Jude Egbas

<h1>The third mainland bridge in Lagos, which has been shut for repair work since July 2020, will be fully reopened this weekend, government officials have said. </h1>

<p>The Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on New Media,<strong> Jubril Gawat, </strong>quotes Minister of Works and Housing, <strong>Babatunde Fashola, </strong>as saying that<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/lasg-to-shutdown-third-mainland-bridge-from-friday-midnight/qqclrdd"> the bridge </a>will be reopened  this weekend.</p>

<p>The bridge has been accessible only partially since the repair work commenced, with motorists issued advisories displaying staggered openings, intermittently. </p>

<p><em>"Third mainland bridge to open “this weekend” according to Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN on Traffic Radio today," </em>Gawat shares in a tweet. </p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FLASH: Third Mainland Bridge to open “this weekend” according to Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN on Traffic Radio today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tmbrehab?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tmbrehab</a> 💃 💃💃 <a href="https://t.co/eeNMT22mMh">pic.twitter.com/eeNMT22mMh</a></p>&mdash; Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mr_JAGs/status/1364852982500782083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>"The minister says a lot of work was done on third mainland bridge and people can check the handle&nbsp;@tmbrehab or hashtag #tmbrehab to see the level of work that has been done on the bridge from the beginning,"</em> he adds. </p>

<p>12 expansion joints on the bridge have been replaced to reinforce the superstructure of the edifice.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Week 27!<br>Rehabilitation is slowly coming to end. The last few joints are being replaced and in the next few weeks we will be done! Keep following <a href="https://twitter.com/tmbrehab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tmbrehab</a> for more updates. <a href="https://t.co/JG3TPhWzGR">pic.twitter.com/JG3TPhWzGR</a></p>&mdash; tmbrehab (@tmbrehab) <a href="https://twitter.com/tmbrehab/status/1354357360114987015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The 11.8km<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/fg-to-shutdown-third-mainland-bridge-for-another-72-hours/7j4dmq8"> third mainland bridge </a>is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos island to the mainland. It is the longest bridge in sub-Saharan Africa. </p>

<p>Constructed in 1990, the bridge was adjudged to be the longest in Africa until 1996 when the Oct. 6 Bridge in Cairo, Egypt was completed.</p>

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola inspects the maintenance work ongoing on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. [Twitter/@BoluAdeosun

The bridge should have been fully reopened in January, but the #EndSARS protests meant a readjustment of schedules.

3rd mainland bridge fully reopens this weekend

<h1>Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, who governed Lagos from 1979 to 1983 and who passed on this week aged 91, was so passionate about housing, education and roads infrastructure.</h1>

<p>However, providing affordable homes for the mass of the people excited Jakande like nothing else.</p>

<p>It is little wonder that years after he left office, some of the most popular housing estates in Lagos still bear his name.</p>

<p>He was housing and housing was Jakande. He didn't just provide homes, he made sure the homes were affordable and he made sure that these homes were situated in densely populated suburbs.</p>

<p>Jakande knew early enough that housing was going to become one of the biggest challenges of rapidly growing Lagos. And here we are.</p>

A typical Jakande housing estate in Lagos (Punch)

<p>Some of Jakande's low-cost housing estates are in Abesan, Abule Nla, Amuwo-Odofin, Anikantamo, Badagry, Dolphin, Epe, Iba, Ijaiye, Ije, Ikorodu, Ipaja, Iponri, Oke-Afa and Surulere among others.</p>

<p>Mention Jakande in Lagos and the first thing that comes to mind is a low-cost, affordable housing estate.</p>

National Leader of the APC and ex Lagos Gov, Sen. Bola Tinubu. [Guardian]

<p><em>"In so many ways, he is the inspirational father of modern Lagos State. In housing, education, health care, and road construction, he left an indelible imprint. </em></p>

<p><em>"Thousands of Lagosian families still reside in the several housing estates he constructed across the state,"</em> says former Lagos Governor <strong>Bola Tinubu,</strong> after Jakande's death was announced on Thursday, February 11, 2021.</p>

<h2>Educated in public schools at home, journalism as a calling</h2>

<p>Jakande was born in the Epe-tedo area of Lagos on July 23, 1929, to parents from Omu-Aran in Kwara.</p>

<p>He began his education at the Lagos Public School in Enu-Owa, Lagos Island. From here, he proceeded to the Burnham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt where he was at from 1934 to 1943.</p>

<p>He also studied at King's College, Lagos in 1943 and Ilesa Grammar School in 1945 where he edited a Literary newspaper called the <strong><em>‘Quarterly Mirror.'</em></strong></p>

<p>The man loved to write and began honing his journalistic skills from secondary school.</p>

Alhaji-Lateef-Jakande's administration in Lagos State provided affordable housing for Lagosians (Avalon Daily)

<p>Jakande first worked with the<strong><em> Daily Service.</em></strong> In 1953, he joined the <strong><em>Nigerian Tribune </em></strong>where he rose to become Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper.</p>

<p>He left Tribune in 1975 and established <strong><em>John West Publications</em></strong> on whose platform he published <strong><em>The Lagos News.</em></strong></p>

<p>Jakande was the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).</p>

<p>A disciple of late Premier of the Western Region, <strong>Obafemi Awolowo,</strong> <strong><em>'Baba Kekere' </em></strong>as Jakande was fondly called, emerged the Lagos governorship candidate of the <strong>Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), </strong>Awolowo's party, in 1979.</p>

<p>He won a keenly contested election, beating <strong>Ladega Adeniji-Adele</strong> of the <strong>National Party of Nigeria (NPN)</strong> and <strong>Adeniran Ogunsanya </strong>of <strong>Nigerian People’s Party (NPP), </strong>to emerge the first civilian governor of Lagos.</p>

<p>Soon after his swearing-in, Jakande swung into action, making remarkable impact in housing, education, health, and rural development, which were the key programmes in UPN’s manifesto.</p>

<p>He erected 11,729 classrooms within five months and as at 1983, he had built more than 22,000 classrooms.</p>

Jakande learnt at the feet of Obafemi-Awolowo [Credit - Wiki]

<p>He established the Lagos State University, Lagos Television, Radio Lagos, Lagos-Badagry expressway and moved the state government secretariat to Alausa from Oba Akinjobi Road in GRA.</p>

<p><em>"His administration conceived the Round Office from which I operated for eight years as governor but he did not occupy the structure even for one day. This was characteristic of him; for Papa toiled and worked not for his personal benefit but for the future and the good of others," </em>says Tinubu.</p>

<p>Jakande's love for infrastructure provision saw him commence work on the Lagos metroline project.</p>

<p><strong>President Shehu Shagari</strong> laid the foundation for the project in 1983. However, this project that was envisioned to ameliorate Lagos' perennial mass transit challenge, was aborted when a military government led by <strong>General Muhammadu Buhari</strong> truncated the 2nd Republic in 1983.</p>

<p>As a beneficiary of public and domestic education, Jakande made sure all his children attended public schools in Nigeria.</p>

<p>In 2013, he was asked to comment on the current norm that sees public and elected officials enrolling their kids in schools abroad. Jakande's response was: <em>“I feel that it is wrong and unfair for leaders to educate their children abroad while other children are educated in Nigeria. It is not fair.”</em></p>

<p>You would be hard pressed to find a better governor in the history of Lagos than Jakande. He did so much in such a short span and was nicknamed 'Action Governor' for his exploits. It is little wonder that <strong>Gen Sani Abacha </strong>summoned Jakande to serve as his Minister of Works from 1993 to 1998.</p>

<p>The federal government needed Baba Kekere's love for projects and infrastructure as well.</p>

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, governed Lagos from 2007 to 2015 (360dopes)

<p><em>"The gold standard for governance passes on,"</em> says <strong>Babatunde Fashola</strong> who governed Lagos from 2007 to 2015. <em>"Rest In Peace LKJ. Most illustrious predecessor. Condolences to Alhaja and the children."</em></p>

<p>Current Lagos <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Babajide Sanwo-Olu </strong>says:<em> "Baba Jakande's record of service as a journalist of repute and a leader of remarkable achievements as governor of Lagos State will remain indelible for generations to come. His death is a colossal loss and he will be missed."</em></p>

Jakande (Right) with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Twitter @jidesanwoolu)

<p>Of course Lagos has been missing Jakande for decades, for no governor after him has attacked the city's urban and housing challenge like he did. In typical Nigerian fashion, most of Jakande's housing estates have been left to rot and decay.</p>

<p>Rest in peace, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (July 23, 1929-February 11, 2021).</p>

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulates former Lagos state Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande at 91. [PM News]

Baba Kekere attacked the housing and infrastructure challenge in Lagos like no governor before and after him.

Obituary: Lateef Jakande, the journalist who became another name for housing estates in Lagos

Bayo Wahab

<h1>Ebun Adegboruwa, representative of civil society on the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry investigating the shooting of EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate, says the panel has not received the camera the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola found at the tollgate.</h1>

<p>The minister had on Sunday, October 25, 2020, purportedly found the camera at the tollgate during his visit to the toll plaza alongside governors and ministers from the South-West, five days after soldiers shot at protesters at the place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fashola, who picked up the camera with a handkerchief, handed it over to the state governor, <strong>Babajide Sanwo-Olu</strong>, who in turn promised to give it to the panel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While handing it over to Sanwo-Olu, the minister said, “<em>I think this will help with the ongoing investigations into the shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate. It requires forensic analysis and could be used in the investigations to unravel the mystery surrounding the shootings at the Toll Gate, I believe.”</em></p>

<p>But according to Adegboruwa, over three months after the discovery of the camera, it is yet to be handed to the panel investigating the incident.&nbsp;</p>

Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. [Twitter/@jidesanwoolu]

<p>The lawyer said, “<em>The Lagos State Government has been summoned by the Panel and it is yet to appear, to offer its own testimony of the accounts of 20th October, 2020. The Governor of Lagos State in an open broadcast, promised to hand over a camera picked up by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, to the Panel. That has not happened. The Nigerian Army made very serious allegations against the Lagos State Government during its testimony, on the incident at the Lekki Toll Plaza, which are yet to be responded to.</em>”</p>

<p>Explaining why he opposed the reopening of the  tollgate, Adegboruwa said, “<em>Allegations have been made against the company responsible for the Bill Boards at the Admiralty Toll Plaza, as to who did what and why electricity was switched off on 20th October, 2020, prior to the invasion by the Army. The company is yet to appear before the Panel.</em></p>

<p><em>“Summons have been issued for the appearance and testimony of the Chief Pathologist of Lagos State, to appear and to tender autopsy reports of deaths and CCTV footage of all mortuaries in Lagos State, from 20th October, 2020. They are yet to appear before the Panel.”</em></p>

<p>Since the panel <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/controversy-as-lagos-judicial-panel-approves-reopening-of-lekki-tollgate/3yspz0d">controversially approved the reopening of the tollgate</a>, Nigerians on social media have been arguing over the decision of the panel.</p>

<p>&nbsp;While many agreed with the panel’s decision, others criticised the panel for making a decision when four of its members were not present during its sitting on Saturday, February 6, 2021.</p>

Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola found a camera at Lekki tollgate days after soldiers allegedly shot at protesters at the toll plaza. (Youtube)

Sanwo-Olu had promised to give the camera to the panel after Fashola handed it over to him.

Adegboruwa says Sanwo-Olu hasn’t handed over camera Fashola found at tollgate to Lagos panel

News Agency Of Nigeria

<h1>The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, has commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, for aiding the speedy removal of a fallen tanker on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.</h1>

<p>Oyeyemi praised the minister in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal, Bisi Kazeem,&nbsp;on Friday in Abuja.</p>

<p>The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accident occurred at about 1300 hours on Dec. 31, 2020 and involved five people who came out of the crash unhurt.</p>

<p>The fallen white tanker with registration number EPE 104 XX, loaded with LPG (cooking gas), and a Kia Saloon car with registration number KRD 386 GG caused obstruction at the Mountain Top University, on the outward Lagos lane of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.</p>

<p>According to him, the gas tanker fell around the Ibafo area of the expressway and caused undue gridlock with saw commuters stranded during the crossover night.</p>

<p><em>“While the FRSC worked out modalities for the immediate removal of the obstruction, the minister’s intervention was critical to the evacuation of the tanker, ” </em>Boboye said.</p>

<p>The corps marshal stated that it took Fashola’s authorisation to contact FP&amp;FP Limited, a private crane operator company with the required tonnage capacity,&nbsp;to lift the tanker.</p>

<p>Oyeyemi urged fleet operators to ensure that their vehicles were always road worthy before embarking on any trip.</p>

<p>He urged public office holders to emulate the minister’s proactive approach to issues of national importance.</p>

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi and members of the of the corps during their courtesy visit to the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola in 2015. (LIB)

The FRSC boss urges public office holders to emulate the minister’s proactive approach to issues of national importance.

FRSC boss praises Fashola for prompt evacuation of fallen tanker

<h1>2020 was very much that kind of year for Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.&nbsp;</h1>

<p>Amid a coronavirus pandemic that crippled the world’s economies and <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/endsars-protests-were-peaceful-until-government-crushed-them/96xnrbk">protests against police brutality</a> that engulfed an entire nation and took on new and threatening dimensions, there was quite a lot to say by the political leadership and the people.</p>

<p>In no particular order, here are the top 10 quotes in Nigerian politics in 2020:</p>

<h2>1..A Nigerian lawmaker boasts of his 4 wives and 27 children</h2>

<p>In January, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, <strong>Alhassan Ado Doguwa, </strong>(APC, Doguwa/Tudun Wada constituency of Kano State), took his four wives to the floor of the federal parliament and boasted that they had borne him 27 children.</p>

<p>The lawmaker did this to tout his reproductive abilities and the fecundity of his sperms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Doguwa said: <em>“Mr Speaker, I will let you know that with me today here are my four respected wives. Mr. Speaker and Honourable members, I have asked them to rise to respect the House on behalf of my family. And one other reason is to let you know that when members call me a powerful man, I am not only powerful on the floor of the house, I am also powerful at home because I deal with four wives. These four wives have produced 27 children for me and I’m still counting.”</em></p>

<h2>2..Fashola lashes out after being linked with Naira Marley</h2>

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who is currently the Federal Minister of Works and Housing (360dopes)

<p>Nigeria's Works and Housing Minister, <strong>Babatunde Fashola,</strong> was not amused after being linked with Naira Marley’s non-compliant jet flight in June.</p>

<p>Rapper Naira Marley was born <strong>Azeez Fashola.</strong> Marley’s younger sibling bears the name Babatunde Fashola--the same first and last names as the minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Sam Iwuajoku</strong> who is Chairman/CEO of Executive Jets Services Limited, had his airline grounded by Aviation Minister <strong>Hadi Sirika </strong>for flouting COVID-19 era restrictions and guidelines by airlifting Marley and co.</p>

<p>Iwuajoku’s excuse was that airlifting Marley and his crew from Lagos to Abuja stemmed from a clear case of mistaken identity.</p>

<p>According to Iwuajoku, when he saw the name Babatunde Fashola on the flight manifest, he thought he was going to be airlifting the Honorable Minister. Little did he know that he was going to be airlifting a<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/naira-marley-jet-company-calls-rapper-a-useless-person/zk1h9l1"> “bunch of useless people.”</a></p>

<p>In his reaction, Fashola said his name should never have been brought up in the case of a flight that had broken COVID-19 restrictions, because he hadn’t left Abuja since March 22, due to the virus-induced lockdown.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>“It is therefore ridiculous for Dr Iwuajoku to attempt to link me with any non-compliant flight,”</em> Fashola fumed.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>3..Diezani says Yahoo boys are a tragedy for the Nigerian nation</h2>

Former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison Madueke (Punch)

<p>While delivering a lecture at a virtual event on fatherhood and Ijaw women participation in politics, Nigeria’s former Petroleum Resources Minister, <strong>Diezani Alison-Madueke,</strong> who is wanted for corruption back home, lamented that internet fraudsters or ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys’ as they are called in local parlance, now reinforce negative societal behaviours and values in Nigeria.</p>

<p><em>“The ones that have swag, the Yahoo Yahoo boys as my son would say; these in short, are the role models they are looking at. These are the ones that reinforce negative societal norms and values.</em></p>

<p><em>“This is a travesty of an unfolding tragedy for us. Why have I spent time talking about fatherless homes and the impact it has on our children? The truth of the matter is that an irresponsible boy tends to become an irresponsible man and it is therefore a vicious cycle. If you plant yam, you cannot harvest plantain,”</em> she lectured.</p>

<p>The irony and hypocrisy wasn’t lost on Nigerians who wasted little time descending on the ex minister who has become the poster child for theft and corruption since 2015.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>4..Fani-Kayode calls journalist ‘stupid’ in Calabar&nbsp;</h2>

<p>In August,<strong> Eyo Charles</strong> of the <strong><em>Daily Trust</em></strong>, politely asked former Aviation Minister Fani-Kayode, who was paying for his ‘Good Governance Tour’ of PDP controlled states in the country.</p>

<p>It was all Fani-Kayode needed to devolve into <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/fani-kayode-you-are-very-stupid-ex-minister-tears-into-journalist-during-press/dfbbd1e">a fit of rage.</a></p>

<p><em>“I could see from your face, before you got here, how stupid you are. Don’t ever talk to me like that. What type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you are talking to? I will not take any questions from this man. What type of insulting question is that?”</em> Fani-Kayode barked at Charles.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>5..EFCC boss says coronavirus is caused by corruption</h2>

Ibrahim Magu wants Diezani returned home for trial (EFCC)

<p>Ibrahim Magu was still acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in February when he announced that the coronavirus pandemic is not caused by a virus but by corruption.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>“EFCC has zero tolerance for corruption as our mandate is to kill corruption as corruption is worse than all the diseases we have now and I strongly believe coronavirus is caused by corruption,”</em> Magu said during the passing out parade of 281 inspector cadets of the EFCC in Kaduna.</p>

<p>In July, Magu was arrested for alleged corruption and grilled. The report on his alleged corrupt activities was recently submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>6..Governor Ganduje explains why he dethroned Emir of Kano&nbsp;</h2>

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State. [Daily Trust]

<p>Governor <strong>Abdullahi Ganduje</strong> of Kano State, who could no longer stand Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano, finally dethroned the latter in March.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ganduje said he had to dethrone Sanusi because <em>“the Emir of Kano is in total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the state governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the government without any lawful justification which amount to total insubordination.”</em></p>

<h2>7..Honorable Minister Akpabio told to ‘off his mic’</h2>

Senator Godswill Akpabio answers questions from the House in July [Twitter/@CHYCHYCHUKWU]

<p>In July, a House committee probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), spawned drama aplenty.</p>

<p>Niger Delta Minister,<strong> Godswill Akpabio,</strong> was at the center of it all.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Akpabio had fallen out with ex-NDDC boss<strong> Joi Nunieh;</strong> and acting Chairman of the NDDC, Daniel Pondei, had famously fainted during the House committee hearing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NDDC, which was established in 2000 to address the myriad developmental challenges of an oil rich but impoverished Niger Delta region, has been mired in corruption since it was set up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the hearing, Akpabio told the lawmakers that they are the biggest beneficiaries of some of the dubious contracts awarded by the NDDC.</p>

<p><em>“Who are even the greatest beneficiaries (of these contracts)? It’s you people nau,” </em>Akpabio told the House committee chaired by <strong>Hon Thomas Ereyitomi. </strong><em>“Because if you look at your chairman…”</em></p>

<p><em>“Honourable minister, that is okay,”</em> Ereyitomi was quick off the blocks, protesting with several bangs of the gavel.</p>

<p>However, a feisty<strong> Hon Boma Goodhead </strong>was having none of Akpabio’s allegations and demanded to know what these benefits to the national assembly from the NDDC were.</p>

<p><em>“I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts in the NDDC are given out to members of the national assembly, but you don’t know about it, but the two chairmen know,”</em> Akpabio insisted.</p>

<p><em>“It’s okay..it’s okay,”</em> Ereyitomi kept pleading desperately as Akpabio and Goodhead engaged in a heated debate.</p>

<p><em>“Honourable member..Honourable minister, it’s okay. That is okay...it’s okay...Honourable minister off (sic) your mic,”</em> Hon Ereyitomi, who represents Warri federal constituency, repeated, now visibly close to tears.</p>

<h2>8..Ex NDDC boss Nunieh accuses Akpabio of sexually harassing her</h2>

<p>In July, ex-NDDC boss <strong>Joi Nunieh</strong> claimed that Niger Delta Minister <strong>Godswill Akpabio, </strong>had <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/akpabio-sexually-harassed-me-so-i-slapped-him-says-former-nddc-boss-joy-nunieh/e12vlvp">sexually harassed her.</a></p>

<p>She added that she had to slap Akpabio because of his sexual advances.</p>

<p><em>“I am the only Nigerian woman...the only Ogoni woman that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. He wanted me to take a blood oath of secrecy in Abuja,”</em> she said.</p>

<p>She added that Akpabio tried to induce her or shut her up with money.</p>

<p><em>“Since he couldn’t get me to take that money. He thought that Plan B..if he could come up on me….He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money. By somebody telling me that he will make me a substantive MD.</em></p>

<p><em>“Akpabio’s meeting with me was either at Apo or Meridian or whatever. Those are his meetings. I slapped him,” </em>she said.</p>

<p>Asked by hosts of the AriseTV breakfast show to clarify what she meant by “come up on me” and if she meant rape or sexual harassment, she said <em>“harassment sounds better, not rape.”</em></p>

<p>Pointedly asked if she was accusing the minister of sexual harassment, she shot back: <em>“Yes, I am accusing him.”</em></p>

<h2>9..President Buhari warns members of the international community during #EndSARS protests</h2>

President Buhari holds virtual meeting with former Heads of State on Friday, October 23, 2020 (Presidency)

<p>In October, soon after the #EndSARS protests were quashed by armed soldiers and police personnel, and in the wake of the carnage and arson that followed, President Buhari was in no mood for niceties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Government property had been burned, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/tvc-brt-buses-npa-set-on-fire/248vt9z">businesses had been set on fire and looted, </a>politicians were on the run and afraid for their lives, warehouses were being looted and anarchy had engulfed the land.</p>

<p>Then Democratic presidential candidate <strong>Joe Biden </strong>had condemned the violent crackdown on protesters, former U.S Secretary of State <strong>Hillary Clinton</strong> had called on the president to stop the killing of young protesters, and U.S Secretary of State <strong>Mike Pompeo </strong>had demanded an immediate investigation into the shooting of unarmed, peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll on October 20, 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During a national broadcast on October 22, President Buhari warned the international community about rushing to judgments or conclusions before getting the full facts of a case.</p>

<p>Buhari said: <em>“To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.”</em></p>

<p>The president also had stern words for the protesters:<em> “The promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.”</em></p>

<h2>10..Sanwo-Olu blames forces beyond his control for Lekki shooting&nbsp;</h2>

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu blames forces beyond his control for Lekki shooting (TRIBUNE)

<p>On October 20, 2020, protesters who had been demanding an end to police brutality and calling for police reforms, were met with live bullets at the Lekki toll gate, just before nightfall.</p>

<p>With most fingers pointing his way for giving the order, Lagos State Governor <strong>Babajide Sanwo-Olu </strong>said the shooting had been <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/sanwo-olu-lekki-shooting-carried-out-by-forces-beyond-my-control/xndcdmr">carried out by forces beyond his control.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p><em>“This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger,”</em> Sanwo-Olu said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Lagos governor also disclosed that he had been unable to reach President Buhari, days after the shooting.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>11..Desmond Elliot calls social media users “children”</h2>

Desmond Elliot represents Surulere in the Lagos House of Assembly (The Nation)

<p>After the #EndSARS protests of October, the Lagos State House of Assembly deliberated on the arson and looting that had engulfed the nation’s commercial capital.</p>

<p>When actor and legislator, Desmond Elliot (APC, Surulere constituency) got up to speak, he called the youths who had protested ‘children’ and warned that Nigeria will cease to exist if social media isn’t regulated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Elliot said: <em>“Mr Speaker, we need to address certain things. The Nigerian youth, the social media, the social influencers. All of these are making the narrative that we are seeing today. Social media, though good, has its negative impact...the curses, the abuses from children..and I ask myself, is this Nigeria? What is going on? Children cursing? Even having the effrontery to enter an Oba’s palace? Hold his staff of office? Culture is gone. Mr. Speaker, in the next five years, there will be no Nigeria if we don’t start now.</em></p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lagos lawmaker, Desmond Elliot (<a href="https://twitter.com/DesmondOElliot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DesmondOElliot</a>), on the recent events in Lagos and Nigeria:<br><br>&quot;Social media has its negative impact.&quot;<br>*<br>&quot;Please celebrities, social media influencers, stop the hatred already.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/L0rrLtAO6S">pic.twitter.com/L0rrLtAO6S</a></p>&mdash; Pulse Nigeria (@PulseNigeria247) <a href="https://twitter.com/PulseNigeria247/status/1321747774703079424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>“Please, celebrities. Please, social media influencers, stop the hatred already.”</em></p>

<p>Elliot’s contributions on the floor of parliament earned him intense backlash on social media, forcing the lawmaker to offer a tearful apology on national television.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>“I have read your honest feedback and suggestions and I sincerely apologize for addressing the youth as “Children.” I didn't mean to be insensitive with this, it was borne out of the magnitude of destruction and looting of businesses I witnessed when I went on a tour of my constituency</em></p>

<p><em>“I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and for this I apologize to everyone my earlier statements may have hurt. Please, understand that even the best of us make mistakes. This is why, moving forward, I ask that we all try to engage constructively on the issues that affect all of us. I promise to do the same,” </em>Elliot said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>12..Buhari says CNN disgusts him</h2>

<p>President Muhammadu Buhari and top officials of his administration, were far from impressed with foreign media coverage of the #EndSARS protests.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, President Buhari<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/buhari-attacks-cnn-says-endsars-report-disgusting/wygqrh0"> expressed his disgust at CNN and BBC.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p><em>"It must be said that foreign press coverage of the #EndSARS violence was not balanced, especially from CNN and BBC. I was disgusted by the coverage, which did not give attention to the policemen that were killed, the stations that were burnt, and prisons that were opened,”</em> Buhari said.&nbsp;</p>

The top 10 quotes in Nigerian politics in 2020 and then some

A look at the quotes that defined a most challenging year for Nigerians.

Top 10 quotes in Nigerian politics [Pulse Picks 2020]

<h1>Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is getting dragged on the internet for picking up a camera at the scene of the Lekki shooting of October 20, 2020.</h1>

<p>The footage of the minister picking up the camera with all the care in the world, and with the aid of a black piece of cloth, has since gone viral.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fashola conveniently finds a Camera at the Toll Gate after LAWMA already cleaned the whole Crime scene.<br><br>It&#39;s an insult on the intelligence of Naija people. Lol. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a> <a href="https://t.co/mEd5I4UcXg">pic.twitter.com/mEd5I4UcXg</a></p>&mdash; R. (@alrhemist) <a href="https://twitter.com/alrhemist/status/1320478488344756224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Soldiers had arrived at the Lekki toll on the night and <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/endsars-protests-were-peaceful-until-government-crushed-them/96xnrbk">fired live rounds</a> into a crowd of peaceful protesters, after the lights were turned off and cameras were reportedly switched off.</p>

<p>The Nigerian state hasn’t owned up to the attack, with Lagos State Governor<strong> Babajide Sanwo-Olu </strong>saying the shooting was masterminded by<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/sanwo-olu-lekki-shooting-carried-out-by-forces-beyond-my-control/xndcdmr"> “forces beyond his control.”</a></p>

<p>The shooting sparked outrage in Nigeria and in the international community, and led to the <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/photos-of-burnt-lagos-endsars/tctmh8k">burning of buildings and government property </a>in Lagos and elsewhere across the country in the days that followed.</p>

<p>Looters also took advantage of the ensuing breakdown of law and order to break into warehouses and businesses, while carting away goods and food items for effect.</p>

<p>On Sunday, October 25, 2020, ministers, governors and legislators from the southwest region <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/fashola-south-west-governors-and-ministers-visit-sanwo-olu-urge-for-peace/6y3qqdq">paid a visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu</a> to sympathize with him on the carnage that has reduced the country’s commercial capital to rubble.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Southwest Governors and Ministers also visited the Lagos State DNA &amp; Forensic Centre, One of the best facilities of the State, Country and Continent of Africa. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HealingLagos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HealingLagos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jidesanwoolu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jidesanwoolu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RotimiAkeredolu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RotimiAkeredolu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tundefashola?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tundefashola</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/raufaregbesola?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@raufaregbesola</a> <a href="https://t.co/aRIkAEeTlE">pic.twitter.com/aRIkAEeTlE</a></p>&mdash; The Greater Lagos Project (@GreaterLagosNG) <a href="https://twitter.com/GreaterLagosNG/status/1320347783732350976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The entourage went round the city for a first hand feel of burnt houses and property. At the Lekki toll where the shooting occurred, Fashola had picked up a camera that was hiding in plain sight.</p>

<p>Twitter users are wondering how the camera was left there for Fashola to sight and pick up, given that the <strong>Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)</strong> had combed and cleaned up the entire area just hours prior.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Television crews and miscreants had also spent enormous time on the scene of the shooting days before and not one of them saw a camera.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fashola has now earned for himself the nicknames<strong> ‘Sherlock Holmes’</strong> (after the fictional television detective character), <strong>'Jack Bauer'</strong> and<strong> ‘Detective Fashola’</strong> on Twitter for the camera-picking stunt; and the #FasholaChallenge has been born.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How Fashola and his crew “conveniently” found a camcorder during their manipulative inspection of the Lekki Toll Gate. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuhariResign?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuhariResign</a> <a href="https://t.co/NxfpmJUYgC">pic.twitter.com/NxfpmJUYgC</a></p>&mdash; Tiana (@BusolaAd) <a href="https://twitter.com/BusolaAd/status/1320548385590575107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Here are a few tweets on the ‘Nigerian Sherlock Holmes’....</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Detective Fashola on the beat. Na only torchlight and notebook remain  <a href="https://t.co/ndVe8QbDcM">https://t.co/ndVe8QbDcM</a></p>&mdash; Editi Effiòng (@EditiEffiong) <a href="https://twitter.com/EditiEffiong/status/1320644582586130438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Special Agent Fashola came from Abuja to Lekki to discover what nobody saw before<br><br>So everyone who had been there earlier must be blind or didn’t go that far<br><br>He even used cloth to pick up the camera so he doesn’t contaminate evidence<br><br>Everyday I question how these people think.</p>&mdash; MR AHMED 🇳🇬 (@UncleMohamz) <a href="https://twitter.com/UncleMohamz/status/1320660073455230977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LASG team were at Lekki toll to check the extent of damage, Arise TV &amp; other reporters were at there as early as the morning after the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a> massacre, LAWMA cleaned it up... Somehow, it’s Fashola (the investigator) who saw a strategically positioned camera 6 days after.<br>😂😂😂</p>&mdash; Series ‘Baj (@Engr_Series) <a href="https://twitter.com/Engr_Series/status/1320613939168874496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I really thought Fashola was one of the good eggs in the crate of many bad eggs. <br><br>That camera placement and finding was terrible. <br><br>Are we a joke to you sir? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a></p>&mdash; ✨👑 DaddyMO👑✨🏁 (@therealdaddymo1) <a href="https://twitter.com/therealdaddymo1/status/1320612962567135233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Do you know how stupid you have to be, to think that this “Fashola discovered a camera” plan would be believed by the SAME youths that organized this intelligent protest?<br><br>These people lead us. Omo, we all need to be fully involved in politics, as voters and candidates <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a></p>&mdash; Santos Akhilele (@SantosTHEBOSS) <a href="https://twitter.com/SantosTHEBOSS/status/1320618449786314752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The camera said it won’t talk to anyone else except Fashola that’s why no one else saw it but it came out in plain sight when it saw him.</p>&mdash; Chemical Brother 👌 (@chemicalbrodar) <a href="https://twitter.com/chemicalbrodar/status/1320630139747786754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The way Fashola&#39;s step changed immediately he picked the camera is killing me. With both hands in his pocket, dude started walking with his shoulders so high like he just discovered Amala. These guys don&#39;t rate us.  Buhari don finally useless everybody for this govt. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a></p>&mdash; Aji Bussu Onye Mpiawa azụ 🇨🇮 (@AfamDeluxo) <a href="https://twitter.com/AfamDeluxo/status/1320664479395385344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fashola conveniently finding a camcorder - not a cctv camera like Sanwoolu said still existed - at the Lekki Toll Gate 5 days after the shooting is scene 1 of their play. Next scene will be to release edited footage then claim the shooting didnt happen.<br><br>Gbatueyos!!!</p>&mdash; 20.10.2020 (@I_Am_Ilemona) <a href="https://twitter.com/I_Am_Ilemona/status/1320507907302133762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fasholachallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fasholachallenge</a> (detective mode) <a href="https://t.co/cTaufKwmTn">pic.twitter.com/cTaufKwmTn</a></p>&mdash; z (@whoiszolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/whoiszolo/status/1320657907734749187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Detective Fashola doing Fashola tins 🤔🤗 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FasholaChallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FasholaChallenge</a> <a href="https://t.co/xAI2tDnV9i">pic.twitter.com/xAI2tDnV9i</a></p>&mdash; ✨👑 DaddyMO👑✨🏁 (@therealdaddymo1) <a href="https://twitter.com/therealdaddymo1/status/1320669811215638528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nedu say Ballistic Discovery 😂😂! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fasholachallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fasholachallenge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARS</a> <a href="https://t.co/VSy8sFNgDr">pic.twitter.com/VSy8sFNgDr</a></p>&mdash; Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buchi_Laba/status/1320646832264040454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FasholaChallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FasholaChallenge</a> I’ve found my own camera oo😂 <a href="https://t.co/VUdVz3ziJF">pic.twitter.com/VUdVz3ziJF</a></p>&mdash; Dozi Baby! (@MynameisDozi) <a href="https://twitter.com/MynameisDozi/status/1320666519962034179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fasholachallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fasholachallenge</a> <br>More coming😂😂😂😂😂<br>Retweet let everyone see it<br>Oloriburuku ni gbogbo won 😂😂😂✊✊✊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA</a>  now<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndSARSImmediately?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndSARSImmediately</a>  now<br>Retweet Please 😂😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/bLc3pT3e6G">pic.twitter.com/bLc3pT3e6G</a></p>&mdash; Queenofcalabar (@queenofcalabar) <a href="https://twitter.com/queenofcalabar/status/1320649045099089920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lmao... It&#39;s the towel for me 😂😭<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fasholachallenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fasholachallenge</a><br><br>📹 : <a href="https://twitter.com/Taofeek__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Taofeek__</a><a href="https://t.co/blqSZcrqkx">pic.twitter.com/blqSZcrqkx</a></p>&mdash; Temitayo Chinonso $BUBBLE (@Mrtybaba) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mrtybaba/status/1320663380030410753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Babatunde Fashola

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Top 10 quotes in Nigerian politics [Pulse Picks 2020]

Twitter is laughing at Fashola for picking up a camera at scene of Lekki shooting

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