NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

All posts by lawansonoluwatope@gmail.com

Politics

LASG reiterates commitment to support innovators, business enterprenuers

 

 

 

 

Awards
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 7, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to support the ambitions and aspirations of entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders in the state to create an enabling and viable environment for business.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the reassurance on Friday night at an Award and Gala Night organised by Ernst and Young (EY) Entrepreneur held at Victoria Island, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said that entrepreneurs were the key drivers of the state.

He acknowledged that Lagos would not have attained being the economic hub of Nigeria and the biggest subnational economy of Africa, if not for entrepreneurs who translated their dreams into reality.

“Anyone who has started a business knows that it is not an easy thing to do.

“lt also does not get easier and every stage of the growth of a business comes with its own unique challenges and issues.

“We must also acknowledge that the environment in which we are can be a challenging one for various reasons.

“Despite all the obstacles and challenges, many peeple continue to put in the hard work and the sacrifice to build, grow, expand and innovate.

“Therefore, I would like to reassure all the entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders that Lagos State Government will continue to do everything within its power to support your ambitions and aspirations,” he said.

According to Sanwo-olu, government is investing heavily in infrastructure, especially in the transport sector.

“The Federal Government is also supporting us with infrastructure investments in major sectoral areas of transport, power and agriculture to name a few.

“We are making it easier for people to get land titles and other necessary documents and to pay state taxes.

“We are also automating a lot of our services for greater efliciency and transparency,” he said.

The governor stressed that security was also a big priority for its administration, noting that there would not be prosperity without the safety and security of lives and property.

“The private sector is an important part of our security efforts, through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

“Lagos State will continue to faithfully discharge its responsibility to create an enabling environment for your businesses,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Henry Ogbegi, Regional Managing Partner, EY Entrepreneur,  said that innovators and enterprenuers make positive impact on the people and socio-economic deveIopment.

Ogbegi called for partnership between enterprenuers and government, adding that government should intervene and create value with the people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that enterprenuers and captains of industries were honoured as well as recognised for there excellence, spirit of entrepreneurship and creating value for the Nigerian economy.

Dr Cosmos Maduka of Coscharis Motors emerged winner of the Masters category and would be representing Nigeria in the EY World Entrepreneur award of the year in Monte Carlo.

Mr Obi Ezeude of Beloxxi Industries emerged EY Entrepreneur of the year, while the Lifetime Achievement Award went to the doyen of banking in Nigeria and Africa, Dr Olasubomi Balogun.

NAN reports that EY Entrepreneur Award started in the U.S in 1986, and has since become a global program covering more than 70 countries.

The West African edition of the award, had been on since 2011. (NAN)

LAW/ ASS/GOK

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Olagoke Olatoye

====================

Politics

LASG advises women on proper personal hygiene

Women

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Lagos, March 6, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Government on Friday urged women to support its administration in its advocacy for clean environment and proper personal hygiene in the face of current health challenges in the country.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the plea on Friday at a workshop on Protocol, Security and Ethics, organised by the Office of the First Lady for members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in Lagos.

The theme of the event: “Unlearn, Learn and Relearn.”

Sanwo-Olu said: “In ensuring that we live a healthy life, clean environment and personal hygiene must be ensured.

“Since women are the custodians of the home, you must ensure you live in a clean environment and keep your homes clean to avoid breakout of disease.

“it is only when our homes are at peace that we can work with ease without stress.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said that the workshop would enhance the professional skills in representational duties with sufficient grasp of the security implication of state assignments while supporting their spouses in key public positions.

Hamzat reiterated the need for women not to leave the training of boy-child out while training the girl-child.

“One of the challenges of the society is the breakdown of the family, therefore, I urge you all to train the girl-child as well as the boy-child for them to be responsible women and men in life,” he said.

Earlier, in her address of welcome, the First Lady of Lagos, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, urged all participants to make the best use of all they learnt at the retreat for their personal benefits.

“You should also endeavour to pass on the knowledge acquired.

“We must see the current reality in the country not as a hopeless situation but an opportunity for entrepreneurial ambition to make a positive impact in a challenging situation.

“Life without women would be full of crises and as such, it is important for women to be given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to nation building,” she said

According to the first lady, to unlearn means doing away with habits that are outdated and as well jettison practices that are against public good and public safety.

She said that a 21st century woman must learn and re-learn; to hold a woman back is to hold a society back.

She noted that empowering women with the right skills and giving them opportunity to be part of the decision making process in the state was certainly a way of setting the state on the course of sustainable growth and development.

“It is, however, crucial that women must tactically position themselves to take full benefits of the various women friendly programmes of the state government.

“The 21st century woman needs to pay good attention to their children because children who do not enjoy parental care easily grow to become a threat to the society.

“We owe it a duty to give good parenting to our children and indeed all other children put in our care.

“We must give them hope and allow them see the positive side of life,” she said.

Lagos Commissioner of Police, Akeem Odumosu, advised all to be security conscious, irrespective of wherever one finds oneself.

“You should always be observant and do security background check.

“Do not trust people on face value, always follow due process when adopting or bringing a stranger to live with you,” he said

Speaking on safety measures, Dr Olufemi Osanyintolu, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), emphasised the need for women to also play key role in ensuring that inferior materials were not used in building houses.

“You must ensure that all domestic safety measures are strictly adhered to in order to stem avoidable incidents,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that COWLSO was founded by the late Mrs Olufunmilayo Johnson, wife of the first Military Administrator of Lagos State, late General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd).

COWLSO, which is presently under the leadership of Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, is a huge platform for the promotion of the cause of women advocacy and a forum for women development in the country. (NAN)

LAW/FF/WOJ

============

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Wale Ojetimi

===============================

Politics

Electoral Bill 2020 will inject better ideas into electoral system — Senate 

 

Reform

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Funmi Gboteku

Lagos, March 5, 2020 (NAN) The Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the ongoing review of the Electoral Law will inject better ideas into the country’s electoral system.

Sen. Kabiru Gaya, Chairman Senate Committee on INEC, made this known on Thursday in Lagos during a retreat on the Electoral Legal framework organised by INEC.

“The repeal and re-enactment of the electoral bill, will indeed inject better ideas into our electoral system, especially in the areas that could undermine the process of free, fair and credible election.

“It is also relevant to note that the inherent problem in our electoral process is the refusal by the political players to adhere to election rules; a practice that has rubbed off on the citizenry and supporters of political aspirants.

“The review of the Act will build citizens confidence, enhance transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

“The reviewed electoral will also entrench internal democracy within the political parties, reduce violence and expand the political scope to include women, youth and people living with disability, ” Gaya said.

In her remarks, Dr Aisha Dukku, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, noted that elections were major pillars of leadership selection in liberal democracies.

Dukku said that because elections were major pillars, constant and unceasing effort for the reformation of electoral laws and process was imperative to any country practicing democracy, most especially Nigeria.

“We need to do more as every election we have done brings to light glaring irregularities on the parts of our electoral laws, misconduct of officers or disregard for electoral laws or instructions by political parties, “she said.

Hermann Thiel, Country Director for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

said that globally, legislators and electoral administrators were facing new challenges on credibility and legitimacy of electoral processes.

“As technology changes, stakeholders find ways around laws to further their electoral ambitions.

“Legislators and election administrators have to constantly review laws to protect the credibility and legitimacy of electoral processes.

“The final outcome of the retreat will lead to significant improvement of the laws governing elections in Nigeria,” he said.

Thiel said that electoral legislation was important and a key element of credible and genuine elections.(NAN)

LAW/ FOG/MAM/WOJ

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Wale Ojetimi

==================================

 

Politics

INEC urges NASS to hasten passage of National Electoral Offences Commission Bill

INEC urges NASS to hasten passage of National Electoral Offences Commission Bill

Commission

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Funmilola Gboteku

Lagos, March 5, 2020 (NAN) Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Bill for an Act to establish the National Electoral offences Commission.

Yakubu said this on Thursday in Lagos during a retreat for members of the National Assembly on the review of the electoral legal framework.

He noted that the nation could no longer afford to foot drag on this important legislation which would provide the framework for dealing with impunity and banditry in elections.

“This is becoming more brazen, especially because violators of electoral laws are not effectively prosecuted.

“The Uwais committee on electoral reform recommended it in 2009, the Lemu committee on the 2011 post election violence made a similar recommendation which was accepted by the government in white paper.

“Most recently, the Nnamani committee on electoral reform made the same recommendation on the prosecution of electoral offences.

“The commission would like the 9th National Assembly to make history by passing the Bill into law; it is time to walk the talk,” he said

The INEC chairman, however, commended the National Assembly at the historic meeting of law makers and election managers on the reform of the legal framework.

“I am confident that we will have a robust discussion in the best interest of our electoral and democratic processes,” he said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Electoral offences Commission (Establishment) Bill 2020, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Abubakar Kyari and co-sponsored by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, passed the first reading on Thursday February 27 and recently passed the second reading on Wednesday, March 4. (NAN)

LAW/FOG/ASS/WOJ

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Wale Ojetimi

===================

Health

LASG seeks cooperation of all to contain COVID-19

 

 

 

 

LASG seeks cooperation of all to contain COVID-19

Coronavirus

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Lagos, March 3, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos State has called on community, religious and traditional leaders as well as  associations and educationists to cooperate with his administration in spreading information essential for containment of coronavirus.

The governor made the call on Tuesday at a Stakeholders’ Forum on the Management and Control of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

 

He was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

The event was organised by the state Ministry of Information and Strategy, in Ikeja.

Sanwo-olu said that the forum was aimed at sensitising  the citizens to the need to apply precautionary  measures against the spread of the deadly disease.

 

The governor urged the state residents   to stop  rumour mongering on  coronavirus, saying that its outbreak in many countries called for caution and heeding to medical advice.

“Apart from the threat of coronavirus, an issue of great concern is fake news on  social media about the patient currently receiving treatment at a government facility,” he added.

Sanwo-olu advised  that information which  did not emanate from the Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health or the National Centre for Disease Control should be authenticated before  spreading on social media.

The governor said that, as a responsible government, his administration had no alternatives  to activating all medical procedures that would ensure that coronavirus would not put the lives of the residents at risk.

He reiterated that although the government did not desire an increase in the number of coronavirus cases,  it was prepared to handle any further incidents.

Sanwo-olu said that owing to the state government’s experience with Ebola in 2014, the  government, in partnership with the Canadian Government, set up Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory at the Mainland Hospital Yaba.

He said that the laboratory was to enhance the capacity to manage any disease outbreak such as the  coronavirus existing in more than 67 countries.

He urged that all hands should be on deck to prevent the spread of the disease

He added that Lagosians must adhere to the simple procedure that could break the chain of transmission of the disease.

The governor appealed to anyone with fever, cough or difficulty in breathing, to seek medical attention immediately at a primary healthcare centre  or a general hospital.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said that the forum was  to enlighten Lagos residents on coronavirus.

“We are here to provide information from the state government about the journey so far and stop fake news that has been trending in the last one week.

“Lagosians need to form a strong bond to ensure that there is compliance with medical advice to prevent an upscale of the coronavirus situation in the state,” he said.

He urged the participants to assist the state government in ensuring that the messages/information shared at the forum would be passed to many people.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said that there was only one case of coronavirus in the state –  that of an Italian who came into Nigeria on Feb. 24.

The commissioner said that the state government was working with the World Health Organisation to identify everyone who was on the same flight  with the Italian.

He said that so far 100 persons who were on the same flight with the Italian  had been identified and were  being monitored.

He said  that since 2014 when Lagos experienced the Ebola virus, the state government had been building capacity to handle any disease outbreak.

He called on the residents to cooperate with the  government in its efforts to check the spread of the virus,  by living healthy.

“We need to maintain good hygiene: wash your hands frequently; the  sick should be indoors and seek medical help immediately,” he said.

The representative of World Health Organisation in Nigeria, Dr Okudor Ifeanyi, commended the Lagos State Government for  preparedness and swiftness in handling the case.

He said the organisation would continue to support the country and the state in ensuring that the disease would not spread.

He urged Nigerians not to panic, but listen to authentic channels for information on the right things to know and do in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

He said: “If we do the right thing, we can collectively curtail the spread of the virus.

“We need to maintain good hygiene, we should always wash our hands. We do not need to panic.” (NAN)
LAW/ESAN/IGO

Edited by Abiodun Esan/Ijeoma  Popoola

 

Religion

Adeboye, beacon of hope for those in search of salvation-  Tinubu

 

Adeboye

By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, March 2, 2020 (NAN) The APC National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Monday described Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, as “a beacon of hope for those in search of salvation”.

Tinubu made the remarks in his congratulatory message to Adeboye contained in a statement by the APC leader signed by his Media Adviser, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos.

“I sincerely extend my best wishes and congratulations to Pastor E. A. Adeboye on the occasion of his 78th birthday celebrations.

“Truly, Pastor Adeboye is a strong and committed leader of nations. Through his formidable and devoted ministry, he has built a flock that now numbers many millions.

“With the support of his loyal and dedicated wife, Pastor Adeboye has built a church that is renowned across the world.

“He has led a life of grace and service. He is a beacon of hope for those in search of salvation and a guiding light for those who, like him, are called to serve,” he said.

Tinubu said that Adeboye’s dedication to his faith and the salvation of his followers deserved recognition and commendation, even from among those who do not profess identical beliefs.

“My thoughts are with Pastor Adeboye, his family and all people of faith across our great nation, Nigeria at this important moment.

“May God continue to show Pastor Adeboye His divine mercy.

“May He bless him and give him many more years in good health and high spirits that he may continue to touch the lives of those who would follow God’s path,” APC leader said. (NAN)

LAW/GOK

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Politics

Electoral Act under review to include stringent punishments for electoral violators, says INEC Chairman

 

 

Electoral Act

 

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Lagos, March 2, 2020 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  says that it has begun to review  a draft of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that will include stringent punishments for  election violators.

 

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,  said this on Monday in Lagos while declaring open a retreat on the Review of the Electoral Legal Framework.

 

He said that  the commission had in late 2019 received the draft of the Bill from the Senate Committee on INEC which had earlier been presented to the executive for assent before the 2019 general elections.

 

“In turn, the Commission shared the draft Bill internally with the National Commissioners, the  Directors, the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and senior officials in the 36 states and the FCT.

 

“Listening to Nigerians, it is clear that a review of the Electoral Act and our electoral legal framework in general, must be anchored on curbing incidents of violence and sundry malpractices in the electoral process.

 

“It is also to ensure that violators of electoral laws are effectively sanctioned.

 

” It must deepen the deployment of technology in elections.

 

“It will also ensure inclusivity in the electoral process for marginalised segments of the  society such as women, youths and persons living with disabilities.”

On the issue of security during elections, Yakubu said that the Amendment Bill had made an extensive provision for security of lives and property during elections.

 

It also would ensure that  violators of electoral laws would face stiff penalties, he said.

 

“As long as violators of electoral laws are not penalised, we will continue to have issues with our elections.

 

“As part of the reforms of the key components of the Electoral Act, we will like to see the effective sanctions of those who violate electoral laws of this country.

 

“Any country that does not penalise offenders is doomed and we must find a way of penalising electoral offenders so that impunity can be at best reduced or even eliminated completely,” Yakubu said.

 

The INEC Director of Legal Services, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, also said that the retreat would serve as the final stage in the commission’s efforts to harvest proposals for amendments to the Electoral Act 2010.

 

“The objective of the retreat is to provoke discussions to strengthen the processes and procedures for voter registration, the use of technology in elections, registration and regulation of political parties and election dispute adjudication.

 

“The expectations of this retreat are the harmonisation of all the proposals for amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 for presentation to the National Assembly,” she said.

 

In his address of welcome; the REC, INEC Lagos State, Mr Sam Olumekun, said that Lagos State  had 6.5million registered voters, 8,462 polling units and 4,961 voting points during the last general elections.

 

“In the last general elections, we recorded 17 court cases made up of two governorship petitions, two senatorial cases, 11 House of Representatives and 2 House of Assembly cases.

 

“There is the need to have special courts for electoral offences.

 

“The establishment of special electoral offences courts with defined time frame for prosecution will  ensure speedy administration of justice. In Lagos.

 

“We had a matter that lasted for eight years, ” he said. (NAN)

 

LAW/OYE/PAD

=============

Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Peter Dada

 

08033965737

 

 

Economy

Nigeria’s 2020 Finance Act ‘ll end tax multiplicity- FIRS Coordinator

Tax

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Lagos, Feb. 27, 2020 (NAN) Mr Isola Akingbade, Coordinator, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara, says the 2020 Finance Act will address all the issues relating to tax multiplicity in Nigeria.

Akingbade made the remarks at the enlightenment workshop organised for Business Owners at  Ikeja in Lagos.

The title of the workshop was: “How the Finance Act Affects Your Business’’.

Akingbade said, contrary to the notion that there was tax burden in the country, most of the businesses were under taxed.

“There are no tax burden in Nigeria, but all the multiplicity in the tax regime had been taken care of by the 2020 Finance Act which has taken effect this February.

“Every Appropriation Act will now come with its different Finance Act to take care of the budget; so any laxity in the previous one will be addressed by the new one.

“The 2020 Finance Act has given concession on some of the tax burden many are crying about, there is need to shift our attention from oil revenue tax to non-oil revenue.

“For example, for agricultural sector, it is tax free for the first five years and extension for another three years which makes a total of eight years,’’ he said.

Akingbade said the Constitution provided for most of the taxes that some were complaining about, adding that at times, companies were under taxed.

“People often complain about tax burden under the excuse that they will pay hackney permit, land use charge and others. These are product charges.

“For example, if companies do not advertise their products, they will not be asked to pay for the advertisement to the government, either the ones on the walls of their company or vehicles.

“Sometimes, I was approached with 27 taxes in Ekiti State by Hotel Association, and I told them that most of the listed levies are not taxes, but sources of income, however, some of the taxes can be avoided.

“In our Constitution, in 2013 Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) approached the executive council that what they are paying is too much and we were asked to review it.

“We looked at their demands alongside of what the Constitution says; then, the list of tax payable was increased from 27 to 52, this is because the Constitution itself needs to be amended.

“The Constitution says the state shall have power to legislate on some things and we have laws in each state different from each other so the Constitution needs to be modified.

“I am sure that with the Finance Act, it will help to reduce some things because it actually touched everything,’’ he said.

Mrs Yomi Adewale, the Convener of the workshop and Principal Consultant, PIC Consulting,  said that the 2020 Finance Act had provided a lot of incentives for business owners.

“The finance workshop enacted and signed into law by our President on Jan.15, 2020 has a lot of provision in it which affect our businesses and our obligation and tax environment in Nigeria.

“The act is an improvement, especially with the fact that government has put the tax law in the right perspective and also improve ease of doing business for small and medium enterprise in Nigeria.

“Although, many will say that the purpose of the act and its essence is to make the government generate more revenue, yes it is one of the objectives, the other objectives are also worthy of consideration.

“The act provisions has supported SMEs in doing business in Nigeria,’’ she said.

Adewale said that other things we need to take a look at in the Act were the palliative measures for the tax payers.

“The Finance Act also tried to simplify complexity in our taxes and also to touch on archaic laws.

“If a tax player is not aware of the changes in the environment, it will be a difficult thing to comply.

“People should know their obligation and if they are not aware, they will not know the tax benefits in the Finance Act.

“The government has said that budget and the appropriation bill will be coming with the Finance Act, which bit by bit will be addressing the grey areas in the tax laws,’’ she said.

Adewale said that Finance Act 2020 had effected changes in all the agencies tax, eliminated some of the double taxation and also make the tax payment less cumbersome.

“We are now aware that to operate any bank account in Nigeria, there is need for Tax Identification Number (TIN).

“It is a condition and for any business in Nigeria with a revenue of N20 million and below, there is zero per cent of company tax.

“For a medium size company by law with N25 million revenue and below N100 million revenue the company tax rate is 20 per cent.

“Companies with N100 million and above is considered as large company and will pay company tax rate of 30 per cent.

“In the previous tax rate it was 30 per cent across board,” she said.

Adewale said that the provisions in the Finance Act was a type of tax incentive for companies that were not large and below N100 million. (NAN)

LAW/ECN/GOK

Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Olagoke Olatoye

Health

LASG promises advocacy on communicable and non-communicable diseases

 

 

 

Disease

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Lagos, Feb. 27, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Government {LASG} on Thursday reiterated its commitment to expand advocacy on communicable and non-communicable diseases to ensure residents are well informed about them.

 

The Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said this when the WHO Inter-Agency Task

force team on the Prevention and Control of Diseases and Tuberculosis paid him a courtesy visit at Alausa, Lagos.

 

Hamzat said that the referral system was being improved so as not to burden secondary and tertiary health institutions.

 

He said that the Primary Health Care was structured in such a way that the three tiers of government must act together.

 

According to him, attendance at Lagos hospitals shows a 42 per cent inflow from other states.

 

Therefore, the state government needed to take steps that would improve treatments, he said.

 

He gave assurance to residents that the government was partnering WHO in curbing out-breaks; provide adequate equipment and proper training of medical personnel to curb any form of disease.

 

On corona virus, the deputy governor debunked the news of a Chinese national in Lagos who was alleged to have contacted the disease.

 

“Various tests had been carried out on the man and he tested negative. However, a series of tests will still be carried out for certainty.

 

“l urge residents to be calm as government is ready and has put measures in place to fight Covid-19 if found in the state as it fought the Ebola Virus Disease years back.

 

“Lagos State is prepared to handle at least 100 cases of Covid-19, otherwise known as corona virus, at the Quarantine Centre in Yaba which has been  equipped with appropriate laboratory equipment,’’ he said.

 

He urged medical researchers to improve on research to cure Tuberculosis, noting that the current six months’ treatment period was too long.

 

Also, WHO’s Head Strategist, Diana Weil, said that the visit was aimed at creating awareness, access and assist government in finding new ways to prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases.

 

“We have decided on new strategies to unite and strengthen private sectors and state governments investing in the health sector,’’ Weil said.

 

The head strategist said that their target was to prevent, control and end tuberculosis in adults as well as address hypertension and diabetes.

 

She noted that tuberculosis in children would be given more attention as was under-addressed. (NAN)

 

LAW/CHIN/PAD

=============

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Peter Dada

 

 

 

 

Politics

Tinubu didn’t turn down Gov Akeredolu’s invitation to inaugurate projects- Media Aide

Tinubu
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Feb. 26, 2020 (NAN) The National Leader of APC, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday decried insinuations alleging that he deliberately turned down an invitation from Ondo State Government in commemoration of the third anniversary of the state.

Mr Tunde Rahman, Media Adviser to Tinubu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the APC leader did not turn down the invitation of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu

Rahman said that Tinubu was invited by Akeredolu in commemoration of the third anniversary of his administration in Ondo State and to inaugurate some iconic projects initiated by his administration.

He explained that the APC was invited to the state to inaugurate projects which include the Ondo-Linyia Industrial Hub, Ore among other landmark projects of his regime.

“But the APC leader could not honour the invitation as scheduled because of an earlier scheduled trip abroad.

“As much as I know, Asiwaju Tinubu did not turn down the invitation; the date suggested by Gov. Akeredolu coincided with the timing of an already scheduled trip overseas by Asiwaju.

“He did not reject the invitation.

“I can tell you that once he returns from his trip, a new date will be picked.

“He will be there in Ondo to inaugurate the projects as requested by the governor,” Rahman said

NAN reports that some opposition politicians in the state had interpreted Tinubu’s inability to keep the initial date for the inauguration of the projects as a clear rejection of the Gov. Akeredolu and his projects. (NAN)
LAW/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye