The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu has noticed what he called “ominous security signs” playing out in the build-up to the governorship election in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States in November this year. “There are ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates,” Professor Mahmoud told members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at a meeting today, July 28, in Abuja. He stressed the need for members to focus attention on the forthcoming bye-elections and the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States. “Campaigns in public in the three States commenced on 14th July 2023 and will continue until Thursday 9th November 2023 i.e. 24 hours to the opening of polls on Saturday 11th November 2023. Already,” Professor Mahmoud said that INEC would continue to maintain strict neutrality, and called on the security agencies to take decisive action against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process. He drew their attention to the fact that election is a multi-stakeholder activity, with INEC as driver of the process. According to him, a secure environment for the conduct of peaceful elections is the responsibility of the security agencies working in partnership with the Commission. “The synergy enabled us to overcome many of the challenges prior to the 2023 General Election, including the targeted attacks on INEC offices nationwide. Indeed, the concern that the perennial insecurity in some parts of country before the election may make our deployment of personnel and materials, and consequently the conduct of polls, impossible did not materialise. “We wish to place on record our appreciation to the security agencies and other members of ICCES for the largely peaceful conduct of the polls.” INEC boss asked members to draw lessons from the challenges that occurred for improved performance not only in the next General Election but in the bye-elections, the eight off-cycle Governorship elections and other electoral activities to be held over the next three years. “Similarly, during our interactive meetings with political parties, civil society organisations and the media, some specific security issues of concern were identified. We assured them that their concerns will be tabled at this meeting for appropriate remedial action.” Those in attendance at the meeting are the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu as Co-Chairman, Acting Inspector-General Police, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), his counterpart in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other heads of agencies.
“I can assure you that I understand the pains you are going through. It is not easy to get out the monster of over 40 years called fuel subsidy.’’ These were the words of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he played host to All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leaders from across the 36 States of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, at the Presidential villa, Abuja, yesterday evening, July 27. He appealed to Nigerians to be patient and understanding, particularly the youths, even as he assured them that the hardships of the moment will eventually give way for a more prosperous, equitable and inclusive economy. The President told the youths that his administration would include them in governance, and decision-making processes, saying: “no decision would be too difficult for his administration to take for the prosperity and unity of the nation.’’ President Tinubu said that he feels the pains of citizens, adding: “I make my pledge to the country that no decision will be difficult for this administration to take for the prosperity and unity of this country. Economic reforms could be slow. Be patient a little more.” The President promised that his administration would do everything necessary to widen the net in order to accommodate more women and youths. According to him, this will be done, among others, by ‘liaising with our lending institutions to give micro loans at a very low interest rate’ for economic activities among the citizens. Earlier, the APC National Youth Leader, Hon. Abdullahi Dayo Israel, told the President that, as representatives of all the youth organs of the party, they had come to congratulate him on the party’s victory at the polls and seek inclusion in appointments into the dissolved boards and agencies of government.
Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper began its journey in 2013 as an ambitious online newspaper, with determination by the initiator, to make the difference in the way of doing online Journalism. The idea for the establishment of the online newspaper came through a versatile and veteran Journalist, Yusuf Ozi Usman, who had traversed newspaper and magazine world since 1980 when he started out as cub reporter with the then Standard newspaper, published by the Plateau State government, and later, New Nigerian Newspapers, published by the Federal Government of Nigeria. He also worked with Sokoto newspaper as News Editor, the Democrat in Kaduna, Newsfirst magazine in Kano as Editor/Managing Director; Thisday newspaper, Daily Trust newspaper and so on. The idea of establishing an online medium stemmed from the prevailing circumferences where reporters were hardly paid their legitimate salaries, as at when due (which became a norm in most publishing houses); a situation that had the semblance of exploitation. The idea was further enforced by the fact that online newspaper looked set to take over from the traditional media practice and he would not want to be left behind. He therefore went solo, and with some financial resources at his disposal, made some contacts with relevant stakeholders in his life, and in April 2012, launched Greenbarge Reporters into the internet world for daily news updates. The website was designed by the then undergraduate of the Abubakar Audu University, Anyamgba in Kogi State, Abdulrahman Salau. He was reading Political Science, after which he did his PGD in mass communications at the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Abuja. When Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper was launched into the internet, the need to turn the business into a limited liability one came. We began to search for shareholders to form a Board. Luckily, we got not only a Chief Nursing Offer, Mrs. H. N. Shuaibu to buy a share, but above all, Alhaji Abba Dabo, a Special Adviser to the then Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Namadi Sambo to be the chairman of the Board. After a series of meetings, we registered the company with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited (GMCL) on July 28, 2013 at No 12B Danube Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja. Another member of the Board is Abdulrahman Salau, who, though did not bring in cash, was admitted on the basis of his service of maintaining and upgrading the site at regular intervals. Barrister Charles Audu and Chambers later joined the Board as Director of Legal Services. With the breakout of COVID 19, we moved our operations headquarters to Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for easy coordination. We however, maintain our contacts in Port Harcourt, Lagos, UK, France, The US and South Africa. But, just as we were set for business, the Board chairman, Abba Dabo was no longer forthcoming, especially as the campaign for 2015 general elections appeared to have taken all his attention. We were virtually stranded: we were like sheep without a shepherd. However, with the original initiator of the concept, Yusuf Ozi Usman, still around, the work on Greenbarge Reporters online progressed, though attempts on two occasions to publish hardcopy magazine of the online version failed due to lack of good fund. However, it is a thing of joy and pride that Greenbarge Reporters online has remained steadfast in the area of daily updates of news, and beyond that, the fact that we never had any major breakdown on our site, though we were attacked by hackers on two or three occasions. We were off the air, so to speak, for less than 10 days all through the ten years. The journey through the ten Years of being properly in the media reckoning has not been rosy; the only major source of income, advertisement, has been slow in coming. Almost all advertisements were secured through the contacts and friends our Editor-In-Chief had made when he was in the traditional media Organisations. We want to put on record for posterity, individuals, corporate Organizations and groups whose patronages have kept us afloat all these while. They are: 1. Alhaji Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, ex FCT minister and present Bauchi State Governor. 2. Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar (CFR), Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) 3. Senator Tanko Al-Makura, ex Nasarawa State Governor 4. Yusuf Magaji Bichi (CFR), Director General of the Directorate of the State Service (DSS). 5. Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, ex Kano State Governor 6. Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity to ex President Muhammadu Buhari 7. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on media and publicity to ex President Muhammadu Buhari 8. Dr. Abdulmumin Isa, Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 9. Isaac Okorafor, retired CBN Director of the Corporate Communications 10. Olalekan Joseph Ajayi of the CBN 11. Garba Deen Muhammad, Spokesman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) 12. Muhammad Musa Bello, ex minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 13. Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, ex FCT minister of State 14. Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed, Spokesperson of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) 15. Mr. Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola of the FIRS 16. Chief Tony Elumelu, a giant industrialist and philanthropist. 17. Mrs. Bola Attah, Group Head, Corporate Communications at the United Bank for Africa (UBA). 18. Ramon Olanrewaju Nasir, Public Relations and Marketing Communication expert at UBA 19. Dotun Oladapo, ex President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) 20. Maureen Chigbo, President of GOCOP 21. Danlami Nmodu (mni), Deputy President of GOCOP 22. Horatius Egua, publisher of The Bridge online 23. Abdulrasheed Olawale, spokesperson to Osun State Governor 24. Reuben Muokan, Chief spokesperson of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) 25. Dr. Omoniyi Ibieta of the NCC 26. Ustaz Abubakar, special adviser to ex FCT minister 27. abu IMAM (Mayor), Onizeiza (Dan Amana – Truth bearer) of Ebira 28. Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, Spokesperson for the Independent Corrupt Practice and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) 29. Biodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information, State House, Abuja. 30. Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, ex chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) 31. Alhaji Farouk Umar Musa, Owner of Vision FM Radio and Farin Wata TV stations 32. Captain Everest Nnaji at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos 33. Late Ambassador Adnan Mahmud Bostaji, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria 34. Late Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to ex President Buhari 35. UNICEF 36. Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 37. Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) 38. Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) 39. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 40. Delta State Government (under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan) 41. United Bank for Africa (UBA) 42. UNDP 43. Dangote Group
44. Amb. Aminu Bashir Wali, former Nigerian Ambassador to China and Foreign Affairs minister
45. Alhaji Ataba Mohammed Sani Omonori, former Clerk of the National Assembly. The contributions of those mentioned above, advertently or otherwise, made us to remain in business, especially in an environment where online newspaper business is still in its infancy. Many people are still very attached to conventional/traditional print and broadcasting media, far away from the online medium. Operating under the type of condition where adverts are few in coming, despite the fact that online newspapers deliver news to the readers/visitors faster, means an extra patience, prayers and hard work. We have no choice than to accept this reality, while still clinging to our good friends and well-wishers, as individual and corporate Organizations, for survival. We have also been exploring income from Google through Adsense, even as we tried making money from link to the MTN, through a third-party, but could not make any big headway. We are hoping however, to cultivate more friends and well-wishers who would afford us the opportunity of serving them in the areas of our specialisation, which includes but not limited to advertising, book and magazine printing and production, Public Relations services, research works and writing to earn funds. With possible availability of funds, we are still determined to add hardcopy magazine to the online publication, probably within the shortest possible period, close enough, to mark our 10 Anniversary. This will be in our effort to expand beyond online outing. In all, we give special glory to Almighty God for keeping us alive and healthy to continue to churn out news after news to our growing readers/visitors spread across many countries of the world. We humbly salute and appreciate our readers/visitors, as well as all those who patronize Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper in one way or another, for keeping faith with us. We can’t thank you enough!
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has made a move to partner with the United Nations (UN) and its sister agencies to address the issues around child labour and out-of-school children phenomenon in the country. Other areas the First Lady would want to touch in the partnership are increased women participation in economy and efforts geared at ending gender based violence. Senator Oluremi spoke today, July 27, when the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale and his team paid her a courtesy visit at the Presidential villa, Abuja. Senator Oluremi said that her office is ready to accept the UN offer, saying that she is passionate about the areas for which partnership is necessary. She said that her National Programme, ‘Renewed Hope’ Initiative is also taking all the issues into cognizance. “I want more women in the decision making positions like legislative arms, because if laws are not changed, this would be the same game continuously. “But, are the women ready to sacrifice? We are the ones that need to stand to help ourselves. “Education is very vital and I don’t believe that a woman cannot get all that she wants once she is educated. Earlier, Matthias Schmale had promised on behalf of his organization, to collaborate with the office of the First Lady in the areas of Women and Children. He said that the UN is aware of President Bola Tinubu’s stand on improving the economic situation of the country. “One issue is the role of women in public life and we are very keen on it. We offer our support significantly in increasing the number of women in public life in Nigeria. “Secondly, it is our understanding that the president has made the economy an important milestone, and again, we know that women play a key role in the economy considering food and security as a national emergency. “We are ready to explore what more we can do to support the government and your excellency in increasing the role of women in the economy and revitalizing the economy.” Schmale said that the UN would support the First Lady in ensuring that issues like polio, out-of-school children, child labour and violence against women are brought to the minimal level. “The third issue is violent. Former President Mohammadu Buhari had 3-years ago, declared violence against women and children a national emergency. Again, we are offering support to the UN family in overcoming this emergency. “There are issues around children that we think are of particular importance; the issue of school children out of learning environment and the issue of over 15 million children under the age of 14 in child labour in Nigeria. They obviously need attention.”
In Africa, losing elections can cause depression and psychological disorders. Such sense of loss arising from rejection by the people at times transforms otherwise cultured individuals into deranged activists attempting to assess relevance using the same deceitful tactics that initially accounted for their principal being booted out of office. Or how else can one explain tagging a man accused of being too pan-Osun as attempting to ‘edenise’ Osun? Before responding to the Iree Polytechnic question, it is necessary to have this relevant digression. Until last night, accusations I have heard against Governor Ademola Adeleke are mostly that he is over-favouring Osogbo, Ila Orangun, Iwoland, Ijeshaland and Ifeland. Several Ede people have called me privately to question the Governor’s neglect of his own town. Friends called and questioned the Governor’s allocation of so many appointments and critical projects to places other than his hometown of Ede. It was thus strange reading from a lone disconnected voice raising false alarms about an ‘edenisation’ agenda. This allegation flows from residue of ‘anigbelemo’ mentality from jobless ‘olule’ operatives. A friend from Osogbo who sent the piece to me last night asked if the writer is from Mars as he exclaimed that the Governor is ‘osogbonising’ the state. Is your Governor ‘s mother from Osogbo Land? he asked jocularly. Another friend from Boluwaduro called and said Governor Adeleke is ‘orangunnising’ the state as Ila Orangun alone has the Senator, House of Representatives member, two commissioners and several Advisers. The Governor equipped Ila Orangun State Hospital first instead of Ede State Hospital. Let me remind readers that Ismail Omipidan is from Ila Orangun. Governor Adeleke sunk a functioning borehole in front of Ismail’s family compound at Ila. There is none in front of Govrrnor Adeleke’s family house at Ede. An Ijesa friend of mine at the office yesterday jokingly asked if the Governor is related to Ijeshaland. Probing further, his reason was that five commissioners were appointed from Ijeshaland holding such critical portfolios as Local Government, Agriculture, Health among others. Special Advisers from that zone are uncountable. He also reminded me of University of Ilesa where Governor Adeleke appointed Ijesamen as Vice Chancellor and Chairmen of the Governing Council respectively. I told him Mr Governor is a super cosmopolitan leader. For people of Iwoland, they assume the Governor is a closet ally. Two permanent Secretaries, four special Advisers, Director General for Development Projects, Deputy chairman of Muslim Pilgrims Board and Director of Highways for the state are all from Iwo. A check through the list of permanent secretaries, commissioners and Advisers showed that Ede is not in any way specially favored. Other towns even have a clearer advantage ahead of the Governor’s town. And when a list of heads of tertiary institutions in Osun was drawn, Ede is just having one of its own which is not even yet a substantive appointment. A check through projects executed by the current administration also reflected statewide spread. Construction is now ongoing at the Osogbo circular road abandoned by the Oyetola administration. The Osogbo-Ikirun road has been completed by the Adeleke government with plans to expand the project to Kwara state boundary. Major waterworks in Osun are undergoing rehabilitation with Esa Oke as the first to be attended to, followed by Osogbo, Eko-ende, Iwo and Ede. The current administration has also resolved the nest of corruption that stalled completion of the Ilesa water project and work is set to resume for early completion. Road and water projects were executed in a manner that covers all the federal constituencies and local governments. Almost 40 kilometers of roads are currently completed spread across the state. Channelization and bridge reconstruction are witnessed from Ile ife to Iwo to Ayedade, osogbo and Irewole. Only a mind suffering from post- election depression will descend to the pit of hell to accuse the present administration of ‘edenisation’ agenda in the face of overwhelming evidence and facts to the contrary. Such attacks reflect failure to innovate a logical line of attacks by the opposition against the present government. The piece is an amateurish push to paint black as white to a population that is even more educated than hack writers trying to hoodwink them. Crash nepotism of the Oyetola’s government was still very fresh in the mind of Osun people. His appointment of an unqualified daughter of Iragbiji as Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency instead of the most senior official was well publicized, ditto for the nepotistic slant of concentrating projects at Iragbiji to the neglect of other towns in his local government. Governor Adeleke on the contrary is favoring people of Ila Orangun, Osogbo, Ijesahalnd, Ifeland, Iwoland and others in a spirit of equity and fairness. The Governor is blind to sectionalism and tribal bent in the state decision making process. He is fixated on delivering on good governance and rescuing the state from the mess created by the Oyetola administration. Incidentally, Osun people are fully aware of the ongoing restoration plan and are too smart to be brainwashed by agents of fake news. Now to the Iree matter. The school management was accused of corruption in a petition which when investigated necessitated suspension of the Rector pending the outcome of the investigation. To select an acting replacement , the administration found traces of complicity among other senior cadres which will compromise investigation if any of them is to be placed in acting capacity. Hence a decision to pick an acting Rector pending the conclusion of the investigation. It was with malicious intention to accuse the administration of attempting to manipulate the process leading to the selection of the acting Rector, It is mischievous to even link the Governor directly to the entire process. If the management of an institution is under Investigation, it is smart to have a replacement who was not part of the decision making process that is now the subject of corruption investigation. That the acting Rector is from Ede was immaterial as he was qualified by all the rules especially as he was appointed only in acting capacity. In any case , a governing board has been inaugurated by the Governor for Iree Polytechnic whose chairman is now on top of the situation. The Honourable Commissioner for Education has also met the management of the institution. Stakeholders across the state know there is nothing like an ‘edenisation’ agenda. What is ongoing is an anti-corruption fight where corruption is fighting back. When corruption fights back, corrupt elements normally lend their pen to sustain the reign of corruption. All the cock and bull story by the writer flies in the face of reality. Osun people are experiencing Governor Adeleke not by hyping or fake news but by projects and appointments they see and enjoy. In the last eight months , the administration has re-engineer governance within the context of good governance, open governance, pro-poor choices, value for money, localization, transparency and accountability. The bar of governance has been raised significantly hence Osun today has a state ICT policy, a digital economy agenda, a global investment plan, a state sustainable industrial policy, a state tech innovation policy, a localized start up agenda, a not too young to rule agenda, a diaspora integration plan, a state workforce enhancement plan, an integrated youth employment agenda, a functional education programme, a preventive state health philosophy, an infrastructure upgrade programme, a fiber optic broadband project, a climate change action plan and a pro-citizen state leadership among others. All within eight months!!! The Adeleke administration is a symbolism of a modernized governance model far away from the anachronistic leadership style of the previous administration. This is not ‘snail’ leadership. This is a government under a vibrant global citizen. ● Mallam Olawale Rasheed is the Special Adviser/Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have defeated co-hosts of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, Australia 3-2. They are now on four points, just like Canada who beat Ireland in their second match yesterday, July 26. With the win, the Nigerian women are on the verge of making it to the second round of the competition.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally presented a list of 28 names to the Senate for consideration as ministers of the country. The immediate past Speaker of the House of the Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila presented the list to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Nyeson Wike
– Abubakar Momoh – Ambassador Yusuf Miatama Tukur CON – Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa – Barr. Hannatu Musawa – Chief Uche Nnaji – Dr. Berta Edu – Dr. Dorris Aniche Uzoka – H.E. David Umahi – H.E. Nyesom Wike – H.E. Badaru Abubakar CON – H.E. Nasiru Ahmed Elrufai – Rt. Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo – Hon. Nkiru Onyeojiocha – Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo – Hon. Stella Okotette – Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohaneye – Mr. Bello Muhammad G. – Mr. Dele Alake – Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN – Mr. Muhammad Idris – Mr. Olawale Edun – Mr. Waheed Adebayo Adelabu – Mrs Iman Suleiman Ibrahim – Professor Ali Pate – Professor Joseph – Senator Abubakar Kyari – Senator John Eno – Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi.
The chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Muheeba Dankaka, has confirmed that government officials have been selling job vacancies to applicants seeking for the jobs. Appeared before the House of Representatives Investigative Committee yesterday, July 26, the PCC boss said: “before I came to this place, they were selling slots. The place was like a market, and you can find out from people who live in Abuja if I am lying. “When I came in, I met all the commissioners, and I told them that they gave us the Qur’an (to swear on). I don’t want anything that would destroy me or my family.”
The Senators from Southeast Nigeria have presented a joint motion asking the Federal Government to collaborate with the Finnish authorities for the extradition of Finland-based Leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, over the weekly Monday sit-at-home in the South East.
Senator Osita Izunaso, who presented the motion today, July 26, on behalf of all 14 Senators from the Southeast, lamented that thousands of Innocent lives have been lost since the Monday sit-at-home order started even as properties worth over N1 trillion have been destroyed. The Senators regretted also that investors are leaving the region because of the order. According to them, the sit-at-home civil disobedience actions in the region has similarly led to the disruption/destruction of economic activities as well as immeasurable financial losses for businesses, workers and the local economy. Their prayer, calling on the Federal Government to use political solution in handling the case of the Leader of the proscribed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was dropped following a point of order raised by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele that it is subjudiced Senator Bamidele came under point of order 52 sub 5, which prevents the National Assembly to speak on any issue before the court. The Senate therefore struck out prayer urging the Federal Government to use political solution approach in handling the case of Kanu. The Senate also resolved to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs (when appointed) and relevant stakeholders to carry out thorough investigation as well as bring other sponsors of the act to book. While seconding the motion, Senator Gbenga Daniel said that several businesses have been affected in the Southeast as result of Monday “sit-at-home” order by a none State actor. All Senators in the chamber agreed that Finland-based IPOB leader, Simon Ekpa must be extradited to Nigeria.
The Nigerian Navy has said that assets acquired by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue project have been deployed across the South West, Central and Eastern Zonal operations to enhance patrol of the Nigerian maritime domain.
The Acting Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command and Commander Deep Blue Project, Commodore Victor Choji made this known during a working visit by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi to the Management of NIMASA.
He said that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla is fully committed to the success of the Deep Blue Project.
“The assets have already been well deployed. As we speak 5 armored vehicles are deployed in Port Harcourt and 3 in Bonny.”
He said that the project team deployed 10 more vehicles there, in addition to a drone unit in Bonny and some personnel. He also hinted that during the last general elections in the country, the mere presence of deep blue assets alone in those locations provided the needed inference that was required.
Choji said that in the Central Zone Command, the Navy has deployed 3 units of special mission elements in brass and two of the interceptor boats with the special intervention force elements in central command.
“In Lagos, just last week, we got a directive that there is a requirement and we are about to deploy 2 interceptor boats to support the operations that are ongoing in Lagos Inland waters. I can state categorically that we have the full backing of the Nigerian Navy for the success of the Deep Blue Project.”
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, restated the Agency’s commitment to a robust relationship with the Nigerian Navy towards the economic development of the country.
“I want to believe that the Agency and the Nigerian Navy have a lot in common to ensure safety and security in the nation’s waters. While the Nigerian Navy takes care of the kinetic operations, NIMASA concentrates on non-kinetic operations, and the two will have to go hand in hand if we must succeed. If you look at the armed forces act, the Nigerian Navy has a role to play in ensuring the implementation and enforcement of the NIMASA and Customs & Excise act.”
Jamoh expressed the desire of NIMASA to earn full value for funds invested and still investing in the operations of the Deep Blue Project. He also noted that the Agency is in constant liaison with the National Assembly to ensure an update of the nation’s maritime laws with particular reference to the Merchant Shipping Act to guarantee adequate punitive measures are in the law to deter criminalities on Nigerian waters.
While commending the Nigerian Navy for their efforts in tracking erring vessels, which switched off their Automatic Identification System, AIS in Nigerian waters, Dr Jamoh called for improved synergy amongst all organs of Government in the maritime sector. Particularly, the Nigerian Navy and the marine arm of the Nigerian Police to quickly tackle head on; pockets of recent criminalities in the Lagos anchorage and inland waters.
Earlier, the FOC said that the Agency is his first point of call since he assumed duty as the FOC Western Naval Command, which underscores the importance the Nigerian Navy pays to her relationship with NIMASA.
“I am here in recognition of the support and cooperation the Navy enjoys with the Agency and we still have a long way to go in order to actualize the mandate of safeguarding the Nigerian maritime sector”, the FOC said.
He used the opportunity to pledge the continuous support of the Command to the Agency, while they look forward to more cooperation in the coming years, for the overall good of the nation.
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Senator Osita Izunaso, who presented the motion today, July 26, on behalf of all 14 Senators from the Southeast, lamented that thousands of Innocent lives have been lost since the Monday sit-at-home order started even as properties worth over N1 trillion have been destroyed.
Adeleke’s Governing Model In Osun, By Olawale Rasheed
In Africa, losing elections can cause depression and psychological disorders. Such sense of loss arising from rejection by the people at times transforms otherwise cultured individuals into deranged activists attempting to assess relevance using the same deceitful tactics that initially accounted for their principal being booted out of office.
Or how else can one explain tagging a man accused of being too pan-Osun as attempting to ‘edenise’ Osun?
Before responding to the Iree Polytechnic question, it is necessary to have this relevant digression.
Until last night, accusations I have heard against Governor Ademola Adeleke are mostly that he is over-favouring Osogbo, Ila Orangun, Iwoland, Ijeshaland and Ifeland. Several Ede people have called me privately to question the Governor’s neglect of his own town.
Friends called and questioned the Governor’s allocation of so many appointments and critical projects to places other than his hometown of Ede. It was thus strange reading from a lone disconnected voice raising false alarms about an ‘edenisation’ agenda. This allegation flows from residue of ‘anigbelemo’ mentality from jobless ‘olule’ operatives.
A friend from Osogbo who sent the piece to me last night asked if the writer is from Mars as he exclaimed that the Governor is ‘osogbonising’ the state. Is your Governor ‘s mother from Osogbo Land? he asked jocularly.
Another friend from Boluwaduro called and said Governor Adeleke is ‘orangunnising’ the state as Ila Orangun alone has the Senator, House of Representatives member, two commissioners and several Advisers. The Governor equipped Ila Orangun State Hospital first instead of Ede State Hospital.
Let me remind readers that Ismail Omipidan is from Ila Orangun. Governor Adeleke sunk a functioning borehole in front of Ismail’s family compound at Ila. There is none in front of Govrrnor Adeleke’s family house at Ede.
An Ijesa friend of mine at the office yesterday jokingly asked if the Governor is related to Ijeshaland. Probing further, his reason was that five commissioners were appointed from Ijeshaland holding such critical portfolios as Local Government, Agriculture, Health among others. Special Advisers from that zone are uncountable.
He also reminded me of University of Ilesa where Governor Adeleke appointed Ijesamen as Vice Chancellor and Chairmen of the Governing Council respectively. I told him Mr Governor is a super cosmopolitan leader.
For people of Iwoland, they assume the Governor is a closet ally. Two permanent Secretaries, four special Advisers, Director General for Development Projects, Deputy chairman of Muslim Pilgrims Board and Director of Highways for the state are all from Iwo.
A check through the list of permanent secretaries, commissioners and Advisers showed that Ede is not in any way specially favored. Other towns even have a clearer advantage ahead of the Governor’s town. And when a list of heads of tertiary institutions in Osun was drawn, Ede is just having one of its own which is not even yet a substantive appointment.
A check through projects executed by the current administration also reflected statewide spread. Construction is now ongoing at the Osogbo circular road abandoned by the Oyetola administration. The Osogbo-Ikirun road has been completed by the Adeleke government with plans to expand the project to Kwara state boundary. Major waterworks in Osun are undergoing rehabilitation with Esa Oke as the first to be attended to, followed by Osogbo, Eko-ende, Iwo and Ede. The current administration has also resolved the nest of corruption that stalled completion of the Ilesa water project and work is set to resume for early completion.
Road and water projects were executed in a manner that covers all the federal constituencies and local governments. Almost 40 kilometers of roads are currently completed spread across the state. Channelization and bridge reconstruction are witnessed from Ile ife to Iwo to Ayedade, osogbo and Irewole.
Only a mind suffering from post- election depression will descend to the pit of hell to accuse the present administration of ‘edenisation’ agenda in the face of overwhelming evidence and facts to the contrary. Such attacks reflect failure to innovate a logical line of attacks by the opposition against the present government. The piece is an amateurish push to paint black as white to a population that is even more educated than hack writers trying to hoodwink them.
Crash nepotism of the Oyetola’s government was still very fresh in the mind of Osun people. His appointment of an unqualified daughter of Iragbiji as Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency instead of the most senior official was well publicized, ditto for the nepotistic slant of concentrating projects at Iragbiji to the neglect of other towns in his local government.
Governor Adeleke on the contrary is favoring people of Ila Orangun, Osogbo, Ijesahalnd, Ifeland, Iwoland and others in a spirit of equity and fairness. The Governor is blind to sectionalism and tribal bent in the state decision making process. He is fixated on delivering on good governance and rescuing the state from the mess created by the Oyetola administration. Incidentally, Osun people are fully aware of the ongoing restoration plan and are too smart to be brainwashed by agents of fake news.
Now to the Iree matter. The school management was accused of corruption in a petition which when investigated necessitated suspension of the Rector pending the outcome of the investigation. To select an acting replacement , the administration found traces of complicity among other senior cadres which will compromise investigation if any of them is to be placed in acting capacity. Hence a decision to pick an acting Rector pending the conclusion of the investigation.
It was with malicious intention to accuse the administration of attempting to manipulate the process leading to the selection of the acting Rector, It is mischievous to even link the Governor directly to the entire process. If the management of an institution is under Investigation, it is smart to have a replacement who was not part of the decision making process that is now the subject of corruption investigation. That the acting Rector is from Ede was immaterial as he was qualified by all the rules especially as he was appointed only in acting capacity.
In any case , a governing board has been inaugurated by the Governor for Iree Polytechnic whose chairman is now on top of the situation. The Honourable Commissioner for Education has also met the management of the institution.
Stakeholders across the state know there is nothing like an ‘edenisation’ agenda. What is ongoing is an anti-corruption fight where corruption is fighting back. When corruption fights back, corrupt elements normally lend their pen to sustain the reign of corruption.
All the cock and bull story by the writer flies in the face of reality. Osun people are experiencing Governor Adeleke not by hyping or fake news but by projects and appointments they see and enjoy.
In the last eight months , the administration has re-engineer governance within the context of good governance, open governance, pro-poor choices, value for money, localization, transparency and accountability.
The bar of governance has been raised significantly hence Osun today has a state ICT policy, a digital economy agenda, a global investment plan, a state sustainable industrial policy, a state tech innovation policy, a localized start up agenda, a not too young to rule agenda, a diaspora integration plan, a state workforce enhancement plan, an integrated youth employment agenda, a functional education programme, a preventive state health philosophy, an infrastructure upgrade programme, a fiber optic broadband project, a climate change action plan and a pro-citizen state leadership among others.
All within eight months!!!
The Adeleke administration is a symbolism of a modernized governance model far away from the anachronistic leadership style of the previous administration. This is not ‘snail’ leadership. This is a government under a vibrant global citizen.
● Mallam Olawale Rasheed is the Special Adviser/Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke.