Metro
MC Oluomo, APC Hold Solidarity Rally for Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu in Lagos
The Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, led different groups at a rally on Sunday in support of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The rally was also organised in support of the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat for their re-election next year.
Various Tinubu support groups in Lagos have described the mammoth crowd that turned out at the rally as a sign of the party candidates’ popularity and dared other parties to do the same.
The solidarity walk was attended by MC Oluomo himself along with a large number of supporters and Nollywood actors as thousands of participants converged at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and walked to Bolade-Oshodi in support of the APC candidates.
Security operatives, including the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, were also present at the rally to protect the residents.
The five-million march themed, ‘Mother of all Rallies,’ was the second pro-Tinubu rally held by the Lagos APC.
The first rally was held on Monday, October 3, by women who embarked on a solidarity walk to show their support for the APC presidential candidate.
Addressing the supporters, MC Oluomo said the walk became imperative to demonstrate the massive support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
Akinsanya said the former Lagos state governor has the character, capacity and competence to provide leadership that everyone would be proud of in the country.
One of the leaders of the APC support group in the rally, Mr Waheed Seriki, said, “Asiwaju Tinubu is prepared to change the narrative of the challenges facing the nation.
“Some areas that will enjoy priority of the incoming Tinubu’s administration include insecurity, power generation and employment creation.”
In his reaction, the Lagos APC spokesperson, Mr Seye Oladejo, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the large crowd of participants at the rally indicated the popularity of the APC candidates.
“This is one of our preparations in the countdown to the February election. We can see the acceptability and popularity of our various candidates, such that we could have millions of Lagosians marching for APC candidates at various levels, on a very rainy day. That is not a coincidence; it is the plan of God.
“It shows that the APC is the people’s choice, not only in Lagos State but also in Nigeria. So, we need to commend those who took part in the rally, and we want to tell them to get ready with their Permanent Voter Cards when the election comes. We dare any other party to attempt that, rather than the destruction we are seeing all over the place,” he said.
The founder of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Sanwo-Olu Project, Mr Emmanuel Amuwo, said during a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Sunday that “the response of the rally is no doubt mind-blowing and a strong signal that Asiwaju is more than a candidate but also a solution and an answer to the call of Nigerians. This is just a way of testing the microphone because Tinubu’s camp is more than ready to knock out any candidate.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is no doubt a unifier, and we are more than ready to mobilise and enlighten Nigerians on why Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best for Nigeria in this sensitive period.”
On his part, the National Coordinator, Nigeria Intellectual for Tinubu, Lagos State chapter, Temitope Kolawole, in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday, described the rally as a demonstration of loyalty to the former Lagos State governor.
He said, “What we see today is simply an act of loyalty for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is very hard to find in any politician in Nigeria that can gather such influence. Tinubu is a selfless leader who is majorly committed to any assignment, and a vote for Asiwaju will be a step towards taking Nigerians to the Promised Land.”
The Punch
A prominent Lagos hotelier, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, tragically passed away on Saturday after collapsing during a church thanksgiving service held in honour of his wife’s 60th birthday.
The incident occurred at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters, Egbeda, Lagos State, leaving family, friends, and well-wishers in deep shock.
In a now-viral video shared on Facebook by Ayoade Ojeniyi on Sunday, the late businessman appeared visibly distressed, gesturing frantically—apparently requesting water or an inhaler—moments before slumping while delivering his testimony.
The thanksgiving service had been organised to celebrate his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele, with a grand reception scheduled to follow immediately after at Noble Castle Events Centre, Igando.
However, those plans were abruptly halted when news broke that Akinyele had collapsed in church. Despite frantic efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
One of the event vendors, who shared their experience via Facebook, said they had arrived at the reception venue as early as 10 am for the party, which was set to commence by 2pm.
The vendor wrote: “The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had all gone to church for the thanksgiving, intending to proceed to the reception afterwards. Varieties of foods were ready, decoration set, cocktails, emu oguro, and more. The live band had already mounted about 25 speakers. This is how people die? I can’t even think of asking for my balance for the job.”
The distinguished Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, His Excellency, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has extended warm congratulations to Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.
In a heartfelt message, Senator Daniel praised Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing for his outstanding dedication and immense contributions to the Nigerian housing sector. He described the celebrant as a shining example in the business community, whose passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the real estate industry across Nigeria.
“You are indeed a source of inspiration to your generation and a shining example within the business environment. There is no doubt that you had written your name in an indelible ink across Nigeria and most especially among the real estate developers,” he wrote.
Senator Daniel also acknowledged Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing’s conferment as the ‘Otun-Asiwaju of Remo Christians’ by the Ogun State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as a reflection of his God-fearing nature, philanthropic spirit, and commitment to humanity.
The senator offered prayers for good health, greater accomplishments, and many more remarkable years ahead for the business mogul.
He concluded by affirming his highest regards and admiration for the celebrant.
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has directed Commanding Officers to ensure full deployment of staff for maximum visibility, prompt removal of obstructions and ease of movement on all highways across the country. This is in line with the operational guidelines of this year’s Easter special patrol scheduled to commence from 16th to 23 April, 2024.
According to the Operation Order, obtained by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the objectives of the special operations are reduction in road traffic crashes, road traffic fatalities and road traffic Injuries; prompt response to road traffic crash victims; unhindered in purposeful public education and speedy removal of obstructions from the highways, amongst others.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed assured members of the public that in achieving the objectives of the special operations, the Corps will combine the engagement of the motoring public through purposeful and impactful public education programmes, strengthening of surveillance activities to regulate unprofessional excesses, sustained effective patrol operations as well as adequate monitoring on the highways.
To this end, the Corps would carryout aggressive enforcement including conducting over 200 Mobile Courts operations, with the aim of checking the following offences:
Speeding and Dangerous Driving/Overtaking,
b. Lane indiscipline/Route violation,
c. Road Obstructions,
d. Use of Phone while Driving,
e. Overloading,
f. Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations,
g. Passenger’s Manifest Violation,
h. Operation of mechanical deficient and rickety vehicles,
i. Latching and Twist-Locks Violation,
To achieve the aforementioned, over 743 patrol vehicles, 184 administrative vehicles, 92 ambulances, 23 tow trucks and 144 motorbikes are being deployed as part of the patrol logistics.
Furthermore, reflective jackets, traffic cones, tyre pressure gauges, a number of extricating machines and digital breathalyzers are part of the tools set aside for the special operations.
Added to the above is, a total of 23 Help Areas mobilised to ensure prompt removal of obstructions, and rescue operations during the period. This, he said, is in addition to the 15 traffic control camps which would be dedicated solely to identifying traffic gridlock areas to be manned by our personnel on 24/7 basis.
For effective monitoring and prompt response, the Corps has put in place a Situation Room at the National Headquarters to monitor the activities across the country, collate and process information for dissemination to relevant commands and stakeholders as the case may be.
This is in addition to 28 Road Traffic Crash Clinics and 53 Zebra points located along the major routes. This would be covered by 92 ambulances to be fully utilized for prompt response to crashes and rescue of injured victims to hospitals for more professional attention.
He also directed the Commanding Officers to liaise with other strategic stakeholders within their operational areas to secure the needed moral and logistics as well as security support. The Corps Marshal identified some of the stakeholders as Military formations (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Police (enroute or resident); DSS (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Immigration Service; the NSCDC (enroute or resident).
Others are Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); State Traffic Management Agencies; State owned NGO’s ambulance Services providers; National Network on Emergency Rescue Services (NNES);
Federal Road Maintenance Agencies and
Federal Fire Service.
On the overall preparedness of the Corps for the special operations, he expressed optimism that Nigerians would as usual, cooperate with members of the Corps and other security agencies as well as volunteers who would come out to assist the Corps in traffic management.
Expectedly, with the massive deployment of personnel and logistics and the envisaged public support, the Corps Marshal is confident that the celebration would be a huge success.
While reassuring the motoring public of FRSC’s renewed vigour towards entrenching sanity on the roads, the Corps Marshal also wishes all Nigerians safe and peaceful Easter celebrations.
