Policy reforms key to development, says NBA Chair.

Policy reforms key to development, says NBA Chair.

There is a need to create a favourable environment for businesses and investments to thrive, Lagos Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olabisi Makanjuola, has said.

The subject, he said, will form the theme of the branch’s annual Bar dinner.

At a briefing in Lagos, Makanjuola, a partner at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, said the dinner is scheduled to be held on December 15 at the Queens Park Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Its theme is: “Creating a favourable environment for business and investment in Nigeria through legal policies and reforms.”

The keynote speaker is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Adekunle Sonola.

The chairman said: “Legal policies and reforms are key to economic development.

“So, we decided to bring the Managing Director of one of our finest banks in Nigeria to share experience with us on how businesses can stay afloat in a challenging economy.”

Popular comedian Kiki will be the compere, while the dinner will feature a special guest artist.

Makanjuola said the dinner, which will be free to members, is fully sponsored through funds raised by the planning committee, headed by Mr. Adeleke Alex-Adedipe.

He said the dinner was made free for the first time in fulfilment of part of his campaign promises.

“The annual law dinner is rooted in the finest traditions of the legal profession.

“It is expected to bring together legal practitioners, judges and industry helmsmen to network, celebrate and enjoy some fine dining.

“Lawyers work a lot, and they deserve to play and rest after a good year of working hard.

“This year’s dinner will be free of charge to all our members. However, interested members are required to have registered via the portal of the branch.

“The requirement to attend this dinner is that you must have paid your branch dues as of March 31. For colleagues who have not paid branch dues, we’re so sorry, you will not be able to attend.”

He said non-members can attend by paying a token of N20,000, adding that limited spaces are available.

COP28: NDDC seeks partnerships on Green Innovations.

COP28: NDDC seeks partnerships on Green Innovations.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed determination to embrace clean energy sources through practical approaches, nature-based solutions and green innovations.

Speaking during a side event at the Climate Change Conference, COP28 in Dubai, the NDDC managing director, Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission was leveraging the key sectors of the energy transition plan, to develop new green skills and create new jobs.

Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC director of corporate affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said that significant investments, partnerships, and collaboration were required to succeed in such a direction.

He said: “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions to address the issues of climate change.

“Sustainable development for the Niger Delta region is underscored by the high vulnerability of the region to the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution.

“The high exposure of the region to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas made the region one of the most impacted by climate change in Africa.”

Ogbuku observed that the vulnerability of the region was further aggravated by oil spillages, gas flaring, and environmental degradation.

He said: “While the Niger Delta region is a critical ecosystem, rich in natural resources, and a significant contributor to the global economy, this vast resource is intricately interwoven with compounding climate change and environmental issues. These resources have the leveraging capacity for the transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient development pathway.”

Read Also: NDDC begins construction of 18km Owaza-Uzuaku road in Abia

The NDDC boss said that the commission would explore the four major themes of COP28, namely, technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities, and finance.

He explained that NDDC was participating at the climate change conference to leverage the spirit of the themes to seek partnerships in green innovations and finance to fast-track green initiatives aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2030.

Ogbuku said: “NDDC is determined to mainstream climate considerations in our operations and our development planning and implementation. Our theme at this Side Event, ‘Green Innovation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Niger Delta Region: A Credible Approach for Net-Zero Target’, shows our commitment to the national and international direction for carbon neutrality.”

Court of Appeal relocates Kogi Gov Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja.

Court of Appeal relocates Kogi Gov Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja.

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, has relocated the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja.

A statement by Mr David Umar Mike, Secretary of the Tribunal, said that its sittings would now be at the National Judicial Institute on Umar Yar’Adua Way.

It urged litigants to take note of the change in venue.

The statement was silent on the reason behind the relocation, but a top source at the tribunal said the step was necessitated by “security reasons.”

The source said that members of staff of the tribunal had been attacked on several occasions in Loloja.

“Just last Monday, tribunal officials were attacked on the way to the office.

“Armed men just pounced on the officials. They robbed them of everything. They took away all the documents that were in the car.

“Copies of petitions and personal belongings, official receipts, processes like subpoena, official stamps, were all stolen.

“Generally, thugs are frustrating the job and the lives of our officials are at stake, making it difficult to work there,” the source said,” the source said.

NAN reports that the All Progressive Congress won the Nov. 11 off-cycle election, with the Social Democratic Party coming second.

(NAN)

President Tinubu Emphasizes Cooperation with Benin Republic for West African Economic Prosperity.

President Tinubu Emphasizes Cooperation with Benin Republic for West African Economic Prosperity.

In a meeting at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu stressed the need for cooperation between Nigeria and Benin Republic, citing it as crucial for economic prosperity in West Africa. President Tinubu described the two nations as "conjoined twins held together at the hip."

During the meeting with President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, President Tinubu expressed concern about the lack of synergy between the countries, hindering mutual development. He highlighted the importance of developing common economic principles and priorities to foster prosperity.

"We are one. What is affecting us is a lack of synergy. We must have common economic principles and priorities. The economic programme you are developing through inter-ministerial collaboration is welcomed by me," President Tinubu stated.

President Talon sought the support of President Tinubu in improving trade relations between Benin Republic and Nigeria, particularly ahead of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit. He emphasized the importance of stronger trade ties, focusing on the free movement of people and goods between the two countries.

"Benin has started implementing a national development plan which includes enhanced integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Our development plan includes taking into account what investments are required in Benin to enhance our integration with Nigeria in trade terms," President Talon explained.

The leaders discussed the challenges of smuggling and agreed to coordinate efforts to protect each other's interests as they work towards greater economic integration. President Talon proposed the establishment of an inter-ministerial technical committee to prepare a draft document for both legislatures.

President Tinubu expressed his readiness to support private sector interests to facilitate prosperity in both countries and commended President Talon's leadership approach. The meeting concluded with a commitment to making history together in enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Suspension: Ekiti Govt Places Traditional Chief on 3 Months Probation.

Suspension: Ekiti Govt Places Traditional Chief on 3 Months Probation.

The Ekiti State Government, has placed the Olokun of Imesi Ekiti, Ayekire Local Government Area of the State, Chief Gabriel Bodunde, on three months probation to reunite with Onimesi, Oba Olatunji Olatunde before having the suspension slammed on him by government lifted.

Within the three months under review, the government directed the embattled Chief to attend the traditional council meeting regularly, this it stressed would form a basis upon which the suspension will be reviewed and removed.

The chief was suspended over alleged disrespect, high-handedness and insubordination to the town’s monarch, which was subsequently ratified by government. .

At a truce parley held in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said putting the Chief on probation form part of the actions being taken by government to reunite the Chief with the monarch.

Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media , Victor Ogunje, added that the government plans to give the Chief a softlanding because he complied with the directive given on 14th September, 2023 to withdraw his case in court.

She said: “The government said it during our last meeting that it won’t interfere in the matter until Chief Bodunde’s case is withdrawn because taking action on an issue pending in court would be subjudice.

“We can now resolve the issue now that he had complied with the directive. We now place him on three months probation when he is expected to be attending the traditional council meeting regularly.

“After the three months, we will review his case and if the Onimesi- in- Council is pleased with his attendance, then the suspension will be lifted. He can now have the privilege of enjoying all the paraphernalia as a Chief.

“But if you refuse to abide by our directive after the period under review, then you remain suspended”.

Mrs Afuye, who warned the Chief against abstaining from the traditional Council meeting to avert further crisis, appealed to the monarch to accept the truce with open arms.

Applauding the government for being thorough in dealing with the matter, Oba Olatunde stated that he had always been interested in having the matter resolved because of the influence wielded by the estranged Chief in the town.

“I have always showed my desire for the resolution of this matter. I can’t run the entire town alone. I need the cooperation of an influential person like Chief Bodunde. I am ready to accept him back to the fold.

“But one point must be emphasized here, you can’t be a Chief in a town and refuses to attend the traditional council meeting. This is a wrong signal that I won’t tolerate”.

Pledging to abide by whatever options given by government to broker truce in the matter, Chief Bodunde, said the withdrawal of his case against the monarch signposted that he was ready for peaceful resolution of the matter.

He also promised to attend the Council meeting anytime he comes down from his base in Abuja to Imesi Ekiti as acommitment to actions being contrived to resolve the crisis .

“I didn’t only withdraw the case I filed against the monarch, other criminal cases filed on my behalf by the police against some persons in the town over arson attack on my farm and property, had also been withdrawn. All these showed that I am ready for peace”.

Ekiti Govt Approves Construction Of One-Kilometer Ajilosun To Okeyinmi Flyover Bridge.

Ekiti Govt Approves Construction Of One-Kilometer Ajilosun To Okeyinmi Flyover Bridge.  ......Rehabilitation Of The Ikere-Ise-Emure Road.

Ekiti State government has approved the construction of a 1kilometer flyover bridge from Union Bank in Ajilosun to First Bank at Okeyinmi in Ado Ekiti and the rehabilitation of the Ikere-Ise-Emure road.

The approval which was given at the State Executive Council meeting is a manifestation of the commitment of the present administration to ensuring that all roads in the State are motorable and well maintained. 

The development was part of state government agenda to rapidly improve infrastructure as the projects would ease traffic flow, improve socio-economic activities of the areas and make lives and property of people more secured on the roads while adding aesthetic value to the State Capital.

The flyover bridge was initially proposed from Irona to Mathew (Saint Paul) but later changed to commence from Ajilosun (Union Bank) and terminate at Okeyinmi (First Bank), Ado-Ekiti after a critical review of the traffic volume and gridlock along Oja Oba Market to Ajilosun axis.

The bridge is expected to be completed in 24months.

Ekiti First Lady Urges Stakeholders To Intensify Fight Against GBV In Nigeria.

Ekiti First Lady Urges Stakeholders To Intensify Fight Against GBV In Nigeria.

Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the Wife of Ekiti State Governor, has called on governments at all levels, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to enhance the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

She emphasized that this objective could be realized through increased campaigns, programs, and interfaces against Gender-Based Violence in the country. Dr. Oyebanji made this appeal during the 4th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Governors' Spouse's Forum in Abuja, organized by the spouses of the Governors in Nigeria.

Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, the Ekiti State First Lady, speaking on the conference theme, "Youth Allies: Bridging generations to end violence," reiterated Ekiti State government's commitment to the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV in Nigeria.

She emphasized the forum's significance as an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of GBV and highlighted the strength of Governors' spouses in the campaign against GBV and overall national development.

The Chairperson of Ekiti State GBV Management Committee affirmed a zero-tolerance stance, asserting that girls and women under her watch would not be subjected to abuse, and any offender would face the full force of the law.

Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Chair of Nigeria Governors Spouse's Forum Board of Trustees and Former First Lady, Ekiti State, commended the Forum for maintaining legacies laid four years ago. She urged collective efforts to make GBV a thing of the past in Nigeria.

Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum and Governor of Kwara State, expressed gratitude to Governors' spouses for their support in the fight against GBV. He pledged intensified efforts by the Governors' Forum to provide necessary support for first ladies in ensuring justice for victims and promoting campaigns against GBV nationwide.

Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrasaq, Chair of Nigeria Governors Spouse's Forum, earlier commended the impactful efforts of other first ladies in the production of a work plan in 2020 leading to the annual conference. She highlighted the forum's commitment to eradicating drug abuse, sexual-based violence, and other social vices.

Goodwill messages were received from the Director-General of Nigeria Governors Forum, United Nations Population Fund, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, British High Commissioner, USAID Director, Canadian High Commissioner, UN Women County Representative, UNICEF Representative to Nigeria, and MacArthur Foundation Director, Nigeria Office.