CAI: Ajanaku Leads Agege Drainage Clearance Exercise

By Uzoma Oduigwe

Apparently disturbed by the near total blockade of the linking drains in and around the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State which has caused the flooding of some areas and homes within the local government, the local government’s chief sanitation officer Sanitarian Ajanaku Kolawole Sarafa took the bull by the horns and led his men to clear the blocked drains recently.

Sanitarian Ajanaku, an Assistant Director and Head of Department (HOD) Environmental Health Services at the Agege Local Government and a no nonsense advocate of cleanliness  in reading the riot act, led his staff to the affected gutters and areas around the Ijaiye Housing Estate which was mainly affected to clear the drains.

He warned the residents and visitors alike to the local government that the state and local governments respectively will not take it easy with defaulters who continue to dump refuse in the drains thereby blocking the drains and inhibiting free flow of rain water after each rain fall. 

He said everyone has a role to play to ensure a safe, clean environment that ensures a healthy living for all in tandem with the Gov. Akinwumi Ambode government’s plans to make and continue to retain the mega city status of Lagos State among the committee of states in Nigeria. 

Sanitarian Ajanaku Kolawole Sarafa, a 2018 nominee for the prestigious LAGOS CITY NEWS awards for excellence called on all to take active parts and interest in the cleanliness of their immediate and extended environments.                

Cart pusher kills labourer over N200 change in Lagos

Afeez Hanafi

If Sunday Godwin, a 49-year-old labourer in the Orile area of Lagos State, knew his life was on the line during an argument with Yakubu Abubakar, a porter (popularly known as cart pusher) in the neighbourhood, he would have probably forfeited the N200 change that culminated into his tragic end.

Abubakar reportedly stabbed the indigene of Bayelsa State in the neck at Eleganza Plaza, Alaba Suru, Orile for pestering him for the change.

Our correspondent learnt that Abubakar had carried some loads for a firm around the plaza which Godwin worked with last Saturday and was reportedly paid through the deceased.

It was gathered that Abubakar was supposed to give N200 change to Godwin, but he refused.

The deceased, on several occasions, reportedly requested the change from Abubakar to no avail.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that an argument eventually broke out between Godwin and Abubakar over the change which degenerated into a scuffle.

 The suspect was said to have picked up a broken tile and stabbed Godwin in the neck. He was said to have fled the scene, leaving the victim in a pool of blood.

A trader in the area, who identified himself simply as Yusuf, said Godwin was rushed to a private hospital in Orile, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

He said, “Abubakar was a cart pusher while Godwin worked as a labourer in a firm around Eleganza Plaza. On that day, the firm asked Godwin to get a cart pusherto join him in carrying some loads. When they were done, Godwin paid him. I did not know how much they agreed on and the amount he paid him, but I learnt Abubakar was supposed to return N200 change.

 “The man (Godwin) asked for the change but it appeared Abubakar was not ready to return the change. After a while, Godwin insisted that he wanted to collect the change without any further delay. That was how an argument started between them. There were some pieces of broken tiles in front of a shop where tiles are being sold. Abubakar picked one and stabbed Godwin in the neck. He bled to death before he got to the hospital while Abubakar ran away.”

PDP to hold convention in Port Harcourt

 

Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja
The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has resolved to hold its National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.


The decision was taken at the NEC meeting which just ended at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja on Friday.

LAGOS APC HAS NOT SUSPENDED ANYBODY- Joe Igbokwe

The news flying about that the All Progressive Congress (APC), Lagos State Chapter, has suspended Lagos State House of Assembly former Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and 20 others including Special Adviser to the governor on Community and Communication Affairs, Hakeem Sulaiman-Oris, Attorney General, Niji Kaseem, Muslim Folami,  James Faleke, BABATUNDE Quadri,, Segun Olulade, TUNDE Buraimoh, Sakiru Anifowose Dengen, Yemi Alli,  Hakeem Bamgbola, , ALHAJI Bashkirs Adekoya, Otumba Tayo Oyemade, Hon Abiodun Mafe, Rev Iyo Oyasodun, Sanyo Osijo,  Hakeem Masha, Cornelius Ojelabi, FEMI Apata, among others is not true. It is a lie from the pit of hell, an ugly story planted by ugly persons to cause disaffection in the land of limitless opportunities and the pride of the nation.

This is an election period and politicians are trying to upstage one another by resorting to playing to the gallery by manufacturing lies, innuendoes and outright subterfuge to gain advantage.  This is not the culture of Lagos APC and it can never be.

Let it be known and it is hereby made known that APC Lagos cannot accept this brigandage, political irresponsibility and rascality.  Those who are parading the this fake news are enemies of our great party,  they do not mean well and therefore cannot succeed.

We are therefore asking our teeming supporters to ignore the antics of the enemies of progress. Lagos APC has not suspended anybody and has no plans to do so. We remain a united family, an indivisible entity and just one house.

Signed:
Joe Igbokwe
Publicity Secretary

Pilot Dies As Two Nigerian Air Force jets crash in Abuja

Olaleye Aluko, Abuja

The Nigeria Air Force has confirmed the death of one of its pilots involved in the F-7Ni aircraft crash in Abuja.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Two aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force have suffered a mishap in the Katampe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Friday.

Our correspondent learnt that the aircraft were taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day celebrations when they reportedly collided and a crash was said to have occurred.

The number of people injured in the incident could not be ascertained as of the time of this report, as efforts were still ongoing by the military to attend to the situation.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who confirmed the incident.

Lagos Speaker Obasa Sets To Break Record

Lagos Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa is set to break record as he was screened and cleared at early hours of today at the state secretariat of APC to recontest for Lagos State House of Assembly for the fifth term.

This move will seeks his reelection as a speaker for second term

 See photos below

AGEGE PSP OPERATORS EMBARK ON FREE WASTE COLLECTION IN SUPPORT OF SANWO-OLU's CANDIDACY

AgegePulse Magazine

The Agege Chapter of the Association of Waste Management (AWAM), better known as PSP Operators on Thursday embarked on collection of refuse in the area for onward disposal, in support of the candidacy of governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, *Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu*.

The exercise, which happened across the state was mooted by the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Alh. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi.

The Council boss, who is the Director, NGOs, CSOs and Students for Sanwo-Olu’s campaign organization (BOSCO), at his instance held a meeting with the AWAM State Excos at his office where the decision to embark on the free refuse evacuation exercise was reached.

Speaking to Agege LG’s correspondents, Ismaeel Garba Ismaeel and Dare Ojole, who monitored the sanitation exercise, the PSP Operators’ Chairman in the area, Prince Adepoju Adeniyi, said the motive behind the one day free voluntary community service was to drum up support for *Mr. Sanwo-Olu* and ensure his victory on Sunday at the APC governorship primary.

Prince Adeniyi accused the incumbent, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of economic displacement of the waste disposal operators in the state, adding that the governor’s policy sent some of their members to early grave.

He said, “Ambode maltreated us. He gave our jobs to foreigners, who are ignorant of our peculiarities and landscape. His action caused the untimely deaths of our members, who did not have other means of survival.


“Also, under Ambode, Lagos’ environment, which hitherto was a beauty to behold became an eyesore with refuse littering the streets leading to widespread diseases.”

During the exercise, compactor trucks with *Sanwo-Olu’s* campaign banners and posters on them, were sighted moving across the areas, pulling over at Isiaka Street Junction, Dorcas Morounfolu Street Junction and Salimonu Street, Ile Pako Junction in Orile Agege among others, to pick waste as residents and shop owners excitedly dumped their refuse inside it.

By Ismaeel Garba Ismael

Hon. JS Babatunde To Fix Ajiboye, Agbedeyi, Jobak Streets, Others.

...Seeks Commuter, Residents Support

AgegePulse Magazine

Going by the information reaching us from a reliable source, it was gathered that the Executive Chairman of Orile LCDA, Hon. JS Babatunde and his team will soon embark on massive construction/rehabilitation of roads, drainages and box culverts within the LCDA.

Agegepulse learnt that the new development is a continued effort to rebuild and restore the glory of Orile Agege LCDA as promised by the chairman.

According to Hon. JS Babatunde "This move is to decongest the major roads and provide link routes to reduce if not eradicate traffic gridlock around Agege/Orile Agege axis due to the on going construction of bridges and roads by the Lagos State Government".

The council boss who is  fondly called "Iremide" stressed that "it is pertinent for commuters to experience jolly rides on roads devoid of potholes and over flowing gutters to their destinations either within or out of their communities".

Below are the proposed streets to be constructed
Jobak Street, Basanya Street, Ashipa Street,  Ajiboye Street, Oko Oba Road, Dorcas Morolahun Street, Ayige/ Agbedeyi Street, Oremeta/Omoroge Street and others.

He appealed to the residents/Commuters of the highlighted areas to give maximum support to workers on the sites for effectiveness and good delivery of the infrastructural facilities within their domain.

Gboyega Oyetola Winner Of Osun Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gboyega Oyetola, the winner of the Osun governorship election.

INEC declared Oyetola the winner of the poll after the supplementary election held in seven polling units on Thursday.

Oyetola had trailed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ademola Adeleke, by 353 votes going into the supplementary election.

His votes from Thursday were however enough to help him overturn the deficit and be returned as winner of the keenly contested governorship election.

The final votes announced by the electoral body shows that Oyetola got 255,505 votes, while Adeleke secured 255,023 votes.

Consequently, the Returning Officer, Professor Joseph Fuwape, declared Oyetola the winner of the election.

Channels TV

Breaking: APC Disqualifies Shittu From Oyo Gov Race Over NYSC Scandal | AgegePulse

John Alechenu, Abuja

The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress has disqualified the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, from contesting Saturday’s Oyo State APC governorship primary.

Shittu was disqualified for failing to participate in the mandatory one year National Youth Service scheme at the time he graduated from the university. He was 25 years old at the time and was eligible to participate.

The party, however, cleared Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode,  and his two challengers,  Obafemi Hamzat and Jide Sanwo-Olu.

This was contained in a report of the screening committee released in Abuja on Thursday night.

The list, which had a state by state breakdown of those cleared, also listed Chief Christopher Alao Akala, as one of those cleared to contest in Oyo State.

Prof. Pat Utomi and Cairo Ojugbo were among those cleared for the contest in Delta State. Senator Magnus Abe was also cleared to contest in Rivers State.

The party also postponed the conduct of the primary till Sunday. This was contained in a statement signed by the party’s acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena.

Copyright PUNCH.

I am Nigeria’s next president, says Kwankwaso

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor and PDP presidential aspirant, says he will “easily beat President Muhamadu Buhari” if given his party’s ticket to contest the presidential election in 2019.

Kwankwaso, who spoke on Thursday in Jos, during a consultation visit to the North-Central state, said he has the ability to wrestle power from the APC.

“I come from a state which has the highest number of voters that can sway an election in my favour.


“If I pick the PDP ticket, I will be the next president of this nation.
“I have the hunger to save Nigeria from its current troubles. I have my plan to make Nigeria a better country for all.

“I have massive support from the North-West and will get even more supporters if given the ticket,” he said.
The aspirant promised to run an all-inclusive government, a leadership virtue he accused the APC administration of lacking.

“A key solution to Nigeria’s problems is a participatory government that will ward off mutual suspicion and distrust. It will address the gap in communication which is largely responsible for farmer/herder clashes, religious violence and ethnic crisis in the country,” he said.

(NAN)

Punch

Independence Day: FG declares Oct. 1 public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 1, as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 58th Independence Day.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Mohammed Umar.


Dambazau, who congratulated Nigerians on the anniversary, urged them to sustain President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s efforts at maintaining and strengthening the unity and peace of the country.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to promoting national unity, economic growth, social and political development based on democratic principles.

The minister added that in the past 58 years, Nigeria had made a lot of progress and positive impact not only on the lives of its citizens but also in terms of infrastructure development as well as international relations.

(NAN) Punch

Strike may delay September salaries, says Accountant-General

Ifeanyi Onuba, Abuja

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Alh Ahmed Idris, on Thursday called on the Nigerian Labour Congress to shelve it’s warning strike in order to allow the office complete the process of payment of salaries of civil servants.

Idris who said this in a statement issued in Abuja noted that the industrial action had led to a situation where workers who were directly involved in the release of funds for payment of salaries could no longer have access to their office.

He maintained that the payment of salaries could not be achieved under an atmosphere where critical stakeholders were not allowed access into their offices.

This, he noted, may make it difficult for the Federal Government to fulfil its promise of payment of salaries to workers before the end of the month.



He appealed to labour unions to shelve their strike in order to enable the office pay salaries to workers. Idris noted that while he had reported to duty on Thursday with members of staff of his office, they were denied access as the gates were shut.

Punch

Strike cripples govt, banks, schools’ activities in Lagos

Government offices, banks and public schools were on Thursday closed in Lagos State as the organised labour began its strike over delay by Federal Government in concluding negotiation on a new minimum wage.
The enforcement teams of the organised labour set out from Ikeja to the State Secretariat, Alausa, at 7:20 am and workers who arrived for work were being turned back.

The News Agency of Nigeria correspondents who went round the Lagos metropolis reported that the United Bank for Africa on Lagos-Ibadan express way and Wema Bank in Alimosho were closed.


NAN reports that the enforcement team of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions led by its President, Oyinkan Olasanoye prevented staff from gaining access to Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ikeja branch.

The ASSBIFI team stormed Polaris Bank (former Skye Bank) on Awolowo Way, Ikeja, as its gate was locked by the union, while workers and customers were prevented from accessing the premises.

Olasanoye said the enforcement was in compliance with the directive of the Trade Union Congress, which ASSBIFI was affiliated to.

She had on Wednesday at a news conference told journalists that ASSBIFI had dispatched letters to all its members in banks across the country, to join the strike.

However, Access Bank in Dopemu and First Bank in Iyana-Ipaja opened for business with many customers carrying out various transactions.
Meanwhile, fuel stations were seen attending to customers, while major roads, including Iyana-Ipaja to Ikeja and Ikorodu Road, were busy with the usual heavy traffic.

It will be recalled that labour demanded N65,000 national minimum, up from the current N18,000.

The wage was subject to negotiation by the 30-man tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee set up by the government in November 2017.
NAN reports that the Minister of Labour, Sen. Chris Ngige, said the tripartite committee would reconvene on October 4, 2018.

Ngige said the meeting would enable the committee continue the negotiation, assuring that the current administration was labour-friendly and would pay the minimum wage once agreed upon.

(NAN)

Coup’, not election ongoing in Osun – Adeleke

Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, SenatorAdemola Adeleke, has described the ongoing rerun election in seven units in the state as a ‘coup ‘.

Adeleke, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, said that supporters of the PDP were being denied access to ballot papers in the governorship rerun election.


“What is happening in Osun State now is not an election.  What we have is a coup.  That is what we are witnessing now.


“Our supporters are being harassed and are not allowed to vote at all. Let the whole world know that this is not the democracy, ” he said.

Punch

Police Nabs Man For Threatening To Kidnap Atiku, Rape His Wife, Daughters

POLICE PARADE NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL WHO THREATENED FMR VICE PRESIDENT, ATIKU ABUBAKAR GCON, TO WITHDRAW FROM PRESIDENTIAL RACE OTHERWISE HE WILL KIDNAP, RAPE AND KILL HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS (MENTIONING THEIR NAMES)

Statement released on the development is highlighted below:

Suspect

i.      Augustus Akpan (From Edemaya village, Ikot Abasi LGA, Akwa Ibom State) 43Years

Exhibits

i.      One (1) Samsung (Galaxy S6 Edge +) Mobile Phone and the SIM Card used by the suspect to send the threat messages to Fmr Vice President, Atiku Abubakar GCON, His wife and Daughter.

The Threat Text Messages

i.      Text Message to Fmr Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar GCON

“Turaki Atiku, we are watching you and your family, we ask you right now to withdraw from the race for Presidency, we will kill, rape your wife and daughters. That your ambitious and black daughter Maryam who worked at CBN and left because we were going to mess her up. We will molest, rape, deform her and kill her. Your daughter Fatimah the former Commissioner of Health in Adamawa State, we have a lot of information about her. Also pictures of her naked body, we will mess your overly prostitute wife Jennifer up. We have a lot about. Let Buhari run against your PDP members. We know that you are bigger than all those candidates in PDP. That is why we need you to step down. We will blow your plane off from the sky and we will poison you and your family. Atiku Abubakar, take our words for granted and watch what will happen to your family before you. You are going to see what we will do to you and your family. We know where and where your children travel to. We have watched your daughter who is a strong supporter of her father (your daughter Maryam) at number 5, Buzi close and number 5, Lake Maracaibo close”.

ii.     Text Message to Wife of Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar GCON

“Jennifer. Tell your husband to step down. We will blow up his plane and kill all of you his family. We will rape you and all his daughters and also kill all of you out there. Do not underestimate us. We know your office at 13 Danube Street Maitama. We will blow up the place and rape all your step daughters that we know you don’t like already. Tell him to step down now and forget about running for the presidency’’

iii.    Text Message to Daughter of Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar GCON, Rukaiya Atiku

“Tell your dad to step down. He should forget about the Presidency. If he refuses, we will blow up his plane the Gulf Stream from the sky and also rape you and kill of his daughters. No amount of Police or protection will stop us. We know where all of you live in. We know number 5 Buzi close and number 5, Lake Maracaibo close. Try us and blood shall spread’’

 On the receipt of complaint of THREAT AND INTIMIDATION from fmr Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, GCON, the Forty Three (43) years old Augustus Akpan (From Edemaya village, Ikot Abasi LGA, Akwa Ibom State) was trailed and eventually arrested by the IGP Intelligence Response Team.

2.     The suspect, Augustus Akpan was arrested at toll-gate along Lagos-Ibadan express way, Lagos State by IGP Intelligence Response team IRT Operatives led by DCP Abba Kyari, while on the run to escape arrest by leaving the Country. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and admitted that he resorted to the threat and intimidation when all efforts to extort money from the former vice president were unsuccessful.

3.    The suspect, Augustus Akpan also admitted in his confessional statement that he is a professional fraudster and not working for any political party, that his mention that ‘Let Buhari run against  your other PDP members’ in his threat message to the former vice president was merely to divert attention.

4.     The suspect is fluent in English, Ibibio, Russian and Portuguese languages respectively. The Phone and the SIM card he used for the threat and intimidation were recovered from him and were discovered to have been robbed by him from a lady (name withheld) who identified him as the person that robbed her few months back.

5.  The suspect, Augustus Akpan further confessed that he had threatened, defrauded and extorted huge sum of money in Naira and foreign currency from so many prominent personalities and their family members while posing as an Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent.

6.     Investigation is being concluded and suspect will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA

Minimum wage: Labour orders nationwide strike

• As meeting with FG deadlocked

Everest Amaefule,  Adelani Adepegba, Ade Adesomoju,Olaleye Aluko, Tony Okafor and  Ogbonnaya Ikokwu

The Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all its members and affiliate unions to commence a nationwide strike on Thursday (today).

The organised labour had held a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Abuja on Wednesday, which did not produce the expected outcome.

 The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the industrial action would commence due to the refusal of the Federal Government to reconvene the meeting of the tripartite national minimum wage committee to enable it to conclude its work.

He said, “In compliance with this mandate, all workers and private sector at all levels across the country have been directed to comply.

 “All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises, including filling station, are to remain shut till further notice,” Wabba said at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

The workers are demanding a new minimum wage of about N50,000 from the current national minimum wage of N18,000.

Punch