OSHODI TRANSFORMATION’LL DEPICT THE NEW FACE OF LAGOS- AMBODE

…Says Marketers, Transport Workers’ Interest Well Protected
…Project To Gulp $70m, Private Investor Reveals

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the plan of his administration to transform Oshodi into a world class transport interchange in the next 13 to 16 months would go a long way to depict the regeneration plan of the State, just as he said that the project would also totally remove all notorious activities associated with the area.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja during a meeting with key stakeholders on the planned transport interchange, said by the time the project is delivered, the fear of insecurity must have been totally removed from the area, while Lagosians would be treated to the best of facilities compared to any other where in the world.

The meeting, which was a follow up to an earlier forum organized by the State Government through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development to sensitize stakeholders on the project, was attended by leaders of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), market associations and community leaders.

While pleading with the stakeholders to support the project which is billed to take off on June 1, 2016, Governor Ambode said the interest of market men and women and transporters have been taken care of, as they would make more money compared to what they are currently making.

He said: “I am so happy that we are working together on this project. What we are doing today is what we have been planning for long and our plan is to transform some notorious areas in the State to places like Victoria Island. Oshodi is known for all kinds of notorious activities and we want to totally do away with that belief and the best way to go about it is to give the people world class facility and make them to live better lives.

“We want the people in Oshodi to be identified with good and not bad things all the time and that was what made us to decide that the kind of development going on in Victoria Island, Lekki and other places should take place in Oshodi as well. I mean, I find it very disturbing that our children in Oshodi would have to travel to Lekki or Ikeja to have access to good shopping mall. So, what we have decided is to regenerate Oshodi.

“Now, if we say there are 13 Bus parks all scattered in Oshodi. Can we put these Bus parks in the same place? You know it is not possible for me to bring the drivers or the buses to Oshodi. It would still be the people who are currently operating there. But the plan is that those who are operating there now, we can make life more comfortable for them and they would still be the ones operating the buses.

“The issue is that when we transform the terminals, what kind of buses should fit into the new look and that is why we are engaging all the stakeholders, especially the transport people. We can take away all these yellow buses and put these other buses but you will be the operators, and all we are only doing is to provide you with world class terminals that you would even be asking is this happening in my lifetime. So, instead of scattering ourselves all over, let all of us be in one very well organized and secured place,” Governor Ambode said.

Among other plans, according to the Governor, is the provision of about 800 modern buses which would run 24/7 and would convey Lagosians to all parts of the State in a more comfortable arrangement.

Speaking on the market, Governor Ambode said the new transport interchange would accommodate world class containerized shopping mall with recreation and entertainment facilities, while the existing market men and women in Oshodi would be the same people to be allocated with the shops.

“I plead for your tolerance because eventually this whole thing is coming back to you but we must have achieved so much. You see, Oshodi is the entrance point from the international Airport and it create the image of where we want to go and once we are able to create that image, nobody will ever remember Oshodi in their head for anything bad. The only thing that would be left is for us to ensure that the road from Oshodi to international Airport meets international standard and by that, we would have regenerated that part of Lagos for good,” Governor Ambode said.

Responding, Lagos State NURTW Chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede commended the Governor for the initiative, and expressed the readiness of his members to support the government to make the project a reality.

Also, a market leader in the area, Mr. Lateef Tajudeen thanked Governor Ambode for the concretized Brown Street in Oshodi, but pleaded that their members should be carried along in the allocation of the shops in the shopping mall.

On his part, Managing Director of Planet Projects Limited, the contractor partnering with government to deliver the interchange, Mr. Biodun Otunola assured that the firm will meet up with the scheduled time.

He said the project would gulp about $70 million, adding that several financial institutions have expressed interest to be part of the project.

FG closes its case against Peter Orubebe and adjourns to 31st May, 2016

The prosecution counsel of the case against former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Peter Orubebe, Mr. M. S. Diri, DPP of the Federation, represented by Ejike Augustine Orji (SSC), who hold in brief for the DPP, closed its case against the Accused person.

Mr Orji, earlier told the court today in Abuja, that the matter was slated for continuation of trial by calling on the Prosecution Witness II, to testify against the Accused person, noting that ‘‘having review the case, we felt there is no further course to call for any other witness to this matter, to this we humbly apply to close our case for the prosecution’’. 

  

The defence Counsel led by Selekowei Larry (SAN), told the Tribunal that they were taken by surprise with the development, he said they did not envisaged this development before now, he prayed that in such circumstance he needed an adjournment to prepare for their defence, subject to the convenience of the tribunal.

The Tribunal, Chaired by Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar obliged the application of the defence Counsel, by adjourning to 31st of May, 2016 for the accused person to open his defence.

UNLEASH Your Talents Season V debuts with new ideas

 

 

Friday, the 20th of May marked the official unveil of the fifth edition of the foremost annual grassroots talents exposition UNLEASH Your Talents.

 

The project which has recorded four successive editions primarily from Ikorodu division of Lagos State is a grassroots youth re-orientation programme designed for discovery of talents as well as to serve as platform for promotion of discovered budding talents in the entertainment sector of Lagos State.

 

Giving the opening speech at the epochal event, the Operations Leader of Fanafillit Integrated Concepts (organizers), Mr. Sola Adeleke stated that this year edition is posed to be a progressive turn around for the project which has recorded huge success over the years in touching lives of youths in Ikorodu division.  He explained further in his words that “UNLEASH as a grassroots talent exposition is not just all about fanfare but the end-result of taking to the next level the discovered talents from the exposition, with the ultimate aim of keeping them on track towards the actualization of their vision and passion.”

 

Speaking at the Official flag off/Media briefing for this year edition, the Acting Coordinator, Princess Aderoju Ladega (Founder, Never Say Never Foundation) highlighted the rationale behind the consistency of Organizers in sustenance of the noble initiative. Aderoju in her words assured that this particular edition would not only be a major success in terms of participation but go a long way in meeting up with the needs and passion of youths who have the strong passion for making a difference in the entertainment sector of the Centre of Excellence and the nation by extension.

 

In attendance at the Official flag were notable personalities in Ikorodu division who includes Mayor Deen Sanwoola, {CEO, Something Else Recreation centre and DG, I care Foundation) who also represented I Care Foundation, a pet project of Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Federal House of Representative member representing Ikorodu division.

 

Speaking at the august occasion, Mayor Deen enjoined all well meaning personalities in Ikorodu division and Lagos State by extension to rally round the organizers of the noble initiative and ensure its sustenance. He further stated that the outcome of the fourth edition spurred the I Care Foundation to identify with the project, having realized that it’s a concept which has a goal of positively impacting on lives. He said further that, “we at I Care foundation are ready to ingest all that it requires to ensure that this edition is not only a success, but a significantly point of reference and template for other projects such as this.”

 

Also in attendance were Bashir Oluwakemi Hassan (CEO, Suave Records) who also represented Eroz Place and Rhoda Youth Centre who are the Official Chops Providers and Audio-visual Supports for the project respectively; the MD of NETBOSS Ltd, Mr. Femi Ogunbanke; Mr. Larry Ologbosere, CEO of Creative catwalk Academy; Mr. Olabode, CEO of Covenant Music Institute; and representatives of 226 Makeovers and Corsican Brothers.

 

The project Initiator, Mr. Olubode Oserinde while giving his thank you speech also assured that this year edition s posed to take the initiative a notch higher. This, according to him, explains the tagline of “…the movement edition.”

 

The initiator in his word stated that, “this edition is going to serve as a launch-pad for the coverage of entire Lagos State (from next edition). And that is why we have the identification of the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development whose Honorable Commissioner had assured us of her presence at the Grand finale holding in August.” Speaking further, he said, “To entrench further our vision and make it stronger, we have introduced a new scheme into the project called MIME- Mentors’ Inspirational Moments for Empowerment. MIME is a scheme that will see to winners and 1st runners-up of each segment of the project being adopted for mentorship by veterans in the industry. The veterans we had approached and who already assured us of their identification with the project and presence at the Grand finale includes, the King of Comedy, Ali Baba, Omo Oba Gbenga Adeyinka D 1st, Hilary Jackson, Lexy Mojo Eyes and a host of others.”

 

This year edition of the project is thrown open for interested youths between ages 15 to 30 to register.

 

Interested participants are to either REGISTER online www.unleashyourtalents.com.ng or SMS REG/Names/Category/Age/Address/ to 08028165620 or 08126656206 E.g. REG/John Abdul/Dance/16/14, Kareem Street, Ori-Okuta Agric Ikorodu to 08028165620 or 08126656206. Applicants would receive confirmation of their registration code with audition details via SMS within 24-hours of registration.

 

Auditions are t hold at four major locations within Ikorodu division namely, D’Jos Hotel, Ijede; Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat; Something Else, Ikorodu; and Youths Centre, Igbogbo.  The outcome of the auditions would see to selection of five (5) Most Outstanding Talents each in Music, Dance, Comedy and Modelling for the next stage which is UNLEASH Orientation camp.

 

UNLEASH Season V which promises to enjoy the massive support of the nation’s leading telecommunication Giant, Airtel Nigeria, is also geared to enjoy the support and identification of other private and government establishments such as Intercontinental Distillers, PZ Cussons, SLOT Nigeria, I Care Foundation, Legendary Gold Ltd, G & M Dry Cleaners,Onward Movement, Glorious Opportunity, Globatech WorldComputers, Laspotech and Corsican Brothers.

 

 

Official partners for UYT Season V include:

 

Eroz Place (Official Chops Partners); Beeth Events (Official Catering Partners), Nikimore Ltd (Official Decorations Partners); 226 Makeovers (Official Makeover Partners); Five Star Beauty Parlor (Official Hair Partners); Owambe Group (Official Clothing Partners); Dicxon Apparels (Official Branding Partners); NETBOSS Services (Official IT Partners); D’Jos Hotel (Official Hotel Partners); Covenant Music Institutes (Official Music Directors); Rhoda Youth Centre (Official Audio-visual Partners); Kingscourt Events Centre (Official Events Hall Partners); DJ Tonyz Da Blastmaster (Official DJ) and UPTOWN Beauty World.

 

UNLEASH Season IV: Media Partners

 

Yes Int’l Magazine, Encomium Magazine, ICON Magazine, Acada Xtra Magazine, The Impact Newspaper, HipTv,Owanbe Magazine, Sahara Weekly Magazine, Kosofe News,E-247 Magazine,  Waves Pictures Affairs, TopNaija Music, Moreklue Group, Root Tv, Digital Interactive Image, and a host of blogs like Mike Angelo News, The Eagle Online, Hottestgistsinnaija, CKN News, Helen Events Blogs, Kingsblog, MetroNews, Nosingnews, Naijanewsrave, Unilag Coke, Proudly Mumu, Howfa9ja, Southwest Reporters, Blackbox Nigeria, Kaybaba.com, SSMG Promotions, Omo Naija Blog, and Doyen Pictures & Communications

Further enquiries could be made through: 

 

08028165620, 08027201004, 08022837357

FANAFILLIT bbm PIN: 26a8a51a

Federal High Court Bars Sherrif From Parading Himself As PDP Chairman, Recognises Markafi Committee (See Court Order)

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has
granted an interim injunction restraining the immediate past national
chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu
Sherrif, and Professor Adewale Oladipo who were removed from office at
the PDP National Convention held on Saturday May 21, 2016, from
parading themselves as national officers of the party pending the
hearing and determination of the motion on notice brought before it by
the Peoples Democratic Party.

The court on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 also granted a restraining order on
any member of the National Working Committee of the PDP who was
removed from office by the party’s national convention in Port
Harcourt from receiving nominations and or submitting names to the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as officers or
candidates of the PDP in whatever capacity pending the hearing and
determination of the motion on notice brought by the party.

In addition, INEC was restrained by the court from according or
continuing to accord any recognition to Sherrif and Oladipo or any or
all members of the national working committee of the PDP removed from
office at the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt, as
officers or organs of the PDP pending the hearing and determination of
the motion on notice.

The national caretaker committee of the PDP headed by Senator Ahmed
Markarfi, former governor of Kaduna State, also got a boost with an
order of the court mandating INEC to recognise it in all matters
pertaining the conduct of primary elections for political offices and
the submission of the PDP List of candidates for any elections to be
conducted by INEC pending the hearing and determination of the Motion
on notice.

I am committed to a secured Kogi State - Governor Yahaya Bello

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has reiterated his unalloyed determination to ensuring every inhabitant of Kogi State is well secured against the menaces of kidnapping, robbery and other social vices.

The recent onslaught of social miscreants on the state is considered as a test of the will of the Governor to ensure a safe Kogi that will be home to all, assuring inhabitants of scaled up attempts by his administration to redress the worrisome situation.

Governor Bello expressed shock at the rampant rate of kidnapping in the state, reiterating the readiness of his administration to wage war against those who are determined to give the state a bad name. He said he is prepared to wage war against social menace crusaders and ensure adequate security for the people of the state.

"The lives of our people, those who do business here and thousands of passengers who ply our roads daily, are precious to the people and Government of Kogi State. We will do everything within the precinct of law to protect lives and property within our territory.

"There is a need to look into a number of probabilities. Political saboteurs might be stoking the fire of insecurity in the state to discredit the good job we are doing here. My government will take the fight to the criminals. We will take the fight to them because no defense is as effective as attack."
The Governor pledged his continued support to all security agencies in the state, hailing them for the gallantry in bursting crime havens in the state as well as ensuring victims of kidnaps are safely freed. He called on the people to help give intelligence to security agents in order to help the apprehension of criminals, saying his administration will heavily involve local communities in ensuring security.

On his part, the Governor promised an iron-cast political will against insecurity, saying he will provide logistics and incentives to enable security agents succeed in their onerous task of ensuring security in the state.

In his words, "Our security agents shall be adequately equipped to fight agents of insecurity. I have visited neighboring states to understudy how they were able to solve their security challenges as well as seek improved collaboration against crime."

Governor Bello also pledged improved orientation to enlighten the people on their role in enthroning a secured Kogi State.

More importantly, the Governor vowed to refocus the youth of the state to societal responsibility through job creation, sports and empowerment seminars and clinics, making them the bastion of hope for the future.

Governor Bello urged residents of the state to go about their businesses, saying there is no cause for panic and unnecessary tension, as his administration is on top of the situation. He said with concerted efforts, the war on crime will surely be won.

VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO REPRESENTS NIGERIA AT ADB'S 51st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be travelling to Lusaka today to represent Nigeria at the 51st Annual General Meeting of the African Development Bank, holding this week.

Among other activities, Prof. Osinbajo would be participating in the AGM'S High Level Panel/African Leaders Roundtable on Energy and Climate Change, which will also feature other African leaders. He would also speak on the High Level Panel on Jobs for African Youth-Turning the Demographic Dividend into Economic Dividend.

The Vice President returns to Abuja on Wednesday.

Fayose Mobilizes Hunters In Readiness For Fulani Herdsmen Attack

Fayose talks tough on Fulani herdsmen murder of two in Ekiti

"Before leaving you today, I will raise for you(hunters) #2.5m,
Secondly, I will raise #2.5m again for the affected families.

"I want to say it very clearly, everything you want me to do, I will
do. Because the moment you are not secured then I had better resigned
as a governor.

"If I cannot provide adequate security for you, it is better for me
to leave this office. The only reason you voted for me is because you
know I am competent to do the needful in circumstances like this.
Nobody will take Ekiti away from us.

"This killing of our people must stop. It is deliberate and we must
take all actions to stop it.

"They have killed two, they have killed all of us, a fight against one
Ekiti man is a fight against everybody, the President must rise up to
the challenge and stand this decaying security situation in the face,
we cannot continue like this.

"When they defeat you they will go to the next community, when they
defeat that community they will go to another one, this is Ekiti
Parapo war and it must be fought in the totality of our spirit. I
stand by you, I stand for you and that is why you elected me at a
time like this. I will not disappoint you.

"Like I said earlier, you want a Pick Up Van, today, today, I will
give you a Pick Up.

"Let it be said, those people behind this herdsmen, we'll defeat you,
we will defeat you. Enough of this political herdsmen operating as
herdsmen but are Boko Haram, they are coming into South West
gradually, we are going to fight you.

"Anywhere you find a cow that is grazing unnecessarily on our ways,
call my attention, we will take them out. I am going to the house of
assembly to criminalize grazing in wrong areas. You hide under grazing
to kill people, you are operating in the night, where would you tell
me someone grazing found AK47?

"Some people are behind them, using AK 47, you rape my wife, you rape
my children, if they attempt it, bring them down! Terminate their
lives! If they claim they want to sleep with your wives, they want to
touch your children, bring them down! Bring them down!

"It is a war against Ekiti, it must be fought with the totality of our
strength. God bless you, I want to reassure you, we'll provide the
necessary security to keep you in your community. Don't run away,
don't go to another community, it is your home and nobody will have
drive you out of your home!"

~Governor Ayodele Fayose, while addressing local hunters at Oke-Ako Ekiti today.

Emergency C'ttee: Sokoto needs 9,000 more teachers

Sokoto state requires additional 9000 teachers to meet the global standard of 1:40 teacher-pupil ratio in its classrooms at the primary school level, a government committee set up by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has found out.

 

In addition, 11,863 more primary school classrooms are required to congest the existing ones in order to create a condusive atmosphere for learning.

 

Presenting an interim report to the Governor in Sokoto, chairman of the technical committee on state of emergency in education in the state, Professor Risqua Arabu Shehu, said with a total number 1,193,760 pupils enrolled at basic education level for the 2015/2016 academic session, the teacher-pupil/student ratio in Sokoto presently stands at 1:66.

 

According to the report, even though there is fairly a large percentage of teachers with high qualifications in primary schools, over 60% of them do not process the required certification to teach at basic education level, while about 60% of teachers in junior secondary schools are teaching in urban areas, leaving rural areas under staffed.

 

It added that there exist more teachers in arts and social sciences than sciences, English and Mathematics.

 

"Not more than 5% have recommended Computer Studies and Technical Trade textbooks. Again, only 11% of the students have relevant textbooks in Mathematics while less than 15% of them have mathematical items such as graph boards, protractors, compasses and geometrical materials (solid figures). Out of the 39 technical/commercial trades identified by the Federal Government as contained in the 2013 NPE, only 9 are being offered in the State’s Senior Secondary Schools," the committee lamented.

 

As a way out of the problem, the committee urged the government to embark on recruitment of more teachers, with more emphasis on female teachers who will serve as role models, especially in rural areas. This, according to the committee, willencourage          girl child education.

 

For the 2015/2016 academic session, it recommended the recruitment of 800 female teachers, followed by 1,200 in the 2016/2017 academic session while 1500 should be recruited in the 2017/2018 academic session.

It also urged the government to embark on massive computer literacy programme for all SS3 students before they sit for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination in April 2017.

In his remarks, Governor Tambuwal said the need to revive the education sector necessitated the setting up of the committee, and everything possible will be done to revert the negative trend.

"We are not shying away from the problem. That is why we are highting them with a view to bringing together all stakeholders to find a lasting solution. Yes we have huge problem in this sector, and we are determined to overcome them within a reasonable timeframe," he added.

While urging the committee to expedite action on the full report and have it submitted to government on schedule, Tambuwal said the interim report will be studied and implemented as soon as possible.

Toyin Saraki speaks at Women Deliver on How to Empower Women and Girls across the World

Last week, H.E. Mrs Toyin Saraki, Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), took part in the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen. The conference brought together non-governmental organisations, policymakers, private sector business leaders, and women from across the world to tackle the challenges of gender inequality. 

Mrs Saraki laid out her vision on education; health; frontline, community-based workers workers; power and strategic influence; and prosperity in West Africa. She took part in a high-level panel discussion on how to be a powerful woman, where she reflected on how to use power as a means for changing the world and improving lives.

“We need to change our countries and societies, so that they can be more inclusive for all women and girls. Women and men from all over the world must come together to drive real impactful change.”

Women Deliver is held every three years and is attended by a wide range of audiences from across all sectors. This year, the conference was attended by the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim; and Deputy Prime Minister of Denmark, Kristian Jensen, to name a few.