All posts by lawansonoluwatope@gmail.com

Condolence
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 20, 2020 (NAN) The APC National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has commiserated with Sen. Ben Murray- Bruce over the death of his wife, Evelyn.

Tinubu, in a condolence message on Friday in Lagos, expressed his deepest sympathy over the death of Murray-Bruce beloved wife, Evelyn.

“Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences over the passage of your beloved wife, Evelyn.

“Losing an intimate person like a wife can be very painful, but please take solace in the life she lived and the sweet memories of the time you shared while alive.

“Like you said in your tweet, cancer should not be a death sentence,” he said.

Tinubu urged citizens to scale up awareness on the need for constant checks for early detection, immediate and continuous treatment of cancer.

He said: “Please know that our thoughts are with you at this moment.

“I pray that God grants your wife eternal rest and give you, the children and all the people she left behind the strength to carry on after her.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sen. Murray-Bruce announced on Friday on his twitter handle that he lost his wife of 41 years to cancer. (NAN)

LAW/OIF/GOK
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/ Olagoke Olatoye

Explosion
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 17, 2020 (NAN) The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has urged the Federal Government to ensure security of pipelines across the state.

Hamzat made the call on Tuesday while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Youths Development, in Lagos.

Recounting the ordeal of the state in the last couple of years over the pipelines explosion, the deputy governor said that many lives were wasted and properties worth billions of naira lost.

The deputy governor called for the proper protection of public facilities in the state.

“The situation could have been worse, if it had not been a work free day.

“It is sad as our kids are dying because of our actions, which can be avoidable,” he said.

Earlier, Rep. Adeyemi Adaramodu, the Committee Chairman, had led his members on courtesy visit to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. (NAN)

LAW/BOLA/GOK

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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Olagoke Olatoye

Youths
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 17, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Government says it will do all within its power to accommodate Nigerians, especially youths through programmes and policies that will help to develop them.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the promise on Tuesday while playing host to members of the House of Representatives, Committee on Youths Development.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said that Lagos should be seen as a place where Nigerians would be proud to call home.

He urged the Federal Government to engage more with youths by letting them know the importance of diversity.

Commenting on the National Youth Service Corps, the governor said that no agency of the Federal or State Governments should reject corps members at their places of primary assignments

“The state government spends on federal agencies likewise, police, hospitals, therefore, we will put all our might to support NYSC so far it conforms to its rules and regulations.

In his remarks, Rep. Adeyemi Adaramodu, the Committee Chairman, urged Lagos State Government to solidify its relationship with the Federal Government in ensuring that youths were well engaged.

Adaramodu appealed to the state government to build an orientation camp for corps members in the state.

“Unlike all the other South-West states, it is only Lagos State that does not have an orientation camp.

“They should expedite action to put up a befitting place for the orientation camp and also build a good corps members’ lodge,” he said.

The committee chairman urged Lagos to extend an arm of humanity to corps members, especially as they arrive in Lagos to serve their fatherland.

“For corps members not to get stranded, they should provide buses for them to assist them in moving to their various destinations.

“Also, l appeal to the state government to give a face-lift to the NYSC Secretariat, which is usually flooded during the rainy season,” he said. (NAN)
LAW/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Explosion
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 15, 2020 (NAN) All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, says the authorities must get to the root of Sunday’s explosion in Abule Ado and Trade Fair areas of Lagos.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Sunday night in Lagos, said that efforts must be made to curb incessant explosion in the area.

The explosion reportedly killed 15 persons and left many buildings and other property destroyed.

The APC leader commiserated with families and relations of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate occurrence.

He said all those who had a hand in the unfortunate incident must be punished, no matter how highly placed.

Tinubu said: “This tragedy should not have happened.

“Those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident did not deserve to die so gruesomely.

“I strongly condemn this incident and l commiserate with families and relations of those who died.”

He also sympathised with those who lost their valued property in the explosion.

“In their memories and in order to avert similar occurrence in future, the authorities must get to the root of this incident and curb incessant explosion in the area.

“All those who had a hand in this explosion, including those who acted in ways to put lives at risk and hard-earned possessions in jeopardy, must be punished, no matter how highly-placed they may be,” he said.(NAN)

LAW/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Conflicts
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 14, 2020 (NAN) Chief Adebisi Akande, the Chairman, APC Reconciliation Committee, has called on all party members to resolve their internal conflicts through dialogue, deliberation and ultimately through open and transparent voting procedures.

Akande, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Lagos.

According to him, politics after all, is the art of resolving conflicts and disputes in a manner that strengthens institutions as well as relationships between people who share those common institutions.

“I have noticed with growing concern the increasing number of court cases being filed pertaining to disputes regarding the leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress.

“Competition and different views on leadership are inherent in political parties, thus, the fact that all party members do not agree on all things is not abnormal.

“The APC is a democratic body. This means we seek to resolve internal conflicts through dialogue, deliberation and ultimately through open and transparent voting procedures,” he said.

The APC chairman said he was a bit taken aback by the swift resort to the courts by some members who sought external decisions on “what are intrinsically internal matters best determined by the deliberative process that was part and parcel of democratically-oriented party politics.

“I do not know the motivations behind this litigious conduct; it is not in my nature to ascribe negative or harmful motives to anyone.

“Those seeking access to the courts to decide what are basically political questions perhaps think they are doing the right thing.

“If this is the case, I must state that they are innocently in error.

“Their actions are harmful to the party in compound ways.

“First, the subject matter they bring before the court is not amenable to judicial pronouncement.

“The manner by which court decisions are rendered– one side wins, the other loses– is not the best way to resolve political disputes.

“Again, such disputes are better treated by dialogue and the give-and-take that dialogue engenders.”

According to Akande, courts do not proceed in such a manner and to resort to the courts casts the party in a negative public light.

“The penchant by members for litigation undermines party discipline, internal dispute resolution mechanisms and institutions.

“I must remind party members the party Constitution requires that all internal dispute resolution measures be exhausted before a member carries a matter to court.

“I dare say this provision has not been honoured, either in spirit or in letter by those initiating these court cases seeking to oust party officials,” he said.

Akande said that along with several other respected party members, he had been appointed as the chairman of the party’s special reconciliation committee.

“This committee is the product of discussions and deliberations of party organs such as the NWC and NEC.

“No one has contended that this committee was improperly established.

“The committee’s mandate was to investigate and submit recommendations regarding the dispute in Edo, involving the National Party Chairman, Adams Oshiomole and Gov. Godwin Obaseki as well as inquire into disputes in other states that might weaken the party.

“All party members are aware of this decision. Thus, it runs contrary to the explicit decision of the party.

“It is severely premature for members to seek judicial intervention in areas that form the very subject matter of the special committee’s mandate,” the chairman said.

Akande stressed that to sought judicial intervention before the committee has had time to do and finish its work, not only insults the committee, it offends the NWC, NEC and the entire party.

He, however, called on all party members to honour the rightful and correct decisions of the party leadership.

“Members should allow the committee to do its work and should stop seeking judicial intervention in matters under the purview of the special committee until the committee has done its work and the party leadership has acted upon its recommendations.

“For members to act otherwise would be to discard the party Constitution and ignore the tenets of deliberation and compromise upon which all successful political parties are founded,” he said. (NAN)

LAW/GOK

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Tinubu praises retired jurist, Amb. George Oguntade, at 80
Birthday
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 9, 2020 (NAN) All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has eulogised a retired jurist and High Commissioner to UK, Amb. George Oguntade, for his significant contributions to law and jurisprudence.

In a statement signed by the APC leader, on Monday, Tinubu described Oguntade as a fearless, brilliant and incorruptible judge.

Tinubu, while congratulating Oguntade at 80, added that he parades very rich intellectual, legal and moral pedigree.

“Anyone who encounters him would love to associate with him for his candour, courage and forthrightness.

“As a human being, his humility and modesty is second to none, while as an intellectual, he is sound and engaging,” he said.

Commenting on the the retired jurist while serving as a judge, Tinubu said Oguntade was widely regarded as one of the sharpest minds to have ever sat on the Supreme Court Bench.

He said from a lowly place, he rose to the apex of the legal profession through a dint of hard work.

“I must point out that Justice Oguntade shone brilliantly at every turn in his illustrious legal career.

“He made important contributions to law and jurisprudence.

“Specifically, Justice Oguntade’s tenure at the Supreme Court witnessed the delivery of many landmark judgments, which impacted significantly on our legal system.

“Particularly in the area of constitutional and administrative law,” he said.

Tinubu noted that Oguntade’s judgements were fearless and courageous, thorough and resolute.

“His judgments were always reference points for other judges and lawyers.

“One remarkable thing about Justice Oguntade is the fact of his courage to differ and disagree with his colleagues in the dispensation of justice if occasions called for it,” he said.

An occasion that readily came to mind, Tinubu said, “was the appeal filed by the then Presidential Candidate of the defunct ANPP in the 2007 election, General Muhammadu Buhari, against the election of President Umaru Yar’Adua of the PDP.

“Justice Oguntade gave a gripping dissenting judgment, wherein he upheld Buhari’s appeal, called for the cancellation of the election and ordered a fresh election.

“Late President Yar’Adua was to admit later that his election was heavily flawed following which he established the Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais panel to prescribe necessary reforms for future elections.”

According to the APC leader, Oguntade’s contributions in other spheres of life were as remarkable as his inputs into the development of the legal profession.

“For his critical roles in the development of Lagos as an indigene of Lagos from Epe, he remains a pride to the state.

“It was in recognition of this that he was appointed Chancellor of the Lagos State University Governing Council in 2015,” he said.

The APC leader noted that since Oguntade became Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, he had taken the relationship between Nigeria and Britain to greater heights.

“He brightened Nigeria’s image in the UK and showcased our rich cultural heritage.

“I understand that he has made it his responsibility to regularly engage with the Nigerian Diaspora Community.

“He listens to their problems and offer a helping hand where required.

“As he joins the Octogenarian Club today, I wish Justice Oguntade a most memorable 80th birthday.

“My prayer for Ambassador Oguntade is that God Almighty grant him the grace of more years, robust health and renewed energy to continue in the service of our country and our people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amb. Oguntade started his legal career as a clerk at the High Court of Justice, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He was also a judge of the Lagos High Court, a presiding justice of several states’ Courts of Appeal until he berthed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on May 19, 2004.

He served for six years at the Supreme Court, retiring in May 2010 on attaining the retirement age of 70 years.

NAN reports that Oguntade is also a proud recipient of two of Nigeria’s highest national honours – Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).
(NAN)
LAW/NNO/WOJ
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Wale Ojetimi
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Inclusion

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Lagos, March 8, 2020 (NAN)  Women in Parliament (WIP) Committee of the National Assembly on Sunday called for  inclusion of more women in elective and appointive positions in the country.

In a communique after its one-day retreat for female legislators in Lagos, the group frowned at the decline in the number of women in appointive positions in the country.

WIP Coordinator, Taiwo Oluga, commended the leadership of the Senate for deliberate inclusion of all female senators in the Constitution Review Committee and urged the House of Representatives to do the same.

This, she said, would ensure that critical issues of concern to women were brought to the attention of the committee in both chambers.

“Out of 469 members of the National Assembly, there are only 21 women; and women represent only 4.43 per cent of 991 legislators in the state Houses of Assembly.

“This act of political exclusion is no longer acceptable, Nigerian female legislators, therefore, call on their colleagues in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to take drastic action.

“In the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD),  #EachforEqual campaign, we need to take intentional steps in the ongoing constitution review and electoral reform process to promote women inclusion in governance and politics through gender-specific provisions.

“WIP notes that the language of Nigerian laws is gender-biased and insensitive to women,” Oluga said.

She said the constitution, for instance, had gender insensitive words mentioned about 66 times and the Electoral Act also had gender insensitive words mentioned about 68 times.

She called on the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee to review the drafting style by deleting the descriptive pronoun ‘He’ as presented in the constitution and replacing it with ‘He or She.

“Changing the descriptive pronoun to he or she will promote an inclusive constitution that acknowledges women,” she said.

Usman Abdullahi, Deputy Chairman House Committee, Women in Parliament, National Assembly, said that political parties remained the only vehicle to contest elections in the country.

He said that the WIP was concerned about the lack of internal party democracy and political will to ensure women’s political inclusion and representation.

“We call on our colleagues to use the ongoing reforms of  the Electoral Act and the Constitution to ensure that political parties adopt a quota system in their manifesto with women and men alternating (50:50) on its candidates’ list.

“For all elective positions, there should be an intermix of both genders,  particularly positions requiring running mates.

“For example, where a man contests for the governorship, a woman shall be the deputy and where a woman contests, a man shall be the deputy.

“Only parties who are intentional about women’s participation will receive women’s votes in the 2023 elections, ” Abdullahi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that female legislators from across the country converged in Lagos at the retreat to review critical national issues, particularly as they affected women and children in commemoration of 2020 IWD.

The retreat was an opportunity to enhance the technical capacity of female legislators and design an agenda for improved political inclusion of women in politics and governance. (NAN)

LAW/CHOM/WOJ

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Wale Ojetimi

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Osinbajo
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 7, 2020 (NAN)
The APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has felicitated with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as he clocks 63 on March 8.

Tinubu, in a congratulatory message by his Media Aide, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Saturday in Lagos, commended Osinbajo for his dedication and selfless service to the nation.

“I congratulate Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on turning 63.

“An erudite legal luminary, Osinbajo’s reputation for loyalty, dedication and selflessness is well deserved.

“He is resolutely committed to the causes he believes in and has proven to be a dependable ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, working harmoniously with the President to deliver for the country.

“I recall with fond memories the time we worked together along with other technocrats to help lay a solid foundation for an egalitarian and prosperous Lagos.

“We used the instrumentality of the law to advance the course of restructuring and get for Lagos what rightly belongs to her,” he said

According to him, most of the landmark cases Lagos won at the Supreme Court bore Osinbajo’s imprint.

“I wish his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, and other members of the family a most memorable celebration.

“My prayer God Almighty grant Osinbajo continued good health, renewed vitality and many more years of service to the country,” Tinubu said. (NAN)

LAW/IKU/GOK

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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Olagoke Olatoye