Democracy Award: Scribe 57 Congratulates Tinubu, Ethopian PM

...As Gbenga Abiola Charges Youths To Involve in Politics

AgegePulse Magazine

Association of Secretaries to the Local Government of Lagos State, Scribe 57 has congratulated the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, who won the African Democracy Award recently in Ethiopia.


A statement on Tuesday said they were recognised for their efforts to grow democracy and good governance on the African continent.

According to the statement, the award was conferred on them at the 4th African Political Summit and Diamond Awards in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.



The award was said to be the highlight of a three-day conference on Campaign Financing and Elections in Africa, an initiative of the Association of Political Consultants, Africa.

According to the president of APC Africa, Kehinde Bamigbetan, “ the award serves to recognise and encourage icons of democracy and good governance in Africa. It has been our culture to celebrate those political figures who have done a lot to promote democracy in their respective countries.”

He described Ahmed as an outstanding leader who had done a lot to strengthen democracy, human rights, press freedom and peace in East Africa.


Bamigbetan said Tinubu was recognised for his commitment to democracy and human rights.

“Asiwaju is a political figure whose impacts have been felt not just in Nigeria, especially with the historic election of President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the opposition APC, but also across many countries in Africa,” he added.


Amongst the major participants and delegates from Nigeria, Chairman of Scribe 57, Mr. Lekan Bakare and Hon. Gbenga Abiola amongst others Secretaries to the Local Government of Lagos State.

In another development, the Secretary to Agege LGA, Hon. Gbenga Abiola has charged the youths to get involved in the politics of today and position themselves in the heart of the decision makers.

He added that, the nation building lies in the hands of capable, brilliant and intellectual youths that can write the glory of our dear nation in bold

APC shift Primaries to September 25

The Presidential Primaries of the All Progressives Congress earlier scheduled for Thursday, 20th September will now take place on Tuesday, 25th September, the party has said.

A statement signed by the National Organizing Secretary, Emma Ibediro also announced the shift in date of all other primary elections from the earlier date, with the governorship primary now scheduled to take place four day after the presidential primary on 29th September.

Similarly, the senate and House of Representatives primary will now take place on 2nd and 3rd October, while the state houses of Assembly primary will now take place on 4th October.

The National Convention of the party to affirm the party’s Presidential candidate is expected to hold on 6th October as earlier scheduled.



No explanation was offered for the shift in date of the primaries, but The Nation can report that screening of aspirants was yet to begin as at the time of this report as no committee has been inaugurated to handle the screening.

Also, the party was yet to name Committee to conduct the primaries.

It was gathered that the National Working Committee of the party was working round the clock to avoid major crisis after the conduct of party primaries.

Most states of the Federation are sharply divided over the mode of primary to adopt for the conduct of party primaries with some stakeholders pushing for direct primaries, while others are insisting on the use of direct primaries.

The Nation

Breaking: Osinbajo Sacks DSS Boss, Lawal Daura

The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the termination of the appointment of the Director General, State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura with immediate effect.

Mr. Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice.



By Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

Office of the Acting president

Obasa Is World Class, Says Ayantayo

By Afolabi Ayantayo
Commissioner 1, Lagos House of Assembly Service Commission

It has now dawned on critics, pseudo analysts and the entire political hoi polloi what many of us have been saying about the person of Mudasiru Obasa, Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. To the glare of us all, we are witnessing the career of a precocious student of political history rising to a level unprecedented in the annals of politics not only in Agege but Lagos State as a whole.

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures just elected our own unassuming Muda, brother, friend, associate, colleague and consequently, leader of the Agege political class to the position of Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in the federation.

It is trite and petty for a political gladiator to flaunt his/her meagre political accolades in the face of subordinates and the less fortunate as some are wont to do, but Mudasiru Obasa is in a class of his own. Brilliant but preserved, intelligent but calm, wise but considerate, imbued with knowledge and wisdom, Obasa is your ideal political mentor and an inspiration to political actors old and young.

As Nigeria's democracy waxes and strengthens towards maturity, it is not unexpected that political actors with sharpened wits and organizational dexterity will be emerging to claim the saddles of leadership in their various domains and help steer the course of the nation towards utopia. The age of young, vibrant, astute and visionary leadership has emerged all over the world and young men of exemplary characters are claiming the positions that is rightly theirs. Nigeria is not an exception and Mudasiru Obasa is one of the aforementioned.

Born and bred in Agege, a suburb on the northern fringe of Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital, the Speaker actually cut his political teeth quite at an early age, in the early nineties during the days of SDP and NRC the only two constitutional parties then, emerging as a delegate of the SDP in his ward in the old Agege Local Government, a tenuous and tedious process demanding rigorous house to house campaign to mobilize supporters to queue behind you in an open election for party positions popularly referred to as Option A4.

The experience has since guided and aided him to emerge first as a councilor of the same ward in the current dispensation beginning in 1999 via a multiparty constitution, on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). 2003, and he emerged as member, representing Constituency 01, Agege Local Government in the Lagos State House of Assembly, a position he has occupied since then and which eventually catapulted him to the acme of the House, the Rt. Hon. Speaker.

The people of Agege are still basking in the euphoria of having a Speaker from their downtrodden enclave and counting enormous benefits derived therefrom when other Speakers of State Legislatures across the nation, at the culmination of their conference held between Friday 3rd and Sunday 5th voted Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa as Chairman,  Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria.

The Agege township has erupted into an euphoria of jubilation since the announcement of Obasa as the federation's Head Speaker. It is now talk of the town as the good news resonates deep into the heart of the town, for, to be Speaker is one thing, to be Speakers' Speaker is another.

Within the scope of reengineering the fortunes of this country, Speakers of State Legislatures have important roles to play as heads of an important arm of government in their states. Thus, their status and powers can be harnessed for the future of the country. For example, in amending the constitution, sponsoring bills and formulating policies that will better the lot of their electorates. Indeed, the bastion of governance falls within their purview as they can make or mar the programs of their various governors.

The Speakers can, on their own, foist blueprints of good governance on their governors and even by extension the National Assembly and the Federal Government. An example is education. For any meaningful progress to be made in our quest towards national development, education must be made a priority for all citizens. The Federal Government, has over the years failed at presenting a policy that will guarantee that the Nigerian child has access to quality education irrespective of his/her background. This failure has hindered our progress since independence. Citizens cannot contribute anything to national development if they're not adequately equipped to do so, and this can only be ensured through attainments of knowledge in various fields at the tertiary level.

The Universal Basic Education being touted by the Federal Government is outdated as it cannot go deep enough to prepare anyone for today's educational requirements. Even our universities are inadequately funded for prerequisite researches and seminal publications for standard teaching. The Conference of Speakers may take a look at this and make it a litmus.

All who have studied Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa can attest to the fact that the Conference could not have made a better choice to lead it. Self-made, intelligent and optimistic, Obasa is a World Class material and all these qualities are what his colleagues must have seen in him before unanimously electing him to lead them. Having known our man for many years I'm sure this is a burden he can carry easily due to his clinical efficiency and faithful dedication to duties and assignments.

Our prayers to the Almighty is for this exemplary son of Agege to continue to wax stronger. We pray for more accolades and higher positions for him and many other aspiring sons and daughters of Agege Kingdom. As usual, we know the higher Mudasiru goes the more he helps others to also climb the ladder of attainment. God Almighty, on this we thank Thee while still looking forward for more to come.

The Essence Of Politics Is To Give Back To Society - Ambode

…Urges Lawmakers Not To Be Clogs In The Wheel of Progress

 AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday evening urged lawmakers across the country to eschew all acts that can constitute clogs in the wheel of progress based on party differences, saying the whole essence of politics is to serve the people and give back to the society.



Speaking while declaring open the Second Quarterly General Meeting of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Ambode said politicians across party lines must be constantly reminded that the essence of politics which is also enshrined in the Constitution is the protection of lives and property and welfare of the people.

 

He said it was gratifying that in the wake of movement of people across political parties in recent times, speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly in the country were in Lagos to discuss issues of national importance, just as he expressed optimism that the lawmakers would come up with further measures to deepen democracy and advance the welfare of the citizenry.



According to the Governor, “As politicians, we must ensure that the electorate continues to believe and trust in the principles of equity and the rule of law. No arm of government must be a clog in the wheel of progress on the basis of partisan differences and that was why I said that it is very significant that irrespective of our party lines, irrespective of what has happened, we are still here to find a common-ground to discuss national issues that relate to autonomy, that relate to State Police and that is the message that we have been sending in the last three and half years.



“The whole essence of us being called politicians is to be able to give service to our people. When we do the road, bridge or the hospital, it does not ask whether you are PDP or APC neither does it ask whether you are Ibo, Hausa or Yoruba before you can climb on the Third Mainland Bridge.



“So, the whole essence is to ensure that we give back to our people and like I would always say and always agree, there are only two reasons why we are in this business of politics which are also enshrined in the Constitution – protection of lives and property and welfare of our people and so no matter what strategy or path or geographical landscape we use, what is important is that we should be able to achieve those two objectives and I believe strongly that this conference and meeting will focus on those objectives and ensure that we are able to arrive at something very lucrative to our people,” he said.



He said no arm of government can exist without the other, and as such, there must be collaboration and mutual understanding across party lines for effective governance to take place.



“Legislature is vital to the sustenance of democracy. Its stability, equity and economic prosperity through the effective performance of legislative duties and oversight functions cannot be overemphasized.



“There is no arm of government that can exist without another. So, it is very clear in our mind that there is need for collaboration, mutual respect and understanding across party lines for effective governance to take place,” Governor Ambode said.



While commending all the Houses of Assembly for the role they have been playing to ensure good governance and deepen democracy in the country, the Governor also congratulated them on the newly assented law granting financial autonomy to the Legislature and also the Judiciary, saying the development would further guarantee the independence of the two arms of government in line with the principle of separation of powers.



He said before the new law was passed, the Lagos Assembly had been enjoying financial autonomy, which according to him, had also been responsible for the high-capacity delivery of services by his administration since inception, adding: “As you move round our State in the course of this meeting, you will appreciate the modest achievements we have recorded as a result of the harmonious relationship that exists between the executive and the legislature in Lagos State.”   



Speaking earlier while leading his colleagues on a courtesy visit to the Governor, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said they were at Lagos House to inform the Governor of the fact that 36 Speakers across Nigeria were in Lagos to deliberate on key issues of national development including financial autonomy and State Police.



Obasa specifically thanked the Governor for his huge support which made the hosting of the meeting possible, as well as the harmonious atmosphere for Executive-Legislative relationship in the State.



Also, Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mr Ismaila Kamba commended Governor Ambode for the massive infrastructural development across the State, saying the name of the Governor had been written in gold in the history of governance in Lagos.



“Anywhere you are in this country, you know the effort the Governor is making in building bridges, building roads and enhancing security. We are aware the Governor has further bought hardware of security so that this centre of excellence will continue to live and answer its name as the centre of excellence,” Kamba said.

 

2019:: Young Adults Have To Create Options - Tope Fasua

Barely three (3) months into their registration as a Political Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), which prides itself in collection, accommodation and presentation of vibrant young Nigerians with innovative adoption of technology has gone ahead to hold its congress recently, while also conducting election of members into Party’s national offices so as to set out for work ahead of 2019.

The congress in Abuja saw already, many, registered members who travelled down from various States to exercise their rights to participate in politics. The election of members into Party’s offices was done in an open Option A4 format, where the delegates stood behind the contestants of their choices for a transparent counting in order to elect the officers.

Speaking at the congress, the National Chairman elect, Mr. Tope Fasua declared that the practice was to show other parties how to conduct internal democracy with transparency. He said that the ANRP would be a “First Force Party” for Nigerians to take as model, but not a “Third Force” for any of the existing political parties in Nigeria.

While he appraised the organic membership generation and impressive turn out at their first ANRP congress in only a short time after its registration by INEC, Mr. Fasua declares that crowd-funding is also one of the party’s outstanding qualities that readily distinguishes it from others.

He said the choice of Eagle Square as venue for their first congress without having any access to national vault or Government resources is one of evidences that the Party is well started-out and has great potential as a platform for young Nigerians to take their political destinies in their hands.

The congress was also observed by officials of INEC, student observers and some Nigerians from diaspora who attended by way of solidarity and support for the party’s innovative standing.

A delegate from Lagos which is an Agege based Azeez Nurudeen serving as a coordinator from ANRP Agege LGA witnessed the event encourage young adults to take their destinies into their hands by getting involve in politics at the grassroots level.

To join this party is easiest by searching www.ANRP.org.ng and fill up the form therein.

Stop complaining, join political parties, Osinbajo tells youths

AgegePulse

You' ve power to change your destiny to better - Moghalu

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged youths in the country to join political parties ahead of the 2019 elections to enable them to be voted into political offices.

Osinbajo, who was represented by Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, made the call at the Emerging Political Leaders Summit in Abuja.

He said that it was not enough for youths to always complain about bad leaders, but that they needed to break the status quo by taking the chance to be elected and create the transformation they needed for a change.

“Youths have a challenge in their hands for the future of our country; so, I advice you not to sit down and fold your hands and be lamenting over bad leadership or politicians.

“Get down to business, organise and do something to become elected political youths; after all, Enahoro became a leader in this country at the age of 23 and later moved a motion for the nation’s independence at the age of 27.

“The leaders there today will vacate the place tomorrow so if you the youths don’t start preparing today by getting mentored and learning the ropes.

“There is no way you will perform very well if the mantle of leadership falls on you tomorrow; so there is need for you to go in there and participate,’’ he said.

Osinbajo, however, advised youths not to expect that from the day they start participating in politics they would become the president of Nigeria.

He said that it was not realistic and could not happen, but that they needed to start gradually from the ward level and move up to local government level and to state “before the presidency’’.

Mr Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that youths had the power to change their destiny to a better future by participating in politics from the grassroots.

Moghalu said that what the country needed was a democratic revolution at the polling units, adding that for it to happen the citizens should recognize that they had the power to change and improve governance.

“If they don’t exercise that power, if they keep selling their votes for N2, 000 so that they will eat today, their children will have no jobs in the future.

“It is high time Nigerians stopped seeking immediate gratification; they always love what they can get now and that is killing us as a nation.

“If this continues, then the citizens are just as irresponsible as the leadership they condemn,’’ he said.

Moghalu said that the next line of action lay with the citizens, adding that “we have talked enough, the politicians don’t listen, they keep carrying on in their old ways.

“We have had enough but if that is true, then we must act like we have had enough and take up the challenge to change the status quo.’’

The convener of the summit, Mr Wale Ajani, said the event was organsied to brainstorm ahead of the 2019 elections towards problem-solving both economically and politically for country’s development.

Ajani said that the summit became imperative at this auspicious moment in the nation’s history because Nigeria had remained a country of enormous potentials for several decades but unable to perform better in human development and economic indices.

“Leadership failure is largely at the heart of the current woes bedevilling Nigeria, with little being done to build a new crop of leaders.

“The nation seems fixated; the citizens have come to have very low expectations of their leaders. The summit provides a platform for qualitative conversations and discourse about Nigeria.’’

He said that it was time for Nigeria to have a paradigm shift as an alternative to the current system where there already existed a disconnection between citizens’ expectations and service delivery by politicians.

Source: Panorama

We Have A Master Plan To Give Agege Facelift – Dr. Adejare, Commissioner for Environment

 Recently, AgegePulse had an exclusive interview with the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Samuel Adejare at his Agege residence. Below is an excerpt from the interview: 

“Growing up in the heart of Ebute Meta was quite interesting under the tutelage of my God sent guardian/mother, Chief Mrs. Iyabode Oduwole of blessed memory. She was the architect of everything you see in me today. My only regret in life is the fact that she is not alive today to witness how her mentorship regime served as the solid foundation for my success in life (Dr. Adejare weeps). Our mandate from Mr. Governor is to ensure a clean and flood free environment that is conducive for all. Part of it is to plant 10million trees by 2020. We’ve grown about 7million trees as at today, we are sure of surpassing our target by 2020. We urge every individual to imbibe the culture of planting a tree to mark important days (birthday, wedding, anniversary, e.t.c) in their lives. This will aid our resolve for a greener environment.

The monthly Environmental Sanitation was cancelled because we were convinced that shutting down Lagos for 3hrs of every last Saturday of the month is a disgrace to us, cleaning our environment should be our way of life. We will embark on viral sensitization and education of our people on the need to be mindful of the importance of a clean environment. Our blueprint for Lagos environment will cater for the nooks and crannies of the state.

Talking about Agege, Hon. Adejare said; “We have a master plan for Agege and Governor Ambode is very interested in it. In terms of flood in Agege and Orile Agege, there are plans to start a massive drainage system in areas like Akilo, Alaagba, Pero, Papa, Agbotikuyo, Dopemu amongst others to address flooding and environmental issues in the area. Before the end of this administration, the railway area of Agege will also witness massive facelift. They are all in our plans and our working Governor has keyed into it.”

On why he dumped Medicine for Politics, he said; “A typical doctor is a politician, the study of Medicine is to make people comfortable and Politics is to take good governance to the people with quality representation while ensuring people live comfortably. Medicine and Politics are interwoven in terms of end result. As a medical student, I represented the department all through my six years in school.”

Watch out for the full interview in the next edition of Agegepulse Magazine.

I join politics to address inequalities-James Agboola, Sole Admin. Orile-Agege

Hon. James Agboola appointment as the Sole Administrator of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area still appears like a mirage to many in the community, he remains the unpopular name expected to take over from the immediate past Executive Secretary of the LCDA. Surprisingly, he has spent the last 43 years of his life in Papa Ashafa area of Orile Agege even before the creation of LCDA by erstwhile Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In fact, most residents still startle at how a laundry man could be giving such appointment. 

Hon. Agboola put his emergence into perspective, “My appointment is beyond anyone's imagination, it is basically God at work. I believe Governor Ambode considered those who knows the nooks and crannies of the community and understands the peoples' chemistry. I do not keep a loud profile. Up till this moment, many people still call me to confirm if I am the James Agboola announced by the governor. I have been in active Agege politics for over two decades. But I am more in the administrative section of our party. 

He had primary education at Mount Zion African Church, Alaagba before proceeding to Lagos Technical College, ST. Fibers College,  Teachers College and later Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education,   After my primary school education, I could not further due to financial challenges, I started primary school at age 10. I stayed at home for some years before I went to secondary school, it was very challenging. I went to teachers college, but immediately I secured admission, they stopped automatic employment for teachers, that limited my chance of teaching after graduating from teachers college. I started visiting Abeokuta searching for greener pasture, unfortunately things were not rosy over there. I decided to come back to Lagos and finally engaged in teaching. I later got a job in the defunct Nigeria Textile Mill, Agege with a determination to work for just 5 years. On my 5th year, I tabled my resignation letter, it was not entertained by my boss because of my diligence to work. We dragged for a while before it was accepted and approved. Then, I joined my brother's business centre outfit situated at Capitol road as a supervisor. We had series of businesses such as computer business centre, laundry service & estate agent. It was there that I developed interest in Laundry service business. I have been doing the business for over two decades in Agege. Also, I joined politics along the line.

Hon. Agboola is one of the diehard fans of Lagos Assembly Speaker, Hon. Mudashir Obasa, he refers to him as his political mentor. With the primary assignment to make people feel the impact of the government, pay and reduce liabilities, conduct free, fair and credible election and to increase revenue to supplement government allocation, the soft spoken Ekiti born grassroot politician has been able to convince his proprietor to allow him and his co-sole administrators carry out pocket of projects in their respective council. “Personally I joined politics to address the obvious inequalities between political office holders and the governed. This has been what I usually advocate in the party. As a member of Hon. Obasa's team, I can assure you that we have strived to ensure people feel the impact of democracy in our community. 

Now, the staff of the council, head of institutions and I have been mopping up strategies to tackle environmental issues, insecurity and empowerment. In due time, you will see outcome of our progressive plans in  Orile-Agege. 

We understand Papa, Agbotikuyo, Dopemu and Kolawole amongst other areas have worst environmental challenges, we will work towards developing these areas with assistance of our governor. We invited the commissioner for Environment Dr. Babatunde Adejare for  inspection during last sanitation, we went round the streets of Igbayilola, Ijaye, Alhaja Sifawu and others, some of the drainages were blocked with refuse and we have made arrangement to evacuate those drainages.