Olumakaiye decries fuel, electricity tariffs hike, urges government to make u-turn

Success Damian:

The Rt. Reverend (Dr) Humphrey Olumakaiye, Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion) has decried the recent hike in fuel and electricity tariffs, calling on the Federal Government to make a u-turn in the interest of the masses.

Olumakaiye made his position known at the official opening of the Second Session of the Thirty-Fourth Synod of the Diocese. The event took place at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Belewa Square (TBS) Lagos on Monday.

Olumakaiye stated that the recent fuel and electricity tariffs are a major concern “The recent fuel price hike and electricity tariff is a major concern. This has brought many, including youths to the streets demanding a reverse as this was not the promise made by the government at inception.” 

He called on the government to be cautious on critical issues that concern the masses, “As a Church of God, we appeal to the government to take caution as the masses seek solace and comfort in them. If there is anytime we need the government most to relief us of incessant hardship, it is now.” 

Olumakaiye maintained that if there was any need for increment of any commodity it  should not be at this period of Covid-19 pandemic “It is heart-rending that all these are coming up at a time ‘when we are just trying to get over the hassle brought upon us as individuals and collectively by the much dreaded Corona Virus.”

Olumakaiye stated that lives were lost and businesses have not recovered and as such the increment in fuel and electricity tariffs was ill-timed “In the course of the pandemic, many lost their jobs; some lost their loved ones while many businesses went down and many investments yet to yield. Crime rate also increased in the country while some even went as far as committing suicide when all hope was lost.” 

He asserted that fuel and electricity were essential palliatives that could go round without been shortchanged. “At a time like this, putting manifestoes aside, the government should seek the comfort of all the citizens. Truth be told, fuel and electricity' are the essential palliatives that can go round without been shortchanged. We should bear in mind that, increase in electricity tariff and fuel price will definitely tell on other commodities and the poor masses are always at the receiving end.” 

Olumakaiye advised the Government of President Mohammadu Buhari to have a change of heart aimed at reducing the burden faced by the masses. He also queried the inability of government to fix refineries in order to produce fuel locally. “The poor masses should be able to find solace in the government now and not otherwise. Government should aim at reducing burdens now and not increasing them.

“It baffles one that a whole nation like ours is finding it hard to fix our refineries, when a single individual is building one, yet we keep wasting billions of naira on many other things; so much that it becomes easy for some people to pocket.  

“It's high time we made our refineries work and ensure transparency at all levels. We can do this if only we have the will to-do it. Our President should not be ill-advised on the things that most affect the welfare of the masses,” Olumakaiye stated. 

 

 

Idimogu celebrates Igboburuotu, pledges partnership … As he urges Igbos to support LASG

Success Damian:

The Lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, has eulogized the activities of Igboburuotu Social Club of Nigeria and pledges to partner with them.

He also urged the Igbos in Lagos State to make efforts to support the government of the day which is the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government of state.

Idimogu took the stand when visited to the association at their meeting at Ijegun in Alimosho Local Government of the state on Saturday.

Interacting with journalists, Idimogu stated the reason for his visit saying “They are my brothers and sisters and as an Igbo man I need to identify myself with my brothers and sisters in Lagos state. It is also to encourage them in whatever they are doing. They are doing very well in their businesses; no doubt, but I also want them to support the government of Lagos State. It is also to collaborate with them, if they have issues with Lagos State agencies, some of them may not know that I can also assist them.

“It is to encourage them, praise them in the little ones they are doing and encourage them to continue to support the government of the day for them to also have a stronger voice positively towards governance of Lagos State.”

Idimogu expressed his preparedness to also partner with other Igbo groups in Lagos “I am visiting all Igbo associations in Lagos State, most times I don’t know them yet, those I am yet to know once I get information I will go and meet them, and talk to them, encourage them and work with them.

“The purpose is Igbo interest. It is really important because we need to have a stronger voice wherever we are as a unique people from where we are coming from. If we scatter without having a common voice, it is not always good for us,” Idimogu said.

He harped on the need to protect the Igbo interest. “In anything we do we need to protect our interest, so the interest of every Igbo man is paramount to me, and at the same time the interest of the government of APC in Lagos State. So we must come together and work for both interests, in fact that is my motto, that is my focus and that is my goal.”

On the issue of Igbo in APC leadership tussle, he said that the problem was partly over “The problem has partly been solved. The party has waded into it, and the party has told me, Jude, you are a leader, Joe Igbokwe is a leader, work with your brother, and you know I normally call Joe Igbokwe my Senior Brother, so irrespective of anything I have to work with him. The idea is to galvanize Igbos together for the interest of the party, united we stand, divided we fall. Wherever I go I tell him for the interest of the Igbos and for the interest of the party. It is very key so we are together,” Idimogu stated.

On his part, the President of Igboburuotu, High Chief Chika Nwokedi, Okpoko 1 of Obodukwu said Idimogu has the interest of Ndigbo at heart, he said over time he has taken time to watch the activities of the lawmaker and has come to the conclusion that he is a genuine and illustrious son of Igbo.

“Idimogu fights for the interest of Ndigbo, he won election to represent Oshodi/Isolo under PDP, and came back and won it under APC, so it is no mean feat. There is something he is doing which is given him victory,” Nwokedi said.

 

 

Nigeria’s Diamond Jubilee: FG urges Nigerians to create a Brand, other event Elements

Success Damian:

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for the active involvement of Nigerians in creating a Brand and other event elements.

This was meant to add colour to the 60th anniversary celebration of Nigeria on the 1st of October, 2020.

In a press statement from the office of the Chairman, Diamond/Innovation/Change Sub-Committee, Nigeria @60 Inter-ministerial Committee, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, the Sub Committee of the Inter-ministerial Committee came up with a challenge in which it is looking for talented, critical thinking and creative individuals or teams to produce the slogan, photograph, and a poem for Nigerians to mark the country’s 60th Anniversary, from 1st October 2020 to 30th December 2021.

According to the statement, the public are advised to vote for the best brand and participate in the challenge, and to do that they have to visit the challenge portal: https://nigeriaAt60.gov.ng.

The best brand and concept, the statement said will be presented to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and will be used in celebrating Nigeria’s 60th Anniversary.

The winners will also receive prizes, in addition to being part of this epoch-making event.

The statement said that as the country eagerly awaits the unveiling of the winning brand and other elements of the celebration, the committee looks forward to the active participation of all. 

Quoting the statement, “On the 1st of October, 2020, Nigeria will be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee as it turns 60 years. It is a day that reminds every citizen about the dawn of the nation we call our country, a diverse nation with resilient and hardworking people. Nigerians have gone far and wide, impacting their communities and the world at large.

“To celebrate Nigeria’s Diamond Jubilee, the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has approved an inclusive National Independence Celebration program in line with Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

“To ensure inclusiveness, the thematic and creative aspects of the event would be designed by Nigerians for Nigeria which has the theme “Together at 60.”

It further disclosed “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. The Federal Government therefore wants to use this opportunity to celebrate our strength as one indivisible country. Also provide opportunity for Nigerians to choose their brand and harness the power of our creative minds to create other elements that will form the Brand of the Anniversary.”

 

 

CAMA Law: Crisis of leadership trust

By Bishop Humphrey Olumakaiye 

We are all aware of the raging controversy over the amended Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA 2020) which was recently signed and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It should be made clear that the church isn’t saying that the government shouldn’t make law for the citizens; indeed the government exists to make laws for the good of the people who elected them to serve but such law must be with all sincerity and without prejudice.

Those who have raised their voices in protest to the implementation of this law, have right to do so and this, when investigated is as a result of lack of confidence in the leaders of our nation from the past to the present for obvious reasons. The truth is that churches and NGOs have registered under the law and so ought to abide by its regulations; however, before the law was amended, the relevant stakeholders should have been properly briefed and their input requested.

Regardless of good intentions, the seed of suspicion has been sown by the controversial aspect of the law of Section 839, sub-section 1 & 2, whereas we are in a country where the government is not faithful in keeping with the promises they made in their manifesto for election into offices.

Our leaders have not shown to us that they can be trusted; the rate of embezzlement and fund misappropriation is greatly alarming. Tribalism and religious preferences have dealt severely with the nation’s growth and economic development. Our leaders have not been putting a round peg in a round hole, so how can they convince the church that there will be transparency with the CAMA law. That popular maxim says, “He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.”

The church is not shying away from checks and balances, prudence and accountability but the government is expected to build the trust and confidence of the citizens by acting decisively on this issue and also the need to look at the complaints and make amends where necessary.

However, even if a Christian will be asked to take over the affairs of a church under investigation, will the government know the appropriate person to appoint, won’t the person be someone who will dance to their tunes. The church is a spiritual organization and must be guided by her principles in the appointment of her leaders without any external interference.

As we hold the Second Session of the Thirty-fourth Synod of our dear Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, scheduled for Our Saviour’s Church, TBS, Lagos, from Sunday, 6^th September to 8^th September, 2020, and in the spirit of the Synod Theme- ‘Pray, Serve and Grow’, we urge the President and all other leaders to brace up in prayers, serve in sincerity and integrity, give us a better leadership, the one that can be trusted to grow our dear nation, and then, look into the said law and do the needful.

God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Humphrey B. Olumakaiye, PhD (Ibadan) is The Diocesan & Missioner, Bishop of Lagos (Anglican Communion)

ATCON announces new date, registration link for national dialogue on telecoms, ICT

Success Damian:

Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced new date and registration link for the National Dialogue on Telecoms and ICT sector in Nigeria.

Recalled that the most advertised event, the National Dialogue on Telecommunications and ICT Sector in Nigeria with a well-researched theme “Harnessing the Digital Resources for the Building of Our National Economy” was postponed by the National Executive Council of ATCON in compliance with the Federal Government guidelines to curb further spread of COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to a press statement by the Executive Secretary, ATCON, Ajibola Olude, close to a thousand people have already registered for the event which was initially schedule to hold on March 26, 2020 at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja 

It said the eagerness to attend the event by telecom and ICT enthusiasts was fueled because of its strategic objectives and the caliber of people that have been penciled to do justice to the theme and the sub-themes of the event.

He said some State Governments, the World Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), relevant government ministries and agencies and the entire telecoms and ICT industry have conveyed their acceptance and willingness to make presentations and serve as panelists at the event.

According to the statement the event will now take place on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja and streamed live on various social media platforms Youtube, Facebook, Zoom and the rest.

It went further to state that Industry thought leaders are already putting their brilliant contributions and presentations together to make the outcome of the event a very useful one for the current and prospective investors.

While stating that the event would be strictly by invitation to ensuring that COVID-19 protocols are observed, the statement advised intending participants to register through https://bit.ly/31Vs9iM.

 

LASU’s Times Higher Education Ranking: Product of our community’s commitment to excellence, says Fagbohun

Success Damian:

Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun (SAN, NPOM) has asserted that the institution’s ranking as the second best university in Nigeria is an empirical evidence of the institution’s commitment to excellence.

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2021 saw LASU occupying a juicy position second only to the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

Fagbohun in his commendation of his ward said “More than four years ago, members of LASU community collectively agreed to pursue a vision and we began the hard work of rewriting the story of our university. In those four years, from our classrooms to our administrative offices, science laboratories and sports centre, we watched how LASU staff and students defied impossible odds to blaze the frontiers of excellence and innovations in different areas. 

“In recent months, academics from the Lagos State University have won research grants worth millions of dollars to pursue discoveries and create products that will greatly add value to mankind,” Fagbohun stated. 

He added that despite the incredible progress already made, he strongly believed that the best days are still way ahead. He said “We acknowledge the challenges our university currently faces while trying to compete for impact and relevance in the global educational landscape. This explains why our sleeves must remain rolled up and our thinking cap kept alive to its responsibility. We have more work to do.”

Fagbohun harped on improving on infrastructure and resilience plan, attracting more world class research opportunities and leading initiatives that will make LASU more globally competitive, He said that ensuring that the university remained worthy of being called home, a community where there is peace, unity, equality, progress and kindness, are non-negotiable ideals.  

Fagbohun concluded by eulogizing the management, staff and students of the institution saying “Even as we look forward to the limitless possibilities the future could bring to our shores, we must celebrate ourselves and relish this moment of fulfillment and gratitude. Dear members of LASU Community, this is our victory. This is for each and every one of us whose hard work, patience and commitment have propelled us this far. Our 2021 Times Higher Education World University Ranking shows our vision and efforts over the past four and a half years have not been in vain. We have walked the talk and the best is yet to come!”

Supreme Court confirms Governor Bello’s election …Bringing to manifestation Primate Ayodele’s prophecy

Success Damian:

Doubting Thomases have now come to the realization that the spirit controls the physical and there is power in prophecy.

In another fulfilled prophecy, the Supreme Court on Monday, August 31, 2020 dismissed the petition of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate, Musa Wada against the declaration of Governor Yahaya Bello of All Progressives Congress, APC as the winner of November 16 Kogi election, hence confirming the prophecy of Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church.

In the judgment delivered on their behalf by Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, the seven man panel of the court led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Tanko held that the appeal was devoid of merit.

It was accordingly dismissed in the unanimous judgement.

The panel held that the petitioners abandoned their pleadings on their written briefs that the election was marred with irregularities at the lower courts.

The panel therefore ruled the petitioners failed to prove their allegations with results from the election and failed to prove that the respondent did not win majority votes in the election.

It also ruled that the petitioner failed to prove its claim of election malpractice.

The panel held that the appellant only proved over-voting in 24 out of the 729 polling units where voting was conducted.

The apex court also ruled that the forensic expert called by the appellants was not a qualified fingerprint expert.

The judgment was prepared by Justice Iyang Okoro, Justice Abba Aji said before she began the delivery of the judgment

In the dismissed petition, the governorship candidate of the PDP Musa Wada and his party had asked the apex court to annul the victory of Bello over claims that his election was marred by irregularities

The Supreme Court panel had fixed Monday for the delivery of judgment after parties in the appeals adopted their various written briefs last Tuesday.

Governor Bello’s victory had earlier been affirmed at the Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal on the grounds that Wada and his party failed to prove the allegations of electoral malpractices in their petition.

But Wada last Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to set aside the judgments of the tribunal and that of the court of Appeal and declare him the winner of the election or order a fresh poll.

While arguing his position, the PDP candidate, through his lawyers, told the panel of Supreme Court panel hearing his appeal last Tuesday that the judgments of the appellate court should be set aside on the grounds that the Court of Appeal discarded evidence of rigging and violence in seven local government areas of the state.

The PDP and Wada were also hopeful that the Supreme Court will uphold the minority judgment of Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele which annulled the November election and ordered a rerun at seven local government areas of the State over allegation of vote rigging at the tribunal level.

The tribunal, in a majority judgment delivered by Justice Kashim Kaigama had upheld the election of Bello, as it said the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of vote rigging.

But in her minority judgment, Justice Ovbiagele held that there was evidence of electoral malpractices in seven LGAs of the state.

Primate Elijah Ayodele had said; even though the People Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) are struggling with but at the end of the day, APC will become victorious

‘In Kogi state, PDP and APC are struggling but at the end of the day, Yahaya Bello and APC will win it’’

Primate Ayodele also reinstated his prophecy on Abia state which he made earlier this week. In his prophecy, He made it known that if APC wants to be deliver in the state, Alex Otti should be made its candidate.