Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu accompanied by State Official on an inspection tour of Lagos Food Production Centre in Badagry, Lagos. August 9, 2020.
In order to boost local food production, the Lagos State Government says it is now set to revive a 279-hectare Lagos Food Production Centre, formerly known as the Songhai Food Production Centre in Avia, Badagry.
The State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who made this known over the weekend in Badagry while on a site inspection tour of the Centre, explained that this was necessary in preparation for the take-off of the State Government’s two food centres designed to attain food sufficiency.
The Governor pointed out that reviving the 279-hectare Food Production Centre, originally acquired by the State Government in 2012 for a commercial agricultural project, would encourage organic farming using simple biological methods to enhance production outputs with a model, based on new approaches and farming systems that rely heavily on the combined inputs from local experiences, indigenous technology, business communities and research institutions.
According to him, focusing on local food production would increase agricultural production to meet the food needs of the State’s growing population, transform agriculture to commercial and export-oriented production while at the same time generating employment.
Governor Sanwo-Olu added that some of the agricultural projects to be developed for commercial production at the Centre include fishing, poultry, piggery and agro-forestry among others.
Sanwo-Olu reckon that apart from delivering wholesome food items, training and creating employment, the Lagos Food Production Centre would also provide raw materials for the Agro-Industry, new environmental products and services, and feedstock for renewable energy supply.
The Governor added that the project will give rise to similar agro-allied businesses to open up Badagry’s economy for more growth, while also boosting its tourism business.
A collage of Bola Tinubu, a national leader of Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party and Late Buruji Kashamu, an ex-lawmaker, who represented Ogun East constituency at the Senate.
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has paid tribute to late Senator Buruji Kashamu.
Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, said he admired Kashamu’s political doggedness and sagacity, and his steadfastness in pursuing whatever he believes in, though not in the same political party.
AccordIng to him, “I’m deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of Senator Buruji Kashamu. He was a notable leader in the country and a true grassroots politician. He fought for his convictions, for the people of Ogun State and for his country.
“Senator Kashamu was also a good party man. He was unwavering in his support for his party, PDP, through all the twists and turns of his political life. His passing is a big loss to the larger political family in Nigeria.
“He worked assiduously to advance the political and economic fortunes of his state. Kashamu represented, with merit, Ogun East in the 8th National Assembly and worked well for his constituents. He was a kind and generous man, a philanthropist in his own right and an astute businessman.
“I admire his political doggedness and sagacity, and his steadfastness in pursuing whatever he believes in, though we were never in the same political party.
“His passing has lengthened the grotesque list of important personalities that have been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also a sad reminder that the deadly virus remains very much with us. We must all continue to embrace all the protective protocols recommended by the government and health authorities, even as we gradually begin the re-opening of our economy and return to a new normal in our life styles.”
He added: “Again, Kashamu’s sudden death has demonstrated the transience of human life and rekindles the fact that death is inevitable for every mortal. As such, it behoves on us to be kind to the dead.
“I mourn with his family, particularly his wives, children and grandchildren. May Almighty Allah lay His hands of protection on them at this moment. I mourn with his friends and associates across the country.
“I also offer my condolences to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the government and people of Ogun State over the demise this important son of the soil. I pray that Almighty Allah forgive of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Fridaus.”
Less than four months to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, there has been a call for an amendment of the party’s constitution.
The Director-General of Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman, made this call in a statement, suggesting that the amendment of the 2014 constitution of the party before the convention will check what he described as perceived excesses of some party officials at the state and federal levels.
Lukman also advocated for a credible membership register ahead of the party’s national convention billed to hold in November this year.
The PGF DG warned that only a credible membership register can hand over the party to the people and save its structures from being hijacked at the states and federal levels.
He further urged Yobe State Governor Mai Buni-led Caretaker and National Convention Planning Committee of the party to ensure that those who emerge as leaders of the party are not cronies of 2023 aspirants.
According to him, party supremacy will only be guaranteed if wards and states congresses are conducted based on credible register of members which will humble any 2023 aspirants.
A file photo of President Muhammadu Buhari shaking hands with Dr. Dapo Williams
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora over the sad loss of Dr Dapo Williams, a prominent member of Nigerian UK Diaspora.
In a condolence message signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari recalled his meeting with Dr Williams in January, 2020, during a town hall meeting with Nigerian professionals in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Dapo Williams being officially presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, for excellent management of resources recognition, by the Chair of Governors, St. Martin’s, in the Fields Church of England for Girls in London, during tercentenary (300 years) celebrations.
“He was passionate about our country, deeply committed to a Nigeria that attains her position in the comity of Nations. It’s sad to lose such a hopeful, ebullient soul so soon,” President Buhari said.
Late Dr Williams was a leader and pioneer of Nigerian Think Tank Group (NTTG), and a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Buhari Campaign Organization, in the UK.
Otunba Dapo Williams, a successful real estate professional and community leader, was a member, Institute of Directors, London and Kent.
Nigerian-UK based robotics engineer, Silas Adekunle, known for creating the world's first intelligent (augmented reality) gaming in the world. Image- Reach Robotics
Awarri – a pan African enabler of Robotics and advanced Artificial intelligence has launched in Africa with the aim of preparing African youths for the future of work and enabling them to take on some of Africa’s biggest challenges.
In a statement made available to Echotitbits Saturday, the founder, Nigerian-UK based Robotics Engineer, Silas Adekunle, stated that Awarri has a mission to revolutionize the tech ecosystem in Africa and indeed Nigeria.
Adekunle, a technology entrepreneur, known for creating the world’s first intelligent (augmented reality) gaming in the world, also announced that the organization is in partnership with Union Bank to introduce a first of its kind robotics training and mentoring programme for students ages 11-16 in Nigeria, starting in Lagos, through their edu360 platform.
“This will equip students with requisite knowledge of Robotics and Artificial intelligence as they continue with their mission of building the Africa of our dreams”, he stated.
According to information on its website, Awarri is derived from the Yoruba language word, “Awari”, which means seek and find.
Adekunle was born and raised in Nigeria. He earned a first class degree in robotics from the University of the West of England.
Echotitbits gathered that as a result of the success recorded when he released MekaMon, the world’s first gaming robot, in 2017, with sales of 500 bots that generated $7.5 million, according to The Guardian, Adekunle received support from various organisations such as London Venture Partners ($10 million) and in the same year, his company, Reach Robotics signed a deal with Apple securing exclusive sales in Apple stores.
“Impressed by the quality of his robots and their ability to show emotion with subtly-calibrated movements, Apple priced his four-legged “battle-bots” at $300 and has put them in nearly all of its stores in the United States and Britain.
“Early customers skew towards male techies but a growing number of parents are buying the robots for their children to get them interested in STEM, Adekunle told Forbes in an interview this year”, Allafrica.com reported.
Senator Buruju Kashamu’s corpse has been buried at his Ijebu-Igbo country home.
The late lawmaker and political leader was reported to have been interred at around 12:55 pm on Sunday.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who is a friend of the deceased, was among dignitaries who attended the islamic burial rites to bid farewell to his kinsman.
However, sympathisers shunned COVID-19 protocols while they struggled to catch a glimpse of the burial proceedings.
Kashamu died of coronavirus complications in a Lagos hospital on Saturday, at the age of 62.
On the night of the passing of Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ògùn East constituency at the Senate, his remains was welcomed in Ijebu Igbo by a mammoth crowd of supporters.
On Sunday morning. Residents of Ijebu Igbo thronged the streets to bid their leader and for many, their benefactor, farewell.
At the residence of late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who was reported to have died of Coronavirus in a Lagos Hospital, a huge crowd of well wishers took over the compound.
Here, the final resting place of Senator Buruji Kashamu, founder of Omoilu Foundation, who many described as a philanthropist and a politician with a large heart.
The remains of former lawmaker, Senator Buruji Kashamu, had arrived Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State.
The lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Senatorial district between 2015 and 2019, would be buried today according to Islamic rites by 12pm, his spokesman, Austin Oniyokor, has confirmed.
Oniyokor disclosed that Kashamu died in a private hospital in Lagos at the age of 62 after a brief illness.
“The Shodipe Kashamu family of Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, has announced the death of the patriarch of the family, Senator Buruji Kashamu.
“Kashamu, 62, died Saturday at a private hospital in Lagos, after a brief illness.
“His remains will be interred by 12 noon on Sunday, August 9, 2020, in his Ijebu-Igbo country home, in accordance with Islamic rites.”
Meanwhile, a former presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, has paid tribute to the late Senator, saying Kashamu brought him into partisan politics and groomed him in the process.
Abati, who was Kashamu’s running mate during the 2019 governorship election in Ogun on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), explained that late lawmaker loved Nigeria dearly but he was grossly misunderstood.
“I am completely heartbroken. Senator Buruji Kashamu was my political mentor. Now he is dead at the relatively young age of 62. I feel like an orphan all over again.
“I may have worked with the PDP government at the federal level, but he was the man who brought me into direct, partisan politics. He was one of the most generous men that I have ever known. He was determined to groom me and he did. He taught me the ropes. He linked me with the grassroots. I learnt a lot from him.
“He was a very simple man who was grossly misunderstood by his political opponents. His persona, his politics was indeed grossly misunderstood but those who knew him personally met a man who loved Nigeria dearly and was unapologetically public-spirited.
“He enjoyed giving other people opportunities. He was humorous, kind-hearted, large-hearted and genial. With his death, Nigeria, Ogun state, Ijebuland and the people of Ijebu-Igbo have lost an illustrious son, who demonstrated courage, talent and creativity in everything to which he applied his energy.
“His death is yet another confirmation that COVID-19 is real, capricious and wicked. It is also a sober reaffirmation of the maxim that “man proposes, but God disposes.
“He no longer wanted to run for office in 2023, but he made it clear he would support others to achieve their dreams of getting an opportunity to make contributions on the Nigerian stage. And now, he is gone. Death is a cruel fact of human reality. It puts an end to life and many things,” Abati said in a statement.
Obasanjo, in a statement, described Kashamu’s death as “sad,” but noted that his life and history left “lessons for those of all us on this side of the veil.”
He said: “Senator Buruji Kashamu in his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.
“But no legal, political, cultural, social, or even medical maneuver could stop the cold hand of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up.
“May Allah forgive his sin and accept his soul into Aljanah, and may God grant his family and friends fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Kashamu, prior to his death, engaged in a series of legal battle against the Federal Government of Nigeria over his extradition to the United States of America to face alleged drug trafficking and fraud charges.
Idowu Sowunmi
Former President Obasanjo’s Condolence Letter on Late Buruji Kashamu. Source: Adetomiwa Adetilewa
Germany’s coronavirus testing requirement for travellers flying in from high-risk countries has come into force with few complications on Saturday, DW News has reported.
Operators of airport testing centres across the country reported minimal wait times and ample supplies. Meanwhile, EU members Romania and Bulgaria were added to Germany’s list of high-risk countries.
Coronavirus testing booth operators at Germany’s largest airport, Frankfurt Airport, said they did not see any major problems or notice a large increase in the number of people waiting to be tested.
“This is slightly more than in the past few days,” Benedikt Hart, the head of the German Red Cross-operated testing center at the airport told the DPA news agency. “The people have understanding. There are no disgruntled passengers.”
A Hamburg Airport spokesperson echoed that statement, saying there were no complications related to the testing, and that passengers arriving from high-risk countries didn’t face more than a 30-minute wait to be tested. In Berlin, tests carried out at both Tegel and Schönefeld airports, as well as the central bus station were carried out with relative simplicity and only sporadic queues.
The tests are typically to be taken directly upon arrival at airports, but are also available free of charge at separate testing centres and medical practices up to three days after arrival.
DW correspondent Konrad Busen, who was at Frankfurt Airport, said the introduction of testing was expected to increase the number of cases identified.
“Up until now here in Frankfurt the number of positive tests has been relatively small around about 1 per cent of the about 2,000 people tested her per day have been positive,” he said. “This number is expected to rise now as compulsory testing is introduced for people traveling from high-risk countries.”
Praise and condemnation
The largest German doctor’s union, the Marburger Bund, welcomed the move, citing a higher rate of positive tests in people coming from high-risk countries. “The obligatory testing could make this even more obvious, because people with a tendency toward risky behavior are more likely to bypass voluntary testing stations,” Marburger Bund Chairwoman Susanne Johne said.
However, other practitioners have criticised the broad requirement. The risk areas are “much too general” and many general practitioners do not have the capacity to handle a “rush of people” asking to be tested, Ulrich Weigeldt, the chairman of the German Association of General Practitioners, told Die Welt newspaper.
He also said it was “absurd” that returning travellers should have to give a doctor proof that they were abroad, adding that general practitioners are “not a branch of the Federal Ministry of Health.”
As an alternative to being tested in Germany, people arriving from abroad can be tested in the country where they were vacationing within 48 hours of their flight. Health authorities are, however, encouraging travelers to be tested a second time five to seven days after their journey.
Around 130 countries, including the United States, Egypt and Russia are listed as high-risk by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s health research agency. High-risk EU countries include Luxembourg, the Belgian province of Antwerp, several regions of Spain and parts of Romania and Bulgaria. A place is considered to be high risk once the number of new infections rises in the past week rises above 50 cases per 100,000 people.
NDDC Scandal: PDP Reps insist independent panel probe allegations against lawmakers
The number of infections in Germany has been steadily on the rise over the past weeks, with experts warning of a second wave. The daily number of new infections rose by over 1,000 for the third day in a row on Saturday, reflecting a trend not seen since May. The country has recorded nearly 217,000 cases and a death toll of 9,201.
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