News
Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors DG, Alhaja Tai Elemesho Tells Lagosians To Reject Planned Protest*
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Director-General of a political support group, Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors, Alhaja Tai Elemesho-Okesanjo, has cautioned residents of Lagos against participating in the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024.
The protests are reported to be organised by various pressure groups in the country, aim to express frustration and displeasure over escalating living costs and hardships faced by Nigerians.
Alhaja Tai in a released statement on Wednesday, explained the need for relevant security agents not to allow Lagos State to be seen as epicenter for fresh demonstrations or protests, stressing that the government and people of Lagos still nurture the wounds of Endsars violence that wrecked havocs across the state.
The Director-General added that while she believed things are tough presently for Nigerians also acknowledged that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and his team will make sure in few months things are better and as well ensured new lease of life for the citizenry.
Elemesho-Okesanjo equally used the opportunity to commend the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his exemplary leadership in the last five years of his administration, maintaining that it would be uncharitable, thoughtless and insensitive for anyone to stage a protest against such government that has touched many lives and performed creditably.
Her statement reads in part;
“In the last five years, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made giant strides in several sectors; including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and housing among others. He has embarked on several projects since assuming office in 2019 and continuing with greater vigour in his second term to improve lives and values to humanity. The administration has also established several new state universities which open the space for more youths to access tertiary education.
“Other projects are the first intra-city rail line which was inaugurated by the immediate past Federal government. The Lagos Blue Line light rail is a 27km long rail and is part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) system managed by the state transport agency Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). The first phase of the Blue Line, a 13km stretch from Marina to Mile 2, was completed in 2023 and subsequently launched and began commercial operations in September 2023.
“The Sanwo-Olu administration within the last year unveiled a new transport policy to further the developmental goals of the state, with key objectives and strategic initiatives in traffic management and transportation for the people of Lagos. In the health sector, the Sanwo-Olu’s government is building hospitals and other healthcare delivery facilities. The Massey Children’s Hospital on the Island, the Ojo General Hospital, mental health facility, Ketu-Ereyun, among others, are being completed.”
Elemesho again disclosed that the planned demonstration was ill-timed, while also urging parents and guardians to discourage their children or wards from embarking on any protest in the state. She added that the “possibility of hijacking it by armed hoodlums to cause grieve and pains like the recent past is evident. Therefore, there is need for all our law enforcement agents not to lose their guard by identifying and mitigatng violence in Lagos”
She declared that whilst protest remains a fundamental right of every citizen as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, it is evident that beyond genuine complaints, these recent calls to protest have been highly exaggerated and sensationalized by disgruntled political elements who never wished Nigeria well.
The DG further noted that as the call for the #EndBadGovernance protest gains momentum, Nigerian youths should however redirect their zest and prowess towards dialogue, collaboration, and constructive engagement and utterly dissociate themselves from destructive and vituperative tendencies that could ruin the country and damage their future.
News
Former Reps member, Temilola Adibi is dead
Hon. Temilola Adibi, a former member of the House of Representatives, has died.
He was aged 64.
He represented the Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency in Oyo State from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy party.
His death reportedly happened on Tuesday morning.
Adibi reportedly died after going for a jog in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he had been living.
A close associate said that Adibi had been in good health prior to his sudden death.
He had spoken with people the night before and even posted on his WhatsApp status at 4 a.m. before his death.
Adibi was well-known and respected in Oyo State for his contributions to local governance and community development.
In addition to his time in the House of Representatives, he also held important roles, such as Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council and Director-General of the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA).
He further served as Director-General of the Bill and Signage Board during Governor Seyi Makinde’s first term.
Earlier in his career, Adibi had been the Chairman of the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area.
News
Sokoto govt intensify operations against bandit, terrorists
*Alerts residents as bandits flee military operations
By Francesca Hangeior
The Sokoto State Government has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant as military operations against bandit terrorists intensify in the eastern part of the state and surrounding areas.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, the government highlighted the success of the ongoing joint military operations, which have left the bandits disorganised.
The statement explained that multiple terrorist enclaves have been destroyed, dozens of bandits neutralised, and hundreds of kidnapped victims rescued.
The statement urged residents to be cautious and report any suspicious activities in their communities.
“As security forces increase pressure on the bandits, some of them are fleeing to other areas with injured members. We are raising awareness to ensure our people remain alert, as these bandits may attempt to hide in villages or seek medical treatment at local clinics under disguise,” the statement read.
The government reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to restore peace and stability in the state, adding that residents were encouraged to play an active role by reporting unusual activities to the authorities to support the ongoing efforts to secure the region.
“This proactive measure aligns with the governor’s nine-point agenda to create a safer and more economically viable Sokoto State.
“The government remains determined to work collaboratively with security operatives to protect citizens and maintain peace in the state,” the statement concluded.
News
Families weigh risk of sending kids to school over Trump immigration crackdown
By Francesca Hangeior
As President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school.
In many districts, educators have sought to reassure immigrant parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. But fears intensified for some when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a decades-old policy.
“Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that,” said Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, after hearing that the Trump administration had rescinded the policy against arrests in “sensitive locations.”
She plans to take her two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, to their school Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area unless she hears from school officials it is not safe.
“What has helped calm my nerves is knowing that the school stands with us and promised to inform us if it’s not safe at school,” said Carmen, who spoke on condition that only her first name be used, out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials.
Immigrants across the country have been anxious about Trump’s pledge to deport millions of people. While fears of raids did not come to pass on the administration’s first day, rapid changes on immigration policy have left many confused and uncertain about their future.
At a time when many migrant families — even those in the country legally — are assessing whether and how to go about in public, many school systems are watching for effects on student attendance. Several schools said they were fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools, but it was too early to tell whether large numbers of families are keeping their children home.
Missing school can deprive students of more than learning. For students from low-income families, including many immigrants, schools are a primary way to access food, mental health services and other support.
Tuesday’s move to clear the way for arrests at schools reverses guidance that restricted two federal agencies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from carrying out enforcement in sensitive locations. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”
Daniela Anello, who heads D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School in the nation’s capital, said she was shocked by the announcement.
“It’s horrific,” Anello said. “There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. … It’s ridiculous.”
An estimated 733,000 school-aged children are in the U.S. illegally, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Many more have U.S. citizenship but have parents who are in the country illegally.
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