Fallout Of Budget Leads To Several Insinuations -Lagos Speaker, Obasa

AgegePulse Magazine

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has said that the fallout of the presentation of the 2019 Budget by the state government has led to several insinuations in some quarters.

Obasa, who was reacting to the presentation of the 2019 Budget by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday, stated that the fallout of the budget brawl has led to series of negative publications both on social media and in the print media.
The Speaker stressed that the publication was being sponsored by "a faceless group calling themselves the Legislative Probity and Accountability (LPA) led by one Olu Fajana with its pseudonym."

He added that this started immediately the misunderstanding between the Executive and Legislative in respect of the Y2019 budget; which he said meant that such could not be ruled out to have emanated from the Executive.
"A section of the media has even been mischievously misled into sensationally writing all manners of write-ups against this assembly.

"Some of our friends in the media are personalizing the issue thereby
misinforming the public.

"The fact of the matter is that the issue is between one arm of government and another. What was at stake then was nothing but the matter of appropriation.
"Unfortunately, no one from the Executive has risen to refute the
baseless allegations. Since no one has come up to address this, it is
incumbent on us then to come forward and debunk the allegations."

The Speaker then used the medium to challenge the Governor, the Finance Commissioner and the Accountant General of the state to 'prove that we have been collecting N800 million per month since the onset of this administration.

"Thank God, the governor is before us here today; so also, is the Finance commissioner sitting in this hallowed chamber. I likewise challenge the faceless group to prove that this Assembly has been collecting N800 million per month as alleged."

 Obasa added that the event was also an opportunity to shed more light on "unsubstantiated allegations regarding financial misappropriation, which is a clearly well-orchestrated campaign to disrepute my character and integrity as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and by implication tarnish the image of the legislative arm of the state government."

He emphasized that  the monthly running cost of the Lagos State
House of Assembly covers the entire expenditure of the House
comprising the 40 elected legislators and the administration of over
700 staff.

According to him, it includes sundry items such as travels, training (both local and overseas) office running and maintenance, vehicles, entertainment, publicity, security, protocols, logistics and administrativecosts among others.
'Dear Lagosians, as an arm of government, we are not at odds with
the Governor over anything.

"Rather, we are diligently playing our roles in contributing to the transparent and accountable governance that has made Lagos the envy of all and a model frame of reference in terms of development in this political dispensation.

"We need to remind ourselves that democracy is about institution and we must all learn to protect this. We must not, in whatever
circumstance, derogate or smear this institution. Failure to do so will affect our democracy," he said.

Obasa thanked meaningful Lagosians and Nigerians, who he said had been calling to ensure that peace reign in Lagos as well as the quick presentation of the budget.

He appreciated the likes Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith, members of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, all members of Governing Advisory Council (GAC), the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Oshinbajo and particularly APC National Leader, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu "for their concerted efforts towards ensuring that peace reign supreme among all the three arms of government in Lagos State."

He explained that the role of budget in economy and its essence
are key as provided in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in Section
121, stipulating that the Governor must prepare and lay the budget
before the House, which he said now creates the avenue to incur expenditure.
"All the arms of government must work together to ensure economic
growth and human development.

"We also need to know that infrastructure of the state is crucial, and the position of Lagos State is germane in Nigeria and its West African suburbs.
"Being the fifth largest economy in Africa, everything must be done to sustain the leadership quality of Lagos State in all spheres.

"Nevertheless, may I call on the governor that with the few months to go, he should endeavour to attend to urgent needs of Lagosians
especially by addressing the inner roads of the state as well as issue
of environment.

"We should be cognizant of the fact that the essence of democratic governance is that people remain the object of development," he said
The Speaker said that with the remaining parts of this tenure, more could still be done to ease socio – economic problems, particularly on finishing all road projects and rehabilitations, provision of housing, making surethat our environment is clean and poverty alleviation programmes embarked upon, before the end of this administration.

"As we hope that the Y2019 Budget will be of great benefit to the
people of Lagos State, we however appeal to His Excellency and
Lagosians to give us sufficient time to enable the House do a thorough job on a financial document that has great influence on the lives of the people.

"The Assembly would not delay the passage of the budget, but we will be interested in placing high premium on the need to ensure that the interests of Lagosian are protected socio-economically and politically. We are your representatives here at the House of assembly and we are duty bound to do justice to every sector of the state’s economy.

"May I use this medium, however, to appeal to everyone, especially
Lagosians to be law abiding as we prepare for the general elections. I
urge us all to come out en masse to support the continuation of the
good jobs our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has embarked on since the beginning of our administration by voting for all our candidates at all levels in the forthcoming elections as we move on to the Next Level," he said.

How To Save Mobile Data When Using WhatsApp

AgegePulse Magazine

One of the limited and scarce commodities in mobile communication is mobile data. Unlike Wi-Fi and Asymmetric digital subscriber line, a mobile data plan gives a limit not to go past, and there is a price for each megabyte you use.

According to Lifewire, in some places and for some people, it ends up getting rather expensive at the end of the month. For each app running on your smartphone, you can tweak to save data as much of it is squandered on things you could do without is no exception. Here are four things you can do to use your mobile data optimally with WhatsApp.

Set WhatsApp to use less data during calls

The app has an option to save data during chats and calls. It allows you to lower the amount of data it uses during voice calls. Although it is not clear how WhatsApp does this exactly in the background, the quality seems to be lower when the Low Data Usage option is activated. It could possibly be using a codec with higher compression, for example. You can test the option by activating it for some time and see how you like the lower-quality calls and make a trade-off.

To activate the data saving option, enter Settings, then Data Usage. In the options, check Low Data Usage.

Don’t download heavy media automatically

Like many other instant messaging apps, WhatsApp allows the sharing of images and videos which can be quite bulky. Videos are nice to share and watch but can have dire consequences on data consumption and phone storage. By the way, if you see your smartphone’s internal storage getting used up and lacking, having at the media folder of WhatsApp and doing some cleaning up can save you a lot of space.

You can set WhatsApp to download multimedia files automatically only when on Wi-Fi. You may already know that your phone automatically switches to WiFi whenever such a connection is present, thereby saving your mobile data.

In the Settings > Data Usage menu, there is a section for Media auto-download. Selecting ‘When using mobile data’ gives you a menu to check whether to download images, audio, videos, and documents or none of these (by keeping all options unchecked). If you are on a serious mobile data diet, uncheck all. You can, of course, check all in the ‘When connected on Wi-Fi’ menu, which is the default setting.

Note that if you choose to not download multimedia items automatically, you will always be able to download them manually even on mobile data connection. In the WhatsApp chat area, there will be a placeholder for the item, which you can touch to download.

Restrict Your Chat Backup

WhatsApp allows you to make a backup of your chats and media to the cloud. This means that it stores a copy of all your text chats, images and videos (not your voice calls though) on your Google Drive account so that you can retrieve them later, such as after changing phone or re-installation. This feature helps a lot if you value your conversations and their contents.

Now your chat data does not need to be back up when you are on the go. You can wait till you reach a Wi-Fi hotspot to have it done. You can set that in Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. In the ‘Back-up over’ option select Wi-Fi instead of Wi-Fi or Cellular. You can also restrict the interval of your backup. By default, it is done monthly. You can change that on the ‘Back up to Google Drive’ option to never backup, to do it as often as daily or weekly, or whenever you want. There is a button in the main chat Backup menu that allows you to make the backup whenever you want manually.

You also want to exclude videos from your backups, which anyway can be downloaded anyway whenever you want. So, in the same Chat backup menu, make sure the ‘Include videos’ option remains unchecked.

For iPhone users, the settings are a little bit different. The backup is done on iCloud. There aren’t as many options as with the Android version, but the feature is there. Enter the iCloud driver settings in Setting > iCloud > iCloud Drive and set the Use Cellular Data option to off. Excluding videos when backing up can be done in WhatsApp Settings > Chats and Calls > Chat Backup, where you can set the Include Videos option off.

Monitor Your Consumption

That was about controlling your data, but half of controlling is monitoring. It is good to know how much data is being used. WhatsApp has some detailed and interesting statistics that give you an idea of how much data it is consuming. In the WhatsApp menu, enter Settings > Data Usage > Network usage. It gives you a list of figures that have been counted since you installed and used WhatsApp on your device. You can reset all values to zero and start counting over again so you can have a better idea about your usage after a specific number of days. Browse all the way down to the last item in the list and select Reset statistics.

The figures that will more likely interest you if you want to monitor your device for in view of saving mobile data are the Media bytes received and sent, which indicated how much data are spent on media, one of the biggest data consumers. Note that you spend your mobile data when sending messages and media as well receiving. Same applies for calls, you spend data when receiving calls as well as making them. You will also be interested in the number WhatsApp call bytes sent and received. There are figures for data used up for backing up as well. The most important figures are the total bytes sent and received, which appear at the bottom.

Your operating system can help you control data usage as well. You access it through Settings > Data Usage. You can set a mobile data limited, beyond which your mobile data will automatically turn off. This applies not only for WhatsApp but for the total number of bytes used in the whole device. Android gives you a list of apps that consume mobile data, sorting them in descending order of data consumption. The hogs will appear on top. For each of them, you can choose to restrict background data, which implies barring the app from using mobile data when running in the background. We do not recommend this for WhatsApp though, as you will definitely want to be notified when a WhatsApp message or call arrives. For this, it needs to run in the background.

Y2019 Budget'll Be of Great Benefit To Lagosian, Says Obasa

AgegePulse Magazine

The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has today expressed optimism that the budget would be of great benefit to the people of the State.

Obasa stated this briefly after the presentation of the proposed N852.316Bn Y2019 Budget presented by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at House of Assembly Complex, Alausa Ikeja.


He assured that the House would work with the executive to pass the budget aptly.


According to the  Governor, N462.757billion representing 54 percent of the total budget size had been earmarked for capital expenditure, while N389.560billion representing 46 percent had been dedicated to recurrent expenditure, saying that key projects such as the Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road, Agege Pen Cinema Flyover bridge and Oshodi Interchange Terminal, among others would be completed.


“In 2019, as was with our previous budgets, Economic Affairs still dominates the sectoral allocation of the proposed budget. This is due to our continued focus on the completion of major on-going projects such as: Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road; Agege Pen Cinema Flyover; Phase II of Aradagun-Iworo -Epeme Road, Oshodi Interchange Terminal; completion of JK Randle Complex, Onikan Stadium; Imota Rice Mill; Renovation/Furnishing of Lagos Revenue House, amongst others in order to meet their specified deliverable outcomes without any bias or prejudice to others.” Ambode asserted.

AMBODE PRESENTS N852.316BN Y2019 BUDGET TO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

…Earmarks 54% To Capital Expenditure, 46% For Recurrent

…Targets N775.2bn IGR, To Complete Major Ongoing Projects

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday presented the year 2019 budget proposal of N852.316billion to the House of Assembly, with a pledge that it had been carefully prepared to be all-encompassing and dedicated to complete major ongoing projects in the State.



The Governor said N462.757billion representing 54 percent of the total budget size had been earmarked for capital expenditure, while N389.560billion representing 46 percent had been dedicated to recurrent expenditure, saying that key projects such as the Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road and Oshodi Interchange Terminal, among others would be completed.

He said from inception of his administration, nine key areas were given priority after careful assessment of the needs of the citizens, adding that such had informed the massive investment in the said sectors which he listed to include security, transport / traffic management, economy -including tourism and agriculture, housing, education, health, infrastructure - social and physical, water, wealth creation - skill acquisition/microfinance, e-Governance and enhanced capacity building, sustainable environment and smart city projects.



Giving details of what informed the budget size, Governor Ambode said the performance of Y2018 budget of N1.046trn as at November 2018 stood at 60 percent owing to reduction in revenue projections, while the total revenue stood at N530.192billion. 



According to him, “In the outgoing year, however, we experienced a reduction in our revenue projections, which affected our projected performance and our desired implementation of the Y2018 Budget. The overall Budget performance as at November 2018 stood at 60 per cent/N574,206billion with actual cumulative total revenue of N530,192billion/64 per cent, Capital Expenditure closed at N311,930billion/49 per cent and Recurrent Expenditure performed at N262,276billion/82 per cent.



“In preparing the Year 2019 Budget, therefore, we were very mindful of the out-going year performance, the yearnings of our people and the fact that we are going into an election year. Consequently, we are today presenting a Budget that will be all-encompassing, reflect the level of resources that will be available and with special consideration to the completion of major on-going projects in the State.”



While outlining the key components of the Y2019 budget and the sectoral allocations, the Governor said with priority given to completion of major infrastructure projects and smooth transition to the next administration, the government was proposing a total budget size of ‘N852,316,936,483,’ including a deficit financing of N77.086billion which is expected to be sourced from internal loans and other sources.



He added: “The projected total revenue for Year 2019 is ₦775.231billion, of which ₦606.291billion is expected to be generated internally, ₦168.940billion is expected from Federal Transfers while a total of  ₦77.086billion will be sourced through deficit financing within our medium term expenditure framework.



“In 2019, as was with our previous budgets, Economic Affairs still dominates the sectoral allocation of the proposed budget. This is due to our continued focus on the completion of major on-going projects such as: Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road; Agege Pen Cinema Flyover; Phase II of Aradagun-Iworo -Epeme Road, Oshodi Interchange Terminal; completion of JK Randle Complex, Onikan Stadium; Imota Rice Mill; Renovation/Furnishing of Lagos Revenue House, amongst others in order to meet their specified deliverable outcomes without any bias or prejudice to others.”



Expressing optimism that the revenues of the State would improve in 2019, Governor Ambode said the government had begun consolidating on the already established public financial management and technology-driven revenue reforms through data integration and use of multi-payment channels, just as he said that every strata of the society would benefit from the budget.



“The Year 2019 Budget has been carefully planned to accommodate all and sundry; women, youth and physically challenged, young and old. We will continue to spread development to all part of our state even as we embark on effective transition knowing fully well that the implementation, failure or success of the Budget depend on all of us,” he said.



Besides, Governor Ambode commended the Speaker and members of the Assembly for the support accorded his administration in the last three and half years, while also acknowledging the role of Royal Fathers, Religious leaders, members of the Business Community, Professional Bodies, Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, public servants and all residents as well as members of the fourth estate of the realm for their various support and contribution during the lifespan of his administration.



 In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa expressed optimism that the budget would be of great benefit to the people of the State, just as he assured that the House would work with the executive to pass the budget.

Chief Olabintan Famutimi: Celebrating an Icon at 74

Chief Olabintan Famutimi is an accomplished administrator and industrialist who has made an indelible impact in the Nigerian business space. He has dedicated a large part of his life to the advancement of entrepreneurship, commerce and socio-economic development of the country.

The illustrious business leader began his academic career at St. Jude’s Primary School, Ondo before he proceeded to Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo where he achieved the best result in Advanced Level General Certificate of Examinations (GCE) in the entire Ijebu province, and then studied Geography/ Geomorphology in the prestigious University of Ibadan between 1968 and 1971.

Olabintan

Interestingly, the septuagenarian never worked in any georgraphy-related business organization during his working days. Most of his career was in pharmaceutical firms like Boots Company Nigeria Plc, Beecham and Pfizer Products Company Plc. He has also previously worked with United African Company (UAC) Plc, RT Briscoe Nigeria Plc, Hawker Siddeley Engineering Company UK, and Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER).

As an astute administrator, the alumni of the esteemed Institute European d’Administration des Affairs (INSEAD), Fontainebleau, France has demonstrated quality leadership in various capacities like President of Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Chairman/MD of Beebs Holdings Limited, Chairman of Capital Heritage Limited, Director of Goldlink Insurance Plc, and Director of Orion Shipping Co. Ltd.

In 1977, the industrialist delved into the oil and gas industry when he founded Tricontinental Group, an organization that has business interests in energy, oil and gas exploration, pipeline and structure inspection, drill rig support, procurement and construction. To his relentless drive and sheer dexterity, the indigenous company has grown in leaps and bounds and has extended its operations into three continents covering countries like Angola, Canada, USA, and Trinidad and Tobago. He has since left the leadership of the conglomerate into the good hands of erudite Professor Oluwatoyin Ashiru.

This firm believer in the principles of hard work, commitment and resilience has affiliations with various institutes like Institute of Directors, Chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Association of Nigerian Exporters.

Chief Famutimi is a well-respected member of the Nigeria diplomatic community with his strong links with international organizations like the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigerian German Business Council, International Airline Passengers Association amongst others.

The accomplished businessman is not all work though!  He is a member of societies like the Metropolitan Club, Lagos, Ikoyi Club 1938, Rotary Club of Ikeja where he has being able to socialise, network for the social development of the country.

The Basorun of Iparuku, Ondo has helped in the development of the town, deliver philanthropy to the needy and underprivileged in the society, and helped in the education of many children and youths.

It is 74 hearty cheers to the illustrious Ondo high chief and to pray for long life in the service of the community, nation and world at large.

-Oki Samson
Trek Africa
08085941887

Islamic cleric, two others caught with Human skull

AgegePulse Magazine

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested an Islamic cleric, Jamiu Olasheu, 35, and three others for being in unlawfull possession of a human skull.

It was gathered that a police patrol team from the Agbara Division, which was on routine crime prevention patrol of the area, accosted two men on a motorcycle at the Kofedoti area of Agbara.

When the men, Teslim Ayeniromo, 45, and Sunday Kolade, 35, were searched, a human skull was discovered in a sack found with them.

Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the duo were promptly arrested and taken to the Agbara Divisional headquarters, where the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Adegbite Omotayo, personally interrogated them.

Oyeyemi said upon interrogation, the suspects claimed that the human skull was given to them by one Michael Osanyinbi, 51, for onward delivery to the Islamic cleric.

Oyeyemi added, “The cleric has made a confessional statement that he actually requested the skull, which Michael Osanyinbi promised to get for him at the rate of N25,000 plus N1,000 for the motorcyclist, who would deliver it to him. He stated further that the skull was needed for a yet-to-be-disclosed ritual.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliaysu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigation and prosecution.”

FG To Ban Tomato Importation This Year

AgegePulse Magazine

The federal government will soon ban the importation of tomato paste before the end of this year, the minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh has said.

Addressing tomato farmers at Dangote tomato processing firm in Kadawa, Kura local government in Kano on Monday, Ogbeh said the ban was aimed at encouraging massive production of tomato by local farmers.

Chief Ogbeh said the federal government would invest N250billion into the Bank of Agriculture for the purpose of assisting Nigerian farmers with loan facilities.

He said, “Before the end of this year, we shall ban importation of tomato paste into Nigeria. We will rather export same to other countries.”

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Ogbeh said federal government is aware of the suffering Nigerian farmers were experiencing and assured that the government had planned more goodies for them in the next 4-year tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, “I am proud of Kano farmers because since the time of late Audu Bako, the first governor of Kano state, they have been the best farmers in the country.”

The Chairman, Dangote Tomato Processing Company, Alhaji Sani Dangote assured that by 2023 Nigeria would start exportation of tomato paste.

Dangote said, “If we can get the right support from state and federal government, by 2021, Nigeria will not import a single kilo of tomato from abroad and by 2023 we will start exporting tomato paste to other African countries.

“In Kadawa alone, we have 60,000 hectares meant for tomato production. So far 200,000 farmers were engaged in tomato farming but they are producing only two million tonnes of tomato annually.

“So if we can engage 200,000 farmers and provide them with seedlings that can yield 70 tonnes per hectare, we can produce 16 million tonnes of tomato annually,” he assured.

Daily Trust

See 10 lawmakers who will not return to Lagos Assembly

AgegePulse Magazine

Ten lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly will not return for the 9th Assembly, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that the publication of final list of candidates for the state assembly election in Lagos State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reveals that some lawmakers’ names were missing.

While some of these lawmakers lost out in their aspirations to return to the house, and others who wanted to represent their respective federal constituencies in the House of Representatives failed at primary elections.

The lawmakers who couldn’t secure return tickets to the house during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, according to NAN findings are: Messrs Akeem Bello (Amuwo Odofin II) and Sola Giwa (Lagos Island)

Others are: Oladele Adekanye (Lagos Mainland I) and Dayo Famakinwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun I).

NAN also reports that the four are all first term lawmakers in the house.

Bello, the former Minority Leader of the House and Famakinwa were part of the seven lawmakers that defected in 2017 from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

Other PDP defectors include Mr Victor Akande (Ojo I); Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi-Isolo I); Jude Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II); Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun II) and Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara (Surulere II).

Out of the other six lawmakers who aspired to represent Lagos in the National Assembly, only Mr Bayo Osinowo (Kosofe I) became the candidate of APC for Lagos East.

The likes of Messrs Segun Olulade (Epe II), Lanre Ogunyemi (Ojo II); Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I); Saka Fafunmi (Ifako Ijaiye) and Mrs Omotayo Oduntan who aspired to get ticket to their federal constituencies all failed.

30 other lawmakers, including the only PDP member in the house, Mr Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo Odofin I), got their return tickets.

If they emerge winners at the poll, they will all be back in the assembly in few months.

NAN also reports that 45 candidates are currently contesting the Lagos State governorship seat, while 640 candidates will be jostling for the 40 seats in the state house of assembly.

BREAKING: Appeal Court Gives INEC Green Light To Accept APC Candidate In Rivers

AgegePulse Magazine

When INEC released its list of candidates for the general election last week, it omitted APC in Rivers, based on the ruling of the High Court.

 However, it said it would wait to see if the Appeal Court would give a different ruling on the controversy, which has now happened.

Sahara Reporters

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Sports: We're very happy with the three points, says Ilechukwu

AgegePulse Magazine

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC coach Fidelis Ilechukwu says his team is excited after their 1-0 victory over Wikki Tourists.

The Olukoya Boys claimed yet another home win on Sunday at the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium courtesy of a 69th minute goal by substitute, Chijioke Akuneto and moved to top of the Group A table of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The visitors gave a good account of themselves in both halves as they threatened the hosts on many occasions. The first 45 minutes of the match ended goalless.

On resumption of the second half, Ilechukwu made two early tactical changes. He substituted Akanni Elijah and Balogun Alade for Akuneto and Mubarak Said.

The two substitutes combined well after 24 minutes of play. Akuneto received a low cross from Mubarak and tapped the ball in to give MFM the only goal of the game.

The head coach expressed his excitement after the victory and promised to make some corrections before his team's next NPFL game.

"It was a fantastic win for us; before the game we talked about their team and the quality players and we analyzed them. They are a very good side, we beat them today because we prepared for it and we are very happy about it.

"It's all about three points for now.

"You know after a game even if you win you have to look at what happened to your team during the match and you must look for a way to close the lapses even when you win or draw but now we won the game and we know that we have a lot of lapses but we will work on them and make corrections maybe tomorrow before traveling for our away match," he told MFM FC Media.

The Lagos-based team currently sit in the first position on the Group A standings with nine points from five NPFL games.

12 Persons Die in Ogun Road Accident

AgegePulse Magazine

Twelve persons, including two drivers and a child, died yesterday in a road accident on Abeokuta-Kobape-Sagamu road.

The accident reportedly occurred when a speeding Kia Cerato car veered off its lane, crossed the median and rammed into a commercial bus on the opposite direction.

All occupants of both vehicles were said to have died on the scene.

The accident occurred around 1 p.m at the Siun stretch of the road.

The remains of the 12 victims were reportedly deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.

The Kia Cerato car, which was said to be speeding, had a burst tyre.

In panic, the driver was said to have applied the break and lost control of the wheel.

This led to the collision with the Toyota bus travelling in the opposite direction.

The state’s Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mrs Florence Okpe, announced this yesterday.

In a statement on behalf of the Sector Commander of the FRSC, Clement Oladele, the education officer urged the people whose family members travelled within the period of the accident to contact the FRSC Command in Abeokuta, the state capital, or the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu for identification of the victims.

The statement reads: “A black KIA Cerato car on high speed suffered a tyre burst and the driver was suspected to have applied break suddenly, which led to him losing control of the speeding car that left its lane, climbing the road divider and racing to the opposite direction where the car collided with a passenger bus, a grey Toyota sports space bus.

“The bus was traveling from Abeokuta towards Sagamu. The unfortunate crash killed all the occupants of the two ill-fated vehicles. The suspected cause of the crash is tyre burst and speeding.

“The details of the two vehicles are: LSR 334 FF for the Toyota sports space van (ash) and the second vehicle is marked (Lagos) KJA 806 BT, KIA Cerato, black colour.

The Nationonline

INEC to collate elections results manually

AgegePulse Magazine

Results of the general elections will be collated and transmitted manually, the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday.

This is the only system that the law allows, according to INEC, which plans not to give the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the power to recruit collation officers.

INEC insists that it has enough courage to conduct free and fair elections, but it urged Nigerians to prevail on political parties to comply with the guidelines for the exercise.

The position of INEC was made known by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, at an interactive session with some media homes in Abuja. Okoye said INEC was ready for the conduct of the polls in 1, 558 constituencies and 774 Local Government Areas. He said the commission has concluded the identification and recruitment of over 814, 453 ad hoc staff.

Okoye spent much time to clarify issues surrounding collation of results. He said: “ For this general election, we are collating results manually and transmitting manually in accordance with the existing laws. Even in some advanced countries, some of them collate and transmit election results manually because in this age of technology, anything can happen. ” INEC has been consistent in following the processes and procedures in collating and transmitting results. If tomorrow the National Assembly changes the laws, we will adopt e-collation and transmission of results.

“The National Commissioner  said INEC will not allow Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs)to recruit collation officers.

Okoye added: “ The practice of recruiting collation officers centrally by INEC headquarters has been in practice since 2011. In all elections since 2011, including the 195 off-season elections since 2015, the recruitment of collation officers is centrally done by INEC headquarters.

“So, since 2011, no REC has been involved in the recruitment of Collation Officers. We will continue to recruit Collation Officers from INEC headquarters, we won’t allow RECs to do that.”

The commission met with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and agreed on the modalities for recruiting and forwarding the names of Collation Officers to INEC headquarters.

“Responding to a question, the National Commissioner said: “Collation Officers are not allowed to make phone calls or receive calls during collation.”

Okoye assured that the commission will be fair to all parties and candidates

The Nation

Mother sells own baby for N200,000

AgegePulse Magazine

Police operatives attached to the Madalla Division in Niger State have arrested two suspects for alleged human trafficking.

The two suspects, Blessing Aluna, 23, of the Rimi Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, and one Oludare Jeprince, 36, of Giri Abuja, were apprehended in the Madalla area of Suleja for abducting a three-year-old child.

It was learnt that Aluna, who resides in the Madalla area of Suleja, had at some point allegedly sold her one-week-old baby for N200,000.

It was learnt that she was nabbed for allegedly conniving with Jeprince, who was said to be her boyfriend and accomplice, to kidnap and facilitate the sale of the three-year-old baby.

Northern City News gathered on Sunday that Aluna had in 2017 sold her week-old baby to one Nkechi Udo, of Tungan Maje, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Further checks revealed that Aluna had assisted one Precious Ade of the Gwagwalada area of Abuja to sell her 15-month-old baby for N250,000.

The suspect reportedly received the sum of N50,000 as her share of the proceeds of the crime.

In an interview with our correspondent, Aluna blamed poverty for her involvement in the crime.

She said, “Imagine me selling my child for money; that will tell you the level of hardship in the country.

“I sold my own child for N200,000 in order to open a provision store in Suleja at least to take care of myself and my siblings.”

When asked whether she regretted her action, the suspect said, “I have done the worst thing to humanity and especially to my own child. I don’t think I deserve to be alive, let the law  its course.”

Punch

One dies as NURTW chairman escapes assassination in Lagos

AgegePulse Magazine

The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos State, Kazeem Ibrahim, has called for an investigation into the failed assassination attempt on him, which led to the killing of one of his members, Ibrahim Oyesunkanmi, at his place of residence, No 48 Opeki Road, Abesan Estate, on Wednesday, January 30,2019.

When PUNCH Metro visited the scene of the murder on Saturday, it was gathered that eight hoodlums, five of whom allegedly scaled the fence of Ibrahim’s residence around 8.35pm, accosted one of his neighbours at gunpoint and made their way to the door of his apartment allegedly in a bid to assassinate him.

Kazeem’s wife, Taiwo, said the suspected assassins pretended to be his visitors, adding that the time of their visit and their suspicious conduct by insisting on seeing her husband, prompted her to prevent them from gaining entry into the apartment.

She said the visitors, after realising that she had ignored their incessant knocks on the door, were on their way out when they saw Oyesunkanmi sleeping in his room and shot him dead.

The 30-year-old nursing mother said, “My husband was asleep that day; whenever he is home sleeping, I usually take my children inside and lock my door to avoid any disturbance. So, on that day, I heard some people knocking repeatedly on the door around 8.35pm, I was wondering who would come visiting at such a time, so I asked who they were and they said they were asking for Kazeem, and

I told them that he was not around.

“They told me to open the door, saying they wanted me to deliver a message to him, but because they looked suspicious, I ignored them. When they realised that I was no longer responding, they left. On their way downstairs, I peeped through the window and saw three unfamiliar faces, who wore fez caps; and all of a sudden, I heard gunshots. I was scared and immediately ran to my husband, woke him up and told him that policemen had killed someone.

“But, immediately they shot him (Oyesunkanmi), they left our house. People, who saw the hoodlums leaving, said they came in a bus parked at the Baptist Church; the neighbours said three people were standing by the bus, three stood at our gate and two came into the building to kill my husband.”

The 42-year-old Lagos State indigene said, “My neighbour was eating when the hoodlums scaled the fence and entered the building. They pointed a gun at him and asked him to direct them to my room. If my wife had opened the door for the hoodlums, who posed as visitors, they would have killed both of us.

“I am surprised that someone could go to the extent of hiring people to assassinate me; I don’t fight with anyone and I try as much as possible to ensure peace in anything I do, but what this means is that my life is at stake.

“When my wife woke me up as she heard the gunshots, I quickly informed the DPO of the Ipaja Division and rushed down to see who the hoodlums had shot. It was painful when I realised that it was Oyesunkanmi; they shot him twice in the chest and once in the neck. They shot him while he was asleep; so, it wasn’t as if he challenged them on their way out.

Punch Newspaper

‘Crazy bill’ to attract one-year jail, N1m fine

AgegePulse Magazine

The Electricity Power Reform Act ( Amendment) Bill 2018 passed by the House of Representatives last Tuesday prohibiting and criminalising estimated billing has proposed a one- year jail term and a fine of N 1m for defaulters

The proposed law, which will be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, and onward transmission to the President for his assent, also compels all electricity distribution companies to give prepaid meters to applicants within 30 days .



If assented to , the law will bar a Disco from disconnecting a consumer after the 30-day period within which a meter should be installed.

The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila , sponsored the bill in protest against the ‘crazy’ billing of consumers by the Discos.

The lawmaker had stated that estimated billing could only be used in situations where a consumer’ s meter could not be accessed by the service provider . He said Discos had however deemed estimated billing to be normal.

He said , “ Any regulation that allows estimation of bills when the actual consumption can be ascertained is against natural justice and equity and should not stand. ”

The majority leader had also said the bill, when passed into law , would stop estimated billing.

“ The bill will ensure that prepaid meters are installed in all houses , so long as the customers apply for the meters ,” he had said .

The House passed the bill upon the adoption of the committee report on the proposed law, following a public hearing held on June 5, 2018.

Gbajabiamila had , at the public hearing stated that there was nowhere in the world where electricity customers were billed arbitrarily .

Sections 68 to 72 are some of the amendments to the Principal Act . Section 68 states, “( 1) Estimated billing methodology is hereby prohibited in Nigeria.

“( 2) Every electricity consumer in Nigeria shall apply to the Electricity Distribution Company carrying out business within his (or her) jurisdiction for a prepaid meter and such consumer shall pay the regulated fee for prepaid meter to be installed in his ( or her) premises and the Electricity Distribution Company shall within 30 days or receiving the application and payment install the prepaid meter applied for in the premises of the consumer .

“( 3) Customers who elect to buy their prepaid meters through credit advancement metering implementation must state in their applications and such customers must be metered within 30 days of the receipt of their applications .
“( 4) All electricity charges or billings to the premises of every consumer shall be based strictly on prepaid metering and no consumer shall be made to pay any bill without a prepaid meter first being installed at the premises of the consumer. ”

In the new Section 69, the proposed law stipulates that the Disco serving the consumer, upon connection , must inform the customer in writing on the nature of the meter installed, tariff methodology and all other services available to the customer.

The new Section 70 states that in giving effect to the provisions of the Act, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission , as the regulatory body , must ensure that all licensed Discos comply with the provisions of this Act.

Punch

https://punchng.com/crazy-bill-to-attract-one-year-jail-n1m-fine/