Gov. Abiodun solicits NASS support to take over Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta road

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July 29, 2020

IMG-20200729-WA0034 — Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

The Ogun State Goverrnor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has solicited the support of the National Assembly for the takeover and reconstruction of the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta and the Sagamu-Ikorodu roads, by Ogun and Lagos State Governments.

Prince Abiodun made the call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when he received the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who paid him a courtesy visit.

The Governor, who informed the Speaker of the current deplorable condition of the roads, added that the takeover of the roads would enable the two State Governments put them in proper shape, thus taking the load off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and bring succour to users.

He described Agbara and its environs as the industrial hub of the State, but decried the poor condition of the Agbara-Atan-Lusada road, noting that some industries may be forced to exit the area, if the road was not fix on time.

“The Agbara-Atan-Lusada road is in a very deplorable condition. Not only that, the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway and the Sagamu-Ikorodu roads are also very bad. I want to call for the support of the National Assembly in taking over or construction by the Federal Government. Our people are really suffering on these roads,” he said.

Governor Abiodun informed the Speaker of the House that his Administration was currently constructing the Ijebu Ode-Epe Road, which would serve as an alternative route to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, for those going to the Northern and Eastern parts of the Country, as well as open up the axis for economic activities.

The Governor said government was trying to tap from the State’s advantaged location, by providing security, infrastructure and making health accessible, saying the State was able to manage and curtail COVID-19 by providing well-equipped Isolation centres and a molecular laboratory.

He described the Speaker as one of the longest serving members of the House and a grassroots politician who has distinguished himself by being a worthy representative, not only of his Constituency, but the whole of the Southwest.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila, said he was in the State to see things for himself, listing road infrastructure as one of the areas where the House would collaborate with the State Government.

“I am here to see things for myself. I have heard of the development that is going on in this State, despite scarce resources. I want to commended the Governor for what he has done, especially in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I know the Governor very well. He moves at a very quick pace. With him as the Governor, Ogun State will receive a facelift. So I am here to extend a hand of fellowship as there will be the need for partnership and collaboration particularly on road projects,” the Speaker noted.

He opined that for the Government to make more development strides in the coming years, the Governor may need to rejig his plans, as the Coronavirus has negatively affected every facet of life, calling on the people to rally round him to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

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Post COVID-19 Market Recovery: OPEC, Nigeria hold dialogue

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 29, 2020

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Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Nigeria last week held a bilateral meeting, which signalled a strong dialogue and cooperation between OPEC and Africa’s biggest producing country.

The dialogue was majorly to ensure key compliance with OPEC global production cuts deal of April, to which all of OPEC’s African member countries have agreed to.

Nigeria’s support to global market stability and energy cooperation was significant and gave confidence to operators and future investors, seeking to do business in West Africa.

“African producers and service companies are the hardest hit when there is volatility in the market.

“H.E. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and Dr. Ayed S. Al-Qahtani leading these discussions sends a strong message that collaboration and sticking to the principles of a stable market is good for Nigeria, its producers and the economy at large.

“We continue to support the government of Nigeria, and the country’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources in their effort to improve the environment for investment and getting the industry to rebound post- COVID-19. We believe they are right in making this a priority and we welcome the bold initiatives by Nigeria’s leadership,” said the Executive Chairman at the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk.

Nigeria’s ongoing Marginal Fields Bidding Round was launched in earlier this year and has already been met with significant success, reportedly attracting hundreds of bidders.

The round is expected to result in a new wave of local content development in Nigeria, a country already widely regarded as the most successful example of local content and capacity building across the continent.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Ogun Assembly passes 2020 Appropriation Amendment Bill

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 29, 2020

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Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the 2020 Appropriation (Amendment) Law which seeks to reduce the annual budget from N450 billion to N280 billion resulting in 38 per cent reduction of the initial budget.

The passage of the bill titled: “H.B. No. 050/OG/2020 – A Bill for a Law to amend the Year 2020 Appropriation Law,” was consequent upon the presentation of the report of Ogun State House Committee on Finance and Appropriation by the Chairman, Olakunle Sobunkanla, at a plenary presided over by the Assembly Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, in Abeokuta.

Sobunkanla thereafter moved the motion for the adoption of the report, seconded by the Minority Leader, Ganiyu Oyedeji, and supported by other lawmakers through a voice vote.

The Assembly later considered the bill clause-by-clause before the Assembly Committee of Supplies, after which the motion for the third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by a member representing Odeda State Constituency, Oludaisi Elemide, after which the Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Deji Adeyemo, did the third reading.

Responding, Oluomo directed that the clean copy of the bill be transmitted to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.

Meanwhile, two bills including Ogun State Energy Board Law, 2020 and Ogun State Safety Commission Law, 2020 scaled the first reading, as they were read by the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service before the lawmakers.

By Idowu Sowunmi

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Amaechi appeals to Reps to stop probe of Chinese $500m

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 29, 2020

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Rotimi-Amaechi-on-June-12_1596036859274 — File Photo: Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has appealed to the National Assembly to halt its probe of the 500 million dollars loan from the Chinese government.

The Minister made the appeal during an investigative hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties and Protocols on Wednesday.

According to the Amaechi, the loan which is meant for the completion of the Federal Government’s rail projects may be truncated by the Chinese government if it suspects that there is a disagreement between the executive and the legislature.

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2023 – Is Mamman Daura revealing unto us Buhari’s state of mind?

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Abuja Bureau

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July 29, 2020

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images (1) — A file photo of Mamman Daura and President Muhammadu Buhari

He’s popularly described as the head of the kitchen cabinet of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

He’s not just Buhari’s nephew. He recently spoke glowingly with passion how he grew up with the President, saying: “My father was their mother’s firstborn. Buhari is the last born.”

That’s the kind of wonderful relationship Mamman Daura enjoys with the current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

To a very large extent, Daura is seen as the last man standing of an open-secret powerful political clique in the contemporary Nigeria, after the demise of two of Buhari’s closest friends, Samaila Isa Funtua, and late presidential Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

So, whatever was spewed out by Daura could not be treated with kid’s gloves.

Speaking on the vexatious issue of zoning and rotational presidency in Nigeria on Wednesday, Daura advocated that competence, not mere geographical representation should determine the next presidency of the world’s largest Black nation come 2023 general elections.

According to him, “This turn-by-turn, it was done once, it was done twice, and it was done thrice…It is better for this country to be one…It should be for the most competent and not for someone who comes from somewhere.”

Buhari’s ally, who stated this during an interview on BBC Hausa Service, did not just discountenance the usual political trajectory for power shift in Nigeria, he went ahead to sermonise over, perhaps, newfound philosophy in the present administration towards uniting behind the most competent candidate to take over the mantle of leadership in 2023.

Daura’s philosophical positions were predicated on the fact that the unwritten rotational presidency since 1999 political sojourn in Nigeria has produced little or no significant development across the nation.

He contested that it’s time to go for the most qualified candidate in 2023 irrespective of whether the person comes from the North or the South.

Good thinking!

Is Daura speaking and stylishly revealing Buhari’s current state of mind?

Though Daura explained that he has no right to possibly dictate public policy to Buhari, he said: “Yes, I do visit him to greet him. I do give him advice, but if he asked…I advise him. But I don’t go there on my own and insist I must do this or that. No. You don’t do that to a government.”

Indeed, it can be taken for granted that Daura may not be in position to dictate and teleguide Buhari as it’s being widely insinuated. But what cannot be denied is the fact that Daura has the ears of the President cum unfettered access to the presidency. Whatever he says over a national matter like controversial zoning formula and rotational presidency cannot be dismissed just like that.

If and indeed, in fact, the only next level agenda Buhari can promote in Nigeria is competence over tempestuous rotational presidency, I think Nigeria may just be on the road to a greater height.

Enough of this ethnic-prone rotational presidency which celebrates and massages jingoistic ego at the expense of competence and quality leadership.

By Idowu Sowunmi

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FG to receive $200m from Netherlands, Switzerland, recovers N800b loot

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 29, 2020

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FB_IMG_1595864740078 — President Muhammadu Buhari at the virtual meeting of ECOWAS leaders. July 27, 2020. Photo: Femi Adesina

Nigerian Government says it is awaiting the return of $200million from the Netherlands and Switzerland, as part of proceeds from the Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245 Malabu oil deal.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, when he gave a presentation at a one-day capacity building workshop organised for judiciary correspondents in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The Minister, at the event, presented a scorecard of the Ministry of Justice in the last one year during which he outlined the efforts of the present administration in tackling corruption.

“On the fight against corruption and associated recovery of looted and illicit assets, I am happy to inform you that within the period in contention, Nigeria succeeded in recovering $311 billion from U.S. and New Jersey and the money has been repatriated to Nigeria,” Malami said.

He stated that due to the anti-corruption crusade, the Federal Government facilitated the recovery of $62 billion arrears from oil companies as part of its Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

According to him, the money has been paid into the Federal Government treasury for utility development such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Kano-Abuja Expressway, and the Second Niger Bridge, in line with the agreement reached with the foreign partners.

Malami also disclosed that over N685 million was recovered through the help of whistle-blowers within the last one year while N500 million was recovered from forfeited vessels, trucks, and barges.

Elsewhere, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the government has recovered looted funds in excess of N800 billion with over 1,400 convictions secured.

Mohammed, who also addressed reporters in the nation’s capital, stated that the present administration’s fight against corruption was as strong as ever.

While stressing that there were records to back up his claim, he said Nigerians have recently been inundated with allegations of monumental corruption in a number of government agencies.

He listed some of the agencies to include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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NiDCOM to NDDC: Pay allowances, tuition of stranded students abroad now

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 29, 2020

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Abike-Dabiri-NIDCOM Chairperson — File Photo: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has again “appealed to the authorities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to as a matter of urgency intervene by promptly paying the allowances, tuition and other incentives of students on their scholarship scheme, to guarantee their stay and continue their education in the United Kingdom.”

Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement in Abuja by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, made reference to a letter written to the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, on June 18: NIDC/001/20/1, drawing attention to the plight of the students, and urging NDDC which is directly responsible for the students’ scholarships to resolve all the lingering issues.

She added that her commission counts on the minister’s assurances that all outstanding payments of the affected students would be made accordingly.

“At the moment there have been persistent calls by the students for urgent intervention.

“While deadline for payment of the fees of some of the students have expired or about to expire, non-payment of their allowances have turned many of them to virtually become beggars.

“NiDCOM chairman once again appeal to Niger Delta Ministry and NDDC to intervene urgently and promptly too,” said the statement.

Idowu Sowunmi

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FG declares July 30, 31 public holidays, Lagos advocates low-key Eid-el-kabir

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 29, 2020

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ET9m6s2WoAIJX3X-1024x682 — Nigeria's Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has declared July 30 and 31 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

This was coming as the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government appealed to Muslim faithful in the state to celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir on a low-key in order to abide by the existing guidelines on the prevention of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread among residents.

The Federal Government, in a statement on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, congratulated Muslim faithful and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on the occasion.

Quoting the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, the statement “called on the Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country especially as the world is witnessing global health challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic.”

While reaffirming Buhari administration’s commitment to battling the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic, Aregbesola urged for the cooperation of all Nigerians.

The minister assured that the Federal Government would continue to foster peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and stability in the march towards actualising the nation’s full potentials.

Aregbesola called on the masses to support the government “in its avowed determination to build a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous country, where the rights of every citizen, are protected and guaranteed, as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He counselled Nigerians to take responsibility against the spread of the COVID-19, urging the citizens to stay safe by observing physical and social distancing, personal and respiratory hygiene, as well as other safety measures issued by relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu through his Commissioner for Home Affairs, Anofiu Elegushi, has admonished Muslims to maintain moderation even as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, warning that the Coronavirus scourge is still very much in an aggressive stage, hence the need to be more cautious in order to consolidate the gains so far achieved by the state government.

Elegushi appealed to Lagosians that the celebration should be done within families as earlier observed during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration three months ago, while the Eid-el-Kabir prayers should be observed at home as mosques and churches are still on lockdown in the state.

While reiterating the Sanwo-Olu administration’s determination to flattening the curve of the ravaging pandemic, the commissioner noted that the religious rites of slaughtering of animals would be carried out through a live broadcast by the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Suleiman Abou-Nolla, on, July 31 by 9am on LTV while all other Imams in the state are to follow suit thereafter.

Elegushi reassured all residents of the state that the siege would soon be over as government is leaving no stone unturned in containing the spread of the COVID-19, while anticipating the eventual reopening of businesses in the shortest time possible based on the advice by medical experts.

The commissioner, however, enjoined the general public to continue adherence to the culture of maintaining physical distance, wearing of face masks, constant handwashing with soap and water as well as the regular use of hand sanitiser to further prevent the spread of the virus.

He wished all Muslim faithful a blissful celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and enjoined them to remember Lagos State and Nigeria in their individual prayers to Allah.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Ecobank Academy becomes first corporate member of Global Business School Network

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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A Togo-based Ecobank Academy has made history to become the first corporate member of the Global Business School Network (GBSN).

GBSN has been building management education capacity in and for the developing world for over 17 years.

The core of the network spans six continents with more than 100 leading business schools from 50 countries, whose leaders, faculty, and students engage in programmes to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education.

Since its beginning in 1985, Ecobank Group has been committed to economic and social development across sub-Saharan Africa.

Operating in all regions in sub-Saharan Africa, Ecobank Academy is one of the largest corporate universities in Africa. Each year, Ecobank Academy trains more than 14,000 in 39 countries – 35 in Africa and 4 outside of Africa.

Both organisations have a shared vision for Africa, to have the talent it needs to generate prosperity.

GBSN Chief Executive Officer, Dan LeClair, explained that “the aim is to work together over the long term to build a stronger connection between business and business schools—to develop the talent for Africa to achieve what it wants. The space between education and practice holds the greatest potential for innovative solutions.”

On the partnership, Group Head of Ecobank Academy, Talent and Organisational Development, Simon Rey, said: “It is a privilege to be the first corporate university to join GBSN.

“We believe practical and just-in-time education are crucial to help solve some of the most pressing challenges and, at the same time, unlock tremendous opportunities to advance the social-economic agenda.

“We are looking forward to collaborating with other members and together bring world-class capabilities to create and implement solution-driven programs impacting African SMEs, MSMEs, Public Sector, Development organizations, Youth, and other professionals.”

To mark the start of their formal relationship, GBSN and Ecobank Academy hosted a virtual forum to explore Africa’s changing talent needs. The series commenced with a conversation between Rey and LeClair on July 16.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Buhari celebrates as Independent probe panel exonerates AfDB President Adesina

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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FB_IMG_1595972331743_1595972388149 — File Photo: President Muhammadu Buhari received AfDB President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina at the State House Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday warmly rejoiced with President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, on the clean slate of health of all allegations against him by an anonymous group.

Buhari described the clearance as further validation of Adesina’s competence and integrity to lead the continental financial institution.

Nigerian President congratulated AfDB “Board of Directors, the Ethics Committee and members of staff for their courage, maturity and patience in following through the process of investigations, and acceptance of Report of Panel of High-Level Independent Experts, which reviewed the Report of Ethics Committee of AfDB, and Dr Adesina’s response.”

He commended the eminent personalities, consisting of Mary Robinson, Justice Hassan B. Jallow and Leonard F. McCarthy, who handled the review of the report of the Ethics Committee, and “their professionalism in rejecting support services, and providing a unanimous report.”

Buhari believed “the conclusion of the review should finally draw a curtain on the allegations that created distractions for the entire institution for a period, and serve as impetus for more diligence in handling responsibilities, while fuelling the zeal to deliver on the promises of a greater Africa.”

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, urged AfDB President “to remain steadfast, dedicated and resolute in pursuing his noble goals for the institution, especially with the now expected second term in office, assuring him of the prayers and support of Nigerians.”

By Idowu Sowunmi

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