Traders seek governor’s help to stop market takeover.

Traders seek governor’s help to stop market takeover.

White Sand Market traders in Lagos Mainland have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stop alleged bid by the council to take over the market.

.Their leader, Alhaja Sherifat Thanni, said the council Chairman, Mrs Omolola Essien, threatened to take over the market despite a court order.

Thanni said Justice Akinkunmi Idowu of the High Court directed them to meet with her for settlement, adding they did not get a response to their letter requesting a meeting.

The court, in suit LD/7078GCM/23, restrained the council and attorney-general from taking over the market pending determination of the suit.

Thanni said in 2001, council sought to rebuild the market, which they built themselves and had been maintaining.

They said council brought in another contractor in 2014 to reconstruct the drainage, for which they paid N20 milllion.

For some reason, the project was not done and was left for the traders to handle yet again.

“Now the council said they want to demolish the market because of the drainage. We are tired of their extortion…” Thanni said.

 The traders urged the governor to ensure the contractor completed the drainage work they paid for.

They also want Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the continuous threat by the council to take over the market.

Lagos Red Line rail will boost economy – Minister.

Lagos Red Line rail will boost economy – Minister.

The Minister of Transport, Sa’id Alkali, has urged other states to emulate Lagos, saying the success of its Red Line Rail project exemplified collaboration between the federal and state governments.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Alkali said collaborative efforts between the federal and state governments enhanced the well-being of the nation and its economy.

At the official commissioning of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line on Thursday by President Bola Tinubu, the minister also pledged the support of the ministry to the Lagos State government.

He added that the ministry would work together with some state governors to achieve railway connection to enable choice of transportation for passengers, urging the governors to emulate Lagos.

The minister said, “I assure you that the Federal Ministry of Transportation is committed to providing support and expertise to consolidate this laudable achievement.

“Today’s inauguration is a singular promise in achieving this milestone in our administration. This will lead to high connectivity, improve livelihood, boost trade and improve visibility.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation will support the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” he said.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, commended Nigeria for giving them the opportunity to complete the Blue Line project.

Jianchun said, “Mr President, today in China we celebrate an auspicious day which is a symbol of good things, and this shows that the commencement of the Red Line project today will be more successful.

“I also congratulate Mr President for making the 20-year project completed and we also want to use this opportunity to improve more on infrastructure and technology.

“There is a need to improve more on security which will improve the country’s economic Gross Domestic Product generation.”

The Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said the commissioning of the project would not have been possible without President Tinubu’s vision during his tenure as governor of Lagos with the establishment of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.

NAN reports that the Red Line project is a 37km rail route from Agbado to Marina with stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushing, Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.

Tinubu commends outgoing Immigration CG.

Tinubu commends outgoing Immigration CG.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the outgoing Comptroller-General of Immigration Service (CGIS), Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, for exceptional service to the country.

During the pull-out parade ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo expressed gratitude to the retiring immigration boss for successful implementation of reforms, clearing passport backlogs, and enhancing security at border posts.

The Minister said: “On behalf of the President of Nigeria, I extend appreciation to the outgoing Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service for her outstanding contributions. She not only elevated the standards of the Service but also positively impacted millions in our society.

“Conceiving ideas is one thing, but executing them flawlessly is another. I commend you for your role in implementing the reforms we collaborated on, including clearing over 200,000 passport backlogs within two weeks.

“Additionally, the imminent launch of the command-and-control center, alongside revamped security measures at our border posts, reflects our joint commitment to enhancing national security.

“I am particularly grateful for your exemplary leadership. Throughout your tenure, not once did I encounter a crisis that required my intervention. You fostered a sense of unity within your team, treating them like family”.

Adepoju expressed gratitude to God, the President, the Minister of Interior, colleagues, and Nigerians for their support.

She praised her team, declaring them the best ever assembled by the Nigeria Immigration Service and urged support for ongoing reforms, ensuring citizens’ respite in passport acquisition.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to God, the President, and all stakeholders for their support throughout my tenure. It’s been an honour to lead the Nigeria Immigration Service, and I commend my dedicated team for their hard work and commitment.

“As I bid farewell, I urge my successors to continue the positive reforms we initiated for the benefit of our nation and its citizens. Under the leadership of the Minister of Interior, we have made significant strides in improving passport acquisition and enhancing border security.

“I’m confident that the incoming leadership, under Comptroller General Kemi Nana Nandap, will further advance the service and uphold its values,” Adepoju said.

Incoming Comptroller General, Kemi Nana Nandap, lauded the outgoing CGIS for her outstanding contributions, describing her tenure as marked by diligence, sacrifice, and selflessness.

Nandap said: “Today, we celebrate the remarkable career of outgoing CGIS Wura-Ola Adepoju, whose dedication and leadership have left an indelible mark on the Nigeria Immigration Service.”

The event saw attended by the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire and Immigration Board, Ahmed Ja’Afaru, Chairman House Committee on Interior, Ahmed Abdullahi, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, the Director Joint Service in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Peter Egbodo, among others.

Ekiti First Lady Rallies Support Of Female Traditional Chiefs For Oyebanji.

Ekiti First Lady Rallies Support Of Female Traditional Chiefs For Oyebanji. 

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji has solicited the support of Ekiti Female Traditional Chiefs for Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s led Administration. 

She made this known during a meeting with the traditional female Chiefs from the 16 local government areas and the 22 local council development areas of the state in her office in Ado-Ekiti.  

Dr. Oyebanji promised to always carry the female chiefs along in the activities of her office saying they are the representatives of female folks at the grassroots, hence the need for them to be part of the government activities. 

The Governor’s wife used the medium to appeal to the women to cooperate with the government by counselling the market women to bring down the prices of food and other essential commodities in the market. 

She assured that the present economic hardship is just for a while, appealing to residents of the State to cooperate with the government by ensuring that life was made easier for common man. 

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi appreciated the female chiefs for their support for the government. 

The Commissioner who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Tayo Olatiilu urged the female chiefs to always make themselves available for women's activities in the State especially the ones that would be organized by the ministry.

Also speaking, the President of the Association, Chief Mrs Iyabo Idowu, Eyelua of Orun-Ekiti, promised that the female chiefs and other women in Ekiti would continue to support the present administration in the state.

There were goodwill messages from the Special Adviser to the governor on Gender Mobilization and Empowerment, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye and other government officials.

Senate extends retirement age of NASS staff to 65.

Senate extends retirement age of NASS staff to 65.

The Senate on Thursday, February 29, passed a Bill that seeks to add five years to the retirement age of staff of the National Assembly Service.

If the Bill is signed into law, staff of the National Assembly Service would now retire at age 65 years instead of 60 years and 40 years in service instead of 35 years.

The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to Make Provisions for the Retirement Age of Staff of National Assembly Service and for Other Related Matters, 2024,” transmitted to the Senate from the House of Representatives for concurrence was last week stepped down by the red chamber to allow for further consultation.

In reintroducing the Bill, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the needed consultations had been done and the Bill was now fit for passage.

The Nation earlier reported that there was tension among staff of the National Assembly over the planned extension of the tenure of the current Clerk, Sani Magaji Tambawal, and over 200 staff due for retirement in November this year would have their tenures extended by five years.

However, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), in a statement in Abuja endorsed the Bill.

Wike approves promotion of 8,785 FCTA staff.

Wike approves promotion of 8,785 FCTA staff.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the promotion of 8,785 Staff of the FCT Administration.

The Ag. Permanent Secretary of Federal Capital Territory Administration, Udo Samuel Atang, who disclosed this on Thursday, said 8,785 personnel, who sat for the promotion examination and passed were promoted to the next rank under the Public Service Rules.

Accordingly, out of the 9,710 Officers that participated in the process, 8,785 were successful and promoted to their next Grade Level.

The breakdown of the promotion shows that out of 9,710 Officers across the various Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies (SDAs) that participated in the 2023 Examination Exercise, 925 were unsuccessful.

Further analysis shows that out of the 3,924 eligible Officers of Common Services Departments that took part in the examination, 3,295 Staff were promoted.

Similarly, out of the 933 Professional and Technical Officers who participated in the examination, 918 were promoted; while out of the 1,179 Health Officers, who sat for the examination,1,144 were elevated.

According to a statement by the Director of Information & Communication, FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule said: “Consequently, out of the 3,674 Education Officers and Assistant Education Officers that participated in the exercise, 3,428 were promoted.

“Atang, who commended the FCT Minister for his prompt approval, revealed that the approval for the promotion by the Minister came within 24hrs upon submission.

“He noted that the Minister recognizes the commitments and hard work of the Staff and encourages them to double their efforts in the service to the FCT Administration and the fatherland.

“The Acting Permanent Secretary, therefore, urged all Staff of the Administration to reciprocate the Minister’s kind gesture by supporting the leadership of the Administration to deliver on Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the Ministerial Performance Bond for Presidential Priorities and Deliverables.”

Reps to present amended 1999 Constitution to Tinubu for assent in August 2025.

Reps to present amended 1999 Constitution to Tinubu for assent in August 2025.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) said on Thursday, February 29, that the first draft of the amended 1999 Constitution will be ready by August 2024, saying the House is expected to adopt the final copy of the document in May 2025.

Kalu, who heads the House Constitution Review Committee, said at a press conference that a clean copy of the resolutions of the National Assembly is expected to be available for concurrence by the state Assembly between May 29 and June 13, 2025.

The Deputy Speaker, who outlined the committee’s road map for the Constitution review, said the House will embark on a zonal hearing to collate views of Nigerians in October 2024.

He added that the views collated by the House will be harmonised with the Senate Committee at a technical retreat scheduled for between February 27 and 28, 2025

He said further that the Harmonised document from the retreat will be presented before the House in March 2025, while members will vote on the bills agreed on at that committee level by the 22nd of May, 2025.

Kalu emphasised that the House set a December 2025 deadline for completion of its assignment so that issues being debated will not be tainted with political consideration and delays.

He also announced the appointment of consultants that will assist the committee in carrying out its assignment.

He said the House is working towards presenting the amended Constitution to the President for his assent by August 2025, to give home ample time to study the amendments.

Kalu said memoranda was being expected from Executive and Judicial bodies, State Governments, Women Groups, Academics, Civil Society Organizations, Labour Unions, Professional bodies, Ethnic Nationalities, Nigerians in the Diaspora, Diplomats and the general public.

He said memoranda was expected from Nigerians in the area of the Federal Structure and Power Devolution, Local Government Autonomy, Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation, and Revenue Allocation of Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security Architecture and Comprehensive Judicial Reforms.

They are also expecting memoranda on Electoral Reforms to strengthen INEC to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections, Socio-economic and cultural rights as contained in Chapter 2 of the constitution, Traditional Institutions, Issues of Gender, Strengthening the Independence of oversight institutions and agencies created by the constitution or according to an Act of the National Assembly.

It also includes Residency and Indigene Provisions, Immunity, the National Assembly Process of state creation and State access to mining and other matters that will promote good governance and the welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of freedom, Equality, and Justice.