Category: Impurse

By Bisade Ojoye

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Friday, performed the groundbreaking of the development of the Ogun State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) at the Agro Cargo International Airport, located in Ilisan-Remo.

The project with its first phase worth $400m is a collaboration between Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms and Ogun, according to the governor, would be completed in the record time of 18 months.

Speaking further, Abiodun said that the special industrial park for agro-processing and allied products was the first of its kind in the country and would generate over 20,000 direct jobs and individual prosperity.

The governor, who believed that the agro cargo airport would probably be the fastest constructed international airport on the continent.

He expressed his delight that the location of the airport that was till March 2021 a forest and dump site had become the airport city.

Abiodun disclosed that apart from the SAPZ, the Nigeria Customs Service has decided to locate one of its biggest facilities in the country and made full payment of N3.2b for the first 100 hectares of land last week .

The Governor, while noting that the ground breaking was a further testament to the re-established trust between
government and the private sector, he assured that his administration would continue to work assiduously to earn the trust of private investors.

The governor added that the incumbent administration in the state would continue to evolve policies and programmes that would remain people-oriented and enable the private sector to thrive.

Abiodun, while thanking the President of the Arise Group, Gangan Gupta for keying into the vision of making Ogun the industrial hub in the country, equally acknowledged the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for his support and encouragement to pursue the realization of the project.

“I must then acknowledge and thank the President of the AFREXIM, Dr. Ben ORAMA, who I called to discuss further the PPP/SAPZ model with and who arranged the physical meeting ARISE and myself. Without the trust and confidence Dr. ORAMA had in me, which was the basis of the reference in the first place we definitely won’t be here today.

“Of course all these had to be backed up by financing, and I must thank African Finance Corporation led by my brother, Zuberu Samaila for it support which ensured that the project was significantly derisked, and AFREXIM bank for trusting us”, the governor stated.

He explained that the decision of his administration to turn the push factor from Lagos to the pull factor to Ogun, made it to introduce various policies and reforms, and also deploy technology to improve the efficiency of government and increase the state ranking on the ease of doing business index.

“Today, we are adjudged one of the safest if not the safest state in the country. We have constructed over 400km of both interstate roads in three years and six months and worth mentioning that we have at least one road in every one of our 20 local government areas and we have built over 1200 affordable homes across the state creating jobs for artisans.

“We will be back here very soon to commission our international agro cargo airport in another few months and our deep sea port is also loading”, Abiodun submitted.

The President of the ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, Gangan Gupta said the company had invested in several African countries and he was happy to be in Ogun state to contribute to its industrial development.

He added that the company would build industrial platforms that would transform the economy of Ogun.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, in his remarks, described the project as a landmark and a step forward to the economic revolution of Nigeria.

He added that SAPZ would help in agri-industrialization and create jobs for the people, noting, “this is going to be a regional trading hub”.

While acknowledging that Ogun had a rich history in agriculture and agro processing in the country, the Minister commended the governor for his visionary leadership and brokering of the partnership which had attracted a multi million Dollars project to the state.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru who described the project as an example of how the private sector could be harnessed for the economic development of Nigeria, expressed confidence that the SAPZ would boost the agricultural value chain, raise revenue, create jobs and boost export.

The Chairman of the African Finance Corporation, Sumaila Zubairu said that the project sitting on 5,100 hectares of land, will change the landscape of Ogun in 18 months, noting that “through value-addition like this we can create jobs and wealth”.

“We will continue to play our role in enhancing the industrial development in Nigeria and Ogun”, Zubairu added.

The AFREXIM Bank President, Benedict Oramah attributed the peace and security in Ogun as key factors that attracted Arise Consurtium to it, commending the governor for creating enabling environment for foreign investment.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dapo Okubadejo, noted that the SAPZ signified a major milestone in the economic revolution of Ogun state.

He disclosed that no fewer than 30 laws had been enacted to simplify business operations and reduce administrative bottlenecks in the state, adding six business clusters were also established across the state, to enhance investment drive.

By Jubril Tobir

An Abuja based Civil Society Organisation, Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum (ACIF), has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) a 7-day ultimatum to make public their findings on the corruption allegations levelled against the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.

In a letter dated October 27, 2022, written to the EFCC and ICPC, signed by its Director of Communication, Bashorun Oladokun Abdulwajeed and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday, alleged a deliberate attempt to sweep the case under the carpet and threatened court action against the anti-graft agencies if they failed to act upon this allegation.

ACIF revealed it observed the near comatose state of JAMB under the leadership of Oloyede, recalling that a sister Civil Society Organisations, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), had on August 21, 2022 written a petition, drawing attention of the anti-graft agencies to certain indicting facts and documents uncovered against Oloyede.

The Forum recalled that TADI on September 19, 2022 had also wrote the EFCC reiterating the need for Oloyede and Mufutau Alabi Bello who presently serve as Director of Finance & Accounts (DFA) of JAMB to be investigated and possibly prosecuted for the economic crimes they have committed.

The letter reads in part:

“We are at a loss as to the quietness, lethargy and cold feet developed by the Commission regarding the allegations as if the same has been swept under the carpet probably because the persons involved are in high profile positions.

The fact that Oloyede and Bello are still walking the streets freely while looting JAMB dry under your watchful eyes is rather worrisome.

Sir, you will agree with us that the benefits of a corruption-free society cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore, we owe it as a public duty to ensure that the battered image of the country in the eyes of the international community due to the high level of corruption is redeemed at all costs before President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office on May, 29, 2023.

It is on that note that we hereby demand, based on the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 that you avail us the status report of the investigation concerning Oloyede and Bello within Seven days from the date hereof.

This will help allay our fear that justice is being delayed and put us in a proper position to answer numerous questions coming to us from prying members of the public.

“If you fail to act as herein demanded, we shall institute proceedings under Section 1 (3) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 for purposes of seeking, amongst other reliefs, an Order of Mandamus compelling you to carry out your duties under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, Etc) Act, 2004 and other extant laws”.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that his administration would turn the sod of $800m Special Agro-Processing Zone to be sited at the Agro-Cargo Airport in Ilisan-Remo today, Friday November 4, 2022.

Abiodun disclosed this on Wednesday at the Treasury Board Meeting, held at Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He added that the project which would be executed by Arise Integrated Company would be the biggest Investment in Nigeria as it would provide between 15,000 to 20,000 jobs for the people.

He explained that the turning of sod, which would mark the beginning of the first phase of the multi million dollars investment would take place on today while construction of structures for the project would commence in the first week of December.

“By the grace of God, we are going to do the ground breaking of the first Special Agro Processing Zone in the country, the very first. The first phase is a $400m investment and it is going to be in two phases. This has never happened before in this country.

“Construction is going to start first week in December. I am aware that Nigeria Customs Service also wants to start construction immediately in the same aerotropolis.

“That place promises to employ between 15,000 and 20,000 people in the first phase”, Abiodun stated.

According to the governor, the siting of the project is an indication of how viable the airport would be on completion, expressing optimism that the Nigerian Air Force, the Customs Service, multi-nationals and investors that had indicated interest in the airport would soon follow suit.

In a related development, the governor expressed the readiness of his administration to resuscitate the moribund Gateway Hotel, Ota.

Responding to the presentations by the officials of the Ministry of Housing and related agencies at the Treasury Board Meeting, the governor described the current state of the once viable hotel as an eyesore, saying something urgent must be done to address the situation.

Abiodun who decried the total abandonment of the hotel despite its strategic location, said his administration was poised to rehabilitate and bring it back to its former state, as demanded by the people of Ota, during the town hall meeting on the 2023 appropriation budget.

The state helmsman, however, expressed displeasure that the hotel which was once a pride of the state is now a den for criminals, directing the Ministry of Housing to include the total rehabilitation of the edifice in its budget proposal for necessary action.

By Jubril Tobiri

Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun, Shattiman Sakkwato) has received Matawalle/Shehi Amalagamated Group (MASANG) who were in his office to brief him of their milestone reconciliation move aimed at cementing all segments of the Party faithfuls in the state.

This was contained in a Press release on Thursday signed by Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communication.

Chairman of the Group, Alhaji Ibrahim Maigandi (Dan Malikin Gidan Goga, told the Governor that the group has worked for the past five months to ensure that all grey areas arising from the reconciliation between his camp and that of Abdulazeez Yari Abubakar were fully addressed for the progress of the Party in the state.

He said the present position of the Party has further been boosted with the series of the meetings held with all factions. Alhaji Dan Maliki announced that, more than ever before, the Party had become stronger enough to assert its superior strength and acceptablity in the upcoming general elections.

Governor Matawalle commended the foresight of the initiators of the move and expressed his satisfaction with the work done.
“The way I see you here clearly shows that you have done a good job. With the caliber of people I see before me, I can comfortably sleep with both eyes closed in terms of victory at any given elections in the state”, Governor Matawalle noted.

He then urged them to move on and ensure that the Party wins in 2023. “To make your work easier, you will receive three 18-seater buses for your movements, one of which is for the Women wing. A Peugeot saloon car will also be given to each of the 14-local government co-ordinators of your group in the state”, Governor Matawalle announced.

The group promised to work harder on every segments of the Party to ensure that there would be no other Political Party remained in Zamfara State except the APC.

By Bisade Ojoye

Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba has lashed out at one of the leaders of Pan-Yoruba socio-polical group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo describing him as inconsistent and selfish.

Osoba frowned at the standpoint of Pa Adebanjo on the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because according to him there was no moral justification for him to prefer another man to his kinsman.

He recalled how he was antagonistic of the then progressives governor before late Chief Obafemi Awolowo where he called them all sorts of names just for his selfish interest, but failed woefully as a result of the foresight and sagacity of Chief Awolowo.

Osoba said, “He has always been antagonistic to anybody who rose to governance within the progressives’ family. He was antagonistic to the UPN governors when they reached out to the PRP governors in the Second Republic. He led the crusade against the governors and told Awolowo that the UPN governors had sold out.
When Papa (Awolowo) got exasperated he called a meeting of the UPN leaders at Eko Hotel. I recalled Chief Onabanjo speaking on behalf of the governors and telling Chief Awolowo that “all the people shouting are not more loyal to you than we are, that if the party must win at the federal level, the party must relate with others outside Western Region”.

“At the end, Chief Awolowo said the governors should continue with their association but they should report regularly to the National Executive Committee of the party. They then expanded their association to 12 governors. That was the group that led Awolowo into signing an agreement with Dr Azikiwe in Benin ahead of the 1983 presidential election which Awolowo actually won. Their reaching out was very helpful. It was that same progressive association that helped us when we moved to the Third Republic SDP that produced the late Chief MKO Abiola as presidential candidate.

He said Adebanjo was never comfortable with any governor either in UPN or in AD, saying that he has started manifesting the same attack on Asiwaju Tinubu. “He bragged that he made us governors.
Who among us did not have political experience before we became governors in 1999? Lam Adesina as Oyo governor was, as far back as 1979, a House of Reps member in the National Assembly dominated by the late Chief Abraham Adesanya and co. The late Chief Adefarati as Ondo governor was a Commissioner under Ajasin. Akande in Osun was deputy to the late Chief Bola Ige as old Oyo governor. So he was making a cheap statement by saying we are not consistent”, he stressed.

“The point is that Adebanjo has never contested any election. I challenge him to test his popularity. He should pick anywhere in Ogun, let the two of us walk around. There is no village in Ogun State that I will not call out three or four families.
For example, in his dictatorial way, he says he has now zoned the presidency to the Igbo. Who is he to zone the Yoruba race out of the 2023 presidential race?

Osoba asked, “Where did we meet as Yoruba? Awolowo will not behave like that. There will be a meeting where there will be consensus. Of course the Igbo have the right to contest in 2023 just as I as a Yoruba man also have the right to contest.
Only Ayo Adebanjo understands his interpretation of consistency. Here is a man who, when we were rigged out, was the first to jump on the PDP vehicle of Gbenga Daniel in Ogun State. Till tomorrow, he is the godfather of Gbenga Daniel. He moved from Gbenga Daniel to Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo under the Labour Party. And he went to pronounce Mimiko as the greatest of those executing Awolowo’s philosophy, that Mimiko’s free education was the best.

“He moved from there to PDP in Osun to praise Olagunsoye Oyinlola and today he is with PDP’s Seyi Makinde in Oyo.
That is his interpretation of consistency. He said we sold out to Fulani. When he campaigned for former VP Atiku for presidency, he forgot that Atiku is a Fulani man too.
When they hobnobbed with former President Jonathan, that is consistency. Awolowo will never jump from one party to another. And Awolowo, if alive, would never hobnob with PDP.”

By Olufemilade Oyinade

“Adebanjo does not have the capacity to warn me not to welcome Tinubu. Can not do that successfully”, declared Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere a Pan Yoruba group.

Fasoranti, in a viral video said that the the organisation never endorsed the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi but Adebanjo did.

Pa Fasoranti said Adebanjo took a stand and he too has taken a decision, adding that when Adebanjo took his decision, he did not call him, and when he took his own he did not call Adebanjo.

He declared that he was still the leader of Afenifere. “Afenifere has not endorsed Obi, we are endorsing Jagaban (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) for the presidency”, Pa Fasoranti declared.

Pa Reuben Fasoranti has declared that he remained the leader of
the leader of the Yoruba Socio- Political Group, Afenifere and that the group has endorsed the candidacy of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“As you can see, the trend, the approval and the acceptability. You could see what happened when Tinubu came to meet me in Akure. Media carried the whole thing.

In Pa Fasoranti’s opinion, “As you can see, Jagaban is accepted and we approve of him. Obi has no stand in our mind at all.”

By Bisade Ojoye

“One of the qualities of a good leader is the ability to ensure inclusiveness, which Asiwaju did after the primary, ensuring his fellow contenders didn’t feel a sense of loss but made to understand their contributions would still be important to the victory of the APC at the main election”, this was how a Nigerian based in Germany described Tinubu.

He said Tinubu remained a political enigma, a leader that mentored his ‘soldiers’, a builder of sustainable progress, a pathfinder who believes in long term gains in his politics and governance, a loyal politician who stand true to his words which has placed him in a pedestal many in the political arena could not but adore and respect him for me.

Honourable Jide Fashakin who is the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Germany also said Tinubu as the biggest and most successful politician in the history of Nigeria, describing him as an epitome of what a product of Diaspora can bring home to contribute to the Nigerian nation, having studied and emerged best of his class, worked with multinationals, brought the experience down home and rose to be the treasurer of Mobil Nigeria, and as a successful technocrat, decided not to criticize but contribute to national development. “He ventured into politics, sacrificed his senate presidency ambition for MKO Abiola to emerge as SDP presidential candidate”, he stressed.

Fashakin said after the annulment of the historic 12, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought for the reinstatement of the mandate, lost his house, arrested by the military but stood by MKO through the journey before he went on exile while supporting NADECO to ensure the return of democracy.

“He came back to become the governor of Lagos and made it the first financially independent state in NIgeria, sustained opposition and brought back to the progressives, expanded his coast by reaching out to other progressive to form the APC without seeking for any party position or utilizing the party he conceptualized for personal gain for it first 8 years. This is who Asiwaju Tinubu is, a selfless , visionary and progressive leader whose legacy will be golden in the history of Nigerian polity.

“It gladdens to see that the Omoluwabi concept of the Yoruba race is upheld, a 70yrs old man with lots of successes in politics for over 3 decades still according respect to the highest Yoruba sociopolitical body, it makes me proud about our culture and value we placed to elders, Asiwaju still maintaining loyalty to the root that founded AD, a platform that made him governor of Lagos 23 years ago, it is indeed a welcome development”

The APC, Germany Chapter said through objective engagement of Nigerians and building a community that wants the best of the aspiring candidates to lead the country there was a lot to sell about Asiwaju Tinubu, adding that lots of Nigerians in Diaspora on his antecedents, political consistency over the decades and his ability to build a sustainable progress for Nigeria as he did in Lagos. “This is what the progressives in Germany have been doing to ensure we have large support base beyond the shore of our country and ensure we influence our immediate constituencies back home to vote for him and those in Diaspora who are eligible to vote travel home to do so”, Fashakin explained.

He disclosed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Support Group in Germany (ABATSG) has a well established structure in all the 36 states in Nigeria, coordinated by the support group here in Germany who are mobilizing at the grassroot for Asiwaju Tinubu and that they were providing adequate support for our political machineries to go all out and ensure we work for the victory of our great party come 2023.

“We can’t be lost in finding the best of our comfort away from our father land where our heart belongs. We engage to make everyone see reason to participate in building a Nigeria of our dreams, the future is abound.

The APC is a strategic party, we did party revalidation exercise in February 2021 and utilised this data to drive voters registration, you can see most of the strong holds of the APC has highest registered voters away from the last minutes rush that led to about 7m invalid or incomplete voters, the party is way ahead and positioned to mobilise members to deliver our candidates at the February polls.

He said the factionisation of Afenifere had weakened the institution over time, which had given some assumptions to it leadership but expressed delight to see the real body retaking it place in the eyes of the public and ensuring the real leadership of the institution doing what is right to represent the stand of the Yoruba race. “I pray God, in His Grace will uphold our father and symbol of the Yoruba ancestry, Pa Fasoranti”.

“For the Yoruba, the victory of Asiwaju will be the fulfilment of the June 12 mandate, as Asiwaju is the progressive torch bearer of that mandate denied the Yoruba one of her beloved son to put the nation on the path of progress. We lost with Awolowo in 1963, MKO in 1999, and Asiwaju would fulfill that dream and his logo is a broken chain and put to an end to the 30yrs successive denial of the best of us in the Yoruba race to lead Nigeria, it would be a dream come through!

The respect from our other brothers in other tribes about the kind of politics the Yoruba is known for, how we were the most successful region during regional government by innovation and education. We have always had the product to lead Nigeria right. Asiwaju has learned from history and this time put everything together within the Yoruba and across the Niger and up South which will, by the grace of God grant him victory and bring back to the West honour of the Awolowo developmental political philosophy.

Fashakin said he was confident of Tinubu’s victory because according to him within the party, Asiwaju had ensured the primary didn’t break the party, his deep consultations to pick his running mate didn’t led to disarray of the party. “The president is standing with him and the APC is going to the field united. On the other hand, the opposition is going to the election highly polarised, Obi has taken about 35% of PDP votes, the Wike camp continues to break what is left of the PDP and doesn’t seems the Atiku camp wants to unify the party by allowing the grievances from the primary lasting this long which was what APC managed brilliantly by Asiwaju extending hand of sportsmanship to all co contenders. By the grace of God, the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu shall be fulfilled in February 2023”, he emphasized.

By Bisade Ojoye

In his efforts to develop Remoland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remoland recently held extended Board of Trustees, Executive Council and Heads of Adhoc Committees Meeting.

The meeting held at the magnificent residence of Sir Kesington Adebutu on Bourdillon Road Ikoyi Lagos on Friday, 28th October, 2022 addressed series of developmental issues, projects and programmes of key importance to the growth and development of the foundation, and Remoland.

The discussions centered on foundation’s constitution review committee report,
Also, the meeting discussed the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade visitation panel report and the Provisional Feasibility Studies of the Remo University.

In conclusion, a report on activities of the 5th Coronation Anniversary and 60th birthday of HRM, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, CFR, (Torungbuwa II), Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland was presented by the Chairman, Planning Committee, Otunba Seni Adetu.

It could be recalled, in his quest towards developing Remo Communities to a land that is economically prosperous, socially stable and safe, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi
presented a well articulated and thought provoking vision and mission statement to a carefully selected, very professional indigenes of Remoland to work out and execute a Remo socio-economic development agenda. This later gave birth to Remo Growth and Development Foundation (RemoGDF).

Sir Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu, Balogun of Remoland and RemoGDF BoT Chairman who is also the Oodole Oodua of the House of Oduduwa, graciously hosted the event.

Remo Royal Fathers in attendance were: His Royal Majesty,
Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, CFR, B.L, LL.M, FCA, FBR, DSC, (Torungbuwa II), Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland.
Chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas.
Visioner and Grand Patron of RemoGDF; His Royal Highness,
Oba Adewale O. Osiberu,
(Iru Ganyin Ekun III),
Elepe of Epe, Sagamu; His Royal Highness,
Oba Taiwo Taiwo,
Amororo II, Onipara of Ipara Remo; His Royal Highness, Oba Musiliu Oriyomi Soile, Osiderumu I, Radanuwa of Idado, Sagamu; His Royal Highness, Oba Lukman O. A. Salami, Sebu II, Ebi of Idena, Iperu Remo.

Leading the RemoGDF team were: Chairman of RemoGDF, Otunba Tunji Lawal-Solarin; Co-Chairman, Aare (Dr.) Kola Oyefeso; Asiwaju of Remoland, Asiwaju S.K Onafowokan, Iyalode of Remoland, Chief Folasade Ogunbiyi, Mr. Adewale Fayemi and Dr. Eniola Ajayi all BOT members

Others in attendance were executive council members of RemoGDF and Heads of Adhoc Committees. The list included: Aremo Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Prof. Adewale Solarin, Otunba Seni Adetu, Prince Yemi Adefulu, Chief Opeyemi Agbaje, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, Prince Odubunmi Solarin, Barr. Jide Ogunkoya, Col. Dele Oyefuga, (Retd), Mr. Sola Oyenuga, Mr. Akinboye Ogungbe, Mr. Jojo Dawodu, Engr. Sikiru Salami, Baamofin Adebayo Odufuwa, Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko, Mr. Adekunle Victor Soile, etc.

Online attendees were: Dr.(Amb.) Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, BoT Member, Hon. Kunle Soname, BoT Member, Mr. Wole Awe, General Secretary, RemoGDF, Mr Tola Mobolurin, Mr. Ola Oresanya, Tony Osibodu, Abbey Olusanya, RemoGDF NA, Dr. Lai Soile, Dr Kola Ashaye.

RemoGDF rounded the occasion by cutting two (2) giant cakes to celebrate the conferment of national awards of CFR on Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and the ODOLE-OODUA of the source, Sir Kesington Adebutu as well as for his 87th birthday.

Olamide Yinusa

Divid Adeleke popularly known and called, Davido has lost his 3 year old son, Ifeanyi.

Ifeanyi was said to have drowned inside the pool of his father’s house located inside Banana Island, Lagos.

The raving hip hop musician considered to be one of the richest in Nigeria and mother of the child, Chioma had traveled for a family gathering in Ibadan yesterday and left Ifeanyi with his minders who could not provide any cogent explanation as to how Ifeanyi entered into the pool and eventually drowned without being noticed.

In a bid to revive him, the three-year-old boy after being pulled out of the swimming pool, was reportedly rushed to a hospital in the Lekki area of the state, where he was confirmed dead by one of the doctors on duty.

A distraught and inconsolable Davido was removed from Evercare Hospital and taken to his father’s house.

We gathered that quite a number of people at Davido’s House when the incident happened have been arrested.

The victim’s family had yet to react to the tragic development as at the time of our report.

By Olumide Yinusa

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to join hands with the state-owned traffic agency in managing traffic along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Abiodun made this call when he received the Acting Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dauda Biu, in his Oke Mosan, Abeokuta office.

He noted that it is important to have a good traffic management on the Long Bridge/Kara corridor at a time construction work has slowed down as a result of the inability of the contractor to complete the work.

Abiodun described the pains travelers plying the almost three kilometer section of the road as painful, declaring that the action of the contractor handling the construction work around the corridor is completely unacceptable.

The governor, while acknowledging President Muhammadu Buhari for championing the reconstruction of the road, which is at a 85% completion stage, disclosed that he had called the attention of the Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency(FERMA) to the slow pace of work on the road.

“From the Long Bridge to Kara, as you enter Lagos, it has been perpetually under construction for the past three months. I believe in my own opinion, the contractor has been totally irresponsible.

“Their behaviour is completely unacceptable, road users coming from Abeokuta or from Ogun to Lagos State spend like six hours in just that place and when you get there, you don’t see anything, there is no construction activity going on there.

“I really don’t know what the contractor is doing that is taking three months in a stretch of about maybe two to three kilometers, obviously, traffic control is very poor, the management is very bad.

“I am pleading with you to please work with our own traffic agency to see how we can help our people manage that traffic better than what it is today,” Abiodun stated.

The governor, further described as reckless, the way and manner trailers park on the road and even cause damage to road infrastructure along the corridor, disclosing that his administration would in conjunction with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority look to build a befitting trailer park along the corridor.

“There was a committee set up that has the FRSC, Office of the Chief of Staff and the Federal Ministry of Works, to look at the Ogere Trailer Park, which has become a problem because the trailers will park recklessly. It has become a rest area for people going to the north, they park on the road, create a bottleneck, accidents occur there and even damage the road.

“There was an initiative that we should jointly build that trailer park, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority was meant to fund it, we were meant to provide the access to land so that a proper trailer park can be built on that expressway,” he said.

He informed the FRSC boss that his administration has embarked on the reconstruction of over 400 kilometers of road, some of which are federal roads, expressing his delight with the decision of the corps to bring its end of the year campaign to the state.

Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, while commending the governor for his strides in infrastructural development, said that the launching of it’s ‘Ember Months Campaign’ would help to reduce road crashes and injuries during the period.

The Corps Marshal who noted that the FRSC would continue to put in their best, said that they would also be willing to assist the state government in traffic management.

Biu was accompanied on the visit by the Lagos Sector Commander; Segun Ogungbemide, Corps Public Education Officer; Bisi Kassim and the Ogun State Sector Commander; Hameed Umar.

By Sunday James

In what appears to be double in one Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Support Group, Germany (ABATSG), Niger State Chapter has intensified efforts in solidifying her establishment in the state by consulting some prominent politicians as well as appointing members of Board of Trustees in the state.

According to a release signed by Ibrahim Suleman Folorunso
Acting Deputy National Secretary, the state Coordinator, Hon. Adamu Yinusa disclosed that consultations began with the visit of the group to the winner of the just concluded Suleja Local Government Primary Election, Hon.Isiaku Naibi(IBN) who was also presented with an Award of Excellence.

The statement added that, in reciprocating the kind gesture, the Coordinator showered encomiums on the group members for finding him worthy recipient of the award, promising to carry them along in his political assignments.

In the same vein, the group also consulted Oba of Yoruba in the Emirate in Suleja, Gurara and Tafa local governments, Alhaji Mustapha Abdulazeez and bestowed him with an award as a peace maker. The King offered fervent prayers for the team.

In continuation of its efforts to spread her tentacles in the political terrain of the state, ABATSG appointed the former Suleja Local Government Chairman, Hon. Hussain Ladan Suleja as ABATSG Germany Zonal Coordinator 1.

This consultation to Hon. Umar Shuaib TPL, the Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Council (AMMC) and his appointment as ABATSG Germany Niger State Chairman was the last assignment to round off their political activities.

By Bisade Ojoye

All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today, Tuesday in Lagos meet with the business and the organised private sector leaders.

This was contained in a statement today jointly signed by Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media & Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council and
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Secretary of APC Presidential Campaign Council.

The meeting with the business leaders and captains of industry, according to the release will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites from 12noon. It will afford the economic players and thought leaders in the private sector to interact with the APC candidate and interrogate his Action Plan for Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2022 unveiled Tinubu-Shettima policy document christened ‘Action Plan for a Better Nigeria’. The document has enjoyed positive reviews across various segments of the economy since it was launched.

Secretary of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. James Faleke said the town hall session was convened to allow Asiwaju Tinubu share his vision for a better Nigeria with various actors in the economy and allow for critical examination of the policy options contained in the Action Plan.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has a very rich private sector background and experience. He has abiding faith in private enterprise and its fundamental role in national development and economic growth. The private sector needs power, predictability and consistency in policy to drive investment and boost national productivity.

“The dialogue will enable Business Leaders to also share their insights and concerns with our Presidential candidate. The town hall will be a great avenue to sell Asiwaju’s vision for Nigeria,” Faleke said.