Kayode-Laguda gets APC ticket to fill Gbajabiamila’s rep seat.

Kayode-Laguda gets APC ticket to fill Gbajabiamila’s rep seat.

Financial expert and former public servant, Fuad Kayode-Laguda, has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Surulere 1 Constituency House of Representatives by-election.

Kayode-Laguda emerged as the candidate by winning the party’s primary election held on Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. 

The bye-election fixed for February 3, 2024, is meant to replace the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who represented the constituency before President Bola Tinubu appointed him as his Chief of Staff.

Gbonyin LCDA Chairman, Hon Oluwadamilare Ajayi, Commends Gov. Oyebanji's Leadership; Pledges Ongoing Development in Second Term.

Gbonyin LCDA Chairman, Hon Oluwadamilare Ajayi, Commends Gov. Oyebanji's Leadership; Pledges Ongoing Development in Second Term.

In a resounding tribute to effective governance and unity, Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi, Chairman of Gbonyin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has voiced his gratitude for Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, praising him for cultivating a conducive and enabling environment for the state's growth and development. The accolades were conveyed in a New Year speech released by Hon. Damilare Ajayi after his re-election for a second term.

Hon. Damilare Ajayi took a moment to commend Barrister Paul Omotoso, the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recognizing him as a remarkable leader and unifier who has steadfastly held the party together, making it the most united and outstanding political entity in the state.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

During his New Year speech, Hon. Ajayi underscored the efficient and effective efforts of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his team, emphasizing their dedication to propelling the state to greater heights in all aspects and ramifications.

Chairman Gbonyin LCDA, Hon Oluwadamilare Ajayi.

Reflecting on his initial two years in office, Hon. Ajayi outlined a series of achievements, including the extension of electricity, rehabilitation of roads, perimeter fencing of the council Secretariat, construction of a block of five offices with basic facilities, rehabilitation of market stalls and the cultivation of arable crops like maize, cassava, and yam. Other accomplishments encompassed improvements in internally generated revenue, implementation of effective safety strategies for lives and properties and enhanced staff welfare 

Now embarking on another three-year term, Hon. Ajayi pledged to sustain his commitment to humanity and social development in Gbonyin LCDA. He assured residents of fulfilling all promises made during his campaign, envisioning an era of global changes and robust development in Gbonyin LCDA by the grace of God.

As he commences his second term, the Chairman urged the people of Gbonyin LCDA to support Governor Oyebanji's administration with prayers and align with the administration's six pillars. The prevailing message from Gbonyin LCDA signifies a dedication to ongoing progress and a promising future under the leadership of Hon. Damilare Ajayi.

Looking ahead, Hon. Ajayi promised larger development in the agriculture sector, education, social welfare, infrastructure, health, and other critical sectors during his second term. The community eagerly anticipates the positive impact of these promises in the coming years.

Makinde grants clemency, sentence reduction to 33 inmates in Oyo.

Makinde grants clemency, sentence reduction to 33 inmates in Oyo.

No fewer than 33 inmates from across the Nigerian Correctional Centres in Oyo state have been granted clemency in their serving terms.

Out of the figure, ten inmates were pardoned and released from custodial centres, while four individuals on death row have their terms commuted to life imprisonment.

Also, 15 inmates received reduced sentences while four others were granted conditional release under a signed clemency order by the governor on Thursday.

Commending the development, the state Controller of Corrections; Salami Olubamiji (CC) said Governor Makinde’s seasonal gesture provides forgiveness and hope to dozens of incarcerated individuals across the state.

 He said: “This effort will go a long way to boost the morale of all the inmates and encourage them to involve themselves in various vocational and academic training programs provided in the facilities to rebuild their lives.

“Among the main components of the governor’s signed release order: ten inmates were immediately freed from custody this holiday season.

“Four inmates on death row have their sentence commuted to life imprisonment.

“Fifteen individuals currently serving term, received reductions in their term of incarceration.

 “Four students progressing towards degrees at the National Open University in custodial centres approved for release upon graduation.”

He said the Nigerian Correctional custodial facilities in Oyo state house over 1,800 inmates in facilities located in Ogbomoso, Ibadan, and Oyo Town, adding that the facilities provide substantive rehabilitation and skills-building programs daily so that restored citizens can contribute to society.

 He added that officials of the Correctional Service are processing the required paperwork to begin discharging the approved inmates immediately.

Ekiti holds strategic meeting on transformation agenda.

Ekiti holds strategic meeting on transformation agenda.

The Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), Ekiti State has held a strategic meeting on the transformation agenda of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

The meeting was held on Thursday last week in the Office of the Special Adviser/Director General of the team.

The team comprised the Special Adviser/Director General, Dr. John Moyo Ekundayo; Technical Advisor, Mr. Adebiyi Fasoyin; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation (OTSD), Mr. Adetunji Aribasoye; Special Assistant on Service Delivery to the Ekiti State Governor (OTSD), Mr. Toba Fatunla, Director of Administration and Supplies (DAS), Mr. Akeem Olusola Salami; and Director of Finance and Account (DFA), Mr. Adekunle Omoniyi.

A statement released by the OTSD’s media team explained that the’’ team strategically put in place by Governor Oyebanji, set the stage for a transformative year ahead in line with Mr. Governor’s vision for the year 2024: *Growth, Prosperity and Transformation.’’

‘’The team members’ unwavering commitment, passion, and expertise is set to elevate the quality of service delivery in Ekiti State in support of His Excellency’s mantra of shared prosperity.’’

Lagos Assembly passes N2.267tr budget for 2024.

Lagos Assembly passes N2.267tr budget for 2024.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday passed the N2.267 trillion budget for 2024 presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu last year.

The budget, comprising 58 per cent capital expenditure and 42 per cent recurrent expenditure, was approved after a unanimous voice vote by the lawmakers.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, on December 13, 2023, presented the 2024 budget proposal of N2.246 trillion to the House, saying the state anticipates internally generated revenue of N1.251 trillion and federal government allocations of N596.629 billion.

Before its passage, the Chairman of the joint committee on Budget and Finance, Sa’ad Olumoh, presented a report of the committee, which recommended that the Public Works Corporation, the Water Corporation, and the state-owned tertiary institutions be placed in first-line charge to enable them to perform optimally.

Obasa, during the presentation, said the government should ensure a functional budget.

“It is highly important for us to apply the right indices towards ensuring a performing and functioning budget that would lift our people out of poverty and reposition the state towards infrastructural growth and renewal.

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“Palliatives should move from just giving people garri, rice, beans, or even money. We should have a direction that is focused, impactful, and deeply backed up by effective policy implementations.

“For instance, in the name of palliative care, let there be a provision of drugs at all public hospitals at subsidised rates. At the same time, the focus should be on a downward review of treatment costs in these hospitals,” the Speaker said during the budget presentation,” he noted.

During plenary yesterday, Obasa said: “A bill for a law to authorise the issuance and appropriation of N952,430,566,998 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for Recurrent Expenditure and N1,315,545,553,871 from Development Fund for Capital Expenditure, thereby totaling a budget size of N2,267,976,120,869 for the year ending 31st December, 2024, be passed into law.”

Obasa also hailed the lawmakers for their dedication and cooperation in ensuring a quick passage of the Appropriation Bill, and directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to forward a copy of the approved budget to Governor Sanwo-Olu for assent.

Tinubu To Security Chiefs: You Are Making Good Progress, But There Must Be Conclusive Victory.

Tinubu To Security Chiefs: You Are Making Good Progress, But There Must Be Conclusive Victory. 

President Bola Tinubu has asked the nation's security chiefs to ensure that there is conclusive victory against the myriad of security threats assailing the country.

Addressing security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at a Presidential Security Briefing at the State House, in Abuja, on Friday, President Tinubu said while good progress is being made with the elimination of some security threats across multiple theatres, success will ultimately be defined by a final conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace.

"We have too many investments that we need to make now in soft and physical infrastructure, in social security, in MSME empowerment, and other growth enablers. We are pursuing a $1 trillion economy in the next few years, and our efforts will be undermined if we do not finally wrap up our progressive onslaught against enemies of progress. Be encouraged. The confidence of our people in your capacity is rising, and they are appreciative of the sacrifices of our men and women.

"The success you are recording is undeniable. Nigerians are seeing it, but the avoidable errors, as witnessed recently in Kaduna, are unacceptable and cannot be repeated. I am pleased that coordination between all agencies has dramatically improved over recent months, but there is no room for celebrations until we can end this; until we can bring our troops back to their own localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme," the President firmly stated.

The President emphasized that the armed forces must deliver on his objective to ensure the nation achieves a sustainable production of two million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensates, within the first quarter of 2024.

"I do not play with my intelligence reports. I have multiple lines of sight. The Navy and sister branches must step up their game to achieve our aims for the benefit of all Nigerians. All malign actors will be aggressively uprooted from our midst. Those working against the national agenda from within and without will meet justice. Your task is clear. We will sustain our momentum. Failure is not an option under my leadership," the President warned.

The President also commended the Commander of the Presidential Air fleet (PAF), the Commander of the Brigade of Guards (BoG), and his Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO) for their dedication and commitment in the discharge of their assignments, which has earned them a promotion.

 

Speaking at the decoration of the PAF Commander, Air Commodore Olayinka Olusola Oyesola, with his new rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force; Commander, BoG, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, who is promoted from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier-General; and the Police CPSO, Usman Musa Shugaba, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of Police after being promoted from his prior rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, President Tinubu said he was very impressed by the officers’ “loyalty and dedication to duty”.

 

“Nigeria calls all to serve. We are the servants of the country, not the masters as you have seen. Your stewardship as leaders in your various categories is reflected in the assignments and responsibilities you have undertaken. I hope that Nigeria will continue to recognize your service to motherland,” the President concluded.

The newly promoted officers were decorated by the President who was assisted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja; and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, respectively, in the presence of the spouses of the elevated officers. 

The event was witnessed by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Service Chiefs; Heads of Intelligence Agencies, as well as presidential aides.

Speaking on behalf of the officers, AVM Olayinka thanked the President for the promotion of the officers and for the privilege to be of service to the nation. He assured the Commander-in-Chief of their continued loyalty and commitment to duty.

Late Gov. Akeredolu's Remains Arrive in Nigeria.

Late Gov. Akeredolu's Remains Arrive in Nigeria.

.....Receives Solemn Reception with Presence of Dignitaries.

The body of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has arrived Nigeria.

The plane conveying the body arrived at about 3:39 p.m on Friday, January 5, 2024.

The late Governor's remains were brought into the country from Germany, where he passed away.

The body was received by his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbi Talabi; and representative of Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke also joined in receiving the body. 

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Adefarati, and some members of the Ondo State Executive Council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were also present at the airport to receive the body of the former Governor.

Family members, followers, friends, and associates could not control their emotions as the body of the late Governor was being lowered from the plane.

Late Governor Akeredolu passed away in Germany on December 26, 2023.

His remains have been deposited at the morgue until the final burial. 

Details of the burial arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.