File: In this photo, President Buhari attends a Virtual Flag-Off of Construction Phase of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project in State House on 30th June 2020
President Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday commissioned a 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower, a project of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Bayelsa.
The tower project, which was commissioned by the president virtually will now serve as the headquarters of the agency.
In his address, broadcast from the State House, Abuja via zoom, President Buhari, who described the tower as historic said he was pleased that the project has been delivered by local contractors, supported by local engineers and project consultants.
“We must all be proud that we finished what we started”, he enthused.
President Buhari then went on to mandate the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, to physically commission the building on his behalf.
Some of the listed quality of the commissioned NCDMB building are a 10-Megawatt gas-fired power plant and a 1,000 seater conference hall.
Furthermore, the power plant, which NCDMB said was built in partnership with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, was also commissioned by President Buhari.
Some cabinet members who participated in the commissioning virtually are Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
1968 Pioneer Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Chief Folarin Coker, also known as Baba Ètò of Lagos.
A pioneer Permernent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Starategy in 1968, Chief Nataniel Folarin Coker, popularly known as Baba Eto of Lagos has died.
According to a statement by the family Thursday morning, Chief Coker died on Wednesday night at the age of 97 after a brief illness.
In the statement, which was signed by the deceased’s eldest child, Folorunsho Coker, a Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and former commissioner for tourism arts and culture under former Lagos governor Akinwumi Ambode; Chief Coker had died peacefully in his sleep.
“It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of appreciation to Almighty God that we announce the translation to eternal glory of our beloved father, grandfather, uncle and patriot Chief (Elderman) Nathaniel Folarin Coker OON.
“He died comfortably and peacefully in his sleep in Lagos on the 12th of August 2020 at the ripe old age of 97 years,” the statement read.
The late public service administrator was born on July 22, 1923. His death came three weeks after he celebrated his 97th birthday.
Chief Coker attended CMS grammar School, Lagos and studied law at Exeter University, England.
A prominent member of Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos and former Pro-Chancellor, Chairman of Council, University of Port Harcourt; Chief Coker retired from the Lagos State Civil Service in 1978 after serving meritoriously.
File: A collage photo of Nigeria's Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday joined youths from across the country in a webinar to commemorate the 2020 International Youth Day.
In his remarks, the Speaker, while quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, said: ‘’We must recognize the contributions young people make to our society and build upon the imagination, energy, vibrancy and talents of these our precious national assets’’.
Speaker Gbajabiama stressed that it is an obvious imperative for Nigeria that has “a massive and ever-growing youth bulge” to build its youth.
“Our country will not reach its full potentials until governments at all levels engage with the changing values, needs, and expectations of Nigeria’s youth.
“All our dreams of prosperity hinge on our ability to provide the physical infrastructure, the legal framework, the cultural and social support required to unleash the innovative potential of our young people”, he said.
Speaking further on how to achieve a profound transformation of governance, the Speaker urged those in government and politics to “commit to opening the political space to allow for greater participation by our nation’s youth.
“My fellow young men and women, I know that on many of the issues that affect our lives, it would appear as if the political leaders have left the room and there is no one left to find solutions to our problems.
“This feeling is at the root of much of the pessimism that young people feel about our politics and has had a negative effect on the willingness of our able youth to get involved in the critical conversations about our nation’s future.
“However, if we all end up thinking that politics is the preserve of the cynical and the mercenary, then nobody will ever believe the political process can change anything or be improved to meet our collective best expectations”, Gbajabiamila emphasised.
He therefore challenged Nigerian youths to resist “the seductive draw of such debilitating cynicism.
“The future belongs to you and
I congratulate all our young people on this year’s commemoration of the International Youth Day”, the Speaker added.
‘I Shall Continue To Offer My Shoulders For You To Climb,’ Atiku Tells Nigerian Youths
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has assured Nigerian youths of his commitment to supporting them at all times.
File photo of former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar.
In a message to cmemorate the 21st International Youth Day (IYD), which holds every 12th of August, Atiku said: “I shall stay the course and continue to offer my shoulders for you all to climb because as youths, you are Leaders of Today”.
While he commended Nigerian youths for their doggedness and drive towards a better nation, Atiku noted that the theme for the 2020 IYD commemoration, “Youth Engagement for Global Action,” captures the important role of young people in the scheme of things.
“I salute the Nigerian youth in particular for their commitment and perseverance towards the attainment of a greater Nigeria,” Atiku added.
“This global picture, which has been on my mind, informed my decision of 40% youth inclusion in my 2019 presidential campaign; a promise I am committed to keeping for the futuristic benefit of our great Nation.”
“Indeed, the survival of humanity rests largely on the shoulders of the youths, as vigour is required to wear out this plague,” the former vice president explained.
“The vigour and spirit that you embody as youth will play a crucial role in the socio-economic survival of the world, and its rejuvenation, post-COVID19.”
The former Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charged that as future leaders, young people should preach and embrace peace, patriotism, and promote competence thereby shuning nepotism.
“Only then can we truly have the Nigeria of our dream,” he said.
According to the United Nations (UN), the 2020 International Youth Day theme is to further emphasise the “ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.”
In the picture, a signage of a Lagos based private hospital, Concept One Medicals Centre.
Executive Secretary, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Abiola Idowu, has urged health facilities yet to complete the renewal of their online registration with the agency to do so in order to avoid being sanctioned.
Idowu, who gave the advice on Wednesday at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, disclosed that the agency, at its board last meeting in March 2020, decided to shift the deadline for the online renewal of registration from the initial date of May 31 to July 31, and put on hold the increment in the registration renewal fees due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the resultant economic impact on business owners.
She explained that all healthcare facilities in the state are required by law to register with the agency and renew their registration annually, adding that any facility that fails to renew its licences within the stipulated period is operating illegally and would attract appropriate sanctions.
“If a facility does not renew its registration within the stipulated period, then it means it is not registered, therefore, it is operating illegally,” she said.
The Executive Secretary hinted that the e-platform created by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration was aimed at helping facility owners to renew their licences online to reduce physical contact during the Coronavirus pandemic.
She, therefore, enjoined owners of such facilities across the state to take advantage of HEFAMAA e-portal to complete their registration renewal online and keep abreast of the programmes and activities of the agency.
Idowu assured that the agency would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that operators of health facilities in the state and the public at large are in possession of the right information to achieve the vision of the present administration in delivering quality healthcare services to Lagosians.
THE DECEASED, FORMER UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA, MR WALTER CARRINGTON
A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, is dead.
The news of Carrington’s death was disclosed by his wife, Arese, in a statement on Wednesday titled: “Press Release – Ambassador Walter C. Carrington, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal.”
PHOTO: FORMER UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA, MR WALTER CARRINGTON (middle) WITH WIFE, ARESE; AND Ex-LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR, MR BABATUNDE TUNDE FASHOLA AT A SYMPOSIUM IN LAGOS ON JUNE 01, 2010.
The statement reads: “It is with a heavy and broken heart but with gratitude to God for his life of selfless humanity that I announce the passing of my beloved husband, Walter Carrington, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal.
“He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 90 years old on Tuesday, August 11th, 2020.
A collage file photo of University of Lagos (UNILAG) Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Wale Babalakin and the institution's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.
A University of Lagos (UNILAG) Senate Representative in Council, Bola Obho has in a statement sighted by Echotitbits, berated Dr. babalakin saying “the University has been stepped on and ridiculed”.
Oboh, in the statement accused Babalakin of not following laid down procedure for removing a VC
According to her: “Babawale Babalakin, the ProChancellor waited for the tenure of Prof. Chukwu and Prof. Familoni to end, to call an Emergency Council meeting.
“Based on the Dagari report, without allowing the VC defend himself, the ProChancellor called for a vote for the removal of the VC. I (Prof. Oboh), Prof. Odukoya, Prof. Leshi and John Momoh voted against the removal of the VC.
“Six persons (excluding Babalakin) voted for Babalakin then went ahead to announce the removal of the VC.
“Dear Senate members, the procedure for removal of persons in office is clear and this was pointed out to Babalakin several times but he turned deaf ears.
“He said he will announce the Ag. Vice Chancellor at 5pm. I have excused myself that I need to report to Senate members the shameful act currently ongoing. Please let us arise to fight this, Oboh’s statment read.
In the same vein, the controversially ‘sacked’ Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, says he remains in office, thereby faulting a decision earlier made by the institution’s Governing Council led by Pro Chancellor Dr. Wale Babalakin.
On Wednesday, it was gathered that seven members of UNILAG’s Governing Council at a meeting that held in Abuja, voted for the Ogundipe’s removal, while four was said to have voted against his removal.
In a statement he personally signed, Ogundipe, who has been at loggerheads with the Pro Chancellor, Babalakin, reacted hours after the news of his sack rent the air.
“The attention of the University of Lagos (Unilag) management has been drawn to the ‘Notice to the General Public on the Removal of the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos’; dated August 12, 2020 and signed by Oladejo Azeez, Esq, Registrar and Secretary to Council, stating that the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS has been removed from office with immediate effect.
“This is untrue and a figment of his imagination.
“Therefore, stakeholders of Unilag and the general public are advised to disregard this mischievous disinformation about the sitting Vice Chancellor of Unilag, contained in that notice.
“Professor Ogundipe still remains Unilag’s Vice Chancello, the statement read.
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.
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”.
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; thatnecessary 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
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.
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 21st 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.
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.
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