A former Welfare Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Alhaja Ramota Bankole, has died in Saudi Arabia.
Bankole, one of the Lagos APC women leaders from Epe Division, died while performing Hajj pilgrimage in the Middle East State.
The Chairman of the Epe local government area, Ms. Surah Animashaun, confirmed Bankole’s death in a statement on Thursday.
Animashaun said the deceased was hale and hearty before she left the country for the pilgrimage.
She said: “It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that I received the news of the death of Alhaja Ramota Bankole.
“It is a sad day indeed as I received the news that she died in the holy land of Mecca while on a holy pilgrimage.
“I extend my condolences to the Bankole family, APC members, and the entire people of Epe on the unfortunate demise of our dear sister and mummy.”
The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Seye Oladejo, also confirmed the news to journalists.
He described the late Bankole as a committed member of the party.
“Her death is most shocking and unfortunate. She was a committed and experienced party leader.
“The deceased was a proven mobiliser and inspiration for women’s participation in politics. May her precious soul rest in peace,” Oladejo stated.
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Lagos APC ex-welfare secretary dies performing hajj in Saudi Arabia
Tinubu’s son extols Catholic bishops on nation building
The son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu, on Thursday, commended the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria for its role in working for the unity of the country.
Tinubu, who gave the commendation during the Episcopal installation of Bishop Simeon Nwobi as the substantive Bishop of Ahiara Diocese in Owerri, urged the Conference to always help through its congregations to continue to preach the unity of Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Belusochukwu Enwere, speaking at the event expressed sadness over the recent abduction of a Catholic priest as he enjoined the church to continue to help in the fight against insecurity in the country.
He said, “Let me use this opportunity to commiserate with the CBCN for the unfortunate abduction of a priest recently. Let us all join hands together to fight this insecurity muster to realize the Nigeria of our dreams”.
“Apart from this, I want to, as well, thank the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for always working and helping to bring together all the Catholic faithful for the unity and oneness of Nigeria. Thank you my Lord’s most spiritual and temporal, as you work towards the unity of Catholics, strive to preach to your congregation that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable.”
Expressing his feelings on the installation of the new Bishop of Ahiara, Tinubu described him as an asset to the Catholic Church and Nigeria at large.
He said, “On this most joyous day of your installation as Bishop of Ahiara, I rejoice with you and send you my kindest regards for a continued vibrant and compassionate ministry.
“May the God Almighty give you all the strength and joy you need for this very important ministry in the Church. I am convinced that you will bring unique competence and experience to the House of God owing to your track records and position and many years of strategic leadership.”
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PRP demands develop people-oriented agriculture, manufacturing policies from Nigerian govt
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) on Thursday urged the Federal Government to put in place realistic and people-oriented agricultural and manufacturing policies to improve the country’s economy.
The PRP National Chairman, Malam Falalu Bello, made the call in a news statement in Abuja.
He charged the government’s economic management team to consider a massive reduction in the cost of governance and reduction in waste to get the country out of its economic crisis.
Bello said: “We urge this team, as a matter of urgency, to develop and get in place, realistic and people-oriented agricultural and manufacturing policies.
“We need to make agriculture an economically profitable activity as done before the IMF/World Bank visited this nation with their ‘No subsidy to agriculture’ mantra.”
He decried the inflation level which was getting closer to 40 percent and the rising poverty level in the country.
“Unemployment and under-employment levels are increasing because of low capacity utilisation and factory closures.
“There is also the closure of over 300 companies by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) because of unreasonable increase in electricity tariff.
“More companies are folding up. We urge the government to do something to address this situation,” the PRP chairman added.
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Ado Bayero Mall reopens after Kano fire incident
Following a fire outbreak on June 19, Ado Bayero Mall has announced the complete restoration of its operations, with tenants resuming their business activities without interruption.
In a statement signed by Ike Okeke, on behalf of the mall’s management Thursday, it was clarified that the fire primarily affected the B wing of the mall, causing minimal damage that did not hinder the overall functioning of the mall.
“Currently, we are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire to prevent any future occurrences. We are also working closely with all tenants and relevant authorities to ensure the affected areas meet stringent safety standards,” the statement said.
The statement further emphasised that the mall maintains a rigorous preventive disaster management protocol, including regular fire drills in collaboration with both the Federal and Kano State Fire Service Departments.
“This protocol ensures effective management of such events, facilitating a swift response from our teams in containing the incident.
“We remain dedicated to the safety of our patrons, staff, and assets. We are committed to minimizing any potential long-term impact and are strengthening measures to prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
On Wednesday, a sudden midday fire outbreak ravaged a section of the Ado Bayero Mall, formally occupied by Game Stores, on Zoo Road in Kano.
The lease manager of the mall, Elizabeth Adeyemo, confirmed the outbreak to According Online.
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ASUU threatens strike over unreviewed salaries, others
The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has decried the non-review of members’ salaries after the last exercise that took place 15 years ago.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin on Wednesday, June 19, the coordinator, Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the government at all levels has been reviewing other workers’ salaries while leaving the lecturers salaries the same since when the value of naira to a dollar was N120.
He said, “University teachers in Nigeria have been on the same salary regime since 2009 when the value of naira to a dollar was N120, and salaries in other sectors have been reviewed twice or more.
“It is better imagined that what a Professor earns in today’s Nigeria is about $400 per month which is a scandalous undervaluation of scholars.
“To continue to remain on the same salary regime for 15 years without review is not only wicked and inhuman but also an invitation to resistance/industrial disharmony,” Igbafen said.
Listing the union’s demands, which, he said the Federal Government has refused to meet, Igbafen, explained that they have been pushed to the wall, and may likely embark on industrial action.
“Having been irked by the obvious lack of sincerity on the part of federal and state governments to address the issues which have worsened the living and working conditions of academic staff in the public universities, it is sad to note that barely a month after we engage with the press in DELSU, there is refusal and/or total neglect of our union’s demands and ultimatum by the government.
“This disposition of government is certainly not a good recipe for the impending paralysis in Nigeria’s public universities.
“It is imperative to point out that the nagging issues between the government and our union in reference revolve around the abysmal failure by the government to satisfactorily implement the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.”
The resulting issues, Igbafen continued, “have been the source of the seemingly unending confrontation between us as a union and the government.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues include the stalled renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement; funding for the revitalization of public universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2021, 2013, and the MoA of 2017; the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in federal and state universities; withheld salaries in federal and state universities; unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, adjunct, etc. due to IPPIS; the non-release of third-party deductions; non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA); proliferation of public universities; non-implementation of the reports of Visitation Panels and the refusal to adopt UTAS in place of IPPIS.
“It is not only sad but also provocative that the government as we speak is not moved by the several clarion calls and efforts by our union to get it to attend to these issues.
“By its action to ignore the union on these contending issues, the government is begging our union to proceed on strike.”
He also condemned the illegal dissolution of the governing councils of public universities in the country, as well as the refusal or neglect by some state governments to constitute governing councils for their universities.
E-governance saved Edo N60bn stationery costs
The Edo State Commissioner for Mines and Energy, Donatus Ojiefoh, on Wednesday, said the e-governance platform instituted by the state government has saved the state over N60 billion.
The use of the e-government platform was developed in 2021 and was made compulsory for all Ministries Department and Agencies on September 1, 2023, which led to the elimination of the use of paper and stationary in the system.
In an interview with journalists on Thursday, the Commissioner said that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision to put the state on a high pedestal led to the e-governance initiative, which has transformed the way the business of governance is conducted in the state.
He said: “If Obaseki was the governor before he was voted in, Edo State would have been one of the richest in the federation. The next governor would work hard to march Obaseki’s achievements. The governor is someone who understands the investment and development status of the state at the moment.
“Edo State is 10 years ahead of other states apart from Lagos. Edo has put over 20 million files, since the state was created, into the e-governance structure and it is the only state operating 100 per cent e-governance, thereby eradicating the delay and bureaucracy associated with governance.
“Obaseki has saved over N60 billion for Edo State just on office stationery alone. Whatever paper you see in my office are external papers or files. It takes a man who understands saving system to achieve this and we are the only state in Nigeria that has completely moved from analogue to digital.”
He also disclosed that the state government reforms in the electricity and the solid mineral sectors have repositioned the state as one of the most business-friendly in Nigeria.
He urged voters to elect a governor who can sustain the achievement of Governor Obaseki, noting that failure to do so would set the state back several years.
He said the state government has registered the Edo State Mining and Investment Company and has obtained 40 mining licenses, adding that government reforms put in place have continued to yield positive results.
He noted that to sustain the state government reforms and achievements, voters in the forthcoming September 21st governorship election should not make the mistake of voting for a candidate who lacks an understanding of investment and development
NASA to launch artificial stars into space
The United States autonomous National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to launch artificial stars into space to improve the precision of astronomical measurements.
The mission which is tagged Landolt uses an eight-laser-equipped toaster-sized gadget to simulate the illumination of stars and other celestial objects.
Reports indicate the $19.5 million Landolt project intends to enable scientists to conduct more precise measurements of stars. This data could also aid in investigating dark energy, the elusive component believed to cause the universe’s accelerating expansion.
Jamie Tayar, a member of the mission team and an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Florida, emphasized the project’s primary significance.
The aim, she explained, is to find out if circumstances, including oceans, could support life on planets orbiting other stars. It is crucial to determine the precise energy output of each star as well as the planet’s distance from it.
‘‘The Landolt mission will further our knowledge of the prerequisites for life on distant planets by offering more precise measurements of star brightness. This ambitious project is a major advancement in our effort to solve the secrets of the universe.’’ Tayar said.
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Ododo signs anti-corruption agency, six other bills
The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, on Thursday, signed the Kogi State anti-corruption agency and six other bills into law.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the governor, Ismaila Isah, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja.
According to him, the other bills now signed into law include, Law to repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission Law 2014 and for other matters connected therewith, 2024;
A Law to repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Scholarship Board Edict, 1998 and other matters connected therewith, 2024;
A Law to establish the Kogi State Electricity Market and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission to Regulate Electricity Generation, Transmission, System Operation Distribution, Supply and Promote Access to Electricity in the State through increased Private Sector Investments or Public Private Partnership in Grid, Multi-Grid and other Off-grid Electricity Option using Renewable and Non-renewable Fuel Sources in the State and other Purposes Connected Therewith, 2024;
Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency Law, 2024 and the Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency Law, 2024.
In his remarks, Ododo described the laws as peoples’ laws, stressing that the assent to the bills are in line with his promise to lead with transparency, accountability, and the fear of God.
The governor noted that the new set of laws will serve as a catalyst for the rapid social and economic development of Kogi as they deal directly with critical aspects of the lives of the people.
“These laws combined together can be referred to as the People’s Acts. All the laws have a direct bearing on the lives of our people and this is the reason we are here.
“Let it be known that under my administration, nobody is above the law. This is in line with my promise to lead with the fear of God and to ensure that our resources work for the people of the state,” Ododo assured.
The governor enjoined the people of the state, especially those in positions of authority to embrace the new laws and be familiar with their provisions.
BREAKING: Court nullifies Sanusi’s reinstatement
The Federal High Court, Kano, on Thursday nullified the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido as Emir of Kano
Details later..
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Court adjourns trial of Kogi Chief-of-Staff Ali Bello, co-defendant
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned an amended money-laundering charge instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Kogi state governor’s chief-of-staff, Ali Bello and his co-defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, until July 15.
At the sitting on Thursday, EFCC’s witness, an Access Bank staff, Olom Egoro, was cross-examined by Bello’s counsel, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN).
During the cross-examination by Aliyu, the witness admitted to the court that there was no lodgement or withdrawal linked to Bello in the exhibit before him.
The witness explained that the staff of the compliance unit of the bank are not the ones that run and maintain the servers of the bank where information on bank transactions is generated from.
He added that it was the duty of the bank’s ICT Department to manage the bank servers.
The second defendant’s counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo, (SAN), equally cross-examined the witness.
After the defence counsel completed their cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged Egoro from the witness box and adjourned the matter until July 15 and 16 for trial continuation.
Recall that at the previous sitting, on May 6, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo(SAN), had presented Egoro, who works with the Compliance Unit of Access Bank as the 6th prosecution witness in the case.
Egoro told the court that the EFCC, via a letter, requested for the bank statements of the Kogi State Government House for the period of 2018 to 2021.
He said the commission also asked for other documents, including the account opening mandate for the account and certificate of compliance in respect of the printouts.
The witness thereafter went through the statement of account, detailing the various deposits into and withdrawals from the same via transfers and cash.
From his evidence, Egoro had said the withdrawals were N10 million each in different tranches.
The witness, however, did not state who deposited the monies, what the monies were deposited for, who withdrew the same and for what purpose before concluding his testimony on the last adjourned date.
Oyedepo tendered the documents through the witness which was admitted in evidence.
Bello and Suleiman, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, are facing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering.