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Author: Adeleye Adeyemi

  • Lagos LG Chair empowers 400 traders with over N20m

    Some beneficiaries of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA We Lift Initiative

    Agboyi-Ketu Chair empowers 400 traders with over N20m

    Empowerment
    By Adeyemi Adeleye
    Lagos, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Monday empowered no fewer than 400 petty traders with over N20 million to mitigate current socio-economic hardship.

    Mr Dele Oshinowo, Executive Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, said at the council’s monthly “WeLift 400 Petty Traders Initiative” that grassroots governance should be all about empowering the people and making life better for them.

    The monthly scheme, witnessed by the Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and top politicians saw the direct transfer of N50,000 cash support to 400 traders selected from various markets in the council.

    “The WeLift initiative is designed to empower 400 residents of Agboyi-Ketu by providing them with a grant of N50,000 each.

    “This financial support aims at enhancing their means of livelihood, alleviating their burdens, and paving the way for greater economic stability.

    “This is what I have been doing in the last five years. Our “WeLift Empowerment Programme” has just taken a new dimension now with better methodology to ensure transparency.

    “The rationale behind it is to lift people from abject poverty and alleviate their suffering.

    “We have decided to help them with a token which we believe will have multiplier effects on their trade,” Oshinowo said.

    The chairman said that his team went round markets and streets to do on-the-spot assessment of the market values of some traders, and those who met its criteria were selected to enjoy the gesture.

    He saw: “Let us reaffirm our commitment to support the dreams and aspirations of every member of our community.

    “Our administration will continue to be a pillar of support, fostering an environment where opportunity knows no bounds and every individual has the chance to realise their full potential.

    “We will continue to do this, empowering our people is very important especially during this difficult time that our President is trying to put the country on the path of sustainable prosperity and progress.

    “This is what we are doing and we are going to continue to do that till the end of my tenure.

    “We will continue to empower our people, build infrastructure, improve on grassroots healthcare, help our youths and elderly people, and build our society and community.”

    Expressing satisfaction with the feedbacks from past gestures, Oshinowo said that the success had been an encouragement to him.

    Noting that the gesture had no political colouration, the council boss said that his team always engaged the community development associations.

    In his remarks, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, commended Oshinowo for his giant developmental strides and populist programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the residents.

    Ojelabi said that everyone, including the party’s state executive, had been watching Oshinowo’s initiatives for the betterment of the people, adding that the party was proud and not disappointed in the council boss.

    “You are truly serving the people with all your strength and complementing the efforts of the state government, promoting and expanding the goodwill of our party.

    “You are growing the economy and putting food on the table of the vulnerable.

    “With these you are doing, you are securing a better future for yourself. Continue to do what you know how to do best, you shall be rewarded,” he said.

    Also speaking, Chief Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, the APC Women Leader in Lagos State, lauded Oshinowo for prioritising the people above personal and political interest.

    She said that she was impressed by the chairman’s records of help to the less-privileged.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke glowingly about the empowerment initiative, noted that their businesses had received a boost that would enable them survive the challenges.

    Mrs Yemisi Ayeni, from Ward G, commended Oshinowo for the gesture, adding that it would go a long way to alleviate the current economic challenges.

    Also expressing her joy about the initiative, Mrs Yinusa Adejoke, a Food Vendor, said, ” Oshinowo is doing well. He is always surprising us. May God reward him.”

    The event was attended by APC state and local government executive council members, traditional rulers and other groups.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AYO/COF

    ===========

    Edited by Christiana Fadare

  • Strike not an option, ll increase hardship ,LP tells labour

     

    Strike not an option, ll exacerbate hardship — LP tells labour

    Strike
    By Adeyemi Adeleye

    Lagos, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has urged workers’ unions to  re-negotiate with the government  on new minimum wage rather than embarking on industrial action.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr Obiora Ifoh, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the strike declared nationwide  by the organised labour over its demand for a new minimum wage .

    Ifoh said that strike was not an option because it would cause more hardship and sufferings.

    “Our immediate reaction is that the organised labour should not throw Nigerians into more hardship.

    “Nigerians are already grappling with a lot of challenges and we do not need to exacerbate the situation.

    “I think the demand for N494,000 minimum wage is unrealistic. It is really unrealistic.

    “It is a figure that cannot be sustained because it will imply that Nigeria will take all that money it has to pay the civil servants,” Ifoh said.

    Ifoh said that the labour union should continue to engage  the Federal Government on a figure that would be acceptable to both parties.

    “Negotiation should continue until they get something better.

    “Asking Nigerian workers to stay at home will affect everything ,including the cost of living and Nigerians cannot afford that now.

    “Negotiation is not a one-off thing.

    “If the Federal Government is not willing to go above N60,000 minimum wage , I think that the Organised Labour should work with what is available while it continues to negotiate.

    “We know this government has not gotten it right. It is still trying to test the waters,” the LP spokesman said.

    He said that the party would not want any action  that could further cause hardship.

    NAN reports that despite earlier pleas by the Federal Government for consideration, the organised labour on Monday commenced an indefinite strike  to push for a new national minimum wage for workers.

    The industrial action followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations involving both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and  government’s  representatives .

    Representatives of labour had  on May 28 walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000.

    Recall that the government and the Organised Private Sector  had initially proposed ₦48,000, then  ₦54,000 and N57,000, which were all rejected by  labour.

    The organised labour had also proposed  ₦615,000 as new minimum wage, but later came down to  ₦497,000 and then to ₦494,000, to reflect the current rising cost of living. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AYO/BHB

    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

     

  • Nigeria needs more diaspora investments, philanthropic contributions – PAAC chairman

     

     

    Nigeria needs more diaspora investments, philanthropic contributions – PAAC chairman

    Economy
    By Adeyemi Adeleye
    Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Olatokunbo Onabanjo, Chairman, Pan African American Chamber of Commerce(PAAC) has called for increased diaspora investments, remittances and philanthropic contributions to Nigeria and other African countries.

    Onabanjo stated this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos while speaking on the forthcoming trade and investment conference with the theme “Hope for Africa” holding in the United States.

    The Hope for Africa conference being organised by the Pan African American Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Sept. 9 to Sept. 13 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

    According to him, disposal engagement has become crucial to bringing Nigeria out of its current socio-economic and security challenges.

    Onabanjo said the country needs an increased diaspora involvement in its development initiatives.

    He said that the conference would allow for engagement with the Nigerian diaspora and the African-American community, which could result in increased diaspora investments to Nigeria and other African countries.

    Onabanjo said: “This engagement will also facilitate knowledge transfer, technology exchange, and skills development, supporting economic growth and development.

    “The conference would provide a platform for Nigerian businesses to network with African-American entrepreneurs and explore potential partnerships, trade opportunities, and investments. This will lead to increased trade and economic growth for Nigeria.”

    He said that the conference would encourage knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, global exposure, trade and investments, capacity building, network and collaboration, promotion of African brands and products.

    Onabanjo, who was the Director of Computer Services during Tinubu’s administration as governor of Lagos State, said that the conference would feature panel discussions, workshops and presentations on business, entrepreneurship and economic development.

    “Nigerian participants can gain valuable insights and knowledge from industry experts, which can be applied to foster economic growth in Nigeria.

    “Participation in the conference will enhance Nigeria’s international visibility and reputation as a favourable destination for investment and business opportunities.

    “This will attract foreign investors and promote Nigeria as a hub for trade and commerce in Africa.

    “It will offer Nigeria significant economic, cultural, and diplomatic benefits, fostering growth and collaboration between Nigeria and the African-American community,” he said.

    Onabanjo, a seasoned project manager and member of Certified Project Management Professionals, said that the conference would lead to increased trade partnerships, investments, and business collaboration, promoting economic growth and job creation in Nigeria and across Africa.

    “The conference is aim at bringing together a diverse range of participants, including policymakers, business leaders, and professionals from Nigeria, Africa, and the African-American community.

    “This provides a unique opportunity for networking, fostering collaborations, and exploring new business opportunities.

    “These connections will lead to partnerships, joint ventures, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that contribute to economic growth.

    “The conference will serve as a platform for Nigerian and African businesses to showcase their products, services, and innovations to a global audience.

    “This exposure will enhance the visibility and marketability of African brands, leading to increased exports, foreign investment, and economic growth,” he added.

    He noted that the conference was also expected to enhance increased collaboration among African countries to foster regional integration and cooperation such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    “Overall, the expectations for collaboration, innovation, and investment from Nigeria and other African countries towards the development of African economies are aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable growth, reducing poverty, and unlocking the continent’s immense economic potential,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AYO/IKU

    Edited b Tayo Ikujuni

     

  • Autonomy only way to save LGs from paralysis— Shehu Sani

     

    Sen. Shehu Sani

    Autonomy only way to save LGs from paralysis— Shehu Sani

    Autonomy

    By Adeyemi Adeleye

    Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) A civil rights activist and social critic, Sen. Shehu Sani, says local government autonomy is the only way to strengthen governance at the grassroots and save local councils from paralysis.

    Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly and served as Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts,said this in  an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday

    NAN reports that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice recently filed a suit at the Supreme Court against state governments, seeking the enforcement of full autonomy of the local governments in Nigeria.

    In the suit marked: SC/CV/343/2024, the Federal Government urged the court to issue an order prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

    The government urged the court to issue an order permitting funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

    Besides ,FG prayed the Supreme Court for an order stopping governors from further constituting Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the constitutionally recognised and guaranteed democratic system.

    It equally applied for an order of injunction,restraining the governors and their agents and privies ,from receiving ,spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefit of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in states.

    The 36 governors were sued through their respective Attorneys General.

    Reacting, Sani said that the step by the federal government had potential to restore development at the grassroots and strengthen the local government system.

    “Local Government autonomy is the only way to save the LGs from bankruptcy and paralysis.

    “Poverty and insecurity in the country is rooted in the destruction of the local government system,” Sani said.

    According to him, most council chairmen only go to their offices when federal allocations are released.

    He said lack of financial and administrative autonomy for the local government had affected the performance of the third tier of government.

    Speaking further, Sani described FG’s proposal that State Electoral Commissions (SIECs) should be scrapped as a good move,saying scrapping SEICs would deepen democracy at the grassroots.

    “The scrapping of SIECs is a step in the right direction.

    “It has become impossible for opposition parties to win elections at the LG level because of the institutional rigging and imposition of candidates by state governors.

    “The chairmen of SIECs and staff of SIECs are all agents of the state governors and of the ruling party in their respective states, ” Sani said.

    NAN recalls that Mr Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of justice, had on Monday proposed that State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) should be dispensed with.

    Speaking at a one-day discourse in Abuja, Fagbemi also posited that the powers of SIECs should be transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

     

    Fagbemi said governors had exploited the flaws in certain sections of the 1999 constitution, effectively rendering local governments powerless and irrelevant.

     

    According to him, these inadequacies have allowed the governors to abuse the rights of local governments by using SIECs to impose leaders on them through sham elections.

    He said other governors who do not conduct sham polls appoint vassals as caretaker leaders for the local governments.

    Fagbemi called for a robust constitutional amendment that will remove all hindrances to the development of local governments, and bolster their ability to fulfil their constitutionally recognised mandate(NAN)

    (NAN)

    (www.nannews.ng)

    AYO/BHB

    Edited by Buhari Bolaji