Metro
Ibadin Hails Tinubu, Says Judgment on Full Financial Autonomy for LGs Will Enhance Security, Community Policing
Chief Executive Officer, Badinson Security Services, Mr. Matthew Ibadin, has applauded the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for the Supreme Court judgment, which granted full financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas of the Federation, saying that the judgment will enhance the security architecture of the local authorities, which is the government closest to the people.
Ibadin’s reaction, which is contained in statement he signed himself, is a consequence of the groundbreaking judgment delivered on Thursday by a seven-man Supreme Court justices led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, ordering among other rules that local government funds should henceforth be paid directly to the local government councils’ accounts.
“This landmark judgment is a significant step towards fostering development, enhancing security, and improving infrastructure across the nation.
“It is an achievement worthy of celebration, especially as we mark the president’s one year in office. This decision is a birthday gift to all Nigerians, as it will undoubtedly accelerate development at the grassroots level,” he said
Mr. Ibadin lamented the previous situation where local governments were unable to initiate and execute projects due to financial constraints, saying that the time of lukewarm administration is over.
“It is a shame that before now, local governments could not undertake any projects to improve their communities; all they could do was issue marriage certificates, birth certificates and death certificates. This judgment will change that narrative and empower local governments to take charge of their development agenda,” he said.
Ibadin further beckoned on the government to address another critical issue, which is the establishment of state and local government police. He suggested that Nigeria could benefit from adopting aspects of the American system of policing, which is renowned for its effective structure. In the United States, there are state police forces and elected county sheriffs who have specific responsibilities to their communities. These responsibilities include enforcing court orders, seizing property, serving warrants and legal papers, and pursuing assets.
Mr. Ibadin urged the Presidency to send a bill to the National Assembly to establish state and local government police forces. “This move will significantly enhance our ability to tackle insecurity at the local level because crime is local. Empowering local law enforcement agencies will ensure that security measures are tailored to the peculiar needs of each community,” he stated.
He also criticized the practice of governors removing local government chairmen from office, calling it an aberration of the constitution. “Just as it is unconstitutional for the president to remove a democratically elected governor from office, the same principle should apply to local government chairmen,” Mr. Ibadin added.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of local governments regaining control over primary schools. “Local governments should have the authority to manage primary education within their jurisdictions. This will ensure that educational policies and programs are aligned with the specific needs of local communities, thereby improving the quality of education for our children,” Mr. Ibadin concluded.
Mr. Ibadin also advocated for the adoption of true federalism, where state governments are allowed to formulate and translate policies tailored to their own needs. He suggested that states that are not viable should be acquired by more viable ones. “For example, if Ogun State is not viable, Lagos State should have the constitutional right to acquire it for the sake of development,” he explained.
“States should be allowed to generate revenue and pay taxes to the federal government. States should not be collecting allocations monthly; rather, they should be in control of their own resources and pay taxes to the federal government. Any state that cannot contribute to the center should be acquired by neighboring states, just as banks acquire banks.”
He further proposed regional integration, urging the integration of South-West, South-East, North-West, and North-East regional systems into the constitution.
As the nation celebrates this landmark judgment, the focus now shifts to implementing these changes and ensuring that local governments are adequately equipped to fulfill their new responsibilities. In doing so, we must respect the rule of law, which is the foundation of our democracy and the key to sustainable development and security in our nation.
Metro
Glo Jolly Win Promo: More Millionaires Emerge
The latest winners of the thrilling monthly Glo Jolly Win promotion, have received cheques of N1 million each from Globacom and its partners. This is in addition to the data and airtime bonuses that other Glo users who take part in the promotion receive every day.
At the monthly presentation ceremony in Lagos, five winners were credited with their winnings immediately after the symbolic presentation of their cheques.
Olieh Somtochukwu, a realtor based in Anambra State, became the first person to win N1 million in the promotion in September.
The promotion is being done by Globacom in partnership with Tetragrammaton, the value-added service provider for these services, and Nitroswitch, an aggregator firm licensed by the NCC.
If not that she doubted the veracity of the promo, Mrs. Adebayo Idowu, one of the winners, would have received her check during the first presentation in September. She was reluctant to accept that she had won a million naira, even after multiple conversations, including video calls.
After later becoming convinced, Mrs. Adebayo, a recently retired school teacher, was there with the new batch of winners to receive her prize at last.
Abiodun Oluwasanmi Temitayo, a mechanical engineer; Ashimiu Aminat Idowu, a teacher; Abdul Mumuni Oseni, a corporate driver; and Sanni Ganiu Bayo, a printing and publishing agent from Lagos, are among the other winners.
Speaking about the rewarding promo, Mojeed Aluko of Globacom’s Value Added Services department, said that “the Glo Jolly Win is a lottery service in which subscribers can answer trivia questions or spin a wheel to win loads of airtime, data and cash prizes for as low as N100/day, with no need for downloads or any storage usage on their phones. Subscribers can select their preferred services from the options of Jolly Trivia, Wheel, Win & Life to join in the fun and excitement of the lottery with the potential to become millionaires.”
Metro
Nestlé Opens Entry for Community Scholarship, Reaffirms Commitment to Future of Young Nigerians
Nestlé Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders by opening entries for its annual scholarship program.
Aimed at high-achieving senior secondary and tertiary students pursuing studies in Science and Technology, the scholarship, according to a statement by the Nestlé management, and made available to this medium, supports students in communities surrounding Nestlé operations.
Since launching the Community Scholarship in 2020, Nestlé has remained committed to providing financial support to students in its host communities. This support covers tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books, and other essential expenses, ensuring these students have the resources they need throughout their education journey.
In this round, 90 verified indigenes will receive grants totaling N18 million. The application portal opens on November 5, 2024, and closes on December 8, 2024.
Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating shared value, linking Nestlé’s success to the well-being of its host communities. She encouraged scholarship recipients to strive for academic excellence to stay competitive on a global scale. “These scholarships reflect our unwavering dedication to investing in the future of our youth. At a time when economic challenges place added strain on families nationwide, we’re proud to provide meaningful financial support that eases this burden. By investing in education, we’re not only empowering individual students but also fostering the growth and prosperity of our entire community.”
The call for entries announcement was made at the recent award ceremony for the 2023/2024 batch of recipients, where 65 students from schools in Abaji, Agbara, and Sagamu were awarded scholarships.
One of the recipients from the award ceremony, Adeyemi Gbenga Daniel, a tertiary beneficiary studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, said, “This scholarship empowers us to pursue our dreams, fuels our passion for learning, and helps us explore opportunities that might have otherwise been out of reach”.
Also speaking at the event, traditional leaders of the recipient communities expressed gratitude for the company’s consistent efforts. The Ona of Abaji, the Alagbara of Agbara, and the Akarigbo of Remo Land, represented by their chiefs, praised Nestlé Nigeria for keeping its promises and making a real difference through its Creating Shared Value (CSV) initiatives. They recognized the positive effects on their communities, from educational support to youth empowerment, and promised their ongoing support for Nestlé’s operations, ensuring that the communities remain welcoming for business growth.
As the program continues to evolve, Nestlé remains focused on nurturing talent and encouraging academic excellence. By investing in the education of young people, the company seeks to create long-lasting positive impacts in its host communities, helping to shape a more promising future for Nigeria’s next generation of leaders and innovators.
To apply for the Nestlé Community Scholarship and take a step toward your future, please click here https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=I6jEmmnVEaEf5WPPUefSmrmj6UaT09MhTh0eHSbd2RUQzRSWjQxNEcyMjVOV1JBRVpaVFVXSE81MC4u to access the application portal.
Metro
Gaidam, Egbetokun, Others in Glasgow for 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, is leading a high profile of police officers and administrators to the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow, United Kingdom, including the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, Vice President Africa (INTERPOL), AIG Umar Garba (RTD), Head (INTERPOL, National Crime Bureau), and other Interpol officials.
The 92nd session of the INTERPOL General Assembly, according to a statement signed by the Deputy Director Information and Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) is holds between November 4 and 8, 2024 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing body and comprises delegates appointed by the governments of member countries. It meets once a year and takes all the major decisions affecting general policy, the resources needed for international cooperation, working methods, finances, and programme of activities.