Directs All Classes in Public and Private Schools to Resume Oct 19

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October 12, 2020

Buhari Nigeria @ 60 5 — A file photo of Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, when he addressed the nation on 60th Independence Day, October 1st 2020,

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja declared that disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is the first step to extensive police reforms by his administration.

Speaking at the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), aimed at creating 774,000 jobs across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country, President Buhari also directed that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be brought to justice.

”I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force,’’ President Buhari said during the launch of the P-YES programme, attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Engineer Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.

He continued: ”The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.

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”We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.

”We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.

”I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated.

”Meanwhile, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties.

”The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force.”

On the empowerment programme, the President while restating his administration’s commitment to youth development and poverty alleviation pledged that the Federal Government policies of social protection and people empowerment would continue on track, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

The President, who described P-YES as a cornerstone of his administration’s social and economic development strategies, said it was part of the overall policy of ensuring that 100 million Nigerians were lifted out of poverty in ten years.

”The P-YES is also part of the plan that we adopted in 2016 in which we empowered One hundred youths from each of the 774 Local Government Areas with the necessary tools to acquire skills and establish small businesses.

”Given the success of that initiative, we are now committed to creating 774,000 jobs across all the LGAs, through the P-YES programme,” he said.

President Buhari, who took a tour of P-YES tools and equipment displayed at the forecourt of Presidential Villa, expressed delight that the materials showcased represent the fruits of the initiatives embarked upon by his administration in 2016.

”All the tools, machines and equipment that are exhibited here, are products of the efforts of these empowered youth entrepreneurs.

”I note with particular pleasure that they were all fabricated in Nigeria by Nigerian youths using locally sourced materials. This is a wonderful and uplifting achievement.

”As an entrepreneurship empowerment project, the P-YES programme aims to address the needs of unskilled and less educated youth.

”It targets key areas of activities that are of practical importance and are essential to every aspect of our economy.

”These include areas such as agriculture and food processing, restaurant and catering, tailoring and fashion design, technical skills such as in the Information and Communications Technology sector, artisanship, welding, carpentry and joinery, other small businesses and activities associated with the micro-economic sector of this economy,” he said.

The President used the occasion to call on State Governments, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to factor the P-YES into their programmes to assist the youth realise their potentials in their chosen fields.

He urged local and foreign private sector operators in Nigeria to also contribute their share to the expansion of this programme through channelling their corporate social responsibility efforts towards skills acquisition, creation of start-ups, and other intervention measures.

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President Buhari declared that the expansion of the P-YES would now be vigorously pursued, adding that more resources will be committed to the achievement of its goals and objectives towards youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development.

The President commended the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Students Affairs, under Hon. Nasiru Saidu Adhama, for driving the P-YES programme in accordance with the mandates prescribed for the office and the programme.

He expressed confidence that the programme being supervised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would make significant difference.

In his remarks, Hon Adhama assured the President that as achieved in the pilot phase of the programme the selection of beneficiaries in the full-scale P-YES scheme would be done with the utmost transparency and credibility, adding that equal opportunities will be observed in the delivery of equipment, tools and machines to all States and LGAs.

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500 Days in Office: Sanwo-Olu to Review Scorecards of His Greater Lagos Agenda

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October 12, 2020

Sanwo-Olu-3-e1599755173984 — File Photo of Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is set to mark his 500 days in office.

To commemorate his 500 days in office, Sanwo-Olu would, on October 20, deliver a State of the State Address at a Press Conference at the Government Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.

The governor is expected to use the occasion to review the “Greater Lagos” journey and tender his scorecards to Lagosians. He would review the journey and offer Lagosians a peep into the future of the administration.

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It would be recalled that the Sanwo-Olu administration hit 500 days in office on October 10.

Sanwo-Olu would speak on the achievements of his administration, guided by the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda, a six-pillar development strategy propelling the “Greater Lagos” journey.

The past 500 days have been eventful and challenging – no thanks to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its lethal effects.

Sanwo-Olu rallied Lagosians to battle the pandemic, even as he continued to deliver on his electoral promises.

Despite COVID-19 and its attendant challenges, the Sanwo-Olu administration has continued to deliver on its electoral promises, focusing on human and infrastructural development.

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Buhari Congratulates Akeredolu as PDP Says It’ll Study Results for Appropriate Action

The governor, in a statement by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, would speak on the state’s economy, his administration’s wonderful moves in education, health, transportation, poverty alleviation and employment as well as in other sectors.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Buhari Congratulates Akeredolu as PDP Says It’ll Study Results for Appropriate Action

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October 12, 2020

Buhari and Akeredolu — File Photo: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari presents the APC party flag to Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who contested and won a second term as Governor.

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, on his re-election as Governor of Ondo State for another four-year term.

This was coming as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it would study the results of October 10 governorship election in Ondo State and take appropriate action.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had Sunday announced Akeredolu as the winner of the Saturday guber poll, sweeping to victory by winning 15 of 18 local government areas of Ondo State.

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#Ondodecides2020: The Results that Handed Akeredolu Victory, Plus his Victory Speech [Video]

The incumbent governor got 292,830 votes to massively defeat PDP governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, and Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), who came second and third in the election with 195,791 and 69,127 votes respectively.

In his congratulatory message, Buhari, who lauded the resounding victory of Akeredolu, noted that the votes garnered “show that one good turn surely deserves another.”

He thanked the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their hovernor and APC, adding that “the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms.”

The President appreciated the electorate in Ondo State for comporting themselves decently and in orderly manner, and for exhibiting conduct that indicated that the country was making progress in its electoral behaviour.

He also gave kudos to INEC for organising credible, free and fair election, and to security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, urged Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and endeavour to serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term.

“When you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country,” the President said.

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Meanwhile, PDP Publicity Secretary in Ondo State, Kennedy Peretei, has said his party would carefully study the election results in order to take appropriate action.

Speaking with journalists on the just concluded election at Jegede’s residence in Akure, Peretei urged PDP supporters to be optimistic.

He advised the party faithful not to be discouraged, noting that pockets of violence in Owo, Ese-Odo, among others would be critically analysed in the coming days.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Wike Denies Commenting on CBN’s Deal to Purchase N5bn Worth of Gold from Zamfara Govt

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October 12, 2020

images (3) — File Photo of Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has denied news item circulating in the social media platforms, accusing him of making some remarks in connection with a report that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would purchase N5 billion worth of gold from Zamfara State Government.

The governor described the report as “a completely false and misleading story.”

According to him, “The purveyors of this barefaced fallacy suggested in their warped story, that Governor Wike was unhappy with the decision of CBN to buy gold from Zamfara State.

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“They claimed that Governor Wike who lamented that the same privileged attention has not been given to the oil from Rivers State, demanded that gold should be made a national cake, adding that he too would proceed to own a gold well in Zamfara State.

“Let us state here categorically that Governor Wike never made such a statement. In fact, we note with a sense of relief, that no major, mainstream news media or press organisation, either print, electronic or online, attached to Government House in Port Harcourt, carried this concocted story.

“So it is a wonder where the mushroom, less than credible social media outlets got the comments, which they claimed Governor Wike made ‘while addressing the press.'”

Wike, in a statement by Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, added: “It has indeed become the ugly penchant in recent times, of some cynical and dubious detractors, to drop or insert Governor Wike’s name in their calculated crusade to ignite unprovoked conflict with the hidden ploy to disrupt the recently emerging warm cordiality which has defined the relationship between him and some leaders across geopolitical divides in the country.

“These naysayers have also commenced a devious gambit to insidiously tarnish the overwhelming goodwill which the burgeoning image and reputation of Governor Wike has been enjoying across the country and this latest story is simply the latest installment of their failed efforts.

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“Those familiar with Governor Wike will know that he does not need to resort to such churlish and petty grandstanding portrayed in the silly story, to speak up on any matter whatsoever.

“The write up is thus just another figment of the convoluted imagination of its authors. They goofed big time on this one.

“Nigerians are therefore advised to completely disregard the story, especially now that the Federal Government, CBN and Zamfara State Government have all come out to speak clearly on the matter and set the records straight.”

Idowu Sowunmi

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#EndSARS: House of Reps Commends Buhari, Directs IGP to Commence Police Reforms

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October 12, 2020

images (40) — Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for listening to calls to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

House Speaker Gbajabiamila said in a statement that the dissolution was a necessary response by the government to the outcry arising from multiple documented excesses of the SARS across the country.

The speaker also commended Nigerian youth for acting to right a wrong.

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Senate President Applauds Buhari, IGP for Scrapping of SARS

The dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and the broader, ongoing reforms of the police that will follow are a testament to the passion and resilience of a generation of Nigerians who are determined not to accept or tolerate injustice in whatever form it takes, he said.

According to Radio Nigeria, the Speaker called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar Adamu to take practical steps to support and enforce this policy pronouncement.

He said: “These steps are necessary to assure the Nigerian people that the announced dissolution is sincere and well-intentioned, and not merely meant to quell the ongoing protests.

Police must also act to identify and punish operatives of SARS involved in the most severe cases of abuse of rights, brutality and murder of Nigerian citizens.”

Gbajabiamila noted with displeasure the police’s manhandling of peaceful protesters.

The Speaker assured Nigerians that the dissolution of SARS would not preclude the ongoing efforts by the House of Representatives to effect reforms of the police through legislation.

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#EndSARS: Governor Abiodun orders release of protesters

The House had on Wednesday rose against brutality of SARS officers, passing resolutions on the matter and demanded the IGP to take decisive action and report back within three weeks.

The lawmakers also requested the police chief to produce a comprehensive record of disciplinary and judicial action taken against the officers accused of abuse of power in the past five years.

The House asked the IGP to produce an immediate plan for identifying and compensating victims.

– Radio Nigeria

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Senate President Applauds Buhari, IGP for Scrapping of SARS

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October 12, 2020

Nigeria’s President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the courageous decision to dissolve the notoriously perceived Special Anti Robbery (SARS) squad, a tactical unit in the nation’s police.

The Senate President said the government has shown themselves as responsive to the feelings of the people and listening to the voice of the people over their dissatisfaction with the operations of the SARS.

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“I am applauding the President because it is a demonstration of good leadership to yield to the demand of the populace in difficult situations like this,” Lawan said.

He also commended the Inspector-General of Police and challenged him to come up with measures for the transformation of the Nigeria Police.

“The expectation is that this situation offers us another opportunity to reform the operations of the entire Force, he added.

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“I also reiterate my call for the prosecution of all security personnel whose extrajudicial killings and other acts of misconduct brought us to this sorry pass.

“I hope that the steps taken by the Inspector-General of Police will be followed with the more comprehensive reform of the Police,” Lawan said.

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#EndSARS: Governor Abiodun orders release of protesters

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October 11, 2020

As an act of magnanimity, the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has directed the unconditional release of the youths arrested by the police during Saturday’s #EndSARS protest in the state.

During the protest, the youths had destroyed police property and injured some police officers.

They had also attacked the convoy of the deputy governor of the state, and vandalised her car.

However, in a statement released in Abeokuta , …the governor warned youths in the state to conduct their protests in accordance with the rule of law.

According to him, there was nothing to be gained in causing bodily harm to security operatives carrying out their lawful duties.

He said even though he was on the same page with the protesters regarding the legitimacy of their grouse and concerns, they had a duty to embrace decorum and operate within the ambit of the law.

He appealed to parents to prevail on their children not to take precipitate actions that criminals could easily cash in on to perpetrate mayhem in the state.

He added: “Both as an individual and as Governor, I understand and identify with the genuine concerns that the #EndSARS protesters have about the excesses of the now proscribed outfit.

“The Ogun State Government under my watch believes in the reform of critical organs not just in the police but in all security agencies in order to protect life and property in strict adherence with international best practices.

“However, in attacking police formations and destroying Government property, the protesters went beyond the bounds of civility.

“While ordering the unconditional release of those arrested by the police on Saturday in the belief that they would henceforth be of good conduct and refrain from acts that are capable of causing mayhem in the state, may I warn criminal elements aiming to throw the State into chaos to cease and desist forthwith, as we shall not fail to apply the strict provisions of the law henceforth.”

While thanking CP Ajogun, the Governor further charged youths of Ogun State and beyond to always be civil and of good conduct and character regardless of the situation.

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#Ondodecides2020: The Results that Handed Akeredolu Victory, Plus his Victory Speech [Video]

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October 11, 2020

The just concluded Ondo Governorship Election result that handed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu a second term in office saw him outrightly winning a whooping 15 out of 18 local government areas in the state.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC’s, Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Idowu Olayinka, Akeredolu of the APC was returned as the governor-elect on Sunday at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Akure.

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#OndoDecides2020: Akeredolu Leads Jegede by 58,720 Votes From 15 LGs

Olayinka said “Having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest number of votes, I hereby declare Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu of the APC as the winner, and he is hereby returned elected.”

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress ,APC, Eyitayo Jegede won in the remaining three local governments.

In the breakdown of votes, Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress got 292,830 votes, while Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party had 195,791 votes and Agboola of the Zenith Labour Party had 69,127 votes.

Ondo Governorship Poll at a Glance

No LGs APC PDP ZLP

1 Ifedayo 9,350 11,852 1.863

2 Ile Oluji-Oke Igbo 13,278 9,231 1,971

3 Irele 12,643 5,493 5,904

4 Akoko North East 16,572 8,380 3,532

5 Akoko South West 21,232 15,055 2,775

6 Akoko North West 15,809 10,320 3,477

7 Ondo East 6,484 4,049 3,221

8 Owo 35,957 5,311 408

9 Akure North 9,546 12,263 1,046

10 Idanre 11,286 7,499 3,623

11 Akoko South East 9,419 4,003 2,004

12 Akure South 17,277 47,627 2,236

13 Ose 15,122 8,421 1,083

14 Ondo West 15,97760 10,627 10,159

15 Okitipupa 19,266 10,367 10,120

16 Ese Odo 13,383 4,680 4,760

17 Ilaje 26,657 11,128 4,405

18 Odigbo 23,571 9,485 6,540

TOTAL 292,829 195,791 69,127

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#OndoDecides2020: PDP Candidate, Jegede Expressed disappointment Over Conduct of Security Officers at Poll

In his victory speech, Governor Akeredolu recognised Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his forthrightness as Chairman of the APC Ondo Governorship Campaign.

Winner of the now concluded Ondo Governorship election and Incumbent Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his wife, surrounded by supporters including the Chairman, APC Ondo Governorship Election Campaign, who is Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (3rd from left); immediate past Governor of Ògùn State, Senator Ibukunle Amosun; Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello (2nd from right); Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi (3rd from right) and others.

Equally, he appreciated the support of his other colleagues, Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola; Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello; Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Jigawa Governor, Mohammed Abubakar and Kebbi Governor, Abubakar Bagudu.

Akeredolu, who was apparently elated by his victory, also expressed his gratitude to immediate past Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was also on ground in Akure.

Video: Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s Victory Speech

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BREAKING: IGP Bows to #EndSARS, Disbands SARS Nationwide

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October 11, 2020