Sunday, February 14, 2021

SANWO-OLU RECEIVES NOTES LATE JAKANDE LEFT FOR HIM, AS GOVERNOR VISITS WIDOW

•‘Jakande Served Outstandingly, Died A Great Man’ – Gov

Three days after the passing of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the late first Civilian Governor of Lagos State literally came back alive, as his widow and other family members shared memories of his last moments and his unfulfilled goals with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Sanwo-Olu led a delegation of top Government functionaries in the State to the Fidau (Islamic funeral prayer) held for the late Jakande at his Ilupeju residence on Sunday, during which the Governor personally conveyed his condolences to the deceased’s immediate and extended family members.

The visit came two days after the Governor attended the burial of the late Jakande at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, where the deceased’s remains were laid to rest.

Jakande was the first politician to be elected as Executive Governor of Lagos, governing from 1979 to 1983. He died on February 11, 2021 at 91.

Sanwo-Olu arrived at the deceased’s residence, at 10:23am, in company of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, and the State’s Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

Chairman of Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rasak Ajala, joined the widow, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, and her children to receive the Governor and his entourage.

Before the prayers commenced, Sanwo-Olu held a meeting behind closed doors with the deceased’s family members, during which a close confidant of the late Jakande, Engr. Kamal Giwa, delivered two messages left for the Governor by the deceased. One of the messages is a personal ambition, which the late Jakande wanted fulfilled before his death.

Jakande, the Governor said, was “tremendously outstanding” throughout his public career as the first Executive Governor of Lagos and as federal minister. Sanwo-Olu said Jakande’s achievements remained the guiding light for leaders across political divides, stressing that his “sterling” leadership qualities stood him out as one of the great men Lagos had produced.

Sanwo-Olu urged the families to take solace in the legacy left by the former Governor, which, he said, remained indelible in the minds of the people who benefitted from his policies and programmes. The Governor said the manner in which Jakande passed away showed he led a fulfilled life and had departed to be at peace with his Creator.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We give glory to Almighty Allah for giving Baba Jakande many years to live on earth. No matter how long we stay on the earth, we will leave when our time is up. As humans, we don’t like losing good people, especially a personality like Baba Jakande, who was tremendously outstanding in his service to humanity.

“To have lived for 91 years, Allah has been gracious to him; despite his ripe age, Baba Jakande was not terminally ill or was being carried from one hospital to another before he breathed his last. This is a testimony that he led a good life. He was at peace with humankind and now, given the way he also left us peacefully, he is at peace with his Creator.”

Sanwo-Olu said there could be nothing more consoling for the State Government than the deceased’s enduring legacy projects dotting the State’s landscape, stressing that all Jakande laboured for had remained standing from about 40 years till date.

The Governor described the late Jakande as “a builder”, who laid a foundation for the Lagos Project on which his successors had built. His exit, Sanwo-Olu said, is loss that could not be quantified, noting that the former Governor had been immortalised before his passing and would be duly immortalised.

He said: “With every sense of humility, I can say Baba Jakande was a builder of our time, who laid foundation on which all of us have been building layers on. He was decent, humble and reflected what humanity stands for. His achievements in public service are a legacy that all of us in position of leadership must hold dear and reflect upon.

“The entire citizens of Lagos appreciate the service of this great man, who has just been called to the great beyond. The experience and all values we learnt from Baba Jakande will not be lost on us. He was a great man who lived in our time. We take solace in the fact that he led a life worthy of emulation.”

Alhaja Jakande said the Governor’s presence brought an uplifting moment to the family in their period of mourning. She prayed for the success of the Governor in office, while also urging Sanwo-Olu to protect the legacy of her husband.

She said: “For us, there is nothing more consoling than the legacy of the late Jakande throughout his public service and private life. These achievements must be protected and built upon. This visit by our Governor and members of his entourage in this period of mourning has given us an uplifting effect. It reassures us that the Government and the people of Lagos have continued to appreciate the Jakande family for the legacy my husband left behind.”

CAPTIONS:

PIX 1: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu signing the condolence register of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, first civilian Governor of the State during a condolence visit by the members of the State Executive Council, at Alahji Jakande’s residence in Ilupeju, on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

PIX 2 R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with wife of late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Alhaja Abimbola and one of the deceased’s son during a condolence visit by the members of the State Executive Council, at the family’s residence in Ilupeju, on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

PIX 3: Lagos State Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu (right), presenting a condolence letter to the wife of late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Alhaja Abimbola during a condolence visit by the members of the State Executive Council, at the family’s residence in Ilupeju, on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

Oyo closes Shasha market indefinitely, imposes curfew

Following skirmishes in Shasha market under Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State government has ordered the immediate closure of the market indefinitely.

Governor Seyi Makinde, gave the order to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area and equally imposed a curfew on Shasha and the market area.

The curfew is to run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The Governor warned residents of the affected area to go about their legitimate businesses peacefully, stating that anyone caught perpetrating violence will face the wrath of the law.

Recall that several houses and shops were burnt in the area following a clash between the Yoruba and Hausa traders in the market.

ACCIDENT: FOUR BURNT TO DEATH AS BUS CRASHES ON OGUN HIGHWAY

Four persons were reportedly burnt beyond recognition on Sunday when a commercial bus crashed at Atoyo, inbound Ogbere, along Ijebu Ode – Benin expressway.

Our correspondent gathered that the accident occurred around 11:50am when a driver of the 14-passenger bus drove on black oil spilled on the road at a diversion point.

It was further gathered that a black oil – laden tanker had spilled its content on the road due to leakage of its tank.

The Public Relations Officer of the state – owned Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident was caused by brake failure and disobedience on the part of the driver of the bus.

He said, “A tanker loaded with black oil inbound Benin on the Ijebu Ode-Benin expressway, spilled its content on the road due to leakage from the tanker and had to stop when the attention of the driver was called by other drivers driving in the same direction.

He said the whereabout of the remaining 10 passengers could not be ascertained as at the time of filling this report.

Akinbiyi explained that the Ogbere Divisional Police command had taken over the case, saying the driver of the tanker had been taken into the custody by the police

Saturday, February 13, 2021

No auditioning yet for #BBNaija Season 6 - DSTV

The organisation behind the annual Big Brother Naija reality TV show says auditioning for this year’s episode was still in the cooler.

MultiChoice Nigeria (DSTV) disclosed this in a statement on its verified Twitter handle yesterday, cautioning Nigerians to ignore ongoing calls for auditions for BBNaija season 6.

It wrote: “Our attention has been drawn to a call for auditions for Big Brother Naija, BBNaija season 6.

“Please note that this report is false and members of the public are called to ignore this misleading information.”

It stated that at the right time the detailed information would be made available to the public through credible platforms and official social media handles.

“We have not announced the next edition of BBNaija. As always, we will keep our customers and fans of the show notified through our official social media handles and other credible news platforms,” it added

Monday, February 1, 2021

Three Suspected Family Kidnappers Gang Arrested by JTF in Delta

Three brothers of the same parents namely Godwin, Godspower and Mathew Okpara, have been arrested by operatives of the Delta state owned Operation Delta Hawk at Ughelli.

The operation which was carried out by a Joint patrol comprising the Army, Navy and the police, led to residents of Ughelli in a jubilation mood, while also commending the effort of the Nigerian Army Sector one and three battalion for arresting the suspects who have been terrorising the community.

Items recovered from them includes one AK 47 , two cut to size guns as well as live ammunition.

We have turned the heat on kidnappers, criminals in Ibarapa, Oke Ogun - Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared on Monday that the state government has turned the heat on kidnappers and criminals in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axis of the state, adding that the state will succeed in routing them.

Makinde, who spoke at different spots in Ibarapaland where he engaged the people in town hall meetings, said that his administration will get the criminals to account for their heinous acts in the state.

He equally declared that the state could not afford to lose any more lives to insecurity, stating, however, that any action that must be taken must be guided by the realisation that a wrong solution must not be proffered in order to avoid unintended consequences.

The Governor stated that the government will compensate victims of the insecurity situation in Ibarapaland, adding that measures that the government is taking to curtail the situation include the setting up of an all-inclusive peace and security committee at the local government levels and the stepping up intelligence gathering in the area.

He further declared that the government will convene a meeting with traditional rulers in Ibarapaland in the next few days with a view to coming up with recommendations on the situation, warning that emergency situations as such should have been brought to the attention of the government long before it escalated.

Governor Makinde, who clarified that though he was misunderstood for the position he took during the crisis maintained that he is not afraid to speak out but that he would not allow anyone to start ethnic war under his watch.

He added that the failure of communication, intelligence gathering and other factors led to the escalation of the crisis in the area and that though his government would take responsibility for some of the challenges, security challenges cannot be solved in one day.

The governor warned political office holders, community leaders and stakeholders in the area to treat emergency situations as sensitive and bring such to the attention of government on time, stating that claims that letters were written to him were faulty.

He charged political leaders of the area not to shy away from seeking audience with him wherever there is a gap that must be bridged.

Ogun reassures residents of adequate security, denies seeking help from Sunday Igboho

The Ogun State government has refuted reports in a national daily and some social media platform insinuating that it had enlisted the help of Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, to combat crimes in the state. This was just as it reiterated its commitment to the security of all residents and properties in the state.

The government made its position known in a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile, in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday.

Refuting the news report credited to Hon. Remmy Hazzan, the Special Adviser on Public Communication to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Odusile noted that his (Hazzans) virtual interview with a reporter had been quoted out of context and twisted to achieve sensational effects.

The statement said: “In the interview, Hon Hazzan had said that the state government, in its usual inclusive approach to governance, would continue to work with all the stakeholders, both within and outside the state, to ensure security of lives and properties. Sadly, however, this statement was disingeniously twisted to mean that the State had invited Mr. Adeyemo to help curb insecurity. This is regrettable and totally misleading.

Prince Dapo Abiodun’s Administration, since inception, has been known to be inclusive in its approach, always collaborating and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. Security is no exception, resulting in the achievement of the enviable status and recognition as most secure state in the country by many organisations, including the recent Award by Business Day Newspaper, among others.”

Outlining the steps taken by the Abiodun administration to secure life and property in the state, Odusile said: “Upon assuming office, this Administration restructured the Ogun State Security Trust Fund and put the critical stakeholders (private sector) at the driving seat; strengthened the engagement with security agencies in the State and provided them with 100 Hilux patrol vehicles, 200 motorcycles and equipment to make them more effective and efficient; partnered with other South-West States to set up the Amotekun Security Network; appointed two Special Assistants ( on ethnic relations) to ensure smooth interface with non-indigenes on a wide variety of issues, including security; among other stakeholder-driven initiatives.

“This constant stakeholders’ engagement approach runs through all the government activities and programmes. Therefore, Hon. Remmy Hazzan’s statement of working with stakeholders within and outside the state should be viewed within this context.

For avoidance of doubt, Ogun State Government will continue to deploy all constitutionally sanctioned means to fight crimes and criminals in the state, including working with institutions that the constitution and other statutes have saddled with the responsibility of protection of lives and properties.

“At all times, the Government will ensure that all security agencies and indeed all stakeholders operate within the ambit of the law and will neither welcome nor endorse any initiative that amounts to self-help or is outside the contemplation of the constitution, which is the grundnorm binding on all governments and persons in the country.”

The statement added that the government would continue to attract and welcome all those with legitimate reasons to live, work and even play in the State, saying that it is home to all Nigerians and foreigners alike.

However, the Government hastens to add that the State will not be conducive for any group or individual that undermines the peace, security and social wellbeing of the State as the Government has directed the security agencies to be unrelenting in swiftly apprehending and bringing to justice any perpetrator of crimes and criminalities in the state.

The government, once again, thanks and enjoins our community and religious leaders as well as other stakeholders to continue to cooperate with the government and security agencies in the joint task of ridding the state of all forms of crimes.

The Government advised the residents to continue to go about their normal businesses, the statement concluded.