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I’ll Never Step Down for Gbajabiamila – APC Speakership Aspirant Vows
A member of the House of Representatives, Olajide Olatubosun (APC-Oyo) has said that the National Assembly is faced with “existential threat.”
Mr Olatubosun seeks to be the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives to be inaugurated next week.
Although his party has publicly endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila, a Lagos lawmaker, for the position, Mr Olatubosun vowed not to step down from the race.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, he said that he would fight against imposition with the last drop of his blood.
The APC has zoned the office of the Speaker to the South-west and endorsed Mr Gbajabiamila for the office.
Mr Olatubosun said that section 50 sub-section 1b of the 1999 Constitution as amended says that members shall elect from among themselves any member with legislative experience to become speaker.
He said the APC’s endorsement of Mr Gbajabiamila was illegal.
“I’m a party man only to the extent that the decisions of the party conforms with the Constitution,” he said.
He said that the doctrine of Separation of Power says that there are three arms of government with separate functions and responsibilities.
The lawmaker explained that the different arms of government should cooperate with one another without compromising the principle of Checks and Balances.
“The executive is not superior to the legislature, no. Unfortunately, because of our long years of military rule, the legislative arm has been bastardised so much.
“The legislature, which is the National Assembly in our case, came into continuous flow since 1999; this institution is faced with existential threat.
“Many people in government do not think we should exist anyway; so it in our best interest and for future generation for us to allow people to decide who leads us.
“The members of the House of Representatives are matured, well travelled with the required exposure to choose one of them to lead. So I will not support any form of imposition,” he said.
The lawmaker said that he has friends from across political parties and that the support he enjoys is devoid of inducement.
He described the legislative arm as the backbone of democracy adding that the institution needed to run with a new approach.
He said he would be a servant speaker if elected and shall serve members, support staff, the media and all other stakeholders.
The legislator said if he is elected speaker, he would prioritise the budgetary process as the present system is not good enough.
He said that the process should be more inclusive for it to achieve the desired aims and objectives.
Mr Olatubosun also said that if he is elected speaker, he would ensure that the Security Trust Fund Bill is passed for better funding of security agencies.
Stressing the need for better funding, he said that the security agents are doing a lot, sacrificing their comfort and lives for citizens to walk freely.
He said that the issue of state police would be given adequate consideration as its existence in other countries has contributed to the security of lives and properties.
He said that attention would be given to fundamental Human Rights particularly for women, children, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the poorest of the poor.
(NAN)
Fast-growing Lagos-based Entertainment and hospitality hub, Avalanche has announced the birth of its educational arm, The Avalanche Creative Academy.
The academy is designed as a top-notch platform dedicated to nurturing creativity and innovation among aspiring creatives.
The Academy aims to provide comprehensive training through various programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, all designed to inspire and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the creative industry.
It offers the following courses: Music Production, Sound Engineering, Photography, cinematography, 3D,graphic designs, motion graphics, Business Management, Creative copywriting, and Creative Strategies.
The Academy’s first set of intakes is scheduled to resume on the 17th of February 2025, while application opens from 13th of January 2025, on a 12-week basic course.
“Together, we can create invaluable experiences for our students and contribute to the creative community.
Follow the link below to register
The Christmas/End of Year party of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA) was filled with excitement, pomp and pageantry as the 84-86 set celebrated its 40th anniversary of leaving the school.
The highlight of the event was the donation of N20 million from the set’s endowment to serve as a seed fund for the national body’s endowment through the National ICOBA. The donation was received by Mr Femi Banwo, President ICOBA International and Mr Kunle Elebute, Chairman ICOBA National Endowment Committee
The 84-86 set’s Board of Trustees Endowment Committee had established an independent endowment in 2009 with a vision to create a lasting legacy for the set. Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the ICOBA 84-86 Board of Trustees and Endowment Committee, Dr. Falil Ayo Abina, expressed his delight, stating that it was a dream come true.
Dr. Abina explained that one of the core lessons learned at Igbobi College was “self-denial.”
He reminisced about the Self-Denial Fund (SDF), where students were taught to contribute their weekly “widow’s mite” to share with the less privileged in society. Dr. Abina emphasized that when the endowment committee conceived the idea of the endowment 15 years ago, they had this legacy in mind, aiming to serve a purpose greater than self.
The donation of N20 million to the national endowment is expected to inspire others within the alumni and other school alumni associations to follow suit.
This generous donation is the first in ICOBA’s history and arguably in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
The 13-member endowment committee, also include Demola Ipaye, Fola Laguda, Gbenga Aina, Demola Oladeinde, Jimi Onanuga, Abayomi Alabi, Kwami Adadevoh, Bayo Ayoade, Tunde Sadare, Wole Ogunbajo, Tunji Akinwummi, and Lanre Olusola, worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality and it was indeed mission accomplished for the ‘Nobles Nigerians ‘ as Igbobians are called.
The recent US presidential election should be praised for its credibility and peaceful conduct. The election serves as a model for Nigeria, highlighting the importance of free, fair and transparent polls, according to the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media, Mr. Victor Udoh
The US election saw Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, emerge victorious over Democrat, vice president Kamala Harris. Trump secured 270 electoral votes, surpassing Harris’s votes.
While congratulating Trump on his victory, Udoh noted that the election’s smooth process, devoid of issues like ballot box snatching, violence and technical glitches.
In contrast, Nigeria’s electoral process often faces challenges, including delays, vote-buying and disputes over results, he lamented. Udoh emphasized the need for Nigeria to learn from the US example, ensuring credible elections that reflect the will of the people.
He said: “Nigerians and the international community monitored the outcomes of the US election. You could see that the US electoral process demonstrates the value of credible and peaceful elections, which experience Nigeria can draw lessons from to improve its own electoral system.
“By embracing transparency, accountability and peaceful conduct, Nigeria can strengthen its democracy and ensure governance that truly represents the people’s will.”
Udoh, a publicist and motivator, pointed out that learning from the US experience, Nigeria can address its electoral weaknesses and foster a more robust democracy, which in turn, can lead to better governance, economic growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“Nigeria must prioritize electoral reform and transparency to ensure that its citizens’ voices are heard and valued,” he stressed.
He, however, warned that “a second Trump term may have significant implications for global issues like dollar value, immigration, energy and geopolitical stability.”
Victor Udoh is the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media
