Oyo lists 3,000 households for cash transfer.

Oyo lists 3,000 households for cash transfer.

The Oyo State Government announced on Tuesday that no fewer than 3,300 households would benefit from its COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme for the poor and vulnerable residents of the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

According to Oyelade, the vulnerable persons, comprising disadvantaged individuals ranging from the aged, chronically ill, physically challenged, urban poor, and widows, were drawn from the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.

Oyelade said, “It should be recalled that in 2019/2020, a global pandemic called COVID-19 ravaged the world, with a large proportion of citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable households/individuals, facing challenges on multiple fronts such as loss of labor, income, food, and security, etc.

“The sum of N10,000 per month is to be given for a year to the Social Transfer component beneficiaries to aid their consumption and reduce stress. The transfer, which is card-based, will be paid N20,000 bi-monthly.

“The beneficiaries were drawn from all the 33 LGAs in the State from the data mined from the State Operation Coordinating Unit. A cash transfer of N10,000 per month to the beneficiaries in the 3rd phase of the program will commence after the ongoing training of the facilitators.”

He further explained that the OY-CARES program was an emergency operation from the Federal Government, which was adopted by the Oyo government and designed to support budgeted programs of expenditures and interventions at the state level.

He concluded that the programme would target “existing and new vulnerable and poor households in the agricultural value chain, as well as Micro and Small Enterprises affected by the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Lack of patriotism, cause of Nigeria’s challenges — AbdulRazaq.

Lack of patriotism, cause of Nigeria’s challenges — AbdulRazaq.

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has urged Nigerians to always consider the nation first in whatever they do to strengthen unity and promote peace.

He called on all citizens to have an attitudinal rebirth for the country to move forward, saying the Nigerians’ patriotism level has dropped.

The governor gave the advice when the National Institute of Public Relations President, Dr Ikechukwu Neliaku, led a delegation of the institute to the Government House on a courtesy visit.

“We need to look at our heritage and value system. Our core values are fundamental. In a situation where a mechanic converts the seat of an Okada (motorcycle) to carry an AK-47 you will not report it.

“Our values have dropped. Our responsibility includes supporting the security agencies with useful information and acting intelligently to support the security agencies. Those are parts of the issues we should look at in our values,” the governor was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaiye, on Tuesday.

The governor said Nigeria’s challenges could be blamed on a lack of patriotism and a poor value system.

“The challenges we have to do with rebirth and attitude. The insecurity we have has a lot to do with rebirth. The foreign exchange issue is connected to this also.

“Rebirth is about citizens’ education on patriotism and loyalty to the national flag, and commitment to its good.

“Nigerians are no more as patriotic as we used to be. We are only patriotic the day the Nigerian National Football team plays; this has to change.

“The rebirth effort will answer these questions. Our loyalty should be to our flag. Once we are patriotic, many issues will be resolved,” he said.

Speaking, the NIPR president commended the administration’s investments in critical infrastructure and projects that can drive rapid economic growth and make the state a hub.

Neliaku said some of the ongoing legacy projects in the state, such as the Innovation Hub and International Conference Centre, are strategic and would place Kwara on the global map.

“We have noted that you are doing some legacy projects. Some people come, they do projects and all that. But when leaders are not conscious of their legacy after they have left offices, their image goes down.

“And because we are managers of image and reputation, we look out for those who are planting seeds of legacies.

“The projects that really caught our fancy are the ICT Innovation Hub and International Conference Centre, among others. This is very, very important.

“You are building an International Conference Centre in Ilorin. For those who do not understand what that means, you are opening up Ilorin for global attention.

“You are building Kwara state as a regional hub. We also notice your fiscal responsibility and prudence in managing governance affairs,” he said.

AbdulRazaq said the choice of his legacy projects was to position Kwara as a hub for the service economy, which attracts investments and creates jobs for the people.

“What we are trying to do here is to build an ecosystem, a hub for conferencing. You have sold the idea of conferences in just a few words.

“But why are we building a conference centre here? People really need to understand that a conference centre and hotels are a catalyst for national development as it births a strong service economy,” the governor said.

Abiodun congratulates new Ogun Speaker, Elemide.

Abiodun congratulates new Ogun Speaker, Elemide.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated the new Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, and other lawmakers for ensuring a rancour-free process.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, spoke when he received 19 members of the House who accompanied the new Speaker on a courtesy call on him on Tuesday in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He commended the seamless manner in which they elected the new Speaker, reaffirming that the lawmakers have the right to decide who would lead them in democratic settings.

He said, “It is worthy of note that the executive has not interfered in the process to make sure that you are comfortable in what you want to do, that led you to make your decision. And we support you in the decision that you make.

“You have gone through the process in a way that is exemplary. This is not the first time in this country that members of a particular legislature have decided to change their leader.”

He emphasized that the executive arm will continue to adhere strictly to the concept of separation of power and the rule of law in its relationship with the House of Assembly.

The governor pledged that his administration would support and work closely with the legislature to maintain the harmonious relationship that has existed in the last four and a half years.

The new Speaker, Elemide said the House would continue to compliment the executive and avoid the unnecessary mudslinging that may hinder the progress of the state.

“We are not going to fight, and neither are we going to compromise the executive. In the legislature, there is room for lobbying. We will lobby where we need to lobby, we will assert where we need to assert, and we will let the whole people of the State know that we are there for them.

“To my colleagues, I would not want to betray their confidence that they have in me. It is going to be we and not I. I am just the first among equals, and we were voted in from our various constituencies. I will take cognisant that we are equal.

“I will be there to speak for them, and I will speak whatever they put in my mouth,” Elemide concluded

Earlier, the Assembly had on Tuesday ratified the impeachment of Olakunle Oluomo as the Speaker with all 22 members present at plenary voting in support of the impeachment.

At the plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Bolanle Ajayi, Hon Musefiu Lamidi, representing Ado-Odo/Ota II read the report of the committee set up by the House on Monday to investigate the allegations levelled against Oluomo.

Lamidi noted that the committee made it clear to the former speaker that the committee was not on a witch-hunting mission but for a fair hearing on allegations levelled against him.

“The speaker said some of the committee members does not have the right to be a member of the committee to investigate him since they were among the 18 members who originally signed the impeachment notice.

“Having observed that the committee turned down his request, he walked out on the committee to avoid responding to further questions from the committee.

“The committee observed that the attitude of the speaker shows that he has no regard for the committee and by extension the House of Assembly.

” His attitude is a clear admittance of the allegations contained in the impeachment notice served on him which includes financial impropriety, high handedness and lack of focus among others,” he said.

Lamidi, however, said that the committee found him guilty of all allegations levelled against him and consequently recommended that he should be impeached.

Lamidi, thereafter moved the motion for the adoption of the report which was seconded by Oluseun Adesanya

The deputy speaker threw the resolution back to the house and the 22 Members in attendance affirmed the removal of Oluomo as the speaker through the majority vote.

“With the majority vote of 22 members, I hereby confirm that Oluomo stand Impeached and removed as the speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly,” she said.

A House Member, Adegoke Adeyanju, popularly called Awoso, representing Yewa North 1, thereafter, nominated Oludaisi Elemide, an APC lawmaker representing Odeda as the new speaker and seconded by Adeniran Ademola representing Sagamu II.

Elemide took Oath of Office and was officially sworn in to replace the impeached Speaker on Tuesday.

The new Speaker, Elemide promised all-inclusive leadership, urging the members to see themselves as one and work in unity for the progress of the state.

The deputy speaker had read a letter of impeachment notice served Oluomo which was signed by 25 members out of the 26 House of Assembly members.

Wike approves N30bn to rehabilitate schools in FCT.

Wike approves N30bn to rehabilitate schools in FCT.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, January 30, approved N30.9 billion for massive rehabilitation of schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCT Administration, Danlami Hayyo, disclosed this while briefing reporters in Abuja.

Hayyo said the approval of the funds was a testament to the priority the minister placed on the education sector.

He said out of the fund, N13.3 billion was approved for the renovation and rehabilitation of 40 schools, which would be completed in 100 days.

Hayyo added that N13.1 billion was also approved for an accelerated whole-school rehabilitation approach, beginning with 18 schools.

He explained that the whole school rehabilitation approach was designed to rehabilitate the entire school infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, hostels, dining and provision of furniture and water.

He further said four schools would also be renovated in the second batch of the whole-school rehabilitation approach at the cost of N4.5 billion.

He identified the schools as Government Science Technical College Kwali, Government Science Technical College Maitama, Government Secondary School Kuje and Government Secondary School Wuse II.

The mandate secretary said all the projects would be completed before May 2024 and would be part of the project that would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu to mark his one year in office.

The mandate secretary also commended the minister for addressing the lingering crisis between primary school teachers and the Area Council Secretariat.

He explained that the minister has committed to settle 40 percent of the N7 billion minimum wage arrears owed to the primary school teachers by the six area councils.

Hayyo further said the area councils would settle the remaining 60 percent of the amount, which would be paid within the next three months.

He said the amount to be paid by the area councils would be deducted from the source to ensure compliance.

Hayyo, who assured that all necessary procurement procedures would be followed, complained that the renovations were massive because the previous administration did not do much in the sector.

“The previous administration neglected the education sector. No meaningful intervention by the previous administration in the education sector of the FCT.

“That is why a huge work is going to be done by the current administration. That is why the minister took education as a serious matter and earmarked about N30 billion,” he said.

Wizkid, Tems excluded as Grammy releases African award winners’ list.

Wizkid, Tems excluded as Grammy releases African award winners’ list.

The organisers of the prominent Grammy Awards have put forward a list of African musicians who have gone home with a golden gramophone.

This move is done ahead of the 66th Grammy Awards which will be happening on February 4, 2023.

The ceremony would stream live on CBS and on-demand on Paramount +

In the list, the late South African singer, Miriam Makeba, came first as the first African to win a Grammy award in 1966 for ‘Best Folk Recording(with Harry Belafonte) followed by Nigerian pop singer, Sade Adu, who became the first Nigerian to bag the award in 1986 for ‘Best New Artist’.

The second to last name on its list was Burna Boy, who won the award for ‘Best Global Music Album’ in 2021. 

The list of only 10 names, however, did not carry Nigerian singers, Wizkid and Tems which has caused a stir online.

Wizkid in 2021, won his first-ever Grammy award for his role in ‘Brown Skin Girl’, a 2019 song by Beyonce in the ‘Best Music Video’ category while in 2022 Tems won her first-ever Grammy award in the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category for her role in ‘Wait for U’, the hit song by Future featuring Drake.

Below is the full list:

1. Miriam Makeba (South Africa) — Best Folk Recording (with Harry Belafonte) – 1966

2. Sade Adu (Nigeria/UK) — Best New Artist – 1986

3. Ali Farka Touré (Mali) — Best World Music Album – 1994

4. Cesária Évora (Cape Verde) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2004

5. Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2005

6. Angélique Kidjo (Benin/France) — Best Contemporary World Music Album – 2008

7. RedOne (Morocco) — Best Dance/Electronic Album – 2010

8. Tinariwen (Mali/Algeria/Libya) — Best World Music Album – 2012

Read Also: Burna Boy to perform at 2024 Grammy Awards

9. Burna Boy (Nigeria) — Best Global Music Album – 2021

10. Black Coffee (South Africa) – Best Dance/ Electronic Album — 2022

Speaking on Burna Boy, the award organisers wrote: “Femi Kuti, King Sunny Adé, Babatunde Olatunji, and his rival WizKid had all received GRAMMY nods before Burna Boy became the first Nigerian male artist to grab a golden gramophone for original work. The Afrobeats megastar earned the prize for Best World Music Album in 2021 for his album Twice as Tall.”

The Nation reported that Burna Boy aside from being a nominee, would be performing on stage on Sunday in Los Angeles during the show alongside other artists including Luke Combs, Travis Scott, Billie Eillish, Dua Lipa, and Olivia Rodrigo amongst others.

Akpabio tasks senators to collaborate with executive.

Akpabio tasks senators to collaborate with executive.

Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, January 30, urged his colleagues at the red chamber to continue to work and collaborate with the executive arm of the governor without compromising their independence.

Akpabio made this call in his address of welcome to senators from their break to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities.

He urged his colleagues to approach imminent challenges with the spirit of collaboration and patriotism.

Akpabio said: “In the coming months, we will face a multitude of challenges, from economic recovery and healthcare reform to national security and social justice.

“It is imperative that we approach these issues with a spirit of collaboration and a commitment to finding common ground.

“Let us rise above partisan divides and work together, transcending party lines, for the greater good of our nation.

“Our patriotism demands that we heed no other call except Nigeria’s call—the call echoed in our National Anthem.

“Let us continue to work and collaborate with the Executive Arm under His Excellency President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, without compromising our independence as enshrined in our constitution.

“I urge every one of us to embrace the power of dialogue and the importance of compromise. Let us listen to one another with open hearts and open minds, guided by reason and evidence in our decision-making.

“Let us be champions for the marginalized and the voiceless, advocates of justice and equality.

“Our purpose should be twofold: to do as much good as we can to all the people we can, and to prevent any injustices from befalling anyone in our great nation, for injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

“As we embark on this new legislative session, let us be inspired by the limitless potential of what we can achieve together.

“Let us remember that the work we do here has the power to transform lives, uplift communities, and shape the destiny of our great nation and the fortunes of our continent.

“We must be bold in our vision, unwavering in our commitment, and steadfast in our dedication to the principles of democracy and good governance.

“Let us embark on this new chapter with a sense of purpose and a determination to make a difference.

“Together, let us strive for excellence, serve with integrity, and leave a lasting legacy of progress for future generations.

“Let this Tenth Assembly be a reference point in legislation, a testament to our collective dedication and vision.”

Read Also: AFCON 2023: Akpabio urges Super Eagles to conquer Africa, bring home trophy

He also urged senators to use the opportunity afforded them as members of parliament to positively transform the country and the lives of their constituents.

He said: “It is our duty to justify the trust vested in us by diligently addressing the challenges facing our nation and striving for the betterment of society.

“We have a unique platform to effect change and advocate for our constituents’ interests.

“History and future generations will not forgive us if we squander this opportunity or fail to leave our mark on the annals of time.

“Let us use our time in this revered chamber to delve into pressing issues, engage in passionate and respectful debates, and craft legislation that reflects the needs and aspirations of the people we represent.”

Reps to investigate Plateau killings, set up ad hoc committee.

Reps to investigate Plateau killings, set up ad hoc committee.

The House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the cause of the incessant terrorist attacks in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas of Plateau state.

The speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, said the committee led by Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), can co-opt chairmen of security-related committees of the House has one member each from the six geopolitical zones.

Several persons have been killed in several attacks on communities in Plateau.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ishaya Lalu, the House asked the chief of defence staff to establish a civilian joint task force in Plateau state to work hand in hand with the security agencies to curtail the attacks in the state.

Lalu briefed the House regarding the assaults on the residents of Mangu local government areas in Plateau state.

He said the attacks resulted in the deaths of over 50 individuals, with many others sustaining severe injuries.

The lawmaker added that more than 1,000 houses and other properties, valued at billions of naira, were destroyed.

Approximately 20,000 people have been displaced and are currently residing in various internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within and outside the local government area.

According to Lalu most of the victims who sustained various degrees of injuries are currently receiving medical attention at different hospitals within the State.

He said the continuous attacks by the terrorists in said Local Government Area need to be addressed immediately.