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Sanwo-Olu Promises to Share Food Packs to Vulnerable Lagosians over Naira Scarcity
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that vulnerable Lagosians that are highly impacted by the current naira and fuel scarcity will be given food to lessen the hardship they are currently facing.
Sanwo-Olu said this on Saturday during a live conference on the crises resulting in chaos across the country.
Speaking, the governor said his government is working very hard to provide palliative measures to lessen the burden being faced by vulnerable Lagosians.
“We have also since commenced the distribution of food packs, to the most vulnerable citizens, the people most impacted by this disruption in the supply of cash.
“We will continue to highlight more vulnerable groups within our distribution channels who would benefit from the palliatives,” he added.
Reacting to the possibility of fare increment, Sanwo-Olu said they are in discussion with private transport operators to regulate fares bearing the difficult circumstances in which Lagosians have found themselves.
He, however, urged them to remain calm while the rollout of the palliatives is put in place.
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an interim injunction restraining pro-Wike speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other members from parading themselves as legislators.
The court directive prohibits them from convening or participating in any official meetings at the Assembly premises.
The court’s decision stems from an exparte order filed against the pro-Wike lawmakers by pro-Siminialayi Fubara speaker Victor Oko Jumbo and three others.
The interim injunction declares the seats of the 1st to 25th defendants vacant pending further legal proceedings.
Additionally, the court issued a restraining order, prohibiting Governor Fubara and the chief judge, who are the 26th and 28th defendants in the suit, from engaging with Amaewhule and his 25 loyalists.
This action is due to the defendants’ defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progress Congress (APC) on December 13, 2023.
The court also directed Amaewhule and the others to hand over all official documents within seven days. The case is adjourned until May 29 for a motion on notice.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has been embroiled in a crisis since last year which has seen the House balkanized into two, with some loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom, and others to Governor Fubara.
In December, the crisis took an interesting turn when 27 members led by Amaewhule defected from the PDP to the APC.
While the members loyal to Wike were led by Amaewhule as speaker, others loyal to Fubara were led by Edison Ehie as their speaker. The governor later appointed Ehie as his chief of staff, leading to his resignation.
However, things took another twist on Wednesday when the members loyal to Governor Fubara elected the member representing the Bonny constituency, Victor Oko-Jumbo, as their speaker.
Oko-Jumbo in his acceptance speech thanked the members for electing him as the new speaker sequel to Ehie’s resignation.
He called on the executive and judiciary as well as the public to disregard every law purportedly enacted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly, describing it as an exercise in futility.
The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command Lagos, CP Olarenwaju Olawale Ishola, on Thursday, played host to the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tincan Island Area Command, Comptroller DA Nnadi, who paid him a courtesy visit.
A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Isaac Hundeyin, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), quoted the Customs Area Controller (CAC), as saying that the Nigeria Customs Service is a promoter of trade facilitation which promotes economic growth in the interest of the Nation. The CAC stated that the Police are to promote peace and checkmate the activities within the ports while protecting all government agencies carrying out enforcement including Customs and individuals doing legitimate business at the ports. The CAC further reiterated his readiness to partner with the Ports Police in addressing ports’ porosity and security, information sharing, and exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation in tackling maritime-related challenges.
The Commissioner of Police in his response, welcomed the Customs Area Controller (CAC) to the headquarters of the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command. The CP assured that measures will be put in place to address the issue of infractions within the ranks of both agencies.
In his concluding remarks, the CP noted that Customs is a major player at the ports and that the police would continue to play its complementary role to provide maximum security while collaborating with other security agencies.
Justice Sylvanus of a Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; his daughter Fatima, and others in the sum of N100m each.
The court also ordered the accused persons to produce two sureties each.
According to the court, the accused should be remanded in prison, if they fail to meet the bail conditions.
Sirika was arraigned on a 6-count amended criminal charge before the court.
Before plea taking, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, informed the court of an amended charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by Counsel to the defendants.
After the charge was read and the defendants had pleaded not guilty, Jacobs urged the court for expeditious hearing of the case.
