adeleye.adeyemi

Mr Jerry Oche, the Lagos District Railway Manager (RDM), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He noted that the district had reduced the number of trains, in its bid to offer qualitative service to its teeming commuters.

“We want more people to patronise train services though we are not an NGO; we run trains to help serve Nigerians, so, we should not be running at a loss.

“Now that we are back, we will advise everybody to come and we promise better services compared to what it used to be.

“We have actually reduced the number of trains because we want to be efficient. It is not about quantity now, we are talking about quality,’’ Oche said.

He said that the district had concentrated on the Lagos-Ogun Mass Transit Train Service and had improved the service.

According to him, the long haul of the district from Lagos to Kano had a setback because of an accident that occurred at Minna recently.

He, however, said that the NRC teams were working to restore the line and train services.

“We don’t run a train from Lagos to Ibadan; we run a long haul Lagos-Kano, which takes care of Lagos-Ibadan-bound commuters but with the accident at Minna, this had been affected,’’ Oche said.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Lagos District, on Monday described its Mass Transit Train Services (MTTS) from Lagos to Ogun and Lagos to Kano as quality service-driven, not quantity.

Our train services now qualitative to serve Nigerians better – NRC

Tobun, a two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to Tobun, who has been re-elected for the third term to represent the constituency, the area is the most backward in the state.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu collects Certificate of  from INEC (16)

If you are coming from Ibeju-Lekki, there is no link road to Epe; if you are coming from Ikorodu, there is no link road there; even the road there is bad.

The road from Ijebu Ode to Epe, Ogun State is bad. There is no industrial estate in Epe; but there is one in Ikeja.

Also, Epe does not have BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). There are no traffic lights in Epe and no pedestrian bridge in Epe.

There is no good housing estate in Epe. We have a lot of things that should be attended to.

We have land. The incoming governor should give our people a vision.

Let our people expand and let them feel the impact of the government. Our baales should be upgraded to obas so that they can also have better benefits, Tobun said.

Tobun, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, lamented that there is no link road to Epe from the city and from other parts of the state and country.

He urged the state government to upgrade the general hospital in Epe as well as the Epe Campus of the Lagos State University (LASU) and turn Michael Otedola College of Education to a university.

The lawmaker said that most of the markets in Epe were bad, saying that the main market in the area should be upgraded to an international standard.

Our fish market is of international standard but it should be upgraded.

We have a lot of things that government can do to enhance the socio-economic life of our people. If the roads are good, a drive from Epe to Lagos is less than one hour.

So a lot of people would love to stay in Epe and work in the city. We have the ambience, we have the topography, the APC chieftain said.

Tobun, however, advised Sanwo-Olu to select the people that would serve the interest of the majority of the residents of the state as his commissioners and advisers.

He said that the cabinet members should uphold the tenets of the party and do the bidding of the generality of the people in line with the manifestos of the party.

There are a lot of qualified party men that can serve. They should look for people that are qualified and competent to do the job.

If this is done, the commissioners would have listening ears and they will not be far away from the people.

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We have qualified medical doctors, who are full of ideas. We have lawyers and other professionals as members of the party.

The governor should look at the competence of the appointees and choose those who would not separate themselves from the people, Tobun advised.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Akinwunmi Ambode (Pulse)

Mr Abiodun Tobun, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Epe, Lagos State, on Sunday urged the Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure people of the area feel impact of his government.

Epe residents should feel impact of Sanwo-Olu’s administration – APC chieftain

Mr Alex Omotehinse, the Lagos State Chairman of the rights group, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Sanwo-Olu must especially visit the issue of the new Land Use Charge and other anti-people policies.

According to him, the primary purpose of government is for the protection of lives and welfare of the citizens.

“I congratulate him (Sanwo-Olu) for the victory well deserved; he won a landslide victory, unlike the Presidential election. The election that produced him was peaceful, free and fair.

“We want to counsel him to obey the rule of law and to ensure the mistakes of the outgoing administration are corrected, especially the increment in land use charge and others.

“Sanwo-Olu must ensure that his government is pro-people,” Omotehinse said.

NAN reports that Sanwo-Olu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 739,445 votes to defeat Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 206,141 votes, and other contestants in the March 9 governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sanwo-Olu winner of the poll on Sunday.

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Lagos State on Monday called on governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to correct some of the mistakes of the outgoing governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

Sanwo-Olu must correct Ambode’s mistakes – CDHR

<h1>The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), Mr Mudashiru Obasa, on Tuesday advised residents of the state not to see non-indigenes residing in Lagos as enemies.</h1>

Obasa spoke while inaugurating a water project at Ward D in Ojokoro which was provided by Mr Rasheed Makinde, lawmaker representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency II at LAHA.

He spoke against the backdrop of the ethnic wrangling in Lagos following the outcome of the Presidential and the National Assembly elections.

“We are one, whether Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba. We should live together; all tribes should vote for APC because we don’t discriminate in Lagos State.

“We should not see them (non-indigenes) as enemies. We only need to enlighten the non-indigenes among us. There is no need to fight.

“We should let them know the good things they are enjoying in Lagos State in education and healthcare services, among others.

“Both Igbos and Hausas enjoy same benefits as Yorubas in Lagos, so they should vote for us,” Obasa said.

The speaker, however, urged party supporters to rather persuade and enlighten the non-indigenes living in the state on the need to cast their votes for the ruling party.

According to him, many Lagos residents do not always come out to vote during elections and there is a need to change this attitude in the forthcoming gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

“We want to appeal to non-indigenes in Lagos to come out and support the party that has been making it possible to actualise their dreams and aspirations in Lagos State.

“They must support what the APC is doing in the state. It is always better when we work together, when we collaborate. If you are living in Lagos, we have not at any time discriminated against anybody.

“This is a very tangible reason why everybody living in Lagos should support this party.

“This government has been serving Lagosians since 1999, making every effort to make development available to all. Go and tell the non-indigenes.

“We cannot force them to do our own but we can encourage them. Go and tell them to support the APC because all the benefits of government here are being enjoyed by all-Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba,” he said.

Obasa, who noted that Makinde had been a good, vocal and vibrant and active legislator, urged the people to return their lawmaker to ensure they mature in the legislative business.

He also urged the people of Ifako-Ijaiye and Agege to come out en masse to vote for APC candidates in the upcoming elections, adding that the constituents would benefit more if they return Makinde.

In his remarks, Makinde commended the speaker for his leadership role in the assembly and the benefits he had facilitated to the area through his office.

After inauguration of the water project, the lawmaker and his campaign team visited a 132-year-old woman in the area, Mrs Nusiratu Aduke Olaniyan and presented her food items and cash gifts.

Makinde, who also promised a cash gift of N10, 000 monthly for her up keep, later met with Community Development Association (CDA) members in the area.

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), Mr Mudashiru Obasa

He spoke against the backdrop of the ethnic wrangling in Lagos following the outcome of the Presidential and the National Assembly elections.

Don’t see non-indigenes as enemies, Speaker tells Lagosians

<h1>Ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Thursday distributed sensitive materials directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.</h1>

Mr Femi Akinbiyi, spokesman of the INEC Lagos State office, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the materials, which include ballot papers and result sheets, were being distributed from the CBN, where they had been kept, to the 20 local government areas.

“We have commenced movement of the sensitive materials to all the various local government areas in the state directly from the CBN under heavy security cover.

“Present at the CBN to monitor the distribution are the representatives of political parties. The distribution starts today and will end today because all the materials are already batched for quick movement.

“INEC offices in each local government have been directed to come with vehicles and security to CBN to carry the materials, for onward distribution to Registration Area Centres (RAC) on Friday,” Akinbiyi said.

He said that the exercise was being monitored by members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

According to him, the exercise is faster because each local government has made separate arrangements for the movement.

Akinbiyi said: “INEC Lagos State is fully prepared for the elections, we want eligible voters to go out and vote on Saturday.

On card readers’ re-configuration, the INEC PRO said that the exercise had been concluded to reflect the new day of the elections.

He said that the card readers had been moved to their respective local government areas for charging in preparation for Saturday’s poll.

On reports in some sections of the media that some materials meant for the state were found in Kwara, Akinbiyi said that the mix up had been addressed.

He said that such sensitive materials had been returned to the CBN of the concerned state for onward transmission to the CBN of the affected state.

Akinbiyi said that those for Lagos had been brought back to the CBN office in the Lagos State and counted among the materials.

Postponement: Niger INEC retrieves sensitive materials from LGAs to CBN

Mr Femi Akinbiyi, spokesman of the INEC Lagos State office, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the materials, which include ballot papers and result sheets, were being distributed from the CBN.

INEC distributes sensitive materials to Lagos LGAs

<h1>Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described as absurd, the lies, propaganda and accusations against President Muhammadu Buhari.</h1>

Osinbajo said on Wednesday night while responding to questions at an Interactive Session and Engagement held at Muson Centre, Lagos on Wednesday night.

The interactive session tagged: “Unveiling The Truth”, organised by young Christian group, had some Christian leaders in attendance.

Participants used the occasion to ask plenty of questions bothering on insecurity, economy, blaming of past administrations, social welfare for the unemployed, corruption, and timing of TraderMoni.

Other questions bothered on Next Level slogan, farmer/herders crisis, lopsided federal appointments, Islamisation, Buhari’s commitment to addressing critical issues in the country among others.

Responding, Osinbajo said that President Buhari was committed to addressing the problems facing the country such as security, economy and fixing critical infrastructure and fair treatment of all sections.

He said Buhari is addressing farmer/herders crises and has no intention at all to Islamise the country.

“President Muhammadu is possibly one of the most committed people I have ever met. He is committed to seeing that resources of this country are used for this country.

“In general terms, we find that there is fairness in the distribution of appointments. Many of the accusations against Buhari are not true.

“Sometimes, people listen to propaganda and if we look at the facts, things are totally different. On Islamisation, first of all, it is untrue, it is propaganda.

“Anybody who complains that President Buhari is propagating Islamic agenda, how is that possible?

“A lot of these are just propaganda. Never listen to these. Many of these are absurd, they are deliberate propaganda. They come from the same source. Don’t believe them. Let’s be fair,” Osinbajo said.

The vice president, who urged Nigerians not to fear or doubt the good intention of the President, advised Nigerians to stop spreading rumours about things that never happened.

Osinbajo noted that the major cause of farmer/herder crisis remains pasture and water which the government has made concerted efforts to address.

On accusations of lopsided federal appointments, Osinbajo said that the Southeast with five states has five ministers more than some regions with higher number of states.

On TraderMoni, he said that the National Assembly does not need to approve money for it as it is a programme of the Bank of Industry meant to lift many Nigerians out of poverty.

On the timing of implementation of the National Social Investment Programme, Osinbajo said it kicked off after the budgetary allocation was passed by the National Assembly in 2016.

According to him, the party never promised N5,000 monthly stipends for the unemployed but for the vulnerable which is ongoing.

He said the NSIP has engaged so many youths in its N-Power programme and government has the plan to increase the number to 1.5 million young Nigerians in the Next Level out of 1.7 million people churned out of tertiary institutions every year.

On criminality, the vice president said that the way forward is local policing and intelligence as well as immediate arrest and prosecution of criminals in the country.

On security, he said that the country has made significant progress and moved forward from what the situation was before the 2015 general elections.

The vice president said that the APC Next Level slogan centres on job creation, power, making credit more available to entrepreneurs, agriculture, infrastructure and others.

The vice president urged Christian leaders to jettison thinking about any Islamic agenda and Islamisation, saying many Christians are in the cabinet of President Buhari.

He said that the media should desist from spreading rumours, decrying fake news about Buhari being another person from Sudan.

Addressing the accusation that the present administration often blames previous administrations, Osinbajo said that the country can not move forward without considering the past.

According to him, corruption remains the bane of national growth and development. He said most of the woes confronting Nigerians were caused by wastefulness of past governments.

The highlight of the interaction were high praise led by choir and power-packed prayer for the country and general elections led by Bishop Wale Oke.

The participants prayed for God’s mercies on the country and God’s protection on the vice president especially from the recent helicopter crash.

Osinbajo said on Wednesday night while responding to questions at an Interactive Session and Engagement held at Muson Centre, Lagos on Wednesday night.

Osinbajo says propaganda against Buhari absurd, untrue

Impeachment By Yemi Adeleye Lagos, Jan. 28, 2019 (NAN) The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday threatened to commence impeachment process against Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode over alleged gross misconducts.

The House also summoned Ambode to appear before it within one week over his failure to formally present the 2019 Budget before the Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there has been disagreement between the two arms of Lagos State Government over the 2019 budget presentation.

NAN recalled that Ambode had sent the 2019 budget to the House in December and the House insisted that the governor must lay the budget properly before it before the House could commence work on it.

During the House plenary on Monday, the lawmakers took turns to condemn the governor, alleging that the executive had commenced spending the 2019 Budget without approval of the Assembly.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, however, urged the lawmakers to give the governor a fair hearing over the issue involving the executive and the 2019 Appropriation Bill.

Obasa noted that there had been violation of the constitution and infractions on the part of the governor over the 2019 budget.

The Attorney General, Finance Commissioner and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, that ought to have advised the governor did not do so.

The most important thing is that we should let the people know that a budget that was yet to be approved is being spent.

We must give the executive a fair hearing to come and explain what happened.

The point has been made that there must be something before the House before you can commence expenditure.

We want to call on the Governor to come within a week to explain himself along with the relevant commissioners.

We cant start gathering signatures for impeachment. We need to exercise patience and wait till another time, the Speaker said.

Speaking, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, Chairman House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, said that there were some specific expenditures in the budget that ought to have been approved by the House which funds were being expended in 2018 budget.

We had issues of virement and monies being spent without approval.We had cases of items that were not budgeted for being carried out, it shows the executive rewrite the budget at will.

The Constitution states that the State House of Assembly must approve all expenditures.

We should begin an impeachment process if the executive does not retrace its steps, Yishawu said.

Almost all the lawmakers present took turns to criticise Ambode for alleged flagrant disobedient to the constitution and financial misconduct, stressing that they were impeachable offences.

The lawmakers said that the next thing for the governor was to resign or the House begin impeachment process against him.

The House adjourned plenary till Feb. 4. (NAN) AYO/IKU/WOJ

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Wale Ojetimi

Lagos Assembly threatens impeachment process against Ambode over alleged misconducts

Lagos Assembly threatens to commence impeachment process against Ambode over alleged misconducts

<h1>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State says it has apprehended some individuals impersonating officials of the commission and engaging in illegal recruitment of staff for INEC.</h1>

Mr Femi Akinbiyi, the INEC Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Akinbiyi said that Lagos residents must be careful of unauthorized recruitment going on in some places in the state.

He warned those engaged in illegal recruitment for INEC to desist, saying that the commission would hunt them down and bring them to justice.

The INEC PRO said: On Jan. 22, our staff detected some people engaging in illegal and false recruitment of ad-hoc staff for INEC and exploiting several innocent unemployed people in Somolu Local Government Area.

Police were contacted and three of them impersonating INEC officials were arrested while others are still at large.

These people were perpetrating this false recruitment at shop 33, Aluta Plaza, Federal College of Education, Akoka.

They were arraigned on Wednesday in court and got bail of N1 million each and two sureties each.

Our advice to the public is to be careful of unauthorized recruitment going on at different places; if there will be any recruitment, there must be advertisements.

We advise all persons or groups engaging in illegal recruitment for INEC to stop as the hands of the law will catch up with them very soon.

He said that the commission would be tough with those impersonating its officials not only in false recruitment but also those collecting money to process Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

According to him, so many unsuspected residents went to such places, thinking that they were dealing with genuine INEC staff.

There are so many of these illegal recruitment going on outside, even online. Job seekers should not allow anybody to play on their intelligence.

We never authorize anyone to recruit ad hoc staff for us. Dont pay anyone to get employed as ad hoc staff for the general elections. We have concluded that.

INEC headquarters office is open for anybody to come for clarification on some of these issues if they are confused, Akinbiyi added.

Mr Femi Akinbiyi, the INEC Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Illegal recruitment: INEC cautions Lagos residents

Osinowo, a fourth-term lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly gave the promise at a Town Hall meeting organised by Team Pepper Mobilisation Committee for Kosofe stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that party leaders and members, artisans, youths groups, market men and women among others thronged the venue of the meeting at CMD, Magodo.

The event, tagged Pepperito Meets Kosofe Stakeholders also had in attendance some traditional and religious leaders.

According to Osinowo, the Town Hall meeting is to feel the pulse and the needs of the people of the district again before proceeding to represent them at the senate

The lawmaker, popularly known as Pepperito, Unifier and Stabilizer said that his intention was to pursue only the wishes of the people and put smiles on their faces if he emerged winner in the Feb. 16 polls.

Osinowo, who commended the National Leader of the party, Sen. Bola Tinubu for his role, alongside other leaders, said Lagos and the entire Yoruba states had been known for progressives since the days of MKO Abiola.

APC has been moved from mud, it is now rebranded. We appeal to all CDAs, CDCs, students, youths, market men and women to keep supporting the progressives.

Without you, we are nothing and cannot achieve anything. Please open your eye when casting your votes and when votes are being counted.

My interest is to help the humanity more at the senate and I want to assure everyone of dividends of democracy. I will not disappoint your trust in me, the candidate vowed.

He urged the people to vote rightly to reduce the number of void votes during elections.

According to him, the use of town hall campaign strategy is to further get closer to the people and to know their priority needs.

In his remarks, Mr Tunde Braimoh, member representing Kosofe Constituency II in Lagos Assembly said that APC had done a lot for the people, with many more dividends of democracy still in the pipeline.

Braimoh said: We have a lot to do, give the progressives led by President Muhammadu Buhari time to accomplish all he has in mind. We have seen a lot of development under this government.

The lawmaker, who is seeking reelection, commended the Federal Government for infrastructural development and empowerment programmes for the youths.

He urged the people to vote en masse for the APC to ensure continuity of development across all levels.

Mr Sanai Agunbiade, the Chairman, Tactical Committee of Hon. Bayo Osinowo Campaign Organisation, said the candidate had helped a lot of people at the state level, and his aspiration for Senate would bring a lot of fortunes to them.

Hon. Bayo Osinowo has really served Lagos State. He is competent, Agunbiade said.

According to him, such stakeholders meeting will be replicated in all the Local Government Areas that made up the district Ikorodu, Somolu, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki.

Earlier, Osinowo and other APC candidates paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Oloworo of Oworo, Oba Saliu Oloruntoyin, for royal support and blessings.

Various groups and physically challenged people wearing campaign clothes, vests, aprons and caps with various inscriptions like PMB/PYO, Big Daddy for LSHA, Team Pepper for Senate, Sanwo-Olu for Governor, ROT were in attendance.

Lagos East Senatorial District candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Sikiru Osinowo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Lagos East Senatorial District, Mr Bayo Osinowo on Wednesday said his passion to bring more federal presence and dividends of democracy to the masses informed his aspiration.