News From Nigeria
Business mogul, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has congratulated the Group Managing Director of Income Electrix Limited, Engineer Matthew Edevbie on the conferment of a Doctor of Science in Engineering (Honoris Causa) on him by the Michael & Cecilia Ibru University.
‘’Engineer Matthew Edevbie has chosen to fill the role of an active pen flowing with ink’’ Uduaghan stated in Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government.
In a statement on Sunday, Uduaghan said the honorary degree conferred on Edevbie was evidence of his commitment to excellence and uplifting of humanity.
‘’The honorary doctorate is a reflection and confirmation of Matthew Edevbie’s high level of excellence, strong mental effort and social commitment to the international community” Uduaghan who is the Alema of Warri Kingdom and the Chief Executive Officer of Webster Group of Companies said.
The statement underscored excellence in integrity, morality, erudition, relationships, expertise and spiritual fervour.
The prominent chief said Michael & Cecilia Ibru University made a better choice by conferring the honorary doctorate degree on Engineer Edevbie.
‘’I am delighted that Engineer Matthew Edevbie has been recognized by the Michael & Cecilia Ibru University in this way. This is a well-deserved acknowledgement’’.
Edevbie, a seasoned engineer with over 30 years’ experience in various aspects of electrical engineering concept, design, procurement, construction, operations management, maintenance and consulting was given the honour at the university 5th convocation held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
The internationally distinguished engineering professional attended several prestigious professional courses and workshops including but not limited to: IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Harvard Business School, John. F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania and Lagos Business School.
An astute administrator, people manager, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants is a registered member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Environmental Society,
Edevbie is also an active member of Enterprise Development Services (EDS) of the Lagos Business School.
PRESS STATEMENT
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared the plan to go on a two-day warning general strike starting from Tuesday, September 5 and an indefinite strike later after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum to the government. This is, according to its National Executive Council (NEC), in response to governments’ interference in union affairs, particularly the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as well as in Imo and Abia states; the refusal of the government to engage the union on how to mitigate the sufferings occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy; denial of aviation workers by AirPeace and other airlines to join a union of their choice, etc.
Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) condemns government attacks on living standards through the implementation of anti-poor policies (petrol subsidy removal and hike in petrol prices, deregulation of Naira, rising cost of living etc), interference in trade union affairs, denial of workers the right to join trade union of their choice, hike is school fees etc.
We hereby urge the workers and oppressed masses to join the strike en-masse as these issues are important to the socio-economic well-being as well as the democratic rights of the working class and the toiling masses. We call on the NLC not to make it a sit-at-home strike but to organize public mass activities like protest rallies and demonstrations alongside the strike. We also challenge the NLC to broaden the demands to include other issues like the wave of fee hikes and education commercialization, planned electricity tariff hike and other attacks on the lives of working people.
Despite labour’s display of frustrating hesitancy and lack of a consistent fighting strategy, the SPN feels that it is necessary to support any action called by labour to fight while continuing to criticize and challenge them to do more. Without this, there would be nothing stopping the rabidly anti-poor and neoliberal Tinubu capitalist administration and its onslaught on living conditions.
The suspension of the general strike called in June in response to President Tinubu inauguration-day removal of fuel subsidy tipped the balance in favour of the regime as it completely destroyed any goodwill the labour movement still had left among the workers and toiling masses. But with the August 2nd national protest, labour had a chance to begin to claw its way back if it had immediately followed up with a general strike. But this did not happen as the leadership waited a whole month while the suffering continued. All of these have created a feeling among the masses that any actions called by labour are only for letting off steam and not to really resist or change the situation. Now the labour leadership must strive to combat this sort of mood, which exists even among its members, by conducting the forthcoming general strike with all seriousness and then immediately following up with further escalated actions.
We welcome the strike and call on workers and the masses to support it. However, we note that unfortunately, the NLC leadership did not demand the reversal of the petrol price to N200 per litre, which was the price before the removal of the so-called subsidy. Rather it still preoccupies itself with a false expectation of palliatives. Tinubu’s government and some state governments have come out with some palliatives, which are not only too little and ridiculous but also insulting. Hence, we strongly feel that if the NLC leadership is serious about resisting anti-poor policies (subsidy removal, hike in school fees, devaluation of Naira etc.,), it should demand reversal of the policies and demand massive investment in critical sectors of the economy to create jobs including implementation of a living wage for workers.
We support the decision of the NLC to also use the strike to resist government meddling in the NURTW leadership struggle. While we join the NLC to strongly condemn the government’s meddling in union activities and affirm the right to independent unionism, we are nevertheless opposed to the extortionist activities of the NURTW leaders, activities that exploit road transport workers and contributes to higher transport cost. It is not enough to defend NURTW rights to freedom of existence and independence without commenting on its nefarious activities that negate the values and principles of the labour movement and class solidarity. We hereby urge the NLC to use its internal mechanisms to reform the NURTW so that it can operate as a real union that defends, and not exploit, its members and road users.
SPN calls for mass mobilization to secure the popular participation of the mass of Nigerian workers and the poor masses. A general strike is a big class struggle that requires the participation of the mass of the working masses to enable it to win. Hence, we call on the NLC leadership to use its organs and structures across the federation to mobilize and resist privatization, deregulation, rising cost of living, poor wages, casualization and other precarious workplace policies, mass unemployment, denial of trade union rights, education fee hike, corruption and jumbo salaries for privileged few. Mass mobilization and resistance can help defeat the anti-poor government.
Side by side with mobilisation for mass resistance against the anti-poor, neo-liberal policies, trade union leaders, activists and workers should struggle for the nationalization of the commanding height of the economy under democratic working-class control.
SIGNED:
Abiodun Bamigboye Chinedu Bosah
Acting National Chairperson National Secretary
Julius Berger, Subsidiaries To Showcase Cutting-Edge Solutions At Big 5 Construct Nigeria Event
Julius Berger, one of Nigeria’s leading construction company has announced its participation in the prestigious Big5 Construct Nigeria event, taking place from the 5th to 7th of September 2023 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Joining the exhibition alongside Julius Berger are Abumet and PrimeTech.
The company will also be displaying some of its unique precast products and other innovative solution for construction.
Over the years, the Big5 Construct Nigeria event has turned out to be one of Nigerian construction industry’s biggest event, where industry leaders like Julius Berger and its subsidiaries showcase latest developments and breakthroughs in the construction industry and its subsectors.
The event attracts professionals, industry leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria.
As frontrunners in their sectors Julius Berger and its subsidiary use events like the Big5 Construct Nigeria to share their extensive knowledge and cutting-edge solutions, and so are excited to be a part of the influential event.
Visitors to the exhibition event will have the opportunity to explore exhibition Booth 2B20 which is shared by Julius Berger and its subsidiaries.
Booth 2B20 will feature live demonstrations and interactive displays of products and new developments at the Julius Berger Group.
Knowledgeable company representatives will also be there to engage with attendees and provide insights into their respective areas of expertise.
Julius Berger is renowned for its extensive portfolio of highly successful engineering construction projects, and the company is now transforming into more than just a construction company.
In October last year, it launched an ultramodern semi-automated cashew-processing factory in Epe, Lagos.
The factory has an installed processing capacity of up to 60 metric tons of raw cashew nuts per day and has since begun production of cashew nuts for retail and export with the trademark, Mighty Kashoo.
The Julius Berger stand will highlight its construction capabilities, project management expertise, and state-of-the-art engineering solutions that have solidified its position as a trusted partner for progress.
Julius Berger, one of Nigeria’s leading construction companies has announced its participation in the prestigious Big5 Construct Nigeria event, taking place from the 5th to 7th of September 2023 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Joining the exhibition alongside Julius Berger are Abumet and PrimeTech.
The company will also be displaying some of its unique precast products and other innovative solution for construction.
Over the years, the Big5 Construct Nigeria event has turned out to be one of Nigerian construction industry’s biggest event, where industry leaders like Julius Berger and its subsidiaries showcase latest developments and breakthroughs in the construction industry and its subsectors.
The event attracts professionals, industry leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria.
As frontrunners in their sectors Julius Berger and its subsidiary use events like the Big5 Construct Nigeria to share their extensive knowledge and cutting-edge solutions, and so are excited to be a part of the influential event.
Visitors to the exhibition event will have the opportunity to explore exhibition Booth 2B20 which is shared by Julius Berger and its subsidiaries.
Booth 2B20 will feature live demonstrations and interactive displays of products and new developments at the Julius Berger Group.
Knowledgeable company representatives will also be there to engage with attendees and provide insights into their respective areas of expertise.
Julius Berger is renowned for its extensive portfolio of highly successful engineering construction projects, and the company is now transforming into more than just a construction company.
In October last year, it launched an ultramodern semi-automated cashew-processing factory in Epe, Lagos.
The factory has an installed processing capacity of up to 60 metric tons of raw cashew nuts per day and has since begun production of cashew nuts for retail and export with the trademark, Mighty Kashoo.
The Julius Berger stand will highlight its construction capabilities, project management expertise, and state-of-the-art engineering solutions that have solidified its position as a trusted partner for progress.
The Federal Government says it is ready to meet with the labour union on Monday.
However, the labour union said there was no going back on the two-day warning strike, even as it affirmed that it remained open to negotiations with the government despite breaking its previous promises.
Already, some state chapters of the NLC said they were ready to proceed with the strike, while some others said their executive committee would meet on Monday as a precursor to the strike.
The NLC had in a communiqué jointly signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, and National Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, on Friday said the decision to go on nationwide strike followed the failure of the President Bola Tinubu-led government to dialogue with organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy on the “poor masses”.
The union accused the Federal Government of abandoning negotiations and failing to implement some of the resolutions from previous engagements with the government.
The labour union listed no fewer than six grievances it had with the government, noting that its NEC resolved “to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today (Friday) until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.”
On the other reasons for the strike, it accused the police of laying siege to the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, alleged violation of rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in Imo State, interference in trade union matters by the Abia State Government, proposed demolition of houses by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among others.
In Ogun State, the NLC Chairman, Hameed Ademola, on Saturday disclosed that the union was already mobilising its members for the strike in compliance with the directive of its national leadership.
Ademola told one of our correspondents in an interview, “We are fully prepared and already mobilising our members for the warning strike. I was part of the process in Abuja and the national leadership has directed that all the 37 councils, including the 36 states and the FCT, Abuja, should proceed on warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“So, we are fully prepared to observe this and make it a very successful outing.”
In Zamfara State, the state chairman of the NLC, Sani Halliru, said the union would go on warning strike as instructed by the national body.
Halliru, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, said the North-West zone of the union had met in Kaduna where it was decided that the two-day warning strike action would be complied with.
He added, “I was in the meeting of the North-West zone, comprising Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa and my state Zamfara, where it was unanimously agreed that we shall embark on the two-day strike. So, we in Zamfara State are ready to go for the two-day strike.
“We are ready to abide by whatever decision taken by the national body of the NLC. I am calling on all our members to remain calm and wait for further directives.”
In Abia State, the union chairman, Pascal Nweke Iheme, directed members to comply with the national directive. “We just met with affiliate union leaders today and have briefed them on that,” he added.
He noted that the warning strike would be devoid of street protest and that it would only be a “sit-at-home” strike, noting that all affiliate unions in the state had been told to mobilise their members for the strike.
In Sokoto State, the chairman of the union, Abdullahi Jungle, disclosed that workers in the state were ready to join the strike.
Speaking with one of our correspondents on Saturday, he stated that members of the council would meet on Sunday to agree on the modalities.
“Yes, we are joining the strike as we are already mobilising our members for the strike,” he said. “We are holding a meeting tomorrow (Sunday) on how to go about it, but I can assure you that we will join the strike.”
In Osun State, the Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Mr Adebowale Adekola, said labour leaders in the state were ready to mobilise workers for the warning strike.
Adekola, who lamented the current economic hardship facing Nigerians following the removal of subsidy on fuel, said promises made to cushion the effects of the removal were not being fulfilled.
Igbe in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents said the members would sit at home and not go on a protest.
He stated, “There is a difference between protest and strike; no one is protesting now but to sit back at home on Tuesday and Wednesday. Meanwhile, we are meeting on Monday to finalise everything, but workers will sit back and not go to work. No protest.”
Also in Bayelsa State, the state chapter of the NLC said it had scheduled meetings for Monday in Yenagoa, the state capital, to deliberate on the strike.
The state chairman, Simon Barnabas, in his response to an enquiry by one of our correspondents, said the meetings would involve relevant organs of the congress, particularly the State Administrative Council and State Executive Council.
“We have slated both SAC & SEC meetings for Monday”, Barnabas added.
Meanwhile, in Katsina State, workers said on Saturday that they were still waiting for the directive of the national headquarters to know the form the warning strike would take.
The chairman of the state chapter of the TUC, Mallam Muntari Ruma, said, “We are still waiting for the NLC directives on the forms that the warning strike would take from the national headquarters. You can call me back by Monday morning. By that time, we would have received necessary and appropriate directives.”
Obaseki relocates office of his estranged Deputy Philip Shaibu outside the Government House Complex,
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has relocated the office of his estranged deputy Philip Shaibu outside the Government House Complex, Benin as their relationship takes a turn for the worse.
Shaibu, who was physically stopped by Obaseki’s security aides from exchanging greetings with the governor at a church service last Sunday, will now operate from a building formerly used by the State Public Procurement Office in Benin.
The building is located at 7 Dennis Osadebey Avenue, a short distance from the deputy governor’s former office in the Government House.
It was undergoing renovation yesterday with a signpost newly erected outside the gate.
The signpost carries the inscription “Office of the Deputy Governor, NO 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, GRA, Benin City.”
The building was commissioned on December 16,2014 by the then Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Contacted yesterday by phone on the development, Communication and Orientation Commissioner Chris Nehikhare said: “If there is Edo State government’s signboard at the entrance, stating that the new building is now the office of the deputy governor of the state, then it must be so.”
Twenty four hours after last Sunday’s showdown in the church, the state government disbanded Shaibu’s media crew after the deputy governor walked out of a colloquium organized by government.
He claimed that his media aides were prevented from accessing the event with him.
The DG is currently in court over allegation that his principal wants to get him impeached with the aid of the state House of Assembly.
Obaseki and the Assembly have denied the allegation.
The governor accused Shaibu of planning a coup against him, but Edo deputy governor insisted that he remained loyal to the governor.
September 2, 2023
Press Statement
PDP Celebrates Zamfara State Governor at Birthday
…Says He is Turning Zamfara into Oasis of Hope
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heartily celebrates His Excellency the Governor of Zamfara State, and Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Imo State November 11, 2023 Governorship election, our own dear Dr. Dauda Lawal, as he marks his birthday today.
Governor Lawal is a very humble, kindhearted, highly organized and ingenious leader; who continues to display exceptional commitment to duty in his stewardship as the Governor of Zamfara State in line with the manifesto of our great Party, the PDP.
Our Party is elated and notes with satisfaction Governor Lawal’s deft handling of the affairs of Zamfara State which dividend in the last three months is manifest in the array of legacy empowerment and development programmes in critical sectors; and especially the restoration of security of lives and property in the State.
Despite daunting challenges, Governor Dauda Lawal has deployed his energy, vision, innate resourcefulness and over 26 years of experience in the banking sector to reposition Zamfara State into oasis of hope to the admiration of all.
It is now clearer why the people of Zamfara State, who knew his leadership qualities overwhelmingly voted for him in the 2023 general elections against a sitting APC governor, and for which they remain solidly behind his administration.
His political sagacity also informed the decision of our Party to entrust him with the task to lead the charge in the quest by the people of Imo State to rescue their State from the stranglehold of the APC.
The PDP is assured that with his visionary and result-oriented handling of our Imo State campaign coupled with the sky-high popularity of our Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, victory for the people of Imo, on the platform of the PDP is guaranteed.
On this auspicious occasion, the PDP family felicitates with Governor Dauda Lawal and prays to the Almighty Allah to grant him many more years in wisdom and good health in the service of our great nation and humanity.
Happy Birthday Your Excellency!
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE FIVE MILLION EYEGLASSES TO NIGERIANS WITH SIGHT IMPEDIMENTS
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Abuja, declared his unwavering support for a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Eye Health Programme and the Peek Vision Foundation to provide more than 5 million pairs of eyeglasses to Nigerians with sight impairments.
The President recounted how close to home his first intervention in eye health was as he made a pledge on behalf of the Federal Government during a courtesy visit by the Founder and CEO of Peek Vision Foundation and Co-Founder of the Vision Catalyst Fund, Prof. Andrew Bastawrous.
“My first experience was with my mother of blessed memory. She was ill and she could not recognise me. When I intervened, she was treated and given a pair of glasses. The next question she asked me was: I have you, and you are able to do this for me. What about those other women and their children who may not have somebody like you to intervene for them?
“So I made a promise to her that I will pursue the mass provision of eye care vigorously and that I would provide free eye screenings and surgeries to people because of that question my mother asked me and because of her passion to see others healed. We eventually impacted the eye health of millions of people in Lagos, and you could see their joy over the immediate sight enhancements when they were given a pair of glasses,” the President fondly recalled.
Highlighting the pressing need for improved eye health services in Nigeria, President Tinubu expressed concern about the more than 24 million Nigerians grappling with varying degrees of vision impairments.
“We must act now because sight and vision is critical to economic development and growth,” the President said, recalling his visionary “Jigi Bola” programme, which was initiated during his tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 2001 and provided free eye screenings and surgeries to Lagosians while setting a new precedent for proactive eye care initiatives in West Africa.
“I am in support of this initiative, and I will encourage the mobilisation of further commitment to see this through and to reach vulnerable people all across our country. Some parents may not pay attention to this, but I will, because I am touched,” the President concluded.
Expressing his commitment to the cause, Prof. Bastawrous said:
“Good vision unlocks human potential. It improves earning, learning, and wellness for individuals, communities, and countries.”
He shared his personal story and the transformative power of vision care:
“When I was 12, I was told by my teachers that I was clumsy and lazy, but the results of an eye exam explained I had very poor vision. And when I put on a pair of glasses, I saw the leaves on a tree for the first time, and my life completely changed and two weeks later, I was using my first pair of free eye glasses and I saw stars clearly for the first time. My grades improved, and the trajectory of my life completely changed, all because of a very cheap intervention that is 700 years old. Had that not happened, I would not be standing in front of you today. I would not be a professor, and I would not be involved in the work I am doing because sight gives opportunity,” the Peek Foundation CEO shared.
Professor Bastawrous noted that eye care is still chronically under-resourced in many countries, adding that the estimates in Nigeria show that 0.0002 percent of the health budget is spent on eye health.
“The good news is that President Tinubu has an excellent team in the health sector, and some of them have demonstrated tremendous leadership in the sector. What we would like to offer is to bring our Peek Vision methodology and platform to Nigeria to help unlock resources from multiple sources. In the countries where we have worked, Peek in Botswana unlocked 10 million dollars for the school programme, and in Kenya, 17 million Euros. Through the Vision Catalyst Fund, we have secured a donation of 200 million pairs of glasses, and we would like a significant proportion of that to come to Nigeria,” he concluded.
At the end of the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate was joined by the Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, Dr. Oteri Okolo and the Director of Public Health, Dr. Chukuma Anyaike, as he presented a National Policy Document on Eye Health to the President.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 1, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU SALUTES VICE PRESIDENT KASHIM SHETTIMA AT 57
On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shares in the joy of well deserved celebration as Vice President Kashim Shettima turns 57 on September 2, 2023.
President Tinubu joins family, friends and associates of the former Executive Governor of Borno State in thanksgiving to God for the sustained grace of wisdom, character, compassion and bold leadership demonstrated by the Vice President over his years of service to Nigeria with notable distinction in both the private and public sectors.
President Tinubu extols Senator Shettima for his undying loyalty to the nation, and his steadfast resolve to improve society throughout an illustrious career, which included service in education as a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri, prior to moving into, and rising meteorically through the banking industry, before accepting to serve Borno State as a Commissioner in five different ministries.
The President extols the Vice President for his unusual courage in presiding over Borno State for eight years, during which a deadly insurgency riddled large areas of the North East. This remarkable public servant defied all odds in the region with a ferociously intellectual mind and an innovative doggedness to solve dynamic problems with dynamic solutions, building high quality leaders and institutions for the sustainably developing future of Borno State.
As the able Vice President celebrates another year of life, the President prays for the continued well-being of the quintessential political leader and his family.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 1, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN / CEO OF NASENI
President Bola Tinubu on Friday approved the appointment of Khalil Suleiman Halilu as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
By this appointment, Khalil Suleiman Halilu will serve for an initial term of five years in accordance with the relevant sections of the NASENI Act, 2014.
Mr. Halilu, 32, is expected to bring his significant experience as an innovator and technology expert to bear in this important new national assignment.
The tenure of Dr. Bashir Gwandu as EVC/CEO of NASENI is hereby terminated.
By the directive of the President, this appointment takes immediate effect.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 1, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU AMENDS NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BOARD AND MANAGEMENT NOMINATION LIST
President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate replacement of the NDDC’s Ondo State Representative nominee, Mr. Victor Akinjo, with a new Ondo State Representative nominee, Hon. Otito Atikase.
The President has equally approved the immediate replacement of the NDDC’s Cross River State Representative nominee, Mr. Asi Oku Okang, with a new Cross River State Representative, Rt. Hon. Orok Otuk Duke.
Furthermore, the immediate past Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is reappointed to a second term and will remain in acting capacity, pending the Senate’s confirmation of his reappointment.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 1, 2023
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS THE TOTAL RECALL OF ALL CAREER AND NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS
President Bola Tinubu has directed the recall of all career and non-career ambassadors from their duty posts worldwide.
The President’s directive is sequel to his careful study of the present state of affairs at Nigerian Consulate Offices and Embassies worldwide, and in line with the President’s renewed hope agenda, the President is determined to ensure that world-class efficiency and quality, will henceforth, characterize foreign and domestic service delivery to citizens, residents and prospective visitors alike.
To this end, the President further directs that Nigeria’s United Nations Permanent Representatives in New York and Geneva be exempted from this total recall, in view of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, holding later this month.
By the directive of the President, the recall of the affected officers takes immediate effect.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 2, 2023
SERAP sues Tinubu over ‘unlawful ban of 25 journalists from covering Presidential Villa’
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over “the unlawful ban and withdrawal of the accreditations of 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”
According to reports, the Federal Government recently withdrew the accreditations of some 25 journalists from covering activities at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The affected journalists were simply told at the main gate of the Presidential Villa to submit their accreditation tags.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1766/23 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is seeking: “an order to direct and compel President Tinubu to reverse the revocation of the accreditations and ban on 25 journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”
SERAP is seeking: “an order of perpetual injunction to restrain President Tinubu or any other authority, person or group of persons from arbitrarily and unilaterally revoking the accreditations of any journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa.”
SERAP is also seeking: “a declaration that the withdrawal and revocation of accreditation tags and ban on the journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa without any lawful justifications is inconsistent with the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, participation, and media freedom.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “If not reversed, the arbitrary ban on the journalists from covering the Presidential Villa would open the door to other cases of arbitrariness and would restrict people’s right to freedom of expression, access to information, participation, and media freedom.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The withdrawal of the accreditations of the journalists is without any lawful justifications. It is inconsistent and incompatible with plurality of voices, diversity of voices, non-discrimination, and just demands of a democratic society, as well as the public interest.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP its lawyers Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Kolawole Oluwadare, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, read in part: “The ban on the journalists from covering the Presidential Villa fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.”
“The existence of a free, independent, vigorous, pluralistic, and diverse media is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society.”
“The free circulation of ideas and news is not possible except in the context of a plurality of sources of information and media outlets. The lack of plurality in sources of information is a serious obstacle for the functioning of democracy.”
“The exercise of the right to freedom of expression through the media is a guarantee that is fundamental for advancing the collective deliberative process on public and democratic issues.”
“The strengthening of the guarantee of freedom of expression is a precondition for the exercise of other human rights, as well as a precondition to the right to participation to be informed and reasoned.”
“Under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, freedom and diversity must be guiding principles in the measures to promote media freedom. The ban on the 25 journalists is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with these principles.”
“The Federal Government should aspire to promote and expand the scope of media freedom, access to information, freedom of expression, and citizens’ participation, not restrict these fundamental freedoms.”
“Barring these journalists and media houses from covering the Presidential Villa is to prevent them from carrying out their legitimate constitutional responsibility.”
“The withdrawal of the accreditation tags of these journalists directly violates media freedom and human rights including access to information and the right to participation. It would have a significant chilling effect on newsgathering and reporting functions, and may lead to self-censorship.”
“The withdrawal of the accreditations of the journalists would construct barriers between Nigerians and certain information about the operations of their government, something which they have a constitutional right to receive.”
“Media freedom, access to information and the right to participation are necessary for the maintenance of an open and accountable government. These freedoms are so fundamental in a democracy that they trump any vague grounds of ‘security concerns and overcrowding of the press gallery area.’”
“According to reports, the Federal Government on 18 August 2023 withdrew the accreditation tags of some 25 journalists and media houses from covering activities at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.”
“The banned journalists reportedly include those from Vanguard newspaper; Galaxy TV; Ben TV; MITV; ITV Abuja; PromptNews, ONTV, and Liberty. Other media personnel affected by the withdrawal are mostly reporters and cameramen from broadcast, print, and online media outlets.”
“Under section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, the mass media including ‘the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.’”
“Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution provides that ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’”
“Similarly, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that, ‘Every individual shall have the right to receive information. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions.’”
“Article 13 of the Charter also provides that, ‘Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country. Every citizen shall have the right of equal access to the public service of his country. Every individual shall have the right of access to public property and services.’”
“Articles 19 and 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights contain similar provisions.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
3/9/2023
Lagos, Nigeria
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AN ADDRESS BY DR. MRS MARY IDELE ALILE ON THE OCCASION OF THE GRAND RECEPTION FOR HER UPON HER INAUGURATION AS THE NATIONAL WOMEN LEADER, ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, APC, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT ELORA ROYAL HALL, BENIN CITY ON THURSDAY 31 AUGUST 2023.
My dear Leaders and members of our great party, the APC, distinguished ladies, and gentlemen, permit me to say that I owe you a debt of gratitude for this rousing welcome and show of love. I am so happy for this unexpected great honour even as I am overwhelmed by the reality of the burden of responsibility it imposes on me.
I want to say that the announcement of my name as the choice of the leaders of the Party, for the position of the National Women Leader came to me as a surprise. Even though I have been prepared all my life for any responsibility within the scope of my endeavour that may be placed on my shoulders, I had not foreseen this huge one coming just yet. But here we are. And to God be the glory.
Yes, I acknowledge the hand of God in this. It could only be Him who works in this mysterious and surprising way. I thank God for this call to serve the All Progressives Congress, and by extension, our dear nation, Nigeria.
I also want to use this opportunity to thank the leaders of the party for finding me worthy and capable to be entrusted with this huge responsibility. I thank especially our father and President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and our very dependable Leader, Senator Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, the Oshiobaba. My thanks also go to the members of the APC National Executive Council, NEC, who ratified the appointment. I thank my leaders His Excellency Dr. Pius Odubu and Hon Saturday Uwuilekhue, the backbones of my homestead. And I thank all those who have stood by us in prayer and goodwill since the announcement of my appointment. Not left out are my women supporters within and outside of the party, on whose shoulders I have stood to make me taller and outstanding among the multitude of women.
My family is the bedrock of my success. Without their support, I do think we would be here today celebrating in this wise. Therefore, I dedicate this achievement to them. I want to especially thank my darling husband, and foremost political ally, the one and only Hon. Pius Alile, for his boundless support for my public and political engagements, which have seen me rise to this height today. He is my number one fan, who has literally fanned strength into me and given me wings to fly. He has been, and remains my backbone. He gives me strength and fires my inspirations and aspirations. I do not think that there could ever be a more supportive husband than mine. I love him, and I am eternally grateful for his love and support.
I want to say again that this is a pleasant surprise from the blues. Even now, it is like I am floating in a dream. Meanwhile, at the risk of sounding immodest, let me say that I have paid my dues in this party to merit any honour that the leadership may deem fit for me. So, the suggestion that I came from nowhere to become the National Women Leader should be discountenanced. I have been a strong supporter of this party, financially and otherwise, in the sphere of my operations. In recognition of my contribution to the party, I was nominated as a delegate to the last APC Presidential Primary, where I joined other progress minded party men and women to elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the APC Presidential Candidate. And I played my part during the general elections. Nevertheless, it is still like the narrative of a fairy tale that from being a grassroots mobilizer and the promoter of women welfare I have become the leader of the women of the largest party in Africa, which perhaps means the leader of the largest body of women politicians in the continent. I am awed. Of course, yes. But am I afraid of the challenge before me? Of course not. I am ready for the task ahead; I am not called Capacity for nothing.
Let me assure you that by the grace of God, I am going to deploy the capacity I am known for, in a dimension yet unseen. Since my nomination, the unique vision that I must pursue, which, however, does not detract from the mandate of the office of the National Women Leader, has been revealed to me, and the details keep unfolding before my mind’s eye.
One of my immediate concerns is an orientation of women in politics, particularly those of our party, on the need to be dynamic in mobilizing support for the party. I say this, though, with due acknowledgement of the huge role women have been playing in mobilization during elections. But we can do better, with proper understanding of the means and ways to achieving better results.
Better results come with better motivation. Therefore, I intend to see that women are better motivated for the tasks expected of them. They need to be dealt with as partners with men and not inferiors. To whom more is given; more is expected. Conversely, to whom more is expected; more should be given. This is my mantra in relation to motivating women for more effectiveness. The game must change for women, and I will be the game changer.
I am aware that the mother of the nation, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is seriously working to advance the cause of women in this dispensation. As the National Women Leader I intend to work collaboratively with the First Lady to promote the interest of Nigerian women.
I am not an island, metaphorically speaking, and I will not operate as one. I intend to operate an open-door policy whereby the women folk of our party, and of course, the gender sensitive men, can have access and audience, for the sharing of ideas that could be of help to all of us. Anyone with useful information, advice, or proposition, will be welcome.
Going forward, it will be necessary to eliminate rancour and division within our rank and file. Therefore, where conflicts exist, we shall set forth immediately to resolve them. One of my cardinal objectives is to foster unity among us. Mechanisms for conflict resolution shall be deployed to stop divisions. Little cracks have always had consequences. We shall see to it that cracks are minimized, if not totally eradicated.
I intend, on behalf of the women to engage the party, pursuant to increasing access to rewards for women at all levels – from the ward to the national level. Meanwhile, I like to appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu for his recognition of women and his penchant for increasing the number of women participating in his government. Nevertheless, I want to beg him to, in the end, see that the number of women in his government is more than thirty-five percent.
Finally, I want to thank everyone that has taken time out to be here to celebrate with us. I assure you that I will not disappoint you, in any way I am supposed to perform. Once again, I thank the leadership of the party for the confidence reposed in me. I promise to act in accordance with the guidelines for my office, and the general expectation of being a team player, in the interest of the Party and the nation. And I thank God for what he has done for me.
Long live the APC
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
*DR. MRS MARY IDELE ALILE (PhD)*
APC National Women Leader
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a two-day warning strike which will begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, disclosed this on Friday during a press conference at the Labour House in Abuja,
According to Ajaero, the two-day warning strike is in protest against the Federal Government for failing to address the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
The NLC is accusing the Federal Government of going back on the negotiations and failing to implement some of the resolutions from previous meetings that were held.
On August 2, the NLC held a protest on what it described as the anti-people policies of the current administration.
The NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliate unions demonstrated in Abuja and several states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers.
The protest also took place in Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.
The protest was due to a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government demanding the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government.
The policies include the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers”.
Also, the union demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, saying that since the President’s “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech of May 29, 2023, the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone.
President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy after his swearing in on May 29 in Abuja.
August 31, 2023
Press Statement
25th Anniversary: Don’t Succumb to Despondency – PDP Urges Nigerians
… Says APC is a Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy, Corporate Existence
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) celebrates its 25th anniversary today with a call on Nigerians not to succumb to hopelessness under the prevailing despairing situation in the country but remain optimistic in the hope that their democratic mandate will ultimately triumph in the end.
The PDP in essence, outlook and operation remains the only broad-based, all-embracing Pan-Nigerian political Party birthed on the principles of national unity, freedom, social justice, development and overall wellbeing of citizens; which over the years stands steadfast to its democratic ideology of good governance and citizens’ participation in political leadership.
Today, the PDP celebrates the resilience of Nigerians in the democratic process and particularly the founding leaders and teeming members of our Party for their sacrificial roles in returning, nurturing and sustaining democracy in our country.
The belief that power resides with the people is at the core of PDP’s sustained focus on guaranteeing the Rule of Law, adherence to the principle of Separation of Powers, personal freedom of citizens, a free Press, credible electoral process, liberalization of the economy, vast infrastructural development, massive employment and business opportunities among other initiatives that made the PDP years in government the *Nigerian Golden Years.*
It is on record that the PDP administration, through deft management of the economy, achieved $18bn debt relief from the Paris and London Clubs, consolidated the banking sector, revolutionized the telecommunication sector, revamped the oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, real estate and other critical sectors to turn the inherited moribund economy into one of the fastest growing in the world and handed over a $550 billion economy (largest in Africa and 26th globally) in 2015 to the APC.
Under the PDP’s result-oriented leadership, our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) grew to over $8b; our Foreign Exchange Reserves grew from $2bn in 1999 to over $40bn in 2014. Today, under the incompetent and corrupt APC administration our FDI plummeted to *$-0.19bn in 2022.* The APC government had remained silent to reports by JP Morgan that Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Reserves had fallen to *$3.7bn* as at the end of December 2022.
The PDP administration guaranteed a stable economy that boosted domestic and international investors’ confidence in all sectors, grew the Nigeria Stock Exchange into one of the most profitable in the world, achieved food security through massive investment in agriculture with increased purchasing power of citizens which ranked Nigeria as a major development hub with Fitch BB rating under the PDP administration.
Sadly, all the gains achieved by the PDP have been rolled back by the APC, which in a space of eight years, wrecked our economy and turned our nation into the poverty capital of the world with frightening 35% unemployment rate, where hunger, starvation, strange diseases and sudden deaths now ravage our citizens.
Under the vicious, corrupt and incompetent APC’s watch, major multinational companies are exiting Nigeria; the Naira has fallen from N197 to US$1 under the PDP to abysmal over N900 to US$1; petrol which sold at N87 per liter by 2015 now sells for over N600 per liter. This is in addition to multiple harsh tariffs, taxes and levies imposed on citizens by the APC administration.
Life in Nigeria under the APC has become very unbearable such that Nigerians are now resorting to suicide and slavery mission abroad as options.
The fraudulent APC administration has succeeded in mortgaging the future of our nation with reckless accumulation of N85 trillion foreign debt with no corresponding development project to show for it.
Typically, the APC has no answer to allegations that bulk of the borrowed funds were looted by APC leaders. It has also not provided answers to the alleged looting of over *N20 trillion*, including fuel subsidy funds by its leaders.
While the PDP established the EFCC, ICPC and fought corruption, the APC adopted corruption as a state policy where government Agencies have become Automated Teller Machines (ATM) of APC leaders and their cronies.
This corroborates Transparency International (TI)’s rating of Nigeria as the most corrupt West African Nation and ranking 150 out of 180 in the World Corruption Perception Index under the APC.
On security, it is evident that the PDP succeeded in containing terrorism to the fringes by 2015 only for the APC to import terrorist elements and bandits into the country, as confessed by one of its leaders, to assist the APC to violently rig the 2019 general elections.
Nigerians can recall how APC leaders openly romanced and even paid money to the terrorists ravaging our country. Our nation now ranks as one of the highest in World Terrorism Index with more than *20,000* citizens reportedly killed under the APC watch since 2015.
The APC came to power by the instrument of lies and propaganda and seeks to sustain its hold with violence, intimidation, manipulations and election rigging.
Nevertheless, the PDP urges Nigerians not to lose confidence in the Nation but remain hopeful as our Party continues to lead the charge for a country where the Will of the people prevails.
The PDP appreciates the support, solidarity and love by Nigerians over the years and assures of its continued commitment to the principles of democracy and positive engagement of citizens in the cause of Nation building.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS WILL TOP OTHER AFRICAN CITIES IN LIVABILITY, INNOVATION, SAYS SANWO-OLU’S AIDE
As Lagos emerges as the fifth best African city with high desirability by people to live, work, and invest, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged to intensify efforts for Lagos to top other countries in years ahead.
According to a recent report by Brand Finance City Index 2023, Cape Town, Cairo, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Lagos and Nairobi are the only six African countries that appear on the 100 world’s best cities as numbers 60, 67, 72, 76, 90, and 94 respectively.
Reacting to the announcement on Thursday during an interview programme on TVC News, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sanwo-Olu, relayed his principal’s excitement stressing that the government of the state is doing something right that enabled it to find itself in the pool of great cities across the globe.
Akosile said he was not surprised by the ranking, saying that Governor Sanwo-Olu and his predecessors had worked assiduously well to put Lagos in a favourable place on the global rankings.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s spokesman stressed that his principal has delivered on his electoral promises to Lagosians, thereby making the state habitable to residents and attractive to others.
He said: “Lagos is the gateway to the aspiration of over 200 million Nigerians. It is the gateway of Nigeria to the world, anyone who wants to come to the country for business thinks of Lagos first. In the last four years, the current administration has more than doubled the budgetary size from N888 billion in 2019 to about N1.7trilion in 2023 and it has been going on that way and what that means is that we are opening up the economy of the state with a lot of infrastructural renewal and developments.”
Akosile further reiterated the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s desire to place Lagos in the first position in years to come.
He revealed some of the plans of the administration to enhance the city saying, “Rome was not built in a day, it is a gradual process. By Monday, next week, we are going to be flagging off the commercial operations of the Blue Line rail from Marina to Mile 2. By the time it starts working, it will add up to the perception index of Lagos as a state where you can come and have peace of mind transportation-wise.
“Before the end of the year, we are going to flag off another one, that is one of the biggest – the Red Line. It is going to be moving a whole lot of people from the Eastern part of Lagos to the Western part of Lagos. By the time we launch the two, our perception will increase because more people will be desirous of living and working in Lagos because they know transportation won’t be a problem.”
Recalling the Governor’s trip to meet with Afrexim at Cairo, the capital of Egypt, Akosile said Sanwo-Olu is taking up diverse projects in different sectors to fulfill all the promises he made to Lagosians.
“When Governor Sanwo-Olu came on board, he promised to ensure Lagos becomes a smart city and what he means by that is to make everyone do their business with innovation and technology. What does the government do? What the government does is to provide you with the infrastructure to be able to do that.
“Lagos has done that over time if you look around you. There are CCTV cameras all over the state that we have been installing. And what this means is that people who want to work, invest, and do business in Lagos have peace of mind that their investments are safe,” he said.
Apart from the physical infrastructure, he also noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu is building a youth-friendly state, and “that is why the Governor has been giving young minds grants to ensure they create a lot of software to be used to solve challenges in Lagos State”.
Akosile also dismissed fears that Lagos may become too expensive to live in due to the recent rankings, saying, “The implication for the citizens is positive because they have a state where they can come to live and enjoy their lives and be happy.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
31 AUGUST 2023
31 August 2023
How Gulder Lager Beer is empowering the lives of its Distributors and Retailers across Nigeria
Gulder Lager Beer, a household name in Nigeria’s alcoholic beverage industry, has again demonstrated its commitment to changing lives. The spotlight shone brightly at the Gulder Ultimate Reward event held on August 29, 2023, at the Lascofis Bar in Ogba, Lagos. The event, which will be etched in the minds of stakeholders for a long time, is a further testament to the transformative power of loyalty, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.
Gulder honoured its esteemed partners, who have played pivotal roles in the brand’s journey to excellence. The selected 15 retailers received ten crates of Gulder, while the ten winners in the regions were presented with 42-inch television sets, generator sets, and deep freezers. Four sub-distributors, the unsung heroes ensuring Gulder reaches every corner of Nigeria, were each rewarded with fifty crates of Gulder and Tricycles, a token of appreciation for their indispensable contributions. The winners were selected across Benin, Ibadan Lagos-North, and Lagos-South regions respectively.
However, the crowning moment of the event arrived with the announcement of the prestigious Grand Prize – a brand new IVM Ikenga car was presented to Taofeek Shodiya of Tasho Limited, a long-committed distributor to Gulder’s success. His extraordinary journey and steadfast dedication to Gulder underscore the brand’s enduring message that loyalty and dedication have the power to elevate lives.
Alhaji Tasho, speaking about his experience, expressed, “Being a Gulder distributor is the best decision I ever made. It’s not just about business; it’s about being part of a family that rewards dedication and hard work. This car is not just a prize; it’s a symbol of the opportunities that Gulder provides to change lives.”
“Gulder Lager Beer has always been more than a beverage; it’s a symbol of strength, determination, and the extraordinary. At the heart of our success are the dedicated partners who have embraced these values.,” stated Chima Dim, Brand Manager, Non-Lager and Craft, Nigerian Breweries.
“We have come to be known as a home brand, a go-to brand for, family, entertainment, and relaxation. Our success story has been one encapsulated and driven by those of our consumers and distributors, and that is why The Gulder Ultimate Reward event is not just a celebration; it’s a testament to the life-changing impact of loyalty and dedication. We are proud to say that being a Gulder distributor is not just a business decision; it’s a journey of transformation, and we look forward to many more shared successes,” he added.
Gulder remains dedicated to providing remarkable experiences and shaping the lives of its partners. The Gulder Ultimate Reward will continue to inspire and motivate partners to reach new heights while reaffirming the brand’s belief that loyalty and dedication are the keys to changing lives.
PRESS RELEASE
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday announced that the Blue Line Rail will start commercial operations on Monday, September 4, 2023.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, spoke on the commencement date during a press conference at the iconic Marina Station of the Blue Line Rail in Lagos.
Akinajo, who took reporters on a guided ride and tour of the physical infrastructure of the Blue Line Rail from the Marina Station to the National Arts Theatre Station in Iganmu, said Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu would take the inaugural ride on the train at 9 a.m. on Monday, September 4, before other passengers begin to ride.
She said partial passenger operations will start on Tuesday from 6:30 am to 10 am for the morning peak and the afternoon Peak from 4 pm to 9:30 pm, adding that the operations will start with 12 trips for two weeks, which will later be increased to 76 trips per day.
Akinajo disclosed that though the train is electric, it would run on locomotive for the first four weeks of operation to allow the electric system to come up fully and sync properly with the physical infrastructure, adding that the plan is to allow passengers to get familiar with the rail system.
She said despite the train running on locomotive for the first four weeks, the tracks would remain energised so that passengers are not allowed to cross them.
The LAMATA boss said about 150,000 passengers are expected to board the train daily. “The train would run 12 trips in two schedules for now – 6.30 am to 10 am (morning peak) and 4.30 pm – 9 pm (evening peak). The train will stop for 90 seconds at each station. It will run 76 trips, from 5.30 am to 11 pm, when it becomes fully operational in four weeks,” she said.
The full length of the train trip from Marina – Mile 2, according to Akinajo will cost N750 but noted that the 50 percent discount announced by Governor Sanwo-Olu on all Lagos public transportation rides also applies to the train ride.
She said passengers can only access the service with their cowry cards, noting that cash or paper tickets would not be accepted.
Akinajo, who warned against eating and drinking on the train, said adequate security has been put in place for the security of lives and property, noting that anyone with criminal intent would be arrested and handed over to the Police as there are about 30 cameras along the tracks.
She said: “A full Journey from Marina to Mile 2 will cost N750 and Zonal fares will be between N400 and N500 for people not making the complete full trip. The transportation palliative announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will also cover the Train system, meaning that the highest fare for the full trip will be N375.
“We are going to put safety measures in place. There are over 300 CCTV cameras across the whole Blue Line Rail and over 30 cameras monitoring the tracks alone. Command and Control centers are also available in all stations. Plain cloth security agents and officers of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps will ride with passengers at all times. Any altercation on the train will not be tolerated. Vandalism also will not be tolerated.”
Speaking on the initial delay in the commencement of the Blue Line Rail, which was earlier scheduled to commence operation in August, Akinajo said the delay was caused by prevailing circumstances around import and export.
She, however, noted that LAMATA is committed to starting operations on September 4 without any further delay since all the necessary things have been put in place for the operations of the Blue Line rail.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari on January 24, 2023, in the company of Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, commissioned the first phase of the Blue Rail Line, which runs from Marina to Mile 2 and also witnessed the signing of the commencement of Phase 2 of the project from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.
The Blue rail line, part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, will run 27.5 km from Marina to Okokomaiko, with 13 stations and an end-to-end journey time of 35 minutes.
August 30, 2023
Press Statement
…Lampoons APC for Renting Crowd for Dep. Gov Candidate’s Unveiling
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in very strong terms condemns the recourse to violence, smear campaign and propaganda by the embattled Governor Hope Uzodimma-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration against the people of Imo State.
It is clear that Governor Uzodimma and the APC-administration in Imo State are in mortal fear of imminent defeat by the PDP, having become overwhelmed by the towering popularity of our Governorship Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Deputy Governorship Candidate, Hon. Jones Onyereri across the State ahead of the November 11, 2023 Governorship election.
The APC is frustrated by the open rejection of Governor Uzodimma by majority of the people of Imo State due to his abysmal failure in office, the excruciating economic hardship and mindless killing of thousands of innocent Imo citizens under his horrifying watch.
Having realized that there is no way Governor Uzodimma can win in a peaceful, free and fair election, the APC has resorted to deploying instrument of State power to hound and harass opposition voices in the State.
APC’s sinister approach of attacking the people of Imo State is apparently to heighten the already tensed security situation in the State, instill fear in the people, prevent them from coming out to exercise their democratic right to vote, with the intention to creating an enabling situation for the APC to rig the election.
Such nefarious scheme by the APC apparently informed the vicious invasion and demolition of part of the All Seasons Hotel, Owerri; an attack intended to cow the people of Imo State and subdue their resolve to rescue the State from the stranglehold of the APC.
Nigerians can also recall how, earlier this month, the APC administration in Imo State attempted to arrest and put the PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate, Dr. Onyereri out of circulation under false labelling and trumped-up charges.
The overwhelming solidarity by Ndi Imo, who stood behind Dr. Onyereri in resistance to the APC plot was a clear signal that the Will of the people, particularly in this election, cannot be subdued.
Recently, the people of Imo State openly demonstrated their rejection of the APC and Governor Uzodimma by refusing to turn out for the unveiling of the APC Deputy Governorship Candidate; a situation that forced the APC to rent a motely and disorganized crowd from neighbouring States for the event.
Ostensibly dispirited, Governor Uzodimma, rather than focusing on the unveiling ceremony further exposed his frustration by remaining fixated on the popularity of the PDP candidate, Senator Anyanwu during the event.
The PDP in clear terms, cautions the APC to know that it is fighting a lost battle and that Imo people are bigger than any individual or group. From history, the people of Imo State have never and will never succumb to tyranny.
Governor Uzodimma knows that he had never won any election in Imo State. He and the APC should therefore come to terms with the reality of their rejection in this election. No amount of violence, inducement, intimidation and harassment can subdue the Will of the people of Imo State in their resolve to take back and Make their State Safe and prosperous again on the platform of the PDP.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
Chairman PDP Special National Publicity Committee
for Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship Elections.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), inclusive of the following Board and Management team members:
Mr. Chiedu Ebie – Chairman – Delta
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku – Managing Director / CEO – Bayelsa
Mr. Boma Iyaye – Executive Director (Finance and Admin) – Rivers
Mr. Victor Antai – Executive Director (Projects) – Akwa-Ibom
Ifedayo Abegunde – Executive Director (Corporate Services) – Ondo
Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative – Bayelsa
Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono – State Representative – Akwa Ibom
Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya – State Representative – Delta
Chief Tony Okocha – State Representative – Rivers
Hon Patrick Aisowieren – State Representative – Edo
Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu – State Representative – Imo
Victor Kolade Akinjo – State Representative – Ondo
Chief Dimgba Eruba – State Representative – Abia
Mr. Asu Oku Okang – State Representative – Cross River
Hon. Nick Wende – Zonal Representative – North Central
Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak – Zonal Representative – North East
Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir – Zonal Representative – North West
The President expects that the new Board and Management team will ensure a new era of successful administration in the NDDC, in line with his Renewed Hope agenda.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU APPOINTS AYISAT AGBAJE-OKUNADE AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, LATEEF JAKANDE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade as the Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA).
Agbaje-Okunade’s appointment, which takes immediate effect from today, 29th August, 2023, was conveyed to her via a letter of appointment signed on behalf of the Governor by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office (PSO), Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola.
The Governor, in the letter, urged Agbaje-Okunade to demonstrate a high level of dedication, diligence and selflessness in the discharge of her duties to justify the confidence and trust reposed in her.
Agbaje-Okunade earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from University of Westminster, a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics, and professional certificate in Government from Harvard Extension School. She has other professional certifications in Scholarly Research from Transcontinental University, Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies from the University of Cambridge, and Policy and Strategic Studies from NIPPS, among other prestigious institutions.
Agbaje-Okunade was the immediate past Senior Special Assistant for Development Partnerships and Economic Planning to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
29 AUGUST 2023
RIGHT OF REPLY: SENATOR OMO-AGEGE’S PETITION AGAINST RT. HON. OBOREVWORI REMAINS ROCK-SOLID AND PROVEN; IGNORE THE ROUBLEROUSERS, AS WE AWAIT THE TRIBUNAL’S JUDGMENT
By Aruviere Martin Egharhevwa, Esq
The general public in Delta State and beyond is seeing through the ongoing irresponsible propaganda scheme now activated by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s media handlers to intimidate and harass the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal to do their bidding. Their sinister and careless plot to run amok with senseless lies, convoluted facts and vain propaganda orchestrated to undermine the judicial process of the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal that Oborevwori has submitted himself to for impartial adjudication is beyond the pale and must be stopped.
It is often a sign of severe weakness to use underhand attempts to try to avoid a looming judicial loss. This happens where a party or parties to a judicial process plan and use unfounded media propaganda to pressure, harass and coerce judicial officers to do their bidding. It takes excellent legal knowledge by experienced legal minds with a calm spirit to answer to real facts and legal questions laid bare before an election tribunal for resolution, not the sort of fake news recently planted in and spread by Mideno Bayagbon’s TheNewsGuru courtesy of Bayo Millz and/or Pius Mordi (such a confusing authorship) who suggested that Oborevwori has won a case that is yet to be decided by the Honourable Justices of the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal. Expectedly, to falsely foist Oborevwori on the minds of Deltans and Nigerians as the winner in the ongoing petition brought by the immediate former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), they must and had to lie without shame.
First, Bayo Millz and/or Pius Mordi opened their orchestrated media scheme to pressure the Honourable Justices of the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal with a nonsensical claim and pitiable cry that Senator Omo-Agege won in only 4 (out of the 25) Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Delta State while suppressing the incontestable fact that the so-called victory of Rt. Hon. Oborevwori in the remaining 21 LGAs came from unlawful and invalid votes which have now been copiously identified by the Petitioners in their petition and the credible evidence they led during the trial of the petition.
Next, the duo of the confused authors of the fake news on Mideno Bayagbon’s TheNewsGuru (that sees no good in anything Omo-Agege for reasons we prefer to ignore) took a flight of fancy to what is not even before the Tribunal when they claimed that the Petitioners “sought refuge on technical grounds relating to pre-election issues” without pointing their readers to a specific portion of the Omo-Agege/APC petition where such is contained.
As a matter of law, an election petition is only competently founded on one or a combination of grounds enumerated in Section 134 of the Electoral Act, 2022. In the instant case, the petition is filed under section 134(1)(b) and (c) that Oborevwori’s election was invalid due to irregularities and noncompliance with the Act in so many polling units where the election is questioned. For this, the Petitioners contend that it was Senator Omo-Agege (NOT Oberevwori) who received the majority of the lawful votes cast and satisfied the spread required by the 1999 Constitution (as altered) to be declared the elected governor of Delta State. Is it not therefore troubling that Bayo Millz and/or Pius Mordi chose to categorise these grounds of the petition as “pre-election issues” when Omo-Agege/APC is not questioning Oborevwori’s qualification to contest the election?
Continuing in their cheap but dangerous propaganda on their choice platform of hate against Omo-Agege and pretending to be the Honourable Justices of the Tribunal, Bayo Millz and/or Pius Mordi declared with a sense of finality and suffocating quackery designed to arrogantly force a fait accompli on the true Tribunal that the Petitioners’ well-articulated case on pervasive overvoting or non-compliance with the mandatory and proper use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) “could not be proved”. This level of desperation is just unbelievable! Are they not deluding themselves? If not, how can anyone reasonably say this when the evidence before the Tribunal on the BVAS issue is one that none of the Respondents could impeach, having not provided any set of accreditation data different from what the Petitioners and INEC presented?
The fact is that in all the polling units where the Petitioners questioned the non-use or improper use of the BVAS, the Respondents failed woefully to present a scintilla of evidence contradicting the case made out and proved by the Petitioners. For instance, the Petitioners proved without any challenge from the Respondents that the total votes cast in 109 polling units exceeded accreditation with the BVAS machines and that accreditation figures written on result from 27 polling units are totally inconsistent with accreditation evidenced by the voters’ registers presented by INEC. These are places where Oborevwori and PDP received humongous unlawful votes!
Having deliberately told lies in the media to obviously wet the ground to taint a final determination of the petition by the Tribunal that may not suit their jaundiced prejudices, it is necessary to go a bit further to speak fairly to the facts. We are talking of a petition where the evidence led by the Petitioners and even INEC unambiguously confirm that Oborevwori/PDP received almost 130,000 unlawful and invalid votes from over 1,300 polling units where the identities/serial numbers of the result sheets used are unknown, same having not been duly recorded as authentic INEC’s result sheets in the prescribed documents, and this is clearly contrary to the bare and mandatory provision of the innovative section 73(2) operating together with section 137 and paragraph 46(4) (first schedule) amongst other relevant provisions of the Electoral Act. The evidence also confirms that INEC has no documents to justify results in 306 polling units and that documents mandatorily required to be filled before an election could be conducted were not filled in over 200 polling units. Also, the quantities of ballot papers supposed issued to, used and unused in over 500 polling units are inconsistent with what is falsely stated on the results for those units. Additionally, the votes for Oborevwori/PDP in 17 polling units in Oshimili North LGA where just arbitrarily inflated by 11,045 votes. These are the real facts, not mere conjectures.
The issues are even much more and they are just unprecedented, yet those who think the electoral law is a joke are writing judgments for themselves in the media to satisfy their uninformed fancy. Enough said. Whether the Petitioners’ case has merits or not, it is the exclusive duty of the Honourable Justices of the Tribunal to decide, not rabblerousers who know nothing about our electoral jurisprudence. It is manifest on the evidence now before the Tribunal that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege clearly defeated Rt. Hon. Oborevwori with over 14,000 votes and satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the duly elected governor of Delta State having scored at least 25% of the votes cast in 24 (out of the 25) LGAs of the State. We will not sit idly by and watch anyone steal the election a second time.
Finally, like all judicial contestations, election petitions are conducted with solemnity in courts before select judicial panels of honourable jurists, not irresponsible conduct on social media, unattractive partisan micro blogs or the internet in general. Election petitions are serious business because their outcomes have far-reaching implications on society. Every well-trained journalist knows that it is irresponsibility that comes within the ambit of criminal conduct to design and activate media schemes to undermine the outcomes of judicial litigations. We advise the likes of Bayo Millz and/or Pius Mordi (if they exist) and their sponsors to tread cautiously in their new found business of writing the judgment of the Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal before the real panel decides the case based on the law, hard facts and unassailable evidence now before it.
The Lagos Facility Works, LFW Team of Julius Berger Region West last Friday marked its landmark 3,000,000 safe man-hours without any Lost Time Injury, LTI amidst excitement even as the management and staff resolved to up the ante in the coming years.
The milestone also earned for the LFW Team a silver plaque donated by the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter.
Coming shortly after the Region marked its 2,500,000 man-hours record in six years achieved in March 2023, the event attracted the management of the Region to eulogise and encourage LFW staff to do more for the general good of the company.
According to the Regional Manager, Technical, Christl Thomas, “…we are here for work, but we all have life to live. We are therefore challenged to work safely in compliance to safety regulations.“ He said working at in Julius Berger’s operations, safety comes first, and it starts from the smallest activity to the greatest; adding that all workers are trained to dutifully and irreducibly imbibe this operational value. “In Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, safety is number one and we always aim to achieve a Zero Injury as we do our work. That is what we always teach not just to the LFW staff but to all workers; safety first,“ Thomas further said.
The Regional Manager, Commercial, Alexander Bauer did not mince words in affirming what Thomas said. Bauer added that Region West considers LFW‘s achievement of 3,000,000 man-hours without Lost Time Injury in these past six years as well as getting the Managing Director’s trophy for the feat a worthy achievement for the region. Bauer added that “…it is a great achievement. It shows that the message of priority on being safe on site is catching on. Yes, different sites or operational areas have different environmental challenges, but we try to always overcome the odds to stay safe and get the job done. We understandably consider our high value and well-vested human capital as our greatest asset, and protecting all our workers from harm in every practicable way and preserving their lives is and will always be the company’s priority.“
The Technical Manager LFW, Engr Amina Dottie admonished the staff to make little efforts at all times for the greater good of the company; adding that little droplets make the mighty ocean. She expressed her appreciation to the staff for their contributions, individually and collectively that enabled the LFW to achieve the record 3,000,000 man-hours without Loss Time Injury (LTI).
Dottie said that the record marks a health and safety milestone in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc even as she urged all staff to always “…remember to use your Personal Protection Equipment, PPEs at work and continue to work safely.“
Reacting to the Managing Director’s Safety Award given the LFW, the Commercial Manager, LFW, Carpio April said Julius Berger Nigeria continues to underline the fact that the Team is known for safety, quality and competence, adding, “this Award is important to us and it shows the quality of our work.“ April encouraged the staff of the LFW to keep up the good work in the forthcoming years.