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COSMAS CHUKWU , Enugu
The Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area in Enugu State, Mr Greg Anyaegbudike, says the council’s over N11 billion budget is meant to move the council area from a ‘transit junction town’ to investment destination.
Anyaegbudike explained to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu that the 2025 proposed budget christened: “Budget of Exponential Economic Growth” is a blueprint that would drive Oji River’s prosperity and development.
He said that the ambitious budget of over N11 billion would also drive the council to be a destination for local and international businesses, tourism, leisure and estate development for decent living accommodation.
It would be recalled that Anyaegbudike on Dec. 30, 2024 presented an ambitious 2025 Budget proposal of over N11 billion; which allocated N8.86 billion for Capital Projects and N1.93 billion for Recurrent Expenditure to the council area’s legislatures.
The council boss noted that the budget of over N11 billion reflects his administration’s unwavering commitment to meet the needs of the people as spelled out in the administration’s manifesto which aligns with the state government’s programmes.
“The budget, including our commitment to work hard, is reflecting our vision to ensure Oji River Local Government’s strategic contribution to the state’s target to move the GDP of Enugu State from $4.4 Billion to $30 Billion in eight years.
“The proposed budget is a blueprint that will drive a sustainable economic development leading to Oji River’s prosperity and development and by extension the prosperity of the entire Enugu State,” he said.
Anyaegbudike noted that his administration would continue with the implementation of people-oriented and impactful programmes in its campaign manifesto.
“We are already exploring ways to increase the productivity of the people, renew Oji River Urban area and wage a concerted war against poverty,” he said.
The chairman said that the council would focus its 2025 capital project expenditures on health; agriculture; education; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), urban renewal and development; and infrastructure.
He said, “In 2025, we are going to construct 10 kilometres of roads per ward.
“We shall contribute to Enugu State Government’s plan to construct 10 kilometres of roads in each of the 20 political wards of Oji River Local Government Area.
“Construction of these rural roads will provide access to remote areas, enabling our people to access basic services and participate in economic activities as well as opening up the council area for business, investment and tourism among others.”
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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has appointed Chief Daniel Osikheme Orbih, the current South-South Zonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as chairman, Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University, AAU.
DAILY POST reports that Orbih’s appointment as the chairman of the Governing Council of the state-owned university was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Umar Musa Ikhilor.
Orbih was named chairman of the seven-man board of the university.
Other members of the board are
Martins Osakwe, Prof. Steve Amiemenkharu Iyayi, Lukman Muhammad, Prof. Idialu Jeremiah Uwaifo, Prof. Eric Kelly Inanemo Omogbai and Prof. Omoruyi Ikponmwonse Osahon.
Ikhilor said the appointment of the Governing Council takes immediate effect from December 31, 2024.
DAILY POST reports that Orbih is an ally of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and a former governor of Rivers State.
Orbih is also the leader of the Legacy Group of the PDP in Edo State.
IBRAHIM QUADRI
Speculations have finally been put to rest over the forthcoming council polls in Lagos State, the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed that the election will hold across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The party added that elections scheduled for 2025 will hold across the LCDAs simultaneously with the Local Governments, saying “we cannot jettison these closest governments to the grassroots in the state.
Addressing the issues that had continued to trail the council poll in the LCDAs, the chairman for the Lagos APC, Cornelius Ojelabi, disclosed this through a statement released on Sunday and made available to newsmen.
Ojelabi noted that the statement was made to clear the air on the needless and distractive speculations that had trailed the conduct of the poll in the state.
According to him, “We wish to inform all and sundry that the Local Government elections will hold across the state in the 20 Local Government Councils and the 37 Local Council Development Areas in the year 2025.
“Since their creation, the Local Council Development Areas have not only been the closest to the grassroots but also brought the desired developments across the state.
“We observed with keen interest the recent debates on the desirability of the existence of the LCDAs and the need to hold elections in their political offices.
“Our position as a progressive party is that we cannot discountenance the contributions of the LCDAs to the overall political and socio-economic development of the state.
“Our landscape is dotted by several infrastructural projects by the LCDAs which include road, drainage and market construction, school and housing projects, primary education and health facilities and various social service interventions, etc.
“The various collaborative efforts with the state government on refuse disposal, drain clearing and security are also pointers to their continuous relevance.
“We hope this release will put paid to further speculations as regards the local government elections in order not to unnecessarily heat up the polity.
“Meanwhile, we implore our members and all Lagosians to continue to coexist peacefully as we all strive to maintain the leading position of our state in the federation”.
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…Commiserates with families of victims
JOSEPH OKWUOFU , Ibadan
Yoruba Council of Elders [YCE] has commiserated with the victims and families of the Ibadan Christmas funfair tragedy, calling on Governments not to allow good intentions and good deeds to become regrettable with the ordeals of the former Queen Naomi Silekunola.
It would be recalled that Naomi Silekunola had on 18 December 2024, organised a Christmas funfair for children at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The event became tragic, leading to the death of 35 children.
Against this backdrop, the State Government is prosecuting some people, including the former wife of the Ooni of Ife in connection with the incident.
Silekunola, the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Abdullahi Fasasi were remanded in prison following a court order.
Reacting to the incident, YCE through its Secretary-General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, said the estranged Queen’s position should be viewed from the humanitarian perspective. That is the noble position of the YCE.
He said life, in Nigeria, has been tough and it remains tough for all and sundry. He stated that the gloomy situation in the land would make the hungry, and the needy masses to seek temporary succour by looking for survival in whatever form – food or money for food wherever it may appear from.
The Secretary-General maintained that there is hardship in the land to the extent that there is hardly any adult Nigerian who, today, cannot share an experience of the disgrace and low level of pity to which our humanity has been subjected.
Oyewole said the gathering of children and the adults who took them to the venue in Ibadan should be viewed as a serious reflection of the lack of Social Security for all Nigerians.
He added that those children would have been taken to such a location as described in Ibadan because of freebies that otherwise ought to have been provided by their parents, the Government or accredited Government Agencies.
He said: ‘’It is with trepidation that we have learned of the unfortunate
stampede which occurred in Ibadan over the yuletide season of the year of our Lord 2024.
‘’As elders, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), whilst taking cognisance of the position of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is forced to take a considered position in viewing the unfortunate situation from a perspective totally different from the views of the law of the land.
‘’As everyone knows, there is hardship in the land to the extent that there is hardly any (seemingly comfortable) adult Nigerian who, today, cannot share an experience of the disgrace and low level of pity to which our humanity has been subjected.
”In view of all the above the Yoruba Council Of Elders (YCE), is of the opinion that a good-doer’s position, which has boomeranged, in an open society such as ours ought to be a lesson for Government at all levels to reappraise the I-don’t-care attitude to the immediate needs of the governed. The estranged Queen’s position should be viewed from the humanitarian perspective being the noble position of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE).
‘’We conclude by begging Government not to allow for the obvious tight rope to snap to ignite peril as clearly demonstrated by the lack of safety in vehicular rides anywhere in the Southwest when there is slow movement or no traffic movement or, indeed, by an Elder on foot, who recently got attacked by a passer-by in the Mokola/Sabo/Dugbe/UCH route in Ibadan’’.
“We implore Government to do something before it is too late”.
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…As COAS charges newly promoted officers to lead by example
CHIDIMMA UCHEGBU, Abuja
Nigerian Army headquarters has disclosed that the Army Council has on 19 Thursday, December 2024, approved the promotion of senior officers to the next ranks of Major General and Brigadier General, respectively.
The Director of Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu while disclosing this in a press statement Friday, 20, December 2024 said a total of 35 Brigadier Generals have been promoted to the rank of Major General, while 73 Colonels have also been elevated to the rank of Brigadier General accordingly.
Those promoted to the rank of Major General include, Brig Gen A Garba Acting Provost Marshal Nigerian Army, Brig Gen UM Alkali Deputy Chief of Administration, Directorate of Veteran Affairs (Army), Brig Gen AGL Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen IA Ajose Acting General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 North West Operation FANSAN YAMA, Brig General NB Ebulue Headquarters Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Brig Gen LG Lepdung Commander Operation WHIRL STROKE, Brig Gen OA Awolo Director Military Training Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig Gen UG Ogeleka Commander Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig Gen OA Fadairo Commander 12 Brigade, Brig Gen OD Williams Commander 22 Brigade , Brig Gen JR Lar Commander 32 Brigade, Brig Gen AG Mahmuda Commandant Warrant Officer Academy, Brig Gen VD Beryo Commander Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brig Gen AOD Okoro Director Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes, Brig Gen SO Adejimi Director Movement Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics, Brig Gen TT Sidick Director of Finance Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig Gen MCE Ejike Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen MF Babayo Commander Sector 3 North East Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen H Yanet Commander 51 Signal Brigade and Brig Gen MK Gara Army Headquarters Department of Training.
Also promoted to the rank of Major General are Brig Gen BP Koughna Deputy Chief of Military Affairs, Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs,Brig Gen I Otu Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Brig Gen AO Adegbite Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Brig Gen IE Ekpeyong Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, Brig Gen AA Idris Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, Brig Gen SA Gumel Nigerian Army Resource Centre Strategic Management and Policy Studies, Brig Gen MT Jinadu Commander 82 Division Ordnance Services, Brig Gen SA Jimoh Deputy Director Tender Board Department of Procurement, and Brig Gen UT Opuene Deputy Director Policy and Plans Defence Intelligence Agency, among others.
Officers promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General are Col SM Iliya Commander 43 Engineers Brigade, Col O Igwe Commander 78 Supply and Transport, Col NE Udofia Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Col UR Okoroji Commander 404 Engineers Brigade, Col GS Oyinwola Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Col S Ahmadu Defence Intelligence Agency, Col CI Nwonyi Commander 81 Division Provost Group, Col AS Aliyu Commander 1 Division Military Intelligence, Col T Garba Commander 77 Supply and Transport Brigade, Col K Imam Commander Army Headquarters Garrison Ordinance Services, Col NS Onuchukwu Chief Medical Director 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Col A Musa Commander 108 Division Equipment Support, Col DM Baba Office of the National Security Adviser, Col OA Obochi Defence Headquarters, Col PAJ Ebuk Commander 1 Division Supply and Transport, Col IP Omoke Office of the COAS Directorate of Procurement and Col P Elayo Headquarers Department of Space Administration.
Others elevated to the rank of Brigadier General are Col NI Abdullahi Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Col JC Mbanefo Army War College Nigeria, Col IO Amah Department of Operations Defence Headquarters, Col M Jimoh Defence Headquarters Garrison, Col TA Ayoola Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations, Col SA Jimoh Office of the Chief of Army Staff Department of Procurement, Col OC Ameni 103 Division Equipment Support, Col OU Okwuosa 2 Division Medical Hospital and Services, Col AO Odubiyi Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Col NE Udofia Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, among others.
According to the Director, The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, while congratulating the newly promoted senior officers and their families, also charged them to redouble their efforts to justify their elevation and the confidence reposed in them.
He further tasked the newly promoted officers to lead their subordinates by example and evolve “out of the box” ideas and innovations to speedily tackle contemporary security challenges bedeviling the nation. He added that they must remain committed to their oath of allegiance to defend the nation at all times and maintain unalloyed loyalty to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, has criticized the Edo State House of Assembly for its recent suspension of 18 local government chairmen across the state.
In a statement made available to DAILY POST in Taraba State, on Thursday, ALGON’s National Executive Council, NEC, and Board of Trustees, BOT, condemned the decision, labeling it as a grave affront to democracy and constitutional order.
The suspensions followed accusations by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who claimed the chairmen disobeyed his directives by failing to submit financial records to the state government.
Signed by ALGON’s National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu M. Anani, the association expressed deep concern over what it described as a “setback for democracy and an abuse of power.”
ALGON emphasized that the chairmen were not afforded the opportunity to defend themselves and asserted that the suspension contravened a Supreme Court ruling that guarantees the autonomy of local governments.
“This action by the Edo State House of Assembly is unconstitutional, null, and void.
“ALGON urges the governor and the state assembly to reverse their decision and uphold the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance,” the statement read.
ALGON also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency intervene in the crisis, urging him to protect the independence of local governments and prevent further erosion of democratic values in the state.
“President Tinubu’s immediate intervention is essential to halt this abuse of power,” the statement concluded.
.Says provost worked in line with direct intervention according to prescription.
JACOB OGODO, Abakaliki
The Chairman, governing council of the Federal College of Education, Technical, Isu, Ebonyi state, Alhaji Mohammed Takori has called on the TETFUND agency to collapse and relax all the stringent conditions that have been attached to the fund in order to sustain the tempo of interventions in the institutions.
Takori who made this known during the familiarisation tour and working visit to the college, urged the Federal government to equip FCET Isu with adequate facilities to improve effective teaching and learning.
He lamented that these conditions make it difficult for institutions to access funds early and stressed the need for allocation to be properly deployed in the tertiary institutions in Nigeria so that the infrastructural gap can be bridged while promoting teaching and learning in the institutions.
The Chairman pointed out that some of the stringent conditions could be that if you don’t exhaust present year allocation, it will be difficult to go in for the next year and urged the critical stakeholders to support the heads of tertiary institutions to avoid delays which makes the money to lose value.
Speaking through a member of the governing council, Alhaji Onipede Dauda, commended the management of the college for the proper utilization and implementation of the funds allocated for the development of the young institution.
He said that the provost has worked in line with the direct intervention when due and according to the prescription with the bill of quantity meant for the college.
Alhaji Onipede expressed joy that the Federal government is developing the school and urged the host community to drop whatever grievances they have against the school, join hands with the management of the college to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning boost the image of the school thereby improving on the enrollment of the students.
On the request of the host community to be given the chance to occupy the position of the Deputy provost which is vacant, the chairman of the council assured that their request will be looked into during the council’s meeting and that the community will get what is due to them.
He said, “I am highly impressed because this is my first time of visiting the place as a member of the governing council but have been hearing about Federal College of Education (Techinical) Isu, I do not know they have such a project here.
“But when I got to this place, I realised that the federal government is working towards self-independence and real entrepreneurship for our youth. I know the college still has a long way to go to achieve the aim and objective of establishing it.“
At the permanent site, we inspected an auditorium that requires adequate furnishing for the usage of the students. But I was told by the provost that the furniture is ready. It is just a matter of fixing the furniture in the auditorium.
“In that college, we need some facilities like a computer room; their library has to be stocked with the latest books that will aid students’ learning. At the same time, their laboratories are not equipped enough.
“As a federal college of education, certain facilities are needed to justify the aim and objective of establishing that institution.The council used the opportunity to urge the college provost to create awareness about the institution to increase its enrolment capacity.
“The whole members of the council has told the provost that there is a need to create awareness more than they are doing presently because if there are adverts given to the journalist to showcase the importance of the school to the community, to the future generations and the development of the nation, the people and the inhabitants will know that there is one reliable institution here to take care of their immediate, intermediate and future need”. He said
.Prof Okey Reuben Okechukwu Provost of the college thanked the council for the visit and assured that the school management will work harder to improve on the students’ output and enrollment.
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By Cosmas Chukwu
The Enugu State Government and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, CWEIC, on Thursday, signed a strategic partnership agreement that would accelerate trade and investment inflow to the state.
This was even as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State was named a co-chair of the Governors Roundtable at the 2025 edition of Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit coming up in London in April.
CWEIC is a commercial, not-for-profit membership organisation, which has the official mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government to facilitate trade and investment throughout the 56 Commonwealth member nations, using its convening power and trusted network of the Commonwealth.
Speaking during the partnership signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CWEIC, Mrs. Rosie Glazebrook, expressed the organisation’s eagerness to support the investment drive of the Governor Mbah administration.
“We are delighted to sign the strategic partnership with the Governor. We work primarily with the private sector, businesses. Our organisation is there to drive trade and investment. We do this with very excellent convening power. We will bring this to bear in our partnership with Enugu State.
“Our organisation is there to support and collaborate to really showcase anything that Enugu is ready to offer in investment and trade. Our organisation’s aim is to look out for how we can bring down barriers to trade and to encourage investment.
“Our strategic partnership with the Government of Enugu State is really important to us, and we are there to be extremely active and really make sure that we use all of our network and our convening power to the absolute benefit of the state,” he stated.
Mrs. Glazebrook, who was also accompanied by other CWEIC officers and partners, including CWEIC Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Obinna Anyanwu; Novare South Africa representative, Mr. Ayotunde Adesulu; Regional Head for South South & South East, Emerging Africa Group, Mr. Collins Olise; and the Regional Director, South South/South East, Leadway Assurance, Mr. Ikponmwosa Iyamu, noted the many investment opportunities in the state, commending also the governor’s effort to de-risk investment.
“The opportunities here are many. Whether it is education, infrastructure, the new city, the light railway. These are all of great interest to many of our partners,” he stated.
She described Governors Roundtable as a centerpiece of the forthcoming 2025 Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London that would bring together business leaders and top government officials from the 56 Commonwealth nations and thanked Mbah for accepting the invitation to co-chair the session.
“We are looking forward to a Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit which happens annually in London and the governor has received the invitation to lead the Governors Roundtable to showcase some of the amazing opportunities that exist in Enugu,” she said.
Speaking, Governor Mbah said the strategic partnership deal with CWEIC was very much in line with his administration’s humongous projection to grow Enugu State’s economy exponentially from $4.4bn to $30bn.
“We know that we cannot wish that growth into existence. Instead, we need to take steps. We have to do things deliberately and we have to be very intentional; which is why we see the partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council as quite strategic.
“The value of this strategic partnership cannot be lost on us because we see it as a platform that will enable us to tap in. We have over 140 private sector partners. Whether it is partnership between government and business or between government and government, we see you as that channel that would give us access.
“So, we are truly looking forward to the opportunities that this partnership brings. I have received your invitation and I can tell you that it is truly an honor to be able to participate in your Investment Submit next year and to co-chair your Governors Roundtable,” he said.
Mbah emphasised that his administration’s huge investments in infrastructure, security, education, including the completion of the Enugu International Conference Centre, ongoing construction of the adjourning five-star hotel, revamping of moribund state assets, and the imminent launch of Enugu Air were all geared towards catalysing trade, investment, tourism, exponential economic growth in the state.
The paramount ruler of the Adamawa Emirate, the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Mustapha retains his position as the permanent chairman of the state Council of Chiefs.
This clarification was made on Friday by the State House of Assembly, following reports that it has stripped the Lamido of the long-held position.
The Assembly was reported to have passed a bill providing for a rotation of the chairmanship position away from the Lamido to other emirs and chiefs on yearly basis.
Dismissing the claims, the Chairman of the Assembly Standing Committee on Information, Musa Mahmud, told journalists at the state Assembly Complex in Yola on Friday that the report was a misrepresentation of the truth.
“The major issue now is allegation that this honourable House has passed a bill stripping the Lamido Adamawa his chairmanship of the state traditional institution and making the chairmanship rotational. It’s not what the House has passed,” Mahmoud stressed.
He explained that Section 18(II) of the bill makes it clear that the Lamido of Adamawa shall be the Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, but that
the heat going in in the media was perceivably around creation of zonal traditional councils by the bill in view.
“Section 29(1) talks about establishment of three zonal traditional councils: Central Zone Traditional Council, Northern Zone Traditional Council and Southern Zone Traditional Council. There is where the rotational chairmanship is captured.
“The zonal traditional councils will be having rotational chairmanship but all the zonal chairmen will be reporting to the state chairman who is the Lamido of Adamawa,” Mahmud explained.
Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
The MoU will open up opportunities and provide a framework for collaboration across key sectors such as trade and investment, infrastructure development, education and capacity building, tourism and cultural exchange, and the green economy.
The signing of the MoU was witnessed on Tuesday by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, on behalf of the Lagos State Government, while the CEO of CWEIC, Mrs. Rosie Glazebrook; Chairman of CWEIC’s Nigeria Advisory Board, Mr. Supo Shasore and Country Director, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Mr. Obinna Anyanwu, represented the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
Speaking during the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Lagos House, Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the relationship will forge a partnership that resonates with the shared values of economic prosperity, collaboration, and global engagement, adding that the Lagos State Government will ensure that the MoU translates into tangible outcomes that benefit all stakeholders.
He said: “The signing of this MoU with the CWEIC represents a pivotal milestone in our journey toward economic transformation and global relevance. Through this partnership, Lagos State seeks to position itself as a leading gateway for Commonwealth trade and investment in Africa. The CWEIC, with its unparalleled network of businesses and institutions, offers Lagos the opportunity to connect with global enterprises, attract investments, and foster economic activities that will create jobs and elevate the living standards of our people.
“Lagos State is uniquely positioned to be a strategic partner within the Commonwealth network. As Africa’s fifth-largest economy and the continent’s commercial nerve center, Lagos is home to over 25 million residents, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Our state contributes over 30 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and is responsible for more than 70 percent of the country’s industrial and commercial activities.
“Our administration will continue to invest in infrastructure, create policies that attract and retain investments, and build institutions that foster trust and confidence. We will also actively engage with the CWEIC to explore new opportunities, deepen our collaboration, and ensure that Lagos remains a preferred destination for trade and investment.”
Speaking at the event, the CEO of CWEIC, Mrs. Rosie Glazebrook, said her organisation is committed to supporting the Lagos State Government’s ambition to open up Lagos for investments.
Glazebrook also invited Governor Sanwo-Olu to lead the Lagos State Government contingent to the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit, which will be held in the city of London in April 2025, to meet investors and showcase the best of what Lagos can offer.
She said: “We would like to hit the ground running to drive progress at speed. We are very committed to supporting your ambition and aim to open up Lagos. We will bring some of the Commonwealth Business Community to Lagos in 2025 and develop a programme where we could look at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum in Lagos hosted by the State Government.
“We could look at how we can put this together in 2025 to drive the interest from the global business community into Lagos and showcase some of the best investment opportunities in Lagos and also for some of the businesses in Lagos to meet counterparts in full partnership to grow their businesses with the rest of the Commonwealth. We are very much hopeful that this is an ambition we must drive together in 2025.”
Also speaking the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the signing of the MoU underscores the progressive vision of Lagos State and also demonstrates the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s unwavering commitment to partnerships that drive inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
“The partnership with CWEIC is a natural progression in our quest to make Lagos a globally competitive megacity. I would like to use this opportunity to call on private sector stakeholders to take full advantage of the opportunities that this partnership with CWEIC presents. Let us foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship that will propel Lagos to new heights.”
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have brought down the building serving as the operational headquarters of Ibom Youth Council, IYC, at Ikot Isighe, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said the demolition followed the proscription of the group by the governor, Umo Eno.
“Following the proscription of the Ibom Youth Council by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, and his directive to security agencies to immediately end the nefarious activities of the group, a joint security team, acting on credible intelligence, visited the building serving as the operational headquarters of the illegal group at Ikot Isighe, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
“On arrival at the locus criminis, members of the group fled in different directions.
The operation led to the arrest of three (3) suspects, and their headquarters was demolished,” the statement said.
According to the statement, available evidence showed that the group had not only begun procuring arms but had also commenced military training, attacks on security formations, and infractions on private property.
It noted that the group plans to launch a full-scale disruption of law and order in the closing days of 2024 and sustain the unrest into the new year.
“The security apparatus, with the full backing of the state government, is determined to use all legal means to maintain Akwa Ibom’s hard-earned status as the most peaceful state in the country.
“To this end, citizens are advised to remain vigilant and share information about persons or groups engaging in activities capable of disturbing public peace.”
The Command also warned landlords to be cautious before leasing their properties to individuals or organizations, saying that any property used in the commission of crimes, especially acts of subversion against the state, will be demolished, and the owners will be treated as accomplices.
The Governor’s Elders Advisory Council (GEAC) in Ogun State has described the proposed N1.054trn budget presented by Governor Dapo Abiodun to the state House of Assembly on Wednesday as a key to the much-needed progress and prosperity for the people of the state.
The Chairman of the Council, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, made this known during a chat with newsmen shortly after the Council held a meeting with the Governor at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Chief Okuboyejo commended Governor Abiodun for dreaming big by presenting a substantial budget that would, in turn, help his administration’s ISEYA mantra to succeed, even as he urged the government to work towards achieving over 80 per cent budget performance in 2025.
He said: “For a state like Ogun, budgeting over N1trn when states that have been in existence far longer or even larger are budgeting less than that shows you the size of work that is being done. So, we give them our congratulations and kudos.
“It was christened the ‘Budget of Hope and Prosperity.’ It is what it is; you can see the size of the current one and the old one. It is progress, it is prosperity, and if you look at the emphasis of the budget, the key areas rest on the government’s own mantra of ISEYA.
“This is a big budget. The performance last year was put at about 70 per cent. This one, we advise him to go much higher, above 80 per cent, and we wish him well.”
Chief Okuboyejo also commended Governor Abiodun for keeping the promises he made to the people of the state.
He said: “One thing stands to his credit: if he makes a promise, he keeps it; that is a credit. He should not deviate from it. All those areas that have been touched in the budget, he should get them through, and the people will stand by him.”
Chief Okuboyejo commended the synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government, saying that the Council is happy with the cordial relationship, which he noted would continue to work in favor of the people of the state.
“It becomes significant to somebody who has had relationships between the executive and the legislature. Experience has shown that if there is no cordial relationship, understanding, or synergy in working, things will not move.
“Today, at the presentation of that budget, the synergy, affection, and closeness of the legislature and the executive were demonstrated through the address of the Speaker and the response of the Governor. So, it gladdens our hearts to see that the relationship exists,” he said.
The Council chairman also lauded Governor Abiodun for embarking on massive infrastructural development across the state, noting that he has done well.
“When we met with this government, that was our advice: that with infrastructure, people can move, businesses can thrive, and that was taken and spread across all the Senatorial Districts of the state without anyone left out. We give him kudos; he should keep it up in the new year,” he added.
Chief Okuboyejo described the just-concluded local government election as a very successful exercise, saying that the results of the election reflect the level of confidence that the people are building in the government.
“Excellent exercise, very successful because for people like us, in the past, we’ve seen elections with reports of head-breaking, ballot snatching, killings, and maiming, but there was nothing like that this time.
“We met yesterday (Tuesday), and our experiences in our various local governments indicate that, by and large, it was extremely peaceful, and we give him kudos for that,” he said.
The Council charged the new local government officers to be accountable and ensure that they offer the citizens good governance, adding that governance at the local level is now different from what obtained in the past.
“The individuals who are now in local government are part of a different local government system, not the old local government level where you could do anything and get away with it, no. It is a government of its own.
“With laws guiding its acceptability, responsibilities, and accountability, those who voted them in, if they don’t do well, will throw them out, of course,” he added.
The Demsa Traditional Council, under the leadership of the Demsa paramount king, the Hamma Batta, Gladson Teneke, has officially kicked off the hosting of the 39th Adamawa State Qur’anic Recitation Competition.
The hosting of the competition is considered unique by observers who note that the Demsa kingdom is a Christian-dominated domain and the paramount ruler himself is a Christian.
The event, under the theme ‘Promoting Qur’anic Values, Unity, and Youth,’ commenced on Monday at Massallaci na Daya Nasarawo, Demsa.
In his remark, the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, who was represented by the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Yayaji Mijinyawa, commended the Batta Traditional Council for hosting the event.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of the steering committee of the competition, Alhaji Aliyu Numan, said the Batta Traditional Council, by hosting the event, showed its commitment to the fostering of peace, unity, and religious tolerance.
The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the state chairman of the Muslim Council, Mallam Gambo Jika.
The event featured recitations of the Holy Qur’an by various participants.
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