By Tola Lawal

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged the newly elected Local Government Chairmen, as the closest tier of Government to the people, to justify their autonomy by initiating people-oriented policies and programmes which must focus on improving the lives and livelihood of citizens at the grassroots.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the administrative and financial autonomy being enjoyed by Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State for almost two decades was not granted for nothing, but given to achieve a bottom-up growth model for the acceleration of coordinated development across the State.

Sanwo-Olu gave the advice, on Tuesday, at the swearing-in of LGAs and LCDAs chairmen elected in the State’s council elections conducted last Saturday. The chairmen and their vice chairmen took the oath at a ceremony held in the State House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) swept all the chairmanship seats across the 57 local councils.

The party’s overwhelming victory at the polls, Sanwo-Olu pointed out, yet again demonstrated Lagosians’ faith in APC, urging the council chairmen to uphold the people’s confidence and reciprocate the trust by prioritising the welfare of their citizens in decision making.

He said since the inception of the fourth republic, Lagos had not created any vacuum in local government administration.

The Governor advised the chairmen not to take position as an opportunity to eliminate their political opponents, but use their energy to work for the people.

“Today, we are witnessing the dawn of a new era in Local Government administration in Lagos State. A resounding statement has been made, once again, that Lagos is APC, and that the people of Lagos continue to regard our party as the most viable and most credible political choice for the most populous State and biggest subnational economy in the country. We consider this overwhelming support as a vote of confidence in our administration and our great party, and it will never be taken for granted.

“I congratulate the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen across all the LGAs and LCDAs. Your victory is an affirmation of trust in your competence, capacity and capability to discharge the responsibility of the Office you are stepping into. Being the closest tier of Government to the people, any gap or shortcoming in administration will be keenly felt by the people. As a result, your policies and programmes must be people-oriented, focusing on how to improve the lives and livelihood of the people at the grassroots.”

Sanwo-Olu reminded the council helmsmen that they came at a challenging time when the Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic had disrupted jobs, livelihoods and businesses across the State, noting that residents expected nothing short of good governance and policies that would enable their administrative areas navigate the difficult times and stand on a solid socio-economic footing.

He told them it was part of their responsibilities and burdens as elected leaders to live up to their expectations of the people, reminding them that their tenure as, council administrators was time-bound, and that they should endeavour to build their legacies from the first day on office.

“More than ever before, councils require cooperation among all levels and arms of Government. It is expected that you will work in unity with other tiers of Government to bring dividend of democracy to the people in all the relevant areas, such as construction and maintenance of inner roads, waste management, primary education, healthcare, security, and so on,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Governor extolled the leadership virtues of the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing gratitude to him for what he described as unflinching dedication to the party’s continued victory at all levels.

Sanwo-Olu also praised members of the APC Local Government Election Committee, led by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the party executive members, led by State Chairman, Hon. Tunde Balogun, for delivering on the mandate entrusted to them.

Commending the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), led by Justice Ayotunde Philips (Rtd), the Governor said the umpire had continued to live up to its responsibility and duties as enshrined in the law establishing it.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the class he called “civic-minded” people of Lagos State, who conducted themselves peacefully and responsibly, before, during and after the elections.

Dr. Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs said the robust support received by the chairmen showed systemic dynamism and entrenched political understanding in APC, stressing that the party always emerged stronger and more united after every contest in the State.

Ahmed told the new Chairmen that politicians derive their popularity and grassroots support from performance and constant delivery of dividends of democracy. “The task ahead of you, as council chairmen, is to sustain and even surpass the tempo of performance of previous administrations in your respective areas”, he stressed.

Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Hon. Sesan Daini, who moved the vote of acceptance on behalf of the council chairmen, pledged total loyalty to the party’s manifesto and development blueprint of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

The event was attended by amongst others: Deputy Governor, Dr. Hamzat, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Commissioners, Special Advisers, members of Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), body of traditional rulers, led by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, and party members.

By Tola Lawal

The Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government, Hon. Sikiru Adesina popularly called Eskay and his Vice-chairman Hon. Olabode Sunkanmi, resumed office on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 and immediately approved the recruitment of 10 ad-hoc staff in the secretariat.

According to Kareem Lukmon Olamilekan
Media Aide to Executive chairman
Ewekoro Local Government, Hon. Sikiru Adesina stated this while responding to the reports given at his meeting with the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) and Director of Departments of the Local Government in his office at Itori, Ewekoro local government today.

Hon Sikiru has promised to annex all resources obtainable and available for qualitative governance in the local government. “I will ensure upfront payment to the staff for efficient service delivery”, the Chairman said.

The Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), expressed appreciation to the Chairman for his swift action on the issues regarding the local government promising to join hands with the administration to take the local government to greater heights.

By Sola Adelola

The newly elected Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Mr. Tunde Emilola Gazal has assured the people of Ijebu-Ode of diverse developmental programmes that would boost soio-economic lives of residents in the Council Area.

Gazal who made this known at resumption of office in Ijebu Ode, said his administration would emulate the developmental programmes of the State Governor, Prince Prince Dapo Abiodun.

“I promise that we will continue in the stead that his Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun has laid down. We are going to try as much as possible to resuscitate our dilapidated infrastructures. We are going to empower our youths within the available resources and also ensure clean environment and make Ijebu- Ode beautiful, eco friendly”, he assured.

He implored inhabitants and staff of Ijebu Ode Local Government to be willing to make positive changes and be patient with his administration, calling for the support of
staff of the Local Government Council to give as “no Government can succeed without the support of the Career Officers.

“We want the people to cooperate with us and give us some time to settle down. We will begin to unfold our blueprint and I ask them to please be patient as we start this administration”, Gazal pleaded.

Highlights of his resumption of office was the welcome ceremony organised by the Acting HOLGA Ijebu Ode Local Government, Mr Phillips Ogunpitan and all members of staff with Prayers from Christian and Muslim faithfuls.

By Sinob Lawal

Babatunde Emilola GAZAL of the APC has been declared winner of the Chairmanship election in Ijebu Ode Local Government with
6,178 votes to defeat Oluwadurotimi Okenla of the PDP, who scored I,955 votes.

Olusegun Ogunleye of the APC has been declared winner of the Chairmanship election of Ikenne Local Government having polled 8, 238 votes to defeat Adeleke Albert Adesanyan of the PDP who scored 731

By sinob Lawal

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed satisfaction with conduct of the local government elections held across the state, describing the exercise as “peaceful and transparent”.

Abiodun, who stated this on Saturday, while speaking with newsmen, shortly after casting his vote at Ward 3, Iperu1, Unit 002, Ita Osanyin, Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state, said reports available to him indicated that there was no disturbance or violence in any part of the state.

The governor who arrived his polling booth at 11:43a.m and voted two minutes later, further described the election as a referendum of acceptability, performance as well as a means to enable the people see how methodical, focused and responsible his government has been in meeting the people’s needs.

He assured that his administration would continue to respect the autonomy of the local governments and give them the necessary support to carry out their constitutional responsibilities as the third tier of government.

While acknowledging local government as the closest to the grassroots, Abiodun noted he would continue to fulfill his electoral promises to all the sectors of the state.

“What currently obtained in the state is that the local governments are independent because we give them free hand to operate.

“We will respect the autonomy of the local government. They are the third tiers of government – much closer to the people. Our administration will give all the necessary support to them to ensure that they carry out their constitutional responsibilities in line with the resolutions of the Governors’ Forum.

“Everything is going on well. The election is peaceful, no disruption, no violence. People are going about their civil duties responsibly”, he stated.

On the boycott of the election by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some political parties in the state, Abiodun said he was not aware of any boycott, saying the state electoral body has done the needful by recognising the legitimate faction of the main opposition party.

According to him, “the boycott must have been done by the faction that lost out at the court”.

“What I was made to understand was that the party that was not recognised headed to the court and the case wasn’t brought up until Thursday. And from what I understand, the court dismissed the suit that was challenging the OGSIEC accepting the other faction and following that, I think, perhaps to save face, the faction that lost out now decided to support a boycott.

“You cannot boycott an election that you are not a participant in, I really don’t understand that. But I am not a lawyer, I am not OGSIEC and I am not speaking on behalf of any party, I can only speak on behalf of my party and my administration”, Abiodun stated.

The governor, however, lauded the electoral umpire for being transparent and providing a level playing ground for all political parties in the election.

“I believe OGSIEC has done everything within its power, their mandate is to be very transparent and to ensure that the playing field is as level as it should be for every single party that expressed desire to be part of this elections”, the governor submitted.

By Omotola Lawa

Yesterday we published that Sunday Igboho had been released based on the Press Release that emanated from Yoruba Nation Global Directorate signed by one Princess Adeola Atayero Olamijulo and one Otunba Damola Edward, the Coordinator of Directorate Information of the group and made available to our Correspondent.

We have since discovered that the information is far from the true position of the situation. We have, in our further investigation discovered that Sunday Igboho is still be held by the Beninese Authority. Additionally, Wale Adediran, one of the Converners of Ilana Omo Oodua International, a Yoruba sociocultural organisation has dispelled the story, while the same organisation which released the false story has has also appealed for calm and understanding.

The latest information from the group read thus:

“Contrary to our earlier report that our brother, Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho was released by his Beninese lawyers. It has since reached the Yoruba Nation Global Directorate that our source, though a respectable member of Yoruba society, got it wrong.

The Directorate hereby offers an unreserved apology to our compatriots for the misinformation.

We respectfully ask our people to know our motive was contrary to the innuendos being insinuated. We feel as a responsible people the need to calm the nerves generated by our brother’s arrest thus we made a mistake on relying on a information which has now turned out to be false.

We promise to be honest with our people no matter what. We got the news wrong on this occasion and we kindly ask that you forgive us”.

By Adeyemi Lawal

The Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known and called Sunday Igboho arrested at about 2.00 today in The Republic of Benin has been set free by the Beninese Government.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon signed by a Director of the Yoruba Nation Global Directorate, Princess Adeola Atayero Olamijulo, the body expressed gratitude to all those who prayed, called and participated in the release of the activist

The Yoruba Nation Global Directorate has also expressed its appreciation to the government and people of Benin Republic for their intervention in the release of the human rights activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho.

Olamijulo thanked all the Beninese lawyers in Cotonou who promptly stepped into the matter for their support and for standing by Yorùbá Nation.

According to Otunba Demola Edward who is the Coordinator of Directorate of Information of the group, Chief Adeyemo is on his way to his Germany.

By Hope Adeyemi

The Ogun State Public Works Agency (OGPWA), has commenced the repairs of another phase of township roads in the three Senatorial Districts of the State, just as 62 roads were recently completed.

The General Manager of the Agency, Arch. Gbenga Akintola, made this known in an interview with journalists in Abeokuta.

He said the roads include Salawu Olabode avenue Ewang Estate, Ago Ika-Agura-Kobiti junction, Bajomo street, Ayetoro garage, Lafenwa, Somorin-Iyangbu, Orile Ifo, Ifo all in Ogun Central.

Arch. Akintola added that in Ogun West, Okede Palace road, Ota, Eggua-Igbogila road, and Prof. Asiwaju Road, Imeko, have also been considered for rehabilitation, while others like Ereko, Ijebu-Ode, Ijari-Erunwon-Ilese Barrack, Odogbolu-Aiyepe, Tasued Internal, Asaiye, Sagamu, Awolowo way, Ikenne, General Hospital, Iperu and Iperu-Ilisan roundabout, in Ogun East are also receiving repairs.

The General Manager stated that the Agency was poised to repair and re-habilitate roads as possible, expressing delight at the unrelenting effort by the present administration in the provision of good road network across the State.

By Fatimo Adeoye

The challenges experienced by residents of Abeokuta and its environs in their quest for potable water will soon be over, as the completion of the Arakanga Water Works has been achieved.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources and Special Duties, Engr. Adekunle Otun made the disclosure while featuring on a Television personality programme, noting that the distribution would be done gradually until the three Senatorial Districts have been covered.

Otun said the rehabilitation of the Arakanga dam which commenced in 2020 was to enable it abstract enough water for treatment and replacement of pipes, adding that rehabilitation of the dam also necessitated the deliberate shutdown of other sub-stations, which would soon be restored as the dam gates have been successfully installed.

“We are confident that the completion of Arakanga Water Works will make every home enjoy water supply, and this will be done bit by bit, until we ensure that all parts of the State have access to potable water supply”, he said.

While mentioning the State government’s effort at improving water supply, the Special Adviser said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR), towards rehabilitating Ota Water Scheme in Ado-Odo Local Government Area.

Otun added that the Ogun State Water Corporation had also fixed some boreholes and rehabilitated Yemoji Water Scheme at Ijebu-Ode, saying power support was being done at Papalanto, as well as the ongoing laying of pipes in Ilaro, to ensure no area was left out.

In celebration of the annual World Bicycle Day, Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, has advocated for a policy that will promote cycling and enable bicycle to be used as a means of transportation, as it encourages physical and mental health.

Talabi who stated this after an awareness walk organised by the State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in Abeokuta, which featured cycling around the State capital, said it was an affordable and reliable way to commute, irrespective of age, adding that it would reduce health challenges associated with sedentary lifestyle, among other inherent benefits.

He explained that the annual celebration declared by the United Nations General Assembly was meant to encourage regular riding of bicycle, saying, “cycling promotes economic growth, reduces inequalities, while improving physical fitness of the cyclists”. 

Speaking on the importance of bicycle to fast track the socio-economic development of the State, Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo said the present administration is working towards achieving a viable transportation system, that would ease movement of the people and goods.

Engr. Dairo assured that cycling would be given a face lift due to its environmentally-friendly advantage, stressing that it would reduce carbon emissions impact on the environment.

“Cycling is environmentally-friendly transportation, which saves money on fuel, simple, reliable, and beneficial in all ways. So, joining the rest of the world to celebrate the day, the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun will continue to promote any means of transportation system that will ease movement of the people and goods”, he said.

In his remark, the State Sector Commander, FRSC, Alhaji Hammed Umar, who emphasised on the need to harness opportunities abound in different means of transportation, appreciated the Federal and State Governments for providing good roads to ease human and vehicular movements.