Senator Representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun (L); Olofin of Isẹri, His Royal Highness (HRH), Oba Nurudeen Adebowale (R).
The passing of the Olofin of Isẹri, His Royal Highness (HRH), Oba Nurudeen Adebowale, has been said to have created a vacuum in the Egba Traditional Council.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun expressed this regret in a statement by his media aide, Bola Adeyemi.
Amosun, the senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, while commiserating with the Egba Traditional Council, the people of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, and in particular the entire people of Iseri Olofin described Oba Nurudeen Adebowale as a royal father with dignity and a fearless defender of the interest of his subjects and the people in general.
“Kabiyesi supported government’s the developmental efforts through useful advice on government programmes throughout his reign. He was frank in his submissions at various fora and highly committed to the welfare of the people in his domain”
Further in his condolence, Senator Amosun prayed that the Almighty God grant the late monarch eternal rest and give his people the fortitude to bear the demise.
Relying on the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, an Ogun State indigene, Mr. Adetilewa Adetomiwa, has given the Governor Dapo Abiodun administration a seven-day ultimatum to disclose detailed information about the concession of Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway or legal proceedings would be initiated against the state government.
Adetomiwa, in two separate letters signed by his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong Esq., sought to know the detailed information about the concession and subsequently applied for a copy of the 2020 Ogun State Budget to know budgetary provisions, if any, for the road.
It would be recalled that Abiodun had earlier this year flagged off the construction of the 14-kilometre Ijebu-Ode-Ikoto to Epe in Lagos State.
Images of the FOI Letter written to the Federal Ministry of Works and Ogun State Government
The road was awarded to Craneburg Construction by the Abiodun administration under a public-private partnership arrangement – Build, Operate and Transfer programme, with an inclusion of toll plazas indicating that tolls would be collected for the maintenance of the road.
“We are Solicitors and Counsel to Mr. Adetilewa Adetomiwa, an indigene
of Ogun State whose address is GRA Ijebu-Ode (hereinafter referred to as
“Our Client”).
“Our Client is a good governance advocate and a human rights activist on whose behalf and instructions we write to you.
“Pursuant to Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, we hereby apply for a detailed information and records on the concession of Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway.
“TAKE NOTICE that if you fail, refuse or neglect to furnish us with the said
information and records as requested by Our Client within Seven (7) days of
receipt of this application, we have the instructions of Our Client to
commence legal proceedings against you to compel you to comply,” read Adetomiwa’s letter to Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure was dated September 17, 2020.
His second letter to Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning dated September 17, 2020 read thus: “We are Solicitors to Mr. Adetilewa Adetomiwa, an indigene of Ogun State whose address is GRA Ijebu-Ode (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”) on whose behalf and instructions we write to you.
“Our Client is a good governance advocate and a human rights activist.
“Pursuant to Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, we hereby apply for a copy of the 2020 Ogun State Budget.
“TAKE NOTICE that if you fail, refuse or neglect to furnish us with the said 2020 Budget as requested by Our Client within Seven (7) days of receipt of this application, we have the instructions of Our Client to commence legal
proceedings against you to compel you to comply.”
The construction of Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway, which had since commenced, would be a dual-carriage road with 10 lanes – four lanes on each side with one pull-out section, while the toll plaza consists of 14 lanes for easy payment of tolls.
Abiodun, while speaking at the flag-off, had said the construction, which was meant to connect Epe-Ajah-Victoria Island in Lagos State, would provide a perfect alternative to ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Meanwhile, in a chat with Echotitbits, Mr. Adetilewa Adetomiwa reiterated that he was prompted to take this action based on some unconfirmed rumors of contract inflation trailing the concession which says the cost of the road is 3.6B per KM.
Colonel D.C. Bako killed in an ambush staged by Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday September 20 at about 10 a.m
Boko Haram terrorists have killed a commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno State, Nigeria’s North East.
According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Ado Isa, the murdered officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel D.C. Bako, was killed on Sunday 20 September at about 10 a.m.
Bako was killed as he led a patrol to clear Boko Haram terrorists from Sabon Gari-Wajiroko axis near Damboa.
His patrol team was trapped in an ambush set by the terrorists.
Ado Isa described Bako as a gallant and fine war hero.
Until his death Bako was the commander of Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole
A security consultant and ex-armoured crewman of the Nigerian army, by the Twitter name of Mazi Okay, described Bako as an Iroko.
“Iroko has fallen, a very big blow to Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram insurgency.
“Col Bako until his death this morning was the greatest of all time since the beginning of the war against boko haram.
“A man who crushed and destroyed all Boko Haram cells and networks around Yobe”.
His death re-ignited social media calls for the removal of service chiefs, who have overstayed in office.
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday urged Kaduna State indigenes to cooperate with government and security agencies to secure peace and harmony, stressing that development will only take place when energies are collectively channelled to building, instead of destruction of lives and property.
In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari, while giving an address at a virtual opening of the Fifth Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit, with the theme KADInvest 5.0, Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Innovation said: “We must live together as brothers and sisters because without peace, development cannot take place.
“I wish to commend the efforts of the Kaduna State Government to establish its credentials as one of the new investment destinations of choice in Nigeria. These efforts have received just recognition in the response of the business community which has put in new investments in the state.
“This is a further affirmation of the ranking of the state as Number One for Ease of Doing Business by the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2018. I call on the Kaduna State Government to keep up these laudable efforts and surpass the impressive results already attained,’’ President Buhari said.
He noted that the success of state governments in attracting investments, creating jobs and increasing their internally generated revenues would be critical to the development of the entire country.
“Therefore, I am impressed that the Kaduna State Government has from inception used KADInvest as a serious platform for showcasing its investment potentials. The state’s commitment to consistent implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Charter is exemplary, including its ability to increase its Internally Generated Revenue to N44bn in 2019 from N13bn in 2015 without hiking tax rates. This is very laudable.’’
The President congratulated the Kaduna State government for making KADInvest a regular fixture on the investment calendar, held annually since 2016.
“It is a fitting statement of the resilience of the Kaduna State Government that it is able to host the 2020 edition amidst the severe disruptions to the normal order caused by Covid-19. This is the sort of determined focus that can help the country to navigate the challenging consequences of the pandemic.
“It was my pleasure to commission the Olam Hatchery and Feed Mill project in 2017, about 18 months after the ground-breaking was done at the first edition of KADInvest in 2016. It is commendable that investors like Tomato Jos are creating jobs in the agribusiness sector, taking advantage of Kaduna State’s prioritisation of agriculture.
“I also note with delight the success of new investments in renewable energy like Blue Camel and tractor assembly and the revitalisation of poultry farms across the state. The ongoing development of iron mining and steel processing capacity in the state through investments by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited is especially commendable.’’
President Buhari said the Federal Government will continue to support efforts to attract job-creating investments.
“We believe that much can be done at the sub-national level to drive human capital development and expand economic opportunity. I note with delight the massive investments in infrastructure upgrade Kaduna State is executing through the urban renewal programmes in Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria.
“Given the track record since 2015, I have no doubt that the Kaduna State Government and its private sector partners will take full advantage of the economic windows that are being opened by Federal Government investments such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline.
“The state government should afford full cooperation and support to cross-border federal projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway.’’
President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, have felicitated with a lawmaker, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Oluremi Tinubu, on her 60th birthday anniversary.
Oluremi Tinubu, a former First Lady of Lagos State, turns 60 today (September 21).
Buhari, in his warm felicitations, joined family, friends and political associates “to celebrate the milestone, adorned by many years of service to the nation and humanity.”
The President saluted the senator, who has been re-elected three times to represent Lagos Central Senatorial District, “for her courage and tenacity in many daunting situations, and remaining consistent in her passion for inclusivity, particularly as it relates to women and children, who constitute majority of the population, yet rank high on vulnerability.”
Buhari noted “with gratitude, the loyalty and dedication of Senator Tinubu to the growth of the governing party, All Progressives Congress, and her contributions to strengthening leadership structures at various levels, always providing wise counsels and advocating middle ground reconciliation in favour of greater good for greater majority.”
As the senator turns 60, the President believed “the stage for better and more rewarding service has been set, with all the experiences gathered over the years from Lagos State Government House, and as a ranking member the National Assembly.”
Buhari, in his statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed for “strength, good health and wisdom for the graceful matriarch of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu family.”
Also celebrating his darling wife, Asiwaju Tinubu described her as his strongest ally and supporter through the most difficult moments.
According to him, “You have been my strongest ally and supporter through even the harshest and most difficult times, which is a separate chapter in itself, reflecting your perseverance, endurance and independent character.
“The darkest days of my political exile were made easier by your presence by my side, even though very difficult for our children, as we struggled together for the return of democracy to our land and the hope of a better Nigeria…”
On his part, Sanwo-Olu on behalf of the good people of Lagos State and his wife, Ibijoke, heartily congratulated Senator Tinubu on the occasion of her 60th birthday.
He described the senator as an amazing amazon, whose name is synonymous to social justice and a voice of the voiceless.
“Our Dear Amazon, attaining the age of 60 years in grace and elegance is worth celebrating.
“Over the years, you have emblazoned your name as an advocate of social justice, a philanthropist and a voice of the voiceless.
“As the lawmaker representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, your input to national growth is a pragmatic testament of visionary leadership.
“Through your pet projects, Spelling Bee and the New Era Foundation, you became a reference point in women and youth development in the country.
“On this landmark 60th birthday, I pray for continued God’s guidance and more of your service to humanity, Lagos and our country.
“Happy 60th Birthday to an Amazing Amazon,” Sanwo-Olu said.
To Ogun State Governor, attaining 60 is a huge milestone for anyone, saying he’s proud of the legacies of former First Lady of Lagos State in statecraft as a ranking senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Abiodun said: “I heartily felicitate you on the auspicious occasion of your Diamond Jubilee Birthday. This is, no doubt, an important landmark in your very eventful life.
“Turning 60 is a huge milestone for anyone. You have many things to be grateful for after living your life for six decades and justified that you are an Ogun State icon of excellence as educationist, administrator, entrepreneur, philanthropist and political icon.
“As First Lady in Lagos State, your New Era Foundation remains a reference for others on youth development, girl child education, women empowerment and for inspiring young persons to excellence.
“We are also proud of your legacies in statecraft as a ranking Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We pray that as you join the Diamond League, God Almighty will grant you grace of many more years in the service of humanity, in good health and with renewed vigour to hold the banner of excellence in progressive politics.”
A former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, and a former senate president, Bukola Saraki, have congratulated Godwin Obaseki over his re-election as Edo State Governor.
Jonathan, in his congratulatory message, tasked the re-elected governor to rise above partisan politics and govern for the good people of Edo State, irrespective of party leaning.
The former president also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for overseeing a process that allowed the votes of the good people of Edo to count.
“I congratulate His Excellency Godwin Obaseki on his re-election as Edo State Governor and the INEC Nigeria for overseeing a process that allowed the votes of the good people of Edo to count.
“Democracy can only be consolidated to promote good governance in our nation and continent when our elections become credible, transparent and truly represent the wish of the voters.
“Democracy is about the good of all the people and not for winners and losers.
“As the election has been contested and won, I urge His excellency to rise above partisan politics and govern for the good of Edo people, irrespective of party leaning.
“This is the way to deepen our democracy and bring development to the people,” Jonathan said.
Saraki, on his part, congratulated Obaseki who he described as “friend and brother” on his re-election as Edo State Governor.
The former senate president called on Obaseki to see his re-election as an opportunity to deliver on his campaign promises and to continually work to actualise the wishes and aspirations of Edo people.
“The result of Edo gubernatorial election represents the true wish of the people who stood firmly behind their governor against power mongers who were determined to foist their choice on the people. It represents the will of the people to vote in free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.
“The people of Edo State who had sleepless nights in order to protect their votes, those who rejected the cash being thrown around to buy their votes and the intimidation to force them to compromise their belief, deserve our praise. Therefore, my congratulations go to all the people of Edo State.
“Let me give kudos to the leaders and governors in our party, PDP, for working together to achieve this victory. PDP leaders and members in Edo State who whole-heartedly accepted Governor Obaseki since he joined the party and co-operated with him to bring about this victory deserve to be appreciated.
“The result of the just concluded election also represents the fact that our people actually desire to be governed by a truly democratic government headed by those they genuinely voted for. It represents the fact that our security and electoral officials can conduct free and fair elections if they have the right atmosphere. We are happy that throughout this election we did not see the military brutalising the people or security officials supervising the snatching of ballot boxes and vandalisation of votes. Thus, the military and other security agencies deserve commendation for this successful poll.
“We also saw how INEC officials maturely handled the complaints of APC agent who sought to create confusion at the state collation centre when Orihomwon Local Government result was about to be declared. INEC and its officials deserve to be commended for their neutrality in this election.
“We can see that the result represents realistic figures from one local government area to the other. No case of outlandish figures being reeled out. That is also a sign of some level of credibility in the process. It is for the above reasons that I have to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping the military out of this election and for giving the instructions that led to the apparent neutrality of members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other security officials in the entire process.
“Edo election result is a victory for our country, her people and democracy. We have shown that the glory of the country is more valuable to the citizens than the wish of a tiny power clique,” he said.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has debunked reports that he rejected the final result of the Edo Governorship election which returned Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for second term as Governor.
According to a press statement by the governor’s chief press secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, Uzodinma said he never made such a statement and blamed the fake news industry.
Governor Uzodinma also denied spending N3billion or $5million of Imo state money on the Edo state election.
Emphasising the report as fake, Uzodinma accused one Stan Walden Newyork as the mastermind of the claims, a name referred to as “obviously a fake name”.
“If the authors of the fake reports still have some brain in their head, something would have told them that since Governor Uzodimma is neither from Edo nor Chairman of the APC Media Campaign Council, the mischief they were primed to accomplish will not fly. Of course they don’t have sense.
“They were also so daft to know that the governor was not a candidate in the said election and would not have spoken on an election he was not a candidate”, Nwachuku said.
Read the full statement:
There is fake report trending on the social media which claims that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has rejected the recently announced Edo State governorship election result…
No doubt, the authors of the fake reports are obviously the same characters we have always known who have been signing off press releases using the name and Office of the Chief Press Secretary/ Media Adviser to give their criminal, selfish and foolish intent some measure of credibility.
The recent Edo State governorship election, like many others in the past involving Distinguished Senator Uzodimma, has provided them with yet another opportunity to feed the public with lies, lies and more lies, a vocation that seems to be their only known source of livelihood.
In their desperation to discredit Governor Uzodimma on the outcome of the Edo governorship poll, they have cast innuendos; insinuating that he has rejected the outcome of the governorship election and that he had accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being compromised, and that the All Progressive Congress (APC) will get judgment from the tribunal.
Their insinuation also includes that the governor said that the entire process was marred by irregularities from INEC officials who, they claimed, sabotaged the system.
Obviously relying on the position of Governor Uzodimma as the APC Deputy Chairman for the Edo Governorship Campaign Council, the criminal-minded writers of the irritating fake news did not stop at that. They had insinuated that the governor described the entire exercise as shameful.
If the authors of the fake reports still have some brain in their head, something would have told them that since Governor Uzodimma is neither from Edo nor Chairman of the APC Media Campaign Council, the mischief they were primed to accomplish will not fly. Of course they don’t have sense.
They were also so daft to know that the governor was not a candidate in the said election and would not have spoken on an election he was not a candidate.
But they could not have advised themselves rightly because having been paid princely to discredit the Imo State governor, their sense of reasoning would automatically be blurred.
The hallmark of credible news report is the voice the writer adds to it and Reuters could not have published a report that dwells on hearsay like the one many may have been deceived to think emanated from that respected news medium, but we know, did not.
To also say that in the buffoonery, nay tomfoolery, of those who said Governor Uzodimma rejected the Edo governorship election result, they signed off with the name of the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser in a press release purportedly issued on September 19, 2020, but with a template that actually read May 20, 2020, tells a lot about their desperation to blackmail the governor and everything he stands for, using every opportunity at their disposal.
We have always known, since the coming on board of this administration, about the existence of stuntmen who maintain templates with which they pull off stunts mainly fake news, thinking they will derail the 3-R mantra vision of Governor Uzodimma. That, to us, is mission impossible because the governor knows where he is headed with Imo people.
Governor Uzodimma’s passion about taking Imo out of the woods, particularly from the grips of political hawks and merchants of blackmail whose umbilical chord seem tied to fake news and other negative tendencies that cause disaffection cannot be derailed.
He has refused to be distracted, even with the fake news that members of the public are fed with from time to time, because he is quite aware of the reason for them.
President Buhari receives in audience Ghanian President H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo in State House on 20th Sep 2020
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night met with the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina who posted pictures of the two West-African leaders walking side by side on his Facebook page.
Although, Adesina did not reveal the agenda of the meeting in his post, it is however believed not unconnected with heightened tensions between the two neighbouring Nations caused by the closure of shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana.
President Buhari receives in audience Ghanian President H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo in State House on 20th Sep 2020
The trade tension compelled Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to summon Ghana’s Charge d Affaires to Nigeria, Ms Iva Denoo for discussions.
Onyeama had also met with representatives of Nigerian traders in Ghana, led by Jasper Emenike, the National President of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN), and the organisation’s National Director, Ruth Ango over the matter.
Recall Echotitbits reported that Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila visited Ghana on Sept. 2 with a view to seeing how the issues at stake could be resolved amicably.
Speaking at a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Akufo-Addo said a request by the speaker for a review of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act to make certain concessions was in order as it “makes a lot of sense”.
The Ghanaian President, at that meeting promised to also raise the issue with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Following the collapse of a school building in Ejigbo area in the early hours of Saturday, integrity tests will now be carried out on both public and private schools with buildings of three floors and above in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the directive to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development at a press briefing in the State House on Saturday
According to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, the move became necessary in order to ascertain the structural integrity of all school buildings above two floors with a view to preventing future re-occurrence of school building collapse in the State.
Salako assured that the Ministry would swing into action in earnest so as to actualise the State Government’s aim of saving lives and property, especially as schools resume after a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his explanation, the Commissioner noted that his Ministry will work on modalities including guidelines and procedures to implement the integrity test directive of the Lagos State Governor on public and private schools buildings above two storeys.
Imo State State Governor and Deputy Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State governorship campaign council, Hope Uzodimma, has rejected the results of Edo State governorship election.
The governor made this known when he arrived Imo State Government House Owerri on Sunday morning after the election which took place on September 19.
Uzodimma, in his assessment, alleged that the entire process in Edo State was marred by irregularities from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who sabotaged the system, making it difficult for APC votes to count.
He described the conduct of INEC officials in Edo State governorship election as “shameful”
The governor also thanked APC governorship candidate in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for his resilience and doggedness.
He also assured that APC is already gathering evidence to proceed to yet to be constituted Edo State Election Petition Tribunal any moment from now with the confidence that the party would get judgement in due time.
Uzodimma, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, urged all APC faithful and supporters to remain calm and law abiding, alleging that what happened in Edo State is “a sabotage to our hard-worn democracy in Nigeria.”
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