The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has called on the Chief Executives Officers of private companies operating in the State to partner with the State Government to effectively tackle the menace of environmental degradation. Ambode made the call at the Muson Centre during the Greening Stakeholders’ Forum organized by the Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency (LASPARK) with the theme: ‘Sustaining Our Green Lagos.” The governor who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello said that private companies are in a vantage position to complement government efforts toward a sustainable greening programme. He said that environmental regeneration and sustainability have been an integral part of the programmes of the State Government since 1999, with tremendous achievements recorded in the transformation of the state’s environmental landscape. “The responsibility to restore the glory and beauty of our environment is a collective one. The government cannot do it alone. We must all unite to salvage the environment; it is in our own best interests. I want to see more corporate bodies take environmental projects as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.” He said that in spite of the high cost of the greenery programme, his administration is committed to sustain it and take it even further because of its immense benefits to the society. Apart from its proven capacity to generate employment opportunities, the programme has enormous potential to improve the well-being of the citizenry and ensure security of lives and properties, the Governor said. He urged the private sector to adequately support the activities of LASPARK through the adoption and maintenance of the parks and gardens or even the creation of new ones. Governor Ambode disclosed that there is a proposal for the construction of a Metropolitan Park that would be sited at Ayeteju in Ibeju Lekki ona 5 hectares of land, adding that the proposed recreational park will serve the people of Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju, Epe and its environs. According to him, when completed, the Park when would be the biggest publicly owned in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, and would feature a mini zoo, playing area for children, fitness centre, multipurpose game court, and many other features. Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Samuel Babatunde Adejare, said that in most developed countries, private sector support greening programme and renewable energy in the face of various environmental challenges and that Nigeria should not be an exception. He said that of the 300 parks and gardens in the state, only 73, representing 23 percent, are being maintained by private companiesand called for more partnership in this regard. Adejare acknowledged and commended those companies that are supporting government efforts towards achieving a cleaner, safer and healthier environment, while also appealing for more funding for a sustainable greening programme to the benefit of all. [myad]
Unidentified robbers have burgled the hotel room of a veteran Nigerian Journalist, Martin-Luther Chukwuemeka King, in Accra, the federal capital of Ghana, making away with his communication gadgets and other valuables King, who is the President of Journalists for Regional Integration (JORIN), a pan-West African organisation, was in Accra on official assignment for West African Post, a weekly publication of The Sun newspapers, in partnership with Tempus Communications. Amongst the valuables that were carted away by the robbers at Hotel C’est Si Bon, Kokomlemle, Accra, were the Nigerian passport, a return ticket to Lagos; sums of money in various currencies; 2 Dell Inspiron laptops with vital documents and official work at various stages of completion on them; one Samsung video camera; one Samsung still camera; one ipad; one world receiver radio set; one solar-powered audio bible; two mp3 voice recorders and one Vodafoneinternet modem with data, among other valuables. Narrating his ordeals to newsmen, King said: “I returned from an appointment the night of Friday October 23, 2015 to discover that someone, or some people, had entered my room at Hotel C’est Si Bon, Kokomlemle, Accra, tampered with my suitcase and stolen my property. “Curiously there were no signs of violent entry on the door or anywhere, suggesting an insider job and that the criminal (s) may have had access to the pool of room spare-keys that hotels normally keep.” He said that the case has since been reported to the Nima police station, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ghana’s tourism sector’s supervisory authority, the Nigeria High Commission in Accra as well as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). But he regretted that it took 19 days before the Ghana police could make the first arrest of the security man on duty at the hotel on the night of the robbery – on November 11. According to him, between the date of reporting the incident and the date of the arrest, no searches were conducted, thereby giving sufficient time for the stolen items to be disposed of and chances of recovery to whittle down to nil. King is convinced that the police is not showing diligence in investigation and possible recovery because the victim is not a Ghanaian. “Being a Nigerian makes the case worse. I’ve been resident in this country for years and I know how prejudiced Ghanaian officialdom can sometimes be towards Nigerians.” [myad]
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule has warned Principals and Teachers in the State’s public and private schools to imbibe the new Information Communication Technology (ICT) in their teaching career if they must remain relevant and meet the 21st Century teaching and learning requirements. The Deputy Governor, who spoke at the 29th Annual Conference of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) held at the Secretariat, Alausa, said that technology has reduced the world to a global village. According to the deputy governor, any educational system devoid of the use of integrated information technology teaching and learning aids would end up turning out half baked graduates who would be dysfunctional in the global setting. She observed that ICT has become indispensable to effective teaching and learning process in this new age, stressing that educators are left with no other option than to embrace the new teaching methodology or take a risk of becoming irrelevant and out-dated in current education policy. She underscored the importance of the new information technology in effective teaching and learning, even as she said that ICT has made the world to become a global village where information and educational material from any part of the world can be accessed faster and easier. She emphasised that anyone that fails to be ICT compliant would be irrelevant in the new scheme. The Deputy Governor affirmed that the state government has over the years included information communication technology in training teachers and schools administrators to enable them compete favourably with their counterparts from other civilized climes in line with government effort to meet the challenges of ICT development in the State. She reassured participants at the conference that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration would redouble its efforts in ensuring that the State’s education system is ICT compliant, while urging them to always update their knowledge of ICT as well as make use of relevant teaching and learning tools that would enable school children compete globally. She however implored ANCOPSS to use the Conference as an avenue to appeal to their members from the State to corporate with the government in its effort to bridge infrastructure gap and improve public school environment. She also urged them to rededicate themselves to duty and show good leadership quality so as to justify government huge investment in education. Earlier, in her welcome address, ANCOPSS Chairman, Lagos State branch, Mrs. Omotunde Lawson stated that ANCOPSS is a professional organization of principals of post primary schools approved by government to advance the development of education and welfare of its members. She stated further that their annual conference has provided members the opportunity to exchange views and make recommendations on matters affecting education in Nigeria. [myad]
The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has seen the lack of access to toilets as endangering millions of the world’s poorest children$ According to UNICEF, there is emerging evidence of links between inadequate sanitation and malnutrition. In a statement today to mark World Toilet Day, coming up tomorrow, and to highlight the link between lack of toilets and malnutrition, UNICEF disclosed that about 50 million Nigerians are among the 946 million people around the world who do not have access to toilets and are obliged to defecate in the open. “Nigeria is among the five countries in the world with the greatest rates of open defecation,” the statement said, adding that lack of sanitation, and particularly open defecation, contributes to the incidence of diarrhoea and to the spread of intestinal parasites, both of which cause malnutrition. “More than seven million Nigerian children under five years old are stunted – short and underdeveloped for their age as a result of malnutrition – a staggering 37 per cent of the country’s under five population. They are among the estimated 159 million under-fives globally who are stunted. “A global report issued to today to coincide with World Toilet Day,for the first time brings together years of research and case studies that demonstrate the link between sanitation and malnutrition. The report, Improving Nutrition Outcomes with Better Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, from UNICEF, USAID and the World Health Organization, also provides guidance for action. “We need to bring concrete and innovative solutions to the problem of where people go to the toilet, otherwise we are failing millions of our poorest and most vulnerable children,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, head of UNICEF’s global water, sanitation and hygiene programmes. “The proven link with malnutrition is one more thread that reinforces how interconnected our responses to sanitation have to be if we are to succeed.” The statement said that Worldwide, diarrhoea accounts for 9 per cent of the deaths of children under 5 years old each year. “It is essentially a faecal-oral disease, where germs are ingested due to contact with infected faeces. Every year, Nigeria loses over 150,000 children to diarrhoea. After pneumonia, it is the biggest killer of Nigeria’s under-fives; 88 per cent of diarrhoea cases in Nigeria are attributed to unsafe water and sanitation. Where rates of toilet use are low, rates of diarrhoea tend to be high.” The statement said that the highest frequency of diarrhoea is in children under 2 years old, who are weakest and most vulnerable. Multiple episodes of diarrhoea permanently alter the gut and prevent the absorption of essential nutrients, putting children at risk of stunting and even death. “Intestinal parasites such as roundworm, whipworm and hookworm are transmitted through contaminated soil in areas where open defecation is practiced. Hookworm is a major cause of anaemia in pregnant women, leading to malnourished, underweight babies. “Nigeria has made major progress in addressing both access to sanitation and the nutritional status of its children. “In 2008, we had only 15 rural communities that were free of open defecation. Today, thanks to concerted efforts by the Government and partners, including UKAID, the EU and UNICEF, there are more than 12,000,” noted Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “That is wonderful progress, but there is still a very long way to go. We continue to work with communities to encourage rural Nigerians to build and use toilets, which can be simple and made from local materials. For a small investment of just 200 Naira per person per year, we could eliminate open defecation in Nigeria by 2025.” [myad]
The Lagos State Government, through the State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has embarked on sensitizing the people in the state against the HIV scourge. It has deployed three mobile HIV Control and Testing Trucks across the State to intensify efforts towards controlling the epidemic Addressing Stakeholders in his office in Lagos, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Dr. O. Ogboye said that the trucks, apart from public enlightenment, would also help to convey officers to conduct test on the virus. Ogboye said that the Agency has enlarged its dragnet to include Faith Based Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and non-governmental organizations in order to further enlighten Lagosians on the dangers and implications of contacting the virus. According to him, the Agency is collaborating with organizations such as the Diocese of Lagos West Church of Nigeria, Ansar-ur-deen Central Mosque, Bolorunduro Health Matters Foundation, Jenarius Peter Health Care Initiative, GIPEC Chaplaincy Corps, Cherubim and Seraphim Church in some Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of the State. The benefiting Local Government and Local Council Development Areas include Ikeja, Oshodi- Isolo, Ikotun-Idimu, Mosan-Okunola, Ayobo-Ipaja, Ojo, Ori-Ade,Eti-Osa and Surulere, he said. [myad]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was one of the chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) who turned up at the grand rally of the party in support of the party’s governorship flag bearer in the Saturday election in the state. the rally was held in Lokoja. [myad]
No fewer than 15 traditional rulers from four local government areas of Osun State stormed the office of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company in Osogbo, today to protest poor supply of electricity in their domains.
The monarchs said they decided to make their anger public following threats of violence from some of their subjects over the epileptic supply of electricity in their communities.
The traditional rulers, who were led by the Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Odugbemi, had Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adegoke, Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, Onikoyi of Ikoyi, Oba Yisau Otunla; Olumoro of Moro, Oba Ezekiel Oyeniyi; Salu of Edunabon, Oba Elijah Oyelade; Alayegun of Odeomu, Oba Lamidi Oke, among others.
The traditional rulers reportedly told the IBEDC Regional Technical Manager for Osogbo, Mr. Salami Waheed, that they would not leave the office unless they were given an assurance on the matter.
Details of the outcome of the meeting between the two parties are not yet known. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the approval of a supplementary budget to cover mainly the 413 billion naira ($2.1 billion) of debt owed to fuel importers under a subsidy scheme.
Buhari asked the Senate to approve 465.64 billion naira to cover subsidies, funding for the military operation, code-named Lafiya Dole against the militant insurgency in the northeast, prisoner rations and pay for out-going and incoming legislative aides.
This was contained in a letter which the President forwarded to the Senate today.
Pushing through the supplementary budget will be key to resolving fresh fuel shortages and closing the book on debts still owed to importers from 2014 and this year.
Subsidized imports account for about half of Nigeria’s gasoline needs and firms bringing in the product have not been paid since Buhari came to power at the end of May. They are increasingly struggling to finance their purchases with low dollar availability and shrinking credit lines.
Fuel shortages and panic-buying have returned to major cities, creating long queues outside retail stations. [myad]
“All contracts and accruing payments were with the approval of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan). Once the ex-President approved, the former NSA paid. So, there was due process for every purchase in line with regulations guiding arms procurement for the Armed Forces.”
These were the defences put forward in a statement by the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), apparently in reaction to yesterday’s intermi report of Presidential committee on arms procurement by the ilitary between 2007 to date.
Dasuki, who insisted that he was not given chance to defend himself before the committee came up with the report asked Nigerians to note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced for suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment.
“For sensitive sectors (military/security), there was no room for awarding fictitious contracts. The conclusions of the panel were presumptive, baseless and lacked diligence.
“There were no fictitious contracts; contract sums were not diverted and the relevant services in writing acknowledged delivery of equipment. For all procurements, the Nigerian Army, the Air Force and the Nigerian Navy have their contractors.
The full statement reads: “In a theatrical manner, the Presidency fed the public with many allegations against my person and yet to be named former public officers.
“To draw sympathy, the presidency quoted some absurd findings including extra-budgetary interventions; award of fictitious contracts; 53 failed contracts; payment for jobs without contractual agreements; non-execution of contracts for the purchase of 4 Alpha jets, bombs and ammunition.
“For undiscerning Nigerians, they may tend to assume that the allegations were true and pronounce the former National Security Adviser guilty as charged.
“The statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who should know better as a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a witness to history, was nothing sort of propaganda to cast aspersions on Dasuki.
“To set the records straight, Nigerians should appreciate that the AVM Jon Ode-led panel did not invite the ex-NSA under any guise before arriving at its ambiguous findings. At least, fairness demands that the panel ought to hear from Dasuki instead of its recourse to hasty conclusions. If the panel had been more patient and painstaking, it would have been availed of all relevant documents on some of the jaundiced findings.
“As if acting a script, the Presidency alleged that the Panel accused Dasuki of awarding fictitious contracts between March 2012 and March 2015. Contrary to this claim, Dasuki was not the NSA in March 2012 and he could not have awarded any contract in whatever name. The ex-NSA was appointed by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on June 22, 2012.
“All contracts and accruing payments were with the approval of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. Once the ex-President approved, the former NSA paid. So, there was due process for every purchase in line with regulations guiding arms procurement for the Armed Forces.
“And Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced for suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment. For sensitive sectors (military/security), there was no room for awarding fictitious contracts. The conclusions of the panel were presumptive, baseless and lacked diligence.
“There were no fictitious contracts; contract sums were not diverted and the relevant services in writing acknowledged delivery of equipment. For all procurements, the Nigerian Army, the Air Force and the Nigerian Navy have their contractors.
“While awaiting judicial process on these allegations, it is proper to make some references to show that the presidency was just desperate to hang some former public and military officers who served this nation at the risk of their lives.
“It is laughable for the panel to assume that 4 Alpha jets and 12 helicopters were undelivered. In a memo to the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), referenced NAF/905/D/CAS of November 28, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Adesola Amosu acknowledged the receipt of the 4x Alpha jets attack aircraft and the helicopters.
“On 10/21/14, the Chief of Air Staff also confirmed the receipt of F-7 N1 aircraft combination of 250kg bombs and accessories at $2,894,000 with the cost of freight at $1,200,000. The same Air Force confirmed getting 2xTri Shield 36DG Tactical radars
“In another letter of December 1, 2014 signed by L.S. Alao(on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff), the Air Force said it received five containerized fuel storage and dispensing units with equipment.
“The Nigerian Army wrote the ONSA to acknowledge the delivery of 14 armoured tanks. In a December 13, 2014 memo, the Brigade of Guards thanked ONSA for releasing N30m for RCA, Operation allowance for Troops on Op Urban Sweep II for third and fourth quarters of 2014. This is apart from the installation of CCT Cameras at the Brigade Headquarters, 2 backscatter bomb detection vans and other equipment.
“On November 26, 2014, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh sought for approval of the award of one pair of uniform(in the interim) for the Armed Forces at N165, 375 to El-Jahab Mubarak Nigeria and N330,750,000 for two pairs.
These are some of the acknowledgement letters submitted to me by the end-users(the services). It is not for me to go and find out whether the equipment were delivered or not. I am not the one keeping the inventories.
“To show that I have nothing to hide, I submitted a comprehensive list of all requests for procurements by the services, the items bought and those equipment being awaited to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari long before I left office. If there were issues, I should have been questioned. I was just the clearing house, I did not award contracts to my company or proxies. There was no contract awarded or equipment bought without approval from the then President and Commander-In-Chief. I am not a thief or treasury looter as being portrayed.
“In order not to endanger the nation’s security, there are many salient issues and contracts which I cannot put in public domain. I am ready for trial on all these allegations in order to prove to Nigerians that I did nothing untoward in office. We will certainly meet in court.
“I have a lot to tell Nigerians but in the interim, they should not believe some of the allegations as the gospel truths. The good thing is that some of the key actors in the present administration were parts of the past process being viciously challenged.
“As for my tenure as the nation’s NSA, I acted in the interest of the nation and with utmost fear of God. I did not use the office for any self-serving agenda. I occupied the Office of the National Security Adviser at a difficult moment in Nigerian history when terrorism was at its peak and I am leaving posterity to judge me accordingly.” [myad]
The Kogi State Government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state from November 18 to 23.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Alhaji Adamu Sheidu, confirmed today in Lokoja that the order affects only all primary and secondary schools in the state.
He said that the step became necessary as many of the schools will serve as temporary camps for security agents being deployed to the state for the November 21 governorship election.
Sheidu said the closure order, which came into effect on Tuesday, will last till Monday.
The spokesman advised parents and guardians to take note of the development and keep watch on the movement of their children during the period of the election.
He also warned proprietors of private secondary and primary schools in the state against violating the order.
The Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Arase, had yesterday in Lokoja announced that 12,000 policemen will be deployed for the election.
According to Arase, a unit of mobile policemen will be sent to each of the 21 local government councils in the state.
He explained that a Deputy Inspector General of Police, one Assistant Inspector-General of Police and no fewer than three Police Commissioners will be on the ground to coordinate the operation. [myad]
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