Xenophobic attacks: South Africa must be made to pay-NCP

By Olawale Abdul-Fatah

Following the continued Xenophobia attacks on Nigerians, National Conscience Party, NCP, has demanded that the Federal Government take must penalize the South African Government for not curbing the act.

The Party described the continued attack on Nigerians as inappropriate and horrendous, which the Federal Government must stop immediately.

Chairman, NCP Lagos Chapter, Bayo Ogunleye, made the demands at a press briefing on the 10th Gani Fawehinmi annual memorial anniversary held in Ilupeju, argued that no one has the right to murder another, saying, the President Mohammed Buhari-led government must stop the killing immediately.

He said: “Considering the number of lives lost, we expect that the Federal Government resolve the issue immediately. No one has the monopoly of killing another person.

“We need to let them pay through their nose. It is sad and unfortunate that nothing has been done on it since the attacks started several months ago”, the chairman added.

Ogunleye stressed that the xenophobic attack on Nigerians further indicated the need for the country to be restructured to get the country on a proper pedestal.

Presidential Tribunal Verdict confirms Nigerians’ confidence in Buhari-Lagos ex-governor, Ambode

By Olawale Abdul-Fatah

Lagos State immediate past Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, described verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal as a validation of Nigerians confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ambode’s claim came minutes after the tribunal ruled that the President, who contested on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC won the February 23, 2019 poll fairly.

The former governor, in a statement by his media aide, Habib Aruna, said the ruling by the tribunal further strengthen the mandate handed to President at the poll.

According to him, this is a validation of the second term mandate handed to President Buhari to continue the strides of development and take Nigeria to the next level.

“I join millions of Nigerians, the leadership of our great party and all members of our party across the nation to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on this well-deserved victory at the Tribunal. This victory is a validation of the confidence in the President’s re-election and a testament to the fact that the people are happy with the progress made by his administration and are keen to see four more years of progressive governance,” he added.

He urged all supporters of the party and Nigerians, in general, to rally round President Buhari in his quest to return Nigeria to the path of greatness and respectability.

Presidential Poll: Buhari’s verdict on Tribunal judgement

By Olawale Abdul-Fatah

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the February 23, 2019 poll, as a victory for the over 15 million Nigerians that trooped out to overwhelmingly cast their vote for him.

Buhari, who is serving his second term, was challenged by his closest rival, The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, citing different sundry issues.

The President, in a statement released by his Special Adviser to Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, said: “Good conscience fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along because I knew Nigerians freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated”.

He dedicates the victory to God, and to Nigerians, while also commending the judiciary for “dispensing justice without fear or favour.”

Buhari extends a hand of fellowship to those who had felt aggrieved at the outcome of the election, and went to court, noting that it was within their democratic rights.

He notes, however, that with the pronouncement of the judiciary, “it is time for the country to move forward as one cohesive body, putting behind us all bickering and potential distractions over an election in which Nigerians spoke clearly and resoundingly.”

Lagos Taskforce kills two during Traffic law enforcement

.they were knockdown by another vehicle-PRO

By Olawale Abdul-Fatah

A yet to be identified commercial motorcycle operator popularly called Okada and a passenger were allegedly killed by officers of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Agency ( Task Force).

The tragedy occurred barely three days after the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at his 100-day celebration announced that plans have been concluded to introduce a new policy that determines Okada operations in the state.

It was gathered that the tragedy occurred at about 10 am when the Taskforce officers were enforcing the Road Traffic Law that bans Okada riders from plying over 400 major highways including Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

An Okada rider, who identified himself as Muhammed Ibrahim, told Vanguard that the deceased and his passenger were trying to avoid been arrested by the Taskforce officers before the tragedy occurred.

Ibrahim explained that the Taskforce officers, in order to enforce the law, used their vehicle to hit from the side.

It was gathered that scores of Okada rider also sustained severe injuries during the enforcement that lasted for several hours.

.Okada riders revolt

Revolting against the act, Vanguard gathered that other Okada riders stormed the road and set up burn fire at the Ile-Zik end of the road.

At the time when Vanguard visited the Ile-Zik Bus stop, the act by the commercial motorcycle operators at the scene, forced some motorist to maneuver to other routes.

Taskforce PRO reacts

Head, Public Affairs Officer, Lagos Taskforce, Taofiq Adebayo, debunked the allegation, saying, the Taskforce officers were never responsible for the death recorded on the way.

He noted that they stormed the road after they were inundated with complains from motorists that the activities of Okada riders was responsible for the gridlock often experienced on the road.

“We were never responsible for the act. The story was that those affected were knocked down by another vehicle when they tried to maneuver on the road.

“Before then, they were riding against traffic. So when they heard that taskforce officer were at Ikeja Along enforcing the 2012 Road Traffic law, that banned their activities on over 400 roads in the state, the Okada rider tried to make a U-turn on the expressway forgetting that he was driving against traffic. It was during this process that another vehicle knocks them down”, Adebayo added.

He hinted that no fewer than 21 Okadas were impounded during the enforcement, saying, the enforcement is a continued exercise because they have been asked not to ply 475 routes in the state.

Fashola bars civil servants from embarking on leaves

By Olawale Abdul-Fatah

Barely 48 hours after resuming as Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has barred staff of the ministry from embarking on any annual leaves.

Fashola stressed that approving leaves for staff would cripple the government plans for housing and works across the country.

The Minister, who gave the directives while addressing the senior management staff of the Ministry at the Conference Room in Mabushi, warned that that there was still work to be done to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far.

Fashola urged all the agencies and departments of the Ministry to work closely with the Permanent Secretary to achieve the feat adding that the budget remained the article of faith between the government and the governed.

He declared: “One of the first things we have to do is to quickly work out the budget for the Ministry of Works and Housing and we have to do that in the next two weeks”, adding that because the budget was the article of faith in governance, all agencies and departments of the Ministry must work together to produce a budget worthy of note by the Ministry.

Pointing out that the leadership of the National Assembly has expressed commitment to conduct all the budget defenses in the month of October, Fashola said in order to ensure that this was achieved and all documents were made ready for the defense, all leaves, travels and other less compelling engagements must be put aside for now.

He stressed the need for the nation’s professionals to be more committed and dedicated to the service of the country pointing out that the fortunes of every nation was determined by how their professionals engage in national service. He said the central purpose of public service was to create prosperity and deliver better life to the people.

Three die, two missing in Lagos boat mishap

No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead and two others still missing when two passenger boats had a head on collision along the Irewe creek in Ojo Local Government, Lagos State.

It was gathered that the accident occurred at about 6:10 pm when both passenger boats were returning where they had gone to pick fun seekers that had visited some of the resorts in the riverine communities.

It was gathered that the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA and other relevant agencies were still searching for the missing passengers.

Confirming the accident, General Manager, LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed that 13 passengers were rescued from the mishap.

Emmanuel narrated: “There were 10 passengers in a boat coming from Ojo jetty and 8 passengers in another coming from the irewe community when the incident occurred.

“18 passengers in total were involved with 13 rescued during the operation. But we recorded three fatalities and two passengers including an adult and child are still missing”.

He assured that Search and Rescue operation would be intensified by Relevant state Agencies and the Local Community who were the first responders at the scene.

According to him, preliminary investigations by LASWA and LASEMA revealed that the incident was caused due to reckless driving and over speeding on the part of boat captains as one of them was not in his right of way.

“Further investigations would be thoroughly carried out by the Authority and those found wanting will be sanctioned according”.

Tragedy: SARS officer stray bullet kills trader in Lagos

By Olawale Abdul-Fatah

Pandemonium broke out in Ijegun axis of Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State yesterday, when the bullet of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS killed a 30-year-old trader, Mrs. Busayo Owoodun.

Busayo, was confirmed dead by medical experts after been rushed to the hospital by residents of the community, was said to be in her shop was the tragedy occurred.

It was learned that the irate youths of the community were further angered when news filtered in that Busayo had passed on.

Responding, the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Bala Elkana, admitted that the deceased was hit by the bullet of the officers while trailing a suspected kidnapper.

Elkana, in a statement made available to Phila News, hinted that an ASP and two Police Officers were injured by the irate youths.

He said: “On 10th August, 2019 at about 1455hours,  a team of Policemen from the Anti kidnapping Unit attached to Area M Command Idimu tracked some kidnapping suspects to Ijegun – isolo road, ijegun bus stop but came under attack by members of the deadly gang.

“A stray bullet hit one Busayo Owoodun The gang with the support of some notorious cultists in the area, attacked the Police team and injured the  team leader, ASP Victor Ugbegun and two others who are currently in critical condition at the intensive care unit.

“Reinforcements from Operations Department, Rapid Response Squads, Task Force, and neighboring Divisions were able to contain the situation and evacuate the injured Officers to Hospital”.

He disclosed that the Command has launched a manhunt for the assailants in order to ensure justice prevail, saying, “the corpses of the victim was taken to hospital for autopsy”.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered an indept investigation into the case. While we condole with the family of the deceased person, the Command calls for calm and assured her family and friends that justice will prevail”, he added.    

Video–Ondo Governor, Akeredolu, thrills Soyinka with Hi-life music skills

By Olawale Kehinde

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State took over the band stand from Hi-life legend, Jimi Solanke, to thrill Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, with his Hi-life singing skills.

At the event held on Thursday night, the Governor sang for the guest at the event; an action that forced everyone to admire his skills.

Akeredolu, who led the band stand, was seen in the video showing everyone what he does at his leisure hours.

Can you guess who is on the band stand? pic.twitter.com/HJ3ta6FWBe

— Onigegewura (@OnigegeWura) August 9, 2019

 

Breaking–Joshua vs Ruiz rematch holds in Saudi Arabia December

Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz will travel to Diriyah, Saudi Arabia for their highly-anticipated rematch in December. Ruiz knocked out Joshua in the seventh round of their first meeting on 1 June in New York, taking his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles from him in the process.

There has been much discussion over where a rematch should take place with Ruiz pushing for a fight in Mexico and AJ wanting home advantage in the UK. However, the two teams have settled on neutral ground with the two heavyweights clashing again in Diriyah on Saturday 7 December.

The Athletic confirmed: ‘The fight will take place at an open-air outdoor venue being constructed for the fight.’

Further details are yet to be announced, with a press conference scheduled for Monday 12 August when we will learn more. However, the Telegraph reports that ‘Saudi Arabian sports entities having put up close to 100 million US dollars for the contest to take place there.’ It is also believed that Sky Box Office will be showing the fight in the UK and Dazn will have the rights in the US.

Court bars Ikoyi registry from conducting marriages

By Olawale Kehinde

The Lagos High Court has barred the Federal Government owned Registry in Ikoyi from conducting marriages, saying it is usurping State and Local Government functions.

According to the court, all marriage registries in the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos are the authentic and legally-binding government division established to carry out such function.

The judgement delivered by Prof. Chuka Aunstine Obiozor with the reference number Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1760/16 of Lagos High Court, came 14 years after a ruling was made in favour of the State.

It added in the judgement delivered on April 30th  that the action of the registry was unconstitutional because it was usurping the power of the State Government and the Local Government in this regard.

Addressing a Press Conference on the development on Thursday, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, said the Ministry is in the process of officially communicating the development to the various Embassies in the State, stressing that the decision of the court is supreme and is legally binding on all, the embassies inclusive.

He added that the Press Conference was strategically necessary in order to intimate the various Embassies resident in Lagos State, the general public and the Country at large that all Marriages conducted and registered in any of the 57 local Government Areas/ Local Council Development Areas are VALID and in accordance with the Marriage Act.

According to him, the judgment would undoubtedly put a stop to the seeming perception of superiority of Ikoyi Marriage Registry over the Local Government Registries.

Folami said that the state government would explore every available windows to enlighten the general public about the development, assuring that the Ministry will not hesistate to schedule meeting with all the embassies in the State tto enlighten them about the new judgement if the need arises.

“We are going to use the five divisions across the state to sensitize our people and inform them about this latest development. From Epe to Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island. The sensitization walk which we embarked on today is also a way of creating awareness and letting the people know of this latest development.”

He congratulated the efforts of the Management of the various Local Governments and specifically the Marriage Registrars in the LGAs/LCDAs and urged the members of the public to take cognizance of this landmark judgment by patronizing the legal and approved Marriage Registries for the conduct of their Marriages.

While delivering his address, the President for the Marriage Registrars councils, Deji Sokeye, described the judgement as a landmark, saying that the responsibilities of the LGAs/LCDAs has come back to them by the virtue of the law and as provided for inSection 30 (1) of the Marriage Act and Section 7 (5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sokeye said the illegal use of power by the Ikoyi Registry had seriously and negatively affected the revenue drive of the various Councils in the State, maintained that the judgement would further restore hope and confidence in the certifcates already issued and that will be issued in future by the local government.

The President disclosed that the State Government have now devised another means of authenticating its seal which now carry red seal with a coded block for all the Council Areas across the State.

Speaking on the authenticity of existing marriage certificates obtained from the local council areas before the new judgment, the president explained that the new certificates that would henceforth be issued by the various council areas does not invalidate the previous certificates.

“There is nothing wrong with the former certificates that did not carry the Red Seal, the Red Seal is just an innovation to the former one and it does not in anyway render the former one invalid’’ He said.