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.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In line with discussions reached after consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Plateau State Government has approved immediate implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage for the workforce in Plateau State.
The cheering news is contained in a Press Statement signed by the Head of Civil Service in the State, Stephen Pam Gadong.
Full text of the statement reads in part:
Following the Agreement of the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries on 13th, November, 2024, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has approved the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.
The Implementation is a demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of the workforce in acknowledgement of their invaluableble role in driving the State’s developmental goals.
As the new wage policy is administered, Civil Servants are encouraged to embrace this gesture by recommitting to their duties with renewed dedication and zeal in order to foster a culture of productivity and excellence in service in the State.
In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of auctioning the landed properties and chattels of the defunct bank.
According to the Corporation, this exercise is in line with its statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023, noting that; “This is another follow-up action sequel to the disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide”.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir A.
Therefore, the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids scheduled to take place at the six (6) selected locations of the Corporation across the country, for the affected 36 branches of the failed bank beginning from Wednesday 4th December 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines purposely aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity, and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise. This is critical for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants.
The Corporation shall give preference to financial institutions who are willing to buy at the highest auctioned value to allow for the continuation of provision of banking services to the Nigerian public at the designated locations”, adding; “This is desirable towards bolstering financial inclusion as envisaged by the financial system regulatory authorities.
“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders.
Furthermore, bidders will be allowed to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations one week before the date of disposal.”
Importantly too, the statement said; “All interested parties are to make available 10% bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the specific centre out of the six locations of the Corporation as contained in the published advertisements.
“All interested bidders are advised to submit their bids only at the designated NDIC offices covering their choices amongst Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.”
Meanwhile, the Corporation has vowed that there would be no hiding place for debtors of the defunct Heritage Bank whose financial obligation portfolio is in the region of over N700 billion.
The Naira experienced a slight depreciation yesterday, slipping to N1,740 per dollar in the parallel market compared to its previous rate of N1,735 per dollar on Tuesday.
According to data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) strengthened, rising to N1,645.4 per dollar from Tuesday’s rate of N1,689.88 per dollar. This marks an appreciation of N44.48 for the Naira.
The market also saw a significant increase in dollar trading activity, with turnover climbing by 122.5 percent to reach $236.84 million, up from $106.44 million the previous day.
As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NAFEM exchange rate widened, now standing at N94.6 per dollar, up from N45.12 per dollar recorded on Tuesday.
Just in: Plateau Govt Approves N70k Minimum Wage for Civil Servants
Before final liquidation, NDIC set to auction Heritage bank properties
Naira slumps in parallel market
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News10 hours agoTrump picks ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as US Intel Chief
-
News23 hours agoSAD! 39 years old actor, found dead in his room, left a letter
-
News10 hours agoNNPC Carries Out Leadership Shakeup, Appoints Adedapo Segun As New CFO
-
News9 hours agoJUST IN: Govt Declares Friday As Public Holiday
-
News9 hours agoUmahi Frowns At Slow Pace Of Suleja-Minna Road Construction
-
News9 hours agoAbia Assembly orders Deputy Governor, Emetu to apologise over assault on House member
-
News9 hours agoNYSC announces date for ‘2024 Batch C’ registration
-
News18 hours agoStop importation of fake fuel to Nigeria, professionals in Europe tell Tinubu