Akeredolu inaugurates Amotekun in Ondo, tasks FG on more police funding

By

-

August 12, 2020

AMOTEKUN-6 — Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu addresses members of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, at the inauguration of the security outfit.

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has inaugurated the pioneer officers of Ondo State Security network Agency Amotekun Corps.

During the inauguration ceremony in Akure, the state capital , Governor Akeredolu expressed delight with the performance of the pioneer Amotekun corps officers, who recently completed their training.

In his remark, the Governor urged the corps officers to put to good use the knowledge gained from the training to ensure security of life and property in the state.

Akeredolu who pleaded with the Federal Government to allocate more fund for equiping the police, explained that the Amotekun Corps is designed to support the existing security framework in the state.

READ ALSO:

Babalakin-led Governing Council sacks UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ogundipe

Stressing that with a workable synergy among the leadership of the security agencies and that of Amotekun, the Governor expressed confidence that a water-tight strategy capable of arresting crimes even before they occur could be achieved.

At the ceremony, the Governor commissioned some equipment that will aid the effective operation of the corps officers, including vehicles, motorcycles, and other communication gadgets.

In his remarks, the Commander of Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Ade Adeleye commended Governor Akeredolu for making the dream of the security outfit come alive.

Commander of the Ondo State Amotekum Corps, Ade Adeleye, addresses guests and men of the security outfit at the inauguration ceremony.

Adeleye said that the Amotekun Corps was a child of necessity born out of the need to explore other means of securing communities across Ondo State.

The Ondo Amotekun Corps inauguration was well attended by government officials, traditional and religious leaders, including representatives of the Nigerian Police Force, Ondo Command.

Ondo is the latest Southwest state in Nigeria to inaugurate its own command of the Amotekun Corps, which came to light by the determination of Governors in the region to tackle growing insecurity.

The governors of the Southwest met and agreed to establish a security outfit that will support the security framework of the region.

At the early stage, the plan to own a regional security outfit was greeted with mixed reactions, while some persons said it was a good idea, others believed Amotekun is a ploy to decentralize the police through the back door.

One of the worries of those against the security outfit was that Amotekun will be a tool in the hands of politicians to fan their self-interest.

On the ground of a number of concerns, the Federal Government frowned at the Soutwest governors and even went ahead to declare illegal, the establishment of the security outfit.

In a communique in January 2020, Special Assistant, Media and Public Relations (Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice), Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu declared on behalf of government that “The setting up of the paramilitary organization called “Amotekun” is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law”.

READ ALSO:

Sanwo-Olu Commissions Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT Corridor, Unveils New Smart Ticketing System

The Federal Government maintained that “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has established the Army, Navy, and Airforce, including the Police and other numerous paramilitary organisations for the purpose of the defence of Nigeria”.

The Federal Goverent’s initial resistance to the regional security outfit led the Southwest governors to meet the President, which resulted in unanimous resolutions that allowed states in the region to proceed with Amotekun.

The resolutions include: That the structure of Amotekun should align with the Federal Government’s community policing strategy; that necessary legal instruments be put in place by each state to give legal backing and regulatory measures to Amotekun.

More photos:

In this photo, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is seated next to the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, at the inauguration of the security outfit.

Members of the Amotekun Corps mount a guard of honour at the inauguration of the Ondo State arm of the security outfit

Inline1

Babalakin-led Governing Council sacks UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ogundipe

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 12, 2020

1

Unilag VC 2 — File Photo of Sacked Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe

The Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has been sacked by the governing council of the institution.

Ogundipe’s removal was announced during a meeting of the Governing Council of the institution which held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) building in Abuja today, Wednesday.

Echotitbits gathered that while seven members of the council voted for the removal of Ogundipe, four voted against, and one member voted that he should rather be placed on suspension.

The meeting was presided over by its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN).

Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Dr. Wale Babalakin

Earlier in the year, the sacked Vice Chancellor and Babalakin, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council were were at loggerheads over the institution’s 51st convocation slated for March 9 to March 12.

Ogundipe was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos in November 2017 having emerged highest in the interview conducted, beating Professor Olukayode Amund, and Professor Ayodeji Olukoju to the post. Until his appointment in November of that year, he was the deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.

Inline1

Lagos Workers: Wellness centre timely to check stress, depression – Youth Commissioner

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 12, 2020

1

Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu has stated that the Lagos Sate Employee Wellness (LASWELL) centre initiative of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration is timely and in consonance with the Health and Environment pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda, which represents Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21^st Century state; Security and Governance.

Dawodu stated this at the launch of the Wellness Centre by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

He noted that the appropriate timing of the project will afford civil servants the opportunity to present themselves for medical advice in this era of ever-increasing socio-economic challenges, in addition to work-related stress and home front challenges.

“The fact that the rate of depression, hopelessness and lack of self-actualisation has assumed unprecedented dimension in our society today is enough to invest in the system. As a responsible government, we are taking this step to nip the development in the bud”, Dawodu added.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Yewande Falugba explained that the Lagos State Employee Wellness Centre (LASWELL) was set up for the mental stability and management of common mental health disorders of Lagos State Public Servants.

She revealed that employees can only continue to contribute their quota to the attainment of a Greater Lagos when they are alive and in good health.

She implored Civil Servants to take advantage of the Centre as a way of regaining self-confidence, self-worth and self-actualisation, and even reintegration to the society rather than submitting to hopelessness, depression, substance abuse or considering suicide as an option.

READ ALSO:

Sanwo-Olu Commissions Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT Corridor, Unveils New Smart Ticketing System

LASWELL Centre, with the motto: “Total Wellness for Public Servants”, is located within the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic at the Secretariat, Alausa.

Services like mental health counselling, psychotherapy, initial diagnostic assessment, organisational psychology and referral, among others, will be provided by Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologist and Social Welfare Officers.

Inline1

Lagos: Onigbongbo LCDA Chairman, Babatunde Oke Is dead

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 12, 2020

0

20200812084259_-1431364068_8758716397603407660_480_288_80_webp — The deceased, Babatunde Oke, who untill his death was the Chairman, Onigbongbo, Local Council Development Area, Lagos State.

The Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, Babatunde Oke has died of Coronavirus.

Echotitbits gathered that, the APC leader passed away Wednesday morning.

Oke, who had been ill but recovered, was said to have gotten sick again and died from coronavirus complications.

He was in his second term as council chairman.

Inline1

UK economy plunges into recession, Trump awards sixth vaccine contract

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 12, 2020

0

images (1) — A file photo of US President, Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister, Borris Johnson

For the first time since 2008, the United Kingdom’s economy has plunged into a recession due to a 2020 second quarter shrink.

The country’s economy decline of a record 20.4% in Q2, followed a 2.% drop in Q1.

FILE – In this Tuesday, March 24, 2020 file photo, a woman wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus, waits at a bus stop on a deserted Oxford Street in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File) The Associated Press

Echotitbits gathered Wednesday morning that the development signaled the deepest slump UK economy has since 1954.

Elsewhere, United States President, Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a contract awarded to US biotech company, Moderna for the production of 100 million doses of “an eventual” coronavirus vaccine. The deal, which is the sixth since May, is worth $1.5 billion.

At a White House news conference, President Trump said: “I’m pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Moderna to manufacture and deliver 100 million doses of their coronavirus vaccine candidate.

“The federal government will own these vaccine doses, we’re buying them”, he said.

Inline1

Sanwo-Olu Commissions Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT Corridor, Unveils New Smart Ticketing System

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 12, 2020

1

IMG-20200812-WA0002 — Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Commissioning of Oshodi-Abule Ẹgba BRT corridor, new buses and e-ticket. Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tuesday commissioned the Oshodi-Abule Egba Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor and unveiled 550 high and medium capacity buses which would be immediately deployed for public use.

At the commissioning ceremony, the governor also formally inaugurated upgraded e-ticketing system in fulfilment of his pledge.

The new BRT corridor is a median running route with 14 drop-off terminals along the Oshodi-Abule Egba route, which terminates at Katangua Bus Station. Each terminal has well ventilated foyer where passengers could sit and wait for buses.

READ ALSO:

Trump Fulfills Promise as Nigeria Receives 200 Ventilators from US

The route was designed with 11 pedestrian bridges, traffic safety measures and street lighting.

Sanwo-Olu rode in a BRT bus to formally flag off the 13.68 kilometre-long corridor for public use.

The Oshodi-Abule Egba corridor is a major link for residents who commute in and out of Alimosho, Egbeda, Ijaiye, Iyana Ipaja and Oshodi. The route is also a gateway to neighbouring Ogun State and Republic of Benin.

Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu described the commissioning ceremony as “a major milestone” in the implementation of his administration’s reform agenda in public transport system, pointing out that the handover of the BRT infrastructure was another promise fulfilled by his administration.

He said the transportation asset would create a new travel experience for residents of Alimosho and Oshodi, noting that the project was specifically designed to improve journey time for commuters, thereby scaling up productivity and life expectancy in the state.

According to him, “A little over a year ago, we pledged to significantly improve traffic flow and transportation system which is the very first of our six-point development agenda encapsulated as Project T.H.E.M.E.S. We made the pledge knowing that the people are the main reason we have been entrusted with the management of our commonwealth.

READ ALSO:

Corruption: Prosecutor stalls trial of ex-AGF, Judge adjourns till August 13

“Today, we are here to formally flag-off a very important public transport infrastructure – the Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT corridor – which officially launches the commencement of transport operation along the BRT corridor.

“We are unveiling 550 high and medium capacity buses which will be immediately deployed for public use. This event also formally inaugurates our upgraded e-ticketing system in fulfilment of our pledge.

“This project is very significant because of its immense benefits to Lagosians in the different communities it straddles and to visitors to our state. This new BRT corridor will bring great relief to over 60,000 commuters who will use this facility daily.

“Travel time, which is estimated at an average of two hours during peak periods, will be significantly reduced to an average of 30 minutes. This will improve the health of our people, engender a safer environment, and increase the value of socio-economic activities in the state.”

The governor added that his administration’s reform efforts were geared towards birthing a new commuting order in the state through seamless travel and creating smart mobility model that’ll result into a congestion-free state.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bringing problem-solving interventions across all modes of transportation sector in Lagos.

To integrate all transport modes on a single smart payment ecosystem, Sanwo-Olu launched an upgraded e-ticketing platform that would automate fare payment and create smart mobility through a cashless pre-paid Cowry card.

The e-ticketing mechanism has modern functionalities which simplify the process of bus booking and ticket purchase. It introduces simple solutions that guarantee seamless cash and wireless payment for passengers at designated booths.

The Cowry card would enable passengers proceed to the loading bay and scan the card for fare deduction.

“With the e-ticketing system, we envisage the use of a single card on buses and ferries and later upscale to the railways system when passenger operations commence in 2022.

“The system promotes a cashless ecosystem, aids personal budgeting and planning and commuters can easily top up,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor disclosed that the state government would be distributing the first 100,000 Cowry cards to residents free of charge.

Sanwo-Olu added that his administration was on the verge of complementing Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT corridor with rail project to aid mass mobility.

The BRT project was handled and supervised by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) – an agency of the state’s Ministry of Transportation.

The governor hailed LAMATA for supervising the project construction and bringing it to reality, while also thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the state government in its drive to deliver efficient transport system.

“Our administration is very passionate about easing the movement of the citizenry around this beautiful state which is why we would not stop at ensuring that we give you a transport system that works for you.

“I would like to congratulate Lagosians on the successful completion of this project in spite of the challenges thrown up by its implementation. I would also like to commend Lagosians for the pains they had to endure while the construction of this important transport project lasted,” he said.

In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladehinde, described the project as “great progress” in the public transport system, noting that the BRT route was important to the state’s strategic transportation master plan.

LAMATA Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo, on her part, said the commencement of the BRT operations along the corridor would reduce travel time for commuters by 35 per cent, while also enhancing socio-economic development.

READ ALSO:

AU, Ecobank Launch MSME Academy for Africa’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

She said: “The frequency of the BRT operation along this route will enhance public transport accessibility by up to 25 per cent, while the provision of dedicated lane will enhance reliability on the public transportation by 30 per cent.

“The project has been designed to integrate the proposed Red Line Rail Mass Transit project as part of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s transportation blueprint.”

Idowu Sowunmi

Inline1

Trump Fulfills Promise as Nigeria Receives 200 Ventilators from US

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 12, 2020

0

IMG-20200811-WA0012 — US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard and Nigeria's Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire. August 11, 2020.

United States President Donald Trump has finally fulfilled his promise to send ventilators to Nigeria.

Receiving 200 ventilators on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at a ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, described the medical items as critical to saving the lives of persons who have been severely affected by the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, at an event in Abuja where he received ventilators donated to Nigeria by the US. Tuesday, 2020.

The Minister said: “This donation consists of 200 ventilators, which, as we all know by now, are a critical component of the response strategy to save the lives of persons who have been severely impacted by this viral infection.

“They will certainly be of great benefit to the people of Nigeria and I wish to convey the appreciation of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and of the government of Nigeria, to President Donald Trump and the United States Government for the generous consideration and friendly gesture.

“The Federal Ministry of Health, and its public health Agency, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), have focused on providing guidance to tackle the challenges.

“Our health workers have been trained and equipped and are doing the needful to attend to COVID-19 patients and give emergency care, while not losing sight of routine and essential health services.

“The speed and ease with which COVID-19 has spread across the globe clearly shows that it is a threat to mankind. Without the full collaboration of all nations, the threat of COVID-19 to any one part of the world is a threat to all.”

US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, at an event in Abuja, where she delivered ventilators donated to Nigeria by the US. Tuesday 11, 2020.

In her remarks at the event, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, who made the donation on behalf of the US Government, said: “The 200 ventilators being transferred today are compact and portable, and can be easily mobilised to reach those patients with the most severe symptoms of COVID-19.”

READ ALSO:

US: Joe Biden names Kamala Harris, a Female Senator as running mate

She noted that the support includes training on the use and maintenance of this equipment and ensuring that the ventilators could address other respiratory illnesses in the years beyond the virus.

The Ambassador described the ventilators as “life-saving equipment,” noting that it’s a fulfillment of the commitment made by Trump and Buhari earlier this year to assist in tackling the rampaging COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Idowu Sowunmi

Inline1

US: Joe Biden names Kamala Harris, a Female Senator as running mate

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 11, 2020

0

US Democratic candidate in the November Presidential election, Joe Biden has named Kamala Harris as his running mate, making the California senator the first Black and South Asian American woman to run on a major political party’s presidential ticket.

The former Vice President who served alongside President Barak Obama was reported to have disclosed his pick in a mail on Tuesday

“I’ve decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to help me take this fight to Donald Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021”, he wrote.

READ ALSO:

NBA appoints Sierra Leonean-American, Victor Williams, Africa CEO

Biden’s choice, Kamala Harris, had rivaled the presidential hopeful during the contest for the Democratic party’s nomination.

Harris, a Senator representing California, rose to national prominence within the Democratic party, especially when she interrogated Trump nominees, including former Attorney General, Jeff Sessions and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, during Senate hearings.

Described as a politically shrewd Senator, Harris had centered her own presidential bid on her readiness to take on Donald Trump and show Americans she would fight for them.

This development means She makes history as the first Black woman to serve as a major political party’s VP pick.

In a tweet, Harris said: “I’m honored to join him as our party’s nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.”

.@JoeBiden can unify the American people because he's spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he'll build an America that lives up to our ideals.

I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 11, 2020

Inline1

Photos: President Buhari meets Governor’s Forum security committee

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 11, 2020

0

FB_IMG_1597152185902 — President Buhari presides over a Virtual Meeting with Security Committee of the Governor's Forum in State House on 11th Aug 2020. Image Credit- Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity

President Muhammadu Buhari today, Tuesday meets the security committee of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum virtually.

Inline1

AU, Ecobank Launch MSME Academy for Africa’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

-

August 11, 2020

0

New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), a socio-economic flagship programme of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA), otherwise called AUDA-NEPAD, has launched the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Academy, in partnership with Ecobank Group.

Spearheaded under AUDA-NEPAD ‘100,000 MSMEs by 2021’ (100K MSMEs) programme for Africa’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Academy provides easy access to practical training and resources on financing opportunities in various countries, materials on how to build digital presence for businesses and how to adapt business operations in the era of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Continue

Inline1